PUPPY LOVE | GOOD GROOMING | THE ETIQUETTE EVANGELIST | DETAILS WE LOVE
JANUARY/FEBRUARY $4.95
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820 MONTE SANO BOULEVARD, HUNTSVILLE, AL 35801 256-539-9699 | THELITTLEGREENSTORE.NET
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Bridal Showers | Registry | Catering | Private Appointments | Custom-Made Dresses Monday – Friday: 10am – 5pm · Saturday: 10am – 4pm Weekday Lunch: 11am – 2pm · Saturday Brunch: 10am – 2pm The Factory · 462 Lane Drive · Florence, AL 35630 · 256.760.1090
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January/February
features
122 Details We Love
14
Sumptuous treats, eye-catching vignettes, perfectly dressed ladies and gents
Engagements
by david sims
produced by roy hall
82 Wedding Album produced by roy hall
130 The WellGroomed Groom It’s the first day of the rest of your life. Dress like you mean it!
Featured Weddings
by david sims illustration by chelsea holeman
A wedding in a treehouse, oceanside proposals, and a bride with not one, but seven glorious wedding dresses —these are just a few of the details of the unique love stories No’Ala Huntsville is proud to highlight in our wedding album this year. Whether the day was fun with food trucks and games for the guests, or a day of marriage milestones brand new to our city as of 2015, these weddings tell North Alabama’s most beautiful stories of love and the celebration of marriage.
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by sara wright covington
36
116
Puppy Love
The Etiquette Evangelist
intro by allen tomlinson
Faith Landers Woods is bringing manners back, one child at a time by sarah gaede photos by patrick hood Photo by Crimson Blu Photography
Three gorgeous weddings gone to the dogs
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no’ala huntsville advisory board
editor’s letter « Allen Tomlinson
Here come the brides…
Osie Adelfang ARC Design-Build, Inc. Lynne Berry HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology Sarah Brewer Click Photo Designs by Sarah Brewer Kimberly Casey Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment Donna Castellano Historic Huntsville Foundation Aissa Castillo aislerchic.com Dan Halcomb Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Lauren McCaul deptofagraculture.com Guy McClure, Jr. Athens State University Tom Patterson knowhuntsville.com Dr. Holly Powe Calhoun Community College Olivia Reed Olivia Reed Photography Patrick Robbins Huntsville Hospital Lauren Tomasella Carney Lauren Tomasella Photography Ashley Vaughn White Rabbit Studios/Vertical House Records Charles Vaughn Vaughn Lumber Company Andrew Wilmon Broadway Theatre League
…and the grooms. And the mothers and fathers, friends and relatives, and everyone who celebrates love, commitment, and happily-ever-afters. Welcome to our annual celebration of celebrations, our most popular magazine of the year. For those of you planning weddings of your own, take a look here and see if you find ideas; for those of you have have been married for awhile, relive your memories as you join us in wishing the couples their own happilyever-after life together. This issue is about love, and we hope you love it. Throughout the year, many people contact us to ask how their stories can be featured in this annual issue. That depends entirely upon your photographer! We don’t take submissions from the wedding party, but we do take submissions from photographers who have documented these events. The reason is that a professional photographer knows how to give us the images we need, to adequately tell your love stories. Each year, our list of photographers grows, but we know that we don’t know everyone. If you have a wedding planned in the coming year, please let your photographer know to contact us. We are looking for the unique, the unusual, and the beautiful; we want beautiful photos that tell beautiful stories. In addition to the weddings themselves, we’ve given you some details we love, some tips on how to make sure the bride and groom look like they dressed for the same event, and some engagement photos, taken as the couples begin the planning process for one of the most important and memorable days of their lives. There’s a lot to see here, so make time to take it all in! During the holidays—which seem like a distant memory, but have just finished!— we started a Buy Local campaign called “Shop ‘Til Yule Drop.” You might have seen the bright red stickers in shop windows, and you might see them still. It’s just another reminder that just about anything and everything you might need for your perfect wedding can be found right here at home. If you’re good to your local retailers and commit to shopping at home, they will reinvest your dollars into our economy and bring you even more wonderful things. Everyone wins when we shop the Valley! As you read this issue, we’re preparing for the March/April magazine, which we are calling “Heart and Soul.” We’ve done a similar issue before, and we’re going to showcase some of the remarkable people in this part of the world who help make this a great place. in the meantime—during the cold months of eat p ace. Enjoy joy tthiss issue, ss January and February, this is spe specially designed to warm your heart.
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contents
116
“Please, and thank you.”
© Patrick Hood
everything else 10 106
Calendar Selected Events for January/February 2016
ShopGirls by aissa castillo, lauren mccaul photos by lauren tomasella carney
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Parting Shot by crimson blu photography
Photographers Abraham Rowe Photography Alabella Studios Allison Jansen Photography Armosa Studios Brooks Photography Caught You On Camera Photography Create Portraitature Crimson Blu Photography David Brooks Photography David Higginbotham Photography David Phillips Photography Erin Lindsey Photography Green Tree Photography His and Hers Photography Jessica McCravy Studios Joel and Amber Photography Julie Terry Photography Kerns Photography Kerry Brooks Photography Lauren Tomasella Photography Mandy Owens Photography McBride Photography Rae Marshall Photography Sarah Swain Photography Saving Grace Photography Serendipity Photography Sleepy Fox Photography Southern Cotton Photography Stephanie Rhea Photography Taylor Campbell Photography White Rabbit Studio
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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016 Volume 5: Issue 1 ••• Editor-in-Chief C. Allen Tomlinson Chief Operating Officer Matthew Liles Creative Director David Sims Advertising Directors Heidi King, Jamie Noles Advertising Sales/Distribution Johnson Trent Features Manager Roy Hall Graphic Designer Rowan Finnegan Web Designer Justin Hall Shopgirls Aissa Castillo, Lauren McCaul Proofreader Carole Maynard ••• Contributing Writers Sara Wright Covington, Sarah Gaede, David Sims, Allen Tomlinson ••• Contributing Photographers Lauren Tomasella Carney, Patrick Hood, Danny Mitchell ••• Contributing Illustrators Chelsea Holeman ••• No’Ala Huntsville is published six times annually by No’Ala Studios PO Box 2530, Florence, AL 35630 Phone: (800) 779-4222 | Fax: (256) 766-4106 Web: noalastudios.com Standard postage paid at Huntsville, AL. A one-year subscription is $19.95 for delivery in the United States. Signed articles reflect only the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors. Advertisers are solely responsible for the content of their advertisements. © 2008-2016 No’Ala Studios, All rights reserved. Send all correspondence to Allen Tomlinson, Editor, at the postal address above, or by e-mail to allen@noalastudios.com. Letters may be edited for space and style. To advertise, contact us at (256) 766-4222, or sales@noalastudios.com. The editor will provide writer’s guidelines upon request. Prospective authors should not submit unsolicited manuscripts; please query the editor first. No’Ala Huntsville is printed with vegetable-based inks. Please recycle.
