birmingham

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Birmingham Highlight: General

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The Forest Park Historic District is quickly becoming one of the most romantic streets in Birmingham. In just a short walk, you can frolic through the garden of your dreams at Shoppe, have a cocktail at Juniper’s botanical oasis, give your hair a little love at Dream Boat, AND take a stroll though the most endearing general store and cafe that Birmingham has ever seen, General.

The front of the General store front.

General is the neighborhood cafe and general store that dreams are made of. When you enter this local sanctuary you will immediately feel like you’ve been transported to an artisan playground. Every square foot is drenched in character. From the hand-painted murals to the ornate floral arrangements, the ambiance is flawless.

The pastry case is ALWAYS calling us. Our friends at Last Call Baking will never leave you disappointed. These little delicacies are in high demand and we know why. This isn’t your typical cookie and danish situation. The pastries at General are always unexpected and elevated. The flavor selection and artistry that go behind these confections are incredible. Don’t just take our word for it, you must visit yourself. While we have tried almost every pastry they have to offer, on this visit we thoroughly enjoyed the Elote Corn Croissant, Olive Oil cake, and Japanese Almond Bread. The Olive Oil cake had just come out of the oven and was still warm - we devoured it in record time.

General serves lunch from 11am-3pm Thursday through Saturday. We tried the Chicken Salad Plate and the Mac Grilled Cheese - phenomenal. The lunch dishes are all extremely fresh and made with intention. Everything is an experience.

The general store is hard to put into words. It feels both effortless and ethereal. Every item begs to be held. There is a little bit of everything here. You could find a house-warming gift or a self care splurge for yourself. General has something special for every room in your home. Even their restrooms are a vibe. It is very clear that not a detail goes unnoticed and we are in awe of every element.

If you would like to see a little bit of the magic for yourself, you can follow them on instagram or visit their website. Whether you’re in need of a latte and a cozy window seat or a unique place to impress your friends, we know you will feel significant here.

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Bustle's Local Valentines Day Gift Guide

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Inside the stem shop at Gaia Florals.

Image by Gaia Florals

When it comes to matters of the heart, we think Birmingham is THE sanctuary of love. The beautiful creators and business owners in this city know how to make an impression that lasts. While this community is a remarkable pool of talent and innovation, we tried our best to narrow down some of our favorite spots to grab a Valentines Gift for your honey. If romance isn’t on your February forecast, then by-all-means make this a gift guide for yourself. After the last two years, YOU DESERVE IT.

“Love planted a rose, and the world turned sweet.”
— Katharine Lee Bates

Everyone needs one of those go-to shops where you can pop in on a whim and confidently pick up a last minute gift. Charm is THAT place. Just a moment in this little wonderland is self care at it’s finest. Their vintage accessories and ornamental novelties will have the special person in your life feeling like a golden girl. This women owned local haven will always have the most unique gifts for yourself or the ones you love most. Whether you’re having a galentines celebration or a romantic night with your significant other, we highly recommend a visit. You can shop Charm at their new Downtown location or online!

The wonderful founders of Cala, Josh and Melanie Cosio, want to bring something bright to your mornings. Born and raised in California (Cala = California + Alabama), they moved to Birmingham, AL in the summer of 2016 without ever stepping foot in the state before. The pair began roasting coffee in 2021 and have cultivated such a special beverage experience. Each blend is unique and aromatic. Valentines Day is all about giving love and comfort to those that you care for most and the heartfelt blends from Cala do just that. Their light roast is a marriage of Floral notes, Berries, Dried Apricot, Honey, and Jasmine while their dark roast has deep notes of cocoa and nuts. Give a gift of warmth and rejuvenation. Cala recently announced that they will be opening their FIRST brick and mortar in Cahaba Heights this year, so keep your eyes pealed for the in-person shopping experience to come. Until then, you can find them online or at one of their many pop up locations!

Flowers are never a cliche at Gaia. The handcrafted bouquets that come out of this stem shop are truly the beauty that we all need in our lives. These straight-out-of-wonderland arrangements have us believing in magic. Sarah is the powerhouse behind this ethereal escape and we couldn’t be more spellbound by her work. The deep tones in their Valentines Day collection conjure complete romance. We love that you can order an arrangement crafted by the floral goddess herself, or you can take a peak inside their gorgeous shop and create a bouquet on your own. We’ll take an entire garden to-go, please!

