While backyard weddings often evoke images of casual barbecues and lawn games, Tom and Cristina’s celebration in Alabama was a masterclass in elegance and sophistication. The Southern spring wedding seamlessly merged fall elements with a vibrant color palette, resulting in an atmosphere that was at once romantic and opulent. Captured by the exceptional Mary Margaret Smith Photography, this unforgettable day was filled with whimsical details and joyful moments.
As we delve into the story of Tom and Cristina’s special day, be sure to peruse Cristina’s expert insights on crafting a memorable wedding experience. But first, Mary Margaret Smith Photography invites you to meet this charming couple, whose love story is woven throughout these stunning photographs.
From The Photographer
Cristina and Tommy’s love story began on the national tour of Jesus Christ Superstar, where they traveled across the US together before settling in New York City. However, for their special day, they chose to return to Alabama, where Cristina grew up, and exchanged vows on April 26, 2014, at Spring Hill College’s charming chapel. The intimate setting was perfect for their closest friends and family, allowing them to celebrate in a warm and personal way.
Following the mid-day ceremony, guests made their way to Tommy’s parents’ home for cocktails, while the happy couple stole away for photos beneath the majestic Avenue of Oaks. Later that evening, they hosted a breathtaking backyard reception under a canopy of stunning trees, complete with lush greenery adorning tables and hanging above, and fruit-filled centerpieces that added a pop of color and whimsy.
Wedding Day Snapshot
Cristina and Tommy’s love story began on the national tour of Jesus Christ Superstar, where they traveled across the US together before settling in New York City. However, for their special day, they chose to return to Alabama, where Cristina grew up, and exchanged vows on April 26, 2014, at Spring Hill College’s charming chapel. The intimate setting was perfect for their closest friends and family, allowing them to celebrate in a warm and personal way.
Following the mid-day ceremony, guests made their way to Tommy’s parents’ home for cocktails, while the happy couple stole away for photos beneath the majestic Avenue of Oaks. Later that evening, they hosted a breathtaking backyard reception under a canopy of stunning trees, complete with lush greenery adorning tables and hanging above, and fruit-filled centerpieces that added a pop of color and whimsy.
The Flowers
For our floral arrangement, we selected a diverse range of blooms, including the romantic ranunculus, statement-making dahlias, delicate anemones, and airy Queen Anne’s lace. To add some texture and depth to the composition, we also incorporated various types of lush greenery.
The Photography
We were thrilled to discover Mary Margaret Smith, our photographer, whose work is a visual masterpiece that brings memories to life. Without a videographer to capture our special moments, it was crucial we found someone who could convey the essence of our day through their photographs. Mary Margaret’s images are a perfect representation of how we felt on our wedding day – every single moment is vividly captured, exuding love, joy, and the unbridled energy that filled the air.
Our big day exceeded all our expectations, and her photographs continue to remind us of its magic.
The Inspiration
The concept for our color palette was born from a stunning still life painting by Arnoldus Bloemers, featuring vibrant flowers, lush greenery, and luscious fruit. The palette consisted of eggplant, burgundy, gold, and ivory hues, with an abundance of fresh greenery woven throughout. Drawing inspiration from the 1994 film Little Women, we aimed to recreate its warm, rich period feel in every aspect of our wedding, from floral designs to table décor and stationery.
Our ultimate goal was to envelop each guest in a sense of opulence and romance.
The Refreshments
We made Dark and Stormy’s our signature cocktail; my husband being particularly fond of them. To find the perfect pairing, we conducted a taste-testing extravaganza, exploring various rums and ginger beers. Ultimately, Bayou spiced rum and Bundaberg ginger beer won us over with their harmonious blend of flavors.
As Southern cuisine aficionados, we opted for a family-style meal featuring comforting dishes like crispy fried chicken, smoky collard greens, creamy shrimp and grits, rich macaroni and cheese, and warm biscuits and cornbread with honey butter. Our catering partner, Naman’s Catering, did an exceptional job in bringing these Southern staples to life for dessert, we had a delightful assortment of cakes from multiple sources, all available for our guests to indulge in at their leismun.
A personal favorite was the renowned Killer and Banana Dream cake from TooJay’s Restaurant and Deli, which holds a special place in my heart due to a memorable trip with my sisters and mother years ago. To ensure our wedding cake dreams came true, we enlisted the help of my sister-in-law, who resides in Tampa, to collect and deliver the cakes from various sources – including The Little Cake Shop, our original wedding cake’s remaker.
Two family matriarchs and an aunt also contributed their baking skills to the mix; despite a minor hiccup with our initial wedding cake (which, sadly, didn’t make it to the big day), we savored every bite of our replacement cake, relishing the experience of sharing it with each other.
The Music
As we exchanged vows in an intimate setting amidst lush greenery, we wanted to create a warm and romantic atmosphere that would set the tone for our special night. To achieve this, we hired the talented jazz band Mojazz to serenade us with their smooth renditions of timeless classics and sultry torch songs. Their performance was nothing short of enchanting, perfectly capturing the essence of our love story.
Our first dance as husband and wife was a memorable one, with Michael Bublé’s soulful rendition of ‘That’s All’ serving as the soundtrack to this magical moment.