Getting the opportunity to plan weddings for families is a rewarding career, but it becomes even more personal to me when I have known the family for over fifteen years. This sweet bride is the little sister of one of my best friends from high school, so making sure her wedding day was spectacular was a top priority for me and my team. Showing the reception space to Charlotte, John and her parents before all their guests entered was one of my favorite parts of the entire weekend. I loved seeing their reactions to the hanging greenery boxes over the dance floor, the perfect pop of fuchsia in their flowers and their magnificent cake display. Seeing them happy and watching them dance the night away with friends and family was a rewarding experience and we thank the Gill family for trusting us with this special occasion. Scroll down to read some advice from Charlotte on planning your wedding and what her favorite part of the day was and of course at the bottom we have some gorgeous photo from Laura Rowe Photography!

Tell us your story.

John and I met during our senior year of college at Vanderbilt University. We knew our relationship was something special pretty quickly. We dated long distance for a year after graduation, but I soon returned to Nashville for law school, and the rest is history!

What was your favorite detail of the wedding?

That’s so hard! I loved the flowers. I was a bit nervous about them because I didn’t trust my aesthetic “vision,” but Wildflowers did an incredible job—they were better than I could have ever envisioned! I also wrapped a rosary around the bouquet that John had made for me while we were dating.

If you could give advice to another bride in the process of planning her wedding, what would it be?

It will all get done! Just enjoy what a unique season of life it is.

What was your favorite part of the planning process?

I loved being able to spend time with my mom! She’s amazing!

Tell us your overall thoughts and takeaways from the day.

John’s and my wedding was more amazing than I ever could have imagined! I’m not one who always had her wedding mapped out, so I often got overwhelmed with all the decisions. I was (and am) so grateful for Jenna’s experience and expertise.

Vendors:

Florist: Wildflowers Fairhope, Rental Company: SOHO Events and Rentals, Venue: The Grand Hotel Point Clear, Cake: Couture Cakes, Lighting & Draping: Willow Bridges, Wedding Coordaintion and Design: Jenna Laine Weddings, Photographer: Laura Rowe Photography, Videographer: The Wild Soul Films, Photo Booth: Magic Memories, Hair and Makeup: March Hair, Bridesmaids: Bella Bridesmaids Mobile, Calligrapher: Southern Calligraphy

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.

Photographer Aimee Reynolds Photography

Jenna Laine Weddings: Charlotte and John

Meet Jenna

Owner and Executive Planner of Jenna Laine Weddings, LLC