Alabama Brides Spring 2009

a l a b a m a

BRIDES 2009 • vol. 4 no. 1 • Complimentary

showstoppers: Hottest styles in wedding dresses Coordinate Your coordinator my wedding, my way

and much more inside!

Brides of the River Region 1 7 A lab ama B r id es S h a r e the i r s p e c i a l day w i t h u s

2009 Alabama Brides  1

a l a b a m a

BRIDES on the cover: Amy & James Willis Photography by flipflopfoto

Planning at wedding, rehearsal dinner, reception, tea, luncheon...

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Contents 4 8

the Showstoppers the hottest trends in Gowns Distinctively Delicious, Distinctively You

Books for Guys & Dolls

27

the Brides of the river region

54

Disaster control Dress edition

12

countdown to Your Perfect Wedding

55

16

coordinate Your coordinator

too Much is not enough

59

i Do, i hue

18

etiquette, Shmetiquette

62

the new Books of love

20

My Wedding, My Way

65

My candy, My Way

23

A little Dip’ll Do Ya

66

resource Directory

Publisher cheryl lindus General Manager french Salter Advertising Sales terri haston Shauna ross

4697 Vaughn Rd Montgomery 334.396.7120 doug2.com

25

Art Director holly calloway Graphic Designers Jonathan Kendrick Melissa Morrow

the reproduction of the whole or any part of personal or comany use or resale, without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. the information in this magazine is gathered and compiled in a way to ensure maximum accuracy. custom Publication Design cannot, and does not guarantee the correctness of all information furnished, nor the complete absence of errors or omissions; hence, no responsiility for same can be, or is assumed. in the event of error or omission for paid services of this magazine, the liability shall be limited to a pro rata abatement of the charge paid to custome Publication Design, but in no event shall such liability exceed the amount payable to custom Publication Design. © 2009 custom Publication Design Division of the Advertiser company, inc. All rights reserved.

The Showstoppers Brides, get ready for your star turn.

Glamorously embellished new gowns for spring promise every woman her own Hollywood-style, red-carpet moment.

4  Alabama Brides 2009

S

Sirens of the silver screen of yesteryear are today’s muses for brides-to-be who are looking to channel their inner Rita Hayworth as they splurge on gowns redolent with glamorous accents. Whether it’s cascading swirls on the backside of a gown from Reem Acra or beaded necklines and seams in Amsale’s decadent creations, a bride wearing a Spring 2008 gown will be anything but invisible. This summer’s poster child for the look was Eva Longoria, who wore a mermaid gown by Angel Sanchez made of silk wool with silk gazar metallic embroidery and a long train at her July 2007 wedding to basketball star Tony Parker.

The trick, designers say, is to create showstoppers without summoning up visions of Vegas showgirls.

“I’m looking at my wall of sketches and it’s about Old Hollywood styles,” says Victoria McMillan, a couture designer for New York-based Alvina Valenta. “It’s a balancing act, however, to remain tasteful. I always ask myself if Grace Kelly would wear this gown.”

“Quiet elegance” is the mantra at Los Angeles-based Monique Lhuillier.

“Monique makes it edgy, not overdone,” says Lori Weil, sales director for Monique Lhuillier. “She stops before the showgirl aspect of it. The neckline is low but never garish.

Embellishments are always feminine but never loud.”

Indeed, when one mentions embellishments on gowns, many in the industry recoil at the thought of empty design and meaningless gilding. Designers are keeping it soft and romantic with pleated tulle sleeves and chiffon ruffles on the neckline. Instead of heaping directionless beading on the gown, designers are strategically placing adornments to highlight the bride’s features, such as Amsale’s jeweled bustlines and Lucite-inspired beading at the waist and Alvina Valenta’s beaded spaghetti straps and brooch framing the neckline.

“Proportion is very important when using certain silhouettes,” says Amsale Aberra, who’s also the designer for the Christos label, which is sold, at Saks Fifth Avenue, Kleinfeld in New York and Stanley Korshak in Dallas. “An empire gown emphasizes the detail on the top as well as framing the waistline.”

Adds Michael Shettel, head designer for Alfred Angelo Bridal: “Embellishments can add a lot of unexpected drama to a dress, but in a very subtle way… [they’re] a wonderful way to add more contour to a waistline or give a little extra lift or the look of volume to the bust.”

The push for such exquisite detail dovetails with the escalating cost of gowns. Brides spend an average of $1,500 on a wedding dress, according to theweddingreport.com, nearly double the price paid 10 years ago. Rising cost may be prompting designers to pile on the extras, perhaps in order to ensure that their patrons get their money’s worth. They’re even taking chances on more adventurous fabrics, beyond the world of silk and tulle. Junko Yoshioka, for example, incorporates faille, velvet chiffon, Italian shantung organza and subtle brocades in her collection.

Embellishments add drama to an Alfred Angelo gown, above. ‘Quiet elegance’ is the theme for Monique Lhuillier’s gowns, right, whose embellishments ‘are always feminine but never loud,’ says sales director Lori Weil.

2009 Alabama Brides 5

No Need to Over Do It No need to over do it: ‘When a dress has embellishments, brides need to scale everything back,’ says gown buyer Barbie Roberts.

‘The bride just needs pretty earrings or hairpins or a vail.

Above: Designer Alvina Valenta keeps things soft and romantic by framing the neckline with spaghetti straps and brooches.

“If brides are spending more, they want to see more elements in the gown,” says Kirstie Kelly, a couture designer based in the affluent Los Angeles community of Brentwood, whose dresses have appeared on film and television.

Brides are definitely getting more for their green at Monique Lhuillier.

The designer’s $12,000 lace dress with a tulle overlay embroidered with flowers and beading is “selling like popcorn,” says Weil.

Floral touches are one way embellishments are looking springtime fresh. A Vera Wang strapless mermaid gown features a floral waist corsage; an off-the-shoulder sheath is punctuated with a flower. The motif has wended its way to Lazaro, where the designer is incorporating crystals in floral patterns on belts and embroidered chiffon flowers on the gown. At Alfred Angelo, floral hip appliqués attached where the draping intersects provide a sassy twist.

It’s a design element that gives the dresses texture, say the designers.

“Creating beading on flowers gives the dress a more dimensional look; it’s not so flat,” says Kelly.

Another defining feature of the gowns is the use of jewelry or jeweled effects in their styles. Taffeta sashes with a crystal brooch on

6 Alabama Brides 2009

an A-line gown at Vera Wang and Angel Sanchez’s silk tulle gown over gauze with an inset of dramatic silver embroidery create a sparkling halo for brides. Those styles are inspiring brides to look for similar looks at slightly lower prices “Our customer is very interested in what stands out,” says Lynn Medoff, owner and designer of Lena Medoyeff Bridal in Portland, Ore., where bridal gowns range in price from $400 to $1,200. “Customers are requesting that type of embellishment that allows their individuality to shine through.”

How brides wear the embellished gown can be an even more important decision than deciding on their milestone dress. Some designers encourage their brides to have fun and go for the gusto when it comes to accessorizing their dream dress, especially if they’re given heirlooms or jewels by their fiancé, says Alfred Angelo’s Shettel.

“My personal motto has always been: ‘Do whatever you feel is right for you and do not let fashion dictate what you should wear,’” says Rani Totman, designer for Dallas-based St. Pucchi, whose gowns are known for intricate embroidery.

Others worry about sensory overload or the gaudy factor.

Lazaro suggests opting for a clean neckline and no necklace for a bride’s red-carpet glide down the aisle.

“The bride just needs pretty earrings or hairpins or a veil,” says Barbie Roberts, buyer for the bridal department at Julian Gold in San Antonio, Texas. “When a dress has embellishments, brides need to scale back everything else.” ❤

2009 Alabama Brides 7

Distinctively Delicious, Distinctively You Food doesn’t get to have all the fun. With seasonal flavors and fresh ingredients, signature drinks are adding another level of personalization to the big day For the bride who set Halloween for her wedding date, the perfect cocktail was a glowing lime-green concoction. A silver-dusted orchid floating on another cocktail paid homage to a bride’s Japanese heritage.

Sure, you can serve classic cocktails at your wedding reception, such as a Manhattan or Old-Fashioned, but why not create a distinctive cocktail instead?

As more couples are discovering, you can put your stamp on a drink just as you do with other aspects of your wedding.

“The signature cocktail is huge,” says Lisa Hawkins, spokeswoman for the Distilled Spirits Council in Washington D.C. She’s seeing unusual drinks that reflect the wedding theme or pick up the colors of the wedding party.

The ways in which you can personalize a cocktail are endless, from an orchid-topped vanilla martini to announce your romantic Tahitian honeymoon to a variation on a mint julep because you and your fiancé met at the Kentucky Derby.

You also may share a private moment by your drink choice. Maybe your loved one gave you a ginger-and-honey concoction when you weren’t feeling well and now a gingerand-honey-flavored vodka cocktail shows how you care for each other “in sickness and in health.”

Your choice of distilled spirits, mixers, garnishes and origin of the ingredients also can reflect some aspect of your relationship.

Although you’re not restricted when designing a signature cocktail recipe, as you would be for, say, the classic Cognac-based Sidecar, some guidelines may help you.

Experts suggest you consider trends, food compatibility and seasonal ingredients.

“Red is big. Everyone wants something red,” says Lisa Bigley, who designs and sells personalized cocktail recipes and drink guides through her Web site, SignatureCocktails. com.

Nothing says red as vividly as pomegranate juice.

“I just did a party where pomegranate was used in alcoholic and nonalcoholic cocktails. The bride was Egyptian and pomegranate is good luck in her culture,”

8 Alabama Brides 2009

Overly Thematic Using your signature cocktail as a starting point, carry the drink theme through the wedding, say the experts.

• Print the recipe to give as a favor.

• Give guests the cocktail glass and add a citrus zester (depending on the drink) or a shaker to the package.

• If you’re using a gorgeous flower, such as an orchid, as a drink garnish, add a little holder to keep the flower fresh for later.

says Jim Weitzman, manager for The Upper Crust catering concern in Manhattan.

Blue also is a recurring color. At a wedding catered by The Upper Crust, the hue showed up in a blue Cosmo, according to Weitzman.

Edibles in cocktails are in demand, as well, and bartenders are moving beyond olives and pearl onions.

For example, how about a cucumber stick instead of the typical onion?

“Gin and cucumbers go great together,” says Douglass D. Miller, lecturing instructor at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y. Gin and fennel is another flavor match, according to Miller.

Instead of a pedestrian lemon wedge, use a fennel slice to garnish a gin-based drink.

Factor seasonal availability into your cocktail recipe.

One of the hot new drinks for autumn is a pear-apple martini, according to Hawkins.

Miller takes his clues from cranberries and apples and suggests either in a fall drink.

If tomatoes are still in season, Bigley suggests an elegant drink using tomato water, cucumber and basil. As a variation she recommends garnishing a martini with a miniature fresh mozzarella ball, basil leaves and cherry tomatoes.

“It’s a martini with caprese salad,” says Bigley, who’s based in Las Vegas.

With all those solids in the cocktail, mixologists are inspired to pair drinks with food courses.

As general guidelines, vodka and gin both go well with fresh seafood, while the brown spirits like Scotch and bourbon are a match for meat and cheese, according to Hawkins.

Think about how your menu fits into these flavor groupings.

Maybe you’re planning fish or seafood sushi appetizers.

“Sushi is wonderful with a cucumber gimlet [typically made with gin or vodka],” Bigley says. “The cucumber is cooling mixed with spicy ahi tuna.”

Hawkins also sees bourbon and barbecue matches.

Station to Station If you’re featuring food stations at your reception, add a special cocktail at each stop.

Ginger Honey Courtesy of Level Vodka 1 part vodka 1 part fresh ginger 2 thin inches fresh ginger 1⁄2 part fresh lemon juice 3⁄4 parts honey Muddle ginger in bottom of a shaker. Add the rest of the ingredients, shake with ice.Double-strain into a well-chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a slice of fresh ginger Apple harvest cocktail Courtesy of Douglass D. Miller, Culinary Institute of America 1⁄2 oz. of Calvados 3⁄4 oz. of Navan (Vanilla infused Cognac from Grand Marnier) 2 dashes of Bitters 1⁄2 oz. of Maple Syrup 1 oz. of Rose Champagne ice Combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Then shake the ingredients until they are well mixed together, which is about 10 seconds. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a long orange curl and grate fresh nutmeg on top.

2009 Alabama Brides 9

A sushi station begs for a sake cocktail, an Italian antipasto assortment is complemented with a dry vermouth drink while charcouterie would have the French accent of Cognac or marc, a potent fruit-based spirit.

Don’t forget dessert when you’re designing cocktails. A luscious chocolate wedding cake, finger-deep with mousse filling, deserves its own cocktail. Bigley would start with Godiva chocolate liqueur and build from there.

Instead, you can make the cocktail the dessert, again working your own preferences into the formulation.

“If you’re known for loving Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, which I do, you can make a chocolate martini,” Miller says.

Signature Savings Signature cocktails may have the additional benefit of reducing your bar costs.

“Many people see this as a cost-effective way to offer spirits instead of an open bar,” says Lisa Hawkins of the Distilled Spirits Council.

By featuring one distilled-spirits drink and filling in with wine, beer and nonalcoholic beverages you don’t have to stock an assortment of liquors and mixers.

In addition, you may be able to cut your labor costs if you limit the choice to one cocktail, according to cocktail consultant Lisa Bigley, who suggests creating a drink a bartender can make by the pitcher.

James Weitzman says he disagrees.

