Southern football game days in the fall have a magic all their own, and one fateful Auburn University tailgate brought Selena Smith and Charles Hartley together forever. Set up by mutual friends, the pair met at the first tailgate of the 2019 season, and the rest was history.
Three years later, the pair tied the knot in a citrus-and-floral-infused affair in Fairhope, AL, and we were lucky enough to get a look inside their big day!
“We got engaged at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear, Alabama,” Selena shares. It was a total surprise, and Chad had planned a party with all of our close family and friends at the hotel afterward to celebrate.” The wedding date was set for May 13 the following year, and they were off to the races!
The ceremony location was quickly decided as the St. Francis at the Point Anglican Church, a venue near and dear to Selena’s heart. “When I was in middle school, my cousin got married at St. Francis, and ever since, I’ve said I wanted to get married there,” Selena shares. “It happened to be one of the few spring weekends they still had available, so we were lucky.”
Selena enlisted the help of a planner, Ashli Pridgen of Ashli Payge Planning and Coordinating, to help the details come together seamlessly. The citrus garden theme incorporated seasonal colors, primarily peach and soft sage.
“First, we had to pick out the bridesmaid’s dresses, and after we found the colored dresses, we were able to narrow down the linens,” Selena shares. “I knew I wanted to go with citrus garden wedding vibes so I could incorporate peach with my florals.”
With bridesmaid’s dresses and a color scheme in place, Selena began searching for her perfect dress — something simple but not too plain. Her sister encouraged her to try on a dress with puffy sleeves just for fun, but Selena fell in love.
“I loved the corset-inspired top with the puff sleeves and buttons down the train,” she adds. “It paired perfectly with the pearl veil.”
The soon-to-be Hartleys anticipated an extensive guest list and had a specific style in mind for their post-nuptial reception, which narrowed the list of venues in the Fairhope area. They ultimately selected Rock Creek Golf Club, a stunning venue with a backdrop of manicured fairways and breathtaking sunsets.
Nearly 150 guests gathered to celebrate the Hartleys, watching as the pair took to the floor for their first dance to Ray LaMontagne’s “You Are the Best Thing.” Father-daughter and mother-son dances followed — the former to “My Girl” by The Temptations and the latter to “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts. Entertainment was provided by the local band Fly By Radio.
Guests enjoyed signature cocktail options, including the couple’s favorites (an old fashioned for Chad, a paloma for Selena, and a margarita for the pair), as well as wine and a brew bus with various tap options.
The citrus-scented garden party vibes continued into the reception, as the space was decked out with hanging greenery, twinkle lights, and rattan lanterns, plus tables lined with even more lush floral arrangements featuring sliced fruit. (We can only imagine how heavenly they must have smelled!)
Rock Creek provided the catering and bar services for the wedding, which included signature cocktails, a taco bar buffet, lemon chicken, a carving station, and beautiful sides. For dessert, Sukar Bakes provided a three-tiered cake painted with matching florals and citrus fruits in strawberry and lemon blueberry flavors.
Once dinner, drinks, and traditional dances were had, guests flooded the dance floor to continue the celebration throughout the evening. There was live music, Hawaiian leis, light sabers, and plenty of dancing. Following the reception, the pair shared a private last dance and a sparkler-lined exit.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful day with us, Selena and Charles!
RESOURCES
Planner: Ashli Pridgen of Ashli Payge Planning and Coordinating
Catering and Bar: Rock Creek Golf Club
Photography: Katie Byrd Photography
Lighting: Snider Bros.
Rentals: Gulf Coast Events and Rentals
Transportation: Gulf Coast Tours
Florals: Dreams Come True
Entertainment: Fly by Radio
Live Painter: S.Arias Creates
Cake: Sukar Bakes Cake Studio
Makeup: Waverly MUA
Hair: Makenzie Dempsey Hair
Drinks: Brew Bus
Videography: Allie Sanders
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