REAL WEDDING: JuLIA & JOSH’s private estate Wedding Weekend

An elegant countryside fête at a Private Estate: Cortina Farms in Franklin, TN

Julia + Josh on the Private Estate
Julia + Josh on the Private Estate

For our sweet couple, Julia + Josh, their wedding vision was about much more than flowers or a dress. Their private estate wedding vision was based on an experiential feeling - they wanted all of their favorite people there to share in their love and to celebrate it. Their wedding was about creating an unforgettable experience for all in attendance.

THE SETTING

When Julia first told me about Cortina Farms, I was floored. This 100+ acre, private estate in Franklin, TN, is fairly exclusive in nature and only hosts a handful of events each year. It was no surprise however, that our effervescent bride made fast friends with Cortina’s owner, and not long after their first visit to the farm we had the private estate booked.

Needless to say, the private estate is unparalleled. Driving through winding back roads from Nashville, your breathing slows and your shoulders melt away from your ears. Windows down, the fresh country air sweeps through your hair as you pass through the quaint streets of Liepers Fork, where Nashville’s elite come to hide away from lights and cameras. A tranquil respite from the hustle and bustle of Music City.

Turning off an undiscerning road, you’re immediately greeted by Cortina’s branded iron gates, flanked by hand-stacked stone walls each adorned with flickering gaslit lanterns.

The gravel drive crunches beneath your tires and the property sprawls out before you. Green rolling pastures where Cortina’s resident goats, donkeys, and alpacas graze line the driveway. The garden, tended with great care, spills over with fresh rosemary and vegetables, two lakes are stocked with trout and a covered bridge leads up the hillside to the main house.

The main house and pool “barn” are stunning stone buildings akin to old farmhouses you might find in the English countryside. While the rest of the outhouses around the private estate are rustic cabins nestled in the woods. Every inch of the property has been designed with impeccable attention to detail. It is cozy and welcoming with its wood burning fireplaces - Yet, sophisticated and luxurious with amenities like the spa cabin and cashmere throw blankets on each bed.

The best part of it all? Julia, Josh and their loved ones got to stay here on property All. Weekend. Long.

THE FOOD

For J+J, everything about their wedding weekend was about creating an experience.  An integral element to this “experience” based approach was the food and beverage. Julia and Josh are health conscious people who love fresh, clean foods that taste delicious. It was important to them that this element of their everyday life was brought into their wedding weekend. There was no one better to do this than Chef Ryan Reisdorf of Placemat (Click here!). Placemat is all about serving up health conscious, culinary experiences, and they were ready to take on a weekend full of just that for the Mason/Robert wedding.

Each meal conjured up by the placemat team seemed to beat the last - each one complete with family style service. From the rehearsal dinner where they cooked up fresh whole fish on the open flame grill, to the wedding dinner boasting a medley of roasted vegetables, colorful salads, and freshly grilled proteins.  Farm to Table feasts on a Private Estate?! Sign us up! It was such a wonderful departure to the standard “catered” wedding food.

Reception dinner on private estate

THE CEREMONY

As if one stunning venue was not enough on it’s own, wedding guests joined Julia and Josh for their wedding ceremony at Christ the King Church across from Belmont University in Nashville. This exquisite church was the perfect setting for J+J to share their vows and say “I do.” The glossy, floor-to-ceiling marble altar and stone etched columns were  just two of the jaw dropping elements at this stunning sanctuary.

For the ceremony, Julia wore a Monique Lhuillier ball gown with a lace, long sleeved bolero for the ceremony. She floated down the aisle escorted by her beaming father to Josh, waiting at the altar in a classic black tuxedo.

THE RECEPTION

Following the ceremony all of the wedding guests made their way back to Cortina Farms for cocktail hour at the pool house, while the bridal party boarded a classic street car trolley and toasted to the newlyweds!

Once back at their private estate, Julia and Josh took their bridal portraits. My favorite of which were in the garden with the farm’s resident donkey’s donning eucalyptus wreaths around their necks. 

As cocktail hour wrapped up and the sun began to set, guests were escorted down the gravel drive to an open pasture where the reception would take place. Inspired by Outstanding In The Field (LINK), two long tables stretched out across the grass, with romantic market lighting overhead. The wooden farm tables were adorned with taper candles, and fresh rosemary cut from the Cortina gardens that morning…by yours truly. Wine bottles were placed, open and ready for pouring and large wooden bowls of freshly baked dinner rolls were wrapped in cloth ready to be uncovered. 

Julia and Josh freshened up before making their grand entrance. With her long sleeves removed, the bride entered her reception with a whole new look. She and Josh shared a romantic first dance before sitting to enjoy their farm to table dinner surrounded by their most cherished loved ones. 

Once Toasts were complete, Julia snuck off with her sister and mom for another surprise outfit change. After a quick bathtub photoshoot (PHOTO) the bride and her girls returned with their dancing shoes on, ready to hit the dance floor! The rest of the evening was spent soaking in every last moment.

It was truly an honor to witness such a joyous and beautiful occasion - endless Thanks to Julia and Josh for trusting the Envy Team to bring their wedding vision to life. 

Private Estate Wedding Reception Design

Wedding Day Recap

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