Teri O’Brien and Erik Bordwell first crossed paths at a wedding in Chicago during Covid, when a pared-down guest list made the evening feel unexpectedly intimate. With just 50 guests in attendance, the two found themselves gravitating toward one another, even ending the night with a kiss in the elevator. What began as a fleeting spark soon deepened through long-distance conversations and Zoom dates between Nashville and Denver, where Erik was living at the time.

Four years later, Erik knew exactly where he wanted to propose. He chose Teri’s family home in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, a place deeply tied to her childhood and the memory of her late father. With snow-covered mountains as the backdrop, Erik proposed surrounded by close friends who were traveling with them, and later that evening, family who had gathered to surprise the bride and join the celebration.

From the earliest stages of planning, the wedding weekend was shaped by meaningful details. A musical artist known professionally as Teri Bracken of Brontë Fall and a classically trained violinist, Teri envisioned a celebration where sound and setting were inseparable. That vision led them to Schermerhorn Symphony Center, one of the few symphony halls designed to accommodate weddings. “Getting married at the symphony felt like a full-circle moment for me,” Teri shares. “It was the most elegant ambience I could ever dream of.”

The ceremony took place earlier in the day at Wightman Chapel and reflected a thoughtful blend of tradition and personalization. Though the couple was unable to marry in a Catholic church, meaningful elements remained central to the service, including a Mary dedication and a moving performance of “Ave Maria” by a close friend.

Music was curated with exceptional care: a string quartet made up of Teri’s closest musical collaborators performed selections that spanned classical and musical theater favorites, including “Edelweiss” from The Sound of Music and “The Music of the Night” from The Phantom of the Opera. For Teri, whose career as a singer and songwriter is rooted in storytelling and emotion, the ceremony music felt less like accompaniment and more like an extension of the vows themselves. Teri made her entrance to Gabriel Fauré’s Pavane, a regal choice inspired by Jackie Kennedy.

As guests exited the chapel, they were handed custom kazoos: a playful, unexpected nod to the couple’s shared love of music that delighted guests of all ages. The celebration continued at the symphony center, where cocktail hour unfolded in the sunlit courtyard amid a classic green-and-white floral palette that felt fresh and timeless.

“Getting married at the symphony felt like a full-circle moment for me.”

Inside the reception space, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. Guests were greeted by a rich fall color story layered with seasonal florals, orchids, figs, grapes, and cascading greenery. Oversized chandeliers anchored each table, while a long, candlelit floral table seated the entire wedding party, creating a striking focal point within the room. Despite hosting 330 guests, the design felt immersive rather than overwhelming. “Walking into the room for the first time was pretty incredible,” Teri recalls.

Music once again took center stage as the evening unfolded. The Music City All Stars, a high-energy band from Gold Coast Events, kept the dance floor packed from the first song through the final encore. “The band during the reception was my favorite part,” Erik says. “All the music turned out incredible.” The energy in the room mirrored the care that had gone into curating each moment of the weekend.

Teri’s bridal look by Mark Ingram Bride from Mark Ingram Atelier echoed the wedding’s old-world elegance. She wore a strapless ivory ball gown with a sculpted bodice and dramatic skirt, elevated by refined detailing and a sweeping train. The reception décor followed suit, with dainty silverware, intricate floral arrangements, and low lighting that softened the grandeur of the space.

The celebration continued late into the night with an after-party that embraced Nashville’s energy. Partygoers gathered outdoors for a cigar and whiskey bar, while inside, a disco cowgirl-themed dance floor kept the party going until the wee hours of the morning. Earlier in the evening, the entire wedding party made a spontaneous stop at Luke Bryan’s bar on Broadway, drawing cheers as Teri entered in her gown alongside bridesmaids in green-hued dresses and groomsmen in smart tuxedos.

Looking back, the most meaningful moments came during the pauses between it all. “I made sure to stop during my speech and really take in the room,” Erik reflects. “Seeing all our family and friends together was unforgettable.” Rooted in intention, their wedding felt like a true reflection of who they are – and the music that connects them.

This real wedding was originally published as a cover story in the Spring 2026 issue of Inside Weddings magazine. 

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