one / Dream
Before you do anything else, spend time with your partner talking about what you really want from your wedding day. Make sure you're on the same page about what matters to you! Get on pinterest and find inspo, talk with friends and family about what they loved or wish they had done differently, and do research on realistic wedding costs in your area.
two / Budget and Prioritize
With your list of realistic wedding costs, you're ready to decide on your wedding priorities and make a budget. These will be different for every couple! For some, the most important thing is the food, being able to enjoy the day, or the dress; for others it's the venue, or guest count, or florals and photography. Get on the same page with your partner about your priorities, and create a budget that reflects that.
three / Guest List
Once you have a budget and know what you're prioritizing, you'll want to make a guest list. Until you have a reasonable idea of this, it's hard to move forward with wedding plans! Spend time thinking about who you want around you on your wedding day, what kind of venue you're envisioning (and it's max capacity), and how much you want to spend on catering.
four / Planner
Remember: on your wedding day, you're the guests of honor! NOT the hosts. I highly (highly!) recommend hiring someone to handle the bulk of the wedding planning and coordination for you, if you want to actually be able to enjoy the wedding. Below, you'll find a list of local Huntsville wedding planners.
five / Priority Vendors
With your vision, budget, guest list, and planner ready to go, it's time to start booking your priority wedding vendors! Every wedding blog you find is going to recommend a different order to book these in. Rather than give you a specific list, my best tip is to focus on the ones that are most important to you first: if having a specific DJ or photographer matters more to you than the date or venue, book them first! If you know your wedding won't be the same without your dream venue, officiant, or florist, start there. Below is a compilation of local Huntsville wedding vendors to help get you going!
MAKING IT LEGAL
Alabama Marriage Licenses and Legal Requirements
Alabama changed up their marriage laws in 2019, and has become one of the easiest states to get married in. All you really need is a partner, a printer, a working pen, and a notary. Follow this link for the in-depth post I've written about how to get legally married in Alabama! It goes over everything from the form you'll need to print, to where to find a notary and even the address you'll need to mail your marriage certificate to.
CHOOSING YOUR WEDDING DATE
Seasonal Considerations for Huntsville Weddings
Spring: Tornado season! And tree/grass pollen will be everywhere. You might luck out with the most gorgeous and comfortable spring day ever, but make sure you have a weather plan, and bring your allergy meds!
Summer: Prime time for flowering trees, which are so beautiful here in the south — but it's also hot and humid. Choose a venue that has shade and AC, and clothing that breaths! Consider a sunrise/sunset ceremony to beat the heat.
Fall: Most popular time to get married in Huntsville = book your vendors early!! The best time to find autumn colors in Huntsville is the end of October and beginning of November.
Winter: In general, expect it to be cooler, cloudy, and potentially raining. Great opportunity for a cozy evening ceremony though! Consider ambiance as you plan your reception and ceremony: lights and candles go a long way!
No matter what season you get married in, always make sure you have a plan in case of crazy weather! In the summer, definitely have a solution to keep your guests cool, and in the winter make sure you can keep your guests warm.
HUNTSVILLE WEDDING VENUES
HUNTSVILLE WEDDING PLANNERS
Ashleigh Morgan Events
Brianna Pyle Weddings
Charlie Ondeck (Weddings Ondeck)
Courtney Burton Events
Events By Kat Audrey
EJ Events
G Watkins Weddings
Helping Hand Parties and Weddings
Kindred Wedding Co (Sarah Tedder)
Stellar Events
Susan Rutenburg
Weddings by EP
HUNTSVILLE WEDDING FLORISTS
Bouqyard
CB Design
Fleurs By Yuliya
Flori Design Co
Flourish and Co Designs
Holly Pond Floral
In Bloom Floral Design Studio
Native Petals Floral Design
Noella's Flowers
Old Frond Floral Co
Southern Posies
Wild Bunch Floral Co
HUNTSVILLE WEDDING DJS
GQ Lightmosphere
Metropolitan
Music by Mike
Rocket Entertainment
Superior Sound Events
HUNTSVILLE WEDDING HMUAS
Danielle Bobrowski
HM by Cait
Nancy Finnegan
Olivia Sparks
Studio 210
HUNTSVILLE WEDDING BAKERIES
A Wilson Cakes
Batter Up Cakes
Crumbl Cookies
Edgar's Bakery
Mason Dixon Bakery
Peggy Ann Bakery
HUNTSVILLE BRIDAL SHOPS
Birch on Main
Kathleen's Bridal
Madison Town and Country
Bridal by Morgan
Carriage House Weddings
Ivory and White Boutique
La Mariee
Something Blue Shoppe
HUNTSVILLE MENSWEAR
Oxford Street Menswear
Roosevelt & Co.
HUNTSVILLE WEDDING RENTALS
Be Gathered Rentals
Mullins Rentals
Rentall Needz
Shindigs & Such
HUNTSVILLE NOTARIES AND WEDDING OFFICIANTS
Alabama's marriage requirements differ from other states; you won't need to apply for a marriage license, ceremonies are optional, and you'll need a notary rather than an officiant. You can have an officiant too, but they don't officially need any sort of certification since you'll be legally married as soon as you both sign the marriage certificate with your notary. Follow this link to a blog post on how to make it legal!
HUNTSVILLE WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHERS
Cordova Media
Chandler Smith Films
Next Stage Media
Summer Films
Cine Garden Film Company
The Film Poets
Ivey Redding Wedding Films
Resolute Wedding Films
Wakefield Films
REAL WEDDINGS IN HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA
Alabama & Southeastern Wedding Photographer
Inspired by genealogy and family legacy, I go into every wedding day with the knowledge that your wedding photos are some of the only photos that stick around generationally — they are a critical part of the story your family will learn about you! I consider it’s my responsibility and privilege to help tell that story honestly and elegantly.
You should probably know: I will cry during your dad's speech. I will be getting down on the dance floor with your guests. I'll help you plan intentional time with your partner and closest friends and family on your wedding day — and step back so that you can experience those core memories without interruption. I'll guide you through portraits and wedding prep, work closely with your other vendors to make the magic happen, and capture every moment of your wedding day in all it's glory.
If that's the kind of wedding photographer you're looking for...
You're in the right place.
INQUIRE
Whether you’re getting married in Huntsville, North Alabama, or elsewhere in the southeast, I would love to be part of your wedding day!
The best way to reach me is by either filling out this contact form, or sending an e-mail to sarahmismashphotography@gmail.com with your wedding date and location. If you’ve filled out the form and haven’t heard from me in 48 hours, please email me directly!