Dec. 17, 2022

Photos by Simply Southern Photography

How You Met: We met at the end of our junior year of high school and have been inseparable since. I graduated from Hartselle High School and Will from Decatur High School; however, we survived the rivalry and have been together for almost eight years now.

The Proposal: Will had just been accepted to medical school at the University of South Alabama and his family wanted to celebrate by going out to a nice dinner in Birmingham – or at least I thought! I drove down to his apartment in Birmingham and hopped in his car to ride with him to dinner. On the way, his mom called to tell us they had to delay the reservation because his family was running late. Will said, “We haven’t been to the Vulcan in a while, let’s kill some time,” and veered off to the iconic Birmingham landmark. This place was super special to us as we both attended college in Birmingham at Samford University and Birmingham-Southern College. We walked down to a photographer and beautiful set-up for the proposal.

The Wedding Dress: Ever since I was a little girl, I remember driving by the gorgeous wedding dresses in the window at The Something Blue Shoppe in downtown Hartselle with my mom, often pulling off into a parking spot to admire the displays. I knew immediately after our engagement where I would “say yes to the dress.” I wanted the dress to be timeless, with delicate sleeves, a ballgown silhouette, and a cathedral length veil. I scheduled a private appointment and invited all the women on both sides of our family. It was so special to have found the one with our biggest supporters.

Favorite Moment from the Big Day: Our wedding ceremony was everything we could have hoped for at my childhood church in Hartselle. The church sanctuary was adorned with gorgeous Christmas décor, and we sang our favorite hymns. It was even cold outside! At the reception, we had a special visitor from the North Pole visit and take pictures with our guests. To end the night, Santa drove us away in a shiny red convertible!

What You Are Doing Now: Will is a second-year medical student at the University of South Alabama, and I am an academic advisor at the university. We live in Mobile, Alabama and we are embracing the coastal life; while we hope to return to Morgan County in the future.

The details

Venue: First Baptist Church Hartselle (ceremony) and Burningtree Country Club (reception)

Wedding coordinator and florals: Dana McCutcheon

Cake(s): Batter Up Cakes

Photographer: Ally Summerford – Simply Southern Photography

Videographer: Caitlin Colleen

Invitations: Ledgewood Fine Stationary

Wedding dress: The Something Blue Shoppe

Hair and makeup: Kristen Skinner

Music: 2^nd Coming Band

Alterations: Alter Ego Alterations Specialist

Wedding rings: Jimmy Smith Jewelers