“Once you’re into hard liquor, the expense isn’t saved over a [open] bar,” says Weitzman, manager with The Upper Crust catering in Manhattan.

You can take some steps to contain the expense of a personalized cocktail.

Make sure your ingredients are in season – don’t demand raspberries in January.

Dan Fehlig, director of The Upper Crust, advises clients to make sure the reception venue has the necessary equipment available for the cocktail. If your caterer has to rent freezer space for a frozen drink, that’s an added expense. ❤ - – B.B. © CTW Features

203 Orline Street Wetumpka, AL 334.567.7322 www.academychefs.com

Mary Ann Campbell Robert Cawley Rick Campbell Beautiful, spacious facility overlooking the Coosa River

catering | event planning | floral design 10 Alabama Brides 2009

Books for Guys and Dolls New reading for marrying types Easy Wedding Planning Plus, 6th Edition

by Elizabeth Lluch (Wedding Solutions, 2007) $19.95

How to be Absolutely Irresistible: Make Friends, Attract Romance and Show the World Your True Charm

by Lisa Helmanis (Ulysses Press, 2007) $15.95

The DIY Bride: 40 Fun Projects for Your Ultimate One-of-a-Kind Wedding

by Khris Cochran (Taunton, 2007) $19.95

Martha Stewart’s Wedding Cakes

by Martha Stewart (Clarkson Potter, 2007) $60

The Hard Questions: 100 Questions to Ask Before You Say ‘I Do’

by Susan Piver (Tarcher, 2007) $10

The Knot Book of Wedding Lists

by Carley Roney (Clarkson Potter, 2007) $12.95

Beautiful Weddings

by Carole Hamilton (Ryland Peters & Small, 2008) $29.95

Let’s Dance: The Complete Book and DVD of Ballroom Dance Instruction for Weddings, Parties, Fitness, and Fun

by Cal Pozo (Hatherleigh Press, 2007) $19.95

The Bride’s Diplomacy Guide: Answers to 150 of the Most Crucial and Annoying Questions That Face a Bride to Be

by Sharon Naylor (Adams Media Corp., 2007) $12.95

The Groom’s Instruction Manual: How to Survive and Possibly Even Enjoy the Most Bewildering Ceremony Known to Man

by Shandon Fowler (Quirk Books, 2007) $15.95

The Sweet Potato Queens’ Wedding Planner/ Divorce Guide

by Jill Conner Browne (Three Rivers Press, 2007) $13.95.

2009 Alabama Brides 11

Countdown To Your Perfect Wedding A

A step-by-step guide to help keep the stars in your eyes, your feet on the ground and your wedding plans on track.

Congratulations! You’re in love, you’ve set a wedding date, and soon you will be married. Between the romance and the ritual, however, there’s some work to be done.

A wedding celebration can be as simple or as elaborate as you and your groom choose to make it.

Newly engaged couples who resist plunging pell-mell into the planning process may be the most successful planners of all.

First, take a moment to dream. Summon up a clear image of the wedding you and your groom want – the image, feel and atmosphere – before you take a single step.

Before rushing out to book a hall, order hors d’oeuvres and ice down the champagne, seek clarity. Who are you and your fiancé? Who, and what, is important to you?

Take the time to define your idea of an ideal wedding.

This will pay off later, helping with the decision-making for your ceremony and reception.

When you’ve decided on the overall tone for your special day, it’s time to get down to business. Couples who tackle wedding planning pragmatically, as if it were a work-related project, tend to survive the process with greater ease.

Think of yourself as project managers. Establish an overall framework for completing the work, set specific intermediate deadlines, schedules and goals and divide the tasks. Taken one small job at a time, the detail-laden job becomes less overwhelming.

Here is our suggested timetable for the steps you should take in the months, weeks and days leading up to your wedding. Start here to envision and plan the wedding of your dreams.

9-12 months before your wedding

• Choose your wedding date. If you plan to be married in a church, temple or mosque or in a religious service at home, clear the date and time with your clergy.

• Announce your engagement in local newspapers.

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• Set your budget. Take time for a heart-to-heart talk with your fiancé about the budget and style of your wedding, reception and wedding-related parties, and who pays for what.

• Enlist help. Consider hiring a bridal consultant. If your budget won’t stretch that far, ask relatives and close friends to assist you in specific tasks – selecting a dress, interviewing caterers, locating a reception site – especially in areas where you feel you need support.

• Compose your guest list. Let out-of-town guests know your wedding is in the works so they can make travel plans.

• Reserve your reception site.

• Choose your wedding attendants.

• Select your wedding gown, shoes and accessories.

• Decide on bridesmaids’ dresses.

• Determine the theme or mood you’d like to establish with the food, table settings, flowers and entertainment at your reception.

• Interview caterers, musicians, florists, photographers, videographers and bakers. Get written estimates of their costs.

Keep track of your discussions and their bids in a notebook or with wedding-planning software.

6 months Before Your Wedding

• Choose your caterer. Remember to get a written contract.

• Choose your musician(s).

• Book your photographer and/or videographer.

• Select your baker and order the cake.

• Choose your florist.

• Decide on your color scheme.

• Shop for wedding rings with your fiancé.

• Decide on your honeymoon destination. Work with a travel agent to book your travel and accommodations.

• Select your wedding invitations. Don’t forget to purchase personal stationery for the thank-you notes you’ll need to write.

4 months before your wedding

• Register for gifts at one or more bridal-gift registries.

• Help both mothers to coordinate and shop for their weddingday attire.

• Select music for your ceremony and reception.

• Choose readings for your wedding and write your wedding vows.

• Plan a rehearsal dinner for members of your wedding party, your family and out-of-town guests. Reserve the location.

• Arrange hotel accommodations for members of the wedding party who live out of town. Reserve a block of rooms for other out-of-town guests, and let them know the rooms are available.

Remember to ask for any group discounts or special packages.

• Reserve your wedding-day transportation and any other wedding-day rental needs.

• Make appointments for gown fittings.

• Check the requirements for a marriage license.

• Make sure contracts and arrangements are complete with all of your service providers.

3 months before your wedding

• Carefully prepare directions, including simply drawn maps, if necessary, to help guide guests to the wedding and reception,

and to hotels. For guests who will travel a long distance to your wedding, consider assembling an information package on fun things to do and see in your area.

• Begin addressing invitations and announcements. Select a special stamp at the post office. Invitations should go in the mail six to eight weeks before your big day.

• Give the caterer or other food suppliers a close idea of the number of guests you expect.

• Make sure all reservations are in place for honeymoon travel.

• Check with bridesmaids to make sure they have their gowns and are getting them adjusted.

• Shop for gifts for your bridesmaids. Offer to help your fiancé select gifts for his attendants.

• Select your “going away” outfit and special items for your trousseau.

• Make a date with your photographer for any formal portraits you desire.

• Make an appointment to have your hair done just before your portrait session and again the day or so before your wedding.

Consider including your bridesmaids in a “day of beauty” before your wedding, with manicures, hair styling, massages and makeup sessions.

2 months before your wedding

• Mail out your wedding invitations and announcements.

• Have wedding portraits taken.

• Send bridal portrait and wedding announcement to newspapers for publication.

• Finalize the music that will be played during your wedding ceremony.

• Meet with musicians who will provide entertainment during your reception and orchestrate precisely what you want and when you want it played.

• Don’t be shy to voice your preferences, down to the volume, favorite songs you’d like to hear or even songs you don’t want played.

• Plan your rehearsal dinner and a brunch or fun activity for out-of-town guests to enjoy on the day following your wedding.

• Purchase special accessories for your wedding-day attire.

• Plan a luncheon for your bridesmaids.

• Make appointments for a hairdresser, makeup artist and manicurist.

• Finalize honeymoon plans. If you’re traveling overseas, check again that your passports are current and that you have any necessary visas.

• Gather necessary birth or baptismal certificates you may need for your wedding license.

1 month before your wedding

• Get your wedding license.

• Have a final fitting of your gown and make sure your attendants have theirs.

• Check that your menu selections and service plans are locked in place with the caterer.

• Purchase a special book to keep track of wedding gifts as they arrive.

• Keep writing those thank-you notes on a daily basis!

2009 Alabama Brides 13

• If you plan a formal dinner for your reception, it’s time to draw up a seating plan and make up place cards.

• Check with your florist to confirm dates and times of flower deliveries.

• Review your wedding-day transportation plans and make sure drivers are clear about addresses, times and number of passengers.

• Make name or address changes official on documents, including driver’s license, Social Security forms and financial accounts. Fill out change-of-address forms at the post office.

• Meet with your photographer to specify the formal shots you want taken of the bridal party, as well as specific, candid shots you’d like taken during the reception.

• Review the video plans with your videographer.

2 weeks before

your wedding • Keep writing those thank-you notes for wedding gifts!

• Pick up your wedding rings. Make sure any special engraving appears precisely as you wished.

• Begin packing for honeymoon.

1 week

before your wedding • Make final checks with all your vendors: officiant, musicians, florist, photographer, videographer, limousine or other transportation provider, caterers and baker.

• Ask a friend or family member to arrange for wedding gifts that may be brought to your reception to be delivered to your home or another safe spot.

14 Alabama Brides 2009

• Wrap gifts for bridal attendants and have them ready for the rehearsal dinner.

• Purchase travelers’ checks and reconfirm honeymoon travel and hotel plans.

• See that checks are written and ready to be handed out to vendors at the agreed-upon time.

• Inform your caterer of the final number of guests. Confirm that out-of-town guests are set with hotel accommodations, transportation and wedding-day directions.

The day before your wedding • Take time to relax and enjoy a massage, manicure and pedicure.

• Traditionally, this is the day for your rehearsal ceremony and rehearsal dinner. Have fun!

• Turn in early for a good night’s sleep.

Your Wedding Day

• Allow plenty of time for dressing, makeup and hair styling.

• If you plan on photography before the ceremony, allow ample time so you’re not rushed.

• Relax, and remember: This is your special day, the result of all your careful planning. Now it’s time to enjoy. Take a deep breath. Refuse to let any glitch get to you. Savor every moment of this sacred day. Let your joy and happiness shine through. Best wishes! ❤

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Coordinate Your Coordinator

F

From attire to registries to pies – yes, pies – specialized wedding coordinators are supplying an extra set of eyes and hands wherever you (and all the other coordinators) may need them It’s no longer just the diva who demands attention her wedding day.

When the do-it-myself stress starts to toll, some brides happily turn to a wedding planner to handle the day-to-day organizing.

When bride Jaimie DeFina began planning her Greenwich, Conn., nuptials, she took on the task of lead planner. But six months in, her solo act got stale. “We decided to hire a wedding coordinator at a pivotal point where I felt like there were tons of decisions to be made, and it was overwhelming.”

DeFina finds having a go-to person for the big is extremely beneficial. “Our planner knows the answers to our questions and reassures us. And she recommends a lot of vendors instead of us having to search frantically.”

But nowadays, it seems, one person just doesn’t seem to cut it.

16 Alabama Brides 2009

As weddings become more personalized, “there is more of a need for expertise in smaller fields,” says Kelsey Sheofsky of Alison Events in San Francisco. When Sheofsky takes on a wedding, she prefers to tag-team with an event designer. The results? A 30-foot gold Buddha towering in the center of the reception for a Beatles-loving, hippy-chic California couple.

“We never could have executed this because we were taking care of everything else. The event designer had the time to search for a towering Buddha.”

Clothing retailer J. Crew has also picked up on this rise in pointed planning. “We have a Special Occasions group dedicated to hold one’s hands through the entire process of dressing and accessorizing the bridal party,” says Heather Lynch McAuliffe, senior director of public relations.

For no extra fee, brides across the country have one point of contact for everything from sizing up maids to attendant

gifts. “The bride and groom give all contact information to the coordinator and we take care of everything,” McAuliffe adds. This route ensures you don’t have to be famous to have a personal stylist. Think beyond the bridal basics, as the coordinating team takes couples towards monogrammed accessories and jewelry to enhance elegance.

“Today’s couples have bridesmaids and guests scattered all over the country and tons of decisions to make while planning a wedding,” McAuliffe says. “Our team provides undivided attention and brings another element of seamless service to the bride and groom.” They even go so far as to help pick out items that might make your honeymoon more sartorially satisfying.

The highly specialized clothes coordinating doesn’t stop at planning and purchasing the attire. On the big day, planner Sheofsky relies on a wedding detailer. “She comes to the event and presses and steams all the outfits of the key players.” Armed with thread, extra buttons and zippers, this coordinator calms any clothing catastrophe.

Guiding the Groom For coordinators looking to break into the business, many find glory planning the groom’s night – the rehearsal dinner. Customizing themes from formal to funky, this pro gets the grooms family involved in the wedding planning from the engagement. Sheofsky’s rehearsal reinforcement once planned a sports-themed night for two football-loving families. Pigskins with petals acted as centerpieces, and the personalized pre-wedding night set the tone for family togetherness for years to come. Event designers also raise the level of enlightenment by perfecting the lighting, linens, table size and chair covers to create the concept that the main wedding coordinator carries out. The details can help make the ordinary to extraordinary.

Easy as Pie And you thought hiring a caterer was enough? Dessert docents now are becoming experts in confection coordination.

Michigan-based Aschatz Pies Co. has its own pie coordinator to keep the specialty wedding-day desserts under control.

“Select the pies, pay two weeks before the big day and leave the rest to me,” says Aschatz coordinator Kathy Kreft. In addition to crafting the homemade desserts, Kreft and team arrange delivery and display with the reception hall and guarantee satisfied guests.

Guests also like it when the registry is simple, too, which isn’t always easy when the bride and groom conflict on what their home needs.

