This Wonderful Wedding Took Only Four Months to Plan

Share with your friends!

Facebook Pinterest LinkedIn Email Flipboard Reddit

Not many first dates go as well as Lacey Whatley and Farra Alford’s did. In January 2016, mutual friends set the two up on a blind date, and the connection between them was instantaneous. In fact, Farra ended up joining Lacey for a family lunch the very next day!

As the couple learned more about each other and grew closer over the next year, a marriage proposal was on the horizon.

On the evening of October 19, 2017, Lacey was unexpectedly sent on what appeared to be a wild goose chase all over Birmingham, but it didn’t take long for her to realize what was going on. Farra had curated an elaborate scavenger hunt, sending Lacey to a variety of special places in Birmingham: their first date at Bamboo on 2nd, the site of their first kiss at The Grand Bohemian, where they said their first “I love you’s” at Farra’s house and finally back to Lacey’s house where Farra was waiting with a ring and a very important question.

Lacey said the ring had been on her finger for maybe five minutes, before the wedding planning ensued. “We were so ready to be married,” she gushes. “I knew I couldn’t wait and have the planning hanging over my head.” So the planning began immediately, starting with a call to Neillie Butler of Mariée Ami. With the date set and only four months to plan, Lacey says everything was smooth sailing.

037 e1527786519151 — From New York City-based designer Lela Rose, Lacey’s short-sleeved gown, which she found at Ivory & White, featured a variety of sophisticated feminine touches. Her bouquet was filled with white peonies, white roses, ranunculus and pops of greenery.

045 e1527786575772 — The chilly February temperatures had no effect on this glowing bride.

054 e1527786589131 — No cold feet here — just a handsome groom excited to see his bride.

061 e1527786624102 — This shot of the first look will give you all the feels.

RELATED: Enjoy the Ultimate Wedding Dress Shopping Experience at Ivory & White

093 e1527786664143 — The bride and groom share a sweet moment together before saying “I do.”

107 e1527786688669 — Each bridesmaid had the freedom to choose her own style of floor-length, navy dress, and they tied the look together by each weaving a white orchid bud into their hair.

146 e1527786720409 — With 16 bridesmaids and 16 groomsmen, this wedding party celebrated their day surrounded by so many loving family members and friends!

187 e1527786739668 — The clean and simple square invitation, designed by Allison R. Banks Designs, paired well with the evening’s polished ambiance.

219 e1527786804977 — Lacey takes her father’s arm right before heading down the aisle.

222 e1527786813665 — Jonathon Henderson, Farra’s best friend, along with Lacey’s sorority sister, Tori Hastings, officiated the ceremony inside the chapel at Canterbury United Methodist Church in Mountain Brook. This setting was so cozy that not every member of the wedding party could participate in the ceremony and instead sat together in the chapel’s pews. Lacey says, “We were thrilled with how intimate, loving and full of joy the ceremony was.”

241 — Lacey and Farra gleefully exit the chapel moments after saying “I do.”

Immediately after the ceremony, the couple greeted even more family and friends at the Birmingham Country Club to eat, drink and dance the night away. Upon entering the club, guests were transported into a romantic fairyland complete with soft twinkle lights strung from the ceiling, flowing white drapery and perfectly arranged white florals. The crowd dined on everything from oysters to beef tenderloin, stuffed potatoes and make-’em-yourself quesadillas from the wildly popular quesadilla bar.

Lacey credits the Mariée Ami team for executing everything so smoothly and according to plan. “We couldn’t have done it without them,” Lacey admits. “I had no idea how all my vision and dreams would come together, and they made it happen!”