Bustle Bride: Haley Walker Taylor

The gorgeous Haley Walker Taylor is our featured Bustle Bride, and we are over the moon! She and her husband, Dylan, became officially husband and wife on March 16, 2018. The pair met on a church serve project, and the rest is history!

Haley was simply radiant in her Enaura fully beaded fit & flare gown, and we're so thankful we had the opportunity to help her find that gown of her dreams!

“My favorite part of my wedding day was getting ready and spending my last moment as a miss with all of my best friends and getting to marry the man I had prayed for, for so long.”
— Haley Walker Taylor

Vendors:

Photography: Katie and Alec Photography

hair and makeup: Brittany Scoggins

Catering: Kays Katering

 

Bustle Bride: Caitlin Baggett Hagedorn

We're so thrilled to announce Caitlin Bagget Hagedorn as our newest Bustle Bride! Caitlin and her hubby, Grant, began their happily ever after on a beautiful March day at Bluff Park Methodist Church. The pair has such a fun one-in-a-million story of how they met! We'll let Caitlin tell the story in her own words:

"Grant and I met our freshman year at the University of Alabama. My maid of honor and best friend found a wallet in the dorm hallway, so she reached out to that person on Facebook. The person she reached out to ended up being Grant’s roommate, so that’s where it all started! Grant and I attended many date parties together, became best friends, and finally before senior year, we started dating! We prayed a lot throughout college and after that the Lord would give us the right timing for every part of our relationship, so we are so thankful for His goodness!"

Caitlin is such a gem. She has the kindest smile and heart to match, and we so loved helping her find the perfect gown! She looked nothing short of gorgeous in her mermaid alencon and corded chantilly lace gown by Enzoani!

“It is so hard to find a “favorite” part of the best day of your life! So I have to give two… one being getting to the end of the aisle and standing with Grant, my dad, his dad, my sister/Matron of Honor, my Maid of Honor, and my grandfather, who officiated the ceremony. I will never forget the feeling of overwhelming thankfulness and joy. Number two is when Grant and his groomsmen got up on stage during the reception and danced. Grant got out in front and did a hilarious little dance move, and I will always remember that!”
— Caitlin Baggett Hagedorn

Ceremony: Bluff Park Methodist Church

Reception: Iron City

Bridal Photos: Grace Bedsole, Associate Photographer for Eric and Jamie Photography

H&MU: Danielle Ivy

Flowers: Flowers from the Heart by Linda Bearden

Guest Post: Eleanor Stenner Photography

4 Tips For Your Dream Engagement Session

You’ve booked your engagement session…now, how do you make it into the dream you envisioned? Thoughts are racing around your head… What to wear? Where to photograph? What makeup to chose? How shall I do my hair?

Are you stressed yet? That’s why I’m here to help. Here are four tips to preparing for your dream engagement session without all the stress!

Outfit Choices

The most frequently-asked-question in regards to engagement sessions is, “What do I wear?!” It can feel intimidating choosing an outfit that everybody will see when the images are posted online! But, girl, you can do this! Whether it means rummaging through a friend’s closet, buying a new outfit or putting together a fun combination you’ve always wanted to try, you’ve got lots of options. When looking for your outfits, however, keep these things in mind...

Bad choices:

  • tiny patterns, as they mess with the camera’s sensor

  • bright red or orange

  • matching outfits (let’s go with coordinating, instead!)

Good choices:

  • long, flowy skirts or dresses

  • variety in your outfit choices (one formal, one casual)

  • something that flatters your best features and makes you feel confident

Network To Find Your Dream Location

I always ask my couples to think within their network of connections for a special place to photograph their engagement session. Maybe a family member owns a boat, maybe they know the event coordinator at a beautiful venue or maybe their first date was at a significant place. I encourage couples to choose somewhere meaningful to them so we can create something personal and unique. Urban or botanical? Beautiful architecture or a wide open field? The choices are yours, and there are plenty of them!

Invest in Hair and Makeup

Just as you want to look your best on your wedding day, why not splurge a little on your engagement session? Investing in professional hair and makeup can be an extra fun way to celebrate the occasion and allow you to be extra confident during your shoot! If you're not able to splurge, consider false lashes. That will make the most impact on your portraits!

Respect The Sun

You’ll always hear photographers rave about “golden hour,” but is it really that great? The answer is yes!!! Photographers plan around the sun, and being late cuts down on the time you have to capture the best light! Try to leave earlier than you usually would out of respect for your photographer and the sun.

