Weddings & Events by Jessica Messer

Clanton, Alabama

Travel Welcomed

205-351-4515

info@jessicamesser.com

July 19, 2008

Bride: Stacy Black

Groom: Jeff Holmes

 Ceremony: Bethlehem Baptist Church

Reception: Dothan Conference Center

Floral:  Selena Bond

Hair & Makeup: Jessica @ Chapman Green Salon

Catering:  Faye Jacobs

Cakes:  Debbie Glover

Here are just a few images from Stacy & Jeff's wedding.

Stacy's grandmother was unable to come to the wedding so Stacy decided to drop by her to see her on the way to the church. Isn't this just the SWEETEST expression ever! :)  

We decided to drop back by after the wedding so Grandma could see everyone dressed up in their wedding attire.  

See the entire wedding gallery by clicking here.

Back in late 2007, I found this perfect little place downtown for an office. I was in a jewelry store and happened to mention to the owner my interest in his adjoining building. It is a quaint little space right on main street situated on the block with two very nice jewelry stores, an upscale clothing store, and one of the most popular restaurants in town.

A beauty shop for the last 20+ years, our new place had a lot of work to be done. The first section had the original antique tile ceilings, painted a putrid shade of gold. Fluorescent lights showcased the brown and beige linoleum floors and their layers upon layers of hairspray and years of hair color stains. Behind a makeshift wall the green plaster crumbled from the walls making miniature mountains of debris on the green astro-turf carpet. A single bare bulb hung from the ceiling of the tiniest bathroom ever known to man. It was not a pretty sight.

My purpose for the vivid description was to help you envision where we started. Because I took ZERO BEFORE PHOTOS! I could just kick myself. I had no idea that our little place would come so far! We've been working since mid-February and we're still not completely finished. All of the major things are done, but there is still painting and decorating to be done.

We repainted all of the walls a gorgeous suede color called Ten Gallon Hat. We also repainted the ceiling a shimmery platinum color to disguise all the sins committed against it by the previous tenant. Crown moulding hides accent lighting to highlight the tile ceiling. A black and smokey gray chandelier hangs in the center of the room. The red velvet sofa, a rare find, sits amongst the canvases that adorn the wall.

The bathroom has many dimensions, LOL. The original bathroom was one-quarter the size of the new one. For months, it was literally just a hole in the floor, untouched and unusable...of course. Eventually we got a toilet, a sink, walls, and a ceiling. We initially applied venetian plaster in a lovely olive shade. If you haven't used this before, don't. It is a painstakingly long process. After many days leaving looking like the Incredible Hulk, I had to admit that I hated the whole thing. So we gave in, took a HUGE chance and painted the entire thing high-gloss black. A few punchy accessories later, I'm in love. :)  

The space is about 1,000 sq ft total but I am showing only a fraction of the space. Here are photos of the main meeting area and the bathroom. Beyond the main meeting area there is another meeting area, a work area with desks, the bathroom, and a storage room.

Hope you enjoy.

This photo really does the ceiling NO justice.

A favorite canvas. :) YUMMY TTD!

The bathroom... :) 

The lovely and very talented Jackie Gaut of Dana's Floral Design (www.danasfloraldesign.com) did all the flowers for my sister's wedding last year and did an amazing job. I knew she would. She'd done wreaths for me for my wedding and we'd worked several wedding together as well.

Dana's focuses on faux flowers, don't call 'em silk 'cause they're NOT. They're unbelievably realistic.

I really let Jackie do her own thing with these. I told her I liked roses, calla, tulips, and orchids. I told her I needed a red one, white one, a fall one, and a summery one. I had the green bouquet left from my sister's wedding. Not only do they look great in photos and save the bride a few dollars, they also look fabulous displayed around our office.

I paid no more for these than I would have paid for fresh flowers...and they'll last way longer.

If you're in the market for floral design, for a wedding or for your home, check them out.  Here are a few images.

This is my bridesmaid's bouquets from my sister's wedding.

DISCLAIMER: This last one is not Jackie's work. Jackie made me 2 beautiful wreaths for my wedding in March 2005. But three years and two cats can do a lot of damage and they were starting to show some wear. I was bored one night so I took them apart and did my best to create something usable. It's ok, but not as nice as Jackie's.

Girls, if you've planning a bridal session, you are welcome to use one of our bouquets if you would like. Just let me know when scheduling.  

June 28, 2008

Bride: Nyema Mitchell

Groom: Jamal Henry

Bridal Party Prep: The Redmont Hotel ~Birmingham, AL

Wedding & Reception: The Cathedral of Saint Paul ~ Birmingham, AL

Floral Design: Highlands Floral ~ Birmingham, AL

Caterer: Imperial Catering ~ Birmingham, AL

Cake: Alice Hill ~~~ Stationary: Ephemera Press

Wedding Director: Jamie Hutchins, Times Remembered ~ Crane Hill, AL

When Nyema called me to inquire about having me photograph her wedding, I was immediately intrigued because she told me she was getting married at The Cathedral of Saint Paul in Birmingham. I think my heart probably skipped a beat. St. Paul's is one of those places that just simply take your breath away. When you walk in you immediately feel overwhelmed by the intricacy and beauty of the space. So when Nyema let me know that she'd chosen me, I was more than excited.

Nyema was a gorgeous bride and was a total natural in front of the camera! Everyone got ready at the Redmont and we did tons of photos with the girls there! The weather the day of the wedding was spectacular and we got lots of great images!

Here are some of my favorites. Be warned, there are LOTS! :)  

A detail from the Redmont Hotel

Jamal getting ready

The dress

Jamal's gift to Nyema...a gorgeous bracelet from Tiffany & Co.

Callas have always been my favorite flower, but I'd never seen anything like these. They were just stunning.

Nyema getting dressed

Putting on the garter. I loved the light in this one.

The roof of the Redmont Hotel

The Divas....

...got the giggles! LOL

The balcony at the hotel

The Groom

Isn't it amazing?

Nyema needed a break.

The reception

The first dance

They did a fun Soul Train thing where everyone danced down the line.

I thought this was so telling of the Bride's super fun personality.

Another personality shot WITH ME! I didn't know it was a funny face photo or I would've played along

This guy is trying to take over my job! He was an excellent photojournalist catching all the moments.

Last Dance

VIEW ENTIRE WEDDING GALLERY BY CLICKING HERE!

Additional credits:

Second Shooter: Braeden Rogers

Assistant/Third Shooter: Haley Herron