How often do you hear that someone’s first-ever kiss eventually leads to wedding bells? That’s the story for Kimberly Macdonald and Eli Gibbons, but it’s only the first chapter. From their first meeting in eighth grade to their dual proposals to an insanely elegant Hollywood glam wedding at the Frist Art Museum more than a decade later, this couple is perfectly timeless in every way.
We can’t decide what captivates us most — their sweet story or dreamy wedding details. Prepare to be dazzled!
It’s worth mentioning that Kimberly and Eli weren’t even close to exchanging vows after their first kiss. In fact, they weren’t even exchanging pleasantries for a while. But fate has a funny way of intervening, and as the cliché goes, sometimes life imitates art.
“We broke up after three months, and we were on and off ‘friends’ or enemies for three years,” Kim tells us. “Senior year, we were horrified to learn that we were cast as romantic interests in the fall play — playing characters who kiss on stage and resume their relationship by the end of the play.”
Shortly after their high school graduation, the couple once again made their relationship official — just in time to head off to college in different states. “We have been together ever since,” Kim tells us. “That includes four years of long-distance in undergrad, three years of Eli attending law school, and three years of me attending law school — beginning the semester immediately following Eli’s graduation.”
We couldn’t have scripted it better. And then there’s the fact that they both proposed!
Kim and Eli launched their planning process by hiring Hair and Makeup Artist Shani Gailbreath and Lindsy Read of Read Event House. “We had been planning in our heads for years,” Kimberly explains their decision to enlist Lindsy. “I was just starting a new job at my current law firm, so we knew we’d be very busy … We wanted a wedding planner who would work with us to create a customized, luxury event with an eye for detail, an aesthetic that matched our vibe, and who would think outside the box. Lindsy definitely fits the bill! There was nothing cookie-cutter about the process.”
The couple’s creative style and flair were evident from the get-go, with an art-forward, gold-gilded invitation suite from A Good Day, Inc. — an aesthetic that carried over into everything from the cocktail napkins (which featured their sweet greyhound pups!) to the exquisite reception menus and even the custom paintings overlooking the dance floor.
“We wanted a vintage, chic wedding aesthetic with moody and gothic nods as an homage to our love for October and Halloween,” explains Kim. “A black tie dress code was never in question for anyone who knows us and our love of dressing up for a good time. We also wanted our guests to feel transported to a cozy, fancy speakeasy that we described to Lindsy as ‘sipping on a glass of high-end Cabernet Sauvignon in a cushioned velvet chair by a fireplace.'”
The result was a warm and intimate reception with oodles of artistry amid dramatic decor. “We adopted that vibe by implementing customized glowy lighting, a ‘starry’ ceiling for the reception, and signature-scented candles throughout the space,” Kim says. “We transformed the reception space with flowy, soft fabrics to contrast with the sharp, architectural lines of the 1930s museum, plus deep red florals scattered throughout.”
On the morning of the wedding, the historic Union Station Hotel served as a “home base” while the couple got ready for their big day. As Kim celebrated with her bridesmaids, mother, and future mother-in-law, she donned her stunning Ines Di Santo gown — a dress that boasts quite a story of its own.
“Ines Di Santo has been my favorite wedding dress designer for years,” explains Kim. “I tried on some styles from prior seasons in local shops in Nashville, and while they were gorgeous, they didn’t quite speak to me like her new styles.” Kim was drawn to the designer’s fall 2023 runway collection.
The only trouble? The dresses weren’t yet widely available.
A few weeks later, right before a work conference in Chicago, Kim spotted news of an upcoming trunk show in … you guessed it, Chicago! There was a single appointment opening only one hour after she was scheduled to land, so the bride-to-be snagged it. The fates were sealed.
After several rescheduled flights and a meeting with the renowned designer herself, Kim had the perfect gown. “I heard ‘DARLING!’ and saw Ines and her daughter, Veronica, walking around the corner,” says Kim. “Ines rushed over to me and said I was the exact bride she envisioned wearing this gown when she designed it. She then said I reminded her of her best friend from Italy, and we seemed to share a similar spirit. When I told her it was the gown I was choosing, she held my hands, said she blessed me and my decision, and said it was the perfect dress for me. I believe I was the first (or one of the first) in the world to buy that dress … Truly a magical experience!”