Connect with us on Facebook: No’Ala Mag Instagram: noalastudios, Pinterest: NoAlaStudios, and Twitter: @NoAla_Magazine
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calendar
Friday, January 8 – Sunday, January 10 The Producers (A Mel Brooks Musical) A scheming producer and his mousy accountant aim to produce the biggest flop on Broadway in Mel Brooks’ laugh-out-loud spectacle. 2 hours and 45 Minutes; Von Braun Center Mark C. Smith Concert Hall; Admission Charged; (256) 518-6155; broadwaytheatreleague.org Friday, January 15 Huntsville Chamber Music Guild presents Polish Baltic Philharmonic Founded in 1945 on the heels of postwar Polish independence, The Polish Baltic Philharmonic is the largest music institution in northern Poland. Ernst Van Tiel, artistic director; Boguslaw Dawidow, principal guest conductor; Admission $15-$37; Trinity Untied Methodist Church; 7:30pm- 10pm; www.hcmg.us Saturday, January 16 – Monday, February 29 Beaks and Barks in the Garden Spend some quality time with your four-legged friends! Cool days in January and February are perfect for enjoying the fresh air and sunshine in the Garden. Walk the trails or play fetch in the “no leash” zone at the back of the Garden. Botanical Gardens; Admission Charged, Plus $1 per dog. Monday, January 18 – Saturday, January 23 Winter Warmer Week As the Craft Beer Capital of the South, Huntsville is the ideal location for celebrating the Winter Warmer tradition. Come downtown as eight local breweries and over 10 establishments offer unique craft beer events every night during Winter Warmer Week! Thursday, January 21 Leigh Gallagher, Assistant Managing Editor, Fortune Magazine The celebrated journalist and business news correspondent expertly discusses the future of the way we live, the revitalization of our cities and the changing American Dream at economic conferences, real estate summits, and corporate events. 7-9pm; Huntsville Museum of Art; hsvmuseum.org Saturday, January 23 Voices of Our Times: David Sanger National Security Correspondent for The New York Times and bestselling author of Confront and Conceal: Obama’s Secret Wars and Surprising Use of American Power, David E. Sanger will be speaking at the Huntsville Museum of Art. 7:00pm; hsvmuseum.org Saturday, February 6 Mardi Gras Huntsville 5K at Constitution Village Racing by the light of the moon with masks, beads, and hats...this colorful run is sure to be one of your favorites! Come dressed in your Mardi Gras garb. Check the website to confirm times and locations. Will you be the King & Queen of this race? 9:30pm; Constitution Village; $20 Entry Fee Saturday, February 13 The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra presents: “Eastern Europe: Enescu, Vajda, and Dvořák” Conductor Gregory Vajda and special guest artists Gergö Borlai, Robert Hudson, and Sean Ritenauer will join the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra to lead you on a musical journey around the world. (256) 539-4818; Von Braun Center Mark C. Smith Concert Hall; Admission Charged; hso.org.
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scene (Left) Front row, left to right: Betsy Lowe, Ivy Albert, Amelia Summerville, Pam Gann, Nancy Colin, Debbie Washburn, Suzanne O’Connor, Donna Shergy; Second row, left to right: Sharon Gartrell, Donna Rush, Linda Akenhead, Debbie Overcash, Karen Kiss, Daphne Reed, Josie Craig, Anne Compton Burke, Patti Thornton, Lee Anne Smith, Janet Skidmore; Third row, left to right: Kim Johnson, Beth Wise, Brenda Milberger, Lee Anne Bostick; Fourth row, left to right: Theresa Taylor, Pennie Keene, Paige Prozan, Susan Todd, Lori Gregory
(Right) Front row, left to right: Andrew Jeffrey Albert, Ed Rush, Nancy Colin, Richard Van Valkenburgh, Randy Roper, Patrick Robbins; Back row, left to right: Steve Thornton, George Smith, John Johnson, Skipper Colin
2015 Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild 52nd Symphony Ball october , · von braun center, north hall, huntsville
(Left) Front row, left to right: Lauren Elizabeth Lowe, Sarah Reagan Tepool, Callie Christina Bragg, Abbie Porter Rodgers, Mary Margaret Ragland, Jordan Akin Lee; Second row, left to right: Marian Witty Crump, AnnaMarie Marona, Leah Jeane Honkanen, Madeline Jewel Rushing, Lauren Alis Layton, Keeley Malone McMurray, Anna Catherine Brooks; Back row, left to right: Mary Gray Lindstrom, Catherine Joseph Rasco, Emily Ann Clemons
(Right) Front row, left to right: Anna Grace South, Camille Nicole Shockley, Emily Rachel Lapidus, Josephine Ann Tucker, Susan Will Purvis, Mary Scott Pearson; Second row, left to right: Lily Margaret Brooks, Lauren Grace Stevens, Mary Morgan Plott, Allyson Elizabeth Nuwayhid, Mallory Frances Castellow, Stephanie Nicole Gilbert, Cameron Ann Seeley; Back row left to right: Sarah Gwin Moore, Katherine Hill Vest, Hughston Elizabeth May, Mary Katherine Russell
* Names for photos are provided by the organization or business featured.
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Amber Patterson & Jordan Lamont Landers October 24, 2015 by White Rabbit Studios
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produced by roy hall
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ENGAGEMENTS
Kristine Disbrow & Nathan Smith September 12, 2015 by Alabella Studios
Kristina Litchford & Nick Old October 3, 2015 by Mandy Owens Photography
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YeVonne Patterson & Alex Brown May 30, 2015 by White Rabbit Studios
Laura Lee Aune & Matt Homan November 21, 2015 by David Brooks Photography
Elizabeth Kent & Brent Painter June 20, 2015 by Sarah Swain Photography
Heather Willingham & Steven Nickell September 24, 2016 by Allison Jansen Photography
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ENGAGEMENTS
Michelle Mullen & Eric Anzalone July 30, 2016 by Caught You On Camera Photography
Christal Anna Dekich & Hayes Ellett July 11, 2015 by Julie Terry Photography
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Sarah Beckert & Seth Maddox June 18, 2016 by Lauren Tomasella Photography
Tamara Bailey & Jason Bailey April 19, 2015 by Saving Grace Photography
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ENGAGEMENTS
Ashley Ralston & Mitch Eubank April 11, 2015 by Lauren Tomasella Photography
Cierra Doughty & David Steele June 20, 2015 by Joel and Amber Photography
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Megan Scott & Colby Owens February 14, 2015 by Sarah Swain Photography
Leslie Ann Dean & Eric Maurice Garner November 14, 2015 by David Brooks Photography
Hannah Lee McBride & Bradley Ross Miller September 18, 2015 by Southern Cotton Photography
Margaret Woodfin & Wesley Bailey June 18, 2016 by Allison Jansen Photography
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ENGAGEMENTS
Payton Danielle Boyd & Nickolas Ray Hayes October 10, 2015 by Southern Cotton Photography
Bayleigh Smith & Cody Hasty May 16, 2015 by Allison Jansen Photography
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Rachel Teague & Caleb Fluker May 14, 2016 by Caught You On Camera Photography
Cassidy Machnica & Christopher Dickson August 13, 2016 by Erin Lindsey Photography
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ENGAGEMENTS
Jessie Gable & Ryan Harbin October 3, 2015 by Caught You On Camera Photography
Kathryn D. Fowler & Andrew D. Devine October 3, 2015 by Southern Cotton Photography
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Angie Walker & Michael Burns August 14, 2015 by Allison Jansen Photography
Haley Grant & Kevin Kane May 14, 2016 by Erin Lindsey Photography
Georgia Street & Dakota Stark June 12, 2016 by Southern Cotton Photography
Elizabeth Potts & James Daniel August 1, 2015 by Joel and Amber Photography
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ENGAGEMENTS
Hannah Hogan & Lauren Blevins October 15, 2016 by Armosa Studios
Neena Singhal & Dalton James May 28, 2016 by Erin Lindsey Photography
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Kelsey Fortner & Andrew Fortner May 16, 2015 by Green Tree Photography
Stephanie Holmes & Michael Lawson October 17, 2015 by Lauren Tomasella Photography
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ENGAGEMENTS
Lauren Ashley Jones & Andrew Wesley Kellum May 23, 2015 by Caught You On Camera Photography
Lauren Ketron & Will Mosteller August 15, 2015 by Lauren Tomasella Photography
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Corey Faulkner & Chad Caldwell August 15, 2015 by Create Portraiture
Caroline Armbrester & Matthew Bell June 27, 2015 by Allison Jansen Photography
Lauren Payne Rowe & Shelby Rowe October 3, 2015 by Joel and Amber Photography
Ashley Brooke Knight & Colyn Wayne Self May 29, 2015 by Julie Terry Photography
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ENGAGEMENTS
Jamie Key Chambers & Chris Chambers July 11, 2015 by Allison Jansen Photography
Krystin Mason & Evan Pezent July 9, 2016 by Lauren Tomasella Photography
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Haley Anne Lightfoot & Philip Johnson July 25, 2015 by Joel and Amber Photography
Aubrie Mason & Matthew Mason September 27, 2015 by Lauren Tomasella Photography
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ENGAGEMENTS
Lindsey Roeske & Chris Allen March 21, 2015 by Caught You On Camera Photography
Amanda Parkinson & Nathaniel Forton June 13, 2015 by Allison Jansen Photography
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Tiffany Sobul & Owen Franklin November 14, 2015 by Erin Lindsey Photography
Kristin Johnson & Anthony Romback August 22, 2015 by Allison Jansen Photography
Angela Goodnight & Dean Huffman October 10, 2015 by Alabella Studios
Faron Payne & Winston Payne June 13, 2015 by Create Portraiture
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ENGAGEMENTS
Lauren Zuck & Sean McBane May 21, 2016 by Joel and Amber Photography
Alexandra Gradkowski & Luke Johnson November 7, 2015 by Jessica McCravy Studios
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FEATURED WEDDING
Lauren Ketron and Will Mosteller date august , » place creekside plantation, mooresville, alabama text by sara wright covington » photos by lauren tomasella photography
