Aldridge Gardens was boasting its amazing fall color display for Lyndsey and Phillip’s Engagement Session in Birmingham, AL a few weeks ago. Such a fun couple and I can’t wait until their May wedding at beautiful Lake Martin & Springhouse with M. Elizabeth Events.
I absolutely LOVED getting even more time with this sweet couple! Morgan chose a bridal session in her Collection, but preferred to wait until after the wedding…and brought her new hubby Cooper along for the fun so they could have a few more portraits together in different locations around Birmingham. So, about one month after their wedding day we met at the historic Elyton Hotel downtown for bridal portraits on the 100 year old marble staircase and couple portraits in the beautiful ocean blue living room. Later, we made our way to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens for golden hour. It was perfect.
Photography: Heather Durham | Planner: Magnolia Vine Events | Locations: Elyton Hotel + Birmingham Botanical Gardens | Wedding Gown: Heidi Elnora | Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade | Hair & Make-Up: Brittany Massey | Ribbon: Cocoon Silk Ribbon | Tux: Joseph A Bank
My first wedding of 2019 was Virginia and Matthew’s beautiful Birmingham, AL wedding planned by M. Elizabeth Events in shades of smoky blue, white and greenery.
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Photographer: Heather Durham | Assistant Photographers: Emily Kicklighter & Bethany Rogers | Planner: M. Elizabeth Events| Floral Design: Sarah Peinhardt | Wedding Gown: Allison Webb from White Dresses Nashville | Tuxes: Mr. Burch | Bridesmaids Dresses: Dessy from Bella Bridesmaids| |Custom Wedding Invitations & Lettering: Jan Pruitt | Beauty: Abby Moorer | Ceremony: Cathedral Church of the Advent | Reception Venue: Birmingham Museum of Art | Caterer: A Social Affair | Cake Artist: Alethea Cowie | Entertainment: The Fountain City Players
We couldn’t have ordered more perfect fall weather for Emily and Seth’s early November nuptials in Mountain Brook, Alabama. The day began with the bride and groom surrounded by their wedding party getting ready at her parents’ home. With her Mom and Dad overlooking from the balcony, Seth stood in the back yard and had his First Look of Emily in her blush Mira Zwellinger gown.
Forgive me for the lengthy blog post and amount of images, but this day had so many memorable moments with stunningly beautiful details designed by the talented team of Mariée Ami Wedding Planning Studio. It was a traditional Jewish ceremony, so Emily and Seth signed the Ketubah before the ceremony and danced the Hora dance at the reception. And, trust me…you don’t want to miss Emily and her dad’s choreographed father-daughter dance. Plus, Seth got up on stage and sang Tom Petty’s “American Girl”. Both had the crowd roaring. Such a fun night!
Emily was the sweetest bride to work with from the planning process all the way through the moment she and Seth departed at the end of their wedding day. She took time amidst all that was going on in HER day to say thank you after so many shots all day long. She had a grateful heart which she made known to her parents and every vendor involved in her wedding.
I’ll let the images tell the rest of this wedding story. You can also see this wedding on Carats & Cake. Mazel Tov Emily and Seth! I wish you the very best. Thank you for inviting me into your life to celebrate and document your perfect day.
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Photographer: Heather Durham | Assistant Photographers: Emily Kicklighter & Beth Hontzas | Planner: Mariée Ami| Floral Design: Buffy Hargett Flowers | Wedding Gown: Mira Zwellinger from Joan Pillow Bridal Salon | Bride’s Shoes: Monolo Blahnik | Groom’s Tux: Saks Mens Custom Shop | Groomsmen Tuxes: The Black Tux | Bridesmaids Dresses: LulaKate from Bella Bridesmaids| |Custom Wedding Invitations & Lettering: Mariée Ami | Bride Hair Stylist: Celine Russell | Videography: The Film Poets | Ceremony: Temple Emanu-El } Reception Venue: Grand Bohemian Mountain Brook | Cake Artist: Dreamcakes | Lighting, Draping and Rigging: On-Site Productions | Rentals: Event Rentals Unlimited | Table Cloths: Nuage Designs |Entertainment: Pure Party Band
The absolute best part of my job is the couples I meet. I’ve been blessed with the kindest brides, grooms, families and wedding parties who make the day so much fun.
Francie and Smylie met when they were 15 and 16 and have the sweetest story. They are both from Vestavia Hills (Birmingham AL), where my family lived for 10 years before moving to Nashville, so we have lots of mutual friends. Smylie grew up on Vestavia Hills Country Club golf course, learned how to play the game there and now plays on the PGA Tour. I’m always excited when I can photograph a couple where they have a connection to a place that holds so many memories, so I was thrilled we were able to do their First Look and portraits at VCC.
Francie worked with  Mariée Ami to plan her wedding with an amazing vendor team (see complete list at the end of this post). She was such a pleasure to work with from day one; and when the wedding day weather forecast included a tornado warning and her portraits were interrupted by thunderstorms, she was calm and full of grace, without even one word of complaint. She radiated joy all day, from getting ready at her family’s home to their sendoff at The Club in a golf cart, of course.
Francie has a lifestyle blog and Instagram account  @Fairwayfinds. Follow along as she shares travel adventures and healthy living finds while on the PGA Tour with Smylie. Francie signs off with each blog post “Always finding joy,”. Yes, she is, and her wedding day had so much of it!
Francie and Smylie, thank you for choosing me to be a small part of your beautiful wedding day! Best wishes for a lifetime of health, happiness and birdies!
You can also see their wedding published on Brides.com.
