Spindle Photography Blog :: Birmingham AL Wedding and Portrait Photographer Kelly Cummings

I met Christy first, when she came to talk with me about her wedding plans, and I remember her asking lots of photography related questions, since her fiance, Jeremy, was very artistic and the photography was important to him. This always makes me nervous, because I immediately worry about not being authentically cool and artsy enough to satisfy other creatives. Fortunately when I met Jeremy for their engagement session, he was awesome and I could immediately see how much each of them completed the other. When I saw Christy at the salon on her wedding day and then seeing Jeremy when I arrived at the church, I felt my heart warm. I really connected with both of them and being there for their vows, knowing that their love is a mighty one, comfortable and snug, it gives me chills.

The plan for the reception was an outdoor gathering under the trees in Mt. Laurel, with quilts and lemonade and coca-cola bottles and lots and lots of blue (I believe it is very well known that blue is Jeremy’s favorite color, and also that Christy is a HUGE Duke fan). The forecast a few days before predicted something like an 80% chance of rain. In the end the skies remained clear of rain and it was a beautiful day, but the decision had been made to move the reception indoors with no turning back. Before seeing what the restaurant, Stone’s Throw, looked like inside I was so sad for Christy and Jeremy that they couldn’t stick to that dream, but as soon as I saw the vintage Mt. Laurel signs, the distressed mirror behind the candy buffet, the pops of color on the walls, the light pouring in through the windows… Also, do those pecan pies and navy not make you think of a blue ribbon at a southern state fair pie contest?

I am in love with how all of the details came together in the space and I’m so glad the restaurant was free for their week-of change of plans.

Here are a few reflections from Christy about the day and the process (which is much better than my ramblings anyhow):

My favorite part of the day was seeing Jeremy at the first look. As soon as I saw him all my nerves were gone. (He says he agrees.)
About finding the dress: I found my dress by doing lots of research online. I knew I wanted a Jim Hjelm dress because I saw several styles of his that I loved. I went to the nearest store that had his line which was J. Andrews Bridal in Peachtree City, GA. I shocked the consultant by coming in with a list of style numbers I wanted to try. She pulled those and I found it. It was the first store I had been to so I was a little nervous to decide so quickly, but I just knew it was the one.

For wedding gifts, he gave me diamond stud earrings and I gave him Braves Baseball tickets behind home plate to a game against the Phillies in September and a personalized Braves Jersey.
Our first dance song was “Forever Like That” by Ben Rector. Jeremy found it on YouTube a few weeks before the wedding. It is a new song that has never been recorded so we had to search the internet for a good version we could use, but it was just too perfect to not use.

Congratulations, Christy and Jeremy, and thank you for everything! Also, thank you Brittany Arias for being an amazing assistant as always, and to Beverly Andrews for coordinating the ceremony!

Vendors :: Photography : Spindle Photography // Ceremony : Double Oak Community Church in Mt. Laurel, Alabama // Reception venue: Stone’s Throw Bar and Grill // Cake: Edgar’s Bakery // Pecan Pies: Priester’s Pecans in Clanton, AL // Candy Buffet: assembled by Christy and her mom with candy from CandyWarehouse.com and glass containers from local stores // Dress: Jim Hjelm from J. Andrews’s Bridal in Peachtree City, GA // Bridesmaids Dresses: Bridal and Tux of Brookwood (Brookwood Mall) // Groomsmen’s Attire: Kenneth Cole Suits, Ben Sherman Ties // Bridesmaid’s necklaces: All handmade by my Christy’s friend Dee Wilder. She makes jewelry to raise money for the adoption of their daughter from Ethiopia. // Florist: Pamela Epps & Alex Epps (Alex was one of the bridesmaids and Pamela is her mother. They do weddings for friends & family)