fairhope wedding planner

Jenna Laine Weddings: Mary Michael & Will

We can not even express how much fun we had planning with Mary Michael and her sweet mom! Mary Michael may be our most detail oriented bride thus far and we loved that quality! She wanted to make sure that every moment of her day was personalized, unique to her and Will, yet also very classic and fit for the Grand Ballroom. One of my favorite details from her reception was the pink taper candles provided by Wildflowers Fairhope, and the gorgeous cake table. Mary Michael had so many gorgeous images, we had a hard time narrowing them down, below are a few of our favorites from this special day.

Cheers to Mary Michael & Will!

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Photographer: Anna Filly Photography I Florist: Wildflowers Fairhope I Venue: The Grand Hotel I Rentals: SOHO Events and Rentals I Band: Aziz I Videographer: Wild Soul Films I Cake: Couture Cakes I Horse: Port City Carriages I Hair: Makeup and Hair by Chaney I Makeup: Kendall Connell Makeup I Bridal Gown: Ivory and White I Bridesmaids: Bella Bridesmaids I Invitations: Empress Stationery I Accessories: Jenna Laine Weddings & Wild Rabbit Press I Photobooth: Facetime Photobooth I

Marriage Licensing Law Change

The state of Alabama has officially changed the paper trail that it will require for marriages to be made legal in the eyes of the government. Our brides are used to the system in which they get a license ahead of the wedding date and have their officiant (minister, priest, etc.) sign and mail it in post wedding.

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Photo Credit: Aimee Reynolds Photography

Beginning on August 29, 2019 couples will not be required to have a ceremony (of course you can if you wish). Instead, couples wanting to wed will submit a notarized marriage certificate that will be recorded – but not issued – by Probate Judges.

We have narrowed it down to a step by step for you to easily follow.

  1. Couples must show proof they are legally allowed to marry.

    • In Alabama that means 16 years old (with parental consent), 18 years old or older. There is no waiting period, blood test, witness or residency requirements.

  2. Obtain and fill out Marriage certificate form

  3. Have the form notarized by an Alabama State Registered Notary

    • This may have a fee of $5.00, and some notaries may have travel fees if they travel to you.

  4. Return your notarized form to the Probate Court.

    • You have 30 days after notarization to file this form with the court.

    • You can mail this in to the court but you will need to enclose payment and ensure all lines are legible and free of correction markings. Baldwin County charges $73.00 (check with the county you file with).

    • You may request a certified copy if returning this to the Baldwin County Probate Court (other counties may also do this but be sure to ask if you are wanting this for your records).

Meet Leslie

Leslie grew up in Helena, Alabama and graduated from The University of Montevallo with a Bachelors Degree in Mathematics. After teaching High School math for two years she and Justin, who is active duty Coast Guard, were married and began moving with the military. The first station was Charleston, SC where Leslie was able to intern with one of the city’s most exclusive wedding planners. Knowing that this was the career path she wanted to pursue she applied and was hired on as an associate planner with a company in the next duty station of Key West, FL. After a four year tour there, the Coast Guard brought the Gilberts to the eastern shore where she joined the Jenna Laine Weddings team. 

Leslie and Justin live in Fairhope with their three children, Cohen (4), Kerrigan (2) and Baylor (8 months), and two dogs, Ace and Maggle. When not planning, Leslie can be found at home playing in the yard with the babies, or on a weekend getaway to see friends and family.

Photography Credit: Aimee Reynolds Photography

What advice would you give to brides?

Be honest and open about the budget- Planning will be a much smoother process if you have been honest about your budget and what aspects of the wedding are most important to you. Wedding vendors aren’t trying to swindle you (despite what you read in online articles) and if you have a good planner on your side you can likely avoid some back and forth, and stress by being upfront about your expectations.

Do you prefer indoor or outdoor wedding receptions?

Outdoor! I love the unpredictability and the ability to make the space your own. Everyone interprets the space differently and you aren’t usually boxed into the “normal” by the walls and outlets an indoor venue provides.

What detail do you feel is most overlooked by brides?

Trash-It’s not a glamorous answer but practically, every party creates trash. It’s important to have a conversation ahead of time with your vendors as to where that trash will go and who is responsible for it at the end of the evening. This can also extend to your bridal suite, a lot of brides use the honeymoon suite in the morning to get ready and then end up coming back to a room that has junk everywhere, designating a person to straighten up after you clear out for pictures will really help you enjoy the honeymoon suite that night.

