No'Ala Shoals, January/February 2015

january/february | noalastudios.com |

BEAUTIFUL, BY HAND | DETAILS WE LOVE | GETTING HITCHED WITHOUT A HITCH

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8 » January/February

74

features

©Abraham Rowe Photography

22Engagements

ON THE COVER:Laura Ann Thompson and Cal Crawford Johnson Married at Bluewater Creek FarmMay 3, 2014

by Abraham Rowe Photography

38Bridals

68Details We Love

Th e sum of its parts: individual moments that add up to a beautiful day

by David Sims

122Getting Hitched Without a Hitch

Our insider’s guide to planning your big day

by Sara Wright Covington

50Wedding Album

Featured Weddings

From the processional to the bouquet toss, telling our favorite wedding stories, in pictures and in words

text by sara wright covington

photos by Abraham Rowe PhotographyAlabella StudiosArmosa StudiosButler Studio

no’ala advisory board

Jeremy Britten

Anne Bernauer

Vicki Goldston

Leslie Keys

Tera Wages

Ashley Winkle

9 » editor’s letter « Allen Tomlinson

Welcome to our annual bridal issue, a celebration of style, celebration…

and love. Th is is our most popular issue, and we know of women who have saved

these magazines for years as they plan for their own special day. As always, we

hope to provide prospective brides with a treasure trove of ideas to make their

wedding day extraordinary, and provide those of us who have already had

our weddings with glimpses into the lives of couples who are starting their

lives together. It’s a beautiful issue, if we do say so ourselves—if only be-

cause of the happiness portrayed in these pages!

Probably the question we get the most often is “how do I get my wedding

in this magazine?” Th at’s complicated. First, we only accept submissions

from photographers, because they know how to give us the photos we

need. Pictures you take on your cell phone are diff erent from the pictures

a professional will take, and it’s important to us to present these beautiful

photographs as well as possible. Secondly, we are looking for the unique

and diff erent, those little details that give an unusual and interesting twist

on a ceremony that can otherwise be remarkably similar to the next one. Back in

the day, a wedding was pretty traditional: there was the church, the procession, the

vows, the recessional and the reception; these days, brides are making their wed-

dings a very personal representation of their personality. We are an idea book for

other brides, so the weddings that capture our attention are those that express the

bride’s personality in a unique way.

To help you, we have started a No’Ala Pinterest page. It’s a collection of the details

we fi nd fascinating, and it contains a few of our very favorite things. It’s available

all year long, so you don’t have to wait for the annual bridal issue to view the

new ideas we want to share. It’s also something to which you can contribute; if

you’ll tag descriptions of photographs you want to pin with #noalaweddings,

we’ll review them and post the best to our Pinterest boards. Who knows? We

might see something there that will lead to a feature in the 2016 bridal issue.

For our male readers (and any females who aren’t interested in weddings), we

have something special planned for the March/April issue. We’re going to project

ourselves twenty years into the future and take a look at how some of the deci-

sions being made right now will impact growth and prosperity in the Shoals. In the

meantime, enjoy these winter months, and Shop the Shoals!

h and prosperity in the Sh

op the Shoals!

112

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

Volume 8: Issue 1

• • •

Editor-in-Chief C. Allen Tomlinson

Chief Operating Offi cer Matthew Liles

Creative Director David Sims

Advertising Director Heidi King

Features Manager Roy Hall

Graphic Designer Rowan Finnegan

Retail Product Manager Ashley Winkle

Proofreader Carole Maynard

Intern Kali Daniel

• • •

Contributing Writers

Amy Collins, Sara Wright Covington,

Sarah Gaede, Roy Hall, David Sims,

Allen Tomlinson

• • •

Contributing Photographers

Patrick Hood, Danny Mitchell,

Abraham Rowe Photography, Elite Photography,

PbK Studio, Create Portraiture, Armosa Studios,

Amanda Chapman Photography, Butler Studio,

Alabella Studios, Kim Box Photography,

Smiling Faces Photography, Spindle Photography,

Serendipity Photography, Simple Blessed Studios,

Breanna Fogg Photography, Cohart Photography,

Simply Bloom Photography, Lauren Tomasella

Photography, and Jessica McCravy Studios

No’Ala is published six times annually by No’Ala Studios PO Box 2530, Florence, AL 35630

Phone: (256) 766-4222 | Fax: (256) 766-4106Toll-free: (800) 779-4222 Web: noalastudios.com

Standard postage paid at Florence, AL.A one-year subscription is $19.95 for delivery in the United States.

Signed articles refl ect only the views of the authorsand do not necessarily refl ect the views of the editors.

Advertisers are solely responsible forthe content of their advertisements.

© 2008-2015 No’Ala Studios, All rights reserved.

Send all correspondence toAllen Tomlinson, Editor, at the postal address above,

or by e-mail to [email protected] may be edited for space and style.

To advertise, contact us at(256) 766-4222, or [email protected].

The editor will provide writer’s guidelines upon request.Prospective authors should not submit unsolicited

manuscripts; please query the editor fi rst.

No’Ala is printed with vegetable-based inks.Please recycle.

Connect with us on Facebook: No’Ala Magand Twitter: @NoAla_Magazine

everything else

12 Calendar Selected Events for January/February 2015

110 Bless Th eir Hearts “Mother (Nature) of the Bride”

by sarah gaede

130 Kudosby roy hall

134 Th e Vine “Gifts for Years to Come” by amy collins

136 Food for Th ought “Let’s Be Ladies!” by sarah gaede

138 Parting Shot by kim box

10 » contents

© Courtesy of Christina Green

BEAUTIFUL, BY HANDHand-lettering makes a comeback!

14Th e Colors of a Continent

Th e Shoals’ Indian community celebrates its heritage in a kaleidoscope of color and joy.

photos by Abraham Rowetext by Roy Hall

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12 » calendar

Th ursday, January 8 – Th ursday, February 12Works by Bethanne Hill

Bold, richly patterned and colorful paintings will be exhibited by the Birmingham artist. Mon-Fri 9:00am-4:00pm; Free; Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts, 217 E Tuscaloosa St; (256) 760-6379

Sunday, January 18 – Monday, March 16Carolyn Norris Fold Art from the Mississippi Delta

Self-taught folk artist Carolyn Norris’s work depicts scenes from everyday life on the Mississippi delta. Norris’s subjects include portraits, farming, honky-tonks, baptisms, youth sporting events, rural scenes, and socializing among friends and family that relate history, life, culture, and personal experiences through art. Mon-Fri 9:00am-5:00pm, Sun 1:00pm-3:00pm; $5 adults, $3 students, Free Sundays; Tennessee Valley Museum of Art, 511 N Water St, Tuscumbia; tvaa.net; (256) 383-0533

Tuesday, January 27On Stage presents Th e Stepcre

Combining Ottawa Valley Stepdance, Irish Stepdance, and tap, the virtuosic cast of the StepCrew is comprised of the most respected dancers and musicians in the Celtic music scene today. 7:30pm; Admission charged; Norton Auditorium; onstage.ticketleap.com

Th ursday, February 5 – Sunday, February 8Shoals Th eatre Presents A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline

Dean Regan’s musical follows legendary country singer Patsy Cline from her hometown in Virginia to stardom at Th e Grand Ole Opry, Las Vegas, and Carnegie Hall. Th urs-Sat 7:30pm and Sun 2:00pm; Admission charged; Shoals Th eatre, 123 N Seminary St; (256) 764-1700; facebook.com/ShoalsCommunityTh eatre

Saturday, February 72015 Shoals Heart Ball

Th e Heart Ball celebrates the work and mission of donors and volunteers; and—most importantly—the lives saved and improved because of everyone’s eff ort. 6:00pm-Midnight; $175; Marriott Shoals Conference Center; 800 Cox Creek Parkway S; (205) 510-1508; shoalsheartball.ahaevents.org

Th ursday, February 19 – Th ursday, March 26Watercolors by Bill Bailey

Watercolors by the Memphis, Tenn., artist will be on exhibit. Mon-Fri 9:00am-4:00pm; Free; Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts, 217 E Tuscaloosa St; (256) 760-6379

Saturday, February 21“Bluegrass at the Ritz” with Jake Landers & Friends

Th e Jake Landers Bluegrass Festival includes Bobby Osborne, Jake Landers, Kay Bain, Iron Horse, New Home, and Wailin Wood. 1:00pm and 6:00pm; $10 for all or part of the day; Ritz Th eatre, 111 W. Th ird St., Sheffi eld; (256) 383-0533; tvaa.net


University of NORTH ALABAMAF O U N D A T I O N

Your Gift Matters!Whether it’s a scholarship, an opportunity to study abroad or an

internship, our students can’t succeed alone.

Because of the support from alumni and friends like you, the UNA Foundation was able to award close to $400,000 in student scholarships last year.

Because of you, UNA continues to climb toward higher levels of success.

Because of you, many students in northwest Alabama fi nally have the funds to attend college.

We Can’t Do It Without You!

CALL US TO LEARN MORE ABOUT UNIQUE WAYS TO GIVE

UNIVERSITY FOUNDATIONOne Harrison Plaza

Box 5113 Florence, AL 35632-0001256-765-4896 [email protected]

www.una.edu/advancement

Th e Indian celebration of Navratri, or “Nine Nights,” honors

the cuisine, spirit, and color of India and is held every year

in late September and early October. Th is year, Florence’s In-

dian Family Cultural Association invited the community to

join them over the course of fi ve evenings as they observed

Navratri at the Florence Convention Center.

Th e photographs, captured by Abraham Rowe, reveal the

richness and grandeur of Indian culture, and remind us all,

regardless of our heritage, of the importance of community,

family, and tradition.

Photos by Abraham Rowe Photography » Text by Roy Hall





DREAMS UNVEILED. Say "I do" in elegance at the Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa, an award-winning, Four

Diamond hotel in Florence, Ala. The 30,000-square-feet of event space can be

transformed to meet your needs and the serene countryside offers picturesque

locations for an outdoor ceremony or reception. Relax in our European-style spa

before walking down the aisle, and let our certified wedding planners help bring

to life the Alabama wedding of your dreams.

For more information, call 256.246.3615 or visit www.marriottshoals.com

© 2015 Marriott International, Inc.

MARRIOTT SHOALS HOTEL & SPA 800 Cox Creek Parkway South,

Florence, AL 35630MarriottShoals.com

facebook.com/MarriottShoalsA part of the Resort Collection on

Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

Your BizHub Watchdog

(256) 464-0010

If you’re interested in controlling costs withoffice equipment solutions for almost anybusiness challenge, call me. We’re the specialists, because we’re the watchdogs.—J.T. Ray

450 Production Avenue, Madison, AL 35758


• • • PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCALLY OWNED INDEPENDENT RETAILERS, SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND NONPROFITS! • • •


* Names for photos are provided by the organization or business featured.

