By Ally Morrison The year of weddings is here. The Knot estimates there will be about 2.6 million weddings in the United States in 2022, the biggest wedding boom since 1984, as brides who had delayed their ceremonies because of COVID fears finally set dates to walk down the aisle. At The White Room, a bridal boutique in Mountain Brook, owner Cathy Kelley said … [Read more...]
In Praise of Small Weddings: Lauren Theiss and Frank Gleason Downsized to Family Gathering at Honeywood Valley
By Emily Williams-Robertshaw Both Lauren Theiss and Frank Gleason were raised in Birmingham, she in Vestavia Hills and he in Mountain Brook. Both Lauren and Frank followed in the footsteps of their fathers as medical professionals working at UAB. The couple didn’t meet during their youth or in the halls of the hospital but, instead, at Innisfree Pub in Lakeview. They met at … [Read more...]
Major Adjustment: Last-Minute Venue Change Provides Perfect Atmosphere for Homewood Couple’s August Wedding
By Emily Williams-Robertshaw Newlyweds Sydne and Jeffrey “JJ” Shaffer met while attending college at Auburn University. Both were involved in collegiate athletics, Sydne being a softball player while JJ played baseball. Sydne moved to Birmingham right after graduation, while JJ remained in Auburn to pursue a master’s in business before making the same move. On Jan. 18, 2020, … [Read more...]
A Perfect Match: Lauren and William Love Celebrate Wedded Bliss in Atlanta
By Emily Williams-Robertshaw The saying “love means nothing to a tennis player” is far from the case for newlyweds Lauren and William Love. Lauren, a University of Alabama graduate and Vestavia Hills native, and William, a University of Georgia graduate of Marietta, Georgia, met in Atlanta on the tennis court. They were paired by their mutual friend, Will Varnado, for … [Read more...]
Pandemic Planning: Vendors Adapt to Wedding Planning in 2020, Prepare for 2021
By Emily Williams-Robertshaw The wedding industry is made up of a variety of specialized companies a couple matches together to create their special day. It is a multibillion-dollar operation, even in 2020. But there is no doubt that the industry has fallen victim to the economic impact of COVID-19 as couples scale back, postpone and even cancel marital plans in response to … [Read more...]