Real Wedding: Sally & Raley

I am very excited to share this wedding today from VUE Photography that has so much beauty in it! Without further ado, let's get to it!

How did the two of you meet?  Tell us your story.  

We met in 2007 at a Couples' Shower for two of our good friends, Catharine and David. We actually knew of each other in previous years, as we both went to Birmingham-Southern College, but we didn't hang out back then. We both attended the wedding shower with separate groups of friends and wound up going out together after the party ended. We went to Catharine and David's wedding together a month later and have been together ever since.  

 

Describe the proposal.

It was a Wednesday night and we spent the evening going through our usual routine: eat dinner then watch a little TV. Raley was staying with his parents at the time, while he was finishing law school, so he usually left my place to head home around 9 or so. This night wasn't any different, only he stopped in the doorway on his way out and asked for a particular cookbook I own. He claimed his mom was planning a dinner party and needed something out of the Better Homes and Gardens cookbook. He did a good job of making it sound like his mom asked specifically, so I didn't think anything of him asking for a cookbook at 9 o'clock at night. I said 'sure, it's in the cabinet above the fridge.' He asked me to grab it for him, I did. He had sat the ring in front of the cookbook on the shelf...which I didn't even notice at first....but, when I did, I turn around and he was down on one knee! He was so cute and sweet! It was a perfect random Wednesday night proposal!

Our favorite detail of the wedding was: 

Having a private table set aside at the beginning of the reception for us to eat together. It was nice to have that time alone, and we were starving! I pretty sure neither of us would have had anything to eat all night if we had not set aside this time.

 

What made you choose to have your ceremony in a church? 

I've always wanted a traditional wedding with the pretty church and big, fun reception. I grew up going to First Methodist in Montgomery and have known Dr. Stegall all my life. I honestly never even considered having the ceremony anywhere else. 

Tell us about finding your wedding dress: 

Finding 'the dress' was one of the best moments for me. I actually found it, prepare to be shocked, before we were engaged. My sister was diagnosed with leukemia in November of 2009 and decided to receive a transplant in California at City of Hope. I traveled with her, my brother-in-law and my niece to Disneyland and L.A. before she was to be admitted to receive her transplant. We had a hunch that a proposal would be coming somewhat soon and that my sister would be away for at least 5 months, so we made an appointment at the Monique Lhuillier boutique on the last day of my trip. Experiencing wedding dress shopping with my sister was far more important to me than following the tradition of not trying on dresses until having the ring on your finger. The dress Allison fell in love with, and me too, is the one I ended up with!

Describe your wedding flowers: 

White, all white. I didn't want any color in my flowers, not even green. I asked my florist, Susan Geddie, (who is incredible) to even pick off all leaves that might show in the arrangements. I especially didn't want leaves in the bridesmaids' bouquests of white hydrangeas or in my bouquet of white peonies. I might have been a bit too picky, but I think it all turned out perfect.

Describe your wedding cake: 

Simple, but elegant....with more white flowers. Well, the cake itself was simple, maybe the flowers surrounding it were not. I wanted the cake to look like it was floating on white flowers.

What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? 

Raley getting on stage to sing Mustang Sally. No question.

Congrats to Sally and Raley and many thanks to VUE Photography for sharing this wonderful wedding with us!

Ceremony: First United Methodist Church of Montgomery

Reception: Montgomery Country Club

Flowers: Susan Geddie

Cake: Glenda Harrison

Band: Nationwide Coverage

Caterer: Montgomery Country Club

Bride’s (2) Dress: Monique Lhuillier, ceremony and reception

Bride’s Hair Accessories/Veil: Jennifer Leigh

Shoes: Kate Spade

Bridesmaids' Accessories: shoes - Gianni Bini; rain boots - Hunter

Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew

 

Photos submitted via Two Bright Lights