sarah grace christopher

PHOTOS BY OLIVIA CARTER WITH ERIC AND JAMIE PHOTOGRAPHY

Ceremony Venue: Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church

Reception Venue: The Fennec Wedding Planner/ Day Of Coordinator: Jane Dickens Events Florist: Mary Donald Caterer: The Fennec Cake: Cakes by Jan Wedding Dress: Ivory & White Bridal Boutique Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids Bridal Hair/ Makeup: The Glow App Groom’s Attire: Mr. Burch Formal Wear Bridesmaids Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids Stationery: Please Reply Calligraphy: JB Creates

DJ/Wedding Band: I Love This Band Wedding

Transportation: Rare Transportation Wedding Night

Accommodations: The Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook

HOW DID YOU TWO MEET?

Christopher and I met in college at the University of Alabama, but it wasn’t until many years later when we both moved to Nashville that we became close friends and ultimately fell in love.

THE PROPOSAL

Christopher planned a trip to the Bahamas last October for my fall break (teacher perks)! On the first night there, we had just finished getting ready for dinner and were walking through our beautiful courtyard, looking out over the ocean to grab a drink before dinner. He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! After acting extremely weird in the airport and overly protective of his carry on, I definitely should have caught on. I was shocked! It was the best surprise, and it was so special being able to celebrate at such an amazing destination and calling all of our loved ones to celebrate.

FAVORITE WEDDING MOMENT

My favorite part of the wedding was recessing out of the church as husband and wife and seeing all of our friends and family, who came from all over, to be there for us on our day. It was a surreal moment that we will never forget!

FAVORITE WEDDING DETAIL

Everyone involved in planning our wedding made it so special! From getting to wear some of my grandmothers’ jewelry and garter to my dad’s bourbon bar to the flowers, it was a dream come true! Getting married at my childhood church where my mom and stepdad, my dad and stepmom, my sister and brother-in-law and my brother and sister-in-law all got married was extremely special to me.

PHOTOS BY KATRINA LANGLAND WITH ERIC AND JAMIE PHOTOGRAPHY

Ceremony Venue: St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church

Reception Venue: The Club Wedding Planner/Day Of Coordinator: Kendal Perry Florist: Bryanna Booth with Veraflora Design Caterer: The Club Cake: Magic Muffins Wedding Dress: The White Room Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal Bridal Hair: Perfectly Undone Beauty Bridal Makeup: Cosmetics by Mackenzie Groom’s Attire: Mr. Burch Formal Wear Groomsmen Attire: Mr. Burch Formal Wear Stationery: Empress Stationery DJ/Wedding Band: Big Night Dynamite Wedding Transportation: Rare Transportation Wedding Night Accommodations: The Valley Hotel

Chris and I met during our senior year at The University of Alabama. Chris introduced himself to me while we were both at Innisfree Pub, and I responded, “Yeah, I know who you are.” I was obviously embarrassed! Later that night, I told a friend that I met a cute boy while we were out. She asked who it was and knew him from high school! She set us up for the first date party of the school year, and we’ve been together ever since!

THE PROPOSAL

Chris made plans for our families to have dinner at The View at The Club. He asked if I wanted to go early with him to have a drink. While we were taking a photo, Chris got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Our families were watching through the window the entire time, and I had no idea!

Our first dance to “September” (September 21, 2017 was the night of our first date party together). We were so excited to get out there and dance, and we felt like it set the tone for the rest of the night!

Our welcome boxes were one of my favorite details! Chris and I included different Birmingham snacks since a lot of our guests were from out of town. We included Savage’s smiley cookies, Naughty but Nice Kettle Corn Co. kettle corn and Alabama Peanut Co. peanuts.

JUNE 11, 2022

Ceremony Venue: Holy Trinity Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral Reception Venue: The Social at the Fennec Wedding Planner/Day Of Coordinator: Handley Breaux Designs Videography: Resolute Wedding Films Florist: Marigold Designs Caterer: The Fennec Cake: Magic Muffins Wedding Dress: Carriage House Weddings Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids Bridal Hair/Makeup: The Glow App Groom’s Attire: Mr. Burch Formal Wear Stationery: Annabelle’s DJ/Wedding Band: The Creativity Band Wedding Transportation: Rare Transportation

HOW DID YOU TWO MEET?

We met at the lake in 2015! Lee and I were both there with friends and ended up at the same party. I had just graduated from college and was starting my job in Birmingham, which is where Lee lived. I think 10 people from that weekend actually ended up being in our wedding! Coincidentally, we had a lot of mutual friends, so we spent a lot of time together that summer and eventually started dating in the fall.

THE PROPOSAL

Lee proposed at home, so our golden retriever could be there! He coordinated the most perfect weekend, and I have to give him credit because planning is not his forte. After the proposal we went to dinner with our parents and then back home where some of our friends were waiting to surprise us. I had no idea he had also planned a party the next night, so all of our family and friends could celebrate with us. For me, it rivals our wedding weekend. I was so surprised and felt so loved. It was the perfect way to kick off our engagement.

FAVORITE WEDDING MOMENT

Our favorite moment was during the reception when we were Greek dancing! Everyone joined in and gave it a try. It was so much fun! Afterwards, everyone stayed on the dance floor and kept it going all night long. They were lifting us up in chairs and everything. I don’t think anyone was sitting down. It really was a big, fat Greek wedding!

FAVORITE WEDDING DETAILS

I loved the flowers. We decided to do bright flowers mixed with lights, candles, citrus fruits and colored table cloths. When we walked in to see the venue, I couldn’t believe how perfectly it all came together. We also loved the party favors at the end of the night. Light-up leis and flower crowns and ice cubes that lit up, too! I love looking at the pictures. It was beautiful, and everyone seemed to be have the best time.