20 » scene

Above: Shoals Dragon Boat Festivaloctober , · mcfarland park

Below: Shoals Symphony at UNA

Welcome Reception for Dr. Daniel Stevensoctober , · norton auditorium

Ben and Will Powell

UNA Percussion Studio Students Una and Carmen Burkhalter

Mary Leigh Gillespie

Tony and Natalie Faggioni, and Heather Anderson

Collin King and Andrew Kerstiens

Sarah Franklin

Barb Hendricks with Joan and Wendell Hudiberg

David Black and Daniel Stevens

Taylor Davis

Ian Loeppky and Alan Flowers

Theresa Wood

Dan Hendricks and John Thornell

Wade DillinghamGretchen Perry and Connie Johnson

Ruth, David, and Marlow McCullough


Chapel in Sheffi eld


E n g a g e m e n t s

Michelle McCormack & Jake Wilkinson November 1, 2014




Hannah Hollis & Jordan RoweAugust 2, 2014

by PbK Studios

Maggie Putman & Wes BevisJanuary 25, 2014

by Create Portraiture

Quanecia Fletcher & Jason Grahamby Elite Photography

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Emily Darby & Ty Kerstiens December 13, 2014

by Armosa Studios



Natalie Gooch & Dustin L. McCownJune 7, 2014


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Bree Lawson & Kevin SmithSeptember 27, 2014

by Butler Studio

Amanda Caldwell & Myers DeanSeptember 13, 2014


Anna Spurgeon & Kade SmithSeptember 27, 2014

by Amanda Chapman Photography


Grace McLendon & Adam Philip ZillsAugust 9, 2014


Caycee Wilson & Lee FowlerSeptember 6, 2014

by Butler Studio

Amanda Johnson & Jamarcus Jackson June 7, 2014

by Elite Photography

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Brittany Greene & Matthew GreeneOctober 11, 2014

by PbK Studio

Anna Clark & Joshua DawsonJune 7, 2015

by Alabella Studios

Ashley Hogan & Dusty Brown May 17, 2014


Morgan Wingo & Brad StoutMay 17, 2014


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Haleigh Anise Lisby & Skyler Chase BainDecember 14, 2013

by Butler Studio

Katelyn Diane Parkes & Jonathan Mark PartridgeJune 14, 2014

by Butler Studio

Shea Toner & Matthew Eubank September 13, 2014

by Alabella Studios


Kristy Blackburn & Zach ConlonMay 31, 2014

by Butler Studio

Sarah Daniel & Ryan CaldwellMay 16, 2015

by Alabella Studios

Melissa Michelle Napier & Jason O’Brian NapierDecember 21, 2013

by Elite Photography

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Christina Caufi eld & Trent CroninOctober 25, 2014

by Armosa Studios

Morgan Sandoval & Matthew StevensMarch 22, 2014


| noalastudios.com | january/february | noalastudios.com | january/february

Tracy Fowler & Chadwick BurdineMay 24, 2014


Erin Sprinkle & Daniel MitchellOctober 5, 2014


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Ashley Wallace & Jacob FeltmanJune 14, 2014

by Alabella Studios

Lindsi Gibbs & Kole BalentineMay 3, 2014

by PbK Studio



B r i d a l s

Krystal (Elliott) Taylorby Amanda Chapman Photography


Katelyn Diane (Parkes) Partridgeby Butler Studio

Morgan (Parker) Minorby Alabella Studios

Kristy (Blackburn) Conlonby Butler Studio

Lauren (Holden) Jonesby PbK Studio

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january/february | noalastudios.com | january/february | noalastudios.com |

Alexis (Cote) Loveladyby Abraham Rowe Photography

Heather Nicole (Th igpen) Suttonby Create Portraiture

Anna Megan (Spurgeon) Smithby Amanda Chapman Photography


Jessica Jo (Harrison) Killenby Alabella Studios

Mary Ellen (McIlwain) Mayfi eldby Abraham Rowe Photography

Morgan (Sandoval) Stevensby Amanda Chapman Photography

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Tara (Rinks) Paytonby Kim Box Photography

Laura Ann (Th ompson) Johnsonby Abraham Rowe Photography

Kathryn (Nelson) Rogersby Amanda Chapman Photography

Kara (Myhan) Posey by Amanda Chapman Photography


Rebecca Butler-Youngby Smiling Faces Photography

Caycee (Wilson) Fowlerby Butler Studio

Valerie Hope (Goode) Jonesby Abraham Rowe Photography

Susanna (Burkett) Stephensonby Amanda Chapman Photography

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Jennifer Lynn (Osborn) Allenby Amanda Chapman Photography

Lindsi (Gibbs) Balentineby PbK Studio

Morgan (Wingo) Stoutby Amanda Chapman Photography


Jessica (Walker) Youngby Smiling Faces Photography

Grace (McLendon) Zillsby Abraham Rowe Photography

Hannah (Hollis) Roweby PbK Studio

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Amanda (Burton) Martinby Spindle Photography

Erin (Sprinkle) Mitchellby Create Portraiture






W e d d i n ga l b u m

Tracy Fowler & Chadwick Burdinein Florence, AlabamaNorthwood Methodist ChurchGAS Design Studio, Tuscumbia, AlabamaMay 24, 2014

by Serendipity Photography



Morgan Wingo & Brad Stoutin Panama City Beach, FloridaMay 17, 2014


Caitlin Gareri &William Carson Edgmonin Prospect, TennesseeWillow Oaks Farm (Groom’s Family Farm)June 7, 2014

by Armosa Studios

Shea Toner & Matthew Eubank in Lexington, Tennessee Toner Farm September 13, 2014

by Alabella Studios

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Alison Cross & Brian Wikelin Florence, AlabamaDaugherty FarmMay 17, 2014

by Alabella Studios

Carrie Landers & Will Kingin St. Florian, AlabamaBuffl er HouseJune 15, 2014

by Alabella Studios


Adelia Th ompson & Quintin Th ompson in Florence, AlabamaGreater St. Paul A.M.E. ChurchApril 26, 2014

by Smiling Faces Photography

Kristy Blackburn & Zach Conlonin Florence, AlabamaSt. Joseph’s Catholic Church Th e Love HouseMay 31, 2014

by Butler Studio

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Erin Sprinkle & Daniel Mitchellin Decatur, AlabamaPoint Mallard Prayer ChapelOctober 5, 2014



Ashley Hogan & Dusty Brown in St. Florian, Alabama St. Florian Fiber Farm May 17, 2014


Marissa Castile & Barrett Wynnin Florence, AlabamaAva’s Place October 11, 2014

by Simply Blessed Studios

Laura Ann Th ompson & Cal Crawfordin Killen, AlabamaBluewater Creek FarmMay 3, 2014

by Abraham RoweP hotography


Kelley Fretwell & Justin Fretwellin Phil Campbell, AlabamaAlan and Tonya Rhudy’s FarmSeptember 27, 2014


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Tara Rinks & Clinton Paytonin Florence, AlabamaTrinity Episcopal ChurchTurtle Point Yacht and Country ClubSeptember 27, 2014

by Kim Box Photography


Kara Myhan & Cody Posey in Tuscumbia, AlabamaValley Grove Baptist ChurchJune 7, 2014


Maggie Putman & Wes Bevisin Rogersville, AlabamaWhitehead Baptist ChurchJanuary 25, 2014



Erin Fielder & Chad Sykesin Muscle Shoals, AlabamaRobert Trent Jones Golf Trial at the Shoals May 10, 2014

by Alabella Studios

Amanda Caldwell & Myers Deanin Fayetteville, AlabamaSacred StoneSeptember 13, 2014


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Grace McLendon & Adam Philip Zillsin Muscle Shoals, Alabama Th e Love HouseAugust 9, 2014


Lindsey Grigsby & Ryan Smithin St Florian, AlabamaSt. Florian Fiber FarmsAugust 2, 2014

by Butler Studio


Lauren Taylor & Chad Bourlandin Muscle Shoals, AlabamaRobert Trent Jones Golf Trail at the ShoalsJune 28, 2014


Morgan Sandoval & Matthew Stevensin Decatur, Alabama Westmeade Baptist ChurchSyke’s Place on Bank StreetMarch 22, 2014


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Jessica Jo Harrison & Tyler James Killenin Tuscumbia, AlabamaBelle Mont Mansion May 31, 2014

by Alabella Studios


Heather Nicole Th igpen & Joseph Dan Suttonin Guntersville, AlabamaLake Guntersville State Park LodgeJune 14, 2014


Krystal Elliott & Zach Taylorin St. Florian, Alabama St. Florian Fiber Farm April 19, 2014


Susanna Burkett & Robert Lance Stephenson, IIin Huntsville, Alabama Huntsville Botanical GardenMay 24, 2014



Haleigh Anise Lisby & Skyler Chase Bainin Tuscumbia, AlabamaGAS Design StudioDecember 14, 2013

by Butler Studio

Katelyn Diane Parkes & Jonathan Mark Partridgein Oxford, MississippiParis-Yates Chapel at Ole Miss Th e Lyric OxfordJune 14, 2014

by Butler Studio

Frances Diane Adams & William Brent Ledgewoodin Florence, AlabamaAdams Family HomeMay 24, 2014

by Breanna Fogg Photography

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Jennifer Lynn Osborn & Blake Nicholas Allenin Florence, AlabamaHudson Family BarnMay 31, 2014


Sabrina Willingham & Markess Gholstonin Miami Beach, FloridaFontainebleauAugust 16, 2014

by Cohart Photography

Alexis Cote & Aaron Loveladyin Muscle Shoals, AlabamaRobert Trent Jones Golf Trail at the ShoalsMay 24, 2014







66 » scene

Above: United Way 2014 Unite to Fight Hunger

Campaign Kick-off and Day of Caringseptember , · florence-lauderdale coliseum

Below: Meff ord Jewelers Grand Openingnovember , · florence

Beth Howard

Volunteers from Girl Scouts, ARC of the Shoals, SunTrust Bank, and the Warming Center

Mayor Mickey Haddock, Mary Lord, and Beth Haddock

Mary Lord and Terry Wicker

Jeff Daniel, Gwen Allen, Adam Collins, Ben Alexander, and Ryan Moore

Rachelle Crosswhite, Deborah Holden, and Brandi Randolph

Regina Campbell, Melissa Bailey, Lyndsey Borden, and Tina Irons

Russell Meff ord and Kevin HudsonHeidi King and Frances Ledgewood

Halley Phillips, Noah Yeager, and Preston McAlexander

Volunteers ready to pack meals

Russell Meff ord, Karen and Stanley Goldstein

Susan BeckettTabitha and Nick Franks Donna Jean Godcheaux, Kevin Sledge, Micha York, and Bryan Farris

Photos by Andy Keenum


DETAILS WE

There's something very chic about these Chia-vari chairs adorned with woven lengths of sumptu-ous fabric. They add a romantic touch to a sit- down dinner.


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Imprinted wine glasses fi lled with a sweet surprise are a simple, useful favor. Take a photo of yourself toasting the bride and groom on their fi rst anniversary, tag them, and post it to your favorite social media.

Made from recycled wine bottles, these aisle markers can be casual, wrapped with jute (here), or more formal, wrapped with satin ribbon or cord. Add a few fl owers, greenery, or even twigs for a coordinated look.

We absolutely adore this hand-lettered and il-lustrated wedding program. Sure, it includes all the pertinent informa-tion, but we love that it also lists the wedding ven-dors, who aren't usually recog-nized.

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The smart phone is here to stay, so why not have fun with it? These pre-ceremony selfi es add a whimsical touch to the wedding album.

A bride and groom with a sense of humor!What a cute way to pass the time while you wait for the festivities to begin.Great for guests with children too!

Extend a small fl oral budget by mixing in seasonal fi nds with more expensive fl owers. Here, small, white “Baby Boo” pumpkins are surprisingly chic in multiples.

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The deckled edges of this thinly rolled fondant remind us of ruched fabric or the delicate petals of a peony. Spectacular! Cake by Peggy Ann Bakery

This “Naked Cake” by Amy’s Cakes is stunning in its simplicity.Perfect for this rustic wedding!

