Before we can jump into our super exciting 2018, we have to look back at the incredible moments we were blessed to be part of this past year. Our annual Best Of round up of 2017 is in! We loved working with each and every one of our brides and their families. Cheers to all the wonderful memories you will make together in the years to come!

Peace and love in your new year! XOXO – Julie

Best Ceremony Venue
Grace + Scott, The Terrace at The Club; Birmingham, Alabama
An incredible view atop Red Mountain. photo Kelli + Daniel Taylor Photography

Honorable Mention:
Alyson + Preston, First United Methodist; Montgomery, Alabama
Rachel + David, Church of the Highlands Chapel; Birmingham, Alabama
Brittany + Alex, The Sculpture Garden at The Birmingham Museum of Art; Birmingham, Alabama

Best Getting Ready Venue
Anna, The Presidential Suite at The Grand Bohemian; Mountain Brook, Alabama
Our new favorite spot – bold, yet refined, with plenty of natural light. photo Amy Arrington Photography

Honorable Mention:
Caroline, Private Residence; Auburn, Alabama
Sarah, Ross Bridge Resort & Spa; Birmingham, Alabama
Anna, The Country Club of Birmingham; Mountain Brook, Alabama

Best Reception Venue
Caroline + Ben, Private Residence; Auburn, Alabama
Wedding from scratch – enough said. photo Davy Whitener

Honorable Mention:
Anna + Robert, The Country Club of Birmingham; Mountain Brook, Alabama
Alyson + Preston, The Kress Building; Montgomery, Alabama
Anna + John, The Birmingham Museum of Art; Birmingham, Alabama

Best Reception Design
Alyson Reynolds Cauthen, Kress Building; Montgomery, Alabama
Modern. Clean. Understated. Every wish come true. photo Mary Margaret Smith Photography

Honorable Mention:
Nina Lowery McKinney, Windwood Equestrian; Birmingham, Alabama
Caroline Parker Matthes, Private Residence; Auburn, Alabama
Anna Hill Propst, Birmingham Museum of Art; Birmingham, Alabama

Best Bouquet
Leanne Rickey Brafford, Edna K Design at Clubhouse on Highland; Birmingham, Alabama
Soft and feminine for spring, with an asymmetrical touch. photo Mary Margaret Smith Photography

Honorable Mention:
Freya Hardy Millin, The Funky Shack Flower Market at Smith Gilbert Gardens; Atlanta, Georgia
Olivia McCammon Swinger, Lisa P. Bailey Flowers at The Florentine; Birmingham, Alabama
Sarah Stalnaker Odom, Edna K Design at The Barn at Shady Lane; Birmingham, Alabama

Best Overall Party
Caroline + Ben, Private Residence; Auburn, Alabama
Entertaining guests on your own property is always a good idea. photo Davy Whitener

Honorable Mention:
Anna + John, The Birmingham Museum of Art; Birmingham, Alabama
Sarah + Alex, The Barn at Shady Lane; Birmingham, Alabama
Mary Catherine + Justin, Fountainview Mansion; Auburn, Alabama

Best Cocktail Hour
Nina + Gavin, Windwood Equestrian; Birmingham, Alabama
A raw bar + passed Southern favorites + a bar of custom libations = winning. photo Eric Kelley

Honorable Mention:
Emily + Marcus, The Cannery; Nashville, Tennessee
Anna + John, Birmingham Museum of Art; Birmingham, Alabama

Best Signature Drink
Anna + Robert, “Mississippi Mud” at The Country Club of Birmingham; Mountain Brook, Alabama
Alcohol in a milkshake, passed late night? We’re done. photo Kelli + Daniel Taylor Photography

Best Bride’s Cake
Alyson Reynolds Cauthen via Peggy McKinney at The Kress Building; Montgomery, Alabama
Seriously the prettiest thing we’ve seen all year. photo Mary Margaret Smith Photography

Honorable Mention:
Anna Hill Propst via Magic Muffins at The Birmingham Museum of Art; Birmingham, Alabama
Olivia McCammon Swinger via Magic Muffins at The Florentine; Birmingham, Alabama
Rachel Rich Ridley via Olexa’s at Greystone Country Club; Birmingham, Alabama

Best Groom’s Cake
John Propst via Magic Muffins at The Birmingham Museum of Art; Birmingham, Alabama
Because every football playin’ UT groom needs a cornhole cake.

