There’s nothing happier than a beautiful girl on the day of her wedding, and Elizabeth showed her Southern charm as she dealt calmly with the summer storms that blew through the area moments before her Alabama wedding.
Taking a jaunty trolly to the ceremony, my former babysitter looked grown up and completely lovely and calm. Her photographer, Melinda Mercer, captured these moments perfectly.
Once the bride was in the protection of the church, the storm clouds opened up, and guests were ushered inside with a well orchestrated army of handsome umbrella carrying young men.
There wasn’t a dry eye in the entire church as Joe Gravlee walked his daughter down the long aisle after bravely overcoming the effects of a severe stroke several years earlier. The popular Fairhope Ophthalmologist looked as handsome as ever as he and his amazing wife Glenda celebrated the happy day together.
If the Gravlee’s name sounds familiar, it’s because I previously wrote about their beautiful Bed and Breakfast, “Away at the Bay” (HERE). The gorgeous setting is a popular spot for many wedding receptions, and it was a natural place for Elizabeth and her new husband John to hold their own reception.
By the time the guests arrived at Elizabeth’s childhood home, the skies had cleared, making way for a beautiful rainbow, and shimmering sunset over Mobile Bay.
The Coastal Alabama themed reception was a huge hit with the guests, and this popular shrimp and grits bar proved to be kindly ecumenical by offering both local favorites – Tabasco and Crystal. People are fiercely devoted to their hot sauces around here!
As Elizabeth shared a dance with her father, the guests looked on and enjoyed more Southern delicacies including the signature drink, “Yellowhammer,” which is also the name of our state bird!
Guests danced into the night and saluted John and Elizabeth as they ran through a tunnel of giant sparklers, on their way to a lifetime of new adventures . . . knowing that true love can overcome any storm.
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Photos not marked, are courtesy of Melinda Mercer Photography. Take a look at her beautiful work HERE.
More on Away at the Bay can be found HERE.