Chasity Byrd always wanted a Christmas wedding. But when her then-boyfriend, Robbie Riddick, proposed to her last June, she knew she wouldn’t have time to plan a wedding in just six months. So Chasity “had to re-think things,” she said.
Since April and October are the best months in Mobile “as far as the temperature goes” (and Chasity, who works as a meteorologist, should know), they settled on April 8 for their wedding at Springhill Avenue United Methodist Church, followed by a reception at the Bragg-Mitchell Mansion with about 325 guests.
Chasity said that she’s “not a crier,” but she was emotionally overwhelmed when she walked down the aisle on the arm of her brother, Clifton Byrd. “I saw so many faces from different parts of my life,” she said. “I was flooded with memories. It was very emotional. As the tears starting welling up, I couldn’t help but smile.”
Robbie’s son, Alex, 14, was his dad’s best man, and his daughter, 9-year-old Isabella, served as junior bridesmaid. The ceremony was officiated by Dr. Chip Starnes of First Baptist Church of Bay Minette, Chasity’s home church. The Hon. Robert Wilters was a scripture reader, which was very special to the couple because he married Chasity’s mother and stepfather.
As the couple left in their limousine, the groom whispered to his new bride that the day “could not have been more perfect,” and she agreed. “Everywhere we looked, people were smiling and having a good time,” she said.
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Where they live: Mobile
Her job: Meteorologist and Studio10 host, WALA Fox10 News
His job: Corporate investigator, Alabama Power
Wedding date: April 8, 2017
Wedding location: Springhill Avenue United Methodist Church
Reception location: Bragg-Mitchell Mansion
How they met: On the job, Chasity said. “We knew each other for many years before we started dating.”
How he proposed: “Robbie and I love to go out on the boat, which is where you’ll find us most weekends. He had talked to my mom, and talked to his kids prior to this particular outing to the west end of Dauphin Island. Anyone who knows Robbie knows he is a very private person, so it’s no surprise there on the secluded beach he asked me. He said he was very nervous when he asked me to go for a walk down the beach. I still had no idea what was going on when he stood in front of me saying the nicest things about me and about our relationship. He went down on one knee and then, very shocked, I figured out what was going on.”
The dress: “I could not wait to put on my dress! It was a Sincerity Bridal organza ball gown that I knew was my dress from the moment I saw it. The wonderful ladies of Bliss Bridal in Fairhope said my eyes lit up when I put it on!”
Wedding planner: “The amazing team at Noble Events. My wedding planner was Laura Hails Taliancich.”
Junior bridesmaid: Isabella Riddick
Matron of Honor: Laurin Tew
Bridesmaids: Jessica Hadley Corbitt, Melinda Coleman Harville, Christie Gammage Atkins, Caitlin Belder Wood, Whitney Ryan Law, Jessica Nesbitt Taloney and Shiela Hajjar Perry
Best man: Alex Riddick
Groomsmen: Eric Lauzier, Carlos Baylor, Clifton Byrd, Jason Hadley, Casey Coleman, Christopher Corbitt and Michael Golson
Bridesmaids’ dresses: “The bridesmaids wore a Dessy Group long, strapless gown of soft tulle in a classic blush color. The color was very faint. I’m a big fan of neutrals.”
Flower girl: The bride’s niece, Mary Syndel Byrd
Ring bearer: The bride’s nephew, Swayden Byrd
Wedding cake: Cakes by Judi
What made it special: The cake was simple and elegant, said Chasity. “I chose a round, five-tier cake with ivory icing adorned with flowers and greenery. The cake flavor was almond with Mrs. Judi’s signature icing.”
Wine selection: Domke Market
Flowers: Tim Harrell
Transportation: Old Shell Trolley, Hunter Limousine
Hairstylist: Phrankey Lowery, Studio PH
Makeup: Emily Stiles
Photography: Posh Images, Mobile
Catering: Naman’s Catering
Rentals: Mobile Popcorn
Ceremony music: Chelsey Smith and family, violin and cello
Reception music: The Denver Hawsey Band
Lighting: Showbiz Theatrical Services
Most memorable moment: “One of the best moments of the day happened at the ceremony. Robbie’s daughter Isabella was a junior bridesmaid and the first person to start the procession. I, of course, was not in the room, but everyone said when Bella started walking down the aisle, Robbie started tearing up, which led Bella to do the same. I heard there wasn’t a dry eye in the place! She told her dad after the ceremony they were ‘happy tears.’”
Funny/unexpected moments: “Unexpected moments always happen with weddings, but we had a couple that were ‘fun’ to deal with that week. There were two days where our area was put under the risk of severe weather, with the possibility of tornadoes. It was kind of ironic, with me being a meteorologist. Everyone at work joked that of course there would be tornadoes the week of our wedding. Luckily, our wedding day ended up being one of the best weather days we see here along the Gulf Coast. The temperature was perfect!”
Wedding traditions: “My favorite was my ‘something borrowed’ and ‘something old.’ My mom had saved a bonnet from when I was a baby that she had made into a handkerchief with my new initials monogrammed on it. I carried it around the handle of my bouquet.
“My ‘something borrowed’ was an antique brooch my grandmother had let me pick out from her collection. It had so many beautiful colors and was the perfect addition to my bouquet. To make my flowers even more special, my mom had given me a small picture of my late stepfather, whom we all wish could have been there. It was attached and joined me on one of the most important walks of my life.”
First dance: “Robbie picked the first dance song and contacted The Denver Hawsey Band without me knowing! It was so sweet. We danced to ‘Holy’ by Florida/Georgia Line, one of our favorite bands.”
Honeymoon: Sandals Royal Caribbean, Montego Bay, Jamaica
Advice for other couples planning a wedding? “Know things are going to happen – things you may not even hear about until you get back from your honeymoon! Remember, at the end of the day, those minor details will be forgotten, so don’t forget to forget those worries and have a good time.”
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