What’s your favorite trend of 2018?

My current favorite wedding trend is bold colors-the jewel tones- with simple architectural details in bronze or gold. I love to see an unexpected linen and colorful flowers and bridesmaids dresses that actually have the couple’s personalty versus a “safer" option.

Jenna Laine Weddings : Katie & Trent

Photographer Elizabeth Gelineau Photography

Last February, Katie and Trent were blessed with a perfect Spring like day at the Grand Hotel. They opted to do a first look under the hotels gorgeous Oak Trees, followed by an intimate ceremony along the bay and a fun filled reception inside the newly renovated Magnolia Ballroom. We love the soft color palette and loose garden style arrangements made by Wildflowers Fairhope. Working with Katie and her mom to plan this wedding was a dream, they really trusted our team and because of that were able to enjoy the entire planning process and their special day.

How did you two meet?

Trent and I met at a brewery in Athens, Georgia thanks in large part to my dog, CoCo. Her leash got wrapped up with Trent’s feet, we started talking, and the rest is history!

What were your favorite details of your wedding?

Having our wedding monogram on everything from our invitations to our welcome boxes and koozies was my favorite detail. It was a sentimental way to tie everything together since we plan on using the monogram on our Christmas cards and stationery for years to come.

What was your favorite moment of the day?

My favorite moment of the day was following the ceremony when Trent and I had a moment to ourselves. We took some portraits with our photographer and ate a private dinner prior to entering the reception. After planning and dreaming of this day for so long we finally had a moment to sit back and soak it all in.

If you could give any advice to brides currently planning their weddings what would it be?

First of all, I highly recommend all brides higher a planner or at the very least a day of coordinator. The last thing you want to be worried about on the day of your wedding is logistical things, like when is the cake going to be delivered? Jenna was a complete delight to work with throughout the planning process, but she also made sure our wedding day ran smoothly. Also, I tell everyone I know who is planning a wedding to trust their planner and vendors. It’s so easy as a bride to get bogged down in every little decision you have to make-what color should the napkins be, how many tables do we need, etc. Don’t stress yourself out over those little things. Your vendors know what they are doing, so trust them and them for advice.

What was your favorite part of the planning process?

My favorite part of the planning process was getting to spend quality time with my mom. She was just as excited (if not more) as I was about our wedding. Our trips to Fairhope to meet with Jenna and our other vendors are some of my fondest memories with her.

Rentals: SOHO Events and Rentals Florist: Wildflowers Fairhope Location Grand Hotel Resort and Spa Photographer: Elizabeth Gelineau Photography Cake: Couture Cakes Hair and Makeup: Becca Townley and Danna Smith Studio BM Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids







Meet Jenna

Owner and Executive Planner of Jenna Laine Weddings, LLC

Jenna Laine Rachal grew up in Fairhope, Alabama. She graduated from Bayside Academy and attended Auburn University. She then graduated from Auburn in May 2011 with a Bachelor’s Degree in English and certification in event planning then moved to New York just a few weeks later. While attending Auburn, Jenna worked under the marketing and events director at the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Art for three years, which is where her love for wedding and event planning began. In New York, Jenna interned and worked with several top marketing and event producers, one of them being event designer Matthew Robbins Design. In late 2012, Jenna moved home to Fairhope to open Jenna Laine Weddings, LLC., formerly known as Weddings and Events by Jenna Laine. Her first year in business Jenna planned 8 weddings, now almost six years later Jenna Laine Weddings produces around 50 beautiful weddings a year!

What’s your favorite part of planning a wedding?

My favorite part of planning a wedding is the design. I love making each event unique and special for our clients. My favorite design element is the tablescape. I love a full place setting, custom place cards, a beautiful centerpiece and glowing candle light. I also think a patterned linen really goes a long way in elevating the overall wedding design.

Favorite wedding trend for 2018?

I think 2018 has brought a lot of texture and color to tables. The linens have beautiful patterns and feel, such as velvet, one of my favorites. I have also seen a lot of colored tapered candles, you can’t go wrong with a standard ivory or white, but adding even a subtle grey really adds to the overall look of the table.

Florist: Wildflower Photographer Rae Leytham Photography Napkins Chapel Farm Collection Rentals SOHO Events and Rentals

Most overlooked detail?

