A royal bluegrass wedding in Tennessee

Tensel Lea Sandker and Brent Matthew Burke exchanging vows (April 14, 2013)Rhonda Vincent, the reigning Queen of Bluegrass, celebrated the marriage of her youngest daughter Tensel this past Sunday to Brent Burke, who plays reso-guitar in Vincent’s band.

For those formally-minded: Tensel Lea Sandker and Brent Matthew Burke were married April 14, 2013 in Gallatin, TN. The wedding and reception were held at The Grand Inheritance, an historic property currently owned by bluegrass/Gospel artists Mike and Brenda Scott.

Tensel’s proud mom tells us that rain stopped just as the bride was being escorted along the walkway by her father, Herb Sandker, who also serves as Rhonda’s manager.

Sally Berry, Tensel’s sister, was her matron of honor with Margie Parsons, Hilary Vincent, Carol Burke, Haley Stiltner and Emily DePriest as bridesmaids. Brent’s brother Eric attended him as best man, with new brother-in-law Hunter Berry, Chris Wade and Zach Mongan serving as groomsmen.

Music during the ceremony was provided by The Isaacs, with the assistance of Josh Williams.

Rhonda shared this brief recollection of the service…

The Isaacs and Josh Williams at the Sandker/Burke wedding  (April 14, 2013)“The Isaacs sang as the wedding party entered followed by the bride. After a scripture was read, and vows repeated, The Isaacs sang a second song. In the midst of the ceremony a flock of songbirds flew over those in attendance.”

A reception was held afterwards in the mansion, with appropriate bluegrass music played by a DJ. Notable songs included John & Mary from IIIrd Tyme Out and You Don’t Know How Lucky You Are from mom and mother-in-law, Rhonda Vincent.

Notable guests included Grammy Award Winning Engineer & Producer Bil VornDick with his wife Patricia, Nick Damico of Purity Milk, Sierra Hull, Jesse Gregory; Radio Personality Brenda Lawson, Sonya, Ben, Becky, and Lily Isaacs, along with family members and band mates of Brent Burke, The Rage: Hunter Berry, Aaron McDaris, Mickey Harris, and Josh Williams, along with their wives.

Here are a few photos from their big day.

 

The newlyweds are vacationing this week in Aruba, and will return to their home in Hermitage, TN.

A public reception is planned for July 6 at the Sally Mountain Bluegrass Festival in Queen City, MO.

Congratulations to Tensel and Brent, and all the happy Sandker and Burke families!

 

So now both of Rhonda’s daughters are married to members of her band. One wonders… does this mean that Hunter and Brent have jobs for life, or merely they will be watched like a hawk at work and at home?

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About the Author

John Lawless

John had served as primary author and editor for The Bluegrass Blog from its launch in 2006 until being folded into Bluegrass Today in September of 2011. He continues in that capacity here, managing a strong team of columnists and correspondents.