Cool cakes!

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oolllllllllllllll cakkkkkkkkkkkkkes!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See Anyone You Know?For more than 30 years, Riverhill School has been educating students and imparting a lifelong love of learning. To help our students remain connected, we are beginning the Riverhill Alumni Association. Were you a Riverhill student? Do you know someone who was? Please share your contact information so we can connect you to your Riverhill friends!

www.riverhillschool.org

Email your contact information to [email protected] to become an Alumni Association Member!

Call 256-764-8200 or visit

www.riverhillschool.org for more information.



I N T E R I O R S

WHEN STRUCTURE AND BEAUTY MERGE.




How Th ey Met: Erin moved from her hometown of Elkmont, Alabama, to Florence in 2012 for work. When a friend off ered to take her out on the town to meet some new people and en-joy Florence’s First Fridays, she met and instantly connected with Doc, who has been a big part of North Alabama’s music scene for several years. Th e two spent the entire night talki ng and went on their fi rst date just a few weeks later. Th e Pro-posal: During last year’s W.C. Handy Festival, Doc played an acoustic set at the Billy Reid store. After his set was over, the two went to another show. When they got home after their night out, Doc asked Erin if she would sew up a hole in his pants pocket. “When he turned the pocket inside out, the ring appeared,” says Erin. “Th ere was no hole. He had been carry-ing the ring around in his pocket for days. He was planning a bigger proposal later in the week, but he just couldn’t wait!” Number of guests: 130 Vintage Vows: Antique Southern chic was the theme of the day, as the couple exchanged vows along the banks of the Tennessee River in McFarland Park. Erin arrived to the ceremony in a blue 1960s Cadillac Con-vertible once owned by the late, famed record producer Sam Phillips. While planning the wedding, Erin and her mother shopped online and in antique stores to fi nd serving ware, decorations, vintage cake stands, and old milk bottles for the fl owers. She also used her late grandmother’s glassware and handkerchiefs for table centerpieces. White mums were the perfect fi nishing touch for a fall wedding celebration. Some-thing Blue: Erin wore a hand-dyed indigo wrap, which ex-actly matched her blue vintage arrival car, and was the per-fect accent for the crisp, fall day. She wore blue shoes as well. Wedding Th reading: Erin’s hands-on approach to her eclec-tic wedding didn’t stop short with the dress. As an employee of Alabama Chanin, North Alabama’s fashion warehouse known worldwide for its intricate, handmade garments, she had very specifi c ideas about how her dress would be made. “I knew from the time I began working there that I wanted one of their dresses for my wedding,” says Erin. “I found a style I liked and created a fl ower design to go on the dress that was inspired by one of my grandmother’s kerchiefs.” Erin found a way to literally weave her friends and family into her dress, bringing her work-in-progress along on a bachelorette beach weekend planned by her sister and friends. “Everyone sewed part of my dress, even if they weren’t the best seam-stress,” says Erin. “Some of the girls I work with also hosted a party and helped me work on my dress. I asked everyone who helped to stitch their initials next to the part that they sewed, so I will always have those memories in my dress.” Fall Fare: Guests enjoyed some of the bride and groom’s favor-ite Southern staples: Whitt’s BBQ, roasted jalapeno slaw, and macaroni and cheese. Imagine Th at Bakery provided a vari-ety of cupcake fl avors as well as a red velvet wedding cake. Wedding Day Takeaway: “Sometimes you forget how many people you have in your life who are so amazing and how wonderful your family and friends are,” says Erin. “Seeing ev-eryone there together from all parts and times of our lives certainly reinforces it.”

ERIN & DOC

Couple: Erin Stephenson and Doc Dailey

Date: October , » Place: McFarland Park

Photos by Abraham Rowe PhotographyText by Sara Wright Covington






MORGAN & STEPHEN

Photos by Armosa StudiosText by Sara Wright Covington


Seeing Sparks: Th e couple met in 2012 at a downtown Bir-

mingham restaurant. Morgan was having a post-kick ball

game drink with friends when she noticed Steven. “I spotted

a handsome guy at the end of the bar,” says Morgan. “We

eventually made eye contact and after a lot of smiling back

and forth, he came over and we struck up a conversation.

By the end of the evening, we had exchanged numbers and

made plans to see each other that following weekend.” De-

spite their plans to see each other the next weekend, the two

spent the next day texting and decided they didn’t want to

wait another week to see one another and made dinner plans

for the following day after work. Morgan recalls not having

time to go home after work to change clothes before their

date that day and how her outfi t choice would end up playing

a signifi cant role in their wedding. “Unfortunately for me, I

decided to wear a pair of bright purple pants to work that

day,” says Morgan. “Purple pants don’t exactly scream fi rst

date material, after all! Th ankfully Steven looked past the

crazy choice in outfi t and we had a wonderful dinner and

date.” Steven never forgot the purple pants, and the couple

used the pant color as inspiration for their wedding color

scheme. Th e Proposal: In December of 2012, Morgan and

Steven went to a movie at the Alabama Th eatre with Mor-

gan’s parents and brother. After the movie, Morgan noticed

a crowd gathering around the theatre marquee. “I turned

around to see what all the fuss was about when I saw ‘Mor-

gan, Will You Marry Me?’ written in lights on top of the mar-

quee,” remembers Morgan. “Of course I said ‘YES!” Number

of Guests: 220 Saying Yes to the Dress: After Morgan said

“yes” to Steven, she made an appointment at Kleinfeld Bridal

in New York City to secure her perfect gown. “My mom and

I have talked for years about going to New York to pick out

my wedding dress,” says Morgan. “So as soon as it sank it

that I was getting married, I got online and made that ap-

pointment.” Weeks later, Morgan fl ew to New York with her

mom, grandmother, and maid of honor. After trying on just a

few dresses, Morgan found herself saying “yes” once again. “I

knew that it was my dress from the very moment that I saw it

on the hanger,” she says. “It was beautiful! I slipped the dress

on, and looked in the mirror. It was amazing. I practically

bolted out of the dressing room and back to the show room

to show my girls. Th ey knew the moment that they saw it as

well. THIS was my dress.” Southern Table: Instead of the

typical buff et-style wedding spread of quiche and crab cakes,

Morgan and Steven decided to serve guests in a way more

suited to their old-South style wedding. “Our wedding took

place on a large Southern plantation complete with a South-

ern mansion and little white chapel on the property,” says

Morgan. “Instead of doing a buff et or a traditional sit-down

dinner, we decided to do a family-style dinner.” Once guests

were seated at outdoor tables beneath a cool canopy of lan-

tern-draped trees, they were served muffi ns, cornbread, and

biscuits with Southern jams followed by a dinner of roast

beef with vegetables, pecan crusted chicken, stuff ed peppers,

and mini corn puddings—all by Kathy G. & Company. Wed-

ding Day Takeaway: Morgan and Steven chose not to do a

formal introduction once they entered the reception, waiting

until after everyone had been seated for dinner before they

entered. “As Steven and I made our way into the reception

area, we happened to stop at the fi rst table to say hello to

guests,” says Morgan. “Th at led to us making our way to the

next table, then the next, and eventually to each and every

table. Th at was the only unplanned thing of the day and was

actually one of my favorite parts of the evening. I loved that I

knew without a doubt in my mind that I spoke to each of the

220 people there,” says Morgan.

Couple: Morgan and Steven Sparks » Date: April , » Place: The Oaks Plantation







Th e Meeting: Marisa and Matthew met by chance when

Matthew’s band, Belle Adair, took some photos in front of

Marisa’s paintings that were on display at Rivertown Coff ee.

Th e artistic pair reveal little else about that fi rst meeting,

but suffi ce it to say they defi nitely connected. “Let’s just say

that the stars aligned,” says Marisa. Number of Guests: 100

Change of a Dress: Marisa originally purchased the dress

she planned to wear about a year prior to the wedding. “I

loved it,” says Marisa, “but about a month before the wed-

ding, I found the one I’m wearing in the photos. Th e texture

is soutache embroidery and I ordered it online and it was a

perfect fi t. It just made me feel instantly comfortable.” Th e

dress’s timeless tea length also showed off Marisa’s J.Crew

snakeskin pumps. Using materials she found on ETSY, she

made her own veil and also handcrafted a leather wedding

clutch from her own line of leather bags called Scout by Two.

“Th e whole outfi t was ’it’ for me,” she says. “Any dress can

be a wedding dress, as long as it makes you feel beautiful.”

Something Borrowed: Marisa wore a gold cuff belonging to

her mother. Something Old: She also carried the Irish han-

ky bonnet she was given as a baby. “It’s an old Irish tradition

to cut the strings of the bonnet and use the handkerchief on

your wedding day,” says Marisa. Cozy Garden Chic: Marisa

and Matt kept their focus on being able to enjoy the day and

stayed close to a simple, classic theme. “We kept the decor

simple,” says Marisa. “I prefer a clean, modern look, but also

wanted some romance. Our motto was less is more.” Marisa

created the bouquets, arrangements, and garlands with help

from family and friends using fresh garden roses, ranuncu-

lus, seeded eucalyptus, and Italian ruscus. Soul Style: Af-

ter the ceremony, friends and family listened to the couple’s

favorite selections of classic soul, R&B, and funk while sit-

ting down to family-style fare, featuring healthy, gourmet

specialties such as smoked paprika chicken, red quinoa salad

with garam masala, lemony potato salad with dill, sweet corn

and kale salad with feta, and roasted vegetables with rose-

mary—all catered by Rivertown Coff ee. Th ey also enjoyed a

vanilla cake with almond buttercream icing from Aunt Bea’s

in Tuscumbia. Wedding Day Takeaway: Because Marisa

was raised in New Jersey and Matt is from Alabama, the

couple have close friends and family from all over the North

and South. So when planning their wedding, the private pair

really just wanted to focus on the bigger picture of sharing

time with their loved ones. “It was so important to us to have

a small wedding so we would be able to greet everyone and

enjoy the day with our guests. It turned out to be great and

we got to spend time with everyone who came. My favorite

part was not the party or the clothes but having our family

and friends together and marrying the best man I’ve ever

met. Everyone (including us) was so happy.”

Couple: Marisa Keris and Matthew Green » Date: September ,

Place: Garden of First Methodist Church

MARISA & MATT








Th e Meeting: Th e couple fi rst met while attending the Uni-

versity of North Alabama. After Ashley transferred to the

University of Alabama her junior year, she returned home

to the Shoals the summer before her senior year and the two

hit it off again. Th e Proposal: Jacob had always told Ash-

ley that he would never propose on her birthday because it

was just too cliché. “I had a feeling the proposal was com-

ing the summer it happened but knew it wouldn’t happen

on my birthday,” says Ashley. “He told me he was taking me

to a very nice restaurant a day before my birthday, so I just

knew this was going to be it. I dressed up and had my nails

done just in case. But, it didn’t happen.” Th e next day the

two spent the day celebrating Ashley’s birthday with friends

when Jacob asked her to go and watch fi reworks with him

at McFarland Park. “It was raining, I was the opposite of

dressed up, and completely oblivious that my life was about

to change for the better,” says Ashley. “He proposed there,

on a blanket, with fi reworks in the background, and it was

perfect.” Number of Guests: 300 Waterside Wedding:

Ashley and Jacob describe their celebration as “preppy chic,”

but weren’t too rigid when it came to sticking to one spe-

cifi c theme. “We didn’t really pick a style and run with it,”

says Ashley. “We mostly just went with what we liked. For

instance, I love French macaroons, so we had those. We used

a lot of navy and white stripes since we were by the water,

but also to give it the extra preppy feel, along with the bow

ties.” Something Old: Along with her bouquet, Ashley car-

ried an heirloom Bible that was given to her mother as a gift

for Ashley’s baby shower in 1988. Something New: Ashley’s

dress and satin Kate Spade pumps. Something Borrowed:

A sixpence loaned to her from her mother- and father-in-

law to be. Something Blue: A sapphire ring Jacob gave her

for their fi rst Christmas together. Family Aff air: Ashley’s

grandfather ministered the wedding, and both her father

and stepfather walked her down the aisle. Nuptial Knot: “Ja-

cob and I wanted to do something diff erent in the ceremony

other than combining sand or lighting candles,” says Ashley.