By K. Morg logo.

By K. Morg

Kelcey is the wonderwoman behind By K. Morg. This multifaceted designer, maker, and illustrator has created a powerful collection of clay earrings that will uplift the soul. We love that each piece is created with confidence in mind. By K. Morg puts humanity and connection at the center of their artistry. Everything about this collection is empowering from product to packaging. If you want your valentine to feel radiant from the inside-out, By K. Morg is where you need to be this holiday. You can shop this beautiful collection online and in the words of the founder herself, “When you shop small, an actual person does the ‘whoa’!"

Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn Co. logo

Naughty But Nice

KettlE Corn Co.

Naughty But Nice is the local artisanal kettle corn company of our dreams. They have lovingly coined the term, “Popheads” for their ever expanding fan base and we couldn’t agree with that title more. NBN has taken one of the most universally beloved snacks and exponentially raised the bar. Our favorite flavors are Green Apple Pie and French Toast. Whether you are a sweet tooth or prefer something savory like their Eugene’s Hot Chicken flavor, they have every taste bud in mind. If your date could do without the chocolate, we think a freshly popped bag of artisanal kettle corn will do the trick. You can shop their amazing line-up online or visit their storefront!

Studio 264 logo.

Studio 264

Meredith Taylor is the phenomenal visionary behind this little piece of heaven in Birmingham. Studio 264 is straight out of all our 1970’s fantasies. Their clay and multimedia accessories have an incredible ability to completely captivate anyone who beholds them. We have truly never seen anything like Meredith’s work. Her earrings are inspired and will always capture all the attention in a room. Studio 264 is launching their Sleepover Collection for Valentines Day and we couldn’t be more obsessed! We would happily fall in love with anyone who gifts us a pair of their earrings this holiday season - no glass slipper needed! You can shop their collection on their website or check out their instagram for their next pop-up location.

Chocolata is an ethereal chocolate shop, beautifully nestled downtown on 2nd Avenue North. Each treat is incredibly special and always starts with the highest quality chocolate, made with ingredients from South America. You will immediately feel like you have arrived in a chocolate nirvana upon entering this place. The smell of sipping chocolate and bonbons fill the air and it’s truly something straight out of a fairytale. We love how it’s not only the taste of these delicacies that are elevated. Chocolata has a remarkable way of making each treat just as captivating to look at as they are to taste. If you want your honey to feel special this Valentines Day, Chocolata is the place for you. You can visit their gorgeous storefront and follow their instagram for the most luxurious sugar rush.

Daughter's Baking Grand Opening

We’ve been huge fans of Daughters Baking for the past few years and did an interview in 2019 with owner, Mallory Webb, about this fabulous boutique cake shop and how it all started (read interview here). At the time, it was being run out of a shared kitchen in Homewood, AL by Mallory and one assistant. Since then, the business has grown to a fully staffed team and now Daughters Baking is opening it’s first storefront in the heart of Mountain Brook on July 29th, 2021. During this busy time, Mallory was kind enough to answer some questions for us about her blossoming business, so we hope you’ll take a look!

What made you decide to open your own storefront?
In our previous location, we were limited to only serving customers via online pre-order, and we had limited customer engagement. We have dreamed of having a storefront for awhile so that we can serve customers more conveniently, and accommodate last minute and walk in orders - as well as smaller cake portions for those cake cravings! We also plan for the storefront to allow us to accommodate our bride and grooms more easily in working with them.

What do you wish your customers knew about your cakes/your business?
I hope our customers know that this business is so much more than just about making great cakes. we truly want to be a positive influence in the community and beyond, and to spread joy and hope to people through these cakes and the business. This is both to our customers and to our staff.

Do you have a favorite cake flavor? If so, which one?
My favorite is a special item we did last year - the Coffee Banana! I love our Banana Layer Cake as well. and the Pumpkin Brown Butter!

What's your favorite part of running your business?
It is hard to say at the moment! It feels like i am doing so many different things at once. I think goal setting, building up team members, and building a foundation to a positive work culture is fun to me. I enjoy the leadership element of establishing overall operations and work culture.

