Feature Image by: Steph Powell Creative
Catherine and Andrew tied the knot in a romantic celebration at Southall Farm & Inn in Franklin, Tennessee. Their love story began with a happy accident when Andrew walked into the wrong duplex thinking he was going to his friends’ house at the University of Georgia. Their proposal was set against the backdrop of Sundance Mountain Resort during a week-long trip to celebrate the 4th of July in Park City, Utah. When Catherine said “yes” to forever with Andrew at Sundance Mountain Resort, she couldn’t have imagined that her wedding day look would later bring her back to the mountains, this time through a custom JW Bennett hat that perfectly reflected her Western-meets-Southern style.
The Bride’s Vision: Timeless Meets Western Chic
Their wedding day at Southall Farm was a modern garden party theme combined with a touch of Western charm to create a stunning celebration filled with lush florals and gorgeous September weather. “I actually came across a wedding in Rocky Mountain Bride the week after I got engaged, which completely captured what I was imaging for my day — filled with whimsical florals, vibrant colors, and a touch of Western charm. I wanted our day to feel uniquely us yet still timeless,” says Catherine.
The Rehearsal Dinner Look: Making a Statement with JW Bennett
Catherine chose to incorporate a custom, crystal blue JW Bennett hat that she personalized on a trip to the Park City JW Bennett store. “For my rehearsal dinner, I wanted my JW Bennett hat to be the star of the show, so I chose a simple yet timeless dress from Significant Other paired with classic Jeffrey Campbell heels and a clutch from Tuckernuck,” Catherine shares. When planning her wedding weekend look, Catherine knew immediately she had to incorporate a hat from JW Bennett, “I have been a fan of JW Bennett for years and have one of their everyday hats that I wear almost every weekend. It’s such a staple in my wardrobe and something I truly hope to pass down to my daughter one day. When I started thinking about my wedding accessories, creating a custom JW Bennett hat felt like the most ‘me’ addition possible to my wardrobe for the weekend.”
Steal Cat’s JW Bennett Look:
Behind the Design: Creating a Custom JW Bennett Hat
“While visiting family in Park City over Christmas, my mom and I wandered into the JW Bennett shop to take a peek at what they had in stock. The moment I saw the crystal-blue hat, I knew it was going to be the perfect complement to my rehearsal dinner outfit. When we paired it with a white feather band, it felt meant to be,” Catherine says.
With two stores in the Jackson, Wyoming and Park City, Utah, JW Bennett is the true epitome of mountain style. Their approach to hat design includes intentional design and timeless craftsmanship to reflect the heart of the American West. Each hat is thoughtfully designed and hand-shaped using the finest materials, resulting in timeless pieces that embody elegance, individuality and a sense of adventure. The JW Bennett team is ready to create a custom piece that reflects your personal style for any wedding celebration.
“The entire shopping experience at JW always feels so personal and special— the team at JW Bennett made every detail of my hat feel intentional. I’m a lifelong fan of JW and will always treasure my hat as one of my favorite wedding keepsakes that I still get to wear on the daily,” Catherine reflects.
Plan your trip to visit one of the JW Bennett stores in Jackson and Park City today!
A Q&A With real JW Bennett bride, Catherine:
Why did you decide to get married where you did? We moved to Nashville right after graduating college in 2022, so it’s always held a special place in our hearts and we knew we wanted to start our next chapter by getting married here. When I toured Southall, it was meant to be a long-shot option but it completely stole my heart. It felt like it had the perfect mix of Western and Southern feel, a combination that felt so authentically us and I couldn’t have loved it more. We love knowing that we got married in a place we can return to year after year that will always be a spot that reminds us where our life together first began.
What was the aesthetic of your day? Color palette? The aesthetic of our wedding was inspired by a modern garden party theme.
Tell us about any other accessories! One of my other favorite accessories was my baby-blue Tecovas boots that I got branded with my new initials, CB. They were such a fun nod to Nashville and I love that they’re something I can wear week after week as a sweet reminder of our wedding day. To complement my wedding day look, I kept the rest of my accessories simple and timeless, choosing a pair of Untamed Petals pearl earrings that added just the right touch of something special.
What was your favorite moment of the day? One of the most special moments of the day was a breakfast hosted by two of my best friends from Nashville on the morning of the wedding. We laughed, cried, and shared stories while women from every stage of my life — my mom, grandmothers, aunts, and family friends — stopped by to visit. There was something so special about looking around that room and realizing I was surrounded by the women who helped shape me into the woman that I am today. It was the most grounding, joy-filled start to the best day of my life.
Advice for couples getting married? My biggest piece of advice is to never stop dating each other. Life only gets busier after you get married — juggling work, building a family, running your household, and the never-ending to-do lists — but intentionally carving out time for just the two of you is everything. My husband and I choose one night each week for a date night, no matter how hectic things get. It’s our chance to dress up, reconnect, and really connect with each other beyond the daily chaos.
What was the highlight of your ceremony? One of the most special parts of our ceremony was when our bridal party gathered around us to pray over for our marriage. It was such an intimate moment, being surrounded by people from every chapter of our lives, all speaking love and blessings over us. My husband and I were both in tears the entire time. It was truly sacred!
What was the highlight of your reception? Without a doubt, the dance floor was the highlight of the night! From the moment the band played the first song, the energy was incredible – everyone jumped in, danced their hearts out, and completely let go. Seeing friends and family from every corner of our lives celebrating / dancing together was pure joy. I feel like you can literally feel that happiness radiating through the photos from that part of our reception, which is something I’ll cherish forever.
Forever a JW Bennett Bride
Catherine’s custom JW Bennett hat has become more than a wedding accessory: it’s a lasting reflection of her personal style and story. With each hand-shaped design, JW Bennett creates heirloom-quality pieces that embody the spirit of the mountains and the artistry of modern craftsmanship, making them the perfect addition to any bride’s wedding weekend and beyond.