Post wedding bliss is a real thing and I feel so lucky that we got to experience ours at The Fairlane Hotel in Nashville during our mini honeymoon!
We are planning to take our actual honeymoon after the first of the year when Ethan has a new set of vacation days to use. I was not the least bit bummed about this because I know part of the fun of a big trip for me is the anticipation, planning and packing for it beforehand. If we had tried to do that on top of wedding prep I wouldn’t have enjoyed it at all. It would have stressed me out.
But, we did want to get away for a few days after the wedding. Our only must was that it was to somewhere close by so we didn’t add any extra hassle of travel to it. A getaway to Nashville for our mini moon ended up being the perfect way to celebrate!
Our wedding was on Saturday and we didn’t leave for Nashville until Monday morning. I can’t tell you how much we loved that schedule too. It was SO nice to wake up on Sunday morning after the wedding and be in absolute no hurry to make any big moves. We got dressed and headed downstairs to have breakfast with everyone and recap the night (we stayed at the same hotel as our friends + family which was really fun–also recommend doing that!), then we packed up our room and headed back to the venue to gather everything up and start the cleanup. It was actually really fun to see the aftermath of the party! Annnd I ate so, so, so much of the leftover catered food that was left behind! Then Sunday afternoon we headed home to open gifts, relax and go out to grab dinner at one of our favorite low key Lex spots (Harry’s). We came home, threw some things in a bag and then got up super early on Monday to head down to Nashville!
In my opinion, there’s nothing better than relaxed travel. I wore my pjs and a huge teddy coat, we packed the car with blankets and my tempur-pedic bear, stopped to grab a coffee and were on the road! EASY. We listened to some of our wedding playlist on the way down and a few episodes of the Dr. Death podcast.
Once we arrived in Nashville then real fun started! We pulled up to The Fairlane Hotel and were immediately greeted by the warmest valet crew who helped up with our bags and valeted our car with a smile. Such a good start, right?? Also important to note, The Fairlane Hotel has a full lane blocked off for you to pull into for valet right in front of the hotel entrance. A luxury that you don’t ALWAYS get in a big city. Makes the process so easy. I hate having to circle around the block and search for the entrance or parking–it can be stressful.
Inside the lobby, we were able to take in the vibe of the hotel immediately. It is stylized, yet warm. Retro, yet hip. Light and bright, yet cozy. Straight forward, yet interesting. The building was a bank back in the day. The hotel owners bought it back in 2011, remodeled it and actually kept several features. They worked in original decor touches such as huge windows, vault doors and built-in ash trays. It gives an authentic + classic touch to the 60s and 70s midcentury design of the hotel.
We got all checked in and headed to our room. We had a corner king room and I could not recommend it enough! They do have some larger suites and two fabulous penthouses at The Fairlane Hotel, but the corner king was perfection for us. It had a close knit and cozy feel to it but we still had plenty of room for our things and the floor to ceiling windows MADE the room. So amazing to have that light and view of the city. They wrapped around two sides of the bedroom and continued into the bathroom as well!
A few of my all-time favorite room details.. The velvet headboard seemed so luxe and custom. It had built-in night stands filled with magazines (I flipped through that Rolling Stones a few times) and a middle console that flipped down and housed two cup holders. Genius! I was able to sit up in bed and watch tv all while having the perfect spot to sit my champagne coupe!! I also loved the peekaboo shower (so unique the way it was wrapped in wood) and the marble bathroom. It felt clean and current. Oh, and the lighting in there was bomb for makeup application and selfies.
In the hotel there’s a coffee shop, Union Teller, a delicatessen, Mile End, and a restaurant, Ellington’s Mid Way Bar + Grill. It was nice to be surrounded by so many options. Especially since it was so chilly while we were in town. On Monday night we just headed down to Ellington’s for dinner and we even came back for a drink on Tuesday night before heading out. The restaurant + bar have a warm and dated (in a good way) feel. Again very midcentury but this space made me think of Mad Men. I could see this being the type of place that Don Draper would come to have a drink and sink into one of the grand leather booths. The ceilings are dropped, the lighting is low and the mood is right for an intimate date or a cocktail with friends. They nailed it. Management said some of the furniture used was vintage pieces from the 70s that they had purchased and had reupholstered!
Throughout the two nights, I had a French 75 and a Dirty Shirley martini and both were tasty. We’d also recommend the fried oysters and the wedge salad! But back to the cocktails—you’re in luck. Ellington’s Mid Way Bar + Grill is offering a complimentary cocktail to you!!! All you have to do is direct message your email address to the @ellingtonsmidway account on instagram then you will get a voucher for a free drink. Use it anytime between now and May 2019. I don’t know about you, but I am always down for a comped cocktail of my choice!
Oh and one last thing–the bedding was divine! At one point I was cuddled up in the duvet with the windows open to a dreary, windy downtown day and I was sipping champagne, eating kettle chips and watching a rerun of Vanderpump Rules reunion. HAPPY. SO HAPPY. Ethan had to literally pull me away haha!
Overall, we had a fabulous few days that I won’t forget. Staying right downtown in the business + arts district is now my favorite way to do Nashville. I love that it had a much more big city feel. When I come back next, I want to spend all our time in the same area. It’s definitely the part of the city that Ethan and I connect to most! The Fairlane Hotel opened our eyes and made our trip so enjoyable!
ADDITIONAL WEDDING CONTENT:
HONEYMOON – here + here + here + here + here + here +here
PHOTOS – here
VIDEO – here
VENDORS + DETAILS – here
