Janet Butler
The girls in this wedding party start the day out right — getting their hair shampooed and styled with loving care — in this Birmingham, Alabama, wedding day album from Stephen DeVries. After a beauty session, the ladies relax for a while in the Bride’s Room at the church, thumbing through magazines and chatting beneath stained-glass windows. When it’s time to dress, the bride has lots of help — tying the bow at her waist, making sure the gossamer full-length veil and train fall just right. Her maids are in blue, as are mothers; shoes are elegant and understated with satin bows at the open toes. The groom and his men are dapper in black tie; pausing a moment at the back of church, the bride takes one final deep breath and processes down the aisle to meet her groom.
After a few stolen moments — some encouraging words from the priest, a few kisses — the couple get on the “wedding trolley” with their attendants and kick off the beginnings of their celebration. Riding through the streets of Birmingham in a bell-bedecked bus, they sing and dance…and once at the art gallery reception hall, they continue! Warm hugs from members of the family precede cutting and sharing cake as well as two ceremonial silver cups that the bride and groom use to toast their guests — and each other. Favors are rustically elegant brown cup holders with monograms; the dance music is soulful and infectious. A touch more singing and dancing, and then it’s time to light the sparklers and send the new Mr. and Mrs. on their way…with good wishes and memories that last a lifetime.
