Fall Gatsby-Inspired Black Tie Wedding at The Union Station Nashville

Jul 23

Nashville, Tennessee

Yanna + Jake

Yanna and Jake could have gotten married anywhere in the world, and they chose The Union Station Nashville. A decision that instantly told me this wedding was going to be dripping in old-world glamour. As a destination wedding photographer, days like this are exactly why I love what I do. Being exposed to different cities, new venues, and a couple bold enough to build a day entirely around their own vision. Yanna and Jake’s wedding day leaned into a swanky fall vibe, heavily inspired by the glitz and glamour of The Great Gatsby. A black tie affair that surely did not disappoint.

Getting Ready at Union Station

The morning started soft and easy, with Yanna surrounded by her girls in a suite at Union Station full of champagne, laughter, and the kind of nervous-excited energy that only exists on a wedding morning. As a Nashville wedding photographer working with couples from all over the country, I always tell my brides that the getting-ready hour sets the tone for the whole day. It’s important to surround yourself with people who lift you up and support you on one of the most important days of your life!

Yanna and Jake’s First Look

Before the ceremony, Yanna and Jake shared a first look, and it's still one of my favorite moments from the entire wedding. There's something about that first exhale, the moment a groom sees his bride for the first time, that no amount of planning can stage. Jake's reaction was everything, and it gave us the calm, intimate minutes we needed before the excitement that lay ahead.

The Union Station Nashville: An Old World Glamour Nashville Wedding Venue

If you're considering The Union Station Nashville for your own wedding, I can't recommend it enough. This historic former train station offers dramatic architecture, soaring ceilings, and a built-in sense of grandeur that most venues simply can't replicate. It gives couples an incredible backdrop for both intimate ceremonies and large-scale receptions, all within walking distance of downtown Nashville. For couples flying in from out of town, it's an unforgettable way to introduce guests to everything Nashville has to offer, while giving photographers like me an ultimate plethora of photo opportunities.

The Union Station Nashville is not only your run-of-the-mill wedding venue, but it is also a hotel. Having it be a hotel makes it A.) super convenient for couples not wanting to go far from their getting-ready space to their ceremony and reception, and B.) perfect for out-of-town guests. If you have guests traveling from out of town for your wedding, having your wedding venue double as a night's stay makes for a quality, irreplaceable amenity.

Yanna and Jake’s Fall Gatsby-Inspired Black Tie Wedding at The Union Station Nashville

The Union Station Nashville is already a showstopper on its own, but the ceremony space was elevated even further with dramatic drapery that framed the room in soft, sweeping fabric. It struck the perfect balance between modern and opulent. Clean enough to feel current, yet lush enough to feel like something out of the 1920s. Paired with the venue's soaring architecture and vintage bones, the draped ceremony backdrop made for one of the most striking "I do" moments I've photographed all year.

After the ceremony, watching the reception space transform to host 120 guests was its own kind of magic. This was a full black-tie wedding, and the couple leaned all the way into their swanky fall, Great Gatsby theme. Think rich linens, low candlelight, and a color palette of brown, burgundy, ivory, dark amber, deep fall tones, and gold. This was the kind of palette that photographs like a warm, cinematic dream. Every detail, from the florals by Catherine Huynh Design, to the place settings, felt intentional and immersive, like guests had stepped into another era for the night.

Dancing The Night Away

No Gatsby-inspired wedding is complete without a killer soundtrack, and DownTown Band delivered exactly that. From the first dance to the very last song, the dance floor stayed packed. The energy in the room was electric from beginning to end, and this was the kind of reception where guests kicked off their shoes and danced until the clock struck midnight.

None of this comes together without their incredible planner, Laurie of Laurie Deanne Events. She was the mastermind behind every gorgeous detail that was executed to absolute perfection. Since Yanna and Jake live in Fort Lauderdale, planning a Nashville wedding from afar could have easily felt overwhelming, but Laurie made the entire process seamless, bringing Yanna and Jake’s Gatsby-inspired vision to life.

If you're planning a destination wedding of your own and want a Nashville wedding photographer who blends an editorial feel with genuine, organic storytelling, I'd love to connect.

about the writer

Hey, it’s Steph! I’m an Atlanta Wedding Photographer focusing on candid editorial imagery, valuing real over perfect, and whose bags are always packed for travel. If you loved this blog post, don’t hesitate to reach out so we can work together sometime soon!

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