An Amazing December Wedding

In the Fall of 2007 another young couple invited me to be a part of their big day. Jena Lee, whom I had gotten to know as the Executive Director of Blood:Water Mission through our past collaboration, and her fiance James Nardella asked me to help them plan their December 30th wedding. Since both the bride and groom would be incredibly busy with day-to-day life including work, graduate school and international travel over the next few months they needed a reliable wedding planner ready to take on the burden of handling the details. I was incredibly pleased to come alongside them and share in the excitement of making wedding plans from beginning to end.

Over the next few months we collaborated as we tackled a variety of arrangements - scheduling travel for their guests and family, creating the overall look they desired, interviewing and working with vendors, setting up a bowling outing the day before, planning the rehearsal dinner, deciding on a menu with the caterer and most of all - maintaining a focus on being married, not just getting married.

Jena and James decided to hold their ceremony and reception in one location so that everyone could be together at all times. Fostering a sense of community among their family and friends was key. Together we created a floor layout for both events in the lovely Jamison Hall inside the Factory at Franklin. The ceremony was held in the round with the couple up on a small stage with the pastor while the wedding party and guests encircled them.

As soon as they said, "I do" and had toasted everyone with champagne we did a quick changeover to clear the dance floor so the celebration could begin. A full band took its place and provided music for the next few hours so that Jena, James and their guests could enjoy this wonderful day.