“We came up with intertwining three ropes in our wedding

colors which represented God, Jacob, and me. We called it

“God’s knot”. We intertwined them in the ceremony while

my grandfather held them. It’s now hanging in our house.”

Wedding Day Takeaway: Ashley and Jacob both agree that

their favorite memory of the day is seeing each other for

the fi rst time before the ceremony. “We met by the water at

Turtle Point a little bit before guests arrived and saw each

other for the fi rst time that day,” says Ashley. “Th e weather

was perfect, and the scenery was gorgeous. It was such a spe-

cial moment for us.”

Couple: Ashley Wallace and Jacob Feltman

Date: June ,

Place: Turtle Point Yacht & Country Club

ASHLEY & JACOB

Photos by Alabella StudiosText by Sara Wright Covington




KATHERINE & BLAKE

Photos by Butler StudioText by Sara Wright Covington



Greek Meeting: Katherine and Blake fi rst met in 2010 through mutual friends at the University of North Alabama. Th ey took a prophetic fi rst photo together on UNA’s Bid Day. “Blake was an ATO and I was a ZETA,” recalls Katherine. “I was dressed up as a straw-berry in the picture for ZETA!” Th e Proposal: Early in their friendship, Blake and Katherine often went to the Splash Pad to just sit and talk. It was during one of those evenings of talking when stronger feelings be-gan to develop. “So on the day of our proposal, Blake told me to get ready and we would have a few cocktails before our date that evening,” says Katherine. “Instead of taking me to the Marriott, Blake detoured down to the Splash Pad to where we would hang out. He then told me, ‘Th is is the place where I knew I really liked you and should have kissed you that night. So to make it up to you, I want to ask you to make me the happi-est man on this planet and ask you to be my wife.’ My mouth instantly fell open with excitement and shock. And of course, I said YES!” Number of Guests: 300 Th e Dress: Katherine wore a chiff on ball gown with a sweetheart neckline and a beaded silver belt as an accent. Special Deliveries: Th roughout the day and while Katherine was getting ready, Blake found a way to make himself present with her although they were apart before the ceremony. “Blake had each grooms-man bring down a gift for me,” remembers Katherine. “Th e fi rst gift was the movie Titanic. It was the fi rst movie we watched together. Th e second was a box of Ghirardelli chocolate, which is my favorite. Th e third

was my favorite Moscato wine. Next was a bouquet of fl owers because I kid with Blake that he never gets me fl owers. My favorite gift was a Bible with my new name engraved on it. Th e fi nal gift was a letter written from Blake.” Something Old: Katherine carried a lace hand-kerchief that belonged to her grandmother that she wrapped around her bouquet. Something Borrowed: Toasting goblets that have been passed from wedding to wedding in Katherine’s family. Signature Cocktails: Strawberry Margaritas and Old Fashioneds. Classic Soul: At the reception, guests danced the night away to classic/soul band Entice. Th e eight-man band featured trombones, trumpets, and saxophones and played ev-erything from Motown to modern-day hits. Wedding Day Takeaway: After raining all morning, ominous clouds still hovered overhead right up until time for the outdoor, lakeside ceremony. “Th e bridal party was lined up ready to walk down the aisle and I saw it starting to sprinkle,” says Katherine. I looked frantically at Mrs. Skipworth, our preacher’s wife, and said, “why is it rain-ing?” Th e bridal party kept on walking as if no rain was falling at all. As I began to walk out, the rain stopped and the clouds literally parted and the sun started to shine. When I got to Blake, I saw little raindrops on his glasses from where he didn’t wipe them off . Th e wed-ding went on and was completely dry the rest of the ceremony. Some of the guests even said that there were two doves that came and sat down on the railing behind us during the ceremony. Everything was perfect.”

Couple: Katherine Vandiver and Blake Clark » Date: May ,

Place: The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at the Shoals






Th e Meeting: Jason and Ashley met in high school through mutual friends. Post-it Proposal: Jason managed to make a typical Wednesday wonderful. Th e two had been running errands after work when he brought her home to her apart-ment. “When we got to my apartment,” remembers Ashley, “there was a note on my door and when I walked inside, he had covered the inside of my apartment with over a 100 little Post-it notes. Each had a reason why I love you written on it.” Number of Guests: 300 Autumn Nuptials: Ashley and Jason made the most of the October fall foliage, using rib-bon to tie the season’s vibrantly colored fl owers and Jackson vine to the altar and to the wooden beams in the church ceil-ing. Rustic Chic: After the ceremony, guests celebrated the couple at Ashley’s family’s farm. “Th ere were lights in the trees that you passed on the driveway,” says Ashley. “Th e en-tire barn ceiling was full of twigs and Jackson vine. We also had vintage chandeliers throughout the barn, with one large one in the center.” To complete the fall feeling, tables were covered in candles and golden leaves with mismatched china and gold fl atware. Large white couches sat just beyond the dance fl oor, creating a lounge area. Toasted Treats: Guests enjoyed catering provided by Dish Café, including a fi nale of s’mores. “We had little fl ames in rustic buckets full of char-coal so that people could roast their marshmallows and then choose chocolate bars or Reese cups to put in their s’mores,” says Ashley. Taking the Cake: Guests also enjoyed a “naked cake”—meaning it was adorned with more fl owers than ic-ing—from Amy’s Cakes. “I was a little nervous because I had only seen these in pictures,” says Ashley, “but it was so beau-tiful and unique. My wedding planner, Ashley Winkle, found a tree trunk and we cut it down to make the cake stand, which was an awesome touch and added to the rustic, natu-ral feel of the reception.” Personal Touches: Ashley enjoys using her creative instincts and crafting, so she let her wed-ding serve as an opportunity to create as many things as she could. “After I got the fi rst proof of our wedding invitations, I decided they looked too much like everyone else’s invita-tions,” she says. “So I found a place in Michigan that screen printed the invitation onto wood. I had a wax seal stamp made with a logo I designed for the wedding and wax sealed all of the wedding programs (I only caught one on fi re).” For the out-of-town guests, Ashley and Jason created handmade wine labels and had bottles of wine waiting for guests when they arrived to their rooms. Wedding Day Takeaway: After the couple got married, the wedding party gathered to take pictures, where they were interrupted by one of the family horses who got right in the middle of the pictures. “After-wards, Jason and I rode down to the covered bridge and our photographer (Abraham Rowe) took photos of just Jason and me,” says Ashley. “It was such an awesome moment because it was kind of like the calm before all the craziness of the recep-tion where we were fi nally together and could talk about the day and just be excited together about just getting married.”

Couple: Ashley Neill and Jason Reynolds

Date: October ,

Place: Woodmont Baptist Church


ASHLEY & JASON






88.7 FM Muscle Shoals • 100.7 FM Huntsvillewww.apr.org

News, classicalmusic and more

110 » bless their hearts » Sarah Gaede

Nature spits on the seasonal calendar. No month is a safe bet.

As one who catered weddings for eleven years, and has offi ciated weddings

as an Episcopal priest for almost twenty years, there is one thing I know beyond a

shadow of a doubt: when it comes to weddings, NATURE IS NOT YOUR FRIEND.

Now, I know you young brides-to-be want to be one with nature by having your wed-

ding ceremonies and receptions out in the wild. Here’s what decades of experience

say to that: Save nature for your honeymoon. You will be much less stressed if you get

married indoors, in a heated or air-conditioned space, and your guests will be much

more comfortable. (Believe it or not, your wedding is not just about you.) Until the

1960s and the whole back-to-nature movement, no one would have considered be-

ing married outdoors. Weddings were special occasions that took place as far from

nature as possible. Th ink church, or fancy hotel ballroom, or Las Vegas. Nature is

bugs and snakes, thunderstorms and heatwaves, snow and ice. Nature is wild, fi ckle,

treacherous, and sly. It is not your BFF, and will turn on you in a heartbeat. I know this

from personal experience, examples of which I share below.

It’s not just the dog days of summer, with a guaranteed combination of humidity

and temperature in the upper nineties, that are a poor choice for outdoor weddings.

Nature will seduce you with a vision of perfect spring weather and fl owers blooming

everywhere, meanwhile erasing all memory of the biting insects that accompany said

perfect weather. Th e guests will reek of Avon Skin So Soft or the dryer sheets

tucked in their sleeves or bodices as insect repellent. Th e bride will

have to cut the cake immediately after the ceremony for pho-

tographic purposes, since her bosom is breaking out in

welts from no-see-um bites.

Nature spits on the seasonal calendar. No

month is a safe bet. Nature can time an

enormous cold front in October, ac-

companied by torrential rain, to push

through just as the guests arrive

from a church wedding (as God

intended) to your mama’s

tented backyard. Nor-

mally a tent would provide

protection, but Nature will not be denied. In the fury of the

storm, the water will begin to lap around the extension cord heating the tender-

loin warmer, threatening electrocution, and creep farther and farther into the leaking

tent. Th e bar manager will slip and injure her back. Th e temperature will plummet 30

degrees, and the guests will be wet and cold.

Nature will trap the wedding musicians in a cave on a nature preserve, as a band of vi-

olent thunderstorms moves through. Th e band, protective of their expensive instru-

MOTHER NATURE OF THE BRIDE

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ments, will be stuck there for hours with no food or drink,

until fi nally the mother and father of the bride bring them

watermelon in exchange for a private concert. Th ey will be

ferried out by Gator long after the wet guests, the food, and

the wine have all departed.

Nature is capable of a surprise heat wave in Atlanta during

Memorial Day weekend, which usually has ideal weather for

an outdoor wedding. Th e offi ciant, dripping sweat, will be-

gin to talk slower and slower, like Reverend Lovejoy on the

Simpsons. She will look so distressed that one of the guests

will consider running up and throwing cold water on her

halfway through the ceremony. To recover, she will take off as

much as is decent, including her shoes, stand in front of the

giant fan in the reception tent, and guzzle a beer as quickly

as possible. She will also insist on being photoshopped out

of all the wedding pictures because she looks like a drowned

rat. As God is her witness, she will NEVER do an outdoor

wedding again. Never, ever, ever. Th ere is not enough money

in the world. So don’t even ask.

My daughter Martha, who lives in Charleston, South Caro-

lina, got married on October 4 at the ripe old age of 39, in her

historic downtown church, as God intended. Despite know-

ing the risks, she opted for an outdoor reception at a private

club in the country—with a huge tent and a large clubhouse

that could hold all the guests in comfort in case of inclement

weather.

