After the winter ice storm forced us to postpone earlier this year, the 2026 Happily Connected Wedding Showcase was held on March 29, 2026, at the incredible National Museum of African American Music in downtown Nashville. The museum was a beautiful backdrop for the showcase, offering a modern, vibrant setting that fit the event perfectly. This year’s color palette of green, blue, deep purple, violet, orange, and yellow‑orange helped guide the look and feel of the styled scenes throughout the event.
A huge thank you to everyone who attended, showcased, modeled, and volunteered at the 2026 Happily Connected Wedding Showcase. The Happily Connected Wedding Showcase is a modern, cocktail‑style Nashville wedding show that offers a fresh alternative to traditional expos. Instead of rows of booths, top Nashville/Middle Tennessee wedding vendors transform the venue into an immersive, celebration‑inspired experience. Couples can walk through styled wedding scenes, meet local wedding professionals, and gather ideas. The atmosphere is lively and welcoming, with music, food, and drinks creating a fun afternoon where couples can easily imagine their own wedding day.
Three talented Nashville wedding photographers beautifully captured the showcase, details, and models. Keep scrolling for a sneak peek at the Design Gallery and highlights from the Happily Connected Wedding Showcase. We’ll also be sharing a series of blog posts that spotlight each design in the gallery, giving couples an even closer look at the inspiration behind every styled scene.
Showcase Highlights
Registration Table and Entrance
Design Team Credits: Designer & Planner: Events by Elizabeth | Balloon Arch, Floral Design & Décor: Events by Elizabeth | Signage: Chloe & Co. Studio | Rentals: Grand Tents & Events
The Design Gallery
Four design teams of talented Nashville wedding vendors created seven unique tablescapes: Head Table, Black Tie, Celestial, Romantic, Classic, Whimsical, and Natural Chic, along with a ceremony setup, a lounge area, and an escort table featuring vinyl records listing all vendors in the Design Gallery. We loved seeing how each team brought the color palette to life.
The Escort Table
Design Team Credits: Designer & Planner: Sister Events | Signage & Calligraphy: Chloe & Co. Studio | Rentals: Grand Tents & Events
The escort table featured a row of colorful vinyl records set against the National Museum of African American Music backdrop. Metallic accents and a vintage‑style microphone added a fun, music‑inspired touch that fit the venue perfectly. It created a simple, memorable highlight for guests as they arrived.
Table 1 – Sweetheart Table
Design Team Credits: Designer & Planner: Sister Events | Floral Design: Blue Bird & Company | Signage & Calligraphy: Chloe & Co. Studio | Rentals: Grand Tents & Events
Table 2 – Black Tie Table
Design Team Credits: Designer & Planner: Simply Southern Events | Floral Design: Blue Bird & Company | Stationery: paperKuts studio | Rentals: Grand Tents & Events
Table 3 – Celestial Table
Design Team Credits: Designer & Planner: Simply Southern Events | Rentals: Grand Tents & Events
Table 4 – Romantic Table
Design Team Credits: Designer & Planner: Rosie’s Events | Floral Design & Décor: Rosie’s Events | Rentals: Grand Tents & Events
Table 5 – Classic Table
Design Team Credits: Designer & Planner: Rosie’s Events | Floral Design & Décor: Rosie’s Events | Stationery: Beautiful Dance Designs | Rentals: Grand Tents & Events
Table 6 – Whimsical Table
Design Team Credits: Designer & Planner: Events by Elizabeth | Floral Design & Décor: Events by Elizabeth Rentals: Grand Tents & Events
Table 7 – Natural Chic Table
Design Team Credits: Designer & Planner: Events by Elizabeth | Floral Design & Décor: Events by Elizabeth Rentals: Grand Tents & Events
The Ceremony
The ceremony space was designed with a modern, gallery‑inspired feel. Rows of black and silver chairs framed a circular platform accented with soft florals, candles, and subtle metallic details. A hanging fabric sign added a romantic focal point, bringing in a personal, heartfelt touch that paired beautifully with the contemporary art throughout the room.
Design Team Credits: Designer & Planner: Sister Events | Floral Design: Blue Bird & Company | Signage & Calligraphy: Chloe & Co. Studio | Round Platform: Rosie’s Events | Rentals: Grand Tents & Events
The Lounge
The AMPLIFY Store at NMAAM turned into a stylish lounge with food, drinks, and design. It featured a three-tier cake with flowers, a dessert bar from Lexie’s Bakery, and Ink Wine’s mocktail “Berry in Love,” available in a regular size and a mini bottle. The mini bottle added a fun twist. A highlight was the Drink Curtain by Sister Events and Events by Elizabeth, where Ink Wine served its signature cocktail, bringing everything together.