The Couple: Lauren Ketron and Will Mosteller The Date: August 15, 2015 The Place: Creekside Plantation, Mooresville, Alabama The Meeting: Lauren and Will were both teaching in China and met in Thailand when the organization they were a part of had a conference. Laura learned that Will was from Georgia, and after a few more meetings, they decided to keep in touch. “Because we lived in two different cities in China, we began our long-distance relationship by exchanging emails and talking on the phone,” says Lauren. “I knew pretty quickly that there was something special about this guy, and when I came to visit him in his city after a few months, he let me know that he wanted to pursue me with marriage as the end goal.” The Proposal: Will and Lauren came home to see their families in January of 2015. After having lunch with Lauren’s family in Huntsville one afternoon, Will surprised Lauren with a proposal at Burritt on the Mountain. Lauren’s family and friends were standing by for a surprise celebration afterwards. Number of Guests: 250 The Dress: “Since I only had about a month to plan the main aspects of the wedding before heading back to China, we hit the ground running on finding a dress,” says Lauren. “The night of our engagement, my mom told me that she had already made a few appointments for me for the very next day!” As it turns out, Lauren would only need one dress appointment to find her gown. “My mom knew that I would love White Dresses, so she set that up for our first appointment,” she says. Lauren chose an illusion neckline, keyhole back dress, that happened to be the second gown she tried. “I knew right away that it was the one. The treatment we got at White Dresses and the wonderful owners were cherries on top of a perfect experience of finding THE dress!” Married in Mooresville: Lauren wanted their wedding to have
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classic, natural elegance. They married on the front lawn of Mooresville’s Creekside Plantation, right after all-day rain showers that created the perfect, unusually mild, mid-August day. “We really didn’t have to do much to add to the already beautiful venue at Creekside,” says Lauren. “Lush vineyards surrounded the covered pavilion, and white, billowy fabric and strings of lights hung from the rafters. We had small vases of flowers that mimicked my bouquet colors on the tables, along with several mercury glass votives. The crisp, white tablecloths were finished off with a subtle lavender napkin.” Simpson’s Florist of Decatur used Juliet garden roses, succulents, pierres japonica, California jasmine, blackberries, peach peonies, blue vibernum berries, fern curls, and peach spray roses to make Lauren’s bouquet. “Some of my favorite colors are greens and berry hues, so I tried to weave those throughout the wedding, from the bridesmaids’ dresses being a beautiful purple-red to having organic, full bouquets with real berries in them,” says Lauren. Wedding Fare: The Chef Next Door provided summer-inspired fare such as Ranch Grilled Chicken and a Summer Succotash. “We also wanted to include some Asian dishes since Will and I met in Asia,” says Lauren. “Margaret, our caterer, took that idea and ran with it—our guests were raving about the banh mi sandwiches, spring rolls, and lettuce wraps!” Wedding Day Takeaway: “One really special thing for both Will and me was having so many of our former China teammates present at the wedding,” says Lauren. “We had guests from Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, the Carolinas, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Maryland, Colorado, California, Arkansas, Minnesota, and even two of our students from China! At one point we all took a selfie together and our group took up the entire stage.”
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Tiffany Davis and Andrew Biddle date may , » place the ledges country club, huntsville, alabama text by sara wright covington » photos by kerry brooks photography
The Couple: Tiffany Davis and Andrew Biddle The Date: May 30, 2015 The Place: The Ledges Country Club, Huntsville, Alabama The Meeting: Tiffany and Andrew knew each other in high school, but didn’t connect until Tiffany was at Tuskegee University getting her master’s degree. Andrew had also attended Tuskegee, and was working as a recruiter for Proctor & Gamble when he connected with Tiffany and they began dating. The Proposal: Andrew invited close friends and family to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was living at the time so they could all spend some time together and see the city. Andrew suggested that he and Tiffany take a helicopter tour of the city. “We took off and started flying over different parts of Cincinnati,” remembers Tiffany. “We got to downtown by the river and bridge and the helicopter pilot told me to look to my left and when I did, Andrew had his friends standing by the river on a concrete area holding a sign that said ‘Tiff, will you marry me?’ I looked back over at him and he had the ring and I began to cry. I said yes and gave him a hug and we kept flying. We headed back to the helicopter facility and when we got out of the helicopter, his family was standing there and his dad had a blow horn, a gift, and some balloons. A few minutes later my family came. Both families and friends met up at a restaurant called Season 52 where we all had dinner.” The Dress: Tiffany booked appointments to view dresses at White Dresses Boutique in Providence and Finery in downtown Huntsville.
“I didn’t go dress shopping with any particular style dress in mind,” says Tiffany. “I wanted whatever dress would look best on me.” Tiffany had narrowed her choices down to two dresses at White Dresses Boutique, but wanted to see what Finery had to offer before making her final selection. “Finery was having a Berta trunk show that day and I tried on a few dresses but didn’t really feel that I found the one. Then my friend Erica spotted this gorgeous gown and we all loved it just from the look. Like most dress shops, they only had runway model sizes so I could not try it on. So, we had one of the sales associates try it on for me, and we all fell in love. I stepped out on faith and had my measurements taken and ordered the dress without trying it on. Eight months later the dress came in and I went to try it on. It fit like a glove. The seamstress didn’t have to do too many alterations except trim some material off of the bottom. It was a perfect fit!” Number of Guests: 250 Simple Style: Using shades of sage and apricot, Andrew and Tiffany married at The Ledges in what Tiffany describes as modern, yet rustic style. “I wore my grandmother’s blue diamond ring for something blue and borrowed,” she says, “and I also wore a sixpence in my wedding shoe.” Wedding Day Takeaway: “My favorite memory would be the actual moment I said ‘I do’ and I became my best friend’s wife,” says Tiffany. “I also really enjoyed all of our friends and family being together at one time to just have fun and celebrate. It was an awesome day!”
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When it comes to investment advice, you need more than pie charts. You need a Financial Advisor who understands your specific life situation, and who can give you the sound guidance you need in an uncertain world. Virginia Nixon is that advisor. Virginia is ready to work with you in areas including retirement planning, wealth management and all aspects of your financial goals. Meet with her and take control of your financial future today. MSSB and its Financial Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should seek advice based on their particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.
©2015 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SPIC. CRC1376227 01/16
All weddings are memorable. Make yours unforgettable. (256)842-9600
www.RedstoneMWR.com
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FEATURED WEDDING
Joshua Clayton Criscoe and Gaines Glenn Halcomb date october , » place home of frank j. nola, huntsville, alabama text by sara wright covington » photos by rae marshall photography
The Couple: Joshua Clayton Criscoe and Gaines Glenn Halcomb The Date: October 17, 2015 The Place: Home of family friend Frank J. Nola The Proposal: Josh and Glenn met on an online dating site. “We never expected that to be our story,” says Glenn. “But it could not have worked out more perfectly.” The Proposal: While on a Caribbean cruise during Valentine’s Day, Josh proposed to Glenn while they were laying on the beach at a private home in Cozumel. Number of Guests: 100 Simple Style: “Our friend Frank’s home is absolutely gorgeous,” says Glenn. “It was built in 1835 and has been beautifully restored. We wanted to highlight the beautiful home and the South, so we went with an elegant Southern theme.” Both grooms wore classic, Italian tailored suits—Glenn in navy with a gray dotted tie, and Josh in a charcoal gray suit with a navy dotted bowtie. Both gentlemen wore British tan oxfords. Gatehouse Flowers of Huntsville provided simple white flowers for inside the home, which included draping the mantles with Jackson vine, clusters of white tulips, roses, and hydrangeas accented by votive candles. The tables were adorned with bud vases of the same ivory-hued flowers. Outside, there were two large urns for the ceremony. “Prior to the ceremony in the garden, we had a champagne reception to welcome the guests to a truly
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unique wedding,” says Glenn. “We had a cellist play classical music during the welcome champagne reception and the ceremony. During the reception, Felicity String Quartet played a mix of standards, pop covers, Broadway, and classic love songs.” Southern Fare: “While planning the wedding, we knew food was something we wanted to be a highlight of the weekend,” says Glenn. “The menu was a mix of classic Southern staples with an elegant flare, combining cuisines of our home states, North Carolina and Alabama. We also made sure our home states were represented in our beer selection for the guests. The food was remarkable and gave our out-of-town guests a true taste of the South.” Choosing the cake was also an important decision for the couple, who wanted their guests to enjoy the absolute best. A Slice at a Time created a chocolate turtle cake covered with a painted ganache finish, accented with white flowers. Wedding Day Takeaways: “We took the opportunity to write our own traditions,” says Glenn. “We wrote our wedding ceremony together and asked our guests to sign a foundation covenant affirming their support of our marriage. Our favorite memory of the day was hearing ‘by the power vested in me by The Constitution of the United States of America, I now pronounce you husbands.”