It drizzled at the end of cocktails on the terrace at Martha’s

rehearsal dinner (no big deal—we just toddled to the bar in-

side), but the weather for the reception could not have been

more perfect. Ideal temperature, no humidity, no bugs. We

are all convinced the gorgeous weather was due to a ritual

I’d never heard of, but am happy to pass on for those of you

who still have your hearts set on a wedding in the not-so-

great outdoors. Exactly one month before the wedding, bury

a full, unopened bottle of bourbon, upside down, at the site

of the festivities. You don’t want to sacrifi ce your precious

bottle of Pappy Van Winkle, but it should be something de-

cent. After the ceremony, dig up the bottle and share it with

the wedding party at the reception. Th is ritual worked per-

fectly for Martha and Charley, along with a well-thought-out

contingency plan for both foreseen and unexpected weather

catastrophes, a positive attitude, and the understanding that

there is no such thing as a “perfect” wedding. Something

unforeseen will always happen. Th ere are worse things than

bad weather (like, say, one of your bridesmaids being so hun-

gover she throws up in the church while waiting to process

down the aisle, but that’s a story for another day). God will-

ing, whatever surprise comes your way, you will be laughing

about it at your 50th anniversary, which I hope you will have

the good sense to hold indoors.


Thirty years ago, the standard wedding invitation was

engraved, using a formal font and a fairly standard pattern:

Mr. and Mrs. John Doe cordially invite you to the wedding of

their daughter, Mary Ellen, to John Campbell Smith, at 7 o-

clock in the evening at Christ Church in Anytown, Alabama.

An engraved invitation describes a particular way of print-

ing, with black ink (usually) applied to a white or cream-

colored paper. It was formal, beautiful, and to-the-point: the

recipient knew what to expect.

Boy, things have changed. Weddings have become more

personalized, less formal, and more an expression of the

bride’s personality. As a result, hand-designed invitations

by calligraphers have become popular. And having wed-

ding invitation envelopes hand-addressed has always been

a requirement, whether the invitation is casual or engraved;

there is something special about receiving a beautiful hand-

addressed invitation.

“Th ere are two types of calligraphy,” said Christina Green.

“Th ere is a very classical style, and there’s a modern form,

Above: Place cards and a hand-lettered and illustrated wedding invitation by Christina Green. Facing page: A casual hand-lettered wedding invitation and directions insert by Rowan Finnegan, with illustrations by Chelsea Holeman.

Beautiful, by Handtext by allen tomlinson



which is very popular now. Th e modern form you can’t fi nd

as a computer font, but it’s a much more casual style.”

Even though you can fi nd classical fonts for computer-gen-

erated invitations, it doesn’t replace a hand-drawn piece, ac-

cording to artist Rowan Finnegan. “I would describe my style

as ‘imperfect,’” said Rowan. “My lines aren’t always perfect

and I’m self-taught, rather than trained in calligraphy. I like

to think that adds character to my designs.”

Which is exactly the point. Brides are looking for ways to

get away from impersonal, computer-generated, or mass-

produced looks to something artfully and lovingly created

by hand. It fi ts perfectly with the current trend of having

the bride and her mother and friends creating gifts for the

guests, or hand-making decorations for the day; the hand-

created invitations can range from wildly whimsical, to shab-

by chic to extremely formal.

“Th e fi rst wedding invitation I worked on was for good

friends,” said Rowan. “Susan, the bride, had my roommate

paint some watercolors for the invitation, and she was look-

ing for someone to do some cursive to match the paintings.

She asked me if I could help. I told her I’d never done cal-

ligraphy before, but I’d give it a shot. Luckily, she was happy

with the outcome.”

Christina has a similar story. “I have two master’s degrees,

neither in art,” she said. “My mother was an artist, but not

a calligrapher—she is an impressionist artist, but she was

an infl uence on me. While I was at Birmingham Southern,

a professor remarked that my handwriting looked like 15th

century calligraphy. I’m not sure that was a compliment, but

it made me interested in learning more about it. I began by

doing things for friends, as a hobby.”

Both Rowan and Christina agree on several important points.

First, a hand-designed invitation or hand-addressed enve-

lopes take a lot of time. “Wedding invitations vary in the time

required,” said Rowan, “and take me anywhere from one hour,

for something simple, to four or fi ve hours per design. If I’m

addressing envelopes, I can usually get about ten envelopes

addressed per hour.” Christina asks brides to give her three to

four weeks at a minimum to turn around a project, both be-

cause it takes time to complete and because of her workload.

“If you’re going to have someone hand-address your enve-

lopes, make sure to order extra!” said Rowan. “Th ere are


bound to be a few

mess-ups.”

Th e project begins

with a meeting be-

tween the artist and

the bride. It’s impor-

tant that the artist

understand the feel-

ing the bride is trying

to convey, as well as

the formality or ca-

sualness of the event.

If there are special details that the bride wants included, be

sure to mention them. Creating a hand-made wedding invi-

tation is intensely personal, so the artist needs to understand

all of the relevant details before the project begins. “And

please ask for samples of our work,” said Christina. “I want

to make sure you like my style and will get what you want

before the project gets started.”

Th e calligrapher will typically ask for a deposit before design

begins, and will be able to give the bride a fairly fi rm estimate

for the project, including any additional charges if the bride

adds to the guest list or makes last-minute changes after the

design has been completed. Th e bride and the artist should

discuss all of the pieces needed.—will there be an invitation,

envelopes, place cards for tables, a program for the wedding,

or anything special to give as a gift to special friends or fam-

ily members? Th e timetable should be established, and then

the artist is ready to make the magic happen.

“I use water-based inks,” said Rowan. “I have a close friend

whose grandfather was an illustrator. He gave me a variety of

pen nibs from his grandfather’s old stash,

and that’s what I typically use. If I’m do-

ing small block letters, I tend to go with a

micro pen.” Some artists sketch their de-

signs in pencil, or letter in pencil to use

as a guide when the ink is applied. But

not always. “My script letters are typically

freehand, but I may make a few marks in

pencil to use as guides,” Rowan said. “For

small block letters, I usually loose trace

over some printouts.” Christina agrees,

and uses pencil for formatting, going over

it with watercolor and ink from an old-

fashioned dip well.

To someone who is not an artist, it all sounds complicat-

ed—but what do the artists think are the hardest parts of

their craft? Keeping a steady hand, mostly—and keeping

those hands from cramping after a lot of time drawing,

coloring, and inking.

Th e most important thing you can give the artist is time.

Unlike computer-generated invitations, a hand-crafted piece

requires skill, fi nesse, and lots and lots of time. “We can turn

things quickly if we have to,” said Christina, “but the fi nal

product will be better and you can avoid rush charges if you

give us time to work.”

Traditionally, wedding invitations are mailed six to eight

weeks before the wedding, which gives guests plenty of time

to arrange their calendars and make travel arrangements, if

they are coming from out of town. If it’s a destination wed-

ding, it’s better to give guests three months’ notice, and many

brides rely on “save-the-date” cards. Add four to six weeks

for the calligrapher, at a minimum, and you’re looking at get-

ting things started about six months prior to the big day.

If you are planning a traditional church wedding, an en-

graved invitation might still be the choice for you. If you are

planning a more personalized event, a visit with a calligra-

pher is defi nitely worth your time. Either way, the invitation

will give your guests their fi rst glance into the beautiful aff air

they will be witnessing. It’s your personal statement .

Area Artists and Calligraphers

Looking for an artist to do some hand-lettering or design?

Rowan Finneganrkfi [email protected]

Christina Greenwww.theturquoisecardinal.com

Left: Christina Green designed this bright and casual menu to let wedding guests know what to expect. Right: This wedding invitation, designed by Rowan Finnegan, is an expression of the bride’s personality and gives guests a glimpse of the tone of the wedding.


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Wedding Inviation Essentials

We have this on great authority—none other than Emily Post. When

you are considering the language and design of your wedding

invitation, please, please follow Emily Post’s do’s and don’ts:

Do:Allow plenty of time. Your guests are busy people and need time

to plan. Your wedding invitation designer needs time to make the

invitation and envelopes personal and beautiful. The post offi ce

needs time to deliver everything. Plan ahead!

Get organized. Obviously, the fi rst job is to put together the

guest list, and sometimes that is a challenge in itself. Once it’s been

decided, though, you need to make sure you have proper addresses

for everyone. If you’re going to hand-address the envelopes yourself,

you need a system for addressing, assembling, inserting into the

envelope, sealing, and stamping. And while you’re developing this

system, have you considered special stamps? The post offi ce has a

variety of options, but not everything is readily available. Be sure to

factor in time for all of this!

Ask for help. Chances are you have friends or family members who

would love to be a part of this project.

Use correct names and titles of all the guests. If cousin Mary is a

doctor and her husband is named Carl, your invitation is much more

personal and fl attering if you address it properly. “Ms. Mary Smith

and guest” doesn’t have the same personal touch.

Do Not:Include the registry or gift information. It’s considered very

poor taste to insert a list of places where the bride and groom are

registered or a checklist of the things they want.

Forget to include appropriate information. Maps, directions,

hotel information, or other pertinent details can be included as an

insert—but don’t forget to include them!

Send the guest list in waves. Invite your entire guest list at the

same time, rather than sending out a fi rst wave and then waiting to

see who responds before inviting others.

Use address labels. You may not want to pay a calligrapher to hand-

address your wedding invitation envelopes, and that’s fi ne—but you

have to do it by hand yourself. Avery labels on invitations make the

invitation look like junk mail or a mass mailing to thousands.

Use the phrases “No gifts” or “No children.” Indicating that

gifts are not required might be a nice gesture, but it doesn’t have

any place on a wedding invitation. And the way you address your

invitation will let the recipient know if the children are invited. If

they are, add them to the address: “Mr. and Mrs. John Smith, Ashley,

Damien, and Jason.” If they are not, don’t include them: “Mr. and Mrs.

John Smith.” If the recipient calls to respond to the invitation and

asks if additional guests (including children) can come, deal with

it then.

Pin your inviation to the bulletin board at work. Actually,

you could do this if you’d like—but be prepared for everyone and

anyone to show up! Anyone special enough to be invited to your

wedding should be personally invited to your wedding.



118 » market » Ashley Winkle » Photos by Danny Mitchell

Secco Prosecco ($13.99)Th e Wine Seller(256) 766-1568

Madeline Stuart JasmaNew Bone Heel ($39.95)

James & Alma(256) 764-4400

Peach Love CreamShift Dress ($44.95)

TRU Identity(256) 577-5177

Bali Printed Bangle Set ($14.95)

Market House(256) 577-5197

Amber Water Goblet($12.99 ea.)

Th e French Basket(256) 764-1237

Lilly Pulitzer ShorelyBlue Earrings ($48)

Printers & Stationers, Inc. (PSI)(256) 764-8061

Carrot & Gibbs TealSilk Bow Tie ($62)

Leo Martin(256) 381-1006


Kapparel Green/Pink Double Knit Fringe Dress ($152)

Audie Mescal(256) 314-6684

Back Forty Naked Pig Pale ($1.75)

Th e Wine Seller(256) 766-1568

Bark Ice Bucket ($100)Th e French Basket

(256) 764-1237

Frye Melissa Button Cognac Boots ($348)

Alabama Outdoors(256) 764-1809

Lucy’s Lockets Heart & Key Necklace ($95)Audie Mescal

(256) 314-6684

South Life Bullet Cuffl inks ($50)

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Wire Basket ($10.99)Surprise Store(256) 766-6810

120 » market » Ashley Winkle » Photos by Danny Mitchell

Juliska Champagne Flute($68 ea.)


