Merry Christmas & God Bless Us Everyone

in my dining room...

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Beautiful Riverwood Mansion

Last night I assisted friend and wedding coordinator
Emily Humphries (Simply Yours Weddings)
at Riverwood Mansion - one of the most beautiful historic homes in Tennessee.
In 1798 Alexander Porter came to Nashville from Ireland & opened a linen business on the town square. Later, on a trip several miles outside Nashville,
he became sick & was taken in to the nearest plantation. When it was time to travel back home he took Susan, the daughter of the family back as his bride. (Sounds like a fairy tale!)
He purchased 2,500 acres outside Nashville on the Cumberland River. There he built his large mansion & named his estate ‘Tammany Wood’ after his home in Ireland. The Porter family owned ‘Tammany Wood’ until 1860. Then it was bought by William Cooper, of another prominent Middle Tennessee family.
It was renamed Riverwood & remained in the Cooper family until 1975.
Riverwood has seen it’s share of important people. The list includes presidents Jackson, Polk, Pierce, Johnson, Cleveland, Roosevelt, and Taft. Robert Penn Warren, the 1rst US Poet Laureate stayed in one of the cottages one summer while at Vanderbilt. At the turn of the century, the owners began giving their once a year party at Christmas. All of Nashville elite vied for an invitation.
Once given, the invitation was for life.

(Wow! Don’t you know there was some nasty cat fights over that !)
Lucky for us, we don’t have to be a Unites States president to visit Riverwood. It’s one of the most beautiful places to be married in Middle Tennessee.

The grounds are expansive & beautiful. The inside is decorated with very little furniture, which is perfect for a wedding. The wall, mantels, mirrors, etc. are tastefully and minimally decorated - purposely allowing the mansion to be what you see when you visit - not things. There is a very large enclosed pavilion/tent in back of the mansion. And the staff is helpful & extremely nice.

Love the place !!! I tried channeling the spirit of Alexander Porter on the porch of the mansion, but to no avail !

Guess he was scared off by the crowd. Oh well, maybe on my next visit.
http://www.riverwoodmansion.com

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Top 'O Woodland

Luncheon for Wedding Planners/Coordinator Saturday at historic...

TOP 'O WOODLAND.
Spent an enjoyable Saturday at Top ‘O Woodland with other wedding planners.

Thank you Belinda Leslie for a lovely time & a delicious lunch.

Top ‘O Woodland was bought by Belinda a few years ago. She now rents her beautiful Victorian home for weddings/events. Great care has gone into keeping this mansion in another century yet offering all the comforts necessary for a modern wedding. Belinda will carefully tend to every detail for the bride & groom if they or any of the wedding party should wish to stay the night in any of the historic rooms. Also, talk to this great cook about arrangements for breakfast - you won't be dissapointed.

Thank you again owner Belinda Leslie & wedding instructor Elaine Parker.
http://www.topofwoodland.com

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October Wedding

Yesterday, I helped friend and wedding coordinator, Emily Humphries (Simply Yours Weddings) with a beautiful Jewish/Christian wedding that was held outside at the bride’s parents home off West End. The day was long & hot but worth it to see everything fall into place as all weddings should.

Emily directing

the Chuppah

reception under the tent

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