But where there’s a registry, there’s a resource. Stores like Crate & Barrel and Bed Bath & Beyond offer wedding pros to keep your registry right. Kristen Schoenfield, director of bridal gift registry for Bed Bath & Beyond, coordinates a completion program for couples. “After the reception, we’ll offer a 10-percent discount to purchase remaining items on the registry.”

And while the more may be merrier, one main coordinator must perch atop the pyramid of planners. “You’ll need to have someone coordinating the coordinators,” say Sheofsky. Each specialty comes with a set of special needs, from voltage vitals for the musicians to all-access kitchen passes for pie assembly. “The overall wedding planner focuses on bringing all the parts together that no one else thinks about.”

Breaking planning barriers doesn’t have to break the bank, though. “Look for people wanting to get into the business and increase their client base,” recommends Sheofsky. The best professionals come from personal references. Adds pie pro Kreft: “Our pie planning gained momentum by word of mouth. And now we have been doing weddings for five years.”

Price points and personal recommendations aside, for bride DeFina, personality trumps planning pluses. “There are lots of benefits to hiring a coordinator, but you have to make sure that your personalities match and that he or she listens to your vision.” Multiple minds with one matrimony mission: yours. ❤ - Kate Sullivan

“Stay Smart” The Mentone Wedding Chapel has, for the past 14 years, been the perfect beginning for hundreds of couples to say “I Do.” Nestled in the woods of Lookout Mountain at Shady Grove near Desoto State Park, this Chapel is a scaled down version of churches from the past. Bring your loved ones and an Alabama Marriage License and we will take care of the rest.

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9250 Boyd Cooper Parkway Montgomery, AL 36117 Phone 334/271-5516 • Fax 334/271-5517 hixsales@bellsouth.net 2009 Alabama Brides 17

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Etiquette Schmetiquette Q: Should brides and grooms throw tradition by the wayside in creating the wedding they want?

A: Yes. No. And maybe.

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Don’t tell them what to wear, when to eat or who to invite. “It’s our wedding, and we’ll do what we want” is the mantra of most couples planning a trip down the aisle these days.

An Associated Press reporter writes about her wedding done her way: no cake (fancy desserts instead); no bridal party, no first dance. Popular Web sites like indiebride.com are made for “independent-minded” brides. And a growing crowd of “anti” wedding guide authors have set up raucous reading rooms outside the upholstered walls of traditional bridal advice literature, where the Posts (Emily and Peggy), Martha Stewart and, more recently, Carley “The Knot” Roney stand guard. Sassy titles like “Offbeat Bride,” “AntiBride Guide” and “Anti-Bride Etiquette Guide” offer, as “Offbeat” author Ariel Meadow Stallings explains, “taffetafree alternatives for independent brides.”

In her own 2004 nuptials, Seattle-based Stallings writes that she dispensed with bridesmaids, the garter toss and monogrammed napkins and served Champagne in mismatched mugs. She maintains a blog where like-minded tradition-busters share their stories: a bride in a red wedding dress, bridesmaids on roller skates, brides displaying colorful expanses of tattooed skin in wedding day portraits.

While it’s fine to put an original spin on a wedding, some experts remain unconvinced that traditions and etiquette should be thrown out the window.

18 Alabama Brides 2009

“Unfortunately, for the last five or 10 years, we have spent a lot of time telling brides to do whatever they want,” says Julie Raimondi, editor in chief of 16 “Brides Local” magazines across the country. “That’s not really fair. All of us wedding media are partially to blame for creating the egomaniac couple.”

She and other wedding experts say: Remember your family. Remember your guests.

“I hear complaints all the time,” says Karen Bussen, author of “Simple Stunning Wedding Etiquette” (Stuart, Tabori and Chang, 2008). “One of the problems is that we are living in a ‘me’-oriented society. On one side, it’s your wedding. On the other side, do you care about your family and others?”

The top rule: Don’t offend your guests. My husband and I attended a wedding last year where guests were asked to pay for their own drinks at the bar, and that was the talk of the party. “How could they be so cheap?” one guest said. A wiser approach might have been to offer guests just beer, wine and perhaps one “signature” drink instead of a full bar.

Seem obvious? Maybe. But some issues are not so easy to navigate. What happens, for example, if a bride and groom do not want children at the reception – and your families have tons of them?

“I had a recent situation where the kids issue became a giant problem, and several parents left the reception,” Bussen says. “People who have children are offended that their kids

“All people want is to have a good time and know they can get home safely. I see brides spend thousands of dollars on their dress but

forget things that basic.”

-Julie Raimondi, Bridal Editor

are not welcome, and they put up a stink. One of the family members couldn’t believe her 1-year-old wasn’t invited.”

Does this mean you always have to invite children? No; it’s a personal choice. However, Bussen and other experts argue that marrying couples would do well to keep a simple rule in mind: It’s not all about the bride and groom. Consider your family and friends.

“Weddings are ultimately a family event,” Raimondi says.

“If they weren’t, we’d all just go to city hall. It’s your job to be a good host. Otherwise, why are you having all these people over for a party?”

One of her particular pet peeves is when brides have many out-of-town guests and don’t provide transportation from the reception, ceremony site and hotel. “All people want is to have a good time and know they can get home safely,” Raimondi says. “I see brides spend thousands of dollars on their dress but forget things that basic.”

Another blunder? Giving useless favors. “People don’t need a miniature, steel wheelbarrow,” Raimondi says. She suggests either giving something edible, or something a guest will actually use.

Are only brides at fault? Of course not. Brides, you have a right to get angry when guests don’t RSVP. But it is unfortunately becoming more and more common for people not to.

“Friends don’t realize a reply is not optional,” Bussen says.

“I think it’s crazy that people don’t reply to wedding invitations.

They don’t realize it’s their social obligation to reply.”

Another sticky area of etiquette is the bridesmaids issue: Do you pick what they wear, even if it’s expensive? Can you have a “man of honor” if your best friend is a guy? The answers fill modern wedding books. In fact, Bussen wrote her new one partially because she felt like times are changing so quickly, and these issues need to be addressed.

Are ushers and greeters important to have, for example?

Chaos can quickly ensue when wedding guests are expected to seat themselves or root around in the back room for the box of programs. Take the pressure off your guests and provide directives in the form of helpful ushers and greeters.

Then there are the small, meaningful things that are rarely seen anymore: hand-addressed invitations. The trend now is pre-printed address labels. While computers are great, the Bride’s Book of Etiquette says to address all invitations by hand. But how many brides these days actually sit and read books like this?

On the flip side, sometimes brides and grooms do things they think they need to, like spending a fortune printing “save the date” cards. Most of the time, these aren’t necessary. An e-mail and word of mouth is usually plenty. Save-the-dates are meant for people who are having destination weddings or for those who are getting married over a holiday weekend.

And what about thank-you notes? Anyone who has received a pre-printed thank-you card, especially for a cross-country wedding, is likely to never forget it. “In that case, it [is] better for the person to send it a year later and have it handwritten,” says Raimondi.

Tradition says you have two weeks to write notes for gifts received before the wedding; for gifts at or after the wedding, you have one month after your honeymoon. Realistically, the sooner the better.

Still confused? A good rule of thumb, wedding experts say, is to consider those most important to you.

“I don’t like the word ‘etiquette,’” Raimondi says. “What matters most is having a gracious bride and a thoughtful reception.”

Bussen, the author of several wedding books, agrees.

“My whole message is simplicity, and to get people to understand that etiquette is not necessarily about rules. It’s about being gracious.” ❤ - Sally Farhat Kassab

2009 Alabama Brides 19

My Wedding My Way

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She didn’t want a white dress. She didn’t want bridesmaids. Ariel Meadow Stallings had issues with just about every wedding tradition in the book. Maybe that’s why, after her own offbeat nuptials, she rewrote the book.

The Couple: Ariel Meadow Stallings and Andreas Tillman Fetz The Day: Saturday, Aug. 4, 2004 6 p.m.

The Place: Bainbridge Island, Wash.

The wedding was at a bed and breakfast, Holly Lane Gardens, and the reception was just down the dirt road on my mom’s property, Sacred Grove.

In Attendance: About 40 guests. I wrote my book “Offbeat Bride” (Seal Press, 2006) as one giant thank-you to all my friends and family.

Planning: It took us about six months. It was very much a collaborative process. We picked the things that were important to us.

A Change of Heart: I foresaw gold monogrammed napkins and a princess dress and knew it just wasn’t in the cards. Marriage seemed weird to us with our gay families and both of our sets of parents divorced. But one Christmas the three lesbians in the room (my mother, aunt and aunt’s partner) all commented on the irony that Andreas and I – a straight couple who could get married – would choose not to enjoy the rights for which so many committed gay and lesbian couples fight. By the time our third wedding anniversary rolled around, my thoughts on getting married had shifted.

20 Alabama Brides 2009

Ariel and her friends spent a few months making the “muglies” that the couple gave guests as favors, above.

“I Planned a Day I Hope Will

Make My Grandkids Laugh” The Community: What we needed more than more stuff was friends and family to help us make the wedding fabulous. If our wedding had a theme, that was the theme. Most of the gifts we received were gifts of time and skill. The guests were really a part of the wedding. It was a kind of community endeavor. There were parts of our wedding that were beautiful in ways that I never could have thought of. There were really amazing gifts from people that were way better than a set of towels.

Opening the Presents Early Our caterer and bartender were gifts from friends in Los Angeles. She cooked. He poured drinks. Two friends served as kind of wedding coordinators. One handled the reception and one handled the wedding and dinner venue. That was their gift to us. Two friends helped with location management, handling crews of people putting up decorations. One friend acted as bridal bodyguard. There were people out in the woods collecting ferns and cedar boughs to make table displays. One family stuffed tomatoes. I’m a big proponent of creative wedding parties.

The Accommodations: Our guests started showing up Friday night and showed up with tents. People camped out on my mom’s property.

The Dress: I had a bustier-style purple corset top with a matching ribbon headpiece worn around two large buns in my hair, and layered, green-and-white skirts. Later, my mother wore my corset at her wedding.

The Rehearsal Dinner: A campfire with marshmallows.

The Ceremony: Our ceremony was very short, only about 15 minutes from start to finish. The traditional wedding just doesn’t really offer me much.

The ‘Oops’ I forgot my vows half way through. I stumbled on one line that I just couldn’t quite remember. But our minister, my godmother, had given me a tip beforehand that it was perfectly fine to pause. So I just stopped for a second and took a breath and paused to see if I could remember what came next. I couldn’t, so I just went on to the next sentence.

The Save: The truth is that I forgot my vows, but many of the guests thought I had paused because I was choked up. It was seen as a really touching emotional moment. This apparently was the point at which all the guests started crying. For me it wasn’t touching at all, it was really more panic-inducing.

Something Borrowed: We actually really liked the Jewish tradition of Yichud, where immediately after the ceremony the bride and the groom have private time together. More than anything else it was just us having a quiet moment, just the two of us. So we imported a tradition.

The Menu: A vegan buffet. Andreas decreed that we would have an all-vegan dinner at our wedding. I put up a tiny argument

2009 Alabama Brides 21

(“But I’m not vegan!”) but ultimately I sympathize with the fact that he is very rarely in an environment where everything is vegan. If there’s any event that should cater to his diet, it should be ... our wedding.

The Cake: Our wedding cake was a gift from my best friend in high school who’s a baker. I thought, as long as it’s carrot cake and it’s my friend making it, who cares? The cake was made in the shape of two rings intersected almost like an infinity symbol. One of the rings was vegan for Andreas and one of the rings was not vegan, and we fed each other cake.

Stemless Glassless Glassware: Our wedding favors were these things we called “muglies.” My friends and I spent a couple months before the wedding buying old mugs from second-hand stores. We put stickers on each of the mugs and wrote an explanation. And that was their drink container for the night. It was sort of this way of saying these aren’t just ugly mismatched mugs that cost 25 cents, this is a symbol of the beautiful diversity and eclecticism of our family and friends.

They Danced Until: 3 a.m. to music provided by three different DJs. The Year of the Wedding: We wanted it to feel like 2004.This is a slice of exactly where Andreas and I were when we got married. For some people, the motivation for planning a wedding is, ‘I don’t want my grandchildren to laugh at my pictures.’ I want my grandkids to laugh. ❤ - Christina Owens

The bride, with the newly formed clan, admits the idea of marriage seemed ‘weird’ to her at first, but she warmed up it.

22 Alabama Brides 2009

A Little Dip’ll Do Ya

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Taffeta, tulle, chiffon and charmeuse are words often associated with wedding gowns. Waterproof? Not exactly. But that’s not stopping brides from drenching the dresses of their dreams.

In a new take on “From Here to Eternity,” where Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr embrace passionately on the beach as the surf rolls around them, brides everywhere, with an accomplice photographer, are heading to the water to “trash the dress.”

“Now that I have these pictures I wouldn’t trade them for anything,” says Jaime Cerullo, a bride in Portland, Maine, who gave her dress the water treatment after her September 2007 wedding and has the photos to prove it. “I wasn’t looking to absolutely destroy the dress. I was looking for some fun, informal pictures that I didn’t get to take with [husband] Chris on the wedding day.”

A week after the wedding, their photographer, Clare Norton, snapped photos of Jaime and Chris decked out in their wedding attire next to a lighthouse, along a coastline walkway – and eventually in the Atlantic Ocean.

“I was really looking for somebody who would not worry about the dress,” says Norton, who runs Clare Norton Photography in Portland. “She was a huge sport about it.”

