Patrick Snell and Daley Henson grew up together in Birmingham, Alabama. They saw each other at school, attended the same church and frequented youth group events together. Patrick was even good friends with Daley’s twin brother, Davis, but even that couldn’t deter him from finally asking for Daley’s number.
Although they only dated for a year at Vestavia High School, Patrick was Daley’s first official boyfriend, her first kiss and her first break-up. “He set my standards high,” she says. After a few more years of “just friends,” (while everyone knew this couple still had chemistry), Daley and Patrick picked up where they left off just after graduation and were together throughout their college years at Auburn University. While they both knew marriage was on the horizon, they waited and grew together for a few more years before taking the next (big!) leap.
As for their engagement, we wanted the groom’s perspective: “After five incredible years together, I was ready to ask Daley to marry me,” Patrick says. We had taken pictures for our high school senior prom at a view overlooking Birmingham. That was a special time for us, and it was the perfect spot to ask her to spend forever with me.” On one November afternoon, Patrick invented a story that his car had broken down while running an errand, and told Daley she would have to pick him up to start their “date night.” Once he convinced Daley to get out of the car to look at the view, she “froze in shock” when she saw the blanket laid out with candles and roses. “We were both shaking, either from nerves or from how cold it was (probably both). I read from Proverbs 31 because she exemplifies everything about those verses. Then I got down on one knee and asked her to become my wife. She said ‘yes,’ and the rest is history!” Patrick says.
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According to Daley, she still can’t believe Patrick pulled off a surprise engagement (she was expecting a Christmas proposal). After the fake car fiasco, the scripture reading, the crying and the “yes!”, the future Snells celebrated over dinner at Vestavia Country Club. “I got to hear all of the funny details leading up to the proposal and soak in the excitement. Then he surprised me again with a party at my house to celebrate!” Daley reflects.
Daley is a natural-born planner, so she enjoyed taking things into her own hands. By the weekend after their engagement, they’d already nailed down a date and venue and Daley had booked three dress appointments. We’re impressed! “I trusted my mother, who has impeccable taste, to help me pull it all together with confidence. Our 11-month engagement absolutely flew by,” Daley says.
Coincidentally, their engagement night dinner at Vestavia Country Club was a venue Daley had been silently considering for their inevitable big day. The rollings green hills, manicured grounds, scrumptious menu and customizable space were perfect for their larger guest list of about 250. “Everyone at Vestavia Country Club was so thoughtful. We were very well taken care of,” Daley says.
When it came to the aesthetic, the couple was undoubtedly inspired by the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. As soon as Daley saw the gorgeous green and white arch on the entrance to their church, she knew she wanted to recreate that look outside of her own wedding chapel. They also effortlessly brought nature into the club using trees, lush foliage on the tables, a floral façade on the stage front and plenty of candles for a warm, elegant ambiance.
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When it came to picking a dress, Daley wanted something romantic that incorporated lace and a flowing skirt. “With support from the most important ladies in my life, I found this gorgeous lace and organza dress by Monique Lhuillier at Ivory & White,” she says. We love the elegant and sophisticated look of Daley’s dress — and the way it flows when Patrick twirls her in the photos. “So much of my personality was represented through my dress, and I knew Patrick was going to love it!” Daley says.
Daley and Patrick exchanged traditional vows and were married by their former youth pastor, Scott Heath, and to some very special tunes. For the ceremony music, Daley’s brother and Patrick’s good friend, Davis, played “Clair de Lune” on piano, while her cousin Misty sang a beautiful song that she had written herself. Daley walked down the aisle to instrumental music from the Pride and Prejudice movie soundtrack. The thoughtfully curated ceremony music is one of many instances of combining personal touches with royal English inspiration. They also displayed framed black and white photographs of their parents and grandparents on their own wedding days, to acknowledge the strong marriages that laid the foundation for their own.
They opted out of a cocktail hour, hoping to spend as much time as possible with the friends and family who had traveled so far to celebrate them. “Patrick and I hopped straight into our getaway car to be the first to arrive and get a few more pictures,” she says. This is an uncommon — but appreciated — gesture from the bride and groom, many of whom will hideaway until their first dance. As guests arrived at the club, they were greeted by a bagpiper — a surprise gift arranged by Daley’s parents. This wedding reception just got even more royal wedding-flavored!
Daley planned a family-style seated meal on vintage English china platters, with classic jazz tunes playing in the background. “We actually had our menus printed onto the napkins!” she says. They served pecan-crusted chicken and peppercorn cognac beef tenderloin with white cheddar scalloped potatoes, grilled asparagus and rolls.
“I knew without a shadow of a doubt I was going to use Olexa’s Café for both of our cakes. They have the best tasting cakes in Birmingham!” Daley says. Their flavors were simple: a classic almond and vanilla tiered wedding cake and a chocolate cake with strawberries. Several trays of mini cheesecakes, Patrick’s favorite dessert, were set out for guests to enjoy. “I always have to have coffee with my dessert, so we also had a coffee and hot chocolate station,” Daley says.
“We had fun party accessories for the reception — the glow-in-the-dark tambourines were a huge hit,” Daley tells us. She also managed to surprise her new hubby with a late-night pass of Whataburger’s famous Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits. “I’ll never forget the look on his face when he spotted them from across the dance floor!” she laughs. At the end of the night, friends and family cheered with sparklers in hand as the Snells departed in a beautiful vintage car.
Daley’s advice for soon-to-be brides? Stay in the moment on your wedding day. “I remember walking into our rehearsal dinner, speechless at how beautiful it was and how many loved faces were there. I remember dancing around to the playlist I had made with my bridesmaids as we got ready.” It’s those smaller moments between and throughout the monumental ones that make a wedding so special, and we can certainly see those shine through in this encapsulation of the Snells’ big day.
“This is one of the only times in your life where all of the most important people in your life will be there to support you as you begin your marriage. Everyone you love, in one place, in one room. The magic of that was not lost on us. It is so special!”
We are so grateful for the chance to relive this special day with you, Daley and Patrick! And thank you to Leslee Mitchell for these gorgeous photos she captured, both digitally and on film.
RESOURCES
Ceremony: A. Hamilton Reid Chapel at Samford University
Reception: Vestavia Country Club
Day-of coordinator: Cindy Caradine
Photographer: Leslee Mitchell Photography
Videography: Chip Burns
Flowers: Kathy Miller of Traveling Blooms
Stationery: Alex Fly Designs
Hair & makeup: Danielle Ivy Chiepalich
Bride’s gown: Monique Lhuillier from Ivory & White Bridal Boutique
Bridesmaids’ dresses: Jenny Yoo from Bella Bridesmaids
Groom and groomsmen attire: The Black Tux
Cakes: Olexa’s
Entertainment: City Heat Band
Rentals: Mayker
Linens: La Tavola Fine Linen
Vintage china: Tea and Old Roses
Transportation: Vintage Auto Chauffeur
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