Maggiano's Little Italy

Rehersal Dinner

Drakewood Farm

Wedding Day

Covid 19 Tests

With the recent escalation in Covid 19 cases, we kindly ask all guests to take a test whether at home or with a doctor before attending. We have many family members and friends who fall into the high risk category so we want to do out part to help protect them and you. Spread the love not the germs :)

We hope to have a large celebration, but with the uncertainty and restrictions set in place due to Covid-19 we may be forced to have a smaller ceremony, but we would like to invite anyone to join us via live stream to join in on the celebration!

Lauren and Eric's Wedding

Our Wedding

The Story of Us

Nashville is a city full of dreamers pursing goals in every field you can think of.&nbsp;On August 2010 the city welcomed two new dreamers…US!&nbsp;Eric longed to attend the prestigious Vanderbilt University and then pursue law, Lauren loved the idea of attending Belmont University and living in a city full of music to combine her love of children and music into a career.&nbsp;After 4 years of hard work these plans started to&nbsp;become reality, but little did we know this city had bigger plans for us yet.&nbsp; In September 2014, Eric had just begun his first few weeks of law school at Vanderbilt, and Lauren had just entered her first year of teaching elementary music in Franklin.&nbsp;It was in this season of change that we first met one another online.&nbsp;After a full 9 months of chatting on and off and building a great virtual friendship we decided to meet. Our first “Not Date” (as Lauren calls it) was in May 2015 at The Row, a midtown Nashville pub with live music and, as we discovered that night, the best fried pickles in middle Tennessee.&nbsp;We followed our meal with drinks at Union Common, a swanky art deco bar just a block down the street.&nbsp;Sitting on that bar stool next to her, smiling and laughing, Eric realized that he just had to see this girl again and Lauren went home and told her roommates she “could totally marry a guy like Eric”.&nbsp; Eric and Lauren took things at a slow pace at first. We continued to meet for weekly dinners as friends.&nbsp;In November we went on our first real date at Old Spaghetti Factory, and began “going steady,” as the old-timers would say, in January 2016.&nbsp;By July 2016, we realized that they were in love. We have been inseparable ever since, through law school and weddings of loved ones, through graduations and new jobs, and the occasional struggles that have strengthened our bond.&nbsp; On July 19, 2020—four years, six months, and 2 days after it first began—Eric took Lauren on a surprise scavenger hunt to many of the places that had been so important to us over the years: our first meal together at the Row and Union Common, our first real date at the Old Spaghetti Factory, a picnic at the Parthenon, Lauren’s old rental at Grassland Estates, a karaoke dive bar called The Other Place, the wedding venue of Lauren’s bridesmaid Brittany (where Lauren first told Eric she loved him), and finally a Victoiran gazebo at Lauren’s alma mater: Belmont University. As you may have guessed “She said yes!” &nbsp;You can check out the whole engagement in the video below! We are excited to start the next chapter of our lives together and are thrilled to be joined by all of our friends and family on our wedding day.&nbsp;While this may be the story of us we would not be anywhere without the love and support of each and every one of you. So grab your boots and pack your bags, Nashville is calling!

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SKEwB5TmvKE?feature=youtu.be" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Check out our Engagement Scavenger Hunt here</a>

Our Story

Want to stay downtown? Then the Loews Vanderbilt is for you! Enjoy all Nashville has to offer with a short walk, scooter or lyft ride.Cutoff Date for our special rate: April 26, 2022-5 min from Rehearsal Dinner-25 min from WeddingParking fee-$35 a night

Loews Vanderbilt Hotel

Flying in late or flying out early? This suite style hotel is super close to the airport and features a large open air lobby, free breakfast daily, and nightly happy hour at 5pm. It sits a little further from the hustle and bustle of downtown's CMA fest crowds but still only a 15min ride to the city center and only minutes from the Grand Ole Opry! - 20 min from Rehearsal Dinner- 25 min from Wedding Book by May 10th!

Embassy Suites by Hilton Nashville Airport

If going downtown Uber, Lyft or Cab are suggested with the festival in town parking can be tricky, but there is a parking garage under Music City Center if you want to park close to all the action. Road closures are also possible.