Honorable Mention:
Hunter Sewell via Barb’s Cake at Springhouse; Lake Martin, Alabama
Marcus Ratcliff via Tis So Sweet at The Cannery; Nashville, Tennessee
Alex Denson via Magnificent Cakes at B&A Warehouse; Birmingham, Alabama

Best Band
Tatum + Rob and Caroline + Ben, The Main Attraction Band from Atlanta, Georgia
Did someone say “showtime?” Oh, yeah. photo Davy Whitener

 

Honorable Mention:
Nan + Whit, Olivia + Nathan and Olivia + Lakin, Ascension from Atlanta, Georgia

Best Dress
Christine Ramey Riley, BHLDN
One word: stunning. photo W&E Photographie

Honorable Mention:
Brittany Hill Denson, Alexandra Grecco via Kelly’s Closet
Anna Henderson Crook, Heidi Elnora via Heidi Elnora Atelier
Anna Hill Propst, Pronovias via White Dresses

Best Veil
Anna Henderson Crook, Family Heirloom
A piece that’s been passed down for generations is always a winner in our book. photo Kelli + Daniel Taylor Photography

Honorable Mention:
Grace Roberts Greer, Toni Federici via Carriage House
Anna Hill Propst, Toni Federici via White Dresses

Best Hair & Make-Up
Nan Timberlake Whittelsey via The Hair & Makeup Collective; Birmingham, Alabama
A natural beauty, we adore Nan’s glow. photo Kevin Roberts Photography

Honorable Mention:
Anna Henderson Crook via Abby Moorer; Birmingham, Alabama
Grace Roberts Greer via The Makeup Collective; Birmingham, Alabama

Best Use of Color
Freya + Alex, Smith Gilbert Gardens; Atlanta, Georgia
That dahlia though. photo Eliza Morrill

Honorable Mention:
Nina + Gavin, Windwood Equestrian; Birmingham, Alabama
Olivia + Lakin, Bridgestreet Gallery & Loft; Birmingham, Alabama
LeeAnne + William, Clubhouse on Highland; Birmingham, Alabama

Best Favor
Leanne + William, Cheerwine
For a North Carolina groom, the perfect personal detail. photo Mary Margaret Smith Photography

Honorable Mention:
Olivia + Nathan, Shipley’s Donuts

Best Welcome Basket
Brittany + Alex via Yellow Hammer Creative
Ain’t nothing better than some Magic City goodies.

Honorable Mention:
Rachel + David via Empress Stationery
Kelley + Michael via Invision Events

Best Use of a Custom Monogram
Rachel + David via Empress Stationery
Watercolor monogram. On a pillow. Is this real life? photo Rachel Whyte Photography

Honorable Mention:
Nina + Gavin via Allison R. Banks Designs
Caroline + Ben via Linen & Leaf

Best Furry Friend
Grace + Scott, “Levon” at The Tutwiler; Birmingham, Alabama
Christmas card goals, for real. photo Kelli + Daniel Taylor Photography

Honorable Mention:
Abbey + Hayes at The Emporium; Troy, Alabama
Katelin + Sean at Moore’s Mill Club; Auburn, Alabama
Lesley + Hunter at Springhouse; Lake Martin, Alabama

Best Send Off
Sarah + Matt, Snow at Crooked Oaks; Notasulga, Alabama
When you get engaged in Breckenridge and honeymoon in Switzerland, a snowy send off is a must. We are anxiously waiting these amazing photos from Eliza Morrill!

Honorable Mention:
Nan + Whit, Fireworks at The Club; Birmingham, Alabama
Emily + Marcus, Lavender at The Cannery; Nashville, Tennessee

Best Dressed Groom
John Propst, Classic Tuxedo via Mr. Burch Formalwear
Every girl goes crazy for a sharp dressed man. photo Amy Arrington Photography

Honorable Mention:
Alex Millin, Custom Suit
Ben Matthes, Classic Tuxedo via Men’s Warehouse
Robert Crook, Dinner Jacket via Mr. Burch Formalwear

Best Dressed Guests
Nina + Gavin, Windwood Equestrian; Birmingham, Alabama
We will never tire of a classic, black tie affair. photo Eric Kelley Photography

Honorable Mention:
Tatum + Rob, The Stables at Russell Crossroads; Lake Martin, Alabama
Anna + Robert, Country Club of Birmingham; Mountain Brook, Alabama
Alyson + Preston, The Kress Building; Montgomery, Alabama

Best Surprise
Tatum + Rob, “Elvis is in the Building” at The Stables at Russell Crossroads; Lake Martin, Alabama
When the Father of the Bride pranks his only daughter, everybody gets a laugh. photo Cathrine Taylor Photography

Honorable Mention:
Anna + John, “Hats + Canes” at The Birmingham Museum of Art; Birmingham, Alabama
Nan + Whit, “Fireworks atop Red Mountain” at The Club; Birmingham, Alabama
Nina + Gavin, “Handwritten Vows” at Windwood Equestrian; Birmingham, Alabama