Oct. 21, 2017
How You Met: We initially met through a mutual friend in middle school at a church youth group. We occasionally saw each other in high school and college (we are a house divided; I (Emily) went to Auburn and Bruce, Alabama). After both of us had moved back to Birmingham several years after graduating college, the same mutual friend reintroduced us at a Dungeons and Dragons party. Bruce invited me to dinner to catch up and we started dating soon after.
The Wedding Dress: My mom suggested we go to Heidi Elnora since she has the Build-a-Bride collection. Since they have basic dress shapes, we were able to really see what silhouette looked best and began pulling dresses. My grandmother ended up picking the winner. As I walked out of the fitting room, all of us knew it was the one. It had the right amount of lace detail, yet didn’t overpower my frame. The one drawback was it was sleeveless. Elizabeth Singleton, my amazing consultant, suggested adding the illusion sleeves and continuing the Venetian fern detail. She spent an entire session painstaking hand placing lace pieces until we were satisfied. The ferns were a subtle theme throughout the wedding and were included in the bouquets.
Favorite Wedding Details: My favorite wedding detail was the flowers. The floral theme was romantic and feminine as if they were cut from the garden, but better. Carol from Lillie Jane worked her magic and selected the dahlias and garden roses. The ferns were taken from the dress. The thistle were added to surprise Bruce as McLeod is Scottish. Bruce’s favorite detail was our first dance, which was choreographed to a mashup of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Twenty-One Pilots and “Sway with Me” by Michael Bublé created by our friend, Mr. Kennedy.
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THE VENDORS
Wedding Venues: First Christian Church and North Shelby Library
Wedding Planner: Carly Cline with Elizabeth Carlisle Events
Florist: Lillie Jane
Caterer: Kathy G. & Company
Cakes: Cakes by Audrey, Nothing Bundt Cakes (Summit)
Invitations: Annabelle’s
Wedding Dress: Heidi Elnora (Customization of Bridgette Roberts)
Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids (Dessy in Larkspur Gold)
Hair & Makeup: Hair – Amber Wright with Morgan Ashley Studio Salon, makeup – Amanda Havens with Amanda’s Wax and Beauty Boutique
Groom/Groomsmen Attire: Mr Burch tuxes
Music: Ceremony – Cahaba River Strings (Quartet), Annette McLeod accompanied by Tom McLeod; Reception – Ryan with On-Site Productions
Other Vendors: Reception chairs, tables and linens – Decor to Adore; photo booth – The Flash Bar; coffee bar – Neighborhood Brew; vendor connection – Engaged Wedding Library; reception lighting – On-Site Productions
