Above the Narrows: The Dean-Collins Wedding

By Anna Cooper

Photography by Sara-Lane and Stevie Boudreaux

On Friday, October 19th, 2018, Miss Kendyl Erin Turner née Dean, daughter of Mr. David Dean of Savannah, Tennessee and Mrs. Laura (John) Williams of Ripley, and Mr. Joshua "Adam" Collins, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy (Kimberly) Collins of Kingsport, Tennessee and Ms. Diane Murchison of Mount Juliet, joined in holy matrimony at the Narrows of the Harpeth in Kingston Springs, Tennessee.

For the entire week leading up to the wedding, rain was in the forecast for Kendyl and Adam’s big day. It was also supposed to be cold, but the couple could not believe their good luck. It was nearly 60 degrees that Friday. The sun shone all morning at Kingston Springs National Park. When they arrived at the Narrows of the Harpeth it was overcast and a touch chilly but still comfortable. While on the mountain, it rained for about 60 seconds but cleared out for the remainder of the evening.

On a rocky outcropping with a view of the Harpeth River amid rolling hills and farmland, the couple said “I do” among friends. One of their photographers, Sara-Lane Boudreaux, suggested the Narrows to the couple. Kendyl and Adam had kayaked the Harpeth but never knew about The Narrows. The two checked it out after Sara-Lane’s suggestion and loved it. The couple knew they wanted something outdoors; the Narrows provided everything they were looking for and more.

The elopement was intimate; there were only six guests. The bride asked Leanna Coulston, Chas Covington, and Megan and Mark Daugherty to attend as her guests. The groom invited his friends John Austin and Lionnell Garcia. Pastor Tim Davis of Victory Assembly of God officiated the elopement.

Following tradition, the bride took care in having her “Somethings” ready for the big day. Kendyl’s “Something Old” and her “Something Blue” were a pair of sparkly royal blue Kate Spade Keds that her grandmother gave her. She bought new earrings from Dazzle in Memphis, Tennessee and Kendyl borrowed a ring from Leanna Coulston, her best friend.

For the ceremony, Kendyl wore a simple, champagne-colored, backless “bridesmaid” type dress by Vera Wang. Her hair was styled by Jes and makeup applied by Katelyn at Merle Norman Brentwood, Tennessee. The Groom rented a Navy blue suit with a champagne striped tie from Men's Warehouse. A white rose boutonniére completed his outfit.

Photographers for the event were Sara-Lane and Stevie Boudreaux and flowers were arranged by Holman Florist in Fairview, Tennessee. After the wedding, the couple dined at Honeysuckle in Coolsprings, Tennessee.

The couple became engaged one Sunday morning when Kendyl took an early morning jog.

When she returned from her workout, Adam was standing in the kitchen with breakfast cooked and red roses in hand, a diamond solitaire ring hanging from them. Adam, who hadn’t known that Kendyl was going for a jog that morning, created this grand romantic proposal. Adam proposed to Kendyl, who was drenched in sweat after her jog. Though not as planned, the couple would not change a thing and remember that moment with fondness.

Recommended by a family friend, the new couple honeymooned in Cookeville, Tennessee.

Since the two have been together, one of their favorite pastimes is hiking to waterfalls throughout Tennessee. Their honeymoon was no different: they traveled to Burgess Falls and saw the gorgeous waterfalls. Kendyl and Adam’s honeymoon also consisted of them telling their families. Both sides of the newly united family were both thrilled and shocked at the exciting news. Adam did ask Kendyl’s dad for his blessing prior to the engagement but he did not know the date that the two had set.

Adam works in Nashville as a general contractor and Kendyl is a dental assistant. Having already bought a house in Fairview, Tennessee, Kendyl will be joining him there once her children finish school in May.

We want to extend our best wishes to the happy couple on their newest adventure together!