A Nashville Bride’s Beautiful Tribute to Her Late Dad Only Made the Wedding More Joyful
Lucy Ellis always imagined her father would be a huge part of her wedding day. Nearly 10 years after his death, she found beautiful, deeply personal ways to include him, while keeping the day every bit as joyful as she hoped it would be. Image: Kennedy Davis Photography
Lucy Ellis and Drew Ohsiek’s Ravenswood Mansion wedding in Brentwood, Tennessee, was filled with layers of beauty that felt intentional and genuinely joyful rather than overly orchestrated. Beyond the soft summer flowers, dinner beneath a glowing tent, and a little rain, it was a celebration shaped by family, including the deeply personal ways Lucy honored her late father throughout the day.
Lucy, who grew up in Brentwood, Tennessee, had known of Drew, who grew up in Maryville, Tennessee, since their freshman year of college. But their paths didn’t officially cross until the following fall when Drew’s best friend (who was dating Lucy’s suitemate) arranged for them to attend a date party together.
That date led to many more, and years later, Drew planned a proposal that caught Lucy completely off guard. He had purchased tickets to a concert, prompting Lucy to wonder whether he might propose at dinner or instead of going to the show. Instead, while she was taking an afternoon walk with a friend and worrying about getting home in time to curl her hair for their date, she turned a corner to find Drew waiting with a question on his mind.
After she said yes, Lucy and Drew celebrated over a fancy dinner before returning to her college house, where friends and family had gathered for a surprise party.
As the planning stage kicked off, Lucy knew she wanted the day to feel timeless and welcoming. Ravenswood Mansion, a historic home surrounded by rolling green acreage in Lucy’s hometown, offered the perfect backdrop for her vision of a classic garden party.
Planner Dede Scheibe, a dear friend of Lucy’s mother, helped bring that vision to life. Dorsey Meier, another family friend, filled every surface with loose, romantic arrangements in white, pale pink, and fresh green. Under the reception tent, flickering candles, gold chairs, and strings of lights created an atmosphere that felt elegant without losing its warmth.
Lucy found her Jeune Bridal gown at The White Magnolia in Franklin. She had already earmarked another dress she believed was the one, and kept this appointment simply to confirm her choice. Then she tried on the first gown at her last appointment. “We were all obsessed,” she says.
Family remained at the center of the day. “We loved the idea of [our wedding party] being smaller, more intimate, and just family,” Lucy says.
That closeness held particular meaning for Lucy, whose father, Ben Ellis, died from cancer in 2016. A beloved teacher at Christ Presbyterian Academy, Ben became known far beyond Nashville after more than 400 students and faculty members gathered outside the Ellis family’s home to sing to him.
The moving video was featured on major news outlets, shared by celebrities, and watched by millions. Ben Ellis passed shortly afterward, on September 16, 2016. You might remember the video:
Ten years later, Lucy approached her wedding as yet another monumental way to honor her father with scripture, music, laughing, dancing, and so much love.
“A wedding is something that you imagine your dad being a huge part of, so it was such a thing to navigate and try to think through how to do it well, but also have it be such a joyful day,” she says. “I ended up loving all the ways we found to do that.”
Ben’s name appeared on the wedding invitation, and the ceremony program included a remembrance of him as well as a handwritten note Lucy had composed years earlier: “Love is never love without Dad.”
Photographs of Ben were displayed during the celebration, including one of Shelley and Ben on their own wedding day and another of Lucy dancing with her dad while he was sick. Lucy also chose the family members she most wanted beside her for the moments traditionally shared with a bride’s father. Lucy danced for one minute with each brother in place of a father-daughter dance.
Lucy and Drew exchanged traditional vows in front of 155 guests, saving their first look for the ceremony. Afterward, they walked back up the aisle in a light rain as friends and family cheered from beneath umbrellas.
The reception opened up with first dances as Chef’s Market served a generous buffet, followed by a two-tiered Baked on 8th cake with one strawberry layer and one almond layer.
“[My mom] is always baking so many yummy treats, so she had the cookie idea, and I was like, ‘OK, that’s kind of a big undertaking,’ but she ended up crushing it,” Lucy says. “The cookies were delicious.”
Drew saved one final surprise for the end of the night. Without telling the guests, he changed into a T-shirt bearing the familiar red heart and “I Love Lucy” logo before joining his bride for their send-off.
Sparklers weren’t allowed at the venue, but guests waved shimmering silver ribbon wands as the couple made their exit. The substitution proved every bit as festive, especially alongside Drew’s crowd-pleasing shirt.
One more surprise awaited Lucy at the airport. She had put Drew in charge of planning their honeymoon, requesting only a beach destination. With help from travel advisor and friend Libby Glisson, he kept Antigua a secret until they checked their bags and an airline employee asked for their final destination.
Now, the newlyweds call Johnson City, Tennessee, home, where Drew began medical school this fall.
And for Lucy, the day proved that honoring someone you’ve lost doesn’t have to take away from the joy of a wedding. From the smallest details to the biggest moments, she found ways to keep her dad close while celebrating everything ahead.
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RESOURCES
Wedding Planner: Dede Scheibe
Venue: Ravenswood Mansion
Photographer: Kennedy Davis
Videographer: Abby Smith
Bride’s Gown: Jeune Bridal from The White Magnolia
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Azazie
Hair: Holly Coty
Groom and Groomsmen’s Formalwear: The Black Tux
Invitations: You’re Invited Nashville
Florals: Dorsey Meier Designs
Catering: Chef’s Market
Cake: Baked on 8th
Entertainment: Matt Morris, Snyder Entertainment
Rentals: Quest Events
STYLEBLUEPRINT RESOURCES:
Planning a wedding? Check out StyleBlueprint’s two Wedding Resource Guides. (More to come!):
- StyleBlueprint Nashville’s Wedding Resource Guide
- StyleBlueprint Birmingham’s Wedding Resource Guide
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Zoe Yarborough
Zoe is a StyleBlueprint freelance writer, Charlotte native, Washington & Lee graduate, and Nashville transplant since 2012. She teaches Pilates, helps manage recording artists, and likes to "research" Germantown's food scene.