“Trash talking” is commonplace on bridal forums these days, and the chatter has been amplified by the “Trash the Dress” blog run by Louisiana photographer Mark Eric. There, photographers from all over the globe post artfully framed images of brides captured in the act of “ruining” their gowns. And not all scenes are confined to the water. Wearing wedding finery, the women are photographed sitting on grimy fire escapes, stretched out full

For some 21st-century brides, it’s all about drowning the gown

length in the surf, twirling dreamily in abandoned buildings or perched in dead trees. One woman stands, inexplicably, on top of a round table, her back to the camera.

A widely held notion about dress trashing is that it symbolizes a woman’s commitment to her new husband. Most dress trashers, though, say it’s just fun. Photographers, meanwhile, have been happy to jump on the bandwagon.

“As a photographer, you want to do so much with your couples,” Norton says. “If you have somebody who’s fun and wants to do those things, it lets me be creative.”

Some trashed dresses survive the degradation. A number of charities accept donated gowns – fresh from the cleaners, of course. Brides Against Breast Cancer resells good-as-new gowns to support the Making Memories organization. If children are in her future, Cerullo plans to have a seamstress convert her dress into christening gowns. For now, though, she’s keeping the gown handy for whenever she gets the itch to slip back into it for a sentimental moment.

The Maine bride says the gown-trashing ritual definitely isn’t for everyone, but her fully dressed dip in the ocean couldn’t have turned out better.

“It was perfect weather, and the water was a lot warmer than I thought,” she says.

Now, Norton’s looking into how she can keep up the fun well into winter.

“One of the couples wants to do ice skating and sledding [engagement photos],” she says. “I’m going to talk to them about trash-the-dress sledding!” ❤ – Timothy R. Schulte

2009 Alabama Brides 23

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Now accepting weddings for our next issue.

If you are planning a wedding in the first 6 months of 2009, contact us to find out how to have your wedding featured in the upcoming issue of Alabama Brides.

Each wedding includes a minimum full page full color description (with photos) of your special day.

A great way to showcase your wedding or a wonderful gift for your loved one.

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The Brides of the

River Region 2009 AlAbAmA brides

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Cichra & Escobar Photography by: Donna Grier Photography

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Tammy Lynn Cichra and Manuel Guillermo Escobar were married April 12, 2008 at two o’clock in the afternoon at Mountain View Baptist Church in Wetumpka, Alabama. The Reverend Anthony B. Counts officiated.

Tammy is the daughter of Gary Cichra of Apopka, Florida and Ellen Ramseur of Tallassee, Alabama. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Cichra of Sanford, Florida, and Mrs. Martha Ramseur of Altamonte Springs, Florida.

Manuel is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Guillermo Escobar of Bogotá, Colombia, South America. He is the grandson of Mrs. Lilia Medina Palacios of Bogotá, Colombia.

Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a white halter, side gathered drape, georgette A-line dress with a brooch detail and a sweep train. She carried a hand-tied bouquet of fuchsia and orange roses with green mini mums, berries and lemon leaves.

The bride’s friend, Samantha Adams, was her matron of honor. The groom’s brother, Juan Escobar, served as his best man. Matthew Cichra, brother of the bride, and Canaan Barger, friend of the bride and groom, served as ushers.

The sanctuary and reception venue were decorated in a simple, yet elegant, garden party theme. The main color of champagne was accented by the bride’s favorite colors of bright green, citrus orange and fuchsia.

28 Alabama Brides 2009

The groom’s brother, Juan, made a heartfelt toast that the couple would always keep God first in their marriage.

The W Brothers Violin Trio provided just the right musical ambience for the reception. Tammy Lindsey created the wedding cake and the groom’s cake.

Donna Grier Photography captured the memories of the afternoon that will last their lifetime. The wedding ceremony and the reception were lovingly under the direction of Candy Barger and Angie Gallups and along with Tammy and Manuel would like to thank everyone for their love, support and hard work.

Following a honeymoon trip to Fort Walton Beach, Florida, the couple now resides in Montgomery.

Tammy and Manuel, always remember this-Love never fails because God is love, the perfect example. ❤

2009 Alabama Brides 29

Lawrence &Isbell F

Photography by: John Anderson

Friends over the past 16 years, who would have ever thought that Matthew and Courtney would spend the rest of their lives together.

Courtney Anne Lawrence and Matthew Scott Isbell were married on October 11, 2008 at The Oaks Plantation in Pike Road, Alabama. David Isbell, brother of the groom, performed the ceremony. Courtney is the daughter of Tim and Vicki Lawrence of Wetumpka, AL. Matthew is the son of Tom and Dianne Isbell of Wetumpka, AL. On a beautiful fall afternoon, family and friends gathered outside to share in a joyous ceremony.

Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a strapless diamond white over light gold gown by Maggie Sottero. She carried an arrangement of roses and mini calla lilies in fall colors.

The matron of honor and bridesmaids wore strapless dresses in mocha. Each bridesmaid carried a bouquet of fall colored roses. Serving as matron of honor was Annah Grace Morgan . The bridesmaids were Sara K. Goodwin, Karen Isbell,Claire Marie Whitmore and Megan Flinn. The flower girl was Emily Isbell.

The best man and groomsmen wore chocolate colored tuxedos. Bryan Isbell served as best man.

The groomsmen were Chris Isbell, Jonathan Isbell,Tyler Gray and Mitchell Wright. Kevin Robbins served as usher and Dax Isbell the ring bearer.

Following the ceremony, the guests enjoyed a reception with dancing in the Grand Dining room at The Oaks.

After a fun filled week in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, the happy couple resides in Wetumpka, AL. â?¤

30â&#x20AC;&#x192; Alabama Brides 2009

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Hodges & Barger

On December 24, 2007, about one hour before Canaan asked Jillian to marry him; a newspaper photographer walked up to them and asked to take their picture. Jillian was singing with Canaan as he played his guitar on the grounds of Blount Cultural Park. The picture ran in the Montgomery Advertiser on Christmas day. Now they will always have that picture to remember a very special day.

Jillian Reneé Hodges and Canaan Scott Barger were united in holy matrimony on December 20, 2008. The sacred two o’clock ceremony at Morningview Baptist Church was beautiful. Dr. Shawn Merithew officiated.

Jillian is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Steven Hodges of Prattville, Alabama.

She is the granddaughter of the late Mr. Eugene R. Hodges and the late Roberta J. Hodges of Marianna, Florida and Mrs. Evelyn G. Maltman of Prattville, Alabama and the late Mr. Kenneth J. Maltman Jr. Canaan is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey S. Barger of Wetumpka, Alabama. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. John S. Barger of Orlando, Florida and the late Mr. O’Gwynn P. Cain and the late Anita Carol Cain of Orlando, Florida.

Entering the sanctuary on her fathers arm, Jillian was escorted down the aisle to the Bridal Processional of “O Lord, May Church and Home Combine.” The bride wore a white satin A-line halter dress with a beaded split front and a lace up back with a chapel-length train. She carried a bouquet of white roses.

The church was decorated in a simple yet elegant color palette of Christmas reds and greens.

Amanda Mayo, friend of the bride, served as maid of honor. Bridesmaids were, Samantha Adams, sister of the groom, Holli LaMarque, Hannah Meherg, and Madalyn Maddox, friends of the bride. They carried a small bouquet of white roses tied with a white ribbon. The flower girls Alison and Amber Hodges, niece’s of the bride, carried white fabric cone-shaped baskets and decorated the Photography by: Chrietzberg Photography

aisle runner with white rose petals as they made their way to the front of the sanctuary.

The groom’s mentor and friend, Scott Grier, served as best man. The groomsmen were Jeremy Hodges, brother of the bride, Zachary Adams, brother-in-law of the groom, and Matthew Cichra and Juan Escobar, friends of the groom. Luke Waits, Manuel Escobar, George Waits and Ryan Harrison, all friends of the groom, and Alan Hodges,brother of the bride served as ushers.

The ceremony was a worship service, intimate and beautiful, to the Glory of God. Ben Robinson, friend of the bride and groom, played the piano as Charles Kuykendall, friend of the groom, led the singing of hymns by all in attendance. Friends of the bride and groom, Elizabeth Kirk, vocalist and violinist and Ryan Harrison, vocalist and guitarist, provided music for the ceremony. The congregation sang “In Christ Alone” during the lighting of the unity candle.

The ceremony was followed by a reception in the church fellowship hall. The tables were decorated with silver gumdrop trees and the room was decorated for Christmas.

The food was delicious and everyone enjoyed filling up a to go bag with treats at the candy bar.

Tammy Lindsay created both the wedding cake and the groom’s cake. The all white four-tiered wedding cake was accented with delicate light blue snowflakes and topped with the couples monogram. Each layer had a white chocolate filling. The groom’s cake was a four way chocolate two-layer oval shaped cake decorated with sugared grapes.

Vows have been exchanged and the wedding day is over, but this is not the end, it is just the beginning of their new life together. Surrounded by family and friends tossing white rose petals, the couple descended down the stairs at the front of the church to their awaiting car. Jillian and Canaan thank all of their family and friends for their love and support.

The couple enjoyed a honeymoon trip to Orange Beach, Alabama, and currently resides in Montgomery.

Chrietzberg Photography and videographer, Lonnie Dispennette of Mountain Creek Multimedia captured the memories of the day for the couple to treasure always. ❤

32 Alabama Brides 2008

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Byrd & Tyner

Photography by: Kim Box Photography

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Amy Pilar Byrd and David Hartwell Tyner, Jr. were married March 1, 2008, on a beautiful afternoon at the Oaks Plantation in Pike Road, Al, with the Rev. Greg Gosselin officiating.

The bride is the daughter of Jimmy and Margie Byrd of Montgomery, Al .The groom is the son of Ms. Irene Tyner and Mr. David Hartwell Tyner, Sr. also of Montgomery. The bride walked down the isle with both her mother and father to one of her Grandfather’s favorite Hymns,”Holy,Holy,Holy.” She wore a beautiful ivory strapless dress adorned with Austrian crystals and pearls. In remembrance of her Grandmother on this special day, Amy chose to accent with her Grandmother’s pearls and wedding band.

The wedding party consisted of 26 attendants including Allie Byrd, daughter of the bride, as maid of honor, Debbie Pate, sister of the bride, as matron of honor. The best man was the groom’s father while the rest of the wedding party consisted of dear family and friends. The stunning floral designs were created by Christy Spears and Leigh Blackwell directed.

Following the outdoor ceremony, guests were invited inside to celebrate the newly married couple. A Catered Affair treated the guests to an array of delicious food. The reception included a special kid’s room, in honor of the bride’s daughter. The guests danced the evening away, including a sweet special dance for Allie and the groom, to music provided by The Music Guys.

After departing under a shower of sparklers, Amy and Davy honeymooned in St. Lucia. They now reside in Montgomery, Al. with their daughter Allie. ❤

34 Alabama Brides 2009

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Bradford & Buchanan

On the third anniversary of the day they started dating, Amber Maria Bradford and Jairus Keith Buchanan were united in holy matrimony. The fairytale wedding was held on June 28, 2008 at Saint Jude Catholic Church in Montgomery. Father James Holden officiated.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cedric Bradford of Montgomery. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Davis, Sr. of Northport, and Mr. and Mrs. Herman Bradford of Montgomery. The groom is the son of Mr. Willie Buchanan and Mrs. Estelle LaRuth Buchanan of Tuscumbia. He is the grandson of Mrs. Mae Ruth Davis and the late Mr. Horace Davis of Lanett, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Lucious Buchanan, Sr. of Dawson, Georgia.

Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a diamond white silk satin gown embellished with drop pearls, glass beads, and Swarovski crystals, accented with a corset back designed by Maggie Sottero. The gown featured a drape overlay that cascaded down the side of the skirt into a chapel length train. A tiara embellished with freshwater pearls and Swarovski crystals accompanied a fingertip veil. The bride carried a hand-tied bouquet of red and ivory roses featuring a monogrammed ribbon.

Sisters of the bride, Caryn Bradford and Porcia Bradford, served as Maids of Honor. Bridesmaids were Shani Bynum, Marcelia Freeman, Angela Grant, Shaniece Iverson, Raquel Penn, and Princess Winfrey. The groom’s brothers, Kyle Buchanan and Ryan Buchanan, served as Best Men. The groomsmen were Mario Bailey, Brandon Blair, Earnest Byrd, Juhmad Hollis, Earnest Smith, and Robert Turner.

Flower girls were Elyse Agee and Trinity Holt. Diquerious Bonner and Tikerion Bonner served as ring bearers.

Honor attendants were Kelsey Buchanan, Brooke Carter, Shayla Harris, Teshekia Malone, Kellee Ransom, and Earlisha Williams. Kelton Buchanan and Tyler Meade served as ushers.

Scripture readers were Valeta Bradford, Theresa Richburg, and Beverly Ross.

Nuptial music was provided by organist Herbert Porea, violinists Beth Hoener and Allan Pirtle, and vocalists Bonita Caesar and Louis Webb. Musical selections included Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, Canon in D, The Bridal Chorus, The Prayer, The Lord’s Prayer, and Wedding March.

Following the ceremony, guests were invited to celebrate with the couple at the Montgomery Renaissance Hotel and Spa in the Alabama Ballroom. Serving as Mistress of Ceremony, Marielle Munnerlyn introduced the couple and they danced to “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” for their first dance. As the bride danced with her father, the groom and his mother joined in to “My Girl”. Toasts from the maids of honor, best men, and bride’s father followed. The couple was serenaded by Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated and the bride was serenaded by her sorority sisters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Beautiful floral arrangements for the church and reception were designed by Jean the Florist and the bride’s cake was designed by Cake Designs. Just a Few Cats provided the music for the evening.