Jade Red Ruffl e SleeveSheath Dress ($118)

Marigail (256) 764-9444

Southern Proper Navy Check ($98)

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Touch Ups Charisma ($72)Cherry Tree Lane

(256) 767-4262

14 kt White Gold Bel Air Pendant with 8.82 ct Sapphire and .36 ct Diamond ($2,895)

Meff ord Jewelers(256) 275-7030

Brighton Meridian Earrings ($48)

Th e Village Shoppe(256) 383-1133

Heidsieck & Co Monopole Champagne ($45.99)



Laetitia California Brut Cuvee ($25.99)The Wine Seller(256) 766-1568

Jonathan Kayne Austria Heels ($172)

Cherry Tree Lane(256) 767-4262

Art Deco Beaded ChainNecklace ($56)

Ann Aldridge Boutique(256) 284-7308

Ya Glitz & Glam CreamA-Line Dress ($49.95)

Market House(256) 577-5197

Laetitia California Brut Cuvee ($25.99)


Platinum Edge Wine GlassSet of 4 ($60)


The Guide To

GETTING HITCHEDWITHOUT A HITCH

text by sara wright covington

“Many brides want outdoor ceremonies but it is important that your venue can provide you

with a backup plan in case of inclement weather.”

•

Sandy Nelson, Nelson Place



Weddings have come a long way from modest, cook-

ie-cutter church basement receptions with cake and punch.

And don’t get us wrong, simple and sweet can be absolutely

perfect. But social sites like Pinterest have made us all believe

that with a barn, a little raffi a, and some Mason jars, we can

pull off a wedding soiree worthy enough to grace the pages of

Martha Stewart’s bridal issue. In reality, even an “eff ortlessly

chic” event does not come off without a whole lot of eff ort.

Whether your wedding style is simple or super sophisticat-

ed, walking down the aisle should be a special, stress-free

day for you and your fi ancé. And in order to help navigate

through all those “do and don’t” decisions before you say “I

do,” we’ve compiled advice from some of the very best wed-

ding planners, photographers, caterers, fl orists, and more.

So take a deep breath—and lots of notes—and allow North

Alabama’s most adept professionals to guide you to the al-

tar—and beyond.

First Things FirstMaking a Guest List: Before any of the wedding planning

can properly begin, our experts agree that the fi rst step

should be creating the guest list. “Th e number you come up

with will dictate your entire wedding,” says wedding planner

Ashley Winkle. “More people means more invitations, food,

plates, cups, drinks, etc., which can eat into your budget.”

Winkle also advocates talking to your fi ancé and writing out

a vision of what you both want the day to look like before

making any specifi c plans. “Th is will help you to stay on track

and not lose sight of what you want your day to be as you

are bombarded with ideas from every vendor you talk with,”

she says.

Venue, Venue, VenueAfter tackling the task of the guest list, securing the venue is

the next major step before more planning can ensue. When

booking a location, there are several factors to keep in mind

that may help in the decision process. Consider Logistics:

“If your ceremony and reception are at diff erent locations,

make sure they are within a reasonable driving distance for

your guests,” says Chelsea Kennedy of Coates & Kennedy.

Th e guest list should also play a major role in determining

the venue, as it is mandatory there is adequate room for all

of the guests. “If the venue you are renting has a capacity of

150, please don’t invite 300 people,” advises Cindy Hallman,

the rental facility manager of the Huntsville Botanical Gar-

dens. “You probably will not have 300 guests but you may

have over 200, and you and your guests will be very uncom-

fortable.” Consider the Climate: Taking the weather into

consideration is also key when making plans. “Many brides

want outdoor ceremonies but it is important that your venue

can provide you with a back-up plan in case of inclement

weather,” says Sandy Nelson of Nelson Place in Florence.

And if you are having an outdoor wedding, it’s also wise to

take into account where the sun will be at the time of your

ceremony. “Make sure that your venue is in complete shade

at your start time,” says Hallman. “Unless your ceremony is

in a completely treed landscape, 3 p.m. is a terrible time for

an outdoor ceremony.” Know Your Needs: Lastly, whatever

venue you choose, make sure it matches the vision you have

for your wedding. “Th e venue needs to match your person-

ality and your needs,” says Nelson. “It’s also important that

your venue’s host or hostess truly is interested in making

your wedding day your dream come true.”

Catering Is KeySecond only to the bride, the food at your wedding is likely

to be the other star of the show. Guests will arrive to the re-

ception hungry and ready to enjoy whatever spread you have

chosen for them. Our catering experts at Dish Café, Sweet

Basil Café, and Cyn Shea’s have years of wedding catering

under their belts and believe these tips will help the food ser-

vice go most smoothly at the reception. Consider the Ven-

ue When Planning the Menu: “Be fl exible with the menu

until meeting with your caterer and picking the location,”

says Tracy Posey at Dish Café. “Not all venues are amenable

to all menus.” Th e size of the kitchen will also dictate the type

of service you should have, as a plated dinner for a wedding

of 300+ is not feasible without the proper space to prepare.

Also, if the wedding is outdoors, consider whether or not

there will be running water, electricity, and other amenities

available or close by. Consider the Environment: Brides

should have realistic expectations and pay attention to the

setting when making catering choices. “Don’t use Pinterest

as the ‘Wedding Bible,’” advises Katrina Hudson at Sweet

Basil Café. “Many Pinterest ideas work only for destination

weddings, certain climates, etc.” For example, brides should

remember that certain foods won’t hold up as well in the

extreme heat of an outdoor reception. Th erefore, ice sculp-

tures and elaborate cakes aren’t ideal for an alfresco Alabama

summer wedding. Consider the Season: When it comes

to the time of year the wedding is taking place, the seasons

should defi nitely play a role in what foods are served. Choos-

ing fruits and vegetables that are in season will not only save

extra money in your budget, but they will also taste better.

“It’s defi nitely smarter to consider those seasonal items,” says

Cynthia Hart of Cyn Shea’s. “One of my favorite times of year

is spring because in North Alabama we have the luxury of

local strawberries for only three or four weeks, so anything

we can do in those spring weddings from late April to early

May, we want to celebrate with those strawberries. And in

the fall, you might use new apples, pears, and hard squashes

to make your menu refl ective of the season.” Listen to the

Professionals: In addition to making practical decisions

about the season and size of your wedding, take caterers’ ad-

vice for what will work best logistically the day of your wed-

ding. Tracy Posey at Dish Café points out that although a

kids’ buff et might seem like a good idea in theory, the adults

usually end up eating most of it before the kids even see it.

She also stresses the importance of not letting a novice do a

professional’s job. “Always let a professional cut the wedding


cake,” says Posey. “Do not put your aunt in charge of cutting

the cake if she has never done it before. Ask the caterer to

provide someone or ask if the baker provides that service.”

Go with Your Gut: Lastly, and most importantly, make sure

to hire a caterer who is right for you. “Choose a caterer who

is prepared to spend a good deal of one-on-one time with the

bride, groom, and mother of the bride,” says Katrina at Sweet

Basil Café. “Based on your ideas, the caterer should be able

develop a menu that is specifi c and unique to your wedding.”

Decorating Your Day: The Flowers and FinishesWhen it comes to choosing fl owers and décor for your wed-

ding, the date, venue, and budget are all key factors. If you

are looking to simplify or save money, be realistic about what

you can and can’t easily accomplish. “Th ings like food and

fl owers are super delicate, and really should be left to a pro-

fessional,” says Kathleen Bernal of Kathleen Bernal Events .

“Really, really consider what D.I.Y. items you can accomplish

without it being overwhelming.” Decide what you want and

keep these tips in mind. Reserve Rentals: Ashely Winkle

suggests planning ahead for accidents when reserving rental

items. “Order extra chairs, napkins, tablecloths, etc., in case

one is damaged during setup or isn’t uniform looking. Th is

will save you a mad dash on your wedding day.” She also rec-

ommends ordering samples if possible, and to always look at

the items in person, as items look diff erent on a computer

screen versus in person. Make sure to schedule times for

setup and teardown. And if you think you will need a tent,

defi nitely rent one. Book Early: Carl Cassidy of Lola’s Florist

suggests booking a fl orist as early as possible in the plan-

ning. “We have people book a year and a half and two years

in advance,” he says. You used to hear the term ‘June bride’,

but it’s not holding true anymore. Holiday weekends and fall

weddings are increasingly popular now.” Pay Attention to

the Season: Just as the menu should be infl uenced by the

season, the fl oral selections should as well. When planning

the vision for your wedding, take note of what fl owers will

be blooming on the date, and don’t let often-staged Pinterest

posts dictate the type of fl owers you think you should have.

“Yes, there are ways to import,” says Cassidy, “but the reality

is that you get much lusher and prettier fl owers when they

are at their peak versus when things are forced and shipped

around the world.” Using seasonal fl owers will also allow for

more fl owers with your money. Be Flexible: Lastly, Cassidy

says to allow your fl orist to have some artistic freedom. “Pin-

terest is great,” he says, “but I would recommend that girls let

their vendors be creative and not copy a Pinterest wedding.”

Wedding Day Wear: The Dress and the Duds For many brides, picking out a wedding dress is one of the

most anticipated shopping trips of a girl’s life. Whether your

dress style is an elaborate ball gown with sequin detail or

a demure dress once worn by your great-grandmother, you

will likely choose your particular gown because it means

something to you. Madeline Sandlin, owner of Finery Bridal

Boutique, specializes in helping brides fi nd exactly what they

are looking for and has several suggestions so you won’t lose

focus in a sea of dresses. Have an Idea in Mind: Sandlin

suggests having an idea of what you think you want before

you begin the search. She also suggests keeping the tone of

your wedding in mind when selecting a dress. “Time of day,

venue, and time of year are all important components in

deciding on your gown,” says Sandlin. “Heavy beading isn’t

necessarily the best option for a Sunday ceremony followed

by an intimate brunch reception.” And even if you do have

an exact idea of what you want, don’t rule anything out. “My

advice for brides who are unsure is to try on one ball gown,

one fi t-and-fl are, and one A-line dress the fi rst time they go

shopping for their gown,” she says. “It’ll quickly become clear

which silhouette works best for your shape.” Bring People

You Trust: Wedding dress shopping can be overwhelming

and it’s easy to get confused about what you want. “Bring

people you trust and who will tell you the truth,” advises

Sandlin. “All wedding dresses are beautiful, and it’s good to

have an entourage to bring you back down to earth.” And

once you fi nd THE dress, stick to your instincts. “Stay true

to what you love and then put the magazines and Pinterest

boards away,” says Sandlin. And while she says it’s important

to have people you trust to help you shop, this is one day

you shouldn’t try to share with a friend who is also engaged

and dress shopping. “Some experiences weren’t meant to be

shared even with the closest of friends,” she says. “Book your

appointments on separate days so that you can be present for

each other and not in competition with each other.” Lastly,

Sandlin stresses to just have fun and enjoy the process. “Re-

member what brought you to the planning process and who

will be there after the party is over.”

