Janet Butler
A Southern spring wedding on the grounds of a historic mansion — it’s hard to top that for romance. And there’s plenty of romance in the images of this wedding that comes to us from Stephen DeVries. The bride’s not averse to a little pampering and primping, but she has fun with it, too — posing with her makeup brush and vamping for the ‘candids.’ At the Bragg Mitchell Mansion in Mobile, Alabama, statuary holds the rings for safekeeping while the bride and her maids bring in flowers, dresses, shawls, and all the other accoutrements they’re going to need. In high, strappy sandals and a simple strapless gown with beadwork, the bride is resplendent; her maids are in simple black with olive/lime green shawls against any possible spring chills.
The groom and his men look dapper in simple black tie; flowers are variegations of cream, lime green, white, and peach, with tulips the “bloom” of choice. Fittingly enough, the grand “reveal” takes place near the statue; fortunately, the groom doesn’t see the bride and her maids in fake moustaches! Beneath an arbor twined with branches and blossoms, the pair say their vows to the accompaniment of keyboard and vocalist. Guests receive favors of tea bags emblazoned with “perfect blend” labels bearing the newlyweds’ names; a four-layer white frosted cake is crowned with real flowers. Then comes feasting, champagne, and dancing…signing the guest book with good wishes…and the best man “checking out” the red convertible in which the happy couple will depart. Yes, it’s good to go — and, as night falls and lanterns twinkle, so are they, in a shower of rose petals, off into their future together.
