Nashville Wedding: Heirloom Ring Drama & Fairytale Ballgown!

Happy bride and groom embracing on their wedding day outdoors

It takes so long to plan a wedding, to get all the details just right. Of course, every couple wants their dream day to be absolutely perfect, but sometimes the imperfect moments are the ones you treasure the most. This couple had a truly harrowing experience on their big day right in the middle of their vows! They were exchanging rings when they realized the groom's ring was missing. And it wasn't just any ring, it was an heirloom piece that belonged to his grandfather! Thankfully, they found it after the ceremony and everything turned out happily ever after, but it created a funny moment that the two of them will never forget.

This couple dreamed of a big white wedding complete with a church ceremony and a ballgown fit for a princess. With its ornate architecture and beautiful stained glass windows, First Evangelical Lutheran Church was the perfect place for them to say, "I do". Afterward, they moved to Mere Bulles for an intimate reception with their nearest and dearest. The beautiful classic florals by Rose Hill Flowers added to this wedding's timeless appeal. We don't often get a ton of photos from inside church ceremonies, but Rebecca Renee Photography was right there and got plenty of great photos! Peerless Films was also there with the couple to capture their big day on film. To see more from this beautiful wedding, check out the full gallery. Read on to hear more from Meredith Corning about how this gorgeous day came together.

Wedding invitation rings and sparkling bridal shoes

Bride applying lipstick before her wedding ceremony

Elegant wedding centerpiece with roses and hydrangeas

Bride getting ready on her wedding day in white gown Bride admires wedding dress in mirror with family present

Bride in wedding dress on stairs near window light

Bride in white gown and long veil red door background Bride in ballgown holding bouquet red door backdrop

Bride and bridesmaids in green dresses on wedding day

Three groomsmen in suits posing in front of red doors

THE LONGEST AND SHORTEST DAY

Interior view of a church altar featuring a painting of Jesus

Heather and Travis knew they wanted a traditional wedding spent with their closest friends and family members in Nashville, Tennessee. Since the couple’s top priority was to have a day where they could focus on one another and to be as COVID-safe as possible, an intimate affair seemed most fitting. The ceremony took place in a church that embodied their dream aesthetic. They held their reception at the location Travis proposed to Heather, Mere Bulles, where they simply wanted a relaxing, lovely dinner with their guests. “It felt like an extra special, full-circle moment to be able to have our reception at Mere Bulles. When I think about our wedding day, it often feels like the longest and shortest day. It was all such a marvelous, surreal experience and just truly the happiest day of our lives thus far”, explains Heather.

Exterior view of First Lutheran Church with bright red doors

Wedding ceremony in a beautiful church with stained glass windows

Lesbian couple share first kiss at the altar after getting married

Joyful bride and groom walking out of church after the wedding ceremony

A beautiful bride and groom share a tender moment on their wedding day

WHERE'S THE RING?!

Bride and groom embracing in a park on their wedding day

In a twist of fate, Heather said that the funniest moment of the day was when they were saying their vows and realized Travis’s ring must have gotten left in one of the dressing rooms during all the hubbub of the day. Luckily, Travis’s brother and best man, Taylor, offered up his wedding band as a placeholder for the couple to use at that moment. Both rings are very special to the couple with Travis’s ring being his grandfather’s and Heather’s ring is also vintage.

Wedding day couple holding hands, bride wearing engagement ring

FINDING THE RIGHT GOWN

Elegant restaurant interior with tables and framed artwork, ready for a party

The Vladiyan Royal gown and veil Heather found at Couture By Tess Bridal exceeded every possible expectation she had. The European couture dress is incredibly unique without sacrificing elegance. The entire piece is covered in an intricate baroque lace pattern made out of lustrous white sequins. The cathedral veil is just as detailed and made the perfect match for Heather’s vision.

Elegant dining table with vintage painting of a Parisian street

Elegant dining room with red chairs and white tablecloth setting

“My gown and veil were straight out of my wildest, most fanciful fairytale dreams! As I was dress shopping, I knew that I wanted a luxurious ball gown and a long veil. After visiting several shops, those dreams started to feel like a tall order. Fortunately, I found Couture By Tess Bridal on Instagram, made an appointment, and Tess and her staff made sure that all of my dreams came true. I loved the way it reflected light, very similar to the way that light sparkles, shimmers, and bounces off of the ocean. I dream of having an excuse to wear it again somehow...I'm obsessed”, explains Heather.

Elegant three-tiered wedding cake adorned with fresh flowers and macarons