Ceremony Venue: Canterbury United Methodist Church

Reception Venue: Vestavia Country Club Florist: Buffy Hargett Flowers Caterer: Vestavia Country Club Wedding Planner/Day Of Coordinator: Becky Baker with Becky’s Brides Cake: Barb’s Cakes Wedding Dress: The White Room Bridal Hair & Makeup: Makeup

Mel Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids Groom’s Attire: Mr. Burch Formal Wear DJ/Wedding Band: Trotline Videography: AL Weddings Stationery: Please Reply Wedding Transportation: Rare Transportation

Wedding Night Accommodations: Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa

After only briefly meeting freshman year of college, ironically dressed as a bride and groom for the theme of the event, we knew that we wanted to know each other better. We parted ways, but Noah remained close friends with all of my friends and roommates. Architecture school kept me busy enough for a year and a half before I managed to make it to the big leagues. After reconnecting sophomore year, he quickly became my best friend, but soon after, we both knew there was something more there.

After a canceled flight, Noah drove through the night from North Carolina to propose to me. At the proposal he had rose petals and candles leading up to a satin box with my monogram. Inside of that box were keepsakes from our three and a half years of dating, including the engagement ring disguised in a ring pop bag because I had told him years prior that I would say yes to a ring pop.

Our two favorite moments from our wedding day were our wedding vows and our first dance. We both messed up when saying our wedding vows, and we held each other’s hands tight and laughed our way through it. When it came time for our first dance, we realized we had not thought to practice beforehand. Once again, we held each other, trusted in each other and lived in the moment.

We got married in my childhood church, where my parents got married. Our flower girl wore the same dress as the flower girl in my parents’ wedding. I wore sapphire earrings that Noah gifted me for my something blue along with my garter that I wore the night I met Noah.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2022

PHOTOS BY LESLIE HOLLINGSWORTH

Ceremony Venue: Canterbury United Methodist Church

Reception Venue: The Club Wedding Planner/Day Of Coordinator: Becky Baker with Becky’s Brides Florist: Buffy Hargett Flowers Caterer: The Club Cake: Magic Muffins Wedding Dress: Carriage House Weddings

Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids Bridal Hair: Perfectly Undone Bridal Makeup: BeLoved Beauty

Groom’s Attire: John Armstrong Clothiers Stationery: The Scribbler Calligraphy: Lisbeth Cease DJ/Wedding Band: City Heat Wedding Transportation: Rare Transportation Wedding Night Accommodations: The Tutwiler Hotel

Brett and I met in June 2018 after we both found ourselves back in Birmingham, looking to meet new people. After texting for a few weeks and getting to know each other better, we decided to go on our first official date over chips and queso. Our relationship grew in the kitchen as we cooked dinner together nearly every night for four years.

One weekend in April, we traveled down to Brett’s family’s beach house. Towards the end of the day, Brett suggested we go on a walk. As we approached a secluded area of the beach, Brett got down on one knee and proposed! We soon after heard cheering and clapping. We realized a small group further down the beach had witnessed the proposal. They waved us over to congratulate us, take pictures of us and give us a celebratory drink!

Our favorite moment was our first look before the ceremony. I had been keeping a pretty big secret from Brett for two weeks, and I was so excited to finally give him something he’s always wanted: a golden retriever. While seeing Murphy run around the corner was a highlight of our wedding day, Brett’s favorite moment during that time was the moment he turned around to see me as his bride for the very first time.

My favorite detail was the music we chose for our ceremony. My bridesmaids walked down the aisle to “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty,” which is the hymn my mom walked down the aisle to when she married my dad 33 years ago. It was incredibly special to stand in the narthex with my dad as he realized which piece was playing right before we walked down the aisle together for my own wedding.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2022

Ceremony Venue: Brookwood Baptist Church Reception

Venue: The Club Wedding Planner/Day Of Coordinator: King Event Co. Florist: Lillie Jane Caterer: The Club

Cake: Magic Muffins Wedding Dress: Ivory & White Bridal

Boutique Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids Bridal

Hair/Makeup: Hair & Makeup by Nat Groom’s Attire: Mr. Burch Formal Wear Stationery: Annabelle’s Calligraphy: Jan Pruitt Calligraphy DJ/Wedding Band: Fountain City Players Wedding Transportation: Rare Transportation

I met Luke on New Year’s Day in 2021 when my roommates invited a bunch of people over for game night and college football. Luke had been good friends with some of my then roommates when they were students at Auburn. My roommates claim they knew all along there was potential there. We kept running into each other while he was in town interviewing for jobs. Shortly after, we went on our first date and thankfully have been together ever since!

Luke proposed one year later on January 8, 2022. His initial plan was to propose on Crest Road with the beautiful view of the city as the backdrop. But when he got there to set up, someone else was setting up in the exact same spot! So at the very last minute (he was already late to pick me up), he came up with a new plan and went just a few streets over to a different, beautiful Birmingham view. When we arrived, a different couple was getting engaged there! I said, “Someone is getting engaged!” And he said, “Yes, someone is getting engaged!” It took me a minute once we got up to the view to realize that the pictures on the little table set up were of us! He even gave me a Bible that would have my new last name.

Having the ceremony at the church I grew up in was incredibly special. Our ceremony was officiated by one of the pastors at the church Luke and I now attend, but my older brother who is an ordained minister performed our vows.

I loved that I was able to wear my great-grandmother’s earrings and thought it was so special to carry a piece of her with me. I also loved reimagining and feminizing the McEwen family crest and featuring it on our cups and koozies at the reception!