Allison Brechin was getting ready to begin her freshman year at Auburn University when she met Justin Bacon as he was visiting a mutual friend at her dorm. Over the next few years Allison and Justin socialized within the same group at football games and sorority and fraternity functions. Things changed when Justin moved next door. Their casual friendship turned into a relationship and on July 20, 2013, Allison married the boy next door in the same church where her parents married 38 years earlier. (scroll to read story after photos)
Allison Brechin was getting settled into life on campus at Auburn when Justin Bacon walked into her dorm. During their freshman and sophomore years, the pair would see each other frequently, often hanging out with their circle of friends at tailgate parties and fraternity functions. Their senior year, Justin moved next door to Allison and their friendship began to change. Allison noticed a spark between them and a subtle courtship began. The two began dating and during their last year together at Auburn, they both realized they had a future together. Their relationship again evolved as the couple met the other’s parents: Allison’s in Gadsden and Justin’s in Birmingham and Nashville. Allison and Justin grew closer; spending holidays together and talking about their future. After graduation, Allison moved to Birmingham and Justin remained at Auburn to finish his degree. They dated long distance for the next year; Allison making the drive for football weekends and Justin coming home to Birmingham when he could. After Justin graduated, he moved back to Birmingham and the couple focused on building their careersāĀ¦they occasionally talked about marriage but were not in a rush to get engaged. A couple of years went by and the couple, then stable in their careers, began to discuss their plans to marry. Justin wanted to surprise Allison with a ring and worked with Bromberg’s at the Summit on the design. With the ring in the works, Justin began to craft a carefully planned proposal which he timed around Allison’s 27th birthday.
Allison’s parents were to be in Birmingham for her birthday and they planned to celebrate over dinner at Chef Chris Hastingsā¢ Hot & Hot Fish Club. Justin convinced Allison she was getting a new puppy for her birthday present and wanted her to get ready for dinner early so they could go see the puppy prior to their dinner plans. Justin drove Allison to a residential street high above Birmingham, parked the car and led her over to the view side of the street rather than walking up to the house. Justin took her over to a grassy spot overlooking the city with a magnificent view, got down on one knee and asked her to marry him. Justin even had a photographer there to capture the moment Allison said yes! The couple went back to her house where both sets of parents were waiting. They toasted the engagement with Champagne and then began calling friends and other family to share the news.
The couple started wedding plans almost immediately. Allison knew she wanted to marry Justin in her hometown church in Gadsden. When it came down to selecting a date, the one that seemed perfect happened to be the same weekend Allison’s parents had married in the same church 38 years earlier.
Allison says one of the best decisions she made was to enlist the help of Birmingham’s Neillie Butler of Mariee Ami Wedding Studio to help with the wedding design and planning. The first order of business was selecting a color palette: soft ivory, blush, gold, and silver damask were incorporated into the overall design. Next, they worked with Mary Baugh to select the stationery suite and calligrapher from the studio’s collection and began meetings with other vendors to pull the remaining wedding details together.
Allison knew she wanted a very traditional and classic wedding. She also knew that she wanted a fresh yet traditional wedding gown. She opted for a fit and flare Chantilly lace Augusta Jones gown from Carriage House of Birmingham with a sweetheart neckline, delicate cap sleeve and satin sash; pearl buttons lined the back of the gown through the hem of the chapel length train. A matching cathedral length veil, lace shoes and a pearl bracelet-a gift from Justin, completed the ensemble.
Wedding flowers were designed by Benny Campbell of Attalla Florist; Allison carried an all-white bridal bouquet of roses, hydrangea, and stock wrapped with white satin ribbon. The ring bearer carried the same bible Allison’s mother carried on her wedding day; a treasured family bible from the Holy Land.
Allison’s bridesmaids wore soft grey chiffon one-shoulder floor-length gowns designed by Dessy from Bella Bridesmaid in Birmingham. They carried a hand-tied bouquet of white roses and hydrangea accented with various shades of blush roses wrapped with satin ribbon. Justin’s mother, renowned Birmingham artist Jennifer Harwell painted the gifts for each bridesmaid. Known for her angel paintings, she painted fourteen angels on canvas to represent Allison and her thirteen bridesmaids. Bromberg’s has a long history with the artist and sells her book, The Crimson Collection. Sadly, Jennifer passed away just two weeks after Allison and Justin’s wedding so the gifts have a very special significance.
Justin and his groomsmen wore classic black tuxedos from Tuxedo Inn in Gadsden.
The bride’s cake was a stunning four-tier soft white buttercream confection from Diane Olexa, decorated with pale ivory cascading roses. The chocolate groom’s cake was three tiers, decorated with a lattice pattern and chocolate candy accents.
The couple booked the band Musical Fantasy for the reception; the show band has a variety of different singers and entertainers who kept the music going and the dance floor packed for the entire evening. The couple left the reception in a flurry of rose petals for their suite at Birmingham’s Historic Tutwiler Hotel. Hours later, they were on their way to a dream honeymoon in Antigua.
Allison and Justin have made their home in Homewood and are enjoying life together; Allison is looking forward to using her new Haviland china from Bromberg’s this holiday season.
Congratulations Allison and Justin! Bromberg’s wishes you a lifetime of love and happiness together.