At the end of the evening, family and friends lined the outside of the Renaissance Hotel and gave a grand Roll Tide Roll with Alabama shakers to honor the couple’s alma mater – The University of Alabama. After a honeymoon trip to St. Lucia, the couple will reside in Montgomery.

Photography by: Darren Freeman

2009 Alabama Brides 35

Evans &Cody C

Allison Michelle Evans and Howard Eugene Cody, III were united in marriage at First Baptist Church on May 17th at 6 p.m. The Reverend Kenny Hoomes officiated.

The Bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Thomas Evans of Wetumpka, Alabama. She is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Maxwell Rogers of Eclectic, Alabama and the late Reverend and Mrs. Earl J. Evans of Montgomery, Alabama. The Groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Eugene Cody, Jr. of Wetumpka, Alabama. He is the grandson of Mrs. Betty Hucke of Baltimore, Maryland and the late Mr. William Ludwig Hucke III and Colonel (Retired) and Mrs. Howard Eugene Cody, Sr. of Montgomery, Alabama.

Given in marriage by her father, the Bride wore a strapless Maggie Saterro white diamond taffeta gown. Her sister, Tracy Ansari was the Matron-of-Honor and Katie Riggins served as Maid-of-Honor. The Bridesmaids were Sara Cody, sister of the Groom, Kelli Bruce, Peri Dees, Carla Henley, Whitney Parrish, Rachel Williams, and Vanessa Williams. The Flower girls were Cameron Cox and Abigail Henley.

Mr. Howard Eugene Cody, Jr., father of the Groom, served at Best man. The Groomsmen were Richard Ansari, Craig Bruce, Charlie Dees, Todd Hansen, Bill Hucke, Shep Mularz, William Quincy and Heath Wilson. Christopher Barazza served as the ring bearer.

The reception was held at the RSA Plaza Terrace. Guests were entertained with music provided by the Band 24/7. After a honeymoon in St. Lucia, the couple now resides in Wetumpka, Alabama. â?¤ Photography by: Flip Flop Foto

36â&#x20AC;&#x192; Alabama Brides 2009

Wright & Burrows T

Trisston Lea Wright and Brian David Burrows were married on May 24, 2008 in a one o’clock ceremony at Aldridge Gardens in Hoover, Alabama with Reverend Joe Wyatt officiating.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wright of Prattville, Alabama. She is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Tatum and the late Mr. and Mrs. O. J. Wright, all of Prattville, Alabama. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Burrows of Sacramento, California. He is the grandson of Mrs. Helen Burrows and the late Mr. Robert Burrows of Sheffield, Alabama and Mrs. Mary Moore and the late Mr. James E. Moore, Jr. of Bessemer, Alabama.

The bride was given in marriage by her parents. She wore a designer gown in ivory with pearl embellishments and a scalloped veil with pearl accents. She carried a bouquet of blue hydrangeas surrounded with white calla lilies, white roses, baby’s breath and white hydrangeas. Within the bouquet was an antique white linen handkerchief adored with Irish lace and ribbon accents.

Dr. Debi Wright Nowakowski, sister of the bride, of Hoover, Alabama served as matron of honor. Rae Ann Bowles Pearce of Hope Mills, North Carolina served as bridesmaid and Lena Sarah Clark, niece of the groom, of State College, Pennsylvania served as the junior bridesmaid. Hannah Elizabeth Clark, niece of the groom, of State College, Pennsylvania served as a flower girl.

Richard Burrows, father of the groom, of Sacramento, California was best man. Matthew Haynes of Moody, Alabama served as groomsman. Ushers included Woodrow Mathis, cousin of the groom, of Hoover, Alabama; James E. Moore, III, uncle of the groom, of Bessemer, Alabama; Dr. Rodney Nowakowski, brother-in-law of the bride, of Hoover, Alabama; and Robert Roe of Sacramento, California.

After honeymooning in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, the couple resides in Hoover, Alabama. To read more, please visit www.brianandtrisston.com. ❤

Photography by: Stone Images Photography

www.heathstone.us

2009 Alabama Brides 37

Sherbett & Jones A

Photography by: Kim Box Photography

Alisa Morgan Sherbett, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Larry Sherbett and Richard Wilson Jones, son of Dr. and Mrs. Robert Sinclair Jones. were married Saturday, August 2, 2008 at five o’clock in the afternoon at Frazer Memorial United Methodist Church with Rev. Tim Miller and Mr. Blake Smith officiating. Special music was provided by Dennis Herrick, trumpet; Justin Rojek, organ; Jane Holloway, piano; and soloists, Bethany Holloway and Michelle Lott.

The bride’s sisters, Andrea Marquez and Ashley Whatley, served as matrons of honor. Bridesmaids included Susan Alley, Jen Blackwell, Ali Brainerd, Cara Jane Crowson, Elizabeth Hard, Bethany Holloway, Caroline Johnson, Lindsay Johnston, Jill Jones, and Morgan McMillian. Honorary Bridesmaids included Katherine Archer, Erin Hollon, Maeci Martin, Kathryn Morriss, Jenny Shaw and Alana Wyatt. Allie Kirkpatrick and Kate Washington, cousin of the groom, served as flower girls.

The groom’s father, Bob Jones served as best man.

Groomsmen included Ben Jones and Steve Jones, brothers of the groom, Steven Bishop, Stephen Brewster, Matt Burge, John David Cleveland, Drew Crowson, Franklin Johnson, Wylie Jones, cousin of the groom, Scott Littlepage and Tommy Stowell. Sellers Gibson, cousin of the bride and Tripp Whatley, nephew of the bride, served as ring bearers.

Following the beautiful ceremony, guests were invited to the reception at The Oaks Plantation in Pike Road. The newlyweds and guests celebrated throughout the night dancing to music

by Lisa and the E-lusion Band. After honeymooning in the Riviera Maya, the couple resides in Montgomery. ❤

38 Alabama Brides 2009

Billingsley & Richardson

C

Dr. Jennifer Morgan Billingsley and Mr. Anthony Garnell Richardson were united in Holy Matrimony on Saturday, May 24, 2008 at seven ‘o clock in the evening at Saint Jude Catholic Church.

Jennifer is the daughter of Mrs. Mary Billingsley and the late Mr. Scott Billingsley III of Montgomery, Alabama.

She is the granddaughter of Mrs. Lou W. Billingsley and the late Mr. Scott Billingsley, Jr. of Hayneville, Alabama and the late Mrs. Mamie Morgan also of Hayneville, Alabama.

Anthony is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Garnell Richardson of Montgomery, Alabama. He is the grandson of Mrs. Essie P. Richardson And the late Mr. Garnell A. Richardson Sr. of Shady Grove, Alabama and Mrs. Bertha L. Johnson and the late Mr. Charlie Johnson of Orion, Alabama.

The bride was presented by her brother-in-law, Mr. Blake Trammer. She wore an exquisite custom designed gown by Rivini. The strapless gown featured a sweetheart neckline, a fitted bodice, and a deep V back. The bride wore a cathedral veil and carried a bouquet that featured Casablanca lilies, calla lilies, and roses.

The bride’s sisters, Mrs. Stacey Cason and Mrs. Pamela Trammer, served as Matrons of Honor. Ms. Marsaides Martin served as Maid of Honor. Bridesmaids were Tiffany Bedgood, Dr. Adrienne R. Ray and Mrs. Janice Richardson. Junior Bridesmaids were Miss Jai’lyn Richardson, niece of the groom, and Miss Alexandria Trammer niece of the bride.

Photography by: Judy Walton

2009 Alabama Brides 39

Scripture readers were Amber Bradford and Robert Carter, godfather of the bride. Nuptial music provided by W. Clifford Petty, pianist and vocalist, Ron Handy, saxophonist.

The coordinator was Mrs. Sheyann Webb-Christburg.

She served as event planner and friend throughout the creation of this elegant event. A special thanks is also given to Carron Morrow of Personal Touch who provided beautiful floral arrangements for the ceremony and reception, and also designed the cakes; photographer Judy Walton; and videographers Tommy and Nancy Fields of Big Dreamz Videography.

The couple left the ceremony in a white Rolls- Royce limousine to attend their reception held at The Montgomery Renaissance Hotel and Spa in the Alabama ballroom where the guests enjoyed music provided by Lisa and the E-lusion.

At the reception the guests enjoyed miniature champagne bottles of Martini & Rossi Asti provided by the couple as favors, thanking everyone for sharing in this special time in their lives. After a honeymoon in St. Lucia, the couple resides in Montgomery. ❤ Photography by: Judy Walton

Best men were Mr. Rafael Richardson, brother of the groom, and Mr. DeMond Franklin. Groomsmen were Mr. Elliott Gilmore, II, Mr. Andre Hardy, Mr. Marcus Jones, and Mr. DeAndrae Watson. Junior Groomsman was Master Kendrick Arrington, III. The couple’s younger family members in the wedding were flower girls. Miss Ava Cason, niece of the bride, and Miss Jordan Ray, niece of the groom. Ring bearer was Master Austin Cason, nephew of the bride.

Family and friends of the couple that served as hostesses include Dr. Amber Bishop, Mrs. Yolanda Carter, Dr. DeAnna Haynes, Dr. Jeanine Jennings, Mrs. Nicole Townsend and Dr. Erika Watkins led by Head Hostess, Mrs. Gwendolyn Woods.

Serving as ushers were Mr.Alron Hardy, Mr. Shawn Nelson, Mr. Demetrius Threadgill, and Mr. Brian Zeigler, all friends of the groom.

40 Alabama Brides 2009

2009 Alabama Bridesâ&#x20AC;&#x192; 41

42â&#x20AC;&#x192; Alabama Brides 2009

Wheatley & Willis

A

Photography by: Flip Flop Foto

AMY RENEE WHEATLEY and James Richard Willis were married on November 22, 2008 at ten o’clock in the morning at Wynlakes County Club in Montgomery, Alabama. Reverend Claude Flynn officiated the ceremony.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lyndell Martin Wheatley. She is the granddaughter of Mrs. Helen J. Van Lierop and the late Mr. Jack G. Van Lierop of Blountstown, Florida.

The groom is the son of Lieutenant Colonel (ret.) and Mrs. David Weldon Willis of Henderson, Tennessee. Grandparents are Dr. J. Walker Whittle and the late Mrs. Louise Cobb Whittle of Henderson, Tennessee and Mrs. Mary Katherine Willis and the late Mr. James D. Willis of Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

Attending the bride, as matron of honor, was her sister, Lyndsey Wheatley McCrory.

Bridesmaids were Edith Marie Adams, Deborah Ann Birrer, Emily Ann Walker Stringfellow, Katie Ann Stringfellow, Stephanie Lynn Sydney and Rebecca Willis Welch. The bride’s niece, Claire Collins McCrory, and the groom’s niece, Laura Elizabeth Welch, served as flower girls.

The Bible bearer was Carter Alton Welch, nephew of the groom. The Program Attendants were Anna Elizabeth Gregory and Timothy Joseph Gregory.

The groom’s father, Lieutenant Colonel (ret.) David Weldon Willis, accompanied his son as best man. Groomsmen were Christopher Joel Johnson, Corey Jon Markum, Jonathan Ryan McKnight, Serge Alan Shoemaker, Dr. James Walker Whittle, Charles David Willis.

The Ushers were Russell Howard McCrory, Brian Joseph Schenk, Stuart Andrew Schenk, Damon Alton Welch. The Soloists were Mrs. Linda Precht and Mr. Russell McCrory and the Accompanist was Mrs. Jennifer Salter.

The guests entered the ceremony tent at Wynlakes to find fabric draped walls and a hand painted monogrammed aisle runner. Large hanging floral arrangements adorned the top of the tent and large floral topiaries adorned the altar. The bride carried a bouquet of whites and creams, lisianthus and white mini callas, Queen Anne’s Lace and white roses.

The Bridesmaids carried European hand tied bouquets like the brides bouquet with leonadis roses added. The guests were entertained with a brunch reception in the Swan Ballroom at Wynlakes. Some of the food stations included an omelette station and a pancake station.

There was also a chocolate fountain with a bountiful display of fruits and cheeses.

The flowers were arranged by Rosemont Gardens, the catering was provided by The Wynlakes Country Club and the wedding cake and groom’s cake were made by Cake Designs.

The wedding planner was Mary Sanders of Mary Me. Ceremony and reception music was provided by The Rosewood Strings, a six piece string group and photography was provided

by Flip Flop Foto. ❤

2009 Alabama Brides 43

Wagner & Swenson

O

Kristina Jo Wagner & Maj. Graham Robert Swenson

On June 2, 2007, Kristina’s fairytale came true as her knight in shining armor rode up on a horse and in full armor to ask for her hand in marriage. Cameras flashed as the couple’s family and friends took pictures of the event she will never forget – the day little girls dream of.

Shortly after the engagement, Graham, a Major in the US Army, was stationed in Germany. Thousands of miles apart and a couple times zones away, Graham served our country as Kristina began to plan the wedding in full force. Details were just starting to come together when they received the news that Graham would be deployed to Iraq.

Without a certain day of deployment, they pushed the wedding forward a few weeks and prayed everything would work.

Photography by: Studio @ Eastchase

44 Alabama Brides 2009

Gunn & Manning

Kristina’s first challenge was to find the perfect dress. Like every woman, she had been dreaming of this day since she was a little girl. She had been looking at bridal magazines for months and finally found the perfect dress. She researched the designer and located a retailer in Peachtree City, Georgia. When she arrived at J. Andrews Bridal, she spotted the dress and it was the first – and last – one she tried on. She knew this was her dress. Kristina’s gown was created by renown designer Eve of Milady of New York. It was made of white dutchesse silk with a sweetheart neckline. The bodice and skirt were hand-beaded with Swarovski crystals and silk embroidery. It had a dropped waistline, a full ball skirt, and a cathedral length train. Her veil was also cathedral length and was designed to match the intricate detail of her gown.

