Real Weddings
Melanie and Tim - Birmingham, AL
Southern-Style Splendor In Alabama
- The Photographer:
- Marsha Perry
- The Venue:
- Birmingham Country Club
- The Bride:
- Melanie Ann Starr - Kindergarten Teacher
- The Groom:
- Timothy Cornelius Hennessy, Jr. - Sales
The Stage:
Nestled in the rolling foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Birmingham positively radiates with that special brand of sought-after southern charm. Here, weddings steeped in elegance are not just an industry cliché – they are a way of life. And for Melanie and Tim it was all about tradition, family and home. So it’s only natural that Tim’s hometown and the couple’s current residence provided the backdrop to their classic southern wedding.
A Memorable Walk - Their Eyes Meet:
On a befittingly steamy Birmingham summer evening, the dramatic full mass wedding ceremony commenced with the bride’s graceful walk down the Cathedral of Saint Paul’s imposing aisle. Melanie, the essence of a southern lady, embodied the role like no other. Her eyes locked with Tim’s. Poised, her steady gaze never wavered.
Décor and Style:
Melanie’s style choices reflected an affinity for polished gentility. She successfully transformed the elegant Birmingham Country Club into a stately English garden, bedecking the reception space with rich white roses and lavish greenery.
The Menu - Take Traditional Favorites; Add a Dash of Contemporary Flare:
Tim is a self-proclaimed meat and potatoes guy, so the couple crafted a menu built around traditional favorites served up with a twist of southern flare. The buffet style reception featured items such as mini-hamburgers, mini-BLTs and a carving station of beef tenderloin, interspersed with fried green tomatoes, crab cakes and truffled fingerling potatoes.
A Lively Affair:
Melanie and Tim suitably balanced the formal ceremony with a festive reception. They knew their entertainment selection was a pivotal choice in creating their desired lively vibe, and their pick succeeded. Guests danced the night away to lively Motown classics and modern tunes.
A Surprise Nightcap Ritual:
In the Hennessy family, weddings always end with a splash. Adhering to an old family ritual, the groomsmen and Hennessey family members tossed the groom into the country club pool. Tim naturally pulled his brother in with him, and frankly, it was a welcomed event after such a hot June day. In a day bound in family tradition, there’s always room for one more.
How It All Came Together...
Attire:
Bride’s Wedding Dress – Priscilla of Boston – Ivory silk satin ball gown accented with hand-stitched Alencon lace and delicate crystal beading
Bridesmaids’ Dresses and Attire – Watters and Waters – Two piece dress featuring ivory lace v-neck top with cotton candy duchess satin A-line skirt with matching sash at the waist
Flowers: Florist, Glenn’s Wedding and Specialty Flowers – Birmingham, AL
Bride’s Bouquet – White – cymbidium orchids, lily of the valley and stephanotis
Bridemaids’ Bouquets – Pale Pink and White – roses, snapdragons, alstroemeria
Centerpieces – White blooms - roses, French hydrangeas, Casablanca lilies, Queen Anne’s lace, snapdragons, and stephanotis - with lush greenery
Wedding Cake – Cakes by Audrey – Springville, AL
White cake with layer of raspberry liqueur and white chocolate buttercream frosting and adorned with monogram.
Music – Just a Few Cats – Birmingham, AL
Band played Motown classics and modern hits
Photography – Marsha Perry – Birmingham, AL
Hair Stylist – Oak Street Hair Group, Inc. – Birmingham, AL
Makeup Artist – Richard Joseph Salon - Birmingham, AL