OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal
Thursday, June 14, 2012 • 21
Weddings & Engagements
Joy Varnell paints Dari and Rob Roden’s wedding ceremony from the balcony of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Photo courtesy Brendon Pinola Photography
Story by Laura McAlister • Photos by Daniel Taylor Photography
From left: The Foss-Jones wedding reception was at the Jones’ family farm, Swann Lake. Kibbe and Alexander were married April 28. The couple went with a blue cake instead of the traditional white.
Festive Farm Reception Couple Combines Tradition and Fun for Memorable Wedding Day
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“We had 14 groomsmen,” Kibbe said. “It was really hard to edit ibbe Foss Jones was never the type to fantasize back friends, so I just said, if it’s that important to you, then have about weddings, but she knew she wanted her big them all. So that’s what we did, and it worked out very well.” day to be traditional and elegant yet also rustic and The groomsmen wore traditional tuxes, and the bridesmaids fun. wore bluish-gray tea-length cocktail dresses. Each attendant selected It didn’t take many visits to her future husband’s her dress’ neckline and bodice style. family farm to realize it was the place she wanted Though her mother wasn’t able to be involved directly in all the family and friends to gather to celebrate their special planning since she was in Hawaii, Kibbe did insist she help select day. the wedding dress. They ended their search at The White Room in Kibbe and Alexander Jones were married April 28 and now live Cahaba Heights. near Crestline Village. After a wed“I really had no idea what I was ding ceremony at St. Mary’s-Onlooking for,” Kibbe said. “I tried on the-Highlands Episcopal Church, the every style. I love sparkle, but the couple and their some 350 guests more dresses I tried on ... they just headed to Swann Lake Stables in were heavy, and I felt nervous. Cahaba Heights, a horse farm that’s “Then I slipped this one on, and it been in the Jones family for about 15 felt simple, light and beautiful. I felt years, for the reception. like the dress went with the venue.” Kibbe, an Atlanta native, said the The strapless, sweetheart gown historic Southside church paired pershe chose was light with a layer of fectly with the rustic family farm to organza over the ballroom skirt with provide just what she wanted for her flowers below the waistline. Carolyn wedding day. Kelley at The White Room made the “St. Mary’s is a very important veil, which was similar to a mantilla aspect of Alexander’s family,” she veil that draped over her head and said. “When I first saw it, I thought Foss-Jones • April 28, 2012 shoulders and was trimmed with laceit looked like a European chapel. It’s work similar to that of her dress. beautiful with dark wood and stained Her vintage style gown and veil glass windows. “I really didn’t need to add many elements to it. It’s just so beau- fit perfectly with the decor created by Neillie back at the barn. A huge white tent was set up next to the stables, and antique tiful.” rugs, furniture and chandeliers were brought in for a more sophistiWhile selecting the venues was easy, the details were somewhat cated look. more difficult, especially since Kibbe’s parents live in Hawaii. The The guest book, which happened to be an Italian cookbook since bride-to-be sought the assistance of wedding planner Neillie Butler the couple planned a honeymoon in Italy, awaited guests at the front with Marée Ami to help her plan her rustic yet elegant day. entryway. The couple wanted the event to be sophisticated but fun. They There was a dance floor and stage for Motown band also wanted to include their family and friends in the celebration. Compozitionz from Jackson, Miss. A lighted alleyway led to the It started with determining who would be in the wedding party. Both have large families and lots of friends they made together while attending Auburn University. Kibbe was able to narrow her See RECEPTION, page 22 bridesmaids down to 10, but Alexander had a tougher time.
Wedding Works of Art
Artist Creates Keepsake Paintings On Site
By Laura McAlister
A
Journal Editor
s Dari and Rob Roden were saying their wedding vows at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Joy Varnell captured the moment for them – not with a camera, but a canvas. Joy is owner of Live Event Art of Alabama, which she founded about a year ago. With the new business venture, the artist leaves the privacy of her home studio Live Event and paints at public events. Her most popular venues Art of to date are weddings and Alabama receptions. Learn more “I really didn’t know about Live Event how I’d feel about having Art of Alabama people watch me,” she said and Joy of painting live events. “But Varnell at www. it really doesn’t bother me joyvarnellart. at all. It’s really fun. com “People are very curious, and with weddings, everybody is so happy. The brides are so much fun to work with.” When painting weddings or receptions, Joy said, she meets with the couple beforehand to discuss the event. On the wedding day, she arrives a few hours early so she can begin painting the scene. “Then I fill it in as people arrive,” she said. When it came to Dari and Rob’s wedding, the Hoover couple wanted their beloved church to be the star of their painting. Joy sat in the balcony of the church during the ceremony and painted the scene. Dari said she couldn’t be more pleased with the results. “We actually have it hanging in the hallway when you first walk in the door,” she said. “It turned out so good. We got it right after our honeymoon. She did such a beautiful job.” While Joy was out of sight for the most part at Dari and Rob’s wedding, the artist often becomes part of the See ART, page 22