Every vendor was in place before Kristina hired wedding planner Lisa Miller of Amore Weddings. Lisa was able to put the finishing touches on everything. Kristina also hired Jill Sampson of Weddings by Jill for floral arrangements and Cake Designs to create the wedding cake and groom’s cake.

On April 5th, 2008, Kristina and Graham were married at Lighthouse Church in Montgomery, Alabama. The ceremony was performed

by Kristina’s brother and sister-in-law. They had a traditional military wedding with the groom and military groomsmen in full uniform.

As they departed from the church for the reception, the couple walked through the crossed sabres and Kristina received the “sabre swat” as an official welcome to the Army. The reception was held at the Capital City Club. While looking over the skyline of Montgomery, they danced the night away to the music of Lisa and the Ellusions.

After every fairytale wedding comes a romantic honeymoon, but for Graham and Kristina it would have to wait. Three days after the wedding, they jumped on a plane to Germany where Graham had to report back to duty. Within ten days of saying “I Do,” Kristina kissed her soldier good-bye and saw him off to Iraq for a fifteen month tour. They are hoping to take their well awaited honeymoon to St. Lucia in August 2009. ❤

2009 Alabama Brides 45

Thomas & White

J

Jora De’Nee Thomas and Louis Sanchez White were married on July 5, 2008 at Hutchinson Missionary Baptist Church in Montgomery. The Reverend Dr. GWC Richardson officiated.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willie Joe Thomas of Gordo, Alabama and the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Parker of Gordo, Mr. James Gordon of Tuscaloosa, Mrs. Annie Conner of Reform, Alabama, the late Rev. C.C. Connor and Mr. Willie James Lavender of San Diego, California. The groom is the son of Mr. Louis White and Ms. Emma White of Dixon Mills. He is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph White and the late Itney Pritchett and Mrs. Frances Pritchett.

Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore an original design by Da Vinci embroidered with pearls.

Takenya S. Taylor and Anita T. Moore both of Montgomery were matrons of honor. Toria Thomas and Christy Richardson were maids of honor. Bridesmaids were Chira Newton and Semeka Wilson, Carla Ferguson, Tokeisha Cleveland, and Taylor McGrew. Flowergirls were Gabriella and Kya Cleveland and Z’Miyah White of Thomasville, Alabama.

Groom’s best men were Antonio White and OJay Williams.

Groomsmen were Donny Colvin, Ja-Ron Thomas, Fred Dixon Jr., James Carr, Shaun Williard, Corey Marshall, and Tyrone White. Jaydon Thomas served as ring bear and Jerandol Welch served as bible bearer.

The couple entertained their guest by hosting their reception at Cypress Inn Golf Course on Maxwell Air Force Base. ❤ Photography by: Mark Ingram Photography

46 Alabama Brides 2009

S

Sally Ann Sievers and Stuart Bradley Bane were united in marriage on May 24, 2008 at Ino Baptist Church in Kinston. The couple first met in the Chapel there in December 2005. Reverend Larry Armstrong of Eastern Hills Baptist Church in Montgomery and Reverend Garry Winstead of Ino Baptist Church officiated.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Sievers of Millbrook and Mr. and Mrs. Art Waters of Midway. Sally is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Fred Powell, Mrs. Dora Sievers and the late Mr. Robert Sievers, and Mr. and Mrs. Jack Waters.

Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Blue served as honorary grandparents.

The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Bane of Elba.

Bradley is the grandson of Mrs. Frances Bradshaw and the late Mr. Tim Bradshaw and Mr. and Mrs. Foster Bane.

Sally chose a strapless a-line gown featuring lavishly hand-beaded Swarovski crystals in a chandelier pattern on a tulle overlay covering the champagne satin gown and semi-cathedral train. The Swarovski crystal jewel motif continued on the satin pleated waistline and the matching tulle veil. She wore a Sorrelli necklace, bracelet, and earring set – a gift from the groom. She carried a bouquet of peonies, mini calla lilies, roses, and cymbidium orchids.

Katy Sievers, sister of the bride, served as Maid of Honor.

Bridesmaids were Sarah Bane, Nikki Weeks, Holly Stevens, and Brandy Woodham. They wore turquoise Dupioni silk dresses and carried bouquets of yellow, orange, and pink gerbera daisies; hot pink lilies; yellow and pink roses; orange mini calla lilies; and cream stock.

Bradley’s father served as Best Man. Groomsmen were Kaleb Dyess, Ryan Gibbs, Adam Spicer, Sam Waters, and Wesley Waters.

A parade of children consisting of Flower Girls Emma Fell, Laura Fell, Samantha Fell, McKenzie Riordan, and Dannah Walker and Ring Bearers Drake Riordan, Cole Walker, Elijah Walker, and Trevor Woodham entered the sanctuary just before the bride. The flower girls wore ivory Dupioni silk dresses made by the bride’s mother and carried small bouquets similar to the bridesmaids.

Guests were seated by Ushers Benton Brothers, Tyler Elliott, Chase Hall, Jeremy Powell, Colton Vaughan, Judson Vaughan, Alex Ward, and Trent Woodham. Program Attendants were Heather Powell and Tara Ward. Elba Peewee Cheerleaders and Football Players were Honorary Attendants.

A String Trio comprised of a violin, a viola, and a cello provided beautiful music for the ceremony and the reception. Vocalists included Jamie Green, Hannah Veazey, and Mike Amison.

Jill Sampson of Weddings by Jill transformed the sanctuary and the reception venue to match Sally’s dreams of an unforgettable day. For the reception, guest tables were centered by dramatic arrangements elevated in traditional glass trumpets. Elegant antique chandeliers were hung and a unique twist in lighting gave dimension with a Gobo light pattern, created by A. G. Lighting. The bride’s cake, created

by Cake Designs, was a four-tiered cake with each layer a different flavor. It was presented under a wrought iron gazebo that was draped with silk fabric anchored by beautiful floral arrangements. The groom chose Peggy McKinney’s chocolate peanut butter fudge cake.

A delicious array of party fare, including food stations and chocolate fountains, was catered by A Catered Affair.

After a great time of fellowship with family and friends, Sally and Bradley left in a shower of fresh rose petals and were adorned with leis for a honeymoon trip to Hawaii. Moseley’s Studio captured the beautiful day. The couple resides in Elba.❤

Sievers & Bane

Photography by: Mosley’s Studio

2009 Alabama Brides 47

Marcec & Williamson

R

Rita Ann Marcec and Jonathan Stuart Williamson were married on January 12, 2008 at First Baptist Church in Montgomery. The Reverend Dr. Jay Wolf officiated.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Marcec Jr. of Geneva, Illinois. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Marcec Sr. of Belvidere, Illinois and Mrs. Lorraine LaFleur and the late Kenneth LaFleur of Aurora, Illinois.

The groom is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Donald Williamson of Montgomery. He is the grandson of Dr. and Mrs. Troy Williamson of Louisville, Mississippi and the late Mr. and Mrs. Roger Hudspeth of Louisville.

The bride was given in marriage by her father. The bride wore an ivory silk gown with a chapel length train by couture designer Judd Waddell.

Megan Hayes of Atlanta, Georgia served as maid of honor.

48 Alabama Brides 2009

Bridesmaids were Ruth Marcec, sister of the bride from Tallahassee, Florida, Chantal Opyd from Switzerland, Vanessa Bertollini and Deb Maberry of Atlanta. Kennedy Maberry was the flower girl.

Dr. Donald Williamson, father of the groom, served as best man. Groomsmen were Will Denton and Luke Denton of Birmingham, Jared Spears of Taylor, Mississippi, Clay Chamberlain of McComb, Mississippi and Casey Johnson of Seattle, Washington. Serving as ushers were Matt Marcec of Marietta, Georgia and Dan Marcec of Athens, Georgia, brothers of the bride, and Tim Conley and Joe Monaghan of Atlanta.

Following the ceremony a reception was held in the Swan Ballroom at Wynlakes Country Club. After a honeymoon trip to the Caribbean, Jon and Rita reside in Atlanta, Georgia. ❤ Photography by: Robertson’s Photography

E

Pitts & Caldwell

Elizabeth Anne Pitts and Joshua Ray Caldwell were married June 7, 2008 at Heritage Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama.

Reverend Michael Stephens performed the ceremony.

Beth is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bert Pitts of Montgomery, Alabama. Josh is the son of Mr. and Mrs. RJ Caldwell of Montgomery, Alabama.

Brittany Faye Pike served as Maid of Honor and Melissa Ann Williford served as Matron of Honor. Bridesmaids were Jennifer Lauren Birchfield, Melissa Lynn Blalock, Erin Lee Gowan, Susanna Carol McLaney, Anna Suzanne Nichols and Rebecca Williams Thomas. Flower girl was Hadley Elise McInnis.

Father of the groom served as Best Man. Groomsmen were Paul Bradford Barry, Benjamin Erik Busby, Daniel Bryant Carlisle, Wylie Craig Carlisle, Bryan Daniel Pitts, Randall Chad Williams, and Adam James Williford. Ushers were Edwin Harvey Auerbach, Slade Rutherford Parrish, and Jesse Wade Turner. Ring Bearer was William Joseph Elijah Watters.

Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a white strapless Maggie Sottero gown with Swarovski crystals and beading on the bodice and along side of gown.

Following a honeymoon on the island of St. Lucia, the couple now resides in Montgomery, Alabama. â?¤ Photography by: Leslie Photography

2009 Alabama Bridesâ&#x20AC;&#x192; 49

Glenn & S Martin

Surrounded by family and friends, Kristal Lea Glenn and Stephen Sidney Martin II were united in marriage on April 12, 2008. The two were married by the bride’s brother, Reverend Jason Glenn. The groom’s uncle, Reverend Daniel Martin said a special prayer for the couple. The ceremony took place at 2:00 in the afternoon at Vaughn Park Church of Christ in Montgomery, AL. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Randy Glenn of Prattville, AL. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Martin of Montgomery, AL. Maci Reynolds severed as the matron of honor. Bridesmaids were Heather Hendrix, Rachel Wagner, Stephanie Walton, Susan Miles, Lisa Byrd, and Lauren Houlton. Avery and Abbey Wagner served as junior bridesmaids, and Emma Glenn was the beautiful flower girl.

The best man was the groom’s father, Mr. Steve Martin.

Groomsmen included Ryan Naylor, Adam Glenn, Torrey Wagner, Andrew Lovelady, Drew Rambo, Matthew Morrow, and Pat Tidwell. Collin and Thomas Walton served as junior groomsmen, and Ethan Glenn was the ring bearer.

The sanctuary and reception hall were decorated beautifully with arrangements of spring flowers and roses by Ms. Carron Morrow of Personal Touch Catering. Music for the ceremony and reception was provided by Southern Strings.

The two newlyweds honeymooned in Gatlinburg, TN and currently reside in Montgomery, AL. ❤

Photography by: Chrietzburg Photography

50 Alabama Brides 2009

2009 Alabama Bridesâ&#x20AC;&#x192; 51

Jackson & Whitlock L

Long distance relationships do work.

Katrina and Kevin met while attending an engineering conference in Dallas, Texas. They were representing their companies (the same one actually) at a career fair. She lived in Huntsville, Alabama while Kevin lived in Wichita, Kansas. Who knew that after four years of many emails, phone calls, text messages, and plenty of airline miles they would be married.

Katrina is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elijah and Barbara Jackson of Montgomery, Alabama. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willie and Della Martin and Mrs. Laura Jackson and the late Mr. Dan Jackson, all of Letohatchee, Alabama. Kevin is the son of Mr. and Mrs. James and Frankie Whitlock of Houston, Texas. He is the grandson of Mrs. Adlean Jordan and the late Elder Wilbert Jordan of Houston, Texas, and the late Mr. and Mrs. L and Leola Whitlock Jr. of Lake Providence, Louisiana.

Katrina and Kevin were united in marriage on June 7, 2008 at the Community Congregational United Church of Christ, Montgomery, Alabama with Reverend Fletcher Fountain officiating. Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a satin white sweetheart bodice a-line gown with beautiful beadwork of romantic swirls and flower motifs decorating the hemline, cap sleeves, and train.

Flowers by Rhonda, transformed the church and reception venue to match Katrina’s wish of a simple, yet elegant décor. The bride chose an overall theme using the couple’s monogram with colors of serene

52 Alabama Brides 2009

blue and silver with a harpist setting the mood for the ceremony.

LuSharn O’Reilly served as Matron of Honor. Bridesmaids were Tamika Bean, Tryshanda Moton-Nkhata, Leslie Powell, Karen Whitlock, and Tamatha Whitlock.

Tajaric McGee was the best man. Groomsmen were Marcus Dillon, Derrick Jordan, Andrae’ Shelton, Calum Whitlock, and Rogers Whitlock Jr..

The ceremony began with the groom’s sister reading a poem the groom wrote entitled “It’s My Turn”. It brought tears, smiles, and even laughter. The rest of the traditional ceremony was filled with singing and the sacred lifelong commitment with each other and God. A reception followed the ceremony in the ballroom of the Embassy Suites Hotel. After the cocktail hour, the couple was introduced and danced their first dance. The groom then surprised the bride with the wedding party performing a dance tribute to the bride. With laughter and many smiles the reception began with enthusiasm and fun! The guests enjoyed a buffet dinner and dancing with music by DJ P-Well Productions. During the reception the bride was sweetly serenaded by her sorority sisters of Delta Sigma Theta, Incorporated.

