Photo: Phindy Studios
In January of 2002, at a bar in Wilmington, North Carolina, with her roommates, Jaime Moffett spotted Tom Gossin, guitarist and lead singer of Gloriana, from across the room. "I ordered a drink, and as I turned to lean on the bar and check out the band, I saw Tom and thought 'Who is that?'" she laughs. She worked her way to the stage and requested John Mayer's "3x5," but Tom didn't know it. Luckily, the pair ran into each other again the next night, something Tom was hoping would happen. "When he drove me home at the end of the night, he pulled out his guitar and began to play," says Jaime.
Ten years later, on the roof of Jaime's apartment building in Atlanta, Tom started talking about how long they'd been together and how special Jaime is to him, then tugged on her hand. "I turned around and realized he was down on one knee," she says. "I had no idea it was coming!"
With music in their blood, the duo couldn't think of anywhere better to wed than Nashville. They gathered 178 guests at The Cannery Ballroom for a Prohibition-themed bash, planned by Kathy Best of Front Porch Farms and photographed by Phindy Studios.
In true Gatsby-era style, Jaime and Tom took their outfits very seriously. The bride donned a cap-sleeved lace gown by Claire Pettibone. "It was only the third or fourth dress I tried," she says. "I had a few other dresses in the fitting room, but the second I put this one on, I knew I was done!" To show off the gown's lace back, Jaime skipped a veil in favor of a floral headpiece. For a night of dancing, she chose vintage-inspired black lace booties by René Caovilla.
Tom did the majority of his shopping in his own closet! He paired a vintage Double RL by Ralph Lauren tuxedo jacket and shirt with J. Lindeberg pants and a Brooks Brothers vest. He and his groomsmen traded traditional bowties for wooden versions by The Two Guys Bow Ties.
The ceremony took place upstairs in the Cannery Ballroom's private event space, ONE. Wooden arches were decorated with Manzanita branches and hung with chandeliers, and the aisle was flanked with two rows of rose petals. Tom and Jaime encouraged guests to arrive early, grab a cocktail, and then take their seats. "We wanted the party to start as soon as we said 'I do,'" says the bride.
Downstairs, the stage was set for a '20s-worthy celebration. Gold and ivory linens were topped with vintage silver and cut crystal vessels and arrangements of blush and ivory roses and hydrangeas. "A lot of the vases were our own family heirlooms," says Jaime. Nearby, couches and arm chairs provided lounge seating where guests could take a break from an evening of boogieing.
Jaime and Tom's planner created two vignettes—the Carolina Rose Boudoir and Gossin's Gentlemen's Club—to continue the Prohibition theme. In the boudoir, guests signed the guest book, took photos in the photo booth, and got a peek at Jaime's mom's wedding dress. In the gentlemen's club, a table was set up for gambling. As a final surprise, the planner sourced a vintage piano and displayed the hand-written sheet music to "Carolina Rose," a song that Tom wrote for Jaime chronicling their love story.
Photo: Phindy Studios
"Tom's a musician, I'm a dancer," says Jaime. "Having a live band was a no-brainer!" The band played Van Morrison's "Into the Mystic" as the couple's first dance.
Though Jaime loves sweets, the cake wasn't at the top of her list. Instead, it was the impressive dessert spread, featuring everything from miniature cupcakes and banana pudding to chocolate mousse.
Jaime swapped her wedding gown for a shorter black number so that she could really get down. "I needed to be able to shimmy!" she says. The couple made sure to prioritize as they planned, allocating funds toward the big things that meant the most instead of small details that eat up money but don't have as much of an impact. And the day of, Jaime was sure to be present and keep her focus. "I didn't notice a single thing go wrong," she says. "That's not to say it didn't happen, but I was focused on marrying Tom and celebrating with our loved ones."
Ceremony & Reception Venue: The Cannery Ballroom || Wedding Planner: Kathy Best of Front Porch Farms || Bride's Wedding Dress: Claire Pettibone || Shoes: René Caovilla || Hair: Steven Ward Hair, Debbie Dover of John David Agency || Makeup: Danielle Blaquera || Groom's Attire: Double RL by Ralph Lauren, J. Lindeberg, Brooks Brothers, The Two Guys Bow Ties || Wedding Bands: Giador Fine Jewelry || Florist: LMA Designs || Invitations & Paper Goods: Designs in Paper || Music: Gino Speight || Catering: Chef's Market || Cake & Desserts: B. Jackson's Bakery || Rentals & Linens: Front Porch Farms, Visual Elements, Southern Events, BBJ Linens || Lighting: Nashville Audio Visual || Videography: Awaken Films || Photography: Phindy Studios