A Grand Hotel Spring Wedding

The golf cart was on the way to pick us up for golden hour portraits, but the sun was setting quickly. We agreed it was better to start walking to our pre-determined portrait spot. Thankfully, Carolyn was wearing her comfy Kate Spade Keds by this time! We quickly started walking towards the rocks that overlook the bay and the sunset. Just when it looked like we were going to miss the sunset window completely, our chariot pulled up!

Holiday weekends are always crazy crowded at The Grand Hotel in Point Clear, Ala. This Memorial Day weekend was no exception! As soon as the golf cart pulled up, we jumped on board! Our chauffeur, Greg, swiftly navigated us to the other side of the hotel property. We made it to our portrait location just in the nick of time! When we pulled up, I took note of two things – the water looked like a watercolor painting and the beach was full of people. Yikes!

I usually don’t take my clients to portrait locations that are super crowded. It can be a bit intimidating to have a bunch of people watching you be photographed, especially when the spot you’re using is basically like a stage. Carolyn and Neal were total troopers though. Some of my favorite portraits of the day came from this spot on the beach with the rocks! The post sunset glow was just perfect!

Magnolias and Mermaids

Carolyn is truly a Southern bride and her wedding day couldn’t have been more dreamy! I loved that she incorporated her love of magnolias into both her florals and her invitations. We even ended up with a magnolia tree in the background of many of the portraits we took after the ceremony. Carolyn truly looked regal in her amazing wedding gown! It’s design made me think of her love of Disney princesses, which we totally bonded over at her engagement session. Carolyn even added a nod to her favorite Disney princess, Ariel from The Little Mermaid, into some of her wedding details! The two themes were blended together to perfection by the talented team at Jenna Laine Weddings.

Carolyn and Neal are so loved by their family and friends. Both of Carolyn’s parents were misty-eyed the entire day. When the tears started flowing during the daddy-daughter first look, Carolyn passed her handkerchief to her dad so he could wipe away his tears too. It was the sweetest moment! Carolyn and Neal live in Nashville, so all their family and friends traveled to Point Clear to celebrate with them. I loved seeing the custom map each guest received inside their welcome box on display at the reception!

A Year in the Making

I worked with Carolyn for over a year and I knew from every conversation I had with her that this day was going to be beautiful. When I arrived in the bridal suite the day of the wedding, Carolyn had all her bridal details laid out on a table for me. I was instantly smitten with her beautiful invitation suite and her pink Mrs. Box ring box! Since we knew the day was likely going to be a warm one, we made sure to stagger portrait time in order to allow for a few breaks throughout the day and goodness was it needed! Welcome to the humidity capital of the South y’all!

After nearly two years of planning, Carolyn and Neal said their “I Dos” in one of my favorite churches on Mobile Bay. It was so fun for me to see their friends and family take in this sweet setting for the first time. I jokingly say that Fairhope is a utopia of sorts and it truly seemed like it on this day. As Carolyn and Neal exited the church after being pronounced husband and wife, they were greeted with cheers from the boats that were cruising around the bay. It was truly a Fairhope moment. I smiled at how wonderfully perfect it all was.

Did you know that burying a bottle of bourbon is supposed to bring good weather on wedding days? Carolyn and Neal buried one outside the church months before the wedding. Her dad and Neal dug it up after the ceremony. Neal later enjoyed toasting with it at the reception!

I didn’t get the story on Neal’s groom’s cake, but it’s definitely one of the most unique ones I’ve ever seen!

Yes, I squealed when I walked outside to see this gorgeous sunset light! It was MAGICAL!

VENDORS

Second Photographer | Jacob Bennett

Photographer’s Assistant | Allyson DeMouy

Planning & Rentals | Jenna Laine Weddings

Ceremony Venue | Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Reception Venue & Catering | The Grand Hotel, Point Clear, Ala.

Florals | Belle Bouquet

Cake Artist | Couture Cakes

Makeup & Hair | Chelsey, Allure Hair and Makeup Studio

DJ | Southern Sounds DJ

Bride’s Gown | Emily Hart Bridal

Bridesmaids Dresses | Bella Bridesmaids, Jenny Yoo

Groom & Groomsmen Attire | Men’s Wearhouse

Ceremony Musicians | Laura Morris & Jimmy Jones

Calligrapher | Southern Calligraphy

Custom Wedding Map | Melissa Smith

Welcome Box Cookies | Baking Me Happy