Inside Sarah Jade Bleau and Carew Ellington’s Glamorous Wedding Weekend
Photo Credit: FaithieeAnne
When creators Sarah Jade “SJ” Bleau and Carew Ellington met, the beginning of a love story anchored in fath and intentionality was born. When Carew proposed, their love story reached a new level of faith and devotion. We talked to SJ and Carew to learn about all of the little details that went into making their wedding weekend so special, as well as the inspiration behind it.
Haute Living: In your own words, can you share a recap of the wedding weekend and the overall vision behind the celebration?
SJ and Carew: Our wedding weekend at Cherokee Dock in Nashville was a timeless blend of intimacy and grandeur, crafted to reflect God’s faithfulness and the story He has been writing in our lives. Set against the beauty of the lakeside, we exchanged vows in a worship-filled ceremony outdoors, surrounded by florals, drapery, and an atmosphere that felt both sacred and eternal. The reception carried that same heartbeat—classic and elegant with vintage touches, music, and moments that drew everyone into closeness and celebration.
HL: What inspired the location, the tone, and the atmosphere you wanted to create?
SJ & C: The location actually came together just two weeks before the wedding, and it felt like God’s hand was all over it. The planners moved with incredible speed and excellence to bring the vision to life, which made it even more special. From the start, our heart was to create a space where God could move freely—where worship and intimacy would set the tone above everything else. At the same time, we wanted the atmosphere to carry a sense of timeless class, with every detail pointing back to both beauty and simplicity. The combination gave us a wedding that felt both sacred and elegant, a perfect reflection of who we are and what matters most to us.
Photo Credit: FaithieeAnne
HL: How did you balance intimacy with grandeur throughout the events?
SJ & C: We balanced intimacy with grandeur by making space for deeply personal moments alongside the larger celebration. On the wedding day itself, we built in intentional pauses—beginning with a first prayer before our first look, and later a quiet moment together just before Sarah Jade walked down the aisle, where we could process, pray, and let the weight of it all sink in. Even during the celebration, we created an environment of intimacy where we worshiped and wept before the Lord. Those private times of prayer and intimacy grounded us in the midst of the grandeur, making the entire weekend feel both sacred and beautifully connected.
HL: What role did family and friends play in shaping the weekend?
SJ & C: Family and friends were at the very heart of our wedding weekend. The night before, our parents met for the first time at the rehearsal dinner, it was extremely special and intimate. There was prayer, laughter and moments of joyful tears. Afterwards our closest friends gathered with us for a private worship service, covering us in prayer and lifting up worship together. On the morning of the wedding, Sarah Jade’s mom helped her get ready, which made those hours so meaningful, and when it came time for the ceremony, it was only family standing beside us. One of the most special parts was having my dad officiate and marry us, which made the moment not just a celebration of our love, but a testimony to the legacy and support of the people who have walked with us.
Photo Credit: FaithieeAnne
HL: Were there any standout speeches, performances, or surprises that made the weekend especially meaningful?
SJ & C: There were so many meaningful surprises woven into the weekend. We had shared our exact vision for the ceremony and reception with our planner but chose not to see it until the moments themselves. Walking down the aisle and then later having a private first look at the reception space before anyone else entered made it all feel like a gift—it was everything we had hoped for and more. Sarah Jade also surprised me with my favorite dessert, banana pudding, which made the night feel even more personal. And throughout the evening, our family and closest friends gave speeches that had us laughing, crying, and remembering just how blessed we are to be surrounded by such love.
HL: The setting looked breathtaking—can you share why you chose this venue and how it set the stage for your story?
SJ & C: The setting at Cherokee Dock truly took our breath away and felt like it was chosen for us. Though the decision came just two weeks before the wedding, it couldn’t have been more perfect. The lakeside backdrop gave us both intimacy and grandeur—exactly the balance we were hoping for—and created a sacred space for worship as we said our vows. The mansion itself carried a timeless elegance, and paired with the florals and drapery, it set the stage for a celebration that felt classic yet deeply personal. More than just a venue, it became the canvas where our story could unfold with God at the center.
Photo Credit: FaithieeAnne
HL: Did the location have any personal significance, or was it chosen for its atmosphere and aesthetic?
SJ & C: The location didn’t hold a long-standing personal significance beforehand—it was actually chosen just two weeks before the wedding—but it immediately felt like it was meant for us. Cherokee Dock carried the exact atmosphere and aesthetic we had prayed for: timeless, elegant, and intimate, with the lakeside creating a natural sense of peace and reverence. While it wasn’t a place tied to our past, it became incredibly meaningful in the moment, setting the perfect stage for the start of our future together.
