Birmingham Bliss: A Classic Southern Wedding
She picked him out, and he swept her off her feet. Read all about Lindsey and Andrew's love story that was sealed with a classic Southern wedding!
The modern dating world can be difficult to navigate for Southern women. There is an art to taking charge of our own lives and not sitting idly by, while still appreciating the traditional chivalry we were taught to expect from potential suitors. Today’s Southern wedding spotlight features a woman who struck the perfect balance, being proactive in her effort to find the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with, but still granting him the opportunity to be a gentleman. We’re excited to share with you Lindsey Badham and Andrew Mills’ story and offer a look at their classic Southern wedding!
Lindsey had not intended to hit the town with friends the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving back in November 2013. But her Birmingham, AL, buddies insisted that she join them for a while, and she agreed to tag along for part of the evening. Walking into Saw’s Juke Joint, an upscale dive in the Magic City, she noticed a cute guy sitting at the bar. Emboldened by friends and a little liquid courage, she marched over and asked if she could buy him a drink. He paused, and then replied, “Nope. That’s my job. How about I buy you one instead?” Graciously, she let him and the pair hit it off. Andrew may have bought the drink, but Lindsey’s initiative brought the two together.
Less than a year later, in June 2014, Andrew asked Mr. Badham for his permission before proposing to Lindsey (as Lindsey told us, it was a quick turnaround, but “when ya know, ya know!”). Blessing given and ring in hand, Andrew began planning the perfect way to ask Lindsey to marry him. He and Mrs. Badham quickly realized that any elaborate schemes would be hard to keep secret from Lindsey’s wary eye. Spontaneity thus became the plan. On Friday, June 27, Lindsey babysat the Anderson girls, the young daughters of some close family friends in Birmingham. Pulling up to the children’s house following an afternoon in the park, Lindsey saw Mr. Anderson waving at her. He asked if she could go grab something from the front door while he took the girls inside. Confused, she rounded the sidewalk corner to the front of the house and Andrew appeared. He hugged her and then got down on one knee. Needless to say, Lindsey was very surprised!
Wedding planning began immediately. The couple set a May 16, 2015, wedding date, giving them plenty of time to sort out the many details of the special day. Lindsey grew up attending Canterbury United Methodist Church in Birmingham and knew that she, like her parents had 31 years before her, would want to say her vows in the special sanctuary of her hometown. As the Badhams were longtime members of The Country Club of Birmingham, it made for a simple and lovely location for the reception. On-site catering was also a tremendous benefit of celebrating Lindsey and Andrew’s marriage at the club.
As mentioned above, Lindsey grew up in Magic City. Andrew, though originally from Huntsville, moved to Birmingham with his family when he was 17. Both Lindsey and Andrew also moved back to the city after graduating from the University of Alabama (though not in the same year-Lindsey was in the class of 2014; Andrew was a 2007 undergrad and 2009 U of A Manderson School of Business graduate) to pursue their respective careers. Lindsey is a registered nurse, while Andrew works at Regions as a commercial banker.
As Birmingham was such an integral part of their lives, it became easy to include many of the people most important to them in their special day. The large wedding party came from a mix of Lindsey and Andrew’s high school and college friends, in addition to close family. Lindsey’s two precious flower girls were Bea and Claire Anderson. This was an especially sweet inclusion, as Bea and Claire were the little ones Lindsey had been babysitting on the day Andrew proposed. Lindsey had actually even seen Bea and Claire’s parents themselves get married many years prior—such a neat circle of events!
Lindsey and Andrew kept the overall palette very neutral. Dove gray looked lovely on all the bridesmaids, especially next to the white dinner jackets the groomsmen donned. The floral arrangements and bouquets by 3 Graces Design were neutral in tone, as well, though a warmer shade. The barely there pinks and yellows nestled among rich summer greenery contrasted beautifully with the cool dress tones.
Lindsey’s stunning gown took some time to find. She had hunted around Birmingham for just the right look and been unsuccessful in her many attempts at various bridal stores. A spontaneous trip to Homewood (a Birmingham suburb) revealed a beautiful dress in the Carriage House window display. Lindsey made an appointment immediately and pulled the Augusta Jones gown she had seen, as well as a few others. V-neck with cap sleeves, the all-lace dress with sheer lace back flattered Lindsey’s 5-foot frame and brought to life her dreams of the perfect wedding gown.
The stunning veil Lindsey wore was her mother’s. An Alencon lace veil, it was the perfect finish to her dress and served as her “something old.” Her “something blue” was an antique—a small piece of lace from Lindsey’s great, great, great, great aunt’s wedding dress was sewn into the new gown. It was more than 125 years old! What a special addition to know you have matriarchal love physically supporting you on one of the biggest days in your life!
Following the traditional wedding ceremony, guests made the quick drive to The Country Club of Birmingham. The Soulsations played fantastic music that had everyone on their feet all night. Between songs on the dance floor, guests nibbled on items from the buffet line. Beef tenderloin, jumbo shrimp, crispy blue crab claws, fried oysters, chicken tenders, Boursin cheese-filled potatoes with applewood bacon, tomato basil pies and more satiated appetites and gave everyone the energy to keep celebrating in style.
Other goodies from the evening included tons of party favors and late night bites. Flip-flops in all sizes, batons with blinking lights and colorful plastic glasses created a fun and silly atmosphere on the dance floor and throughout the celebration. The ladies room was also stocked with essentials to keep everyone looking flawless all evening. Personalized water bottles, Evian spray, Shout stain remover, hairbrushes, hairspray, mints, Advil and Band-Aids were all available, should anyone need a little sprucing up mid-party. The Mississippi mud pies, sliders and fries that were served late in the evening also helped ensure everyone had a fantastic time celebrating Lindsey and Andrew.
Thank you, Lindsey and Andrew, for sharing your story with us! Cheers to forever love!
RESOURCES:
Wedding Ceremony: Canterbury United Methodist Church
Wedding Reception: The Country Club of Birmingham
Wedding planner: Emma Reich and Neillie Butler at Mariée Ami
Photographer: A Bryan Photo
Videographer: Lance Holloway at Holloway Productions
Wedding Logo and Menu Cards: Allison R. Banks Designs
Wedding Day Program: The Scribbler
Flowers: Leah Hazzard at 3 Graces Design
Wedding Day Transportation: RARE Transportation
Band: The Soulsations, RAM Entertainment
Bride and Groom’s Cake: Barb’s Cakes
Bridal Gown: Augusta Jones from The Carriage House
Bridesmaids’ dresses: Amsale from Bella Bridesmaids
Hair: William at Oak Street Hair Group
Groom and Groomsmen Tuxes: Mr. Burch Formalwear
