JUNE 25, 2016
CEREMONY: The Chapel at Shoal Creek
RECEPTION: Shoal Creek Country Club
Wedding Photography: Rob and Wynter
“Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart.” — Marcus Aurelius
Fate. There’s no other way to explain the story of Juliana Giddens and Charles Hoskins. They were both at Auburn but never met. After graduation, Charles packed up and headed to Birmingham to attend dental school at UAB. He moved to Mountain Brook and took a job at an outdoor store. At that same time, Juliana packed up from Auburn, enrolled at UAB, moved to Mountain Brook, and got a job at the same outdoor store. They met at work and with their AU connection, immediately struck up a friendship. Juliana felt like Charles might be interested in more than a friendship but he seemed to be taking things very slowly. After a few months of talking and getting to know each other, Charles invited Juliana on their first date. He acknowledged he felt like there was something special developing between them and they agreed to make their relationship official. The co-workers became a couple and after that first date, the pair were together all the time. Both knew from the beginning they would eventually marry and it was only a matter of time before Charles asked Juliana to be his wife.
Juliana and Charles had talked about getting married but did not have a time or date in mind yet. In June of 2015, Charles told Juliana that it might be a year or so before they could get engaged claiming he needed time to get the ring. The reality was Charles had been secretly meeting with Shannon from Bromberg’s in Mountain Brook to design the perfect ring and was already working on the perfect proposal.
For Juliana’s engagement ring, Charles selected a round brilliant Forevermark® diamond with a customer platinum and white gold custom mount designed by Bromberg’s master jewelry designer, Phillip Flenniken. The wedding band was designed using Juliana’s mother’s ring. Diamonds were removed and turned into a custom necklace; sapphires were added to replace the diamonds, the perfect “something blue” detail.
The day of the proposal, Charles was helping Juliana study for a class she was taking. He suggested they go down to his family’s lake house for the day to work there. Charles had gone down earlier and decorated for his surprise proposal then drove back to get Juliana. When they arrived, Charles quickly ushered Juliana down to the pier. When she saw the pier was decorated, she realized quickly something was going on. Charles knelt, ring in hand, and asked Juliana to be his wife. After she said yes, the pair drove back to Birmingham where they celebrated with both sets of parents at Chez Lulu in English Village and started talking about wedding plans.
Working around dental school, the couple decided on a June 2016 wedding date. They liked the idea of having the wedding and reception at one place and since Juliana’s family had lived at Shoal Creek, it seemed like the perfect location. Juliana and her mother hired wedding pro Meghan Cease of M Elizabeth Events to help them plan and coordinate the wedding.
Juliana’s wedding gown was from the White Room in Mountain Brook Village featuring French Alencon lace over a Champagne lining, off the shoulder cap sleeves, and a fit and flare silhouette. She also wore diamond drop earrings, a two-tier veil with a delicate pencil edge and Badgley Mischka heels with a crystal jewel on the toe.
JULIANA™S WEDDING DAY TRADITIONS INCLUDED:
OLD: A sixpence for her shoe, passed down to Juliana by her mother-in-law.
NEW: Her wedding gown.
BLUE: Her wedding band with sapphires and her garter.
Bridesmaids wore soft cloudy grey chiffon floor length gowns from Bella Bridesmaids in Homewood.
Charles and the groomsmen wore classic black tuxedoes from Mr. Burch Formal Wear in Mountain Brook Village.
The cakes were designed by Barb Sullivan of Barb’s Cakes. The bride’s cake was six square tiers of vanilla cake with a raspberry filling and the design replicated the lace of Juliana’s gown. The groom’s cake was three-tiers of dark chocolate with a basket weave pattern and bold “H” monogram.
Floral design was by Hot House Design Studio. Inspired by English gardens, the bouquets and arrangements were filled with summer blooms including soft pink peonies and tea roses, ivy, and lavish garlands.
There were so many pretty details: programs, koozies, escort cards, and
The couple’s first dance song was the Tony Bennett classic, The Way You Look Tonight performed by Fountain City Players.
The couple departed in a glow of sparklers by vintage convertible limousine to honeymoon at Sugar Beach Resort in St. Lucia.
Juliana and Charles™ Bromberg’s Gift Registry includes:
Formal China: Herend Fishscale Blue Canton
Casual China: Vietri Incanto
Stainless Flatware: Jean Couzon Le Perle
Formal Crystal: Waterford Lismore Essence
Casual Crystal: Napa Home Portland
Congratulations, Juliana and Charles! The Bromberg family and our entire staff wishes you a lifetime of love and happiness together.