Icing Illusions provided the bride’s cake a 5 tier white butter cream with each tier adorned with a variety of designs with silver accents including the couple’s monogram. The groom’s cake was in the shape of his favorite pass time, an XBOX 360 game system.

The wedding ceremony and reception were under the direction of Blessed Occasions Events. After a trip to St. Lucia, West Indies, the couple now resides in Wichita, Kansas. ❤ Photography by: Darren Freeman Photography

2009 Alabama Brides 53

Disaster Control: Dress Edition

enter C Stage

Come See What The Girls Are Talking About!

rips, stains, spills â&#x20AC;&#x201C; hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what to do when the gown is in danger

B

BY BeinG AWAre of your surroundings â&#x20AC;&#x201C; for instance, holding colored flowers away from the dress so they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t rub off â&#x20AC;&#x201C; you can prevent a lot of potential wedding-day dress disasters. But if something disastrous does happen to the dress, there are few ways to recover. christine Stone, co-owner of tying the Knot, hinsdale, ill., says to first appoint someone in the bridal party or another close friend for an extra set of eyes to spot developing dress disasters beginning even before the big day. if spots and stains show up from transport, Stone says a major thing is to avoid dry cleaning, which can result in big wrinkles. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most of time itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s better to do things like smaller spot removal or handling ironing by hand,â&#x20AC;? Stone says. rather than messing with stains or dirt from walking through doorways, Stone says to leave it alone or use dry knee-high nylons to rub the dress. â&#x20AC;&#x153;theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not an abrasion that will cause any problems, and sometimes they will rub off the surface dirt,â&#x20AC;? she says.

Avoiding using water, which will leave a larger and more obvious stain than the original mark. â&#x20AC;&#x153;in most cases things will dry down,â&#x20AC;? Stone says.

Also be sure to carry tape, scissors, safety pins and sewing materials. Safety pins can fix broken bustles, while clear nylon thread is strong and can match anything. â&#x20AC;&#x153;i had to sew a couple of brides into dresses when the zipper was broken,â&#x20AC;? she says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;that thread is the only thing that will work in a pinch.â&#x20AC;?

And remember, mishaps happen. â&#x20AC;&#x153;there are always things you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t prepare for,â&#x20AC;? Stone says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When those things happen just have to roll with the punches and continue to have a good day despite them.â&#x20AC;? â?¤ â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Melanie Wanzek

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PRODUCTIONS OVER 30 YEARS PRODUCTION EXPERIENCE

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Too Much

(Is Not Enough)

U

Understated is out. Too much,

even wa-a-y too much, is just what many brides crave in a wedding cake. Here’s what’s on the cutting edge

Decked out in finery, topped with a glittering tiara and swathed in creamy, cascading folds, the center of so much anticipation stands quietly alone, awaiting the big moment.

This object of awe, the wedding cake, ranks second only to the bride for attention.

If you think this is hyperbole, you’ve never visited a cake room, where the statuesque bit of sugar and froth is enshrined for wedding guests to ogle and scrutinize.

“It’s No. 2, after the bride, in terms of importance,” says Bronwen Weber, executive chef at Frosted Art Bakery & Studio in Dallas.

The cake, just like the bridal ensemble, presents an opportunity to express exclusivity and luxury. A bride who insists on intricate, original details for her gown often wants no less for her wedding cake. And just as the fashion dictates for a jaw-dropping, wedding-gown change each season, so do those for the cake.

Even though some couples still insist that the celebration isn’t about a dessert and are just as happy to pick the cake and frosting style from a picture in a sample book, others see the wedding cake as a means to break new barriers of flavor, texture and color.

For some brides, says Weber, a wedding cake becomes “a personal statement. [They] don’t want anyone else’s cake style.”

Despite regional preferences, you’ll find certain trends in common among the top wedding cake bakers.

The era of elegant but simple cakes is giving way to one of more elaborate, larger-than-life confections.

“It’s been replaced with over-the-top, grandeur, bigger-isbetter,” Weber says. “I’m doing a lot of cakes that are bigger than the wedding. People may have 200 guests but cake for

Lace-like string work, rolled fondant swags and a sugar angel embellish this cake by Cheri Elder of Cakes by Cheri, Kansas City, Mo. 500; they’re asking for cakes that are 6 feet tall for 50 of their closest friends.”

Eccentric cakes are also passé. The wacky reign of “mad hatter” cakes from “Alice in Wonderland” – multicolored spectacles with uneven layers stacked in a topsy-turvy manner – is over. Wedding-cake design has retreated into a statelier, traditional realm heavily influenced by the past. “Old-school beautiful,” is how Weber describes the new style.

“A lot of people are bringing in their grandmothers’ cake pictures,” asking not for a duplicate but for a cake inspired by the old-school model, she says.

How does all this stack up in cake layers? In a wedding era where nothing is as impressive as excess, here’s what’s in fashion, starting at the top.

2009 Alabama Brides 55

the first anniversary. Since bakers of most high-end cakes shun the use of ingredients with preservatives, the year-old cake is inedible, even if dutifully frozen, according to Weber.

If you want a keepsake, Mess sells shadow boxes for displaying cake jewelry.

Cake Flavors Wedding cakes are taking their cues from the bar, Weber claims.

“In Dallas we’re doing cake flavors that are reminiscent of [cocktails], such as mint julep or mojito,” Weber says. Her mojito cake with lime curd and minted rum syrup is a favorite of grooms.

Based on the hours it took her to create, baker Lori Cossou of Lori’s Creative Cakes, Oswego, Kan., estimates it would cost $10,000 to make this five-tier dessert decorated with string work and a floral appliqué.

Cake Toppers Crowns, tiaras, monograms and initials made from materials ranging from brushed metal to sterling silver are among the trendy toppers for wedding cakes.

A new twist in cake jewelry is a silver plate monogram encrusted with Swarovski crystal beads. “The bride can choose from 40 fonts and 80 colors of crystals,” says David Mess, owner of the Buttercream Collection, a bakery in St. Paul, Minn.

Sugar flowers, not monograms, are in peak demand in Texas, says Weber.

A rosette or sugar flower is one of the most expensive elements on a cake. Each flower can take 30 minutes to make and an impressive cake will have hundreds of cascading flowers.

Expect to spend from $1.50 to $10 per flower, Weber says.

Say goodbye to the tradition of saving the top cake layer for

Handmade fondant feathers and orchid blossoms crafted from sugar gum paste bedeck this confection by Mark Seaman of Marked for Dessert, Chicago.

56 Alabama Brides 2009

Since brides prefer chocolate and grooms more often opt for vanilla, according to Weber, wedding cakes have to include at least two different flavors to accommodate the couple. Some cakes have more.

Frosting Styles Fondant â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the flat rolled sugar paste that creates a pristine, virtually flawless surface for a wedding cake â&#x20AC;&#x201C; has been the trendy choice for some time. But tastier buttercream is coming back in a big way. Buttercream is more finicky, but many people prefer the taste. Expect to pay more for it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Buttercream is more temperamental than fondant,â&#x20AC;? says Mess.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expensive because of the butter and because it demands that a cake be made closer to serving time. Buttercream also requires cooler storage. Fondant frostings prevent the cake from drying out, so baking can be done in advance, according to Mess.

Budget anywhere from $4 to $15 per serving for a buttercream cake, says Weber.

Chocolate Ganache Who knew it was ever out?

Chocolate, though briefly banished, has been revived by the rage for ganache, an intense combination of chocolate and cream, used for frostings. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ganache is hot, hot, hot,â&#x20AC;? Mess says.

GPS

Cake Textures Replacing the sleek fondant shells that have been popular for several wedding seasons now, look for textures, finishes, patterns and folds that make a cake look like fabric.

Cake designers take their cues from the latest styles on fashion runways. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Go into Saks [Fifth Avenue], find Oscar de la Renta, bring in the fabric and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll make a transfer sheet that can be used as a panel [for the cakeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exterior],â&#x20AC;? says Mess.

Designers like Mess also will use a transfer process to recreate a pattern or graphic design from fabric onto sheets of chocolate to decorate truffles.

Color Yes. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s permissible. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ten years ago it would have been unheard of to add color to a cake. No longer,â&#x20AC;? Weber says. Subtle isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t essential, either. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We did a hot fuchsia with lime green. It was stunning,â&#x20AC;? says Mess.

Presentation A hunk on a plate isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t enough.

Expect truffles, heart-shaped chocolates and garnishes for a complete presentation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The wedding cake is the last thing people eat at your wedding.

It makes a statement,â&#x20AC;? Mess says. â?¤ - Bev Bennett

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more features. more possibilites.

more

moms

Come join us! CentralAlabamaMoms.com is getting a makeover. We’re keeping all the favorite features and adding even more, giving you more ways to connect with other local moms. Be on the lookout for the new features at CentralAlabama.MomsLikeMe.com.

Groups:

plan get-togethers with other local moms – everything from playgroups to moms’ night out to book clubs and more

create a profile, organize contacts, upload photos, and use site feeds to see what your friends are up to

Connect today at CentralAlabama.MomsLikeMe.com!

58 Alabama Brides 2009

My Stuff:

I Do, I Hue Somewhere between Will you marry me…? and Do you take…? lies a wedding’s third overwhelming question:

“What are your colors?”

B

Blame Martha Stewart, bridezillas or whoever it was who begot the idea of The Perfect Wedding. Choosing a color scheme for the big day has become a very big deal.

A bride is now invited to contemplate the question of color coordination across a wide array of merchandise, from her savethe-date cards and invitations right through to color accents on her wedding dress and parting gifts for guests.

Choosing a favorite hue or two can have big benefits: A color scheme can help bring cohesion and visual beauty to a special event.

“This increase of using color intentionally when planning a wedding comes from a couple’s desire to have cohesiveness,” explains Stacy McCain of Alison Events in San Francisco.

“Clients today want to create an experience for guests rather than just a wedding day.”

But there’s clearly more to the color strategy than first meets the eye.

Choosing a wedding’s colors helps impose a bit of order on what can be a complex, difficult-to-govern event. Using color can simplify virtually any question that pops up, from the matter of aisle runners to the cocktail of the day.

What’s a bride to do? Resist the temptation to seize on your favorite color and let ’er rip. The season and the venue of a

wedding reception are the best clues to selecting appropriate wedding colors, experts say. If a ceremony and reception fall at night in the autumn or winter seasons, look for something elegant, like chocolate brown or navy, in lieu of black. If a wedding will take place outside in the summer, stick with clean sages, ivories or whites.

The No. 1 piece of advice when it comes to choosing a wedding’s tints and tones? Don’t fight with what the venue already offers – go with the color palette the location itself suggests. This might mean adjusting your dream of turquoise if your reception site is based in muted grays and purples.

Using your choice of color strategically, your wedding package will light up the sky.

Do Your Homework Choosing your color scheme means selecting from a sea of options, much as you might select a crayon from the big Crayola box. McCain advises brides to seek inspiration by looking beyond the obvious bridal magazines. Browsing through décor magazines you can see colors and textures in a true light. Take a step back from the wedding perspective and select tones that truly please your tastes. A sweater that catches your eye in a fashion magazine might just be the base of

2009 Alabama Brides 59

This Year’s

Most Popular

Pigments

Instead of black… choose chocolate, navy, plum or charcoal gray for color sophistication Instead of pink… choose cherry red or burnt orange to pack a punch Instead of powder blue… choose sage green or yellow for daytime or an outdoor venue

Just the One Monochromatic use of one color throughout a wedding is a no-no – with one exception. McCain gives the green light to going over-the-top with a single color at the after party, where a dramatic shot of color can add to the post-reception revelry.

“When creating a space completely different from the wedding, like a lounge for your late night, bring in crazy lighting and textured draping in one color of your choice.” Color instantly changes the vibe and mood, transporting you and your guests from reception mode to retro mode in seconds.

60 Alabama Brides 2009

your wedding palette. Ellen Heisler, associate fashion editor of “Brides Magazine,” sees designers highlighting of-the-moment fashion colors, including deep purples, burnt oranges, cherry reds, smoky charcoal and nautical navy. Grassy greens remain popular for spring and summer affairs; yellow is a new hot spot for Spring 2008.

Don’t Go Overboard A little color goes a long way. So stop and think before you decree that all six groomsmen must wear plum-colored tuxes to match your purple color palette. Success with a wedding color scheme is all about the little stuff.

“Keep it clean and simple,” McCain warns. Heisler agrees: “Incorporate colors throughout as accents.” The goal is to please the eye. Don’t overwhelm your guests with a color statement; let them discover it on their own.

Here are ways to add splashes of color with style: • Drink it: Add instant color infusion with a specialty cocktail. Is purple your choice of pigment? Think Pomegranate Champagne Sparkles. Give a nod to your green tones with Apple Martinis.

• Taste it: Incorporate your colors in the wedding cake.

McCain’s clients love to keep the look clean and white, serving all- white confections at the close of the reception.

• Wear it: One of McCain’s brides wore a traditional white wedding dress but rocked raspberry red lace-up high heels to give a kick to her color choice.

• Accessorize with it: Embellish your wedding hair with a flower or clip from your color family: an orange Canadian Lily or a vintage antique navy hairpin.

• Sash it: A colored sash on the bride’s dress is a look that’s become common. Go for color cohesion by outfitting flower girls in traditional dresses tied with a colorful cloth.

• Groom’s choice: Pass on the head-to-toe color for groomsmen; just a splash of color – in the groomsmen’s ties, for example – can look classy.