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DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER
HILARY KOLE sings the Music of James Bond
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2016 7:30 P.M. Mark C. Smith Concert Hall, VBC
Tickets and information: 256-539-4818 or www.hso.org january/february | noalastudios.com |
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Geneva Wagner and Brandon Woodmansee date may , » place annabella at cedar glen, huntsville, alabama text by sara wright covington » photos by abraham rowe photography
The Couple: Geneva Wagner and Brandon Woodmansee The Date: May 24, 2015 The Place: Annabella at Cedar Glen, Huntsville, Alabama The Meeting: “Brandon and I met briefly, for all of about five minutes, at church in September of 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio,” says Geneva. “As chance would have it, when we re-met a year later after we’d been living on separate sides of the country, we remembered each other and immediately hit it off.” After dating long distance for over a year between Alabama and Ohio, Brandon moved back to his home state of Utah after finishing law school. Geneva joined him just a few months later. The Ring: “As Brandon knew that I would likely prefer an unusual engagement/ wedding ring with no diamonds, we’d been working on having a ring made for about two months with London Blue Topaz instead,” says Geneva. “So while we weren’t formally engaged, we’d talked about it and knew that was definitively where we were headed.” And although Geneva was expecting a proposal, Brandon still wanted to surprise her when the time was right. After an ordinary evening of dinner at their favorite Thai restaurant, Brandon led Geneva on a surprise Salt Lake City scavenger hunt, using his own clues to lead her to some of their favorite spots, reminiscing about their favorite memories as a couple, and finally proposing (with a blue-ring-pop!) before presenting Geneva with the actual ring. The Dress: To match her non-traditional wedding ring, Geneva also sought out a truly unique dress. “From the start, I knew I didn’t want a white dress,” she says. “I’d done a great deal of research and a little shop hunting in Utah and simply didn’t find anything interesting. So, I met up with my mom and sisters in Huntsville and we drove to Atlanta to hunt for a dress.” Geneva found exactly what she was look-
ing for at an Atlanta shop called The Sentimentalist, selecting a pink/peach skirt, champagne under bust piece, and an ivory lace overlay. A gold belt purchased on Etsy was the finishing touch. Number of Guests: 70 Breaking Tradition: Geneva and Brandon chose not to have a typical wedding party and instead opted to invite their guests to wear shades of gold and teal to match their wedding colors. The outdoor ceremony and reception took place in a garden and required little decoration, but tables were decorated with simple greenery and an eclectic array of statues, figurines, and vases, all painted gold and white. Many of the items were from Geneva’s parents’ and grandparents’ homes. Huntsville wedding coordinator Kathleen Bernal helped create unexpected fun at the reception, as to just the usual dinner and dancing. “We had games!” says Geneva. “I wanted everyone to be comfortable, and I wanted everyone to have something to do and not be bored. So we had a number of yard games, as well as some wedding themed mad-libs and puzzles for guests.” And instead of the usual wedding cake, the couple opted to bring in Bigfoot’s Little Donuts truck to do dessert. Wedding Day Takeaways: Geneva’s advice to any future bride is to stick with what you want to do, not what tradition dictates. “We really tried to drop any and all traditions that weren’t important to us and focus on the things that were,” she says. “Thus, no white dress, no bouquet, no cake, seeing each other before the ceremony, no bridal party, no bouquet/ garter toss—really every time someone said, ‘You should do this because it’s tradition,’ we thought, ‘Do we really want to do that?’ Do the things you want to do. No one will miss the things you choose not to!”
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FEATURED WEDDING
Noopur Vakharia and Neerav Shah date august , (garba) august , (ceremony and reception) place the von braun center, huntsville, alabama text by sara wright covington » photos by crimson blu photography
The Couple: Noopur Vakharia and Neerav Shah The Date: August 8, 2015 The Place: Von Braun Center The Proposal: Noopur had traveled to Texas with her family to visit Neerav and his family. Neerav told Noopur to dress nicely one evening as she would be attending a ceremony for his work where he was being honored with an award. “We arrived at the so-called event, which was held at one of Houston’s finest hotels,” says Noopur. “I quickly realized that I was being tricked as we took an elevator to the fifth floor of the hotel. I walked into a beautiful hotel room that was covered in roses and candles with pictures of the both of us spread throughout the room. After sharing the sweet moment with my soon-tobe husband, Neerav played a song on his guitar and asked me to spend the rest of our lives together. We celebrated over a delicious five-course meal with our families. We went back to the hotel after dinner and Neerav had also planned a surprise engagement party with his friends. With the help of my parents, Neerav’s parents, our sisters, and Neerav’s friends— the proposal was perfect!” The Dresses: To celebrate their Indian heritage, Noopur and Neerav wanted to incorporate as much of their culture as possible into the ceremony, which meant that Noopur would need not one, but SIX dresses. Noopur traveled to India on an eight-day trip—two of those days were spent traveling—to find all six dresses. “All my dresses were custom made from designers in India and were going to have to be shipped from India once they were completed,” she says. “I didn’t receive my wedding dress or reception dress until one week prior to the wedding! Talk
| noalastudios.com | january/february
about stressful! I trusted the designers whole heartedly and we communicated by phone and email throughout the process. Luckily, the dresses fit perfectly. And Neerav told me I took his breath away at every event.” Number of Guests: 500 A Grand Celebration: Noopur and Neerav celebrated in traditional Indian style, beginning with a series of parties leading up to the main event. “Neerav’s family hosted two wonderful events in Houston, Texas,” says Noopur. “The first event was an engagement party with roughly 300 guests. It was a great way to meet a lot of Houstonians that have been a part of my husband’s life since he was young. The second event was a traditional party called Garba, which was also held in Houston. With successful parents that are socialites in Houston, this party was more of a kick-off to the wedding that was going to be held in Huntsville, Alabama. In addition to these two events, my husband and I also had separate traditional ceremonies the week prior to the wedding as a customary tradition in our culture that brings prosperity to the bride and groom as they embark on their new roles of being a husband and wife.” The ceremony in Huntsville was held at the Von Braun Civic Center, and guests enjoyed a glorious celebration of food, dancing, and merriment, all centered around family, friends, and their Indian heritage. “We didn’t have any one particular theme,” says Noopur. “I mainly centered the wedding on traditional Indian colors—purple, red, and gold. Even though Neerav and I were brought up in America, I wanted to incorporate as much of my culture as possible.”
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Frank and Leah Honkanen Ben and Lauren Stevens Elizabeth and Allyson Nuwayhid Bryant and Mary Witty Crump
Vann and Callie Bragg Dale and Sarah Gwin Moore, Paul and Cameron Seeley, Phillip and Katie Vest
Mallory Castellow and David Kenneth Johnson
Jody Bridges and Hall Bryant Photos by Mark Jaeger
Above: 2015 Symphony Ball october , · von braun center north hall
Below: 13th Annual Supper with Santa november -december , · earlyworks society children’s museum, huntsville
Ella Johnson, Ella Kate Hogan, and Raley Brown Peggy Gattis EWS President and Members Back row: Madison, Julie and Bob Broadway, and Elizabeth; Front row: Reese and Summer Broadway
Bailey Andrew Santa and Camden Moultrie
Peggy Gattis, Santa, Sharon Souvenir, and Lois Logan * Names for photos are provided by the organization or business featured.
