Some wedding days are filled with so much personality, laughter, faith, and family that you can’t help but smile behind the camera. Kirsten and Jacob’s wedding at Iriswoods Wedding & Events in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, was one of those unforgettable days.

As Nashville wedding photographers, we love discovering venues throughout Middle Tennessee, and Iriswoods is such a beautiful setting for a wedding celebration. With its historic log cabin, mature trees, open green spaces, and charming outdoor ceremony areas, the property offers so many opportunities for meaningful wedding photographs.

But what made Kirsten and Jacob’s wedding especially memorable wasn’t just the beautiful setting. It was the people, the laughter, the thoughtful family traditions, and the faith woven throughout their entire wedding day.

A Beautiful Summer Wedding at Iriswoods

When we arrived at Iriswoods Wedding & Events, the tree-lined drive immediately caught our attention. Sunlight filtered through the mature trees as we made our way toward the historic log cabin, creating beautiful pockets of light throughout the property.

We always like to arrive early to a wedding so we can walk the grounds, look for the best portrait locations, and get familiar with the light before the day gets busy. Iriswoods gave us plenty to explore.

The combination of historic charm and natural beauty makes Iriswoods a wonderful Mount Juliet wedding venue for couples who want their wedding photographs to feel romantic, timeless, and connected to the outdoors.

The staff and owners were warm and welcoming from the moment we arrived, and it didn’t take long for us to settle in and get to work capturing Kirsten and Jacob’s story.

A Bridal Suite Filled With Laughter

Upstairs in the historic cabin, Kirsten and her bridesmaids were getting ready in a room filled with beautiful natural light. There was excitement in the air, but there was also plenty of laughter.

Before everyone put on their dresses, Kirsten had a fun idea.

She and her bridesmaids decided to have a full-on jam session to “Love Is an Open Door” from Frozen. They sang, danced, laughed, and completely let loose—and it was exactly the kind of moment that makes wedding photography so much fun.

Not every meaningful photograph happens during a traditional wedding moment. Sometimes it’s the ridiculous, unplanned, completely joyful moments that become some of your favorites.

Kirsten’s mom was also there to help her into her wedding dress, making the getting-ready portion of the day even more meaningful. Her gown featured fabric from her mother’s own wedding dress that had been incorporated into the bodice.

That sentimental detail was such a beautiful way to carry a piece of her family’s history into her own wedding day.

Kirsten’s two sisters were among her bridesmaids, who wore beautiful pastel green and light blue dresses. The soft colors complemented the natural surroundings of Iriswoods beautifully.

The Guys Have a Little Fun of Their Own

While the girls were getting ready upstairs, Jacob and his groomsmen were having some fun of their own.

Being big basketball fans, the guys decided to create their own version of game day, complete with costumes inspired by superheroes, movie legends, and cartoon characters.

It was silly, playful, and completely them.

After getting the silliness out of their systems, the guys finally got serious and changed into their wedding attire.

Jacob looked sharp in a gray suit with a pastel blue bow tie, while his groomsmen wore coordinating gray suits with full-length pastel blue ties.

Their personalities came through so naturally throughout the day, which gave us plenty of opportunities to capture candid photographs that felt authentic rather than posed.

A Father-Daughter First Look

One of the most emotional moments of Kirsten and Jacob’s wedding day was Kirsten’s first look with her father.

Kirsten was his first daughter to get married, making the moment especially significant. As he saw his daughter in her wedding dress for the first time, he did his best to hold back his tears.

Those quiet moments before the ceremony are some of our favorites to photograph because they aren’t about elaborate details or elaborate poses. They’re about the people who have loved you long before your wedding day ever arrived.

For Kirsten, getting to share that moment with her dad was incredibly special.

A First Touch, Vows, and Prayer

Before the ceremony, Kirsten and Jacob shared a first touch. They couldn’t see one another, but they could hold hands and spend a few quiet moments together before becoming husband and wife.

They also exchanged heartfelt vows, and their faith was evident throughout their words and the way they approached their wedding day.

Family members gathered afterward to pray over Kirsten and Jacob as they prepared to begin this new chapter of their lives together.

As faith-centered wedding photographers, these moments are especially meaningful for us to document. A wedding is so much more than a beautiful celebration. It is the beginning of a marriage, and we love when couples intentionally make space for their faith and family throughout the day.

A Meaningful Ceremony at Iriswoods

The ceremony took place outdoors beneath a beautiful flower-adorned wooden cross.

