Chelsey + Melanie’s Downtown Florence Studio Micro-Wedding with Rainbow Confetti Grand Entrance
Melanie Boyles and Chelsey Rumble had a bigger wedding planned and had to scrap their plans for, you guessed it, freakin’ COVID. This pandemic was not going to stop them from celebrating their love though! Like most couples who planned to wed in 2020, they whipped out their back plan. As soon as they told me we were rearranging their day, I had a few ideas to guide them. They came to me for elopement ideas, since I do this pretty often. Where could they elope in North Alabama? Could they stay local to Florence and have a micro-wedding in town?
I had just shot a bridal session at my friend Abraham Rowe’s studio. It’s a small studio space in the heart of North Florence, AL. I asked him if he would be open to an elopement happening in his space. He approved! Melanie and Chelsey decided to marry there, then head to Mel’s mom’s backyard to celebrate with their friends and close family. We had a plan!
The day finally came and I set off to Abraham’s studio to set up their space for the micro-wedding. I used the plants around his studio, vintage stools, books, and glass as a minimalist backdrop. We used mismatched vintage chairs and an old bench for seating for Melanie's parents, the couple's sisters, and friends. It came together beautifully. This is what boho + rustic wedding dreams are made of!
Melanie and Chelsey got ready at an Air B'n'B nearby in North Florence. Melanie was upstairs and Chelsey down. Keeping them separated wasn’t terribly difficult in the split level, but we had some close calls. After their sisters helped them into their wedding attire, we lined up their friends and bridesmaids that were helping them get ready for the day and let them each do a bridesmaids’ first look reveal. After some hype from their girls, they headed to the venue separately for their first look.
I pulled up with Chelsey to the small studio space I had set up earlier. Mel arrived shortly after and I set them up for their first look. I turned on a love song quietly and told them to breathe in the moment. I set them back to back and gave them a moment to ground themselves and talk before they saw each other. They turned around and ALL THE EMOTION just poured out. I was literally crying behind my camera, y’all. This shit was MOVING. After gathering themselves (only momentarily), they exchanged vows privately and shared a kiss before stepping right inside and saying “I do.”
After the I do’s, Melanie fumbling her words, and a whole lot of tears from the family, we set off to Melanie's mother's backyard for their reception. They entered under a rain of rainbow confetti (Yay pride!), then went directly into their first dance. After their dance, Chelsey changed from her dress to her The Groomsman Suit white tux. That is when the party really started. They cut their cake and shotgunned a couple of beers. We’re still waiting on that Bud Light Sponsorship. Two neighborhood pups crashed the party right before we sent Mel and Chel off, but I’m sure we can all agree that pups are the best kinds of wedding crashers!
Vendors
Dress: ASOS
Suits: The Groomsman Suit
Melanie’s Shoes: London Underground
Flowers: Justin Myrick
Favors: Tracie Richter (Melanie’s Sister)
Confetti: DIY’d with supplies from Amazon
Jewelry: passed down from family
Invitations: Office Depot
Tree Canvas Guestbook: Carissa Bowling (Chelsey’s Sister)
Bridesmaid Dresses: Azazie
Ring Box: EcoEngrave on Etsy
Wedding Bands: Modern Gents
MEET YOUR LGBTQIA-CELEBRATING, BIRMINGHAM ELOPEMENT/WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
Hi, I’m Milly. If you’re looking for a photographer to personalize your entire wedding experience, you’ve found her. Let’s create engagement photos that feel like YOUR LOVE— not a copycat version of what everyone else is doing. I want you to have the engagement and wedding season you deserve.