What are you looking forward to for Daughter's Baking?
I am looking forward to when all new people are fully training, and we are operating smoothly being located in the new storefront, and we can start getting creative with what we want to do with the space — like wedding tasting events, bridal events, parties, and more! We can also start playing around with new products that we may want to serve!

Our goal is to never sell out of our menu item cakes. However, all cakes are first come first serve for the day, unless pre-ordered 3 days in advance via online or paying in the store. Once we open the store, we will have smaller versions of our cakes - served in 5 ounce cake cups. We also will have a “tasting package” option that gives customers an opportunity to try four different seasonal flavors in a 2.5 cup portion.

Daughters Baking store hours are Monday - Friday from 10—5pm and Saturday from 10—2pm. If you’ve never tried one of their cakes, we highly recommend visiting the new storefront! To read more about how this wonderful Birmingham business got started, visit Daughters Baking’s website.

Expert Tips for Your Dress Shopping Experience

You’ve just said “YES” to the man of your dreams, now it’s time to find the perfect gown. If you've ever seen "Say Yes To The Dress," you've seen some super stressed brides and gown shopping horrors. Here are a few quick tips to keep your day stress-free.

Real Bustle bride, Trina Cobb Ware. Photo courtesy of Jett Walker Photography.

1. Make an Appointment

Making an appointment with a wedding gown salon is just as important as scheduling an appointment with your doctor - you would never just pop-in on your dermatologist, right?

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Making an appointment allows the salon to prepare for you. They’ll be expecting you on the decided date and time and your consultant will be able to focus entirely on you. Without an appointment, there may not be anyone available to show you dresses - yikes! 

Okay, so you’ve made an appointment. Don’t get caught up in the moment and make 3 appointments for the same day. If you don’t find your dress at the first salon, then go ahead and make second appointment. Decision exhaustion is real - your brain can't handle looking at too many dresses in one day!

2. Know Your Budget

Knowing the dress budget before the first appointment will relieve so much stress. I PROMISE.

If you are paying for the gown, do some research and come up with a number both you and your fiancé are comfortable with.

If someone else is paying, have a conversation before your appointment. This may be uncomfortable initially, but totally worth it in the end. If you know the budget is $2,000, you won't need to wonder if you should try the $3,000 gown in the window!

Consider accessories and alterations. Go ahead and budget for accessories such as a veil or earrings. Most brides need some amount of alterations on their dress, even if it’s just a hem, so make sure your budget has some wiggle room!

3. Limit Your Entourage

It may be best to leave the big party for the wedding day and other bridal festivities. Too many opinions during your appointment can be overwhelming and confusing.

You’ll be the one wearing the gown when you say “I do,” so it’s important to bring only those whose opinions you trust and who encourage you to find the dress that makes you feel the most beautiful.

4. Have an Open Mind

So, you've probably been adding photos to your wedding dress Pinterest board for years. That's ok! In fact, it’s a great idea to do some research on different styles and fabrics to find what you like before your first appointment. However, it’s equally important that you go into each appointment with an open mind. It's not uncommon to fall in love with a dress that you never even imagined trying on!

5. Don't Be Afraid to Say, "Yes!"

Most likely you'll be able to find a dress you love at every bridal salon you waltz into. That being said, it’s okay to find "the one" at your very first appointment! Don’t overwhelm yourself by thinking you need to try on every gown in the city before you can decide. It’s actually pretty common for brides to purchase one of the first dresses they try on when working with an experienced bridal consultant.

So, when you find a gown you love, stop looking and say, "YES!"

Real Bustle bride, Emily Brooks Hamby. Photo courtesy of Sweet Julep Photography.

Bustle is a bridal salon nestled in Homewood, Alabama providing a high-end shopping experience to style-savvy brides on a budget. Bustle specializes in designer sample wedding gowns straight off the rack. Visit Bustle's website to learn more!

Bustle Bride: Rebecca Atkinson Strickland

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Rebecca Atkinson and Whit Strickland first met in September 2018 on a blind date set up by her aunt and his mom! Rebecca was a substitute teacher at the elementary school where Whit’s mom, Emily, worked as a librarian, and Rebecca’s aunt, Paula, often volunteered. Emily and Paula, who were good friends, decided to play matchmaker and set them up on a date when Whit moved home to Birmingham, AL. Turns out Whit was open to the idea and he called Rebecca to make plans for their first date!

