March 26, 2022

Pictures by Meghan Gray

How did you two meet?

I remember first meeting Wayne at Mountain Brook Junior High. It was Spartan Day when rising 7th graders tour the junior high with rising 9th graders, and he was my “web leader.” He remembers nothing since I was just one of 15 in his tour group, but I remember thinking how he made everyone feel seen and welcomed. It wasn’t until we both were back in Birmingham after attending the University of Alabama when we truly “met each other” on a blind date set up by mutual friends.

The Proposal

During our first summer dating, Wayne had just left corporate accounting to work at Alpine Camp for Boys where he had camped growing up. One night on our way up to Alpine for dinner with friends, we got caught in standstill traffic and were late to our supposed dinner. We finally pulled up to the top of camp near the fly fishing pond. Wayne and I got out of the car and walked to the edge of the pond where he dropped down on one knee. I later realized that this proposal spot would be the backyard of the house we would stay at during summers after we were married.

Favorite Wedding Moment

After we had said our vows and exchanged rings, our guests sang a congregational prayer of blessing over us and our marriage. It was a blessing Wayne grew up singing on Alpine Sundays called “May the Lord Mighty God” (sung to the Tune of Edelweiss).

Favorite Wedding Details

During the summer when we were dating long distance, Wayne would always bring me my favorite flowers. I now look back and think of that time as the summer of hydrangeas. I knew immediately as we started planning a wedding that I wanted to incorporate hydrangeas in our flower mix as a nod to that summer of us falling in love.

Ceremony Venue: Mountain Brook Baptist Church Reception Venue: The Country Club of Birmingham Wedding Planner/Day Of Coordinator: Seamless Weddings & Events Florist: Marigold Design Caterer: The Country Club of Birmingham Cake: Magic Muffins Wedding Dress: Ivory & White Bridal Boutique Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids Bridal Hair: Perfectly Undone Beauty Makeup: Cosmetics by Mackenzie Groom’s Attire: Mr. Burch Formal Wear Stationery: Annabelle’s Calligraphy: Jan Pruitt Calligraphy DJ/Wedding Band: Fountain City Players Wedding Transportation: Rare Transportation