Belmont University Ayers Chapel

Wedding Day

Wedding

The Parthenon

Reception

We first met in 2010 as co-workers. We got to know each other over countless meaningless coffee chats and occasional lunches. Fast forward four years, and we both had new jobs but had kept in touch even though we lived 8 hours apart. One "don't freak out but I've been thinking that maybe we should date," followed by a "don't freak out but I've actually had a crush on you for four years," and next thing you know, Josh is back in Nashville, and we're out of the infamous friend zone.

How We Met

As the "if we get married" comments turned into "when we get married" conversations, Josh bought a ring and began making plans to pop the question. As he made plans for a Valentine's Day proposal, he gave Jena's dad a call to ask for his blessing, but he didn't answer so he left a message in hopes to get a lunch on the books in the coming days. Valentine's Day came and went, and Josh began to worry why Jena's dad hadn't returned his call.Meanwhile, Jena and Josh began to discuss in more detail what married life would look like, and they decided that they would begin to look at houses to get an idea of what type of home they'd like for their newlywed life together. They fell in love with a house much sooner than expected, and they made an offer knowing it wouldn't last long in the current housing market.As the offer was pending, Jena's dad gave her a call (though still hadn't called Josh back) to tell her as any good dad would that he feared she was getting the cart before the horse and that he'd like to see a little commitment out of Josh before making such a large financial investment together. It was a valid point, and Jena began to worry that maybe Josh was getting cold feet on getting married. As she voiced her concerns to Josh, she pushed him on his response that "he'd run into an unexpected delay," only to learn that Josh had called her dad again, and again he hadn't gotten a call back. As her dad's comments about wanting to see some commitment out of Josh ran through her head, Jena felt the need to get involved and find out just why her dad would say those things and yet not return Josh's calls. Poor flip-phone-user Dad had assumed that the voicemail from "Josh" was a call from a Josh that he worked with, who he had called back and left messages for. The misunderstanding was reconciled, and Josh was able to set a very quick lunch date with her dad the very next day without Jena knowing how quickly things were getting resolved.The house offer went through, and Josh quickly began making a Plan B for the proposal. Saturday morning began with a meeting with their lender, brunch with Jena's family, and appliance shopping as all romantic stories do. Jena suggested they head from the appliance story to pick up Bruce the dog for some time at the parkand that while they were on that side of town they should drive by the new house. Josh jumped at the opportunity, and during the drive-by convinced Jena they should get out of the car and let Bruce see the back yard. While standing in the back yard, Josh began talking about all the memories they'd have together as newlyweds in the house and how excited he was for the life they'd build there together. The first new home memory was made right there in the backyard as Josh got down on one knee and proposed. Jena (and her dad) said yes!

Popping the Question

Our Story

Travel 1

Our Wedding

We first met in 2010 as co-workers. We got to know each other over countless meaningless coffee chats and occasional lunches. Fast forward four years, and we both had new jobs but we had kept in touch even though we lived 8 hours apart. One "don't freak out but I've been thinking that maybe we should date," followed by a "don't freak out but I've actually had a crush on you for four years," and next thing you know, Josh is back in Nashville, and we're out of the infamous friend zone.

As the "if we get married" comments turned into "when we get married" conversations, Josh bought a ring and began making plans to pop the question. As he made plans for a Valentine's Day proposal, he gave Jena's dad a call to ask for his blessing, but her dad didn't answer so Josh left a message in hopes to get a lunch on the books in the coming days. Valentine's Day came and went, and Josh began to worry why Jena's dad hadn't returned his call.Meanwhile, Jena and Josh began to discuss in more detail what married life would look like, and they decided that they would begin to look at houses to get an idea of what type of home they'd like for their newlywed life together. They fell in love with a house much sooner than expected, and they made an offer knowing it wouldn't last long in the current housing market. As the offer was pending, Jena's dad gave her a call (though still hadn't called Josh back) to tell her as any good dad would that he feared she was getting the cart before the horse and that he'd like to see a little commitment out of Josh before making such a large financial investment together. It was a valid point, and Jena began to worry that maybe Josh was getting cold feet on getting married. As she voiced her concerns to Josh, she pushed him on his response that "he'd run into an unexpected delay," only to learn that Josh had called her dad again, and again he hadn't gotten a call back. As her dad's comments about wanting to see some commitment out of Josh ran through her head, Jena felt the need to get involved and find out just why her dad would say those things and yet not return Josh's calls. Poor flip-phone-user Dad had assumed that the voicemail from "Josh" was a call from a Josh that he worked with, who he had called back and left messages for. The misunderstanding was reconciled, and Josh was able to set a very quick lunch date with her dad the very next day without Jena knowing how quickly things were getting resolved.The house offer went through, and Josh quickly began making a Plan B for the proposal. Saturday morning began with a meeting with their lender, brunch with Jena's family, and appliance shopping as all romantic stories do. Jena suggested they head from the appliance story to pick up Bruce the dog for some time at the park, and that while they were on that side of town they should drive by the new house. Josh jumped at the opportunity, and during the drive-by convinced Jena they should get out of the car and let Bruce see the back yard. While standing in the back yard, Josh began talking about all the memories they'd have together as newlyweds in the house and how excited he was for the life they'd build there together. The first new home memory was made right there in the backyard as Josh got down on one knee and proposed. Jena (and her dad) said yes!