Lighting and a stage facade are my two biggest details I always try and get brides to work into their budget. Lighting can really change the entire feel of a room. Just adding soft amber lights around the edge of a ballroom can transform the space into a more intimate setting. Also, pin spotting your centerpieces and focal points, such as floral chandeliers or the cake, really make those elements pop, especially in photos.

A stage facade can come in many forms. You can rent a simple white facade or go with a ‘living’ boxwood facade or something patterned. Any of these options help to dress up the dance floor and hide the bulky black stages. At first thought you may not understand the necessity of a stage facade, but when you get your photos back you will.

Lighting: Willow Bridge, INC Florist: Jenn Sanchez Flowers Photographer: Sarah Kate Photography

What do you do when you aren’t planning weddings?

When I’m not planning a wedding I can usually be found at home or walking in our neighborhood with my 3 (almost 4) year old daughter Maddie, and husband Josh. My husband is a firefighter, which puts him out of the house for 24 hours or sometimes 48 hours at a time, so when he is off shift and I am home I try and close the computer and enjoy our time together. We live near several playgrounds, so most afternoons we take a family walk to the park or down to the water.

Wedding Day Yoga

Breath in and breath out...ahhh...feeling relaxed yet? 

Yoga is great for many things. It helps you relax, focus, and strengthens your joints and muscles, which is why we think this popular practice makes a great pre wedding workout. We have partnered with Core Studio owner, Lindsay Rainey, to discuss the benefits of yoga and her special day of wedding yoga session she offers to our clients. 

LINDSAY'S Reasons for incorporating Yoga into your wedding day:

  • First, Yoga gives you a great workout without the feeling of sore muscles, shortness of breath and being drenched in sweat, unless you opt for a hot yoga session. In that case, sweat is an understatement.

  • Next, its a fun activity for a group regardless of everyone’s athleticism. Yoga is a series of stretches and moves that can be altered for each person.

  • Third, it is mindful movement focused. Meaning you are making a mind and body connection and not just burning calories. This process helps to clear your mind and calm your nerves, and who couldn’t use that on their wedding day?

Wedding Day Yoga in Point Clear, Alabama with Core Studio

Wedding Day Yoga in Point Clear, Alabama with Core Studio

You can book Lindsay, or one of her certified Yoga instructors, to come to you at your home or hotel on your wedding day and conduct a 60 minute yoga session. In this class you will focus on breathing, movement, holding poses, and end with a three minute relaxation exercise that includes a eucalyptus soaked towel. You will spend time opening up your hips and pelvis region because as women, that’s where we hold stress. Some great poses Lindsay likes to include in a special wedding session would be lizard, pigeon, and a reclined bridge pose. “After hip openers it is most important to release your spine. If you don’t have a healthy spine, then you really don’t have a healthy body and one of the primary intents of a yoga class is to elongate your spine”, says Lindsay. This is just what you need to prepare you for standing at the altar and dancing the night away at the reception. 

Wedding Day Yoga in Point Clear, Alabama with Core Studio

Wedding Day Yoga in Point Clear, Alabama with Core Studio

“ Yoga can help manage anxiety, let go of fears, and release stress. Not only are you moving and sweating during a class, but you are going to pause, reflect, and find happiness in the moment that you are in now. Take the time to do something that enhance your wedding day and will make great memories with your besties. I promise you won’t regret it.” - Lindsay Rainey #sweatingforthewedding

Wedding Day Yoga in Point Clear, Alabama with Core Studio

Wedding Day Yoga in Point Clear, Alabama with Core Studio

BIOGRAPHY: Lindsay Rainey is RYT 200 certified and the founder of CORE Studio, located in Daphne, Alabama. She has been teaching yoga for over three years and sees the most joy from groups who practice together. She says, “my job as a certified teacher is to find out what works within your body, not to fix a body. Remember you are perfect as you are and sometimes that takes some reminding, which we try and do during all our classes. When I lead a class, I will offer effective sequences and techniques to teach you a new pose, but make sure to cover all the areas of the body from head to toe. It’s the combination of holding poses and moving that creates a therapeutic effect." 

You can learn more about Core Studio on their website where they have their pricing, membership information and class schedule. Lindsay and her staff would love to have you join their classes or help you relax on your wedding day. 

Call Jenna Laine Weddings, LLC today to find out how we can help you coordinate a perfect wedding and your wedding day yoga session! 

 

Best,

Jenna Laine Weddings, LLC

info@jennalaineweddings.com

251-517-9530