Whit and Rebecca Strickland were married May 2nd, 2020 in Birmingham, AL. Because of COVID-19 they had to forgo their big wedding plans, and instead, had an intimate ceremony with their closest family. Rebecca said, “The only guests in attendance at our wedding were our parents, one of my maids of honor, and my aunt.” Despite the change of plans, Rebecca said their wedding day could not have been more wonderful. “As much as I would have loved to have all of our original guests there, it ended up being absolutely perfect. There was no stress, nothing felt rushed, and everything just went so smoothly. It truly just felt like the whole day was all about us and we were able to focus on what really mattered.”

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“As difficult as 2020 was at times, it will
always hold some of the sweetest and most
beautiful memories for us. ”
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One of Rebecca’s most cherished memories of the day came at the end of the ceremony. All of their original guests had been given a Zoom link so they could watch the wedding live and still be a part of the Stricklands’ special day. “After the ceremony was finished, our photographer (Jessa Torres) asked us to go to the front of the church so that we could take some pictures there. When we got out there we started to take pictures, and then we saw a line of cars coming towards the church. One of my bridesmaids had set up a surprise car parade for our guests to show their support and make us feel loved.” Since their bridesmaids and groomsmen weren’t able to attend the wedding in person, some of them decided to meet together in a nearby parking lot to watch the wedding together on their phones, then they joined the parade! The COVID-19 pandemic may have altered their wedding plans, but it was still a perfect day for the Stricklands.

Rebecca reflected, “I think sometimes people get caught up in all of the planning that goes into a wedding, and when the big day finally comes they aren’t able to fully enjoy it all because there is so much going on. I’m so thankful for the way that everything ended up playing out that day. As difficult as 2020 was at times, it also will always hold some of the sweetest and most beautiful memories for us.”

Congratulations, Whit and Rebecca Strickland! We wish you all the best in your marriage.

Photos by Jessa Torres

Florals by Michelle Wright

Birmingham Small Business Gift Guide

Shopping small is so important this time of year, especially in the midst of Covid-19. The Birmingham small business community is full of so many incredible makers and shop owners, and we are lucky to share our city with so many talented individuals! We wanted to make shopping small easy and convenient for you, so we’ve gathered together some of our favorite local artists and makers to shop from this holiday season!

P.S. We are partnering with many of the featured businesses below to bring you a HUGE giveaway, so be sure to visit our Instagram so you can win many of these gorgeous items for free!

Susan Gordon Pottery

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Susan’s incredible hand made pottery pieces and jewelry are timeless classics for any Birmingham household! Her hand painted ornaments would be the perfect gift for your loved ones or would be a great gift for yourself to snazz up your Christmas tree! Click here to visit the Susan Gordon website and start shopping!

Elam Estate Antiques

Antique shopping is a fun way to add unique details to your home and to make more sustainable purchases, but it can be hard work to find the hidden gems! Sarah from Elam Estate Antiques does all the hard work for you by curating the loveliest vintage and antique pieces in her Instagram shop. Instagram shopping is so fun and all you have to do is give her a follow and browse all the lovely pieces she has on hand. You can pick up from her locally or she can ship directly to you.

Sidewalk Film

Do you have a friend or family member who already seems to have it all? Experiences are the way to go for this challenging gift recipient! Sidewalk Film is Birmingham’s very own local theater and is so much fun to attend. Their concession stand is full of delicious and local snacks and drinks to add to the experience. They are being extremely diligent about Covid-19 safety, and are definitely much more safe than a big chain theater, so visit their website to purchase tickets or a gift card for your favorite film junkies!

Breakout Birmingham

One of the most unusual activities in Birmingham, this live action escape room experience is fun for puzzle and adventure lovers of all ages! You and your team will have an hour to solve the puzzles, riddles, and clues to accomplish your mission and escape from one of 8 different story lines like the Submarine Survival, Mystery Mansion, or Runaway Train. Breakout is offering 20% off all gift cards right now, and with exclusively private rooms, this is a great and Covid safe experience for you to give to your loved ones. Checkout their website to book a game or purchase a gift card!

