By Barry Wise Smith   Photos by Caroline Bobbitt PhotographyTo say that Stephanie and Daniel Sims had a busy 2025 would be a drastic understatement. In the span of a year, with just eight months separating them, both of their children—son Trey and daughter Kate—got married. “While it was busy and a little challenging at times, it was fun and special for our … [Read more...]

By Madoline Markham KoonceLittle did Hannah Dean know when she attended mass each Sunday at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church growing up that her future husband was sitting just pews away from her each week–or that their wedding would take place in that very church.Fast forward a decade or two to when Whitney Bygrave, a friend of Hannah’s sister, had an idea for a … [Read more...]

By Barry Wise Smith    Photography by Brittany SturdivantGrowing up, Brittany Sturdivant didn’t plan on becoming a wedding photographer. “I never considered photography as a career,” Sturdivant says. “I grew up dancing my whole life,” she says of her years spent at Birmingham Dance Theatre. SWhen she graduated Vestavia Hills High School and moved on to … [Read more...]

By Barry Wise Smith Photos by Kristen Pugh PhotographyEven in childhood, Riordan Wyatt Matthaei was fascinated by Spain. “I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t interested in visiting Spain,” she says. “I think it started in elementary school when my parents encouraged me to take Spanish.” Growing up in Homewood and going through the Homewood schools, … [Read more...]

   By Madoline Markham KoonceGrowing up, everyone would always call Jane Dickens the “cruise director.” She always had a plan to keep everyone organized and make sure they had what they needed.It should come as no surprise then that today she uses that same skillset for her wedding coordination business, Jane B. Dickens Events. “I love the magic of … [Read more...]