When former Miss Alabama Marries a Texas Cowboy

When former Miss Alabama and a Texas cowboy meet, the Texas debonair and Alabama soiree combine to make the most amazing wedding day! Joy, adorable dogs, a few tears, a lot of laughter and the best dancing we have ever witnessed were all the things that came together to make James and Peyton’s perfect wedding day. It was full of family and friends that traveled far and wide to make the day that much more special. You could feel the love and excitement in the room as Peyton made her way down the aisle, but more about that later!

The day started off with Peyton and her bridesmaids getting ready at Magnolia Bay. Magnolia bay set the perfect atmosphere for this couple. It was the perfect amount of rustic and elegant to fuse Peyton’s past as Miss Alabama and James’ Texas roots. All of the bridesmaids were dressed in the cutest pajamas that personally, I would like to wear every day of my life. I was a tiny bit obsessed with them and have even tried to find them for myself, ha! Mimosas and makeup were going on when the sweetest surprise; June, Peyton and James’ dog, ran in to surprise Peyton! It was such a cute moment and it literally made Peyton squeal! Considering Peyton was Miss Alabama and was in the top five at Miss USA, finding a gown was a little bit harder for her! Peyton’s Mom said she tried on at least thirty different gowns before finding the dress. Everyone was obsessed with this gorgeous ball gown and James thought she made the perfect choice!

James was so easy-going and literally made our job so easy. He was taking care of their other adorable dog, Roxie, and hanging with the guys when he received his hand-written letter from Peyton. It was so sweet that it made him tear up and it gave us all the chills! Peyton and James story is different than most people! They were at the NRA convention in Atlanta when they crossed paths for the first time. They had not met each other before this at all and didn’t follow each other on social media or anything. One of the men at the convention was a minister and was talking to the group that they were with and asked Peyton and James how long they had been married. Peyton being the hilarious person she is, (did I mention that she is HILARIOUS, she had us laughing all day) jokingly says “We’ve been married for a year and a half now and we’re thinking about having kids!” James choked on his words and couldn’t even say anything considering he didn’t even know this girls name! The minister tells them that he thinks they would be great together and that he could marry them right then and there and if they wanted, ha! Apparently he knew something that they didn’t know. From that day, James went back home to Texas and Peyton to Alabama and he called her every day and they talked for hours. James told Peyton his intentions were to get to get to know her and to eventually become her husband! What?! Why doesn’t every guy do that?! It is such a sweet gesture and James truly meant what he said! From there, Peyton left Alabama and moved to Texas where she later got engaged to James! He proposed to her on a sunrise horse ride (is this a Nicholas Sparks’ novel?!) and of course she said yes!

“Oh my gosh” those were Jame’s exact words when he saw Peyton for the very first time as she waked through the double doors to her future husband! James cried, she smiled and the entire room lit up during this special moment! It was so sweet and of course I teared up because if I don’t cry at a wedding then something is wrong. After their beautiful ceremony, we headed outside to take the most dreamy photographs I have ever done and I will be obsessing over these two for the rest of my career. Their reception was so much fun and we even got to learn some of the Texas dances from the guests! Before the sparkler exit, James and Peyton did something we have never witnessed at a wedding before! The most magical, sweetest and beautiful moment of the day! They had a private dance with just them (and us photographing/filming) and it was breathtaking. They held each other and danced while they remembered and understood the most memorable day of their lives so far! If you look closely, you can see the tears they both shed! It was so surreal and unlike anything we have ever witnessed at a wedding! Peyton and James have something so special and we are so thankful we were able to be the ones to capture it all. We love you guys and can not wait to see where life takes you! We hope these memories that we captured are ones that you can look back on and show your children one day and be proud of! – Alex & Dylan

Vendors: Photographer/Videographer: Alex & Dylan Photo and Video, Venue: Magnolia Bay, Hair: The Hair and Makeup Collective, Makeup: Glamour By Whit, Florist: Satterwhite’s Furniture, Invitations: Shutterfly, Bride’s Dress: Ivory & White Boutique in Mountain Brook – Dress Designer: Rita Vinieris, Bridesmaids dresses: Mumu Weddings, DJ/Entertainment: Premier Productions, Caterer: Ozzie Clemente– StarShine Catering