A Lifetime of Friendship: The Brumlows’ Barnsley Resort Wedding

The Vision

There are weddings that are beautiful because of the details, and then there are weddings that are beautiful because of the story behind them.

For me, Will and Gracie’s wedding day was both.

As the owner of Madelyn Tenney Events, I have had the opportunity to serve as both a planner and a bridesmaid before, but this wedding was different. On June 6, 2026, at Barnsley Gardens Resort, I was not just helping a bride bring her vision to life. I was standing beside one of my very best friends as she married the love of her life. Experiencing the day through both lenses made every moment that much more meaningful.

Gracie has been one of my very best friends since elementary school. We grew up together, navigated every stage of life side by side, and eventually became roommates at the University of Georgia. Somehow, our lives followed remarkably similar paths. We both married men named Will, both married our high school sweethearts, and the four of us have remained inseparable ever since. From elementary school classrooms and Friday night football games to college days in Athens, engagements, and now marriage, our friendship has been one of the greatest gifts of my life.

So when it came time for Gracie and Will’s wedding weekend, there was never a question that I wanted to help bring their vision to life.

The celebration began on Friday morning with Gracie’s bridal luncheon, hosted and designed by our team as the official kickoff to wedding weekend. It was the perfect opportunity to gather the women who have walked alongside her throughout life and celebrate the bride before the festivities truly began.

Then on Saturday, under clear blue skies and beautiful sunshine, one of my oldest friends married the love of her life.

The Design

From the very beginning, Gracie envisioned a celebration that felt timeless, elegant, and distinctly Southern.

Her inspiration centered around blue and green feminine details, which became the foundation for the entire design. The color palette felt perfectly at home at Barnsley Resort, blending beautifully with the property’s lush landscaping, historic ruins, and garden setting.

Marigo Florals brought the vision to life with lush arrangements of white blooms, layered greenery, and touches of soft blue florals that felt as though they had naturally grown within the gardens themselves.

One of the things I loved most about the overall aesthetic was how effortlessly it fit the setting. Nothing felt forced. Instead, every design choice enhanced the beauty that already exists throughout Barnsley’s grounds.

The Ceremony

The ceremony took place at one of the most iconic locations in the Southeast, the Ruins at Barnsley Resort.

As guests arrived and took their seats beneath the sunshine, there was an overwhelming sense of anticipation. The historic stone ruins provided a breathtaking backdrop as Gracie walked down the aisle to marry her high school sweetheart.

Framed by the historic brick Ruins and an overflowing floral installation of greenery, white blooms, and soft blue accents, the ceremony felt as though it had been pulled from the pages of a storybook.

Making the ceremony even more meaningful was the fact that my dad, Jay Tenney, served as the officiant.

Although we have each been involved in countless weddings throughout the years, this was the first time we had ever worked a wedding together in this capacity. Standing beside one of my best friends while my father officiated her marriage was a moment I will treasure forever.

As Gracie and Will exchanged vows surrounded by their closest family and friends, there was not a dry eye in sight.

Cocktail Hour

Following the ceremony, guests remained within the Ruins for cocktail hour, allowing everyone to fully enjoy one of Barnsley’s most breathtaking spaces.

As musicians from Lark Chamber Music performed, guests mingled among the historic stone walls while enjoying cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. The atmosphere felt relaxed, elegant, and quintessentially Southern.

It was the perfect transition from ceremony to celebration.

The Reception

As guests made their way to the Pavilion, the energy shifted from heartfelt to unforgettable.

Beneath soft draping and surrounded by thoughtful design details, the Pavilion felt completely transformed. The layered textures, chinoiserie-inspired elements, candlelight, and lush florals created a space that felt intimate despite hosting a large celebration. Every corner reflected the intentionality Gracie poured into creating an unforgettable experience for her guests.

The wedding party brought an incredible amount of enthusiasm from the moment introductions began, setting the tone for the entire evening. Their excitement was contagious, and it did not take long before the dance floor became the center of the celebration.

Million Dolla Man kept the energy high all night long, creating the kind of reception where guests never wanted to leave the dance floor. From college friends to family members and everyone in between, the room was filled with nonstop laughter, dancing, and celebration.

One of my favorite things about Gracie and Will has always been the way they bring people together, and their reception reflected exactly that. Every person in attendance felt like they were part of something special.

The evening was joyful, energetic, and completely true to who they are as a couple.

The Exit

As the night came to a close, the celebration ended with one of the most personal touches of the entire day.

Gracie is a proud University of Georgia graduate and lifelong Bulldogs fan, while Will attended Auburn University and remains a devoted Tigers supporter.

Guests lined the pathway waving Georgia and Auburn pom poms, creating a tunnel of school pride as the newlyweds made their way toward their getaway golf cart.

It was the perfect ending for two people whose differences have always complemented one another so beautifully.

Closing

There are weddings that stay with you because they are beautiful.

Then there are weddings that stay with you because they are personal.

For me, Will and Gracie’s wedding will always be both.

Getting to stand beside one of my oldest friends as a bridesmaid while simultaneously bringing her wedding vision to life was one of the greatest honors of my career. Having walked through so many seasons of life together, from elementary school to being roommates at the University of Georgia to standing beside one another on our wedding days, made this celebration especially meaningful. Watching her marry the person she has loved since high school, surrounded by the people who have known and loved them both for years, was something I will never forget.

It was a celebration years in the making, and one I will never forget.

Vendor Team

Venue, Catering & Bartending
Barnsley Gardens Resort

Planning & Design
Madelyn Tenney Events

Photography
Jay Barr Photography

Videography
Barlow Films Co.

Florals
Marigo Florals

Hair
Emily Sullivan

Makeup
Sarah Fox Makeup

Ceremony & Cocktail Hour Music
Lark Chamber Music

DJ
Million Dolla Man

Cake
Pixie Dust Bakery

Dance Floor
Atlanta Dance Floor

Hard Rentals & Chairs
Party Bound

Linens & Chargers
BBJ La Tavola

Draping
Decor 1601

Stationery
The Signature Suite by Dori