Trove Design Shop

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Trove is a Birmingham, Alabama-based gift and home goods store that offers so many beautiful treasures that would be perfect gifts for anyone on your Christmas list! They have beautiful Holiday cards and gift tags that would be a perfect touch to your gift wrapping. We are also enamored with their stunning ceramic pieces and wall art. You can visit the Trove shop in person or order on their website for curbside pickup or shipping.

Ashley’s Famous Cookies

Cookies warm the heart and the soul, and Ashley pours so much love into every crumb! You will be the hero of the holidays when you show up with a box of her scrumptious baked goods. You can even ship a variety box of cookies to your loved ones if you are having to avoid holiday travel, so don’t wait too long to order! Click here to check out her website and browse all the flavors Ashley hand makes!

VAE Creative

This new Birmingham business was born in the midst of a Covid summer and the owner, Virginia, has a passion for creativity, love, and systemic change. She hand makes stunning resin jewelry and art that is as gorgeous as it is unique. You can purchase already made pieces from her Etsy shop or order a custom piece through her Instagram! We are really loving her citrus slice coasters and think they would be such a wonderful gift for someone with great style.

P.S. We think it would be lovely to send wedding florals to Virginia for a custom piece of jewelry designed with bits and pieces of your wedding embedded in her work!

Chocolata

Chocolata has a variety of beautiful chocolates and sweet treats to choose from. Their cocoa confections are as beautiful as they are sweet! We are huge fans of their decadent sipping chocolate that is SO much more luxurious than any hot chocolate you’ve ever had. It’s rich, warm, and oh so creamy! This would be the perfect treat for Christmas morning by the fire or a delicious stocking stuffer. You can visit their shop or purchase from their website directly!

Noha Nadler

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Growing up, Noha learned how important it is to celebrate culture and heritage through exploring her Egyptian roots. Now she incorporates the rich textures and colors that she saw on trips to Egypt into her stunning bag designs. She has lots of different designs and styles to choose from, and each one is so unique and beautiful! She also has some adorable leather hand sanitizer cases that would be the perfect stocking stuffer. We can’t get enough of Noha’s designs and are sure that her bags are going to be top on your Christmas list! Visit her website to shop and be sure to send a link to your hubby for a Christmas hint!

Club Duquette

With trendy clothes and good vibes, this Birmingham based shop has something for everyone. The artist and musician team of owners are full of creativity, and that is reflected in the clothing, accessories, and home goods that are hand selected and created for Club Duquette. They even have a signature scent! To shop Club Duquette, visit their website where you can even book a private shopping appointment in store!

Bustle Bride: Elle Parker Rist

On this lovely December day we're featuring the beautiful Elle Parker and her hubby Tyler Rist. Elle and Tyler began their happily ever after on July 28, 2017 at Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, AL. Elle explained that the way she and Tyler met, "is every father's dream." Her dad introduced the pair at church! A few months later, they reconnected through mutual friends. But according to Elle, her dad takes all the credit! 

Elle looked absolutely stunning in her Anne Barge lace gown with an organza overskirt, and we're swooning over photos from the day she and Tyler tied the knot!

“The morning of the wedding it was pouring rain and there were flash flood warnings, I was pretty bummed. But it cleared up! It was a great gift from the Lord! Walking down the aisle, was very special. Everyone was singing “In Christ Alone” I will never forget that feeling walking towards Tyler and feeling the support and love from all our family and friends. We also, had the best band! I didn’t want to stop dancing or leave our reception! Lastly, it was great marrying my best friend!”
“The morning of the wedding it was pouring rain and there were flash flood warnings, I was pretty bummed.  But it cleared up! It was a great gift from the Lord! Walking down the aisle, was very special. Everyone was singing “In Christ Alone” I will never forget that feeling walking towards Tyler and feeling the support and love from all our family and friends. We also, had the best band! I didn’t want to stop dancing or leave our reception! It was great marrying my best friend!”

