Bring on the Baileys!

Chase and Natalie Lester Bailey kiss after being pronounced husband and wife last month.

Chase and Natalie Lester Bailey kiss after being pronounced husband and wife last month.

The last bride at Moxley Carmichael was married off last month.

This is a big adjustment for us. We have been through the planning of four weddings over the last couple of years, including three this past year. And another colleague eloped! The message: If you want to get married, come to work with us!

Natalie Lester and Chase Bailey met on a blind date Dec. 21, 2010. Each was separately invited to a University of Tennessee men’s basketball game by their best friends, who happened to be brother and sister. But Natalie and Chase didn’t meet at the game. Their tickets were not together. It was afterwards when their friends “innocently” suggested they go to the Old College Inn on Cumberland Avenue when they were introduced.

I love it when a plan comes together.

Their first “official” date was New Year’s Eve and, in less than two months, they were seeing each other exclusively. “Chase was always really easy to talk to and he made me laugh,” Natalie says.

The relationship was not without challenges. Chase was working for a coal company in Abingdon, Va., his hometown, and Natalie was working as a reporter at the Shopper News here in Knoxville. “Our relationship was mostly by phone,” Natalie recalls.

The stunning wedding cake was by Sugarbuzz Bakers.

The stunning wedding cake was by Sugarbuzz Bakers.

It remained that way for 2-1/2 years until Chase finally moved to Knoxville. Today, he works for BPV Capital Management and Natalie is a great account executive at Moxley Carmichael.

She says they are a good complement to one another. “I’m very structured and he’s more laid-back,” she says. “We’re a good match because he’s helped me learn to roll with the punches.”

That turned out to be a good thing on their wedding day last month. Whereas Natalie had everything timed to the minute, there are some things you just can’t control. The trolley they had leased to transport the wedding party from First Baptist Church in downtown Knoxville to the reception venue, Holston Hills Country Club, broke down a mile from its destination.

And while everyone on the bus nervously looked at Natalie to see if she would be upset, she really did roll with the punches. While they waited for another trolley to come, Natalie just shrugged and laughed as members of the wedding party disembarked to buy beer at the convenience store, Triangle Food Market, where the trolley was stranded on Boyds Bridge Pike.

She did insist, however, that the beer they bought be products carried by Cherokee Distributing Company, a Moxley Carmichael client. And it was: Miller High Life, Miller Lite and Coors Light! It was another social media moment for their wedding, which everyone posted about on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter with the hashtag, #bringonthebaileys.

Mark Beeler, a cousin of the bride, was soloist as guests waited for the 5:30 p.m. ceremony to begin.

Mark Beeler, a cousin of the bride, was the soloist as guests waited for the 5:30 p.m. ceremony to begin.

Dr. Tom Ogburn, pastor of First Baptist Church of Knoxville, and the groom await the bridal party.

Dr. Tom Ogburn, pastor of First Baptist Church of Knoxville, and the groom await the bridal party.

Flower girls were Caroline , left, and Elizabeth Chase Hathaway, both cousins of the groom. Adorbs. (Photo by Dani Rose Photo)

Flower girls were Caroline, left, and Elizabeth Chase Hathaway, both cousins of the groom. Adorbs. (Photo by Dani Rose Photo)

Here comes the bride with her father, Sid Lester. (Photo by Dani Rose Photo)

Here comes the bride with her father, Sid Lester. (Photo by Dani Rose Photo)

It was a lovely ceremony.

It was a lovely ceremony.

Bridesmaid Rachel Coxey, a cousin of the bride, sang, "How Great Thou Art." Cori Rorex, a college friend and roommate of the bride, left, and Hannah Stuart, another cousin of the bride, are also in picture.

Bridesmaid Rachael Coxey, a cousin of the bride, sang, “How Great Thou Art.” Cori Rorex, a college friend and roommate of the bride, left, and Hannah Stuart, another cousin of the bride, are also in picture.

Mr. and Mrs. Chase Bailey.

