Photos by: Marsha Perry Photography
CEREMONY: Independent Presbyterian Church
RECEPTION: The Country Club of Birmingham
In the movie, two guys walk into a bar and spot a gorgeous girl paying her tab. In the movie, the boy delivers a cheesy pick-up line that’s somewhat charming and sweet. That well delivered line causes the beautiful girl to change her plans and the two stay at the bar, talking well into the night. Months later, they are looking at engagement rings and a few months later, they are engaged. That happens in the movies. That never happens in real life. However, in the case of Melissa Moore and David Shipper, David’s sweet declaration “my friend Kevin has a girlfriend but I don™t” had something special that did make Melissa change her plans. And Melissa had something so special that David told Kevin he would marry Melissa some day. He did.
The Back Story
Melissa had gone to Rojo one night for happy hour with some friends from work. David went in with a friend just as Melissa was leaving. He used that corny pick-up line to get her to stay and talk”¦ and to his surprise, she did. They talked for hours and Melissa said she felt so comfortable, like it might really be the start of something. Apparently David felt the same way telling Kevin that “I™m going to marry this girl.” Kevin laughed, thinking that it was just bar talk but David said “No, I mean it!” The couple began dating after that, casually at first and then things began to move quickly. Within six months, the couple began looking at engagement rings and talking about marriage. The summer turned into fall. The holidays came and went but no proposal. Melissa was beginning to think it wasn™t going to happen or perhaps that David had changed his mind. David had the ring, he was just trying to plan something special and when Melissa would least expect it.
The Proposal
David made plans to take Melissa to Atlanta to celebrate her birthday. He reserved a big hotel suite and was making a big deal out of the occasion. David told some of Melissa’s Atlanta friends that he planned to propose so they would say they were busy when she asked them to get together. David really caught her off guard”¦ Melissa truly did not think the proposal was coming that weekend, certainly not before breakfast! David suggested they get something to eat and while Melissa was getting ready to go, David set up a video camera. When she came into the room he said “Will you spend your birthday as my fiancée and your life as my wife?”
The couple began texting friends and family to share the news and then enjoyed their weekend together.
Wedding Plans
Melissa was lucky that her mother and grandmother took the lead and helped with most of the planning. Melissa knew she wanted to get married at Independent Presbyterian so the church was simple. She found her perfect gown-once some custom changes were made at a trunk show at The Carriage House in Birmingham. She selected an elegant lace Olia Zavovina gown trimmed with a blue sash at the waistline and wore her mother’s veil with it for the ceremony. Bridesmaids wore Monique Lhullier gowns, also from The Carriage House. David and the men wore classic black tuxedoes with a silver vest from Mr. Burch Formal Wear in Mountain Brook. Barb of Cakes by Barb was selected to do the towering six layer wedding cake and the three groom’s cakes of chocolate, caramel, and coconut. The flowers for the ceremony and reception were designed by Jeannie Winford.
The Downtown Band from Nashville was one of the couple’s favorite parts of the reception. A photo booth from Jamm Entertainment was also a hit with guests.
Melissa had many wonderful moments throughout the day but her favorite was when David saw her in her wedding gown. Although not one to cry, David did begin to cry when he saw her”¦ a moment Melissa says she will never forget because it was so sweet and so special.
Looking back, Melissa recalls another favorite moment when she was able to distinguish her college friends from Sewanee, an Episcopal school, as they recited the Lord’s Prayer using the word trespass and trespasses instead of the traditional Presbyterian term debt and debtor. It made Melissa smile to know they were all there with her as she said her vows to David. At the reception, the Sewanee contingent again made sure to keep with tradition and broke into a rendition of Wagon Wheel as they ended the night with a big Sewanee cheer before the garter toss. Guests then sent the couple off to their honeymoon… two weeks on the beach in Jamaica!
The couple is living in Birmingham and enjoying many of their wedding gifts from Bromberg’s.
Formal China: Pickard Palace
Formal Crystal: La Maison Operette
Silver Flatware: Gorham Fairfax
Casual China: Arte Italica Merletto
Casual Glassware: Simon Pearce Corinth
Accessories: Beatriz Ball
Congratulations Melissa and David! We wish you a lifetime of love and happiness together.