WEDDINGS

WEDDING SPECIAL SECTION

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 Inisfree Pub in Lakeview.

They met at a seemingly inopportune time. The two began dating while Frank was in his final year of medical school. Luckily, he matched at UAB, where he has continued into his surgical residency.

A year later, it was Lauren’s turn to graduate to her own residency in surgery.

“Luckily, I matched with UAB,” Lauren said.

After four years together, Frank found a way to surprise Lauren when he asked her to marry him lakeside in November of 2019.

“He’s just not a planner at all,” Lauren said. “But he planned a weekend at his family’s lakehouse. He had my whole family and his whole family there and he made a whole itinerary.”

Shortly after they were engaged, the couple set a date for the wedding, Dec. 19, 2020.

The plans were for a classic pre-pandemic celebration. A Catholic Mass at St. Francis Xavier would be followed by a large reception at The Theodore accommodating 350 of their family and friends.

As if planning a wedding around two busy surgical residency schedules wasn’t enough, a global health crisis came knocking at the door.

“It was a roller coaster, for sure,” Lauren said.

While they stuck to their guns for a time, luck was not on the world’s side as COVID-19 raged on.

“Given that a large percentage of our friends and family are in the medical profession, the fact that we would have to downsize seemed pretty inevitable,” she said.

Adding to the injury, The Theodore closed.

“Before the Theodore reopened, we signed a contract with Cahaba Brewing Company for the same big reception,” Lauren said.

“Come August, we decided we needed to pivot.”

With the couple looking to drastically downsize the ceremony, their caterer, Thomas Cox with Table and Time, suggested they look into Honeywood Valley in Sterrett.

“It’s a lodge on a private lake,” Lauren said. “It sleeps about 13 people, but it also can be used as a wedding venue.”

It was a complete divergence from the original plan but a welcome one.

Their first dance would be held in the rustic 100-year-old Amish barn, and then they would retreat to the lodge overlooking Lake Lomah.

“We ended up just doing immediate family, so 13 people,” she said.

Both Lauren’s brother and sister got COVID19 around Thanksgiving. They recovered with ease while quarantined.

“I was so stressed for the two weeks leading up to the wedding,” she said. If one of their family members had to quarantine, the wedding could go on, but if Lauren or Frank became sick, the entire plan would be void.

“Frank was on a busy service at work,” Lauren said, which added to her worries.

Lauren was called in to get her first COVID19 vaccine just three days before the wedding.

“Our families were so lucky, one, that we were healthy and fortunate enough to be able to do that during such a stressful time for so many people,” Lauren said. “Also, that this was totally normal and a blast.”

Lauren Theiss and Frank Gleason were married at St. Francis Xavier, and the entire family made their way out to Honeywood for the reception.

Birthed from the chaos of planning and replanning was a wedding experience more special than she imagined.

A Family Retreat

Frank’s parents hosted the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding at Golden Age in Mountain Brook Village.

“That’s a place that is very special to us,

Birmingham Museum of Art Bromberg’s

The Birmingham Museum of Art is an elegant and modern venue, suited to host any wedding event, such as engagement parties, bridal luncheons, teas and showers down to the ceremony and or reception.

“If you choose the Museum for your wedding, you can utilize all of our public spaces – Oscars Café, with the dramatic spiral staircase; the Eighth Ave. Lobby, which has the colorful blown glass art created by Dale Chihuly adorning the wall; and the multi-level Charles Ireland Sculpture Garden outside,” said Special Events Manager Jestina Howard, above.

“ You can have the Museum art galleries open for your guests to tour and we only book one private event after 5:00pm when we close to the public. So, you and your guests will have the entire Museum to yourselves,” Howard added.

Howard’s Wedding Planning Tips

“One: Consider hiring a wedding planner or coordinator. They can make the process of planning your wedding stress free. Planners handle all of the details from beginning to end such as logistics, event design, contract negotiations, booking vendors and the day-of execution of your event. Coordinators handle some day-of logistics, but on a shorter timeline. They usually begin helping you prepare a week or month before the wedding and function as your day- of point person.”

“Two: Think about the three most important aspects you want for your special day. Are those aspects the food, specialty drinks, decor or entertainment, etc.? Prioritize the three things and stick to them.”

“Three: Decide on your wedding style/theme - is it traditional, contemporary or rustic? Focus on this so you stay aligned with your complete event vision.”