Sophie Haymond and Santa Nancy Kate Henrich, May Watsdon, Ellie DeFiore, Claudia Bloom, Max Morrow, and Addy McArthur Photos by Susi Stroud
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FEATURED WEDDING | noalastudios.com | january/february
Melody and Zach Hoernschemeyer date june , » place the westin hotel, huntsville, alabama text by sara wright covington » photos by kerry brooks photography
The Couple: Melody and Zach Hoernschemeyer The Date: June 19, 2015 The Place: The Westin, Huntsville, AL The Meeting: Zach and Melody met while serving at Manna House, a place that provides food and care for those in need. They were friends for years before they began dating. The Proposal: Zach proposed after weeks of secret visits to Melody’s room to leave her roses, gifts, and love letters while she slept. Her parents were in on Zack’s plans for proposal, and when Melody’s father woke her one early morning just days before Christmas and asked her to come with him to do some “last minute shopping,” Melody knew something was up. “We started driving and pretty soon I realized we were going up to Monte Sano Mountain,” says Melody. “Just before we arrived, my dad handed me the final letter from Zach. The mountain was a place where my dad and I had gone on runs together and had many talks about life. We pulled up to an overlook where Zach had brought me once before to watch the sunrise together. As I walked up with my dad, I saw Zach standing there with my mom. My dad walked me over to Zach, and then took my mom’s hand as they walked away. After saying a few words, Zach knelt down and gave me the final Christmas present: an engagement ring. He wanted to propose at sunrise, when the day was beginning, as a representation of our new beginning together.” Num-
ber of Guests: 300 The Dress: “I went with my mom and sister to the Something Blue Shoppe in Hartselle and found my dress on the first try, which I was not expecting,” says Melody. “I dislike shopping and was thrilled to only have to go once.” Courtyard Wedding: The couple married in the courtyard at the Westin with a reception following in an inside ballroom. Using flowers, lanterns, candles, and the ballroom lighting, Melody describes their ceremony and reception as classically elegant. Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue: The diamond in Melody’s ring belonged to her great grandmother, and she counted this as her “something old” for the day. Her new dress, her borrowed veil—from her sister’s wedding three weeks prior—and her blue garter provided the rest of the wedding luck charms for the day. Wedding Day Takeaway: “My favorite memory was walking down the aisle and seeing each other for the first time as bride and groom,” says Melody. “Before the wedding, we held hands around a corner and prayed together over the day. I sent my junior bridesmaid down with a gift to Zach a couple of hours before the wedding. It was very special to me because it was a covenant ring I had worn since age 12 reminding me that I was saving myself for my husband. He wore one also, since age 17, that he presented to me after the wedding. This was something we had done independently long before we met.”
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Alexandra Parker and Paul Hunter date october , » place a treehouse in atlanta, georgia text by sara wright covington » photos by white rabbit studios
The Couple: Alexandra Parker and Paul Hunter The Date: October 29, 2015 The Place: A Treehouse in Atlanta, Georgia The Meeting: Alexandra and Paul met while both working at Sam & Greg’s in Huntsville. The Proposal: Paul proposed during a beach trip for Alexandra’s birthday, but after birthday burgers in Rosemary Beach, Alexandra was hardly in the mood for a party. “I had a headache and a whiny toddler who was crying about the outfit I made her wear,” says Alexandra. “Paul kept talking about walking further away from people to get pictures of us. I wasn’t interested because of my headache. It was getting dark and I was ready to go back and go to sleep. But Paul kept acting really anxious. Indigo, our daughter, was running around the grassy middle of the town by a fountain. Paul had run over to the fountain to pick her up and bring her back to the car. They were taking too long, so I walked over there to help get her. As he picks her up, she leans over to me and gives me a beautiful ring and says, ‘Mommy, can we marry Paul?’” The Dress: Alexandra wanted something soft and vintage, and found exactly what she was looking for on Etsy. “When I came across this 1940s dress with my measurements, I knew it was meant to be,” she says. A Treehouse Wedding: Alexandra and Paul located an amazing treehouse for rent through a website called airbnb.com. Together with only their daughter and their parents, they married amidst
the trees in an intimate, natural scene worthy to be set in Sherwood Forest. “Our wedding decor was really minimal,” says Alexandra. “The treehouse was already decorated beautifully. There were candles, interesting trinkets, airy windows, rain-soaked wood, and many, many trees. It was simple and we didn’t feel the need to overdo it.” Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue: “My dress was old and my shoes were new,” says Alexandra. “I borrowed my mother’s small diamond necklace, and my ‘something blue’ was on my great grandmother’s handkerchief that was wrapped around the bouquet.” Wedding Day Takeaways: With only their daughter and parents there to share their treehouse nuptials, Alexandra says it was the perfect, laidback, intimate day they wanted. “We slept there that night and it was a great experience, although we heard animals running around all night long! During the ceremony, our four-year-old kept asking if ‘we’ were married yet and when she was going to eat cake.” For Paul, the very best memory of the day was seeing his bride and daughter-to-be coming toward him by the way of the whimsical rope bridge leading to the treehouse. “I became a husband and a father in a day,” he says. “It was raining lightly all day, and it eased up just in time for my bride to walk across the rope bridge with our little girl. It is a sight I will never forget.”
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Here is where two lives become one. A wedding is a beautiful time to think about the future. Theirs, and yours. Synovus is a bouquettoss away, with wealth management advisors ready to help make sure every day is as bright as this one. Just like we have, right here, for generations. synovus.com/wealthmanagement Investment products and services provided by Synovus are offered through Synovus Securities, Inc. Synovus Trust Company, N.A. GLOBALT Investments, a separately identifiable division of STC and Creative Financial Group. The registered broker-dealer offering brokerage products for Synovus is Synovus Securities, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Synovus Securities, Inc. is a subsidiary of Synovus Financial Corp and an affiliate of Synovus Bank. Synovus Trust Company, N.A. is a subsidiary of Synovus Bank. NOT FDIC INSURED
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SERVING YOU LOCALLY AS
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News, classical music and more 88.7 FM Muscle Shoals • 100.7 FM Huntsville www.apr.org
SATURDAY -$1 4PM CENTRAL Channel 15 see all our episodes on www.KnowHuntsville.com january/february | noalastudios.com |
Sarah Derrick & Trent Derrick in Cullman, Alabama Stone Bridge Farms August 1, 2015 by David Higginbotham Photography
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produced by roy hall
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WEDDING ALBUM
Kristine Disbrow & Nathan Smith in Toney, Alabama Meadow Creek Farm September 12, 2015 by Alabella Studios
Jamie Key Chambers & Chris Chambers in Guntersville, Alabama Lake Guntersville Lodge July 11, 2015 by Allison Jansen Photography
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Megan Scott & Colby Owens in Huntsville, Alabama The Roundhouse February 14, 2015 by Sarah Swain Photography
Bailey Wix & Wil Rice in Huntsville, Alabama The Roundhouse The Chapel on Oakwood May 30, 2015 by Alabella Studios
Katie Kilcoyne & Michael Bolton in Gadsden, Alabama First Baptist Church October 17, 2015 by Sara Swain Photography
Angela Goodnight & Dean Huffman in Huntsville, Alabama The Ledges Country Club October 10, 2015 by Alabella Studios
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WEDDING ALBUM
Navid Azizkhani & Sheyda Atashi in Huntsville, Alabama The Roundhouse January 31, 2015 by David Brooks Photography
Amber Coburn & Jeremy Coburn in Scottsboro, Alabama Double J Farms May 22, 2015 by Southern Cotton Photography
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Chelsea Camille & Mathew Adam Hagen in Huntsville, Alabama The Weeden House Museum and Garden June 6, 2015 by Sleepy Fox Photography
Meaghan Finnerty & Sloan Finnerty in Mooresville, Alabama Creekside Plantation June 6, 2015 by Caught You On Camera Photography