Suiting the GroomFor the gentlemen in the wedding, picking out suiting may

not seem as exciting as the bride’s search for the dress, but

it’s still important to do it thoughtfully. Get Measured: “All

suits seem to fi t a little diff erently, and it is important to

have someone measure you for a specifi c suit,” says John

Posey of Coats Clothing. “A lot of guys tend to think that

dress slacks and suit slacks will fi t the same as the blue jeans

they’ve had for a while. Th is is far from true. You want your

slacks to be the perfect length to prevent them from bunch-

ing on the shoes, causing a puddle eff ect. If the pants are

too long, you’ll end up walking on them and ruining your

investment. And the same goes with the waist. You’re go-

ing to wear the slacks a little higher up on your waist than

a pair of casual pants, so you want to have it tailored to

your specifi c fi t. You want the suit to look like it was made

for your shape and size, not one that you borrowed from

your friend’s closet.” Suited for the Setting: Whether you

choose to rent or buy, make sure your selection is appropri-

ate for the wedding. “We’re seeing a lot of attire that is more

casual these days,” says Posey. “I guess in the right setting,

it works just fi ne, but I’m a little more traditional when it

Getting Hitched Without a Hitch


“My advice for brides who are unsure is to try on one ball gown, one fit-and-flare,

and one A-line dress the first time they go shopping for their gown.

It’ll quickly become clear which silhouette works best for your shape.”

•

Madeline Sandlin, Finery Bridal Boutique


“You want your slacks to be the perfect length

to prevent them from bunching on the shoes, causing a puddle effect.

If the pants are too long, you’ll end up walking on them

and ruining your investment.”

•

John Posey, Coats Clothing


comes to a wedding. I think a nice tuxedo or suit is always

a good way to go.”

Time to Shine: Makeup and HairAny bride who has been dreaming of her wedding day since

she was in pigtails likely has a very defi nite vision about how

she wants to look on her day in the spotlight. After the dress

has been chosen, hair and makeup will complete that look.

And once again, it’s usually best on such an important day

to allow a professional to help create your vision. “Defi nitely

hire a professional make-up artist and hair stylist,” says Kath-

leen Bernal. “A lot of people do not realize what a diff erence

it can make, but these professionals really know how to make

you look beautiful in pictures, bright lights, natural lights,

etc. It’s defi nitely diff erent than an everyday look.” Trial

Runs: Setting up trial runs with your stylist is very impor-

tant to making sure you achieve the look you want on the

day of the wedding. Andy Cagle of Andy’s Th e Profession-

als in Florence suggests at least two practice runs, as well

as bringing photos of styles with front and back views that

you are interested in trying. “Don’t forget to bring any ac-

cessories you are planning to use in your hair and bring a

photo of your wedding gown to ensure that you hairstyle

will complement your gown.” Know Your Style: Diff erent

types of hair require diff erent preparation,” says Glenn King

of Salon Ka-Terra. “For instance, with fi ne hair you should

shampoo the morning of and not really use any conditioner.

Use a little mousse and blow dry it out, but don’t style. You

should also never fl at iron your hair. And for thicker, coarser,

or textured hair you should shampoo it the night before and

let it dry naturally.” Makeup Matters: When it comes to

bridal makeup, King says to arrive to your appointment with

clean, makeup-free skin. “Th e night before and the morning

of, you should moisturize really well and drink lots of wa-

ter,” he says. Lastly, let your makeup artist/stylist guide you

into looking your best and don’t go overboard. “Be sure your

goal is to bring out your best features, so keep it simple,” says

Andy. “Sometimes less is more.”

Presence Requested: The InvitationsAfter months of planning, save-the-date cards and invita-

tions will give your guests a glimpse into the excitement of

the event to come. When it comes to ordering paper, Fran-

ces Ledgewood at Printers and Stationers, Inc. has several

tips to consider. Over Order: Th e guest list will likely grow

throughout the engagement, so ordering extra will save you

time and headache later. Th ink Long-Term: Th ere are end-

less possibilities and trends when it comes to invitations,

from traditional to contemporary. “Go with something that

you will look back on years from now and still love,” advises

Ledgewood. “It’s easy to get caught up in current trends, but

you want your invitations to be classic and timeless. Save-

the-dates are where you can be more casual and fun with

your design elements and incorporate any particular theme

or color scheme you are using.” Order Locally: Online or-

dering has become increasingly simplifi ed, and it’s tempting

to think this is a less complicated option. But Ledgewood

cautions against eliminating the in-person ordering experi-

ence. “When ordering online, you don’t ever know exactly

what you are getting until it arrives on your doorstep,” she

says. “It is great to order your stationery locally, just so that

you get to see and feel the paper and printing process.” Plan

Ahead: Invitations should be mailed a minimum of 4 weeks

before the wedding, and in some cases 8 weeks ahead. “You

need to keep in mind the time it takes to order, print, and

process the wedding suite. Also include a time frame for cal-

ligraphy for the envelopes and time to stuff , seal, and stamp,”

says Ledgewood.

Picture Perfect: The PhotographyOf all of the vendor decisions you will make throughout your

wedding planning process, the photographer will be one of

the most signifi cant. “At the end of the wedding, photos are

all you have left,” says Armosa Studios photographer Tera

Wages. “Hire someone who has experience and fi ts your

personal style. Also, make sure your personalities work well

together because you will spend more time with this person

on your wedding day than anyone.” Once you have booked

your photographer, be sure to listen to the advice of our ex-

perts to ensure the best pictures. Consider Light: When

you are picking your venue, keep in mind where the sun will

be at diff erent times of the day. “If you want romantic, sun-

drenched sweetness with your love—which I highly recom-

mend making time for—the best time to achieve this look

is during the golden hour, which is the hour before sunset,”

recommends wedding photographer Ashley Vaughn. “In the

summer it’s around 7 to 8 p.m. and in the winter it’s from 4 to

5 p.m.” Also remember to consider where the sun will be at

diff erent points during your ceremony. “Th ink about where

the sun is during your ceremony. You want it behind you or

directly in front of you,” says Wages. Remember that natural

light is always best, and plan to take some pictures outside

no matter what time of year it is. For the indoor pictures,

consider the light in even the simplest shots, like where you

will get ready with the bridal party. Wages suggests fi nding

a nicely lit space with window light and walls that are lightly

colored as opposed to dark. “Th ese photos are important,”

says Wages. “Th is is where your photographer will capture

the details and beautiful moments of you.” If the church or

venue doesn’t have a space that will work well for photos,

Wages suggests asking a friend or family member to borrow

their home for this part of the day. Plan Ahead: Make sure

to allot enough time for pictures throughout the day. Decide

as a couple whether you want to see each other before or

after the wedding and let your photographer work with your

wedding planner to work out a timeline. And when it comes

to family wedding pictures, make sure to have a plan ahead

of time of what groupings you want and put someone be-

sides the photographer in charge of getting family members

together. “It’s best if someone in the family or the planner



could be in charge of gathering the folks and checking off

this list,” says Vaughn. “Doing so allows me to capture both

the candid and posed moments with your beloved groups.”

Be Realistic: Choose to work with a photographer because

you like his or her style, not because you are looking to rep-

licate something you have seen on Pinterest. Have Fun:

Ashley Vaughn suggests practicing posing with your fi ancé

by fi nding shots that you like in magazines, but to be your-

self. “I love photographing real people in real love, so please

don’t feel like you have to act like a model or do anything

that doesn’t make you comfortable. If I do suggest a pose that

doesn’t feel just right, don’t hesitate to make it your own! Get

silly, smile, laugh, and most importantly—love!”

Eat, Drink, and be MarriedOur last bit of advice is one idea that ALL of our wedding

experts can agree upon: DON’T STRESS “Hire a wedding

planner,” says Cindy Hallman. “It can make planning your

wedding fun instead of stressful. If you can’t aff ord a wedding

planner from the start, hire one for the day of the wedding.

Th e last thing you need to worry about on your wedding day

is decorating the reception venue, or whether the caterer/

photographer/DJ/etc. has arrived.” Chelsea Kennedy advises

staying present throughout the day. “Don’t spend your wed-

ding day on Facebook or Twitter,” she says. “Live in the mo-

ment.” Be Prepared: Make a list of everything you will need

a month before the wedding. “Include everything from fi re

starters for the candles, boxes for packing up items, pens for

signing, frames, frame holders, items for your own emer-

gency kit, gifts for wedding party, etc.,” says Kathleen Bernal.

“And keep it updated, if anything changes. If you make it a

month before the wedding, you’ll be much more clear-head-

ed.” Also put together an emergency bag for you and your

bridesmaids for the day of the wedding. Include things like

chalk (to cover stains on your wedding dress), safety pins,

bobby pins, deodorant, lipstick, fashion tape, Tylenol, and

water. It’s also good to include fi rst aid items, special medi-

cines, and any other items you may need to help with getting

dressed. Pack Ahead: Pack your honeymoon bag a few days

before the wedding so you can enjoy time with family and

friends and focus on the wedding. Also, don’t forget to pack a

change of clothes for the day after the wedding. Eat, Drink,

and Be Married: Lastly, give someone the job of making

certain you sit down, rest, and eat the day of the wedding.

After spending months of planning the day, take time to en-

joy it. And fi nally, just breathe. “Remember, at the end of the

day it is about the marriage,” says Ashley Winkle. “Th e wed-

ding is just one day out of the rest of your lives. Ultimately it

is about the commitment you make to one another, not the

fl owers, the food, or the dress. So choose your mate wisely

and make a wholehearted commitment to one another for a

lifetime. Life will throw you curveballs, but it is up to each of

you to choose to honor the commitment you make.”


With This Ring: Tips for Ring Shopping

Before any of the wedding planning process begins, it is

the ring that seals the deal. And although it is stereotypi-

cally the bride who will shine the brightest on the wedding

day, the pre-engagement ring selection is ultimately the

groom’s time to shine. “It is the purchase of a lifetime,” says

Patty Klos of Parker Bingham Jewelers. “Th rough the years

you will have new houses, cars, etc., but she will always

treasure her original engagement ring.” But with endless

styles, stones, cuts, and colors, the selection process can

be more than a little daunting. So after talking to some

of North Alabama’s diamond experts, we’ve put together

a list to provide a little more clarity for fi nding “the one.”

Listen for Clues: “Don’t miss the hints,” says Jay Klos

of Grogan Jewelers . “Keep an eye and an ear open when

you are out shopping.” Jamie Hood of Jamie Hood Jew-

elers also suggests using social media sites like Pinterest

to get clues as to whether she likes white or yellow gold

or platinum. Also, let her friends guide you. “Whenever

possible use her best friends as a guide to the right setting

and diamond,” advises Hood. “It will strengthen your bond

with her friends who, if they haven’t already, are about to

become your friends too.” And there is no need to know

her ring size before you begin shopping. Our jewelry ex-

perts agree that most rings can be sized to fi t. Know the

Stones: Hood suggests studying up on the 4 C’s when

shopping: color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. “Th ere are

lots of resources online,” says Hood. “Most jewelers use

them as a resource for diamond certifi cation as well.” Shop

Small Town: “Shop independent jewelers, as they will be

able to off er you better service and better value for your

money,” says Klos. “And if you ever need your ring ser-

viced, they don’t have to ship it off .” Independent jewelers

also often have trained gemological experts on staff and

can likely make anything you want. Warranty is another

aspect of service to consider. “Often chain stores will off er

to sell you a warranty whereas most independent jewelers

off er it free as part of the purchase,” says Hood. “Th ey will

welcome the chance to keep your ring looking great and

you AND your fi ancée happy with your purchase. Also,

choose a jeweler who is sensitive to your needs and your

budget whether you’re spending a few hundred dollars or

$100,000. Independent jewelers want you as a customer

for life and are usually going to go the extra mile to keep

you happy.”

Bands for the Man: When it comes to the gentlemen,

Klos suggests that it’s usually a good idea for them to come

along when making a selection and to allow at least six

weeks before the wedding, in case there are any special or-

ders or sizing issues. “Consider what kind of work he does

when picking out what you want the wedding band to be

made out of. Also, ask to have the date engraved on the

inside (He won’t forget your anniversary!), and also your

initials and his.”


