Bride

loveTHE GAME OF

STORY BY LIESEL SCHMIDT PHOTOGRAHY BY ASHLEIGH DONNELLY DESIGNS

When Hannah Mikkelsen and Adam Chandler met as college freshman at Troy University in 2015, neither was ready to get into a serious relationship—despite the fact that there was undeniable interest on both sides. Over the next three years, the two built a strong foundation of friendship, and during their senior year, they took the leap into more. “I know this man through and through, and he knows me just as well,” says Hannah, who now works as a chiropractic assistant, while Adam tends bar. “It just made us love each other even more.”

Over the next few years of dating, that love grew even stronger, and Adam surprised Hannah with the question that would change their relationship forever. “One night, we were at home, and we had been planning to play a date night game we had seen online,” recalls Hannah of that life-altering day in September of 2020. “COVID shutdowns were still happening in Birmingham, and we were looking for anything to do to have some fun. We had planned to go to the store and get some things for the game, which included categories of something in a favorite color, something to drink, something to eat, an activity to do, and something to wear. We were having a great time, and we got to the last category: Something to wear. I turned around and pulled out the shirt I bought him, and when I turned back to him, he was holding an engagement ring! He really had me beat in that category!”

Just over a year later, on December 18, 2021, Hannah wore a fit-and-flare Essence of Australia gown with tattoo-like lace sleeves and an open back as she walked down the aisle at Hatcher Farms Venue in Mobile, Alabama. Chased inside by the rain, the ceremony space was nevertheless everything the couple dreamed of; and after being pronounced married, the couple joined their guests for a reception in the space that was seamlessly transitioned for party time.

Sharing the day with 120 of their closest family and friends—many of whom had watched their relationship grow from friendship to love—the couple enjoyed some tender and unforgettable moments. “My dad passed away in April of 2020, so my mom walked me down the aisle,” says Hannah. “It was beyond special for both of us. I also shared my first dance with my mom. We started out with ‘I Hope You Dance’ because she always associated that song with me growing up. We had our tender moment, and then halfway through the song, I had the DJ mash it up and change to ‘Should’ve Been a Cowboy’ by Toby Keith because, when I was growing up, that was our song. She laughed until she cried, and she was totally surprised by it—which is exactly what I wanted.”

After dining on a buffet of Southern favorites, the couple cut into a three-tiered cake with layers of strawberry and almond, covered in vanilla buttercream. Accompanied by a red velvet groom’s cake, both confections were made by a close friend of Hannah’s mother.

With wishes of happiness and a future filled with love, the newly married Chandlers were sent off to honeymoon in Colorado and spend their first Christmas together as a family.

VENUE: Hatcher Farms DRESS: Bella’s Bridal MAKEUP: Kaitlyn Hovatter HAIR: Looks by Mac FLORIST: Dreams Come True CAKE: Cakes by Natasha CATERING: A Gathering Place BAR: Bottles Up Mobile DJ: Rowan Weddings PHOTOGRAPHY: Ashleigh Donnelly Designs