Emily Clare Collette & Bartlee Columbus Linton in Huntsville, Alabama Church of the Nativity May 2, 2015 by David Brooks Photography
Suzanne Dorsett & Sean Currie in Madison, Alabama May 30, 2015 by Abraham Rowe Photography
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WEDDING ALBUM
Natasha Moultry & Elliott Randolph in Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas August 22, 2015 by David Brooks Photography
Caitlin Cunningham & Carter Weiland in Madison, Alabama First Baptist Church Ingalls Harbor Pavilion September 5, 2015 by Jessica McCravy Studios
Ashley Roeske & Tim Anderson in Huntsville, Alabama June 20, 2015 by Caught You On Camera Photography
Ashley Nemec & Paul Lamont in Huntsville, Alabama Burritt on the Mountain June 5, 2015 by Allison Jansen Photography
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Chelsea Tubbs & Ainsworth Jackson in Pulaski, Tennessee Hardy Chambers Farmhouse September 26, 2015 by Sleepy Fox Photography
Faron Payne & Winston Payne in Huntsville, Alabama First United Methodist Church The Roundhouse June 13, 2015 by Create Portraiture
Emily Stinson & Corey Medlen in Muscle Shoals, Alabama Private Residence October 17, 2015 by Jessica McCravy Photography
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Mckenna Underwood & Austin Underwood in Fayetteville, TN Sacred Stone Events June 26, 2015 by Erin Lindsey Photography
WEDDING ALBUM
Corey Faulkner & Chad Caldwell in Huntsville, Alabama Christ Presbyterian Church and The Roundhouse August 15, 2015 by Create Portraiture
Amanda Parkinson & Nathaniel Forton in Huntsville, Alabama St. Joseph’s Catholic Church The Westin at Bridge Street Town Center June 13, 2015 by Allison Jansen Photography
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Bayleigh Smith & Cody Hasty in Cullman, Alabama Stone Bridge Farms May 16, 2015 by Allison Jansen Photography
Elizabeth Potts & James Daniel in Huntsville, Alabama Twickenham Church of Christ August 1, 2015 by Joel and Amber Photography
Courtney Replogle & AJ Fennell in Huntsville, Alabama Burritt on the Mountain May 23, 2015 by David Brooks Photography
Kristina Litchford & Nick Old in Huntsville, Alabama Annabella at Cedar Glen October 3, 2015 by Mandy Owens Photography
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WEDDING ALBUM
Jessie Gable & Ryan Harbin in Scottsboro, AL Broken Arrow Vineyard October 3, 2015 by Caught You On Camera Photography
Jessica Raulerson & CPT Aaron Amacker in Castaway Cay, Bahamas May 24, 2015 by Erin Lindsey Photography
Lindsay Paige Prozan & John Robin Murphy, Jr in Huntsville, Alabama First United Methodist Church May 16, 2015 by David Phillips Photography
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Angie Walker & Michael Burns in Mooresville, Alabama Creekside Plantation August 14, 2015 by Allison Jansen Photography
Christina South & Scott Seeley in Mooresville, Alabama Lyla’s Pecan Grove Lyla’s Dance Hall June 7, 2014 by White Rabbit Studios
Jeri Smith & Dave Smith in Huntsville, Alabama December 4, 2014 by Sarah Swain Photography
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Kathryn D. Fowler & Andrew D. Devine in Huntsville, Alabama The Overlook at Redstone Arsenal October 3, 2015 by Southern Cotton Photography
WEDDING ALBUM
Ali Barnette & Ben Hawkins in Mooresville, Alabama Creekside Plantation November 1, 2015 by Green Tree Photography
Sarah Twigg & Michael Payne in Pisgah, Alabama Gorham’s Bluff October 18, 2014 by White Rabbit Studios
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Candice Tittle Cameron & Zachary Lee Cameron in Huntsville, Alabama Burritt on the Mountain October 4, 2014 by White Rabbit Studios
Payton Danielle Boyd & Nickolas Ray Hayes in Decatur, Alabama Mallard Stables October 10, 2015 by Southern Cotton Photography
Lauren Ashley Jones & Andrew Wesley Kellum in Fayetteville, Tennessee Sacred Stone Events May 23, 2015 by Caught You On Camera Photography
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WEDDING ALBUM
Kate Evelyn Gore & Kyle Mason Rodgers in Huntsville, Alabama Davidson Center for Space Exploration February 21, 2015 by Green Tree Photography
Cierra Steele & David Steele in Decatur, Alabama First Bible Church June 20, 2015 by Joel and Amber Photography
Elizabeth Kent & Brent Painter in Huntsville, Alabama Annabella at Cedar Glen June 20, 2015 by Sarah Swain Photography
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Tamara Bailey & Jason Bailey in Hayden, Alabama The Cabin At The Lodge April 19, 2015 by Saving Grace Photography
Casey Marriott & Brandon Jones in Huntsville, Alabama Burritt on the Mountain March 14, 2015 by Erin Lindsey Photography
Ashley Brooke Knight & Colyn Wayne Self in Murfreesboro, Tennessee Cheval Manor Ranch May 29, 2015 by Julie Terry Photography
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Sarah Laster & Brock Laster in Mooresville, Alabama Creekside Plantation March 14, 2015 by Caught You On Camera Photography
WEDDING ALBUM
YeVonne Patterson & Alex Brown in Huntsville, Alabama May 30, 2015 by White Rabbit Studios
Missy Backus Jones & Alex Jones in Gurley, Alabama Hampton Cove Wedding Plantation April 25, 2015 by Lauren Tomasella Photography
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Allison Gant & Todd Ellis Hose in Mooresville, Alabama Creekside Plantation September 26, 2015 by Lauren Tomasella Photography
Kristiana Herrera & Thomas Joseph LeVasseur in Shelby, Alabama Anderson Gail Farms May 22, 2015 by Green Tree Photography
Whitney Shepard & Josh Briscoe in Fayetteville, Tennessee Sacred Stone Events March 28, 2015 by White Rabbit Studios
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WEDDING ALBUM
Hannah Lee McBride & Bradley Ross Miller in Gurley, Alabama Hampton Cove Wedding Plantation September 18, 2015 by Southern Cotton Photography
Ashley Ralston & Mitch Eubank in Mooresville, Alabama Creekside Plantation April 11, 2015 by Lauren Tomasella Photography
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Jordyn Knox & Tyler Lovelady in Huntsville, Alabama The Roundhouse November 22, 2014 by Lauren Tomasella Photography
Jessica Pannell & Richard Pannell in Gurley, Alabama Hampton Cove Wedding Plantation May 9, 2015 by Caught You On Camera Photography
Anne Rush & Jacob Ndjali in Huntsville, Alabama Monte Sano State Park Lodge August 8, 2015 by Joel and Amber Photography
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Allie Lenox & Taylor Dyleski in Huntsville, Alabama First United Methodist Church The Roundhouse August 29, 2015 by Allison Jansen Photography
WEDDING ALBUM
Lauren Payne Rowe & Shelby Rowe in Huntsville, Alabama A.M. Booth’s Lumberyard October 3, 2015 by Joel and Amber Photography
Meredith Margaret Burton & William Andrew Broadfoot in Cherokee, Alabama High Cotton Farm May 2, 2015 by His and Hers Photography
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Morgan Seeley & Robert Cooper in Huntsville, Alabama Baron Bluff at Burritt on the Mountain May 9, 2015 by Lauren Tomasella Photography
Lindsey Roeske & Chris Allen Private Residence March 21, 2015 by Caught You On Camera Photography
Amanda Elliott & Phillip Cagle in Huntsville, Alabama Holmes Street United Methodist Church Weeden House May 9, 2015 by White Rabbit Studios
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WEDDING ALBUM
Courtney Campbell & Mathew Tittle in Mooresville, Alabama Creekside Plantation May 31, 2015 by Lauren Tomasella Photography
Rebecca Fil & Alex McQueen in Huntsville, Alabama The Ledges July 11, 2015 by David Brooks Photography
Jessica Lee Bolling & John Andrew Bolling in Huntsville, Alabama Private Residence A.M. Booth’s Lumberyard April 25, 2015 by Allison Jansen Photography
Christal Anna Dekich & Hayes Ellett in Fayetteville, Tennessee First United Methodist Church Fayetteville Lincoln County Museum July 11, 2015 by Julie Terry Photography
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shopgirls » By Aissa Castillo and Lauren McCaul » Photos by Lauren Tomasella Carney
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Sheila Irby and Marie Newberry Silver Tea Committee Debbie Washburn and Karen Morris Ellen Durgin
Sybil Wilkenson, Mary Adams, Isabelle Blue, Blanton Calvert, and Virginia Wahlheim
C. Chase, Linda Thomas, Pat Cross, and Linda Akenhead
Above: 50th Anniversary Symphony Guild Silver Tea december , · the home of christina wicks
Josephine Redd, Jo Beth Hurt, Taska Haraway, Prudy Thomas, and Irene Potts
Below: Historic Mooresville Holiday Home Tour and Progressive Dinner december , · mooresville
Back row, L-R: Avon Hagood, Wanda Pennington, Gail Neely, Marie Embry, Margaret-Anne Crumlish, Karen Higgins, and Marty Garrett; Front row: Katie Anne Mitchell Cate DeFiore, Susie Fortner, Lori Walters, and Ginger Bryant
Eliza McCrary, Cortner Crumlish, and Gamble McCrary
Sue Hair, Laurence McCrary, and Elizabeth Rogers
Marianna McCoy
Helen McBride and Audrey Morris
Natasha McCrary, Janice Cunningham, Jean Tipton, Brent Tipton, and George McCrary
* Names for photos are provided by the organization or business featured.