Travel

Mariah Gentry

Daniel Phillips

Morgan Smallwood

Ben Riggs

Clara Broughton

Carlos Alvarado

Jessie Stout

Mitch Falconer

Sarah Weiss

Alex Colclough

Brittany Bandstra

Stephen Duden

Wedding Party

Engagement

Through the Years

Photos

Registry

Places to Go and Places to Eat

Do you love country music? Make a weekend out of it and join in on all the fun to be had at CMA Fest. This once a year festival takes over downtown with live music on every corner for free and nightly concerts at Nissan Stadium you can buy tickets for with all the top country artists. *Tickets for 2022 will most likely go on sale mid-June of 2021*

CMA Fest

A must-see for everyone visiting Music City! Learn the fascinating story of the Grand Ole Opry with a tour of the Grand Ole Opry House. Walk in the footsteps of country music’s superstars and get an exclusive look at what happens behind the scenes of the show that made country music. Tours are usually available every day but please call in advance to confirm tour availability.&nbsp;Approx. length of tour: 45 min - guide. A short walk from Opry Mills Mall and the Gaylord Opryland Hotel

Grand Ole Opry

Come experience the energy and excitement of Music City at Gaylord Opryland. Discover nine acres of indoor gardens, cascading waterfalls, dining and an indoor river. Don't forget to take a ride on the Delta flatboat. (Afterward walk over to the Grand Ole Opry for a Grand Ole Opry Tour)

Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center

Come see the real size Parthenon and enjoy a walk around the beautifully manicured park and lake. Some nights even feature performances in the park! Yes, this is the Centennial Park Taylor Swift references in her song "Invisible String"

Centennial Park

Take a journey through entertainment history with a daytime tour of the Ryman Auditorium, the most famous former home of the Grand Ole Opry. Be immersed in the Ryman’s magical history during the one-of-a-kind “Soul of Nashville” theater experience and enjoy five exhibits complete with videos hosted by stars including Nicole Kidman, Charles Esten, and Trisha Yearwood.&nbsp;Approx. length of tour: 45 min - self-guided; 1-1.5 hours - backstage

Ryman Auditorium

Do you love country music? The museum is self-guided and will usually take guests around 2 hours to go through, but you go at your own pace. The museum is open 9am-5pm daily.Adult (13+): $25.95Youth (6-12): $15.95Child (5 &amp; Under): FREE

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Great for KidsIt’s an amazing, original scientific adventure! Travel to the outer reaches of the galaxy in the Sudekum Planetarium and Space Chase wing. In BodyQuest, explore the systems of the human body, and then climb the seven levels of the Adventure Tower to discover the many roles science plays in everyday life.&nbsp;Approx. length of tour: 2-2.5 hours - self guided / 30 min for Planetarium show (Planetarium Show is additional cost)

Adventure Science Center

Located just a straight shot south from downtown Nashville, quaint downtown Franklin is the perfect sleepy Southern town. Visitors can easily spend a day browsing antique shops and boutiques and dining at one of its many eclectic restaurants. Downtown Franklin offers an eclectic mix of antique shops, gift and book stores, art galleries and clothing boutiques. You may have seen it featured in Southern Living and many music videos including Brad Paisley and Justin Bieber.

Franklin, TN

Places to Eat

Lauren's Favorite! If you love tacos and margs you are sure to love this too. *Highly recommend the classic margarita and queso*

Bakersfield Nashville

Eric's Favorite! If you love Indian cuisine you will love this restaurant owned by Food Network star Maneet Chauhan.

Chauhan Ale & Masala House

Come eat where the Bride and Groom met for the first time! Great Brunch! They often feature live music too. This is in Midtown where you can find lots of other bars and restaurants including Chuy's, Sliders, Stillery and many more!

The Row Kitchen & Pub

In the mood for BBQ? Checkout Martin's. The downtown location also has games and live music up stairs!

Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint

Enjoy the entire neighborhood filled with shops and food! Bring your camera to take pictures with all the Instagram worthy murals!Favorite Shops: Draper James- Reese Witherspoon's StoreFavorite Eats: Bar Taco, Eddley's BBQ, Five Daughters Bakery!

12South Nashville

Pizza anyone? Desano is some of the best pizza around! It is right near the Demonbreun area full of restaurants and bars (our favorite is Two Bits- a board game and old video game bar)

Lauren & Eric

Lauren & Eric

Photos

Engagement

Through the Years