Jacob’s father officiated the ceremony, adding another deeply personal family connection to the day. Kirsten’s father also played “Hymn of Heaven” on guitar, creating an incredibly meaningful musical moment.

Kirsten and Jacob shared in the Lord’s Supper before being pronounced husband and wife.

Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for.

Their first kiss as husband and wife.

The newlyweds were officially announced as Mr. and Mrs. Novell, and their family and friends celebrated as they began this new chapter together.

Wedding Portraits Around Iriswoods

After the ceremony, we took Kirsten and Jacob around the Iriswoods property for their newlywed portraits.

One of the things we love about photographing weddings at Iriswoods in Mount Juliet is the variety of settings available throughout the property. The historic cabin, mature trees, open spaces, and beautiful natural surroundings give couples plenty of options for portraits.

We were able to find pockets of beautiful light throughout the property while giving Kirsten and Jacob time to slow down and enjoy being newly married.

Those few quiet moments together after the ceremony can be incredibly valuable. The day moves so quickly, and stepping away for portraits gives a couple a chance to breathe, take it all in, and realize, We’re married!

A Reception Filled With Family and Tradition

The reception space was beautifully decorated with pastel blue tablecloths, candles, and fresh flowers.

One of the most meaningful details was the memory table, which included photographs of Kirsten and Jacob’s parents and grandparents along with their mothers’ wedding veils.

It was a beautiful tribute to the generations who came before them and a reminder that a wedding isn’t simply the joining of two people. It is also the joining of families and the continuation of a story that began long before the wedding day.

Guests enjoyed an incredible spread of food and desserts before the celebration really got underway.

WildBerry Catering provided a delicious Mexican-inspired meal, while Cookie Fix in Franklin provided cookies, lemonade, sweet tea, cheeses, meats, vegetables, and breadsticks.

And then it was time to dance!

A First Dance Everyone Will Remember

Kirsten and Jacob’s first dance was one of the highlights of the evening.

The newlyweds performed a choreographed dance that completely captivated their guests. Watching them dance together, you could genuinely feel how much they love one another.

And then Kirsten’s family took the dance floor.

They surprised everyone with an impressive choreographed performance of their own, and before long, the entire reception was on their feet.

There was dancing, cheering, laughter, and so much energy throughout the room.

It was one of those receptions where you could tell everyone genuinely wanted to celebrate with the newlyweds.

A Sparkler Exit at Iriswoods

As the evening came to an end, Kirsten and Jacob made their grand exit through a tunnel of sparkling lights.

Their sparkler exit was the perfect ending to a wedding day filled with faith, family, laughter, and so much personality.

From the emotional first look with Kirsten’s father to the playful moments with their bridal party, from the meaningful ceremony beneath the wooden cross to their unforgettable first dance, every part of the day reflected who Kirsten and Jacob are.

Why We Love Photographing Weddings at Iriswoods

Iriswoods Wedding & Events in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, is a beautiful choice for couples looking for a Middle Tennessee wedding venue with historic character, natural beauty, and plenty of room to make the day their own.

For us, one of the best parts of being Iriswoods wedding photographers is the variety the property offers. There are beautiful locations for bridal portraits, family photographs, wedding party portraits, and romantic newlywed portraits, all without losing the character that makes the venue special.

And because Iriswoods is located in Mount Juliet, it is also a convenient option for couples planning a wedding near Nashville while wanting the charm and space of a venue outside the heart of downtown.

Congratulations, Kirsten and Jacob!

Kirsten and Jacob, thank you for trusting Collins & Collins Photography to document such a meaningful season of your lives.

Your wedding day was filled with the things that matter most—faith, family, friendship, laughter, and a whole lot of fun.

We hope these photographs always take you back to the feeling of that day: standing beneath the trees at Iriswoods, surrounded by the people you love, knowing you were beginning something beautiful together.

It was an honor to be there to capture it all.

Planning an Iriswoods Wedding?

If you’re searching for an Iriswoods wedding photographer, Mount Juliet wedding photographer, or Nashville wedding photographer, we’d love to tell your story with the same care and attention we brought to Kirsten and Jacob’s wedding day.

Wonderful Vendors:

Venue:Iriswoods Weddings & Events

Bridal Gown:White Lace and Promises — Madison Lane

Bridesmaids Dresses:Azazie

Catering:Wildberry Cafe & Catering

Hair & Makeup: Tabby Sanders

Coordinator: Brandi Lindsey

Videographer: Nick Batson

DJ: Wade Evans

Desserts: Cookie Fix