Wedding: Alana & Ben – St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church & RSA Activity Center – Montgomery, Alabama

Once upon a time, a boy and a girl met in the 10th grade. The girl liked the boy, and the boy had a crush on the girl, but it wasn’t until their senior year that the boy asked the girl to go to their school’s homecoming dance, and then to their senior prom. After that there were no more dates. They went their separate ways, off to different colleges; and didn’t cross paths again until 7 long years later. The boy’s mom and grandmother convinced him to call the girl…and a couple of years later, the boy was busy designing their wedding invitation. 🙂 (Ben also designed their save-the-date card, which told the story I just paraphrased for you!)The petticoat under Alana’s Maggie Sottero gown was her “something blue”…and pinned to it was her “something borrowed” – a military ribbon that belonged to her late uncle.Alana and Ben told me that people call them “adorkable” – and it couldn’t be more accurate. Exhibit A: Ben’s reaction to seeing Alana for the first time on their wedding day at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church:For a few pictures, Alana wore her “something old” – a fur stole that belonged to Ben’s great-grandmother.The reception at the RSA Activity Center was full of more personal touches. On display was a wedding dress made by Alana’s great-grandmother, which was worn by Alana’s grandmother, aunt, and sister on their wedding days. On either side of the dress were trays of cookies made from family recipes: peanut butter cookies in honor of Ben’s late grandmother, and tea cookies in honor of Alana’s late grandmother.Peggy McKinney created an elegant cake for the bride and an Auburn cake for the groom:For a little local flavor, Chris’ Hot Dogs made an appearance alongside the rest of their catering menu:The fabulous Hunter Lawley Band kept the night going (Hunter is a college friend of Alana’s), while guests rocked out with their favors: colorful light up tambourines!Alana & Ben: thank you so much for letting me laugh with you – I’d go ninja for you any day!