“The pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again.” -Charles Dickens
When she graduated from high school in Dothan, Alabama and left for the University of Alabama, Courtni Tyre was not sure what the future would hold but upon returning home after graduation, laser focused Courtni had her plans all mapped out and a move to New York City to grow her fledgling fashion business was at the top of the list. She certainly wasn’t looking for a relationship. That is, until fate intervened and she ran into Josh Bodiford, an old high school acquaintance who not only turned her head, but her heart as well. Still focused on her goals but now wearing a wedding ring, Courtni married her longtime beau Josh in their hometown of Dothan, Alabama and it was a true friends and family affair.
Photos: Erica Hartzog Photography
Courtni Tyre had moved home to Dothan, Alabama after college at the University of Alabama. She was out with friends when they bumped into Josh Bodiford, an old friend from high school Courtni hadn™t seen in years. The two caught up and talked for hours but the left without an exchange of numbers or any future plans. Josh sent Courtni a Facebook message asking for her number so he could call her and ask her out. He did and the two of them were almost inseparable afterwards. They dated for ten months before Courtni moved to Birmingham; the next step in building her fashion business. As they became more serious about each other, they continued to date long distance. It wasn™t long before Josh moved to Birmingham and the two knew their futures would be together.
Courtni and Josh got engaged in 2013, after two years of dating. Even though they were living in the same city, their work schedules were not the same and they had different off days. On Sundays, however, they planned time together to explore Birmingham and get to know their new hometown. They had done something new each week so Courtni wasn™t surprised when Josh told her he wanted to take her to a special place at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Courtni did think it strange to see one of Josh’s good friends, Brandon Parnell (BJ) in the distance when they arrived. As Josh led her through the garden, he was so nervous, he went the wrong way and they bumped into another friend, Drew, who was set to take photos of the whole event. In that split second, Josh dropped down on one knee and asked Courtni to be his wife while Brandon played the guitar. After Courtni said yes and the couple called their family and friends, they celebrated with friends at Drew’s house.
Wedding plans were not a huge priority because Josh’s sister had gotten engaged and they wanted to wait until her wedding was over before they got married. They considered getting married in Birmingham but since both families and many of their friends live in Dothan, they felt it would be the perfect place for the type of wedding they wanted.
Once they found The Depot Off Main, an old train depot that has been converted into a wedding and event space, they set the date and got busy with the remaining decisions. Since she is a fashion designer, Courtni knew she wanted to make her own wedding gown. Her mother found a vintage gown that Courtni used as a base for the skirt. She made a bodice and belt to compliment it and also a blue and white floral patterned skirt to swap out for the reception. For the bridesmaids, Courtni used a pattern and a fabric she loved from her clothing line, Three07, (which recently won the Belk Southern Designer Showcase) and Josh’s cousin Shannon sewed the garments for her.
Josh and the men wore Calvin Klein suits; Josh in navy and the guys in grey with mix-and-match bow ties and pocket squares.
The overall wedding design by New Orleans designer and family friend Shelby Sams was a mismatched “garden party” theme; many of the couple’s creative friends and family members pitched in to bring it to life. Courtni’s grandmother made the table linens. Courtni, her family and friends pitched in to assemble the reception and wedding flowers. The bouquets, wreaths, and boutonnieres were made by another friend of the family from Garden & Gate of Dothan. Courtni and her mom made the moss balls for the bridesmaids.
Courtni’s friend Casey Cheramie from Chicken Scratch Bakery in Galliano, Louisiana made her cake; a multi-tiered, multi-flavored “naked” cake masterpiece with blueberry, strawberry, and vanilla tiers. Josh’s cake was his all-time favorite, a multi-layered chocolate cake made by a friend of the family.
The reception menu was an Italian family style feast prepared by Josh’s friends at Dante’s Pizza in Dothan featuring Lasagna, Eggplant Lasagna, and their famous Chicken Alfredo. Josh’s grandfather made homemade blueberry and scuppernong wine (scuppernong is a variety of the Muscadine grape), a Southern tradition dating back hundreds of years.
Josh’s friend Brandon from the proposal in the park handled the music. In selecting music for the reception, it was important to Josh for it to be very laid back. Josh plays drums and guitar and the couple has several musician friends so, Josh wanted everyone to be able to jump in and play if they wanted. Towards the end of the evening, Josh and a few guests joined in with the Brandon and the band in an impromptu jam session which was a highlight of the reception and one of Josh’s favorite parts of the evening.
Courtni’s Something Old, New, Borrowed and Blue:
Old: Her vintage shoes which she dyed navy
New: A handkerchief used in her bouquet, given to her by her paternal grandmother for her 30th birthday
Borrowed: Two bracelets borrowed from her maternal grandmother
Blue: The blue vintage shoes and the blue floral skirt she made for the reception
Fine China: Bernardaud Aboro
Casual China: Casafina Spot On and Vagabond House Monogram
Casual Glassware: Vietri Optical Gold, Juliska Arabella
Congratulations, Courtni and Josh! Our Bromberg’s staff and family wish you a lifetime of love and happiness together. Courtni is a bridal consultant at our Mountain Brook location.