Mr. and Mrs. Chase Bailey. (Photo by Dani Rose Photo)

Yep, it's the unplanned stop at Triangle Food Mart!

Yep, it’s the unplanned stop at Triangle Food Market! (Photo by Dani Rose Photo)

The bride and groom decided to pay a visit. (Photo by Dani Rose Photo)

The bride and groom decided to pay a visit. (Photo by Dani Rose Photo)

Meanwhile at Holston Hills Country Club, we had gotten word about the trolley breakdown. But we made the most of it and continued to celebrate on our own. And, before too long, the wedding party arrived.

Matron of honor, Carling Achberger and groomsman Nathan Lester, the bride's brother. Carling was among the group of friends who set Natalie and Chase up on their blind date.

Matron of honor, Carling Achberger and groomsman Nathan Lester, the bride’s brother. Carling was among the group of friends who set Natalie and Chase up on their blind date.

The Baileys make their entrance, no worse for the wear and tear!

The Baileys make their entrance, no worse for the wear and tear!

They immediately hit the dance floor.

They immediately hit the dance floor.

The couple selected Holston Hill Country Club for their reception because Chase's favorite golf course architect is  Donald Ross, who designed Holston's course.

The couple selected Holston Hills Country Club for their reception because Chase’s favorite golf course architect is Donald Ross, who designed the course there. It thrilled him that Ross’ portrait hung in the ballroom overlooking the festivities.

Whereas my husband's favorite thing about weddings is the cake, mine is the flowers. These were so sweet and beautiful.

Whereas my husband’s favorite thing about weddings is the cake, mine is the flowers. These were so sweet and beautiful by Lisa Foster Floral Design.

Cute!

Cute!

I thought the way the salads were served was very efficient and clever. This one is mixed greens with strawberries, feta and strawberry vinaigrette.

I thought serving the salads in pretty glasses was very efficient and clever. This one is mixed greens with strawberries, feta and strawberry vinaigrette. Caterer was Bradford Catered Events.

Another salad contained iceberg lettuce, vegetables and ranch dressing.

Another salad contained iceberg lettuce, vegetables and ranch dressing.

In addition to beef tenderloin and chicken cordon bleu, there was a starchtini station: macaroni and mashed potatoes with a vast array of topping offerings.

In addition to beef tenderloin and chicken cordon bleu, there was a “starchtini station:” macaroni and mashed potatoes with a vast array of topping offerings.

Out on the patio were Laura Potts, left, and Laurie Macnair.

Out on the patio were Laura Potts, left, and Laurie Macnair.

And John and Lauren Miller with Gus Trevino, right. Lauren also is with Moxley Carmichael.

And John and Lauren Miller with Gus Trevino, right. Lauren also is with Moxley Carmichael.

Amy Barger of Moxley Carmichael and her husband, Brandon. (They are the ones who eloped!)

Amy Barger of Moxley Carmichael and her husband, Brandon. (They are the ones who eloped!)

Staying cool inside were, from left, Scott Bird, Michael Higdon, Amanda Jennings and Michelle Henry. Scott, Amanda and Michelle all work at Moxley Carmichael.

Staying cool inside were, from left, Scott Bird, Michael Higdon, Amanda Jennings and Michelle Henry. Scott, Amanda and Michelle all work at Moxley Carmichael.

David Henry, left, with Erica and Karl Beck. Erica is a graphic designer with Moxley Carmichael.

David Henry, left, with Erica and Karl Beck. Erica is a graphic designer with Moxley Carmichael.

David and Michelle. He says the only times they get their photo made together is when they are on The Blue Streak. Ha.

David and Michelle. He says the only time they get their photo made together is when they are on The Blue Streak. Ha.

Maria Cornelius, left, with Shaun and Roger Hyver. Maria and Shaun are with Moxley Carmichael.

Maria Cornelius, left, with Shaun and Roger Hyver. Maria and Shaun are with Moxley Carmichael.

Moxley Carmichael's digital media manager, John McCulley, with his fun wife, Crystal.

Moxley Carmichael’s digital media manager, John McCulley, with his fun wife, Crystal.

