Brittany and Brandon, former Infinity team members, returned to Nashville to say “I do” at the Bell Tower with a moody, southern wedding we are still dreaming about.
This sweet pair met almost 11 years ago in their freshman dorm at Ohio State University and haven’t been apart since. Brandon asked Brittany to be his girlfriend outside of the OSU football stadium, so what better way to propose than in the same spot 10 years later after a stroll down Buckeye Grove!
Brittany was never one for surprises, but she said he handled this one well with a secret photographer and brunch with their family and friends right after. “It was extremely thoughtful and really special,” she shared with us.
After college, Brittany moved to Music City and began working for Infinity as a sales specialist before branching out in the event planning world. Not long after, Brandon followed her move and joined our logistics team. At the time, the Bell Tower was still in the process of becoming what it is today, but when Brittany first laid eyes on it, she knew something was meant to be. But after four years, the pair decided to make the move back to Ohio.
With Brittany's family in Ohio and Brandon's in Minneapolis, they wanted to find a central location for their family and friends to celebrate their big day. So with help from their previous work experience with us (and a little nudge from our sales director Bubba), they decided on a destination wedding in... Nashville!
“It only felt natural for our Nashville wedding to be at the same place that brought me (and eventually Brandon) to Tennessee in the first place,” Brittany said. And we can’t help but agree!
So when the big day finally came, the Bell Tower was dressed in black velvet drapery, magnolia leaf arrangements, and dim lighting that made the space oh so intimate.
Brittany and Brandon opted out of a wedding party but made sure to include a first look before the ceremony.
“For us, the first look made our day all [the] more special and allowed us to soak in more time and moments together,” Brittany told us. “When it came time to walk down the aisle, I had exciting nerves but felt calm waiting to come down the stairs and, yes, he still shed a tear (even after spending the afternoon together).”
During the ceremony, they participated in a candle lighting unity ceremony with their friends and family in attendance. As each guest lit the candle next to them and the lights in the Bell Tower dimmed, Brittany and Brandon stood at the altar to take in the unique moment they will never forget.
Afterward, guests participated in a traditional cocktail hour before sitting down to enjoy a delectable meal of honey balsamic chicken with roasted heirloom carrots and white cheddar mashed potatoes, butter poached day boat fish with crispy kale and caramelized shallot and brown butter polenta, and red wine short rib with grilled asparagus and tri-colored potato gratin.
Brittany and Brandon shared their first dance to “Better Together” by Luke Combs and ended the night with our famous candied bacon, followed by a moment alone in the Bell Tower’s Tasting Room.
Scroll on to see more of their moody Nashville wedding as well as a quick Q&A with the bride!
WEDDING DETAILS
Date: January 30th, 2021
Bride & Groom: Brittany and Brandon
Location: The Bell Tower
Colors: Black, White and Gold
Photographer: Ali Bonomo
Florist: Forget Me Not Designs
Hair & Makeup: Hunter Paige by Parlour 3
Draping: Quest Events
Linens: Event Works Rentals + BBJ Linen
DJ: 3rd Coast Entertainment
Catering & Bar: The Bell Tower
Production Design: Nashville Lighting & Production
Planning: Brittany, Cassidy + Kacey | IH
Q&A
How was your experience working on the other side of Infinity as a bride?
The best ever. I had no doubts we were in great hands—way more than one pair, by the way! From Bubba in sales, to Haven in operations, Taylor in catering, and your ENTIRE planning and coordinator team… you get your own personal army at Infinity and I can't say enough about how helpful everyone in each department was. There is truly something to be said about the Infinity experience. Safe to say we got to fully experience the magic!
And as a planner?
As a planner myself, I help brides make decisions for their own wedding days all year long, but when it came to wedding decisions for myself - I struggled occasionally! Keeping a steady vision was effortful at times. Cassidy and Kacey gave me the creative space I needed but stepped in with advice at all the right times to help generate the ambience Brandon and I were hoping for. They were there to ensure all our details were close-circle and I was so thankful for that.
How did you decide to incorporate a unity ceremony into the day?
Brandon and I wanted a unique way to involve all of our friends and family in our ceremony. Growing up, I loved attending the Christmas Eve service at my church. Everyone would light a small taper candle from the person sitting next to them as the last hymn, Silent Night, was sung in unison. The lit candle was held in the air and the lights would fully dim. It has always been one of my favorite feelings—full of warmth, peace, and joy. When discussing our ceremony details, Brandon and I agreed we wanted to recreate that feeling. The moment was tied to our wedding as a unity ceremony - 'whenever light becomes dull, Brittany and Brandon will remember this moment and all the love and light you have given to them throughout their lives to help them find brighter days.' Special thanks to Ryan Fine who blessed us with playing piano and singing Stand By Me as Brandon and I lit the candles of all inner aisle guests and those guests lit the candles of those sitting next to them.
Any tips for future brides, now that you have been on both sides of the planning process?
As a bride, take a private moment at the reception with your partner - find a corner, take a trip to the mezzanine - and take it all in by yourselves for a few moments. Look at your décor, at the room, at your loved ones, watch the hard working staff, watch your guests have a great time... take a second to just 'see' everything you have been working towards come together in real time! Also, if you are on the fence, do the first look. My husband said one of his favorite moments of the day is when he and I got to take photos by ourselves. It was important to us to have that time together - the day goes by super fast and at least half of it you spend apart.
Any tips for fellow planners planning their own weddings?
This is probably easier said than done, but honestly, do your best to trust the process. The Infinity team will never let you fail or miss something. Not everything has to happen at once - it will all get done. Have patience and grace in the planning process with yourself and your vendor team.
How did your event team provide support while navigating planning a wedding during a pandemic?
We could not be more thankful to have had the support of Infinity during that uncelebrated time. We were grateful for the option and opportunity to continue with our wedding plans as is, but of course, keeping within the restrictions. The staff, managers, and all vendors involved really pulled through for us to make it all possible while keeping everyone safe. Extra special thank you to our friends and family - if it were not for their encouragement and support in our decision to proceed with our wedding in January 2021, it would not have happened. We appreciate all the efforts to have made that day so special. Regardless of the restrictions and rules in place, our day was not hindered, our guests had the greatest night and WE had the best. day. ever.