Birmingham Museum of Art is located at 2000 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd., 205-2542681 or email plananevent@artsbma.org

Through seven generations as a family owned and operated business, Bromberg’s has remained Alabama’s favorite destination for wedding gifts and registries. To celebrate 185 years of business, Bromberg’s will be giving away a bridal luncheon to one lucky registered bride!

Joining the celebration are longtime business partners and community friends. The luncheon will be held at and catered by Olexa’s Cafe in Mountain Brook Village, a charming local favorite for decadent cakes and food. Juliska, Bromberg’s partner of 20 years, will beautifully set the table with china and glassware and supply the bridesmaid gifts. Sought after florist Mary Cox Brown of Marigold Designs and stationer Jennifer Hunt of Dogwood Hill will be lending their expertise in floral arrangements and custom invitations, menus, and place cards. Photography by Arden Ward Upton of Arden Photography will be included, and the luncheon will be featured in the 2022 wedding issue of Mountain Brook Magazine. Each detail will be carefully considered to ensure a memorable day to kick off a wedding celebration!

Couples tying the knot this year can enter to win the bridesmaids’ luncheon by registering for Juliska at Bromberg’s, the best-selling giftware line. Handmade dinnerware, gifts for the home, and mouth-blown glassware in numerous patterns offer everyday luxury. Picking out a few decorative items or creating a Juliska-filled registry will automatically enter the couple into the giveaway.

The experts at Bromberg’s locations in Mountain Brook and at The Summit are available to guide couples in creating a registry, or brides can register from the comfort of their home online at BrombergsBride.com.

For more information about the bridal luncheon giveaway, please visit: brombergs.com/ juliska-registry-event/.

There is an art to creating the perfect wedding. Let us be your canvas.

artsbma.org · 205.254.2681 plananevent@artsbma.org

Image courtesy Eric & Jamie Photography

SPECIAL EVENT

Discover the beautiful line of Faber-Castell and Graf von Faber-Castell premium writing instruments. Perfect gifts for dads and grads.

Mountain Brook • Friday, June 18th • 11 am to 3 pm The Summit • Saturday, June 19th • 11 am to 3 pm

Our aim is to serve people the best cake they have ever had, while also giving them a presentation that is absolutely unique and beautiful. Whether it is a diamond engagement ring, anniversary earrings or a special piece for your day, JB & CO can help you collect your heirloom.

Daughters Baking

“We are a boutique cake bakery that specializes in the ‘naked’ style of cakes,” said owner Mallory Webb, above. “Our offerings include cakes for weddings and larger events, as well as miniature portions of cake for individuals and smaller gatherings. We also will offer our signature granola and crunches, as well as various other products, once we open our storefront location in Mountain Brook Village in mid-July.”

Mallory said they are known in the wedding industry for their signature “naked” style of cakes (where the cakes do not have any icing on the side, and the various colorful layers are visible to the audience), and their unique spin on classic flavors - often with visible and vibrant colors that catches peoples’ eyes and is typically out of the norm for weddings. These cakes are available as large tiered wedding cakes, or as single tiered cakes.

“We also work with brides up until their big day with phone consultations, wedding sample tasting packages, and gathering as much information as possible in order to help their wedding day be what they have always dreamed of.”

“Our aim is to serve people the best cake they have ever had, while also giving them a presentation that is absolutely unique and beautiful. Our wedding department strives to serve our customers with excellence, respect, and care - going above and beyond to make their wedding day experience perfect and seamless,” Mallory said.

“We recommend couples to inquire with us as early as possible, in order to secure their wedding date with us. We also strongly encourage couples to enjoy one of our wedding cake tasting packages - so that they get to try our different flavor options!

“We are so thankful for the support of loyal customers. Since we’ve operated out of a commercial kitchen, we were able to continue providing cakes for customers with our online ordering and drive-up delivery method,” Mallory said.

Daughters Baking, 2812 Cahaba Road Mountain Brook Village.

Grand Opening July 29th Mountain Brook Village next to Bromberg's

JB & CO

JB & CO is a jewelry boutique by Private Jeweler John Bromberg. His boutique honors a return to an old-world artisan approach to fine jewelry. In an industry that is increasingly focused on mass production, JB & CO chooses to focus on the unique, with specialties that include bridal, custom and estate jewelry.