Our Story 1

Photos

Kevin and Josh first met in elementary school. They lost touch after high school, but reconnected once they both were living in Nashville and picked up right where they left off. Kevin will be coming in for the big day from Germany where he is stationed.

Kevin Abel

Sister, friend and MOH extraordinaire! For every big moment in my life, Megan has been right by my side. I knew she'd be standing right beside me on my wedding day long before I knew Josh. When I asked her what she thought the first time she met Josh, her response was "he's the one."

Megan Perdue

Heron Hall survivor turned best bud and beneficiary for all my monogrammed "L" items. If it wasn't for this girl giving me the courage to tell Josh how I felt, we might all have been home with no plans on Nov. 12! Can't say I'm surprised she had her hand in Josh and I getting together, as she seems to have a starring role in all my best stories.

Mackenzie Luttrell

Rob is Josh's older brother. Josh is still bitter about the time he missed meeting Mickey Mouse because Rob wanted to wait in line for Space Mountain, but will put the bad memory aside on wedding day.

Rob Thomas

My original Memphis connection! She's been known to make wedding planning binders with me back in the day and once drove three hours just to console me after a break-up. Just wait 'til you see her killer dance moves for Rolling Down the River - they put Tina Turner's to shame!

Emily Mitchell

Ricky and Josh first met in 5th grade. They became instant friends, spending a lot of time together on church mission trips growing up.

Ricky Bennett

Aaron is Josh's favorite (and only) nephew. 

Aaron Thomas

Jena's two-year-old niece is our flower girl. If you've met Jena, odds are you've heard about Evelyn and have been forced to ooh and ahh over many of her photos. She learned to say Bruce before she ever called Jena "Nina," and she mastered a clear-as-a-bell "Uncle Josh" just a few weeks after the proposal.

Evelyn Perdue

Ben will become Josh's brother-in-law after the wedding. He's the only other man to know what's it's like to marry into the Locke family, as he married Jena's sister Megan 7 years ago.

Ben Perdue

Wedding Party

Q + A

Registry

Use Group Code TLW to reserve a Studio Suite with King Bed for $199/night. Block reservations accepted through Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016.

Homewood Suites by Hilton Nashville Vanderbilt

Use Group Code LTW to reserve either a King or Double room for $169/night. Block reservations accepted through Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016.

Holiday Inn Nashville-Vanderbilt

Use Group Code LTW to reserve a Queen Bed with Queen Sleeper Sofa Room for $169/night. Block reservations accepted through Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016.

Home2 Suites by Hilton Nashville Vanderbilt

Travel

We eat brunch here pretty much every Sunday. Josh swears by the egg white omlet of the day, and Jena loves the breakfast bowl...unless the French toast of the day is lemon poppyseed, then all bets are off. They don't take reservations for brunch, but do allow call-ahead seating.

Germantown Cafe

Tour Nashville's iconic letterpress poster shop to learn the history of Hatch Show Print and its custom posters. Hatch has been around since 1879, doing work for performers in golden era for country music, as well as other musical genres, including the great African-American jazz and blues entertainers of the day, such as Cab Calloway, Bessie Smith, Duke Ellington, and Louis Armstrong. Tours start daily at 12:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to see the operations, learn the history and make your own Hatch Show Print. Tickets are $15 and can be bought in advance online.

Hatch Show Print

A great way to learn about some of Nashville's best neighborhoods and eat your way through the restaurants that made Nashville the culinary capital of the South. Tours book up well in advance, so buy your tickets early. The Midtown/Vanderbilt tour will keep you nearby all the wedding festivities, while the East Nashville tour takes you to our neck of the woods!

Walk Eat Nashville

Nashville is known for its hot chicken, and Hattie B's is your closest hot chicken hot spot. Even if you love spice, start with the mild!

Jena & Josh

Jena & Josh

Photos