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.
This was truly a step-back-in-time to ‘old southern’ elegance! A perfect fairytale evening began in the beautiful church adorned with gorgeous flowers and surrounded by fabulous organ music played by Helen Van Abbema Rodgers and solos of Ave Maria sung by Rebecca Stevens and The Lord’s Prayer sung by Mike Zoghby, all topped off with the ringing of the bells. Moving on to the reception was like going into a wonderland of flowers, music, dancing, fabulous food, and an atmosphere of love! The sparklers were the ‘icing on the cake’ for a magical evening. I’m blessed to be a part of the love shared that evening!!!
There is nothing better than celebrating young love at a wedding, especially if they are “family”. Looks like a beautiful day!
It was such a warm, inviting event, that we all felt like “family!”
Gorgeous! My nephew and his bride left last weekend under a spray of sparklers, too. It’s very dramatic and makes a great impact. It’s also fun for the guests! I wanted to write in the sky with mine, but restrained myself somehow!
Elizabeth and John had the giant two-foot long sparklers, so it made for a beautiful effect!
I’ve seen a bride arrive in a stretch Hummer, but this is the first time I’ve seen one arrive in a trolley. Neat! That church is beautiful. Nice photos LA!
Wow, what a pretty wedding and reception! Thank goodness for umbrellas, and it looks like it cleared just in time to enjoy some of the outdoors during the reception. I remember at our wedding it rained just before time to walk down the aisle (which was also outdoors!) and it made the colors outside gorgeous for the pics. I love that picture of the cake with the evening sun peeking through the trees.
Judy
Thanks Judy. It was a bit warm, but the rain really cooled things down. The photo of the cake was taken with my iphone!
Swoon~~~~A gorgeous Southern bride and absolutely stunning wedding….the flowers, the church, the reception and a beautiful wedding cake that looks like a “storybook” come true. Congratulations and best wishes to the bride and groom!!
Here-here! Cheers, and thanks, Barbara!
A “jaunty” trolly. Perfect descriptive word. Clever mode of transportation.
It transported the entire wedding party in a fun way!
Your sweet and well written blog will be a treasure to the bride and her family.
Thanks Patsy. The family is certainly a big part of our community.
What a pretty wedding! Which church is this? I agree that the flowers are spectacular. And I love the bridesmaids’ dresses, too.
What a beautiful wedding. I love everything in the photos. The church is beyond words. Please tell me the congregation stills uses hymnals and that there is no screen anywhere in the sanctuary.
Bingo! You and I think alike.
Hi Little Bitty Pretty One! Oh, what a beautiful wedding. The bride looks so lovely and I wish the little couple many blessings. So glad to know the storm didn’t disturb the reception. The food bar looks so pretty and sounds delish.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
It was fabulous, and I hate that I didn’t get a photo of the main food tent, but it was hard to balance my plate and take photos too!
I love the idea of a shrimp and grits bar…it does seem so southern. The flowers were beatiful…what a grand start to a life together.
The shrimp and grits were a huge hit and just looking at the photos now makes me want to cooks some tonight!
The wedding flowers were gorgeous, my favorite being the pew markers! It is surreal to witness such milestones in those we’ve watched grow up, isn’t it? I missed the post on the beautiful bed and breakfast venue of the parents. Off to check it out! Have a great weekend! ~Rhonda
I need to go back and ask who did the flowers, because they really were beautiful. At the church, there were arrangements over the doorways entwined with grape vines. And yes, go back and look at the Away at the Bay story. It’s such a wonderful place to sit and relax if you are visiting Fairhope!