“Be flexible with the menu until meeting with your caterer and picking the location.”

•

Tracy Posey, Dish Café

The Lions Share

Th e family of the late Edward Fennel Mauldin, represented

by Bank Independent president Macke Mauldin, presented

four UNA students with scholarships established in honor of

the bank’s former chairman at BI’s offi ces in Muscle Shoals,

in October.

Th e worthy recipients are fresh-

man Benjamin Ish, sophomore

Brittany Michael, and juniors

Logan Hefl in and David “Drew”

Fisher.

Th e Edward Fennel Mauldin

Endowed Scholarships will ulti-

mately provide fi ve concurrent,

annual, renewable scholarships

by 2016, benefi ting a freshman,

sophomore, junior, senior, and

fi fth-year student at UNA.

The Write Stuff

Shoals Christian School senior

Shelley Buckley has been rec-

ognized by the Houston Literacy Foundation for her short

story, “Ora Lou.” One of only 59 student authors and illustra-

tors recognized nationwide, Buckley’s story will appear in the

Foundation’s anthology, I Write: Short Stories for Kids by Kids.

Set in 1940s Appalachia and inspired by

the fi lm version of Loretta Lynn’s life, Coal

Miner’s Daughter, Buckley was the only

Alabama student recognized and one of

only six authors to receive the Star Author

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Signature Smile has become one of only

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Macke Mauldin (far left), and Fennel Mauldin (far right) with UNA’s Edward Fennel Mauldin scholarship recipients.

Shelley Buckley

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132 » scene

Above: Muurder in Maaaybury

A Benefi t for Hospice of the Shoalsoctober , · sweetwater depot

Below: Hoedown for Horsesseptember , · bluewater creek polo club

Joy and Sergio Portillo

Debbie Collum, Kim Mitchell-Cole, and Pam Barnett

Pat and Bill Shoemaker

Emily McDonald, Anthony Brooks, and Jan Sheppard

Linda and Mickey Haddock

Gina and Bob Bailey

Back, from left: Donna Morrow, Steve Morrow, Caroline McClanahan, and Meredith McClanahan Front row: Cole McClanahan

Jake and Rush Ramsey

Erin Whalen

Back Row, from left: Lori Woolfolk, Meredith McClanahan, Blake Jarmon, Kristi Mitchell, Gary Miffl in, and Stephanie Pless; Front Row, from left: Tambra Howard and Joy House

Greg and Betty Burdine

Reece Mitchell, Kay Mitchell, and Blake Mitchell

Teena Tucker and E. S. RobbinsPolo Match

Photos by Glenn Bevis

Hayride

Photos by Xx


134 » the vine » Amy Collins

GIFTS FOR YEARS TO COME

When it comes to selecting a gift for newlyweds, most of us

choose an item or two from the registry, have it wrapped, and voilà, it’s

done. Obviously most of what’s on the wish list is something the couple

actually wants. But, it’s just stuff , and while the happy couple (or one

part of the happy couple) may be dying for that KitchenAid mixer, it’s

not a particularly unique gift. Okay, so a KitchenAid mixer is a pretty

awesome gift and maybe not the best example in this scenario. A bottle

or two of top tier wine, however, that will develop in complexity and

gain nuance over the years, is a whole other ball game. I’m doubtful

anyone is going to spend their fi fth wedding anniversary mixing up a

batch of cookies over candlelight, but expensive wine is always sexy.

Especially the Burgundy.

Th e true beauty of an aged wine is in how it changes over time.

A red wine will mellow in color, a white will become more

saturated with gold tones. In red wines, which are typically,

but not always, the best candidates for tucking away, the

tannins will grow softer and the vibrant fruity notes of

the young wine will settle down, allowing secondary

and tertiary qualities of earth and mushroom to prevail.

White wines too will grow softer as acidity becomes less

prickly, and nutty aromas will start to show. Isn’t that a

fi tting metaphor for matrimony? What we want most in

an aged wine is for it to change for the better and surprise

us with unexpected deliciousness that awakens all our

senses. Admittedly, I know nothing about marriage, but I

think such a goal is well within reason and the ideal.

Consider giving a bottle for the couple to save and

open on their fi rst, third, or fi fth wedding anniversary. I

promise it will make an impression.

Opposite is a list of suggestions from various parts of the

world. Without going into detail about each one, they

are all from reputable producers with great cachet. I’d be

happy with any one of them (especially the Burgundy).

Th ese wines typically run between $40 and $150 per

bottle retail. All are available in North Alabama, though

you may have to request a special order from your

favorite wine store.

I’m doubtful anyone is going to spend their fi fth wedding anniversary mixing up a batch of cookies over candlelight, but expensive wine is always sexy.


Amy’s Gift Recommendations

RedsStags Leap District “Cliff Lede”

Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, Napa

Andrew Geoff rey Diamond MountainCabernet Sauvignon 2009, Napa

Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Napa

La Rasina Brunello 2008, Central Italy

Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona Brunello2009, Central Italy

Fratelli Brovia Barolo 2010, Piedmont Italy

Parusso Barolo 2010, Piedmont Italy

Chateau Mongravey Margaux 2011, Bordeaux

Chateau Fleur des Ormes Pomerol 2010, Bordeaux

Chateau Gaudin Pauillac 2010, Bordeaux

Chateau Braude Haut Medoc 2010, Bordeaux

Domaine Forey Morey Saint Denis 2011, Burgundy

Maison L’Oree Bourgogne Rouge 2010, Burgundy

Ghislaine Barthod Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru “Les Chatelots” 2010, Burgundy

Domaine Arnoux Corton Grand Cru Le Rognet2011, Burgundy

WhitesLallier Brut Millesime Grand Cru 2005, Champagne

Jacquesson Brut NV, Champagne

Billecart Salmon Brut Rose NV, Champagne

Giardin Puligny Montrachet Ville Vignes2011, Burgundy

Albert Boxler Riesling Brand Kirchberg Grand Cru2010, Alsace

Robert Weil Riesling Spatlese Tradition2013, Germany

Follow Amy at pigandvine.com for morestories and wine suggestions.

136 » food for thought » Sarah Gaede

Once in a while, it’s nice to remember, or learn, how to act like a lady. One of

the things ladies do is dress up for genteel “tea” parties, with yummy little things to eat

on pretty plates, with cloth napkins and fresh fl owers. If you don’t know any women

like this, ask a gay man for advice. You can borrow china, silver, and linen from him,

and chances are he will share his mama’s deviled egg recipe with you.

Learning to host, or at least provide food for, a lovely afternoon event will stand you

in good stead. Sooner or later, all the ladies who put on church receptions are going

to call it quits, one way or another, and then where will we be when someone dies, or

has a small, quiet chapel wedding with reception at the church, or a christening party?

Th ose of us who live in the South might as well face it. Th ese occasions, and the food

to accompany them, are not going away any time soon. A small afternoon event with

your dearest friends is a good way to practice. Everything can be done in advance, so

you have plenty of time to change into your prettiest frock and powder your nose.

I love fi nger sandwiches, even though they can be tedious to assemble. I’ve been mak-

ing this chicken salad recipe for more than 30 years. I got it from my dear friend Sally

Bird Newton Combs of Atlanta. She’s a redhead in every sense of the word, but she

can act like a lady when she has to. Other good choices for sandwich fi llings are pi-

mento cheese, egg salad, cream cheese and olive, cucumber and butter, and smoked

salmon (Ina Garten has a great recipe for smoked salmon tea sandwiches). Make sure

to use thin bread, like Pepperidge Farm Very Th in White and Whole Wheat, or party

rye and pumpernickel. You can also get whole loaves sliced thin at Publix. If you are

pressed for time or short of patience, you can serve one or two sandwich varieties,

and spread the rest of the fi llings on crackers. Shrimp Paste is a staple of the Low

Country, home of the best shrimp in the world. Th e recipe is from my friend Damon

Lee Fowler, food editor of the Savannah Morning News.

If you want some color, steam fat asparagus until just tender, chill, and wrap with

slices of prosciutto, or stuff cherry tomatoes with herb cheese. Deviled

eggs are always welcome. Cheese straws are essential, home-

made or bought. For sweets, I like to serve lemon squares

cut very small, and bowls of fresh raspberries or straw-

berries topped with sweetened whipped cream. (Ladies do

not serve Cool Whip to guests.)

You can, of course, serve iced tea or Methodist

Chardonnay (white grape juice punch). But if you

are inclined that way, a dry white wine or Honey-

suckle Lemonade is perfect for a long, lazy, ladies’

luncheon, although probably not a good idea for a

church reception, even if you are an Episcopalian.

y ,

slices of prosciutto, or s

eggs are alway

made or b

cut very s

berries top

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Sooner or later, all the ladies who put on church receptions are going to call it quits, one way or another, and then where will we be?

LET’S BE LADIES!


Chicken Salad Sandwiches

• 2 whole chicken breasts (4 halves, with skin and bones)• 1 cup water• 1 cup dry white wine or vermouth• 1 medium Vidalia onion• 2 ribs celery• 3 tablespoons sweet pickle relish• Juice of 1/2 lemon• 1/2 cup good quality mayonnaise• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon curry powder• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste• Extra-thin Pepperidge Farm white and/or whole wheat sandwich bread• Mayonnaise for assembly

Simmer chicken in water and wine until done, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool in liquid, remove skin, and bone chicken. Chop chicken fi ne in food processor; remove to a large bowl. Chop onion and celery fi ne in food processor and add to chicken. Add next fi ve ingredi-ents and combine well. Refrigerate overnight before making sandwiches.

To assemble, lay out 16 slices of bread and spread with mayonnaise. Spread 8 slices with a generous layer of chicken salad. Top with remaining bread, mayo side down. Trim crusts; slice into 4 squares or triangles. Layer sandwiches in an airtight container between sheets of wax paper. Place a damp towel over the top layer before putting the lid on. You can make these the night before and let them sit out a few minutes before serving to take the chill off . Makes 32 sandwiches.

Low Country Shrimp Paste

• 1 pound peeled shrimp, cooked, or 1 1/2 pounds shell-on shrimp, cooked and peeled• 1 stick unsalted butter, softened• 2 tablespoons grated Vidalia onion• Salt, cayenne pepper, and freshly grated nutmeg to taste• Melba toasts, water crackers, or pita chips for serving

Pulse the shrimp in a food processor until coarsely ground. Add butter and grated onion and process until the mixture comes together—there should still be some texture. Season to taste; pulse to incorporate seasonings. Butter a 3-cup mold and press paste fi rmly into it (or just pile into a pretty little bowl if you aren’t skilled in casting out molds). Cover with plastic wrap and chill until fi rm. Unmold onto a serving platter and let stand until soft enough to spread.

Honeysuckle Lemonade

• 2 cups Cathead Honeysuckle Vodka• 4 cups fresh Nathalie’s Natural Lemonade or Simply Lemonade• Fresh mint

Combine vodka and lemonade in a pitcher; pour over ice in a pretty glass or julep cup. Garnish with mint. For a really big batch, combine a fi fth of Honeysuckle Vodka and a 1/2 gallon jug of lemonade.


138 » parting shot » Kim Box

A MOTHER'S WORK IS NEVER DONE


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As you begin your life together, choose

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THREE CONVENIENT LOCATIONS:

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202 W. Avalon Avenue, Muscle Shoals256-386-5220

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Documents

No'Ala Shoals, January/February 2015