First looks preceded the short and sweet ceremony, where Kim and Eli exchanged custom vows in front of nearly 80 guests. As artistic as every other aspect of the wedding, Eli’s vows even featured song lyrics from one of the couple’s favorite ballets.
“We included a handfasting ritual and passed around a family heirloom for the guests to impart their best wishes,” shares Kim.”It was a black onyx ring from Eli’s late aunt.”
She adds, “Our officiant included a reading — the choreographer’s foreword to one of our favorite ballet performances: the Dance Theatre of Harlem’s performance of When Love, danced to “Knee 5” by Philip Glass, from [the opera] Einstein on the Beach, performed at the inaugural Nashville Dance Festival hosted by the Nashville Ballet. We contacted the choreographer, Helen Pickett, who graciously customized the note for our wedding.”
Following the ceremony, guests gathered in the lobby of the Frist Art Museum for a customized experience that included a string quartet performing classical covers of modern songs and even a wine pairing from Sommelier Kéra Golombisky. Additionally, there were passed appetizers from G Catering that included plantain chips, sweet and spicy chicken bites, poached pear Waldorf canapés, and roasted butternut squash crostini. “We also had large cheese and charcuterie spreads from Autumn Cut the Cheese, so our guests always had access to food,” says Kim.
At the end of the cocktail hour, the guests were in for another surprise: a dance performance. “We commissioned this hybrid contemporary-ballet piece, which was choreographed by Ashlyn Hall and performed by real-life couple Molly Haslag and Matthew Robinson,” says Kim. “It served as a transition from cocktail hour into the reception area, where guests were treated to a second, more upbeat dance performance to the Postmodern Jukebox cover of ‘Halo.'”
A beautiful seated dinner ensued with salad and bread starters, followed by a served entrée buffet that included red wine braised beef short rib, pecan-crusted halibut with cream sauce, and roasted acorn squash. “We also had a late-night sweet and savory charcuterie and cheese spread,” says Kim, “plus an espresso station where guests could get our greyhounds ‘printed’ on their lattes.”
Perhaps one of the evening’s most unique and memorable details, the five-tiered wedding cake was unlike anything we’ve seen before — a true piece of art. “Rachel Schut of RachCakes is a culinary genius,” gushes Kim.
“We could not choose one flavor, so we had three. Eli’s favorite flavor of cake (in general) is white wedding cake, so our primary flavor was a nod to that: white almond sour cream cake with berry and rosemary syrup soak, seasonal berry compote, rosemary mascarpone cream, and Swiss meringue buttercream. We also had blood orange chiffon cake, poire au vin, bitter chocolate ganache, and French meringue buttercream. [And finally], sweet potato cake with buffalo trace caramel, walnuts, brown butter cream cheese filling, and Swiss meringue.”
Additionally, mini desserts such as apple cider trifle and chocolate avocado mousse were served with cake slices on vintage dessert carts.
“For the reception, we wanted it to be cozy and guest-forward, with a seamless transition to the party,” shares Kim. “We tried to include as many advance guest-requested songs as possible to ensure that people would hear their songs and want to get up and dance.” And dance, they did!
“Our first dance was a waltz to ‘In a Week’ by Hozier,” says Kim. “Eli suggested it since it is a hauntingly beautiful song about love — perfect for October. One secret was that our choreography was based on the waltz in High School Musical 3, ‘Can I Have This Dance.’ Our dance instructor, Meg from Danse L’Amour, helped us adapt the choreography to our chosen song. High School Musical formed a core part of my personality in high school, so I already knew most of the dance, and it was a subtle nod to our high school relationship.”
Congratulations, and thank you for sharing your special day with us!
RESOURCES
Venue: Frist Art Museum
Photographer: Erin Fox
Planner/Designer: Read Event House
Custom Art + Builds: Ashley Folkner
Cinematographer: Morgan Film Co.
Florals: Kathryn Stice
Stationery + Event branding: A Good Day, Inc
Draping: Quest
Lighting: Nashville Event Lighting
Furniture: Mayker Events
Rentals: Curated Events
Linens: BBJLaTavola
Bride’s Dress: Ines Di Santo
Groom’s Tux: Richards Bespoke
Bride’s 2nd Look: AMUR
Beauty: Shani Gailbreath
Catering: G Catering
Sommelier: Kéra Golombisky
Cake: Rachel Schut
Coffee: Bloom Coffee Cart
Musicians: Jet Set Strings
Choreographer: Ashlyn Hall
DJ: Gerard Hardiman
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