Abby & Patrick’s Summer Wedding at The Venue at Birchwood

There will always be people who leave a lasting impression on the world, but it’s even more beautiful to witness two people uniting in marriage to make a lasting impact on the world together. Before meeting Abby, Patrick heard about her from his boss and immediately admired her for the strength she had to fight and beat cancer. His love and respect only grew when they met for the first time and spent hours talking. One thing they immediately connected on was the number eight. Throughout Abby’s battle with cancer she continually saw the number eight and wondered what it meant. Leaving her in awe, her mentor explained the significance of eight in the Bible: new and abundant life. As Christians, we know the importance of the number seven to mean perfect and complete, but in the nature of our Lord we know he doesn’t stop there. He gives us even more. Abby was renewed and restored, not only in God’s perfect way, but also in His abundance. So, when Patrick shared the significance of the number 88 for him, she knew there was something special there. At a young age he loved the number, so much that he wore it on his jersey through his high school and college athletic career playing football.

In God’s divine plan, Abby and Patrick’s great love story led to a proposal and a beautiful Tennessee wedding on July 8th, this date being no coincidence. Family and friends gathered in the stone chapel at the Venue at Birchwood to witness a heartfelt ceremony officiated by Father Edward F. Steiner. In John 10:10b Jesus says, “I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect- life in its fullest until you overflow” (TPT). Abby’s three bridesmaids stepped forward to sing The Blessing and suddenly the room turned noticeably dark. As her lifelong friends sang these words, it began to rain:

The Lord bless you and keep you
Make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you
The Lord turn His face toward you
And give you peace.
May His favor be upon you
And a thousand generations
And your family and your children
And their children, and their children. Amen.

And it didn’t just rain, it poured. Psalms 68:9 says, “You sent abundant rain, O God, to refresh the weary land (NIV)… showers of blessing to refresh it” (TPT). 

After the ceremony, guests entered the reception space to see radiant pops of color, with citrus accents infusing the celebration with a joyful energy that perfectly complemented the couple’s personality.

The four tier buttercream wedding cake, the centerpiece of the room, was decorated with purple flowers in honor of the lavender color representing a cancer survivor. Abby also wore a lavender ribbon on her bridal bouquet. 

Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Worstell danced for the first time to Simply the Best by Billianne and guests described their dance floor as “epic!”

The heartfelt touches of their wedding didn’t stop. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room when Patrick surprised his sister and brother in law with a first dance of their own. Jennifer and Rick got married during the peak of Covid-19 and didn’t get the opportunity to have a first dance at their wedding.

The couple drove off in a 1968 Pontiac Firebird convertible and July 8th will only be the beginning of the lasting impact they will have on the world together.

Song credentials: The Blessing by Chris Brown / Steven Furtick / Cody Carnes / Kari Brooke Jobe

Vendors:

Venue: @‌birchwoodtn
Photo: @‌rachelandnoahraye
Video: @‌zz__films
Florals: @‌woodfern_floraldesign
Rentals: @‌southerneventsonline
Catering: @‌wildberry_catering
Band: @‌emeraldempireband
Cake: @‌publix
Hair & Makeup: @‌primpthis
Stationery: @‌mintedweddingsWedding Dress: @‌thedresstheory
Transportation: @‌nashvilleclassicfirebird @musiccitytours