CEREMONY: St. Alban’s Episcopal Church
RECEPTION: Anne’s Parent’s Home, Birmingham
When you are over the age of twenty-five, you™ve been fixed up more times than you can count. You become more than a little resistant to the idea of set-ups, blind dates or meeting that “friend of a friend you have soooo much in common with” that you run the other way as fast as possible if someone mentions it. If Anne Rast’s sister Katharine had tried to set her up with Daniel Yoder, there might have been some resistance. However, a smart sister would just trick you into going out without you realizing you™ve been set up. That’s what happened to spark the romance between Bromberg’s own Anne Sherrill Rast and Daniel Yoder”¦
The Back Story
Anne had known Daniel for quite a few years; they were family friends. Daniel was very close to Anne’s sister Katharine and Anne would see him and his children at the Rast family home on various occasions over the years. After Daniel moved to Birmingham, Katharine suggested he meet up with Anne at one of the many events she attends as part of her job in marketing for Bromberg’s so that he might meet some people around town. Katharine had an idea the two might hit it off but had she suggested an actual date, neither Anne nor Daniel may have been very receptive since they had known each other for such a long time. The possibility that they could be more than friends had never occurred to either of them. Katharine let fate take its course. Daniel called Anne and the two arranged to meet at an event being held at Bottega Café on Southside. As they parted company after the event, both realized there was a spark that could be something special in the making. Texts turned into phone calls turned into dates turned into a relationship neither had expected. The couple knew they had to take things slow since Daniel has two young sons. They wanted to be sure about where things were headed before they involved the children but since they already knew Anne from family gatherings, the boys were more than happy when Daniel told them he wanted Anne to be his girlfriend. In fact, they said “it’s about time, Dad!”
The Proposal
Anne and Daniel had been dating for over a year and a half and had already discussed the possibility of marriage. On Father’s Day weekend of 2012, Daniel decided to propose. When he told the boys about his plan they were very excited and keen to help with the surprise. Daniel waited all weekend for the perfect moment to pop the question but it seemed things were always too hectic. Earlier, Anne and the boys had planned a surprise Father’s Day breakfast in bed for Daniel. When the three of them brought the tray into his room, it was Anne who got the surprise. Daniel got out of bed and down on one knee. He said “the boys and I want you to marry me and be a part of our family” to which Anne responded, “Yes! Of course!”
Wedding Plans
The couple wanted to get married right away so plans began immediately. Having been involved with many wedding events over the years as part of her job at Bromberg’s, Anne knew many of the wedding vendors around town. She also knew that she wanted to have the reception at her family home which sits on top of Shades Crest Road and overlooks the Oxmoor Valley.
With no time to order a custom gown, Anne found a lovely strapless Wtoo gown at Dianne’s Formal Affair in Jasper; with minimal adjustments, it was perfect. Gorgeous handmade organic cotton gowns from Olive and Fern were found on Etsy for the girls. The boys all wore gray and pink silk bowties to coordinate with Daniel’s black suit and gray tie.
Anne and her family created all of the floral design including the bridal bouquet, attendant flowers, plus the ceremony and reception flowers. Her eleven year old niece Hannah even made the boutonnieres for the men by herself!
Since the photos were so important to Anne, she turned to William Nolen at Visual Media who not only captured the emotion of the day but all of the details as well.
Anne asked longtime friend Tamara Archer of Kathy G & Company to help her with the Mediterranean style menu, the staff and the bartenders. Olexa’s Cakes & Catering provided both the bride’s and groom’s cakes and Diane and her mother came to the house to set up and decorate the cakes for Anne.
One of Anne’s favorite moments of the day was when her sister Sally sang Ava Maria during the ceremony.
Something Old: Anne’s best friend had given her an Irish linen handkerchief for her wedding day that was purchased on her own honeymoon many years earlier.
Something New: Her bridal gown
Something Borrowed: As a long time employee, Anne was loaned a gorgeous strand of South Sea pearls from Bromberg’s.
Something Blue: The day before the wedding, Anne realized she had not gotten anything blue so when she got her pedicure for the wedding, she had her toenails painted blue.
The Honeymoon
Daniel and Anne decided to honeymoon in New Orleans but Hurricane Isaac had different plans for them. Things started off perfectly. Upon arrival at the Hotel Monteleone in the French Quarter, the couple found they had been upgraded to a honeymoon suite courtesy of the hotel’s general manager, a friend of the family. A chilled bottle of Champagne, some chocolate dipped strawberries, and a personal welcome note was waiting for them in the two-room suite overlooking the Mississippi River and the French Quarter. Once a mandatory hurricane evacuation forced them to leave New Orleans, the couple headed to Memphis after watching a television show about Memphis BBQ. One call to the Peabody Hotel resulted in a “Hurricane Evacuation” special rate and the couple was onto the next leg of their adventure. Another ”˜suite™ upgrade made the trip even more special. The couple is now at home in Birmingham and using many of the gifts from their Bromberg’s Gift Registry including:
Formal China: Anna Weatherly Simply Anna and Old Master Tulip salad plates
Casual China: Richard Ginori Folkware
Formal Crystal: Lismore by Waterford
Sterling Flatware: Old Master by Towle
Preferences: Revol Cookware, Garnier Thiebaut Linens, Laguiole knives
Congratulations to Anne and Daniel! Our Bromberg’s family wishes the very best to you for a lifetime of love and happiness together.
ut Linens, Laguiole knives