Ahh...wedding season. How I love weddings! Great times with friends/family, great food, and being able to watch two people exchange vows on one of the most important days of their lives. My cousin Jeremy Stephens was married in Nashville, TN on April 12 and it was such a fun weekend! It was my first visit to Nashville so we tried to pack the weekend with as much as possible!
We spent the night in Atlanta on Thursday and enjoyed breakfast at Bojangles. Geez...we miss some Bojangles! Then we headed to Nashville and met my parents at the hotel first thing and grabbed some lunch and got caught up.
Then we took off to see a few sights. The Country Music Hall of Fame was first on the list. It was really interesting and I was glad that Clay was there to explain who some of the artists were. The first exhibit we went to was full of interactive games and quizzes and you could even record your own country song and make a digital album cover.
 |
| This was a massive guitar SLIDE! |
After the Hall of Fame, we walked around downtown and then headed to Music Row. It was Friday afternoon around 2:00 and ALL the restaurants and bars were already slam packed - it was insane! We went to Tootsies and saw several Bachelor/Bachelorette parties already out celebrating. On a nice day like this, the windows were all open and music was blaring out of every single place. It is most definitely a tourist strip and I'm glad we went and experienced it.
After touring around downtown, we went back to the hotel and got ready for the Rehearsal Dinner! We really enjoyed spending time with our family and the Bride and Groom!
Ya'll, these two are seriously MEANT TO BE. I can't even explain the amount of love and excitement that was pouring out of these two all weekend!
We got up Saturday morning and squeezed in some more sightseeing before the wedding. We had just enough time to tour the RYMAN. Oh. My. Gosh. This was an awesome experience for my music-loving self. I am dying to see a show here and Clay and I have added that to our bucket list. I recently went to Savannah and saw Band of Horses on perform their amazing new album "Acoustic at The Ryman" and it was all I could think of as we were touring around.
This building contains so much history that I wish I had recorded our sweet old tour guide telling us about everything. (Click here for the full Ryman history!) I seriously was enthralled the entire tour, making so many comments that Clay was like, "Jenni, calm down. I know you're excited but let him give the tour." WHOOPS! He knows me all too well.
We started upstairs in the auditorium and made our way backstage through all the rooms, where we weren't allowed to take pictures. We did get to walk across the stage and take a few photos before I almost passed out thinking of all the incredible artists that have been right where we stood! (I know I'm dramatic - it's OK.)
 |
| The light blonde oak is part of the ORIGINAL floor! |
 |
| Part of the original balcony! |
 |
| We take way to many selfies! |
The only way you can score one of these amazing posters from Hatch Show Print is to actually be at the show. They only print a certain number for each show and one for the Ryman to frame.
Hatch Show Print has a shop a couple blocks down so we decided to visit and see what it was all about. They have some older posters for sale and Clay got a Hank Williams one from when he performed at the Grand Ole Opry. It was interesting to see how they still use the Letterpress process to make awesome posters.
Then we grabbed a quick lunch and headed back to get ready for the wedding!
It was a gorgeous day, great ceremony, and the reception couldn't have been any
more perfect for them.
 |
| My Grandma Alice and brother Josh |
 |
| My cousin Jeremy and uncle Calvin |
 |
| Clay and my nephew Jack playing Angry Birds. |
My nephew Cal and niece Eva:
My aunt, Jeremy's mom, made all the centerpieces and decorations!
I told her to open a shop on Etsy and sell it! She did a great job!
Mrs. and Mrs. Jeremy Stephens!
 |
| My Grandmother, Aunt Joan, Mom, Aunt Susan, and I! |
My cousin and his new wife Corrina are both musicians and live in Nashville. They are insanely talented and basically put on a live show during their reception. Many of their friends and guests are also musicians so they joined the bride and groom and jammed out for several hours.
It was absolutely perfect.
What a great weekend in Nashville celebrating my cousin's marriage and touring the city!
Jeremy and Corrina, we wish you MANY years of love and happiness. We love you both!
