Leslee Mitchell and her beautiful images are about to make all you stripe loving mavens rejoice. This is Southern charm at its best with a whole lot of stripy goodness right down to the bridesmaid’s skirts and a live band parading through the streets of Mobile. I don’t know if I’ve ever been more in love with a wedding detail. We’re talking debonair gentlemen playing trumpets and drums while leading the wedding guests through town to the reception venue. No words can describe that awesomeness but images can! Head to the gallery right this second for so much more.
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From the Bride… We wanted to have a wedding in Mobile’s historic downtown because that’s where I grew up. It was also important to us that everything be within walking distance so that it would be a more relaxed weekend and guests could explore downtown’s architecture, museums, restaurants and beautiful live oaks. Oliver and I decided to have the reception at my parent’s home and the plaza next door, which was particularly special because my parents had their wedding reception there when my great-grandmother lived there. We were married at Christ Church Cathedral, a really beautiful church downtown, just a few blocks from the house. Mardi Gras originated in Mobile, and to celebrate that fact and give our out-of-town guests a little taste of Mobile’s Mardi Gras, we had the Excelsior Band meet us at the bottom of the church steps and lead a parade to the reception — Leslee got some great photos, and it was a really festive way to kick off the reception.
For the wedding, the florist recreated the bouquet my great-grandmother carried on her wedding day, and for the ceremony, I wore an antique lace jacket that was hers as well. The groomsmen wore light blue bow ties and cummerbunds for Oliver’s alma mater’s basketball team, the Tar Heels. I was determined to find skirts for the bridesmaids and finally came across Anne Cramer’s designs. Long black and white striped skirts — they were a dream! The reception decor kind of stemmed from there: black and white with pops of bright pink and red flowers. The caterers turned out great foot that was quintessentially Gulf Coast: shrimp and grits, deviled eggs, grillades and grits, fried green tomatoes, etc. The wedding cake from Pollman’s was delicious and beautiful. Once the band got started, everyone eventually ended up on the dance floor and it was such a fun night. The evening would not have come together without my mother’s hard work. Oliver and I don’t live in Mobile, so she handled much of the planning and decision making for us. With her help, and the vision of our amazing vendors, the evening came together and was magical!
From the Leslee of Leslee Mitchell… The spirit of Mobile was most definitely felt at Virginia and Oliver’s wedding. Photographing the Excelsior Band as it led the wedding party and guests through historic downtown Mobile and back to Virginia’s parents home for the reception is something I will always remember. The skirts worn by the bridesmaids were a signature look, and I loved how well they popped in the photos. Virginia and Oliver represented the style of Mobile so well throughout their entire wedding day.
Wedding Photography: Leslee Mitchell / Ceremony: Christ Church Cathedral in Mobile, Alabama / Reception: The Bride’s Parents’ Home in Mobile, Alabama / Catering: Bay Gourmet Catering / Wedding Cake: Pollman’s Bake Shop (251-342-8546) / Event Lighting: Will Bridges / Parade Band: Excelsior Band / Wedding Dress: Lanvin / Bride’s Shoes: Pedro Garcia / Bridesmaids’ Skirts: anne m cramer