Bride Requires Pink Dress Code at Pink-Themed Wedding: 'The More Pink, the Better!' (Exclusive)
"The matching color became an instant conversation starter," the bride tells PEOPLE
Elena Andrews and Christian Clawson got married at Diamond Creek Farms in Nashville on Sept. 27, 2024
The pink-themed wedding also had a pink dress code
"Guests told me they felt incredible wearing pink at the wedding," the bride tells PEOPLE
A bride required her 150 wedding guests to wear pink.
High school sweethearts Elena Andrews and Christian Clawson tied the knot in a pink-themed wedding at Diamond Creek Farms in Nashville on Sept. 27, 2024. To help "bring everyone together and make them feel like a part of the celebration," the couple decided to request a pink dress code.
"Pink has always been my favorite color — it’s fun, girly, and people close to me always associate me with the color pink," the bride tells PEOPLE. "When we started planning the wedding, I knew I wanted to do something different and memorable."
The bride and groom didn't have a traditional wedding party, apart from their maid of honor and best man, so having all of their friends and family — many of whom traveled from out of town — wear pink was a meaningful and aesthetic way for them to be a part of their big day.
"The pink dress code became our way of including all our guests in a special way," Andrews says, noting that Clawson was "fully on board" with her "fantastic idea" of having a pink theme. "I also wanted everything to look cohesive, as if the guests themselves were part of the decor."
She continued: "The color was truly everywhere we could incorporate it. From the tablecloths and florals to the salad plates, seating chart, name tags and cocktail cups, pink was woven into every detail. I even spent months searching for the perfect pink bow candlesticks to complete the look. It was such a joy seeing everything come together so cohesively."
In a wedding video montage posted on TikTok, Andrews said that having "a required pink dress code" was the "best thing" she has ever done.
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In the comments section, some TikTokers questioned whether or not everyone would be happy or willing to follow such a strict dress code. Luckily, the bride says she had little pushback.
"Everything about the wedding, including the invitations, was pink, so I think our guests were excited to see the vision come to life," Andrews tells PEOPLE. "I did get a little pushback at first about it being tricky to find something in pink, but by the wedding day, everyone I spoke to raved about how incredible the dress code looked."
Some guests argued that having a specific dress code actually made shopping for outfits easier because "they knew exactly what to look for."
Even though men are stereotypically against wearing pink, Andrews adds that her male guests were more than willing to wear the color.
"As for the men, there were definitely a few questions about how much pink was expected — like if a pink tie would be enough or if they needed to go all out. I told them to wear whatever they were comfortable with, but the more pink, the better!" she says. "Some of the guys really embraced it and showed up in full pink suits, which was absolutely amazing."
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While the bride didn't wear a pink wedding dress, instead opting for traditional white, she did "get in on the pink excitement" by changing into a hot pink minidress for the reception. The groom also had a dress change, throwing on a pink tuxedo jacket.
"Guests told me they felt incredible wearing pink at the wedding," Andrews says. "They loved how the color stood out at the venue and said it created such a beautiful, unique experience."
She continues: "Some mentioned that it made them feel more connected to the day, almost like they were part of the wedding party. It also helped ease introductions since the matching color became an instant conversation starter. Overall, they felt included and said it added to the joy of the celebration."
Andrews met Clawson when she was just 11 years old in Dallas, Texas. The pair's friendship blossomed into romance in high school. Years later in in June 2023, Clawson proposed on the beach in Seaside, Florida, as Andrews' family watched from afar in a lifeguard stand.
Read the original article on People
