Ali Telfer and Guy Braswell both attended school at the University of Mississippi and fatefully met while working at the same bar. “I was the overly OCD employee, bringing my label maker to organize the beer fridge, and Guy was the one sitting back and throwing ice cubes at me during our shifts together,” Ali shares. The pair struck up a relationship that ultimately led to a master-planned proposal at Nashville’s Cheekwood Estate & Gardens.
“He scouted the exact location, date, and time with my best friend (and maid of honor!), and the surprises continued with a party at my mom’s house with our close friends and family,” Ali adds. “He pulled off the perfect proposal!” Read on for an inside look at their wedding day, which glowed in stunning pastels!
With a ring on her hand and a wedding date set for less than a year later, Ali began planning her and Guy’s special day — one rooted in timelessness and tradition. Growing up in Nashville, Ali always dreamed of making her grand entrance as a bride through the massive front doors of First Presbyterian Church, walking down the aisle with a long veil. Her dream came to life beautifully.Â
After working with an initial wedding planner, Ali and Guy found a perfect fit in Trena Bradshaw to help with the final details of their big day. “We were incredibly fortunate to find Trena, who came in at the last minute and truly saved the day,” Ali shares. “Her expertise, dedication, and attention to detail made all the difference, and we are incredibly grateful for her contributions to making our special day a success.”
Ali also grew up watching “Say Yes to the Dress,” so when it came time to select her perfect gown, she was prepared for an overwhelming and time-consuming process. Much to her surprise, Ali fell for the second gown she tried on, an Allison Webb design from The Bride Room in Bandywood that Ali felt was tailor-made just for her. Her advice to fellow brides would be to try on different brands until you find a designer that fits you best, then try on gowns from there.Â
Finding a reception wasn’t quite as easy as finding her dress. Ali had several boxes to check: an outdoor venue showing off Tennessee’s rolling hills, something near the church, and a space accommodating up to 250 guests. Ali unexpectedly found her space at Edwin Warner Park. “When we met her at the location, my mom immediately broke into tears,” Ali says. “This was the same hill where I had learned to ride my bike as a child. It was a space that perfectly reflected the beauty of Nashville and my childhood, and it was the perfect space to start my next chapter in life.”
Ali is a self-described girly girl, so blush was an obvious choice for her wedding’s primary color. Having worked in sales in the interior design space for the past five years, Ali’s approach to curating her wedding decor and color scheme was comparable to designing a home. “Your home starts off as a blank canvas, and through curated design choices, it becomes an extension of yourself,” Ali says. Opting for a tented reception at Edwin Warner Park gave her a blank canvas to curate the perfect look and feel for their special day.
Ali and Guy left no detail unplanned, especially when it came to tradition. Ali opted for two “something old” details — lace from her grandmother’s wedding dress and Guy’s grandfather’s wedding ring attached to her bouquet. She also donned her grandmother’s borrowed diamond studs and added a blue bow her sister-in-law had used in her wedding invitations.Â
After a stunning ceremony, the bubbly was poured, and the celebration began. Ali and Guy shared a first dance to “Porch Swing Angel” by Muscadine Bloodline. The guests enjoyed a seated dinner from Flavor Catering, starting with a salad course and rolls before moving to a hanger steak, roasted Brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes, and roasted heirloom carrots. The gorgeous cake from Dessert Designs featured three flavors: Hallelujah, a white cake with raspberry filling, and a caramel cake with caramel icing.Â
There were a few surprise details during the reception, including a live watercolor artist who painted portraits of guests, a late-night bananas foster station, and a guest book purchased from their shared college town.Â
Ali and Guy capped the perfect evening with a sparkler send-off in a vintage silver Bentley, then jetted off to Antigua to soak up the sun and dive in the area’s coral reefs. Â
“Making each decision, from the invitations to the linens, can feel overwhelming, so I highly recommend a wedding planner,” Ali shares as advice to future brides. “I had a fabulous planner who connected me with our amazing vendors and shared her wealth of knowledge – making the process organized and seamless while still feeling like my wedding was a reflection of Guy and me.” Â
Congratulations to the Braswells! And a special thank you to Maria Gloer Photography for the beautiful photos.Â
RESOURCES
Ceremony: First Presbyterian Church Nashville
Reception: Edwin Warner Park, Ridgefield
Planner/Coordinator: Trena Bradshaw
Photographer: Maria Gloer Photography
Flowers: Phyllis Mayfield Mayfield Events and Design
Stationery: You’re Invited, Calligraphy Val Cole
Makeup: The Agency of Beauty
Gown: The Bride Room – Dress was Sabine by Allison Webb
Bridesmaid’s dresses: Bella Bridesmaid “Imogen Twist Halter Charmeuse Trumpet Gown in Desert Rose”
Groom: The Black Tux
Groomsmen: The Black Tux
Catering: Flavor Catering
Cakes: Dessert Designs
Entertainment: Erik Blue Band
Rentals/glassware/linens: BBJ Linens & Please Be Seated
Wedding Party Transportation: Hello Trolley
Getaway car: Matchless Transportation
Watercolor artist: Candler Reynolds
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