Both from Franklin, Tennessee, Aubree Jeanette Phillips and Ryan Vaughan Burns celebrated their wedding weekend in Historic Downtown Franklin beginning with a stunning rehearsal dinner at a hotel in the city they deeply love. As they have frequently dined at the hotel’s restaurant and enjoyed coffee at McGavock’s, where the rehearsal dinner itself took place, the hometown venue was especially personal to the bride and groom. 

Hosted by Barbara and Greg Burns, the parents of the groom, the elegant rehearsal dinner for Aubree and Ryan was the perfect precursor to their wonderful wedding weekend. Aubree donned a chic strapless gown accessorized with bow heels and a fun ostrich-feather handbag featuring a pearl-embellished handle for the fête, and her groom was dapper in a blue sports jacket, dark jeans, and his favorite Lucchese cowboy boots. 

As soon as the couple walked into the main entrance of the space they’ve frequented throughout their relationship, they were overwhelmed by the incredible transition of the room. “My mother-in-law was the first person I saw, and my jaw dropped in awe of the room transformation for our special event!” remembers Aubree. The groom adds: “I felt a wave of joy and gratitude pass over me as we were welcomed so warmly by those we love most. It was a truly special snapshot from that evening that I cherish to this day.”

The decoration, atmosphere, and photos curated by the mother of the groom all emphasized Aubree and Ryan’s love for the outdoors beautifully. Framed photos honoring the bride and groom’s engagement, as well as their love of hunting together, were displayed throughout the space. “Seeing our hunting photos framed reflected such special memories,” smiles the bride. 

“I felt a wave of joy and gratitude pass over me as we were welcomed so warmly by those we love most.”

The entire ceiling of the venue was covered in twinkling string lights to create a romantic ambience, and down below, tablescapes highlighted velvet linens in either dark green or burnt orange – a hue that also adorned the patterned china for each guest and textural floral centerpieces filled with bold blooms in cozy, autumnal tones. 

With only one request, Ryan asked that turkey feathers be included in touches for the event.  His mother and their planning team incorporated turkey feathers in the invitation itself, as well as adorning each guest’s place setting with them for a further personal touch.  Implementing the feathers into the table décor symbolized both families’ love and respect for hunting, the great outdoors, and nature. The feathers were handpicked by the groom and were from his first Eastern turkey he took with his bride's father the prior year. 

Additional decorations included the pair’s wedding crest adorning the wood-panel wall of the restaurant, warm décor inspired by the pair’s favorite time of year – fall, and additional design elements that highlighted their love for the outdoors, wildlife, and hunting. 

Ryan and Aubree wish to express their sincerest gratitude and appreciation for the efforts and support of Gregory and Barbara Burns, the groom's parents, for providing such an unforgettable, beautiful, joyful rehearsal dinner. It was a personal and intimate way to kick off the beautiful wedding weekend in Downtown Franklin with friends and family from out of town!