Jessica & Ben’s Elegant Fall Wedding

Jessica Clarke and Ben Higgins, of ABC’s “The Bachelor,” married at The Estate of Cherokee Dock after a COVID engagement and two years of planning with Fête Nashville.

Their love story started with an Instagram DM, and after hours of talking on the phone and FaceTiming, Jessica and Ben had their first date. Needless to say, they have been inseparable since!

What stood out to them at Cherokee Dock were the many event space options all on one property. Jessica and Ben had a beautiful ceremony on our Sunset Terrace. Jessica told People Magazine they wanted their tented ceremony to feel "reverent." The backdrop was created with antique wooden displays, adorned in greenery, that resembled church windows, with beautiful large, round chandeliers hung from the tent ceiling. The couple even brought a pianist and cellist from Jessica’s parent's church in Nashville as a special, personalized detail. 

Jessica stunned in a chic and timeless Anne Barge strapless, crepe, column gown. She decided to add removable tool sleeves for a “wow” factor and boho style. As a special element, Jessica’s mom mailed the designer the lace from her own wedding dress and they incorporated it into Jessica’s sleeves, which complemented Jessica’s French Chantilly floral, lace, two-tiered chapel-length veil. Her bridesmaid wore beautiful one shoulder hunter-green asymmetrical gowns, while Ben and his guys sported classic black tuxedos from The Black Tux.

After they said their “I dos,” the couple moved into our Carriage House Stables as guests gathered to wish them congratulations. A saxophonist played in preparation for the beautiful reception that was about to take place.

Ben said his main goal for the reception was to make it feel like a “big party.” The couple accomplished exactly that and more by creating various areas for guests to hang out and sip their cocktails around our Lakeview Event Center, where the main reception was held, and our Poolside Promenade. The reception inside the center included food stations to give guests the freedom to move around and mingle before hitting the dance floor! Our covered outdoor patio was filled with seating, offering guests a quieter place to converse, and next door our pool house was transformed into a bourbon bar named “Higgy’s Hangover” with more seating.

 The tables were set with hunter green and white linens and assorted glass vases, along with greenery, needles, and pine cones inspired by the fall foliage. The room also had a beautiful string canopy of twinkling lights and the white stage was decorated with an abundance of draped greenery and more string lights that served as the backdrop.   

Not to forget a fun and cute beer burro walked around the reception, decorated with greenery and wearing a custom beer bag that read “Jessica and Ben” to offer guests a drink!

The party ended with a celebratory sparkler exit and pontoon ride away on the lake. Keep scrolling to see all the beautiful and fall details of Jessica and Ben’s big day!