Vendors:

Photography: Lauren Bailey Photography

Videography: Four10 Films

Hair and Make Up: NeoMode Salon

Church: Southwood Presbyterian

Reception: Baron's Bluff

Flowers: Theresa Green

Wedding Coordinators: April Boodie and Cathy Mayer

Suits: J Crew

Bridesmaid Dresses: Nordstrom

Band: Creativity

Bustle Bride: Claire Hovater Jackson

Our newest Bustle Bride is Claire Hovater Jackson and we couldn't be happier! Claire and her husband Daniel began their forever together on May 6, 2017 at the beautiful Hargis Wedding Chapel in Chelsea, AL. 

Claire and Daniel's love story began long before they started dating. They grew up going to the same church and Claire was best friends with Daniel's sister, Erin, and their parents were long time friends. So Claire grew up around Daniel, but since he was a few years older, they didn't really know each other until she began working with his mom after she started college. Claire always had a little bit of a crush on him, and Erin knew so when Daniel moved back to Birmingham, she played cupid and would invite Daniel and Claire over for dinner at the same time at her parents house to get to know each other. One thing led to another, and one night in December Daniel told Claire he liked her. They started officially dating after that, and the rest is history!

We so loved being part of Claire's wedding gown decision. She was such a joy to have in the store, and she has the most genuine heart. She was nothing short of stunning in her Anne Barge strapless ballgown with full tulle skirt. We are swooning over her photos from her special day!

“I was in my dressing room up until the wedding pictures and first look, and I didn’t go out of the dressing room in case Daniel saw me. But every time he would pass the room, someone would say “There goes Daniel, don’t let him see you!” in a playful way and my heart would skip a beat. Every time I thought of him the whole morning my heart would just flutter. When I finally saw him turn around and smile at me for the first time, I was so at ease and so happy that nothing else mattered. I was just so incredibly thrilled and grateful that I was getting to marry him and be with him forever. ”
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Vendors:

Venue: Hargis Wedding Chapel

Photographer: Katie Jewell Beech

Cake: Telia Johnson

Caterers: John and Susan Brolund

Flowers: Elaine Hill

Makeup: Summer Burk with Gypset Beauty Co.

Hair: Michelle Schaefer with GlowPro

Bustle Bride: Laura Matthews Barman

Laura Matthews Barman and her husband, Michael, began their forever together earlier this year on a beautiful day in March! Laura's favorite moment from her big day was after the ceremony, "Our venue set up dinner in the bridal suite for just the two of us. It was a special time to slow down and enjoy our first few moments as husband and wife."

We are so thankful to be able to dress Laura from head to toe! She looked oh so beautiful in her Alvina Valenta lace v-neck gown which she paired with a blush veil with silver trim which complimented her bridal look perfectly!

“Michael and I met when I was visiting our mutual friend Mallory in Atlanta for the weekend. The charmer that he is, Michael asked for my number and ended up visiting me in Birmingham the next weekend. I never thought we would end up doing long distance for almost 5 years, but it was definitely worth it.”

Vendors:

Photography: Sweet Julep Photography

Venue: Mathews Manor

Bridesmaids Dresses: Azazie

Hair and Makeup Artist: Danielle Ivy

Groom's Attire: Men's Warehouse

Catering, Cake, & Floral: Mathews Manor

Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas

Calligraphy: Bess Booth

Ring Boxes: End Grain Wood Shoppe

Signage: RosaLilla and Flora South Designs

Videography: Woodnote Media

Bustle Bride: Jessica Lewis Whitfield

The beautiful Jessica Lewis Whitfield is our newest Bustle Bride! She and her hubby, Daniel exchanged their vows on a gorgeous March day in Avondale, Alabama. They had such a special ceremony with Jessica's precious daughter as the flower girl. During the ceremony, Daniel made his vows to Jessica, then he made a vow to her daughter and gifted her with a necklace. It was an intimate and heartfelt moment for the family.

Jessica looked nothing short of amazing when she and her daughter began their happily ever after with Daniel. Her wedding gown by Watters looked like it was made for her; it was a match made in bridal heaven. The lace detail is incredible! We had such a great time helping this sweet bride find the gown of her dreams.

“My absolute favorite part of the day was our ceremony. Everything about it was perfect. From his vows, which he started with “Dear Darla” from the little rascals, one of our favorite movies and something we joked about for months. And especially the very end right before the pastor said “you may now kiss your bride” my daughter, who he is raising as his own, ran up and hugged him. So we were all together as a family for our first kiss. It was so special!”