Like a lot of my couples I met Brooke and Alan at a local coffee shop to go over the details of their wedding and get to know them better. I can easily say I knew I would get along with these two just fine immediately. Brooke and Alan are an adorable couple together. They have a sweet dynamic and the best senses of humor. They are fluent in sarcasm and dry humor-my people! I loved the way Brooke put her trust in me completely from the start and throughout the whole process I really loved working with them.
Brooke and Alan opted for a first look before the ceremony and it gave them the opportunity to have some amazing portraits at different locations, a beautiful park and The Dali Musuem. They had their ceremony, cocktail hour and reception at Morean Center for Clay and this would have made taking all the portraits there during cocktail hour a little challenging. I love that their portraits have a beautiful variety and were not rushed.
The ceremony was held on one end of Morean Center for Clay and there was plenty of room for it because they had a great guest count of about 75. This was one of my favorite ceremonies because the words they chose were so meaningful and loving but also absolutely hilarious so their great senses of humor could still shine. I mean, Alan Rick Rolled Brooke during his vows and it was just as epic as you could imagine. My husband Kyle, Veatch House Woodworking constructed an amazing backdrop for the ceremony and I love how it turned out. Not only did guests use it as a backdrop for the photo station but Brooke and Alan took pieces of it and turned it into their headboard. How is that for some intentional and meaningful design?!
They opted to do a streamer cannon exit for after the ceremony and I highly encourage the trend of an “exit” after the ceremony. This is truly the most exciting portion of the whole day because they are just now officially married as opposed to when everyone is several drinks deep and exhausted at the end of the wedding. Also, if you opt to not hire your photo and video team to be there until the last moments of your wedding this still gives you exciting photos of an “exit”. I am hoping this becomes more of a thing.
The cocktail hour was held outside where guests enjoyed drinks and hors d'oeuvre. We also used the big metal railroad door to hold the seating chart. This turned out to be my favorite detail of the wedding and maybe one of my all time favorite details ever. We had the guests names and table number calligraphed on paint samples and fastened to a magnet that we stuck on the door. I love giving guests an entire hour during cocktail hour so they can find their seats and their isn’t a “traffic jam” on the way to the reception.
Brooke and Alan wanted their reception to be understated and elegent and definitely not stuffy and I think we acheived that beautifully. They decided to serve BBQ at their wedding to keep things casual but it was still done with class. I loved the overall vibe and guests did too. We used a mix of long feasting tables and round tables to give some visual interest and a cozy feel in the industrial space. The wedding was held in November so the design and color palette was inspired by the time of year too.
Brooke being a talented dancer and Pure Barre instructor HAD to surprise Alan with a flash mob with her wedding party in friends in on the secret. They did the wedding danced to “Forever” by Chris Brown just like they did at Jim and Pam’s wedding in The Office and it was again, EPIC. I told you these were my people, didn’t I?
At the end of the night Brooke, Alan and their family thanked us over and over for all we did and were just so kind. Brooke mentioned she would love to help me on weddings if I ever needed help. I didn’t think she was actually serious but she offered again a few weeks later and she has been Team AVD ever since, bringing her positive attitude and big muscles to our wedding production days and I am so thankful!
Brooke and Alan, being your wedding designer and planner was such a treat. You two together are such a ray of sunshine in this world. Thank you for putting your complete trust in me and allowing me to be a part of your day. I wish you guys all the laughter in fun for many, many years!
Photography and Videography: Namesake Creative | Planning, design & flowers: Amber Veatch Designs | Venue: Morean Center for Clay | Rentals: A Chair Affair | Linens: Linens by the Sea | Hair: Tyler Ashley Hair | Makeup: Lasting Luxe | Stationery and Calligraphy: Grace Reclaimed | Gown: Martina Liana | Dress boutique: CC’s Bridal | Catering and bartending: 4Rivers | Cake: Publix | Transportation: Jolly Trolly | Entertainment: DJ Adam Hensleigh, Grant Hemond & Associates | Wood ceremony backdrop: Veatch House Woodworking