Eleanor Stenner is a wedding and portrait photographer in Birmingham, Alabama, who photographs endless love with vibrancy and class. As native of England, her accent is a strange mix of British-Southern. You can catch her photographing weddings, going on walks in Homewood or serving at her church. Follow her work at @eleanorstenner or visit her website at eleanorstenner.com

Bustle Bride: Lauren Hanna Nilsen

We're over the moon to introduce Lauren Hanna Nilsen as our newest Bustle Bride! Lauren and her husband Jonathan met at Ashley Mac's in Birmingham where they both work, so they have Andy and Ashley McMakin for being their matchmakers!

The pair tied the knot on January 7th, and Lauren was an absolute dream in her Anne Barge fit & flare lace gown! She also added a stunning crystal belt and beautiful catherdral length veil to complete her look, and we're so glad we had the opportunity to help her wedding gown vision become a reality! 

“My favorite part about our wedding day was when we privately shared our personal vows with each other. There is something so real and raw about telling your other half how much you love them and how you will commit to them and your marriage. We are best friends who are in love, and there is nothing greater than that! ”
— Lauren Hanna Nilsen

Vendors: 

Photography: Jenn Davis Imagery

Hair/Makeup: Rachel Hardesty

Cake: Megan Gust

Venue: Hargis Wedding Chapel

Bustle Bride: Cory Grabany Townsend

We're thrilled to feature Cory Grabany Townsend as the newest addition of Bustle Brides. Cory and her hubby, Caleb, began their happily ever after on November 18 at Creekside Meadows.

"Caleb and I met almost 5 years ago through a mutual friend. We both worked in fitness at the time, so I knew it was meant to be. After a year of dating he moved to North Carolina for a job opportunity. Long distance wasn’t ideal but we made it work. After 2 long years we both decided it was time to move back to Birmingham or cut ties. Long distance was definitely hard but I knew whatever we decided it was God’s plan. Caleb moved back to Birmingham on October 27, 2016 and on November 25 we were engaged. I felt like I had waited forever to hear those 4 words, but in that moment I knew it was perfect timing."

Cory was an absolute dream on her special day in her Ivy & Aster fit and flare gown! Cory was such a joy to have in the store, and we so loved the chance to help her find the perfect dress!

“I would say my favorite part of our wedding day was after the wedding when we left heading to the beach. All day it was projected to rain 100% but the rain never came. We stopped by Taco Mama on the way to grab a bite to eat. As soon as we walked into the restaurant it came a downpour. Caleb unfortunately had to run and get the car. He was drenched from head to toe when he came around to pick me up. It wasn’t funny at the time because he was freezing and I had no towels or anything in my car but now we can’t help but laugh. Nothing like driving to the beach in the pouring rain feeding your husband tacos.”
— Cory Grabany Townsend

Vendors:

Photography: Beth Samples

Venue: Creekside Meadows

 

Bustle Bride: Natalie Jett Jones

We're so excited to feature the beautiful Natalie Jett Jones as our newest Bustle Bride! Natalie and her husband, Brandon, became officially husband and wife on October 28, 2017. The newlyweds met in Birmingham and it's all thanks to some mutual friends! Natalie was in the process of moving to Atlanta the week after they met, so she wasn't expecting it to go anywhere. But as fate would have it, they spent every night together the following week, and one thing led to another and Brandon moved to Georgia as well! 

Natalie said, "I do," in a fabulous fit & flare crepe gown with a stunning lace illusion back by Theia! She was an absolute dream on her special day, and we so loved helping her find the gown of her dreams!

“My favorite part of my wedding day was absolutely walking down the aisle. My husband and I NEVER wanted to do a first look.....BUT, as Alabama weather would have it, we had no choice (read: record cold temps, rain, moving the entire venue, etc. etc.) As soon as the doors opened, it was truly like seeing each other again for the first time and I will never forget that!”
— Natalie Jett Jones

Vendors:

Photographer: Samantha Gromko

Food: Saw's BBQ Food Truck

Bustle Bride: Megan Walker Holcombe

We're over the moon about our Bustle bride feature for this week! Megan Walker Holcombe and her husband Tate tied the knot on October 21 at the beautiful Windgate Farms! Megan and Tate met in college at a banquet. The pair struck up a conversation, and the rest is history! 

There were a lot of special personalized touches that were incorporated on their special day! "So much of our wedding was handmade! The paper goods, desserts, and even many of the decor items. My mom painted pumpkins with chalk paint so everything was exactly how we dreamed it would be. Tate's grandparents made the drawers that the desserts were served on. We also incorporated many heirloom/antique pieces into our special day -- the brooch pinned onto my bouquet belonged to Tate's great-grandmother, who passed earlier this year, and the bracelet I wore belonged to my late grandmother. My mother carried the wedding Bible that has been in every wedding in my family for the past 3 generations," Megan explained. 