Front row, L-R: Lisa Rogan, Brenda Hardin, Gina Bender, Kim Sauvadon, and Cheri McKechnie; Back row, L-R: Trey Rogan, Ben Bender, Gary Sauvadon, and Tim McKechnie
Mike Sprader, Lyla Peebles, Jerri McLain, Susan Goldby, Shirley McCrary, and Woody Peebles Xx
january/february | noalastudios.com |
| noalastudios.com | january/february
text by sarah gaede » photos by patrick hood
january/february | noalastudios.com |
“Most people give you seven seconds to decide whether or not you are credible when they first meet you. Begin with a solid handshake and good eye contact.” This is how Faith Landers Woods started her interview with me—after shaking hands and looking me in the eye. One key to success is to understand, as my seventh-grade teacher used to say (in an annoying sing-song), that first impressions are often lasting ones. For a more extended relationship, a more thorough knowledge of etiquette is key. Although many people think of etiquette as an outdated, rigid code of behavior, Faith Woods, a local etiquette and image expert, is of a different opinion. She views the knowledge of proper etiquette as the ticket to a successful life and career. For Faith, etiquette is an empowering framework that, once internalized, allows people to be confident and flexible in all situations, while at the same time assuring the comfort of those around them.
Protocol School of Washington, where she received training to become a Certified Etiquette and Protocol Instructor. She owns her own consulting business, and enjoys teaching classes in table manners, dressing for interviews, and public speaking. She has worked with UNA students, Miss Alabama contestants, and employees of the Marriott hotels. And she has a passion for teaching etiquette to kids.
Faith grew up in Leighton, Alabama. Her mother, whom Faith describes as classy and sophisticated—Old South in a good way—instilled in Faith a passion for cooking and entertaining. After graduating summa cum laude from The University of Alabama with a specialized Southern American history degree, Faith attended a two-week course at The
Faith raises this basic training to a whole new level in her weeklong summer etiquette camps for both elementary and middle/high school ages, which are sponsored by UNA’s Summer Youth Camp program. In one week, she covers Social and Communication Skills, Parts 1 and 2; Making a Good Impression; and Dining Skills, Part 1 and 2. Parents
| noalastudios.com | january/february
As with most life skills, etiquette training starts at an early age. In the South, which seems to be the last bastion of good manners in this country, it begins with learning at an early age to respond to adult queries and requests with “Yes, ma’am” or “No, sir”; to say “please” and “thank you” instead of grunting and grabbing; and generally to gain at least a veneer of civilization so you will be welcomed at birthday parties and playdates.
Facing page, front row, left to right: Ashton Willis, Faith Landers Woods, Colbey Fritts; Back row, left to right: Ashiana Sapkota, Sumyak Raj, Mallory Glover, Carley Fritts This page, clockwise, from top left: Mallory Glover, Sumyak Raj, january/februaryAshlana | noalastudios.com | Sapkota, Colbey Fritts
of participants think this class is the best thing that ever happened to their children, and their children share their enthusiasm. In Dining Skills Part 1 with five girls and one boy, ages eight to 11, the girls wore dresses and the lone boy, who did not look at all uncomfortable with his singular status, had on a dress shirt and khakis. The kids were totally engaged with Faith, hanging on her every word with rapt attention. Faith has high expectations of her students; she doesn’t talk down to them, and speaks as one with authority. She does a masterful job of reinforcing, reminding, encouraging, and praising. Her students respond as if they are learning the secrets of the universe. In a way they are—they are learning a code of behavior that will stand them in good stead all their lives. Among many other etiquette skills, Faith taught this particular class: • • • • • •
• •
“Most people give you seven seconds to decide whether or not you are credible when they first meet you. Begin with a solid handshake and good eye contact.”
•
•
How to enter and exit a chair at the table How to seat grandma Proper placement of utensils, plates, and glasses How to arrange the silverware on your plate during the meal and after you are finished eating How to pass food and serve yourself How to unfold a napkin to place it in the lap, and how to make a little pocket to hold something inedible (not that just-one-taste bite of Brussels sprout, which should be chewed up and swallowed. As Faith put it, “Take it like a girl!”) How to eat french fries—with your fingers! What to do if a server at a restaurant brings you the wrong order. You are entitled to get what you asked for. As a guest at someone’s house, on the other hand, you should eat what is put before you, unless you have a food allergy, in which case you should have let your host know in advance. What to do if you are dining at Ricatoni’s, and your entrée arrives before you are done with your salad. (Finish your salad first.) Why cell phones and other electronics have no place at the dinner table.
To enroll your child in a Summer Youth Camp etiquette class, go to www.una.edu/continuing-studies. Contact Faith for further information on her classes at fjlanders9@gmail.com.
| noalastudios.com | january/february
FAITH’S WEDDING DOS AND DON’TS FOR BRIDES AND GROOMS If at all possible, thank-you notes for shower gifts should be mailed before the wedding. It’s a good idea to write thank-you notes immediately after a shower. The guests and gifts are fresh on your mind and it’s one more thing to check off the list. Handwritten thankyou notes (not emails) for wedding gifts should be mailed no later than six months after the wedding. It is a special touch to have the groom sign the notes, especially for guests on his side (or even to write his share of the notes). When addressing invitations, remember that we are in the 21st century, and couples come in many combinations. The majority of couples no longer fall in the Mr. and Mrs. John Doe category. Emilypost.com is a good resource for the minutia of addressing invitations. Do you want your wedding to be remembered as a happy occasion for all? Then put your guests’ comfort first. Do everything you can to ensure that every guest at the wedding feels totally at ease. If you are set on a destination wedding, don’t be upset if people decline to attend because of the expense. It is in the worst possible taste to charge guests for food and/or drink. If you can’t afford an open bar, either limit beverages to beer and wine, or trim the guest list. The same goes for a seated dinner vs. simple hors d’oeuvres. Be creative within the limits of your budget. Accept help if you want it. Many people will come out of the woodwork to assist with wedding details. Embrace this; it is a wonderful thing. Most want a job to do because they like to be a part of the celebration. If they don’t offer something specific, ask them if they would help with a particular task. In return, a thank-you note, a small gift, and a special mention in the program or wedding announcement are welcome. Focus more on your new husband/wife, family, and guests than tiny little details that will only drive you insane. If you don’t love it, don’t spend precious time on it. Anyone who has a big role in the wedding, such as caterers, photographers, etc., should be tipped 15 percent for good service, 18-20 percent for exceptional service. Don’t forget to factor this into your budget. Food for staff—photographer, musicians, etc.—also needs to be included in the food budget. Make sure you pay your balance promptly, preferably after the reception. Don’t forget the honorarium for the wedding officiant or minister!
