I recently had the opportunity to participate in the 2nd Nashville Not Wedding. This event is unlike your typical bridal show. Instead it is a vow renewal ceremony and a reception, similar to most weddings.

The shows, held around the county, each have their own theme or idea board. When I saw this in my email, I knew the show was going to be amazing:

So I got to thinking about how to create a down to earth feel but not rustic. So mason jars and burlap were out. I got to do a trial run, when I helped with a styled shoot for the show. Check out the charming couples dinner party.

I had the chance to work with some amazingly talented vendors. First our sweet couple. This ceremony backdrop was by Rosemary & Finch:

For a bridal show, my role is less about wedding planning and more about event design. This was about my design style, the colors, the textures. My biggest challenge was creating a head table that was perfect for our theme and completely befitting a southern wedding. I also knew that it would get photographed and blogged about so it had to be memorable. I was inspired by the idea of a French Farmhouse with subtle colors and simple elegance.

I placed a long piece of barnwood down the middle of the table. Then added off-white pillar candles, small brown bottles with red and white flowers, and finished with some greenery. For each place setting, I used artisan stoneware plates topped with different vintage saucers and a cloche dome. Each setting had gold rimmed glasses and vintage silver flatware.

(Vintage saucer with cloche dome) Maile Lani Photography

(White pillar candles on barnwood) Maile Lani Photography

Above the table, I hung a greenery swag and two lanterns with candles.

(Eucalyptus swag with lanterns) Hannah Elaine Photography

For the finishing touch, and to add a bit of whimsy, I placed a small 3-tier naked cake under each cloche dome and topped them with red flowers.

(Mini naked cakes with red ranunculus under a cloche dome) Maile Lani Photography

These adorable mini cakes under cloche domes were made by The Frosted Affair who also created this beautiful table of cakes.

In addition to my head table, I also created 4 reception tables. These were all different and eclectic. I included a hand lettered table number on slate and created unique floral arrangements to match the style of each table.

Table 3 was a cream and gold pitcher filled with roses and hydrangeas on an antique plate with gold details setting on an old piece of barn wood. Votive candles and small vases of roses were scattered around.

Table 12 used a long piece of drift wood down the middle. Footed vases and crocks contained different floral arrangements in red and cream.

Table 9 was a rusty crate filled with weathered rocks and topped with moss. Inside were a collection of old bottles each filled with flowers or greenery. A small metal cup was an accent on the table.

Table 6 was a very large log slab with a green foot vase filled with hydrangeas, roses and eucalyptus. Small bottles and votive candles surrounded them.