Cole Swindell’s Picture-Perfect Reception in Nashville, as Featured in Brides Magazine

Oct 22

I am so thrilled to share with you some images and inspiration from Cole and Courtney Swindell’s reception that was recently featured in Bride’s magazine. The couple tied the knot at a private ceremony in June with a close collection of friends and family at the Chateau de Ninis in Sonoma County, went on a romantic honeymoon in Turks and Caicos (staying at the dreamy Amanyara resort), then returned to Nashville to host a bash for all of their friends and family outside of Nashville at Cortina Farms, a private estate.

Cortina Farms, captured by Rachel Moore Photography

The couple chose the venue for it’s European feeling that also felt similar to their elopement location in Sonoma County. They partnered with husband and wife planning team, SAMKOMA to coordinate a ceremony and reception that was a mix of fresh aesthetics with a whimsical touch. The color palette was neutral black, white, green, and shades of tan, and the reception was hosted inside of a black tent with tables overflowing with blooms and romantically lit by candles. As bride Courtney told Brides Magazine in an exclusive, “We loved the intimacy of a private ceremony with only our close family, but also wanted to celebrate with our favorite people.”

Black, white, and taupe invitation — The paper products, by @jlfcalligraphy, brought together the color palette and perfectly complimented the florals

Bouquet in whites and greens — The bride’s gown perfectly complimented her blooms!

The bride carried an artfully arranged bouquet of hydrangea, roses, and stock, accented with cascading hanging Amaranthus and edged in fresh greenery. Guest sampled appetizers passed on platters that depicted Cole and Courtney’s home states and sipped from the couple’s Casamigo’s bar as they found their seats at a delightful escort card wall that nodded to the groom’s musical roots while simultaneously playing homage to the groom’s father, in a design coordinated by White Door Events and the planning team of SAMKOMA.

The bride and groom served passed appetizers on their home state platters!

I love the detail of the hanging Amaranthus and fern accents.

Custom cocktails helped guests stay cool at the June reception.

The guestbook was both in honor of the groom’s dad and played homage to the couple’s love of music, flanked by fresh floral. Photo by

The groom’s suit coordinated perfectly with the color palette https://madisonemilyharephotography.com/

Inside the tent, naturally composed arrangements in whites and green embellished the ends and fronts of long running tables, and fresh blooms in clear glass vessels dotted the guest’s tables. Blooms included hydrangea, roses, lisianthus, amaranthus and fringed daisies. I added florals for key impact and to tie together the bride and groom’s aesthetic cohesively throughout the space.

Long, elegant guest tables with artfully arranged blooms and candles. Photo by: https://rachelmoorephoto.com/

Lush florals adorned the spaces of the tent that perfectly complemented the theme and aesthetic. Photo by: https://madisonemilyharephotography.com/

Wooden boxes were filled with fresh blooms: daisies, roses, mums, and hydrangea, with accents of amaranthus and veronica were paired with fresh, rich green greenery. Photo by: https://rachelmoorephoto.com/

A closer look at the guest tables. Photo by: https://madisonemilyharephotography.com/

The couple shared their first dance beneath brass chandeliers to a song that Cole penned for his bride: “Forever to Me,” and bride Courtney surprised guests with a coordinated dance with her former NBA dancers in a Honeybee Dance. The bride concluded the evening with an accessories change to include white boots and hat, and treated guests to a late night snack from Cane’s.