Amanda with her husband, Mark Jennings.

Amanda with her husband, Mark Jennings.

Natalie with her work colleague, Scott Bird. They collaborate on several Moxley Carmichael client accounts and make a great team.

Natalie with her work colleague, Scott Bird. They collaborate on several Moxley Carmichael client accounts and make a great team.

Natalie with Shaun and Roger.

Natalie with Shaun and Roger.

The groom's parents, Skip and Tami Bailey.

The groom’s mother,  Tami Bailey, with her cousin, Jimmie Anderson.

The mother of the bride, Terri Lester, with Pastor Tom Ogburn.

The mother of the bride, Terri Lester, with Pastor Tom Ogburn.

Natalie and her mother.

Natalie and her mother.

I know this is a weird picture, but I just loved the back of Natalie's dress!

I know this is a weird picture, but I just loved the back of Natalie’s dress!

The bride and her grandmother, NAME.

The bride and her grandmother, Willie Lester.

The hardest working wedding photographer in Knoxville, Dani Rose Thibus.

The hardest working wedding photographer in Knoxville, Dani Rose Thibus.

The groom with his cousin Bailey Black, left, the program attendant, and another cousin, Owen Black, the ringbearer.

The groom with his cousin Bailey Black, left, the program attendant, and another cousin, Owen Black, the ringbearer. They loved their gifts!

The band was Soul Connection and it had everyone rocking out.

The band was Soul Connection and it had everyone rocking out.

Soon it was time to cut the cake.

Soon it was time to cut the cake.

And more dancing. Here's the bride and her father, Sid Lester.

And more dancing. Here’s the bride and her father, Sid Lester. (Photo by Dani Rose Photo)

The groom and his mother.

The groom and his mother.

The wedding couple dancing with the groom's grandparents, Kenneth and Rita Bailey.

The wedding couple dancing with the groom’s grandparents, Kenneth and Rita Bailey.

And then Chase did the sweetest thing. He surprised Natalie by taking the microphone and serenading her with "My Girl."

And then Chase did the sweetest thing. He surprised Natalie by taking the microphone and serenading her with “My Girl.”

She liked it!

She liked it!

Many folks stayed around for the glow-stick send off. A great ending.

Many folks stayed around for the glow-stick send off. A great ending. (Photo by Dani Rose Photo)

In the wedding spirit and want to see pics of the other recent Moxley Carmichael weddings?

Click here for the post about Lauren Christ and John Miller’s nuptials.

Click here for a Blue Streak post about the wedding of Amanda Shell and Mark Jennings.

Click here to see the post about the wedding of Shaun Fulco and Roger Hyver. (She sang at her own wedding while walking down the aisle!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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6 Responses to Bring on the Baileys!

  1. Lauren Miller, on July 24th, 2015 at 11:28 am said:

    All of Natalie’s hard work paid off. It was a beautiful celebration. And as always, I had fun spending time with the MoxCar crew off the clock.

  2. Cynthia Moxley, on July 24th, 2015 at 11:34 am said:

    I agree, Lauren, it was beautiful and fun. It’s also fun to look back at the four weddings we’ve had lately at MoxCar and see how unique each one was. We have some very creative folks here — on the job and off!

  3. Natalie Bailey, on July 24th, 2015 at 1:42 pm said:

    Cynthia – This post is so special to me! Even before I worked at MoxCar, I loved and followed the Blue Streak. It means so much you chose to write about our wedding. Chase and I are fortunate to have so many lovely people in our lives, including our awesome MoxCar family! 🙂

  4. Cynthia Moxley, on July 24th, 2015 at 2:52 pm said:

    Natalie, I’m glad you liked it. It was such a great evening. Best wishes to you both. We look forward to many more years of fun experiences with you.

  5. Gay Lyons, on July 24th, 2015 at 3:12 pm said:

    What a sweet story!

  6. Dawn Ford, on July 24th, 2015 at 4:04 pm said:

    Natalie you looked beautiful and so very happy. Congratulations!

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