• Hold it: Bundle your bouquets with your bold color accent.

• Display it: Colorful napkins aren’t the only element of the table that can tell the color story. Adorn each napkin holder with a lavender sprig.

• Print it: The easiest way to keep color cohesion is though print. Use your main color choice on the save-the-date, invitation, welcome cards for out of town guests, place setting and menu cards. ❤ - Kate Sullivan

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The Art of Fine Living

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61

Snap to! Digital images and technology have opened the door to a wildly creative new world of making wedding-day memories

A stylish box for 500 4 x 6-inch proofs

The New Books of Love M Mention the words wedding album and immediately it comes to mind: that gold-leafed, white “pleather”-covered monument to memories, filled with neatly spaced cascading 5x7s and 8x10s and bouffant hairdos.

But this is not your parents’ wedding. And, thankfully, presentation options for wedding photographs have progressed accordingly.

For starters, most professional wedding photographers are shooting digital images, rather than film, these days. “This has had a profound effect on the entire wedding industry, including how brides want to display and view their images,” says Arnie Burton of Millers Professional Imaging, which operates in Pittsburg, Kan., and Columbia, Mo. “In the old days there was one option: You ended up with a nice album. That’s not

62 Alabama Brides 2009

necessarily even the primary option anymore.”

Although many of his clients still select an album, Keith Moore, a wedding photographer based in Little Rock, Ark., includes a DVD slideshow set to music in each of his packages.

Lately he’s gotten even more high-tech, recording snippets of sound from the wedding day with his iPod as he shoots.

“The DVD was the coolest thing Keith did,” says Amy Tilson Buckley, whose July 2007 wedding was photographed by Moore.

“He used sound bits from the ceremony, the toast my husband gave ... We had family members who couldn’t make it and we’ve mailed [the DVD] across the nation. People love it.”

In some cases, photographers and videographers (amateur or pro) can work together to create a multimedia slideshow.

Chad Weinard, a Durham, N.C.-based Web designer and artist,

“‘The album presentation is just the package,’ says one photo expert.

‘What makes people take notice is the storyline of the content.’” combined the professional pictures from his wedding with amateur video footage to create a short DVD presentation. “The DVD wove together the elements of our wedding that were most important to us,” he explains. Photographs capture the Kiawah Island setting and “hidden gems” in the hours of video that otherwise would have languished in the basement. The evening’s carefully planned and selected soundtrack provides a unifying element. “It was the only thing that could bring all of these together into a package of memory,” he says.

Yet, there’s nothing like a tangible photograph as a memento of the occasion, and although albums reinvent themselves from time to time, they’ll likely never go away. “The photography business in general is very cyclical, not different than any major industry,” says Dan Hammel, executive director of sales and marketing for Leather Craftsmen, Inc., a custom book-binding and now full-service album company based in Santa Ana, Calif., and Farmingdale, N.Y. “Now the hottest things since sliced bread are the collage-style books and flush-mounted albums.

Photographers can build their own designs with multiple images on a single page.”

“Flush-mounted” means a photograph is bonded to the album page so it lays “flush” with the edge, and, using the computer, images on a page can be combined, overlapped, faded in, or faded out. The latest album covers can be made from metal, glass or a rainbow of leathers.

But what if your sensibilities are a bit less modern? Mattedphotograph albums also have entered the digital age. Museumquality matted albums from Bozeman, Mont.-based Art Z offer

an endless array of different-sized photo windows; white, black, or natural pages; and assorted leather or silk covers – not a gold edge in sight. “We stick with having a more fine-art feel,” says Kristin VanDeWalle, Art Z’s owner. “It just focuses in on the image. It’s more like visiting a gallery in a book.”

Art Z also has an option for those who like the photographdirectly-on-the-page look. Their version of the flush-mounted album features 100-percent cotton paper pages; photographs can be ink-jet printed on one or both sides.

You and your photographer are limited only by creativity, and you usually can choose to be as involved – or uninvolved – in the album-design process as you’d like.

“Today’s lifestyle is such that a good percentage of brides are professionals. They’re employed and they don’t have time,” says Burton. “They want to turn [their album] over to a professional and trust their ability and judgment.” If you don’t care to join the design team, your photographer may have your album ready when you return from your honeymoon.

However, for every hands-off couple who just wants a finished product, there’s a pair of artistic newlyweds who manage a completely customized album from start to finish.

“We’re now seeing digital layout pages that photographers have created themselves, and they’re having us place those custom pages into matted-style albums – so they’re combining both [styles],” reports Hammel. “Years ago, our matted album had 8x10, 10x10, and 10x12 holes,” he adds. “Now photographers are asking us to create openings that are 2x10 so they can do creative work with a strip of photographs.”

2009 Alabama Brides 63

The art of love: a hardbound coffee table book of wedding images, digitally printed and bound in leather, looks like a fine art book published by a professional publisher.

Having your wedding pictures out in the open, rather than closed in an album, is another popular presentation. The composite images being created for modern album pages also are finding their way to the wall, as are groups of framed single images. “The DVD will be what we cart around to show what our wedding was like, but I do plan to hang some pictures in my house,” Tilson Buckley explains. “I like to do them more like artwork.”

Although a photographer’s expertise comes in handy for cropping, toning and printing larger wall-worthy images, many photographers also offer their clients a high-resolution CD of their wedding pictures to make prints on their own. This ensures that Aunt Irma gets a copy of every image she desires, and it means couples can create their own personalized presentation.

Weinard and his wife, Ashley, made an old window into a coffee table and placed custom-sized prints of their honeymoon photos, along with odds and ends they collected while touring

64 Alabama Brides 2009

the Aeolian Islands, beneath the panes. Something similar could easily be created from wedding day photographs and keepsakes.

“Photos trapped in a frame on the same wall for too long can become invisible,” Weinard says. “I think it’s nice that we use the table every day.”

Whatever display you choose, remember that your photographs are where the memories live. “The album presentation is just the package,” Hammel says. “What makes people take notice is the storyline content.” So begin your quest for the perfect final presentation by finding a photographer whose style you like and who runs a reputable business. And, just be sure you do something with those images.

“What makes us nervous,” Burton says, “is when a bride gets busy with life and puts her CD in a drawer and never gets any prints.” ❤ - Jessica Royer Ocken

My Candy, My Way

Let your style – and face – shine through with sweets

Y

Your wedding – from the invitations on handmade paper to the one-of-a-kind cake – reflects your taste.

As you plan for the reception, you’d like to leave your guests with a lasting impression of the celebration. Surprise them with MY M&M’S Faces with a picture of the wedding couple.

New proprietary technology allows the company to capture great detail of a person’s face from a submitted photo, according to a Mars, Inc. spokesperson.

You may have the candy-coated chocolates, referred to as lentils, printed with headshots of the bride and groom, or have the bride on some lentils and the groom on others in one of 22 background colors. Another possibility is to have some lentils with photos and others with a personal wedding message or the

wedding date.

For more information, pricing and deadlines, visit the MY M&M’S Web site at MyMMs.com and click on the Weddings link under Celebrations.

If you’d prefer that your guests not snack on your image, opt instead for Dove Chocolate pieces, in milk or dark chocolate, with a personalized message printed inside the wrappers.

You’re given 3 lines, 17 characters per line in a choice of three fonts on one of 5 different colors of foil. For details, visit the Web site at MyDoveChocolate.com. ❤ – Bev Bennett

2009 Alabama Brides 65

R

esource Directory

Accommodations

Country Inn & Suites Montgomery East 5155 Carmichael Road Montgomery, AL 36106 334-270-3223 www.countryinns.com/ montgomeryal

Courtyard by Marriott Montgomery 5555 Carmichael Road Montgomery, AL 36117 334-272-5533 www.marriott.com/mgmch

Apparel Lingerie by Hob Nob 1609 South Decatur Street Montgomery, AL 36104 334-230-9886

The New Hob Nob

1603 South Decatur Street Montgomery, AL 36104 334-263-2254

Cakes, Candies & Deserts Personal Touch Catering/ Event Planning 9920 Wares Ferry Road Montgomery, AL 36117 334-279-6279 www.onlinepersonaltouch.com Email: carronmorrow@bellsouth.net

The Chef’s Table Restaurant & Catering

207 East Commerce Street Greenville, AL 36037 334-371-2433 Email: jnewton@camelliacom.com

Catering & Beverages Karen Tucker Catering

3085 Highway 14, West Autaugaville, AL 36003 334-365-3469 or 334-315-3722 Email: crtucker3469@wmconnet.com

Personal Touch Catering/ Event Planning 9920 Wares Ferry Road Montgomery, AL 36117 334-279-6279 www.onlinepersonaltouch.com Email: carronmorrow@bellsouth.net

The Chef’s Table Restaurant & Catering

207 East Commerce Street Greenville, AL 36037 334-371-2433 Email: jnewton@camelliacom.com

CEREMONY ITEMS/ UNIQUE IDEAS Heirloom Hourglass Wedding Unity Sand Ceremony

135 Summit Road Ext. Newport, NY 13416 315-845-1628 www.heirloomhourglass.com

Ceremony Sites Park Crest

2030 Little Valley Road Hoover, AL 35216 205-966-2240 www.parkcrestevents.com

Personal Touch Catering/ Event Planning 9920 Wares Ferry Road Montgomery, AL 36117 334-279-6279 www.onlinepersonaltouch.com Email: carronmorrow@bellsouth.net

Quail Creek Resort 233 Quail Creek Drive Hartselle, AL 35640 256-784-5033 www.quailcreek.com

Vintage Vows Wedding Chapel

2173 County Road 33 Scottsboro, AL 35769 256-574-6049 www.vintagevowswedding.com

Consultants Celebrations Wedding Planning

5215 Lee Road 270 Valley, AL 36854 www.celebrationsgiftshop.com Email: cyndicelebrates@yahoo.com

Champagne Wishes

Serving Alabama & Florida 800-570-8609 www.achampagnewish.com

66 Alabama Brides 2009

Entertainment Management Services, Inc. 506 Lakeshore Drive Daphne, AL 36526 800-476-4988 www.entertainmentstars.com

Personal Touch Catering/ Event Planning 9920 Wares Ferry Road Montgomery, AL 36117 334-279-6279 www.onlinepersonaltouch.com Email: carronmorrow@bellsouth.net

The New Hob Nob

1603 South Decatur Street Montgomery, AL 36104 334-263-2254

Music Entertainment Management Services, Inc. 506 Lakeshore Drive Daphne, AL 36526 800-476-4988 www.entertainmentstars.com

The Syndicate Band

DJ Services Kyle-Co Entertainment 306 Crommelin Drive Wetumpka, AL 36092 334-233-4 A D J www.kyle-co.com

FLORIST Lee & Lan Florist

3365 Atlanta Highway Montgomery, AL 36109 334-277-8040 www.leeandlanflorist.com

Honeymoon Destinations Carol’s Excursions

16 Meadow Wood Wetumpka, AL 36093 334-567-4267 www.carolsfunexcursions.com

Champagne Wishes

Serving Alabama & Florida 800-570-8609 www.achampagnewish.com

Invitations & Stationery Wiregrass Weddings

169 County Road 239 Elba, AL 36323 334-897-1152 or 800-890-1145 www.wiregrassweddings.com

Jewelry Lingerie by Hob Nob 1609 South Decatur Street Montgomery, AL 36104 334-230-9886

Contact Wilbur Terrell 334-281-0995 www.thesyndicateband.com Email: synband@aol.com

OTHER – LIVING WILLS, FAMILY FILM TRANSFER, ETC Morris Productions

2918 Citizens Parkway Selma, AL 36701 334-875-1910 Email: morrisinc@bellsouth.net

PHOTOGRAPHERS & VIDEOGRAPHERS Imaginations Photography

5299 Valleydale Road, S-113 Birmingham, AL 35242 205-995-3474 www.imaginationsphotography.com

Knight Video

Huntsville, AL 256-603-3440 www.knightvideo.com

Vital Productions

P.O. Box 531 Alexandria, AL 36250 256-310-3649 www.vitalsoundpro.com

Reception & Banquet Sites Arrowhead Country Club

50 Ocala Drive Montgomery, AL 36117 334-272-7180 Email: Events@arrowheadcountryclub.net

Dothan conference center, inc.

3113 oxmoor industrial Blvd.

Dothan, Al 36303 334-983-8720 www.dothanconferencecenter.com

Karen tucker catering

3085 highway 14, West Autaugaville, Al 36003 334-365-3469 or 334-315-3722 email: crtucker3469@wmconnet.com

Montgomery Museum of fine Arts 1 Museum Drive Montgomery, Al 36117 334-240-4333 www.mmfa.org

Park crest

2030 little valley road hoover, Al 35216 205-966-2240 www.parkcrestevents.com

Quail creek resort 233 Quail creek Drive hartselle, Al 35640 256-784-5033 www.quailcreek.com

the hill Arts center at the Alabama theatre

1817 third Avenue, north Birmingham, Al 35203 205-252-2262 ext 118 www.hillartscenter.com email: hmorgan84@gmail.com

registries & giFts

trAnsportAtion

the Pampered chef

Park crest

2030 little valley road hoover, Al 35216 205-966-2240 www.parkcrestevents.com

513 field view court Montgomery, Al 36117 334-356-9583 www.pamperedchef.biz/noellewilliams

touch of class limousine 4220 troy highway Montgomery, Al 36116 334-284-2673 www.alabamalimo.com

sAlon & spAs christieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Salon & Spa

11123-J chantilly Parkway Pike road, Al 36064 334-260-2861 email: christierrawls@bellsouth.net

2009 AlAbAmA brides

67

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