A Bright Modern Wedding at Vulcan Park and Museum in Birmingham, Alabama

Megan O’Leary (25 and an instructional technologist) and Adam Shory (30 and a real estate investor) met online through Match.com and after just one date, they knew they had something special. On the evening of their one-and-a-half-year anniversary, Adam decided to pop the question. Knowing a public proposal wouldn’t fly, Adam decided to order in from the restaurant where they had their very first date, bringing home the very same meal they had ordered that night and proposed in the living room of their home. “Adam had decided to propose on that date, but hadn't purchased the ring yet,” says Megan. “He's really bad at keeping secrets from me, so he bought the ring on the same day he proposed. He told me that since he chose a solitaire on a simple band, we could go back and I could pick out the setting I wanted. We never did, though, because it is exactly what I wanted and it means even more knowing he picked it out himself.”Choosing a wedding date with sentimental value was important to the couple. “We really wanted to get married on our anniversary, but that date wouldn't be on a Saturday for a few years,” says Megan. “So instead, we decided on October 18, 2014 so the ‘you may now kiss your bride’ would happen on the three year anniversary of our first kiss.” Vulcan Park and Museum was chosen as the site for the celebration, a unique venue that appealed to the couple not only for its interesting history and impressive views of the city below, but the site offered an interactive venue for guests, many of whom had never been to Birmingham or Alabama. “Everyone was able to explore the grounds, visit the museum exhibits and ride the elevator to the top of the observation tower to get a breathtaking view of the city. Taking advantage of all that the venue had to offer, Megan and Adam opted for an outdoor reception with the city skyline as their backdrop, followed by an indoor reception that allowed guests to visit the museum. “In the midst of the mason jar and burlap trend, I was really drawn to a more modern, minimalist style,” says Megan. “The vibrant green we chose has been my favorite color since childhood and was prevalent throughout the whole wedding. The fabric for the custom table toppers and accents at the ceremony were the inspiration for the entire decor scheme. Hundreds of votive candles lined the glass-enclosed stairway leading to the reception and was one of the first decisions made when we toured the venue.” The reception tables were decorated in bright green graphic linens with modern arrangements of greenery and candles forming the centerpieces. Personal touches like wedding programs in the shape of matchbooks (a nod to the couple meeting on Match.com), iron ampersand details (a nod to Birmingham’s mining heritage) and a menu with Lebanese flair (a nod to Adam’s background) reflected both the couple and the locale.