Caroline and Fernando’s Knoxville wedding was a picture of timeless romance — where soft florals, lace details, and heartfelt moments came together under the Tennessee spring sky. Set against the rolling landscape and captured with the gentle eye of Michelle Leah Photography, their celebration blended Southern charm with refined grace.
From Caroline’s elegant gown from Loveliest Bridal, paired with a delicate lace topper from The Perfect Fit, to the lush arrangements by Echelon Florist, every element reflected a sense of understated beauty. The day flowed effortlessly from a joy-filled ceremony to a reception filled with laughter, music, and golden light — a celebration that felt both intimate and grand, timeless yet deeply personal.
“It was the most joyful day — simple, elegant, and surrounded by the people we love most.”
How did you two meet? What were your first impressions of one another?
We met on Fernando’s university campus on Rocky Top in Knoxville, TN, and I noticed how handsome he was from a distance. With a playful nudge from my friends, I introduced myself and the playful banter and flirtatious conversations began from there. Little did we know that that would ignite a spark and mark the beginning of our forever.
Tell us a funny story relating to your wedding day or relationship!
Though it didn’t directly involve me or Fernando, my bridesmaids and their boyfriends all had liquor shots at our cocktail hour and clinked and cheered their glasses a little too hard, causing some of them to shatter. Once we heard about this interaction, Fernando and I burst out laughing because it spoke to the amount of fun that everyone was having during our big day.
Describe a hurdle you had to overcome in your relationship or during your wedding planning.
I’m typically the natural planner and initiator with events and shared little or just general vendor information with Fernando during the planning process since I had it “covered.” Once I welcomed help and enabled him to lead and simply listen in on conversations with vendors, some were able to extend discounts and negotiate on pricing such as floral arrangements. All of that went to show that once I gave up control and delegated some things to others, then positive things fell into place and yielded a lot of dollar and time savings.
Any special ways you incorporated your family or family history into your wedding day?
On our wedding day, I had my father escort me down the aisle, but at the end of the aisle, I had my mother join my other side which meant the world to have both parents give me away to my husband. Additionally, my engagement ring includes the ruby that I inherited from my grandmother, so it holds infinite and sentimental value that Fernando utilized that gem and designed it into my forever ring.
What part of your wedding day was/is most important to you?
First looks with my siblings and my father along with exchanging our vows will be a core memory. Following that, I don’t think I had any more tears to cry because of the emotional value and intimacy shared during those precious moments.
What is the best thing you’ve learned from one another?
The best things we’ve learned from one another is the power and sacredness of companionship during all seasons of life. Though the butterfly and giddy feelings may ebb and flow, the genuine deep connection along with love and respect for one another can withstand anything in this world.
What is your favorite thing about each other?
My favorite thing about my husband is his unwavering commitment and discipline for actions over words. I never have to doubt if he’ll follow through when he makes a promise because he has always delivered and gone above and beyond for me and our relationship. He’s stated that his favorite thing about me is my contagious energy and warm spirit that inspires yet comforts him at the same time.
What was your favorite part about planning your wedding?
I think my favorite part about planning my wedding was finding ways to ensure that each and every one in my family and bridal party felt unique, such as delivering affectionate messages and sentimental gifts to each member who played a huge part in our lives, let alone our wedding day.
If you had one piece of advice for other couples, what would it be?
My biggest piece of advice is to always assume the best in your partner or spouse because they are human and will disappoint and mess up at times, but if you choose to champion and uplift one another, then as a unit, you can be invincible.
What is the most honest thing you can say about love?
Love isn’t a feeling but a choice, so even when the happy feelings fade or fluctuate over different seasons of life, you must always stay true to your commitment to the love of your life — to choose them and choose to show up even when you don’t feel like it and even in the face of adversity.
Photography / Michelle Leah Photography / @michelleleahphotography
Floral / Echelon Florist / @echelonflorist
Bridal Shop / Loveliest Bridal / @loveliestbridal
Bridal Alterations / The Perfect Fit / @theperfectfitalterations
Beauty Agency / Bangs and Blush / @bangsandblush_
DJ / Pro DJ’s & Entertainment / @jessy_pro_dj
Bride / Caroline Mayea Gonzalez
Publisher at The White Wren and Bajan Wed, Award Winning Photography + Videographer at Live View Studios, Dad, 80s music lover, crunchy health advocate
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