REAL WEDDING:: Clara Alexis Harbin + Wesley Brett Williams {Holy Matrimony}

::CLICK HERE TO SEE THE SUMMER 2024 DIGITAL EDITION

Photography by Ellison Smith Creative

alexis + wesley’s story

“Wesley had planned our November engagement since April,” shares Alexis.

“He told me we were going to a work party and that I needed to be dressed in cocktail attire.”

Alexis would soon learn that they weren’t going to a work event at all when they stopped at Wesley’s brother’s apartment for Wesley to retrieve his wallet en route.

“He walked me into the most beautiful setup with flowers, champagne, and a hidden photographer,” she shares. “The sweetest part was that he could barely get any words out because he was crying.”

After the proposal, Wesley surprised Alexis yet again. He and her parents had planned a party to celebrate the engagement!

“There were beautiful flowers, balloons, signage, huggies, napkins, and even a marquee sign in the yard,” Alexis says. “Wesley grabbed me to make a toast to our friends and family and immediately started to tear up.”

Wesley added a third surprise at the party, announcing a celebratory cruise to the Bahamas with both of their families.

“{I} Couldn’t have asked for anything more perfect,” she says.

the wedding ceremony

Alexis and Wesley said “I do” at Our Lady of Victories Catholic Church. “Wesley converted to Catholicism the spring before our wedding,” says Alexis. “It was important to both of us that we included the traditions of the Catholic Church in our wedding.”

For the ceremony, Alexis’ grandmother made the ring bearer’s pillow. “My grandmother hand made the pillow for our ring bearer using lace from her wedding gown and buttons from my other grandmother,” she says. “How special it was to have both of those special days incorporated into my day.”

the reception

For their grand entrance at the wedding reception, Alexis and Wesley chose a Second Line! “It was so fun walking down the stairs of the venue to see all of our favorite people near the tent,” she says. “The bridal party had moon pies and beads to throw and the band led us to the dance floor. Perfect way to start the evening.”

The couple shared their first dance beneath a chandelier draped with lush greenery and enjoyed an impromptu pizza party during the reception.

To end the evening, the couple had a sparkler send off followed by a fireworks show.