July 15, 2019

Jenna Rachal

Real Weddings

Jenna Laine Weddings: Whitfield and Blake

July 15, 2019

Jenna Rachal

Real Weddings

We absolutely loved working with Whitfield and Blake, along with their families, to plan their beautiful April wedding day. From the floral details to the beautiful bridesmaid dresses to tented reception, the design details of their wedding were incredible. They had some of the sweetest moments, too— from the precious first look between Whitfield and her dad to the emotional moment she walked down the aisle to Blake. Aimee and Robbie Reynolds captured the day perfectly with the photos and video below. Working with this sweet couple was a joy, and we wish we could do it all over again! Cheers to the Griffeth’s!

Tell us your story as a couple.

Our story begins at a Christmas bonfire 2013 when a group of friends gathered to celebrate being home for the holidays. You read about “love at first sight” but it really does happen – we’ve been together ever since that night! The first few years were challenged by distance with Blake working in Seattle and I finishing school in Tuscaloosa. Three years later, underneath a beautiful arbor with twinkling lights, Blake proposed marriage to me on bended knee! With tears and a joyful heart – the answer was yes. Planning began immediately. April 7, 2018, Blake and I tied the knot with the help of friends, family and the best wedding coordinators ever! It was an absolute dream – I wouldn’t change a thing about our wedding day. Blake and I happily reside in Williamsburg, Virginia with our two pups, Cyrus and Bailey.

What was your favorite part of the planning process?

My favorite part of the planning process was being able to talk openly about a variety of options with Jenna and Courtney. They would bring wonderful ideas to the table and we would discuss the pros and cons of all until a decision was made. I chose every single detail of our big day with Mom by my side the whole way. It was such a special time for Mom and I and …she kept me sane! Jenna and Courtney made the planning so easy and let’s not forget the famous Leslie Gilbert as she orchestrated the wedding day without a ripple! They had a plan for everything – rain, sleet or snow – they were ready to go!!

What was your favorite moment of the day?

Favorite details abound about our wedding day, but one particular memory is my favorite. I’ve had many special people who loved and molded me through the years. One such person was my Grandfather, S.M. Broughton - we called him Pop for short. Pop had a silver cross that he kept near and dear to him at all times. Another such person was my Grandmother, Betty Carolyn McDonnieal Kittrell– we called her Memaw. Memaw loved a good handkerchief but she had some favorites that she always carried to church or special occasions such as weddings or funerals. One of her favorites was an initialed handkerchief embroidered in light blue. To my surprise, Mom carefully stitched both treasures inside the skirt of my wedding dress so these two important people were beside me the whole way!

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

I would advise every bride to take a deep breath and love every second of the planning process! I know it can be stressful but take a minute to enjoy where you are because your big day will be here before you know it!

January 11, 2019

Jenna Rachal

Real Weddings

Jenna Laine Weddings: Sunny and Mic

January 11, 2019

Jenna Rachal

Real Weddings

Nestled under beautiful Oak Trees along Mobile Bay is a beautiful Bay Home with wrap around porches, where many family weddings have taken place in the past. When Sunny and Mic got engaged they thought they would continue this family tradition. We worked hard to put together a beautiful, bay inspired wedding. However, mother nature had other plans and sent a massive thunderstorm right up the middle of Mobile Bay. Despite the downpour and pool of water that gathered on Sunny and Mic’s dance floor they made the best of it by kicking off their shoes, poured another drink and dancing the night away with all their guests. Ironically enough the downpour became one of their favorite parts of the entire day.

Tell us your story.

Mic and I met in a college bar. I was with my mom and one of my bridesmaids, Alison. Alison introduced us, and my mother sparked interest by saying “One of y’all needs to date him.” Mic had a girlfriend at the time, but we became instant friends. Fast forward six months - we are in the same bar, and my mother asks him “Where’s your girlfriend?” When he replied that he was single, she kicked me so hard under the table I am still recovering from the bruise. Then I convinced Mic to be the coach of a charity flag football league I was playing in for Alzheimer’s Awareness. My stunning athleticism and knack for injuring myself just captivated him. At the post-game party. Mic cornered me and said: “If you’re all in, I’m all in.” We had out first date shortly after and have been inseparable since. I called my friends and said, “ So, I think I am dating a boy…I think we will get engaged.” They gave me a lot of grief, naturally, but we were engaged 10 months later and married two days shy of our two year dating anniversary.

What was your favorite moment of your wedding day?

There are so many to choose from. My favorite part of our day was the torrential downpour. We are used to rainy days in the Grove at Ole Miss before football games. Weather is unpredictable. It should have rained all day, but for some reason, it waited until around 9 p.m. and it poured! It should have been an absolute mess, but Jenna and all our friends rolled with it! The tent flooded, we took off our shoes, the boys rolled up their pants and we all poured another drink. It has to be my favorite moment of the day. Mic and I were married. All of our friends were together, and it was similar to the best Grove day ever. It also helped that Mic requested ‘Africa’ by Toto, and we sure “blessed the rains” down in Fairhope.

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

My advice would be to relax, as hard as that is! At the end of the day, you are still married and most guests only remember the rocking good time they had. Also, working with Jenna and her team, we were on a great timeline. We only had a couple of to-do items a month, and it was manageable! Also, I would suggest trying to have “dates” with your mom where you don’t talk about wedding stuff! My mom and I got together a lot to do “wedding stuff” and travel back and forth from Fairhope. It was nice to go to lunch or shopping with her and not talk about wedding details and just be normal. Same with Mic! Date night meant no wedding talk.

What was your favorite part of the planning process?

Cake tasting. Mic and I both have a huge sweet tooth and love a good piece of cake! Cake tasting was something we looked forward to for so long. I honestly want to cake taste everyday. Couture Cakes in Daphne has the best cake. We decided on the coconut filling and can’t wait to have another slice at one year.

Vendor Information

Photographer: Josh Malahy Photography , Florist: Wildflowers , Rental Company: SOHO Events and Rentals, Lighting: Willow Bridges, INC Cake: Couture Cakes Band: East Coast Entertainment Catering: Clifton Morrissette Catering Bar: Mark Kidd

October 25, 2018

Jenna Rachal

Real Weddings

Jenna Laine Weddings : Katie & Trent

October 25, 2018

Jenna Rachal

Real Weddings

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.