Kelly & Alex are Married!

Kelly and Alex were married on May 29th, 2021 at Bella Collina Mansion in Stokesdale, North Carolina. This was an unforgettable fairytale wedding. I cannot express how much thought and emotion went into planning this big day. Every detail was perfect and I can’t wait to share it all.

Kelly and Alex first met over 10 years ago when Kelly hired Alex to work for Walmart. About a year later they had their first date. They met at her sisters work and went to the movies to see “We Bought a Zoo!” Alex brought her a KitKat and a Pepsi instead of flowers because he knew she had cats that would eat the flowers. This little tidbit shows how much they both cared for each other, even in the beginning!

Kelly loves Disney and Kelly and Alex have a tradition of visiting Disney World. After dating for about 9 years they went on a Disney cruise. Disney Cruise Lines has a pirate night on the ship where everyone dressed up as Pirates. Alex proposed during a photo in front of a back drop of Pirates of the Caribbean!

Kelly and Alex love each other so well. They have been coworkers, friends and now husband wife. Their love is strong and built to last a lifetime! If you want to see more of Kelly and Alex click here for their Salem Lake/Quarry Park engagement session. You will see their boxer Fluffy make an appearance on the blog here and during their engagement session. Fluffy is the sweetest!

When we arrived to Bella Collina for the big day Kelly was surrounded by women who love her. She had family and friends with her all in matching outfits that she personalized. Kelly personally created almost every detail of her wedding. She even handmade gifts for her vendors including me and Kristin. 

There was a Disney theme throughout the day and Kelly had it all planned perfectly.She had Mickey slippers, Mickey ears made in colors to match each the bridesmaids dresses, hidden Mickeys in her cake, the bouquets, and her veil, a Mickey tie clip for Alex, and a Cinderella’s carriage and castle on the invitations and save the dates that she handmade herself!

Kristin went to hang out with Alex and his groomsmen and groomsmaid while they were getting ready in the grooms rooms. I wasn’t there for that part of the day but it looks like it was a lot of fun. Both Kelly and Alex had the best group of people with them on their wedding day. Everyone was focused on Kelly and Alex having the best day ever!

After the guys got ready Alex’s identical twin brother Adam quickly changed into a wedding dress and Kristin went out to photograph what Alex thought was his “first look” with Kelly. When Alex turned around to see his twin in a wedding dress there were lots of laughs and hugs. Alex later asked his friends “how did y’all convince Adam to wear that dress?” It was a memorable moment for sure.

After the fake first look they were ready for the real one. Kelly descended the stairs in the mansion just like in the movies. She came out to meet Alex on the patio and when he turned around you could see that they both are in this for life and meant to be!

After their bride and groom portraits and bridal party portraits we got ready for their ceremony. The rain held off for most of the day, it was overcast and with some light sprinkles. The sun even poked through a few times to say hello! At the last minute the ceremony had to be moved from outside to inside due to the threat of rain. 

Kelly & Alex walked down the aisle together with their sweet dog Fluffy who was wearing the most adorable doggy tux. Kelly had memorial frames for both of her parents sitting in chairs. She also included pictures of them in lockets on her bouquet and a piece of her Mom’s favorite jacket was sewn into a heart on her wedding dress. Part of both of her parents walked down the aisle with her as well. 

Before the ceremony started they gave everyone an opportunity to take lots of pictures with music from the show Jeopardy playing. It was a hilarious moment while they posed and made everyone laugh!  These two got married in front of huge windows overlooking Belews lake as mist danced across the water. As they made their way back down the aisle with Fluffy you could really feel the excitement in the air. Everyone was ready to celebrate the love between these two.

The reception was filled with the magic touches that only Kelly could create. She is honestly one of the most thoughtful, creative and caring people I have ever met. She handmade almost every one of the signs at the wedding, the Disney movie centerpieces, the koozies with Cinderella’s castle on them and the seating chart (which she included us in). She had Disney cookies made, a memorial table for her loved ones, lot of yummy treats and one of the most incredible wedding cakes I have ever seen! Also my favorite seating chart ever! It was a huge wooden carving of house and balloons from the movie UP. Each guest signed a balloon with well wishes for the couple! 

This wedding was so much fun! Everyone danced and partied the night away on the deck at Bella Collina. Kelly and Alex had one last surprise up their sleeve, they planned a special dance together for all of their guests with a medley of song. 

The hashtag “Once Upon the Lawsons” was perfect for this magical wedding day. Thank you Kelly and Alex for trusting me to capture your one of a kind fairytale wedding. I hope you both had the best time in Hawaii and you two deserve to live your happily ever after.

VENUE- Bella Collina Mansion
SECOND PHOTOGRAPHER- House of Ivy
DRESS- Carolina Bridal World of Burlington
FLORALS- Soft Touch Flowers
DJ- A.M. Wedding DJs
VIDEOGRAPHY- Hayzen’s Productions
CAKE- Bake Me Happy
CATERING- Culinary Visions
HAIR AND MAKEUP- Updo’s Studio
BRIDAL DRESS & BRIDAL PARTY DRESSES- David’s Bridal
GROOM & BRIDAL PARTY ATTIRE- Mens Wearhouse
RENTALS- Happy Rentz