At a time when individual service is of the utmost importance, Bromberg personally works with his clients to select or create just the right piece for the occasion, always adhering to their style and budget. Whether it is a diamond engagement ring, a micro-mosaic necklace or a special piece for your day, JB & CO can help you collect your heirloom. His selection of jewelry comes from destinations far and wide, from the finest houses such as Buccellati, Bulgari, and Tiffany, as well as designers Jean Schlumberger, Elizabeth Locke, Katy Briscoe and Ippolita. In addition, he has a select collection of coveted watches from Cartier, Patek Philippe and Rolex.

Private Jeweler, John Bromberg provides his customers privacy and anonymity in his work. He is a sixth-generation trained jeweler with memberships to the prestigious Diamond Dealers’ Club of New York and The American Society of Jewelry Historians. John Bromberg’s longstanding relationships offer the unique opportunity for his clients to purchase fine jewelry at an exceptional value.

For the full JB & CO experience, we recommend making an appointment. “Collect with us,” said Bromberg.

JB & Co. is located at 1 Office Park Cir., Ste. 201, Mountain Brook, AL 35223. 205-4780455.

Website: www.JBandCoJewelry.com Instagram: @ JBandCoJewelryMountainBrookAL Facebook: JBandCoJewelry

MAKE YOUR OWN FIREWORKS

One Office Park circle, Suite 201 MOuntain BrOOk, al 35223

205.478.0455 • JohnBromberg@JBandCoJewelry.com www.JBandCoJewelry.com

Attic Antiques

We are working hard to open the shop full time after storm damage. We are open by chance. Come by and see if we are in!

5620 Cahaba Valley Road 991-6887

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The first dance was held in the rustic 100-year-old Amish barn at Honeywood Valley in Sterrett.

From page 21 because we go there all the time,” Lauren added.

The following day, they had their full Mass at 2 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier, and the entire family made their way out to Honeywood.

“We went to the barn to have our first dance and then we all went down to the lodge to have a catered meal,” Lauren said.

The group also tuned in to watch the Crimson Tide beat the Florida Gators, Lauren added, “as one does when the SEC Championship is on your wedding day.”

What may have been most special was the family time spent at the lodge. All 13 in attendance stayed at the retreat for two nights.

Birthed from the chaos of planning and replanning was a wedding experience more special than she imagined.

“I had never been to a small wedding,” she said. “One of my best friends from college did something like this pre-COVID. She just didn’t want to have a big ceremony and just did a small family weekend and a large reception later.

“As we were deciding to do this, I talked to her and she said, ‘You’re going to appreciate this so much more.’ And she was right,” she said.

“I remember thinking on the day of the wedding … while I was getting ready, in our original plan, I wouldn’t have seen Frank until 5 o’clock,” she said. “I would have spent the whole day apart from him.”

By downsizing the event, the couple had the opportunity to not only spend time with their own families one on one, but each other’s. Lauren attributes that success, in part, to their families already having a strong connection.

Lauren’s father, Dr. Steven Theiss, and Frank’s father, Dr. Brian Gleason, met through a basketball league at UAB well before the couple knew each other.

“As a medical student, I actually worked with Frank’s dad,” Lauren laughed.

It made for not only a fun vacation but a relaxing one.

Lauren noted that her wedding vendors’ willingness to adapt to the ever-changing plans was another great relief.

“I was really nervous to tell everybody about this decision we had made to basically postpone our big reception, and I knew that the wedding industry was really suffering,” she said. “I just didn’t want that to be harmful to any of our vendors, but not a single vendor gave us any pushback.”

She worked with Engaged Wedding Library in Homewood, which helped the couple and their families plan and replan every facet.

“We’re so lucky to have that resource in Birmingham,” she said. “(Sidney Nomberg), who we worked with the most, was actually the one who told me that The Theodore had closed.

“They helped us with our small event even though they didn’t have to.”

After returning from Honeywood Valley, the couple went on a short honeymoon to a resort in the Great Smoky Mountains.

“We were only there for about three nights because Christmas was the weekend after our wedding,” Lauren said. The couple plans to take a larger wedding trip sometime in the next year or so.

Now that Lauren and Frank had their small ceremony, they are moving forward with the big celebration this November at Cahaba Brewing Company.

“I’m excited for our reception and I’m glad that we did it the way we did,” she said.