May 16, 2014
CEREMONY: COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, BIRMINGHAM
RECEPTION: COUNTRY CLUB OF BIRMINGHAM
ĂÂ Photos: ARDEN PHOTOGRAPHY
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âFrom a little spark may burst a flame.â ââ Dante
Perhaps Morgan Henry’s mom was trying to be gracious when she invited new-to-town Drew Gearhart to dinner that Sunday night. Maybe she was playing matchmaker. The fact that she required her daughter to be home for dinner that evening points to the latter. Regardless of her intention, a little spark soon became a relationship when Drew asked Morgan on a date a few weeks later. Exactly three years later, Drew surprised Morgan with a sweet, early morning proposal and six months later, the couple celebrated their marriage with family and friends.
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THE BACK STORY
Drew Gearhart, from Monroeville, Alabama, had made the move to Birmingham after graduating from the University of Alabama. Morgan Henry was also a student at Alabama but had never met Drew until she went home to Birmingham one fall weekend during her senior year. She found it a bit odd that her mother told her she wanted her home for dinner Sunday night because sheâ˘d invited a guest for dinner. When Morgan met Drew, she thought he was nice but had no idea if he was attached. There was good conversation but she really didnâ˘t think anything of it. She was very surprised and also very excited to get a call from Drew a few weeks later, inviting her on their first date. They went to Mafioso’s in Crestline Village for the date and had so much to talk about that they closed down the restaurant. After that, they went out on dates when Morgan was home; typically dinner or a movie. Morgan lived in a sorority house in Tuscaloosa and when Drew sent flowers, the whole house realized that this was not your typical college relationship.
After Morgan graduated in May, the couple went to Maine with Drew’s family for some quality time together before Morgan started law school in Tuscaloosa. Over the next year, they split their time between family weekends in Birmingham or Monroeville and parties and football games in Tuscaloosa. In the fall of 2012, Morgan moved home to Birmingham and commuted to Tuscaloosa as she wrapped up law school. She and Drew had talked a bit about marriage and rings; she told him she wanted a colored stone since her own mother had one. As it turns out, colored stones are a tradition in Drew’s family also. He selected the perfect sapphire ring for Morgan and planned his proposal.
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THE PROPOSAL
If you are an avid Alabama fan, the day after the Alabama vs LSU game is likely not an early morning. Morgan and Drew had spent the previous night with friends and planned that Morgan would come over very early on Sunday to study for her exams. Drew seemed a bit anxious as he called Morgan to check on her estimated arrival time, especially for an early Sunday morning. At the time, Morgan thought it was odd but she did not have to wait long to find out why there was such an urgency. Drew had a beautiful sapphire engagement ring in hand and popped the question when she walked in the door.
There were a lot of friends in town that weekend so an impromptu party came together that afternoon to celebrate their engagement.
WEDDING PLANS
Morgan’s first stop was to meet with Neille Butler of Mariee Ami Wedding Studio in Mountain Brook. Neille and her team helped Morgan and her mother with design and vendor selectionâÂŚ everything from start to finish. Then the process of planning began quickly since the couple had a very limited window of time for a wedding between Morgan’s law school graduation and her bar exam studies. They decided to have both the ceremony and the wedding at Country Club of Birmingham. The ceremony was set up in the famous East Room and the remainder of the club was used for the reception.
The wedding gown was found at the White Room; Morgan’s mother selected it off the rack and Morgan said she didnâ˘t like it. When she tried it on, they all immediately knew it was her gown. The gown was strapless, all beaded lace with silver accents overlay over a silk sheath with featuring a trumpet skirt with a wide sash at the waist. Morgan wore a cathedral length veil and a solid gold charm given to her mother by her Scottish grandmother as her only accessories. Stuart Weitzman sandals completed her ensemble.
The flowers were by Carol Sullivan of Lagniappe Designs in Crestline Village. Morgan opted for all white bouquets for herself and her attendants. Morgan’s bouquet was a mass of white peonies hand tied with a satin ribbon.
The attendants wore pale blue chiffon gowns from Bella Bridesmaid in Homewood and each carried a small hand-tied bouquet of white roses.
Drew had a new tuxedo custom made for the occasion; the other men wore their own classic black tuxedoes with black bow tie and white freesia boutonnieres.
Barb from Cakes by Barb created the cakes for Morgan and Drew. The bride’s cake was inspired by the beading and the ribbon of Morgan’s bridal gown with four tiers of white buttercream and a monogram âGâ and a bouquet of all white flowers on top. Drew’s cake was a three tier chocolate cake dripping with luscious dark chocolate ganache and decorated with fresh strawberries.
The day of the wedding was filled with activities including a bridesmaid luncheon at Mountain Brook Club. The girls all got to catch up and visit before heading off for hair and makeup appointments.
One of Morgan and Drew’s main priorities for the reception was to make sure the party was fun and that everyone danced. They hired the Atlanta Groove Factory; a nine piece dance and party band with an extensive playlist of the latest hits as well as old-school favorites that kept the entire crowd on the dance floor for the entire evening. The couple’s first dance was to the classic song âWith This Ringâ by the Platters.
The day after the wedding, Morgan’s family hosted a brunch at their home so the couple got a chance to visit with their out of town guests, friends and family before departing on their honeymoon to California.
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Congratulations Morgan and Drew! Our Bromberg’s family and staff wishes you a lifetime of love and happiness together.