Claire and Alex kicked off their summer wedding weekend with a golf-inspired rehearsal dinner at Ruby followed by a welcome party for additional out-of-town guests.

After their ceremony rehearsal at St. George’s Episcopal Church, Claire and Alex welcomed guests to Ruby with a cocktail hour in their courtyard. They were greeted by a champagne wall as they entered and snacked on hot chicken bao, fried green tomatoes, and avocado toast as they mingled. Our team also passed glasses of red and white wine and ranch water.

Inside, long elegant farm tables were set for dinner decorated with loose greenery and bud vases filled with blue tweedia, white ranunculus, blue delphinium, and butterfly ranunculus. The blue and white florals complemented their custom invitations, cocktail napkins, and water bottles designed by Alex’s sister, co-founder of The Essential Market. 

With the bride being a Nashville native and the groom a Texan, a Southern menu was an easy choice. Dinner began with a plated bacon salad with feta cheese croutons and bacon vinaigrette and a biscuit on the side. The main course was a dual entrée with Jack Daniel’s whiskey pecan chicken and porcini teres major with gourmet truffle mac and cheese and fire roasted vegetables. For dessert, our goo goo shooters and mini cookies and milk were served family style. 

After loved ones gave heartfelt speeches with a few tears and a lot of laughs, out-of-town guests arrived for the welcome party. They ended the night with our mini chicken and waffles as a sweet and savory late night bite.

It was an honor to help Alex’s family throw a rehearsal dinner to remember! Keep scrolling for some Southern summer rehearsal dinner inspiration.

Photographer: Mary Rosenbaum

Venue: Ruby Nashville

Florals: LMA Designs

Rentals: Southern Event Rentals

Videographer: Colling Films

Transportation: Gray Line Tennessee

Invitations & Paper Goods: The Essential Market

Planning, Catering & Bar: #DreamTeam