I remember receiving the message from Nick and Kelly about photographing their wedding – it was the 4th of July and I was in North Carolina celebrating with family.  I was living in Pennsylvania, and we had thought about the possibility of moving south (maybe even Nashville!).  To say that I was excited is an understatement – I squealed and told everyone I was with!  It would be my first ‘destination’ wedding – so I thought!!  It would also be a wedding full of AMAZING friends and family.  My sister, Liz, is married to Nick’s brother, Mike.  So, I’ve known Nick and Kelly for a few years and I absolutely adore them.  (Fun fact:  Nick was my partner and best man at my sister’s wedding! :))  They are two of the best people I know.  Honestly, they go out of their way to make others happy.  They are so caring and smart and fun.  They give so much love and attention to our little ones in the family (you’ll see my niece, Lana – the beautiful flower girl – and appearances of my daughter & son, too!).  Only one month after they asked me to photograph their wedding, we put in an offer on our current home, here in the outskirts of Nashville.  So, instead of a destination wedding, this became even more exciting for me – as it would be one of my first weddings in our new city!  Scarritt Bennett’s Wightman Chapel is by far one of the most beautiful chapels that I’ve ever worked in.  The natural light was brilliant and I can’t wait to shoot there again!  The Bell Tower is a new wedding/event venue in Nashville and also has incredible natural light during the day (dreamy, creamy light).

Here’s a little about our bride and groom:  After meeting at Vanderbilt Medical School, sparks immediately flew for Nick and Kelly.  After a first date, which was either to Bluebird Cafe or Sunset Grill (depending on who you ask), it didn’t take long for the two to fall in love. Working together as leaders of Vanderbilt’s medical student-run free clinic had its ups and its downs for the couple, but in the end Kelly and Nick grew closer while juggling these many responsibilities. Plus, they had many opportunities for fun: dancing the night away at Cadaver Ball (medical school prom), celebrating the weddings of friends and family, and rocking out at music festivals such as Bonnaroo. They were also lucky enough to travel and relax in Italy, Hawaii, Alabama, Wisconsin, and Virginia. Since 2014, Nick and Kelly have added to their family with the adoption of Brandy and Maxwell from the Nashville Humane Society. Both dogs are treated like their little babies and they bring lots of love and happiness into their home. Immediately after Kelly’s surgery rotation, Nick took her out to a five-part date that took the two through the different stages of their relationship and his feelings for her. Ending on their doorstep with the proposal, Kelly said yes and was surprised when Nick’s parents Tim & Cindi, Kelly’s parents Debbie & Steve, and Kelly’s sister Kristen were waiting inside to celebrate.  When planning their wedding, they focused on ensuring a fun-filled, relaxing time of celebration for family and friends. They absolutely love Nashville and wanted the city to be a point of inspiration.  I think that they executed perfectly.  Every detail was beautiful, classy, and timeless… and there were reminders of Nashville all around us (and the world famous honkeytonks of Broadway were only a block away).  Try not to start drooling when you see the jars of brown sugar bacon at the bar.  I love this town!

Thank you to Nick, Kelly, and their entire families for having me.  It was such a blessing to be a part of your celebration of love.  Enjoy the million photos below (more than I’ve ever blogged about in my career I think – and there are about a thousand more where these came from)

The amazing vendor team who helped make all of this possible:

• Professional Event Coordinator 
  Lesa Neff, Event Specialist, Infinity Restaurant Group  http://thebridgebuilding.com/about-us/our-staff, http://infinityeventsandcatering.com/easyblog/lesa-neff-s-events-blog
• DJ: Mindub, Timothy Hiber, mindub@gmail.com, http://www.djmindub.com
• Bridal Gown
  Village Bridal (http://village-bridal.com); Designer: Pronovias
• Groom’s attire 
  Men’s Wearhouse (http://www.menswearhouse.com); Designer: Vera Wang
• Jewelry 
  Village Bridal (http://village-bridal.com)
• Stationary Suite
  Pixie Chicago (info@pixiechicago.com, http://www.pixiechicago.com)
• Flower Designs 
  Jan Sanger – Sprigs and Twigs (https://www.facebook.com/sprigsntwigs)
• Hair and makeup
  Tony Williams (Family friend and hair stylist in Richmond, Virginia)

OH My God, Kelly!!!  Absolutely stunning!

My adorable niece and my daughter is in the pink!!  🙂

Cindi, do you have your tissues handy?

That’s my boy in the orange shirt!!  I’m surprised we got a photo of him not crying. 😉

CONGRATULATIONS KELLY AND NICK!!!   WE LOVE YOU AND WE THANK YOU!

Please email me if you would like to be notified when the entire wedding gallery is ready (or ask Nick or Kelly for the link)!  You are able to order professional prints through my website when everything is ready and online.  Please give us a ‘like’ on Facebook to keep in touch and see more fabulous weddings.  Thank you for your continued support.

I am now booking 2016 AND 2017 weddings right now in Nashville, Pittsburgh, and anywhere else in the world that you’d like to have me!

Send me an email at: info@Melaniegrady.com

Leave Kelly and Nick some love in the comments below!!  🙂

Here’s a look behind the scenes!

My mom and I dancing to the polka that she requested!  🙂  Thank you, Baba, for bringing our children so we could all enjoy their company, too.