HL: When you envisioned your wedding day, what were the non-negotiables?
SJ & C: When we envisioned our wedding day, our non-negotiables were intimacy, timeless class, and rest woven throughout the entire day. We wanted it to be intentional, never rushed, with family at the very center of it all. Above everything, our greatest desire was for God to receive the glory—that every detail, from the quiet prayers to the grand celebration, would reflect His faithfulness and presence in our story.
Photo Credit: FaithieeAnne
HL: Whether design details, entertainment, or guest experience, what elements were most important to you both?
SJ & C: The elements that mattered most to us were the ones that created an atmosphere where people could truly encounter love—the love of God and the love He designed between a bride and groom. We wanted the design to feel timeless and elegant, with florals, drapery, and vintage touches that set a beautiful stage, but never distracted from the heart of the day. More than anything, our hope was that guests would leave not exhausted, as so many weddings can feel, but rested, refreshed, and inspired to believe in love again. Every detail, from the worship to the speeches to the quiet pauses, was chosen with the intention that God would be glorified and that everyone present would feel drawn into His presence through our celebration.
HL: Weddings are as much about style as sentiment. How did you approach your looks for the weekend?
SJ & C: Style was an extension of the heart of the day. We aimed for timeless and sentimental feel. Every look, from dress to suit, was chosen to reflect who we are individually and together. We didn’t just want to look good; we wanted to feel aligned with the atmosphere of the covenant we were stepping into. For me, it was an honor to wear my mother-in-law’s wedding dress. I felt not only extremely beautiful, but deeply connected to legacy. It meant more to me than words could capture to carry her story as part of mine. My husband also carried legacy in his look, wearing his father’s bow tie from his wedding along with a vintage tuxedo. Together, our attire wasn’t just style, it was story, heritage, and a reflection of the families and faith that shaped us.
Photo Credit: FaithieeAnne
HL: Looking back now, what were the most unforgettable moments of the weekend for you both? The quiet personal moments vs. the grand celebrations?
SJ & C: Looking back, the most unforgettable moments weren’t just the grand celebrations, but the presence of the people closest to us and the way the Lord encountered us as we became husband and wife. In many ways, it felt like we were given a real-life glimpse of the Groom returning for His bride, which is something we’ll never forget. The decorations and setting truly were a dream, but what will stay with us forever are those sacred moments of love, faith, and community that made the weekend so much more than a wedding—it was a reflection of Heaven on earth.
HL: As newlyweds, what excites you most about this next chapter together?
SJ & C: As newlyweds, what excites us most is the chance to build a strong foundation for our family and our future ministry together. The wedding was a beautiful beginning, but now we get to step into the calling of cultivating a home filled with love, faith, and hospitality—a place where others can encounter God’s presence. We’re eager to discover the rhythms of marriage, to raise a family rooted in His Word, and to steward our lives in a way that reflects His Kingdom. More than just sharing life side by side, we feel honored to step into this covenant and watch how God uses our union to impact generations and further His work.
Photo Credit: FaithieeAnne
HL: What does “building a life together” look like in the immediate future?
SJ & C: In the immediate future, building a life together looks like laying a foundation of prayer, unity, and shared vision. It’s about making a home where Christ is at the center, creating, and stepping into whatever assignments God has for us in this new season. As we dream about the future, we look forward to the gift of raising children. Nurturing them, teaching them to love the Lord, and building a family culture rooted in joy, grace, and truth. We imagine a home filled with laughter, worship, and the little rhythms of everyday life, where our children grow up knowing they are deeply loved by us and, most importantly, by God.
SJ’s Wedding Beauty Essentials

La Roche-Posay Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream



Makeup Forever HD Skin Palette

Makeup by Mario Eyeshadow Palette

Patrick Ta Major Skin Foundation


Maybelline Lash Sensational Waterproof


Byredo Vanille Antique Perfume

Vendor List
- Planning: Infinity Hospitality + Chesney Tsounos
- Venue: The Estate at Cherokee Dock
- Floral: Echoes of Eden
- Photographer: Faith Collins
- Associate Photographer: Abigail Gornicki
- Videographer: Shane Grant
- Associate Videographer: Eddy Ferguson
- Draping: Quest Events
- Furniture Rentals: Infinity Hospitality
- Tablescape + Linens: EventWorks
- Lighting + Production: Nashville Lighting and Production
- Content Creator: Andriana and Artem Sonnik | Yours Truly Content
- Violinist: EastCoast Entertainment + Jonathan Joel
- Signage: MidJuly Designs
- Wedding Cake: Kailey Cakes
- Worship Leader: Andrea Alexis
- DJ: Brice Clark | Move DJ Group
- Dessert: Edley’s Barbecue