FOR GUESTS When you are invited to a wedding, mail the RSVP card back immediately. If you do not mail the card by the deadline, do not attend. If you RSVP yes, and are later unable to attend, let the couple know as soon as possible. Be respectful of the couple’s wishes. If your children are not listed on the invitation, do not bring them. The same goes for bringing an uninvited date. It is customary to send a gift to all weddings and showers you are invited to, or to chip in for a large group gift. Do not bring gifts to the reception. It is better to be overdressed than underdressed. Begin with business casual for an informal wedding and work your way up. Save the cocktail dresses for after six p.m. If the wedding is in a church, dress more modestly than you might for a hotel, barn, or beach locale. Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start of a wedding. If you arrive late, tiptoe to the back row and seat yourself as quietly and unobtrusively as possible. Turn off your cell phone and leave it in your purse or pocket. Do not take photos during the ceremony. There are no exceptions to this rule.
DETAILS WE LOVE text by david sims
| noalastudios.com | january/february
© Abraham Rowe Photography
MOBILE MUNCHIES From Fro mp pops op icl ops icles es to o por po k bell bell elly, y, foo food d truc truc rucks ks add fu fun n int int nto o a we edd dding n re ng recep cep ptio tion, n, but be ca caref reful— ref ul—the ul— they the y can can n als also o give the gi giv the h w wed e din ng a mu much ch mor more e casu casu asual a vib al vibe. e. So iff y So, yo ou’r u’’ e plan plan l nin ning g a ve very ry for formal mal we weddi d ng, ddi g mo mob m obile le fo food od mig ght h not be th the e best best ch choic oice. oic e.
© Abraham Rowe Photography
© Abraham Rowe Photography
© Alabella Studios
© Sleepy Fox Photography
january/february | noalastudios.com |
PETAL POWER Beauti Bea utiful flowers shouldn’t be complicated. Disstin tincti ctive arrangements should have a careful mix ix of col c or and texture, as these great florals do.
© McBride Photography
© White Rabbit Studios
| noalastudios.com | january/february
© Abraham Rowe Photography
© White Rabbit Studioss
© Abraham Rowe Photography
© Kerry Brooks Photography © Rae Marshall Photography
GOOD GROOMING Pe fec Per fectly t ta tly tl tailo i red ilo ed. Appr ppropr op ia opr iately iat ely ac acces cessor ces sorize sor ized. ize d. They’r The T y’rre the the h bes bestt dres be d es e sed ma m n at at the wed weddin ding—a din g—ass g—a the hey y shou shou uld d be. e Th T ese e gr groom oomss just oom just ge gett it. it. See pa age 130 fo or our our sug ugges ges estio tions tio ns on o how to look loo k grea grea reatt at at your your we weddi dding. ddi ng.
© Lauren Tomasella Photography
january/february | noalastudios.com |
© Abraham Rowe Photography
© Crimson Blu Photography
© Abraham Rowe Photography
BRINGING BACK BLING We’re happy to see Mason jars and barns replaced with a little sparkle and sass. Here, bridesmaids’ dresses that can actually be worn again, and shoes that make quite a statement.
© Stephanie Rhea Photography
| noalastudios.com | january/february
© Lauren Tomasella Photography
IN GOOD FETE Th y say The say y pre esen sentat tation tat ion n is ev every erythi ery thi hiing. ng n g Whe W hethe ther it’s ’s an in inven ventiv ven tiv ive e cake ca ake k , a ch hicc ta tab ablet etop, et op a int an in era racti ctive ct ve v e mem memory bo book, or a liv iv ive ve art art rt perrfo p forman for m ce, e, yo y urr gue guests de eser serve ve a good good od ti time. im me. e.
© David Phillips Photography
© Armosa Studios
© Taylor Campbell Photography
© Rae Marshall Photography
january/february | noalastudios.com |
© Armosa Studios
© Kerns Photography
ELUSIVE MOMENTS Allow us to remind you again how important a good, professional photographer is to your big da g ay. Sure, your brother may own an expensive camera a, but he may miss great shots like the ones you see e her e e. And, after all the cake is gone and the dress iss packed away, your memories (and your photos) will be the only thing that remain. © Armosa Studios
© Brooks Photography
| noalastudios.com | january/february
It’s not too early to begin planning for your wedding at Baron Bluff at Burritt on the Mountain. Come look us over and let us show you how we can help you have an event of a lifetime with a fabulous view—at Burritt.
Now booking for weddings and special events! www.burrittonthemountain.com
256-536-2882
Memorable Weddings Deserve Memorable Locations
january/february | noalastudios.com |
The Well-Groomed Groom
Your wedding is the perfect opportunity to purchase a welltailored suit or tuxedo that you can continue to wear for many years to come.
text by david sims » illustration by chelsea holeman
Unless you have a full beard, you should shave on your wedding day.
Don’t wear a boutonniere pinned to either a pair of suspenders or worse, your shirt.
If you're wearing a tie clip, do not wear it with a vest. They serve the same purpose. Also, the tie clip should never be wider than the width of your tie.
You should see at least a half-inch of your shirt sleeve when your arms are at your side.
If you must wear suspenders, do not wear a belt. They serve the same purpose.
Avoid pants that are so long they puddle in multiple folds over your shoes. The perfect length trouser has just the right amount of break.
| noalastudios.com | january/february
Don’t wear tennis shoes or flip-flops to your wedding. And only real cowboys should be allowed to wear boots with their suits or tuxedos
ur overall advice to the groom on wedding attire is to be the perfect sartorial match to his bride. If your bride is dressed in a beautiful, floor-length, formal wedding gown, you should at the very least look like you belong next to her. We’ve seen far too many weddings where the groom looks more like the guy who’s there to deliver the flowers rather than the man who’s there to deliver the wedding band.
O
The Right We’ve said it before, and we will continue to say it until we’re gray or navy blue in the face. Your wedding is the perfect opportunity to purchase a well-tailored suit or tuxedo that you can continue to wear for many years to come. For a suit, a two-button navy blue, or light or charcoal gray suit would be very appropriate for most daytime weddings. Personalize it with your shirt, tie, pocket square, or sock choices. If you choose to purchase a tuxedo, go with a classic black one- or two-button style. If you must rent your wedding wear, make your fitting appointment well-ahead of the big day to allow plenty of time for the formal wear store to make any alterations. Then try it on a second time. Avoid pants that are so long they puddle in multiple folds over your shoes, and sleeves so long they cover half of your palm. You should see at least a half-inch of your shirt sleeve when your arms are at your side. By the way, this is your wedding too. Although the bride will obviously be the centerpiece of any wedding party, you have the right to look amazing. Don’t be talked into wearing an outfit that must match the flowers, ribbons, napkins, or any other such nonsense. There will be plenty of other appropriate places to incorporate the wedding’s color scheme that don’t involve the man of honor.
The Not-So-Right Don’t wear a boutonniere pinned to either a pair of suspenders or worse, your shirt. This is your wedding. You should be the best-dressed man in attendance. Besides, “boutonniere” is the French word for buttonhole. It is traditionally pushed through the lapel buttonhole on the left side of your suit. If you must wed without a jacket, then go without a boutonniere as well. Don’t wear tennis shoes or flip-flops to your wedding. And only real cowboys should be allowed to wear boots with their suits or tuxedos. By the way, this would also be the perfect time to purchase a beautiful new pair of shoes to compliment your new suit or tuxedo. Dressy brown or black cap-toe or wingtip oxfords (with leather soles) would pair perfectly with either a navy blue or charcoal gray suit, and a classic lace-up black patent leather shoe would complete your tuxedo. Unless you have a full beard, you should shave on your wedding day. Stubble, especially in photos, looks rough and dirty.
january/february | noalastudios.com |
© Saving Grace Photography
| noalastudios.com | january/february
© Armosa Studios
SOME CALL THIS PUPPY LOVE. Dogs are so much a part of our families, it makes sense to include them in the wedding, if possible. There were some unusual and beautiful family pets who performed specific roles in weddings this past year, so many that we wanted to share them with you. We don’t think any of these pets were the best man in these weddings—just man’s best friend.
january/february | noalastudios.com |
© Serendipity Photography
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© Abraham Rowe Photography
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© Allison Jansen Photography
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© Serendipity Photography
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parting shot » Crimson Blu Photography
BLESSINGS
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