A Serene Summer Wedding at the Birmingham Museum of Art
For Elise and Jackson Hedden, the Birmingham Museum of Art provided the perfect blend of natural beauty and artful design for their big day. Take a look inside this picture-perfect summer wedding!
Elise Cunha was an hour late for her first date with Jackson Hedden.
Well, sort of.
A month prior, they met on Hinge and scheduled a date when Elise returned home to Birmingham after traveling. Elise didn’t hear from Jackson again after that. Even on the day of their scheduled date, crickets. Elise assumed Jackson had ghosted her. That night, Elise went out with friends instead, who coincidentally decided to go to Carrigan’s, the bar where she and Jackson had planned to meet. “I texted him, just in case, and said, ‘We’re not meeting, right?’” Jackson replied immediately, “What do you mean? I’m here.”
PinElise Cunha married Jackson Hedden on June 3rd, 2023, at the Birmingham Museum of Art. Image: Abby Lee Photography
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When Elise finally arrived at Carrigan’s with her friends, Jackson had ordered one of everything off the menu to ensure she was taken care of. He was also there with friends, so the couple’s crew got to be a part of their memorable first date.
“They all still make fun of me for being an hour late for our first date,” Elise shares.
That was in 2020. Elise has never been late for a date again.
PinElegant wedding stationery by AP Prints in delicate blues set the tone for the day. Image: Abby Lee Photography
Fast-forward to 2022. Jackson and Elise had yet another memorable date, this time ending with a proposal. They went out for a meal at Automatic Seafood, and Jackson slyly roped in a neighboring table to take video as he pretended to go to the restroom. He then positioned himself, kneeling behind Elise. Someone tapped her shoulder and told her to turn around, and there he was.
“Everyone was clapping. I got so nervous that I could not even stand and move. I just said, ‘Come back here and sit!’” Elise shares with a laugh. “He said, ‘What’s your answer?’ and I said, ‘Yes, I do, but many people are looking at us right now, so I can’t move!’”
PinAfter meeting on Hinge and a memorable first date blunder, Jackson and Elise were engaged two years later. Image: Abby Lee Photography
The couple worked with Kindred Weddings to plan their big day at the Birmingham Museum of Art. “We wanted to have a wedding outside,” Elise explains. “We visited many places, but none of them felt right or unique. Jack went to art school, which is where the idea of something more artistic came from. When we got to the museum, we said, ‘This is it!’”
PinAfter setting their sights on an outdoor venue, the couple decided the Birmingham Museum of Art was the perfect spot. Image: Abby Lee PhotographyPinElise and Jackson shared their first date and wedding day with their dearest friends. Image: Abby Lee PhotographyPinThe ceremony was held in the transcendent Red Mountain Garden Club Memorial Garden. Image: Abby Lee PhotographyPinThe museum’s stunning architecture brought in all the natural beauty of the outdoors. Image: Abby Lee Photography
Flowers from CS Floral Design beautifully tied in the vibrancy of the museum without stealing focus. “I love flowers and colors. They always make me happy,” Elise tells us. “However, since we were around many colors in the museum and didn’t know which art would be exposed then, we tried to get more neutral colors … and bring more attention to the blue and pink flowers since we chose blue for the wedding party.”
PinA moment for the dress and bouquet, please! Image: Abby Lee PhotographyPinPops of bright summer colors and gentle neutrals by the incredible CS Floral Design accentuated the day at every turn. Image: Abby Lee PhotographyPinVibrant artwork in and around the museum offered a colorful backdrop for the day, making it easy to the scene. Image: Abby Lee Photography
For her dress, Elise trusted the talented team at The White Room to help her find The One, but it wasn’t what she had initially had in mind. “Everything that I had thought I wanted didn’t look good,” she explains. “So after many trials, this was the one that felt like it was made for me.”
PinThough not what she first envisioned, Elise fell in love with her gown from The White Room. Image: Abby Lee PhotographyPinWhile Elise and Jackson weren’t sure exactly which pieces would be on display for their big day, they knew their guests would have plenty to explore. Image: Abby Lee PhotographyPinThe flowers, the attire, the smiles, the painting … all works of art. Image: Abby Lee Photography
The couple exchanged traditional vows before 80 guests in the museum’s sculpture gardens. The combination of gorgeous weather and the museum’s artful influences was everything Elise and Jackson had hoped for.
PinSomehow, the ceremony was as joyous as it was serene. Image: Abby Lee PhotographyPinIntroducing Mr. and Mrs. Hedden! Image: Abby Lee PhotographyPinA quick departure from the light-filled ceremony and reception spaces, the couple posed for photos in a moody gallery lined with artwork. Can you imagine this couple’s wedding album?! Image: Abby Lee Photography
After an ethereal ceremony, everyone made their way to the museum’s 8th Avenue Lobby for a cocktail hour and enjoyed champagne, margaritas, and whiskey.
Dinner featured a cultural culinary fusion, including burgers, tacos, and various dishes featuring chicken, crab, and shrimp. Guests danced the night away with a live band and enjoyed hilariously touching speeches from the couple’s nearest and dearest.
PinPerfectly airy tables greeted guests at the reception as natural light filled the room and accentuated the Cahaba lily paintings on display. Image: Abby Lee PhotographyPinToasts from friends and family made for a memorable reception. Image: Abby Lee PhotographyPinElise and her father danced to Aonde Quer Que Eu Vá by Os Paralamas do Sucesso. Image: Abby Lee PhotographyPinThe reception hall was filled with natural light, beautiful florals, live music, and newlywed bliss. The couple shared their first dance as husband and wife to ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ by Elvis Presley. Image: Abby Lee PhotographySugar and Stems beautifully combined Elise and Jackson’s tastes in their bride’s cake and groom’s macaron tower. “He loves red velvet, so the cake was red velvet,” Elise explains. “I love strawberry cake, so we got strawberry macarons since we were unsure if people would like strawberry cake. [That way], we both could have something that we wanted.”
PinThe bridal cake from Sugar and Stems was a true work of art. Image: Abby Lee PhotographyPinThe gorgeous baby blue macarons complemented the wedding colors perfectly and were strawberry and almond flavored. Delish! Image: Abby Lee PhotographyPinWedding guests were sent home with terracotta flower pots and seeds to commemorate the day. “My mother-in-law loves gardening, so the idea came from her, and I loved it!” Elise says. Image: Abby Lee Photography
After a picture-perfect day, the couple headed off to Hawaii on their honeymoon. Thank you for sharing your story and big day with us, Elise and Jackson!
PinCongratulations, Heddens! Image: Abby Lee Photography
A Birmingham native, Katie is a lifelong waterfall chaser and is passionate about the outdoors. She also loves connecting with remarkable women in the Birmingham community and bringing their stories to life. Katie has been writing professionally for over six years; you can find more of her work at Moms.com and Islands.com.
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