Design Team Credits: Designer & Planner: Sister Events | Floral Design: Blue Bird & Company | Signage & Calligraphy: Chloe & Co. Studio | Cake & Desserts: Lexie’s Bakery | Signature Drink & Mobile Bar: The Ink Wine | Draping: Events by Elizabeth | Rentals: Grand Tents & Events
The Design Gallery gave couples an inspiring first look at what their wedding day could feel and look like, setting the tone for the rest of the showcase.
Styling Team & Models
Hair was styled by Too Teased and Crown Me Hair, with makeup by Draya the Slaya, giving the models a polished, modern finish. Epic Bride by Luxe Bridal dressed the bride and bridesmaids in sleek, contemporary silhouettes, while JM Street Menswear & Tuxedo outfitted the groom and groomsmen in classic black and white
A special thank you to our bridal party models: Bri Clark, Danielle Guy, Mayora Celeste Berry, LeDavion Ransom, Elijah Franklin, and Carreno Claybrooks.
The Guest Experience
After exploring the Design Gallery, guests proceeded to the showcase, where the welcoming atmosphere continued. One of the things that makes the Happily Connected Wedding Showcase feel so welcoming is the focus on guest comfort and the overall experience from the moment they arrive. This year’s transportation partners and guest‑focused vendors added thoughtful touches that made the afternoon smooth, fun, and easy for couples exploring the showcase and downtown Nashville.
Transportation
Music City Brew Hop provided complimentary shuttle service from the Bicentennial Capitol Mall, giving guests a convenient way to reach the museum without worrying about parking. Their signature trolleys added a playful, Nashville‑centric moment to the day.
London Cabs of Nashville brought a major showstopper: Diana, a rare Daimler DS420 limousine convertible. The car blends modern comfort with the timeless elegance associated with Princess Diana.
Both companies gave couples a real‑life look at transportation ideas they could incorporate into their own wedding weekend.
Laura from Complete Weddings + Events Nashville created the playlist, and DJ AJ brought it to life, enhancing the lively cocktail-style atmosphere of the showcase. They also provided a photo booth for a fun and interactive guest experience.
April Dupree, Travel Planner, spent the afternoon chatting with couples about honeymoon planning and destination weddings, with a special emphasis on Sandals Resorts. Her expertise helps couples imagine the “after” of their wedding day.
Benita with Living Ceremonies greeted attendees and introduced her heartfelt, personalized approach to creating intentional and elegant wedding ceremonies.
All American Sitters presented their Mobile Kids Zone, a service that helps parents relax during weddings and events. This option ensures that children are entertained and cared for, creating a better experience for all guests.
Crystal with Trottier Skin spent the day sharing her approach to helping clients achieve clear, healthy skin before their wedding.
The 2026 Happily Connected Wedding Showcase was such a fun and inspiring afternoon, and we’re grateful to every couple, vendor, model, and volunteer who helped make this year’s event a success. There was so much creativity on display, and we can’t wait to share even more from the Design Gallery in the coming weeks. Stay tuned as we spotlight each styled scene and the talented teams behind them. If you’re looking for Nashville/Middle Tennessee wedding vendors for your own celebration, be sure to explore our Vendor Directory and follow along on our blog and social channels for future showcases, features, and planning inspiration.
Vendor Credits
Organizer – Happily Connected
Venue – The National Museum of African American Music
Attire – Epic Bride
Attire – JM Street Menswear & Tuxedo
Attire – MYSTiiK Styles
Bar & Beverage – Ink Wine
Cake – Lexie’s Bakery
DJ & Content Creation – Complete Weddings + Events Nashville
Event Child Care – All American Sitters
Floral Designer – Bluebird & Co.
Hair – Crown Me Hair LLC
Hair – KK Smith hair
Hair – Too Teased, LLC
Make Up – Draya The Slaya Makeup
Models – The Black Fashion Week
Model – Bride – Bri Clark,
Model – Bridesmaid – Danielle Guy
Model – Bridesmaid – Mayora Celeste Berry
Model – Groom – LeDavion Ransom
Model – Groomsman – Carreno Claybrooks
Model – Groomsman – Elijah Franklin
Officiant – Living Ceremonies
Photographer – Chase Portraits
Photographer – Knotting Hill Photography
Photographer – Rebecca Vaughan Photography
Planner – Events by Elizabeth and Company
Planner – Rosie’s Events
Planner – Simply Southern Weddings and Events
Planner – Sister Events
Rentals – Grand Tents & Events
Signs – Chloe & Co. Studio
Skin Care – Trottier Skin
Stationery – Beautiful Dance Designs
Stationery – paperKuts studio
Transportation – London Cabs of Nashville
Transportation – Music City Brew Hop
Travel – Travel Planner April, LLC