SOPHISTICATED WEDDING
Susan “Gray” Gray and Billy Connolly
Personal touches and vintage details furnish an October celebration of family October 31, 2020 | Susan “Gray” Gray and Billy Connolly met each other in Nashville through an online dating site. In 2019, during Christmas, one of their loved ones unexpectedly passed away. As 2020 arrived, bringing a new set of challenges, they agreed that life could change so quickly and were both ready to face the new world together. Their unique and intimate ceremony was a vintage-inspired bohemian affair at The Estate at Cherokee Dock (the former home of Reba McIntyre) created by Dawn Schenkel of Premiere W.E.D. Gray’s love of antiques and history inspired the use of vintage furniture, natural elements, and earth tones to create an inviting and entirely personal atmosphere. At the reception, areas resembled living rooms, complete with mantles with framed photos of beloved family members and vintage furniture and lighting. Gray customized the bridesmaid’s dresses and hand-picked their jewelry to complement her Naama & Anat and Ateleria 96 slmag.net
wedding dresses. Billy and his groomsmen wore bespoke suits from Indochino. Gray sentimentally carried the fingerprints of her mother and grandmother in her wildflower and rose bouquet. An abundance of flowers from T. Villager Florals was everywhere, from the aisle lined with lanterns and antique rugs to the table housing their Baked in Nashville 4-tiered cake. S’mores kits were passed around for enjoyment by the firepits. Guests enjoyed a special farm dinner catered by Southall Farms in Leiper’s Fork. Favors inspired by some of Gray and Billy’s favorite places: Ranger Station candles (Nashville, TN), hand-made blankets (Denver, CO), and Choo-Choo Kettle Corn (Chattanooga, TN) were presented to friends upon their departure. It was a very personal weekend full of joy, peace, and celebration. After moving briefly to Denver, the couple now lives in Tampa, where Gray is a nurse and Billy is a computer programmer. sl
