Clay + Bryan | A Quintessential Southern Spring Wedding

This past April I had the absolute pleasure of getting to second shoot Clay and Bryan’s wedding with Kelly of Spindle Photography down in Selma, Alabama (which is about two hours south of Birmingham). To say this wedding had every element of a classic Southern affair is a major understatement. I’m pretty sure Kelly and I didn’t stop squealing with delight the whole day.

What made it even better was that Clay, who is from Selma, met Bryan, who is from New York, in Colorado, where they both live now. So Bryan’s whole northern, Jewish family was given quite the introduction to Southern culture at this wedding. It was so beautiful to see the two worlds come together, and all around, it was one of the most fun weddings I’ve ever gotten to be a part of.

We started the day by shooting the brunch that was held in their honor. The weather was perfect, the glasses were full of mimosas and sweet tea, the bluegrass band was playing, the kids were running around in their adorable little gingham outfits, and we also got to fill our bellies with an insanely delicious meal. (My favorite? The sweet potato biscuits with ham and apple jelly. Oh my goodness.) It was almost hard to believe the whole thing was real and that we weren’t just on a movie set, to be honest.

The two moms watching Clay and Bryan see each other for the first time. LOVE this moment.

To anyone who hasn’t gone to church in the deep South, it might seem strange for all the kids to have bare feet and be wearing smocked outfits with bows. But that’s just how it’s done. Growing up, my mom used to hand sew and smock ALL of mine and my brother’s outfits for church and special occasions, and yes… we matched. My brother is mortified to see those photos now. ;)

The reception was held at Clay’s parents’ plantation home. Absolutely STUNNING, to say the least.

One thing I’ve been obsessed with at Southern weddings are these delicious homemade caramel cakes. Man oh man.

One of the Jewish traditions they incorporated into the wedding was the hora. (LOVE.) One of the best parts of the whole day was watching Clay’s mom, on the far right, who is much sweeter and more down-to-earth version of Paula Deen, get hoisted up on that chair. The look on her face? Priceless.

Huge thanks to Kelly for inviting me along and to Clay and Bryan and their families for hosting one of the best weddings we’ve ever been to!