Abigail & John's Wedding - Tara Lauren Real Love Tara Lauren

Abigail & John’s wedding was a captivating dream influenced by European style and timeless antiques.

Of her ASSOULINE gown by Tara Lauren, Abigail said: “ASSOULINE was the first wedding dress I tried on and it ended up being the one. I felt beautiful in it, from the lace detailing, to how it showed off my curves and elongated my torso. It was romantic, sexy, and classy. “

Names: Abigail & John

Wedding Date: 07.11.21

Guest Numbers: 15

Wedding Location: Cheekwood Estate and Gardens, TN

Photographer: Rebekah Talbot

Tell Us Your Love Story

How did you meet?

John and I met online. We matched on Bumble after swiping right. We had our first date on August 15, 2020, and from the moment John saw me (mind you, I was wearing a mask), I stole his breath away. He called his mom after our first date to tell her that he had just met his wife!

How did he put a ring on it?

John told me we were meeting with a wedding planner at Cheekwood to go over our venue and to dress up as he had made dinner reservations for after our meeting. We knew we wanted to be engaged by spring of 2020, so I had already gone ahead in planning our wedding prior to the engagement. As we were heading up the stone staircase leading us to the wisteria arbor, John told me he wanted to take a selfie. I was dumbfounded because we were running 15 minutes behind schedule and I was intently looking for the wedding planner who was nowhere in sight. He led me to the edge of the arbor, which overlooks the gardens, grabbed both of my hands and proposed.

Where did you draw inspiration from?

Mostly Pinterest! I love European influences and old antiques.

What made the wedding personal to you?

Being surrounded by family heirlooms such as taping my great-grandmother’s penny to the bottom of my shoe, attaching my grandmother’s broach to my bouquet and wrapping a piece of her wedding dress around the stems, to wearing my mother’s pearl earrings.

What were you most nervous or excited about?

I was overcome with excitement to see John waiting for me at the end of the aisle.

Now, the most important part – the Dress!

Tell us about your dress?

ASSOULINE was the first wedding dress I had ever tried on and it ended up being the one. I felt beautiful in it, from the lace detailing, to how it showed off my curves and elongated my torso. I loved how it hugged my body, yet the bottom was loose and allowed me to move freely in the dress. It was romantic, sexy, and classy.

What stockist did you get it from?

LVD Bridal, TN

What was your most memorable moment from your day?

It was pouring rain up until a couple hours before walking down the aisle. I am part Irish, and in Ireland, rain is good luck!