Megan has the best smile and the sweetest spirit to match! She was absolutely stunning in her Anne Barge fit and flare tulle gown, and we're so glad she found her dream gown at Bustle!

“Once we had finished taking pictures after the ceremony (we didn’t do a first look) we wanted 5 minutes to be alone, just the two of us, before the reception. Our venue owners set up a candlelit dinner for the two of us on the front porch away from everyone else. Having a few minutes to process the day together and enjoy our first meal as husband and wife was so romantic and exactly what we needed.”

Vendors:

Venue: Windgate Farms

Photographer: Eleanor Stenner

Catering: Full Moon BBQ

Cake: Baked by Tate's aunt, Deana Williams

DJ: Tim Bristow

Bustle Bride: Margaret Rawls Barringer

Our newest addition to the Bustle Bride is Margaret Rawls Barringer! She and her hubby Trey began their happily ever after on September 23rd, but the love story began about 2 and a half years sooner. 

The pair met playing intramural kickball through Birmingham GoKickball. Their team captain was a mutual friend of both Margaret and Trey, and she made the match. The couple began dating in April 2015. "Trey and I make a great team on and off the field," expressed Margaret. 

Margaret was an absolute dream in her Tadashi Shoji lace gown which she paired beautifully with a raw edge fingertip veil!

“Hmmm favorite part of the wedding day...
Marrying the best man on earth, duh.
Haha but honestly, we had an intimate wedding of less than 60 people. It was our closest friends and family and it was really special for my husband and I to get to share our day with them. We got to talk and laugh and take pictures with each person there. The beautiful view over-looking Birmingham from sunset to the skyline twinkling in contrast to the dark night sky made the day extra magical. ”

Vendors:

Venue: The Club

Flowers: Sprout Flower Market

Dessert: Pastry Art

Hair/Makeup: Makeup by Mel// Lisa Perez

Photographer: Janie Shelswell-White

Bustle Bride: Caroline Dill Hix

On this day full of love, we are celebrating Bustle Bride Caroline Dill Hix! Caroline and her husband, John met through mutual friends. They both went to college in Birmingham, but some of John's closest friends went to college with Caroline at Samford University. He moved in with them after they all graduated, so John and Caroline were around each other quite often. The very first time the pair met was actually at an engagement party almost exactly 3 years before they tied the knot on August 26, 2017. 

Caroline and John said, "I do," and danced the night away with friends and family at BridgeStreet Gallery & Loft right here in Birmingham, Alabama. She looked oh so stunning in her Paloma Blanca strapless aline gown. She also chose a beautiful Washington Millinery floor-length veil to complete her bridal look! Caroline is such a gem, and we're so thankful she chose Bustle!

“I loved the whole day! From getting ready, to the ceremony, and reception. It wasn’t stressful, but so much fun which is what I hoped for. The reception and band was a blast- we wanted a big, fun, dancing party!”

Vendors:

Photographer- Jett Walker Photography

Caterer- Iz Catering

Florist- Lillie Janes

Band- Just a Few Cats

Cake- Magic Muffins

Gelato- Nuzzi Gelato

Venue- BridgeStreet Gallery & Loft

Hair- Merrell Hubbard

Makeup- Emmy Hunt Makeup

Wedding Dress- Bustle

Alterations- Hollow to Hem

Bridesmaid Dresses- Bella Bridesmaids

Bustle Bride: Amelia Morton Haueter

Amelia Morton Haueter is our newest Bustle Bride! Amelia and her husband Larry began their forever together on August 6, 2017.  "We met online on Eharmony.  Larry laughs at himself because he paid for a 6 month membership but I was the first person to come up on the first day."

Amelia's dream dress was a gorgeous Nicole Miller lace fit & flare gown. She accessorized her bridal look with a fabulous ivory soutache edge veil, and a blush sash with glass crystals and beads. We so loved having Amelia in the store, and we're so glad she found her gown at Bustle!

“My favorite part of my wedding day was having all of my friends and family in one place.  I loved that we had kids running around and that my long time friend from New York came to play the piano and that my roommate sang and that Larry’s family from Wisconsin finally got to meet my family.  It was such a sweet day full of so much love and joy.”

Vendors:

Photography: Je Vois Photography

Venue, Food, Flowers, and Director: Stone Bridge Farms

Hair and Makeup: Irrelephant

Cake: Sweet Bea Bakes

Popsicles: Steel City Pops