It is amazing to think back on the memories we have shared while on this journey to our “TouchdownSmith”. Danny has been so supportive, wanting and desiring for me to have all my dreams come true; which is really easy to do with him by my side. We both wanted this memory, this journey, this wedding to be a replica of our love for GOD first and foremost, secondly our love for each other and family, and lastly our love for FOOTBALL!
I have to say planning a wedding is a very detailed process, so using The Wedding Planning Guide by Jessie Parnell was truly an asset for us. Danny and I wanted every detail about our wedding to follow the theme of “Faith, Family, and Football”, so we started our planning journey by picking the perfect venue locations to fit our theme. What better place to get married than at the fifty yard line on the Baker Hornet’s football field where Danny is head football coach. While our house may be divided when it comes to Alabama and Auburn, you can rest assured when it comes to our Hornets, we are 100% united!! We even asked the Pride of Baker (Baker’s band) to perform our processional and recessional music.
With our theme following through in each aspect of our planning journey, we knew the “traditional” style wedding cakes just wouldn’t do for our Faith, Family, and Football. We had used Laura Lee Sweets on several occasions before so choosing to use her for our wedding day was a given. This was one of the appointments Danny went with me to, and I laugh a little now; he was so out of his element, but he was an amazing team player and made the most of all this wedding planning “stuff”. Lol. Laura was awesome to work with and quickly went to work sketching out design options to fit our theme. We decided on a three-tier round cake that would perfectly fit our theme as well as give a little touch of Baker Hornet flare. It would even allow for our custom ordered “Touchdown Smith” cake topper we had made from Memory Makers Studio. Even though we have had birthday cakes from her, Laura prepared several cakes in which we were able to choose three different flavors to take home and try. Danny’s favorite was the chocolate, as I only received one bite of it and the remainder was devoured by him; he didn’t understand we were supposed to share it 🙂 The one thing which stood out the most to me about all the cakes was the icing; it was incredible on each cake!! We left this appointment feeling excited that our cake would not only taste great but it would “rock” our football theme.
The entire planning journey went so smoothly and we both had so much fun through the process. Those four months of planning went by so fast and now it is wedding week. I cannot believe it is already here, but I am so ready to see what God has in store for us as husband and wife.
Our girls (Savanna Lane and Mary Hannah Smith), myself, my mom, and Bailey Hoffman spent the majority of the day Friday finishing up last-minute details and pampering ourselves for the big day by getting our nails done. The girls and I would also be staying the night at The Battle House Hotel, in beautiful Mobile, AL so we had to make sure we were all packed to leave after the rehearsal and dinner. Danny and our boys, Christian Lane, Noah Lane, and Addison Smith had taken on the task of designing and building the doorway passage for us to walk-through during the wedding ceremony so they spent most of the day finishing up their building project.
With the ceremony taking place on a football field, there were a few things to consider when it came to logistics. Catherine Roberts with Southern Flare was our wedding coordinator and she did an amazing job stepping in and completing all the final details as well as making sure everything flowed smoothly.
The Pride of Baker band was also in attendance as well as our DJ, DJ G (George Bass) who would play a few songs during the wedding for us. The rehearsal went great and now it was time for the rehearsal dinner. No surprise we wanted our rehearsal dinner to follow our theme so nothing better than a Southern Football menu tailgating style under the field goal at the Baker Hornets stadium. Joe Smith with Smith’s Catering did an amazing job with our dinner menu selections of BBQ brisket, Potatoes, Cole Slaw, Green Beans, Rolls, and Sweet Tea. As the night was coming to an end, two of our kids, Christian and Savanna, gave speeches along with our great friend and caterer, Joe Smith. Both of the kids speeches were filled with love, laughter, and memories (one had way more a dramatic feel than the other, no name calling, Savanna.)
Danny and I will forever cherish each and every moment of this day. We are so grateful our photographer, Robin Miller with TR Arts Photography and our videographer, Mr. Tolbert with Baker’s BH1 News attended the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner to capture these moments and memories for us. Danny and I are truly thankful to God for the family and friends we have. We feel so blessed!
The night came to a close and it was time for us to all depart ways. It seemed like something out of a movie, there I was with the star player standing in the end zone. The field goal post was overhead and the stadium lights were shinning bright as he leaned down and ever so gently kissed me goodnight. As the tears started pouring down my face, he whispers, “Life has been amazing, but tomorrow we step into our purpose, destination, and calling.”
The girls and I left to head to the hotel while Danny and the guys were planning to all stay at the house and have a fun guys night. They had some great bonding time “letting” Coach whip them in several rounds of his favorite Ping Pong game as well as playing a few hands of cards before they all called it a night.. My best friend, Jolynn Marrow and my Mom joined me and the girls at the hotel for a girls night. We all danced, sang, laughed till it hurt, talked, cried happy tears, shared, took lots of selfies, and enjoyed just being girls. It was such a great night.
Just before we all fell asleep the familiar sound of my text alert went off and I could only hope it would be one final text from the man God designed for me. There it was! One final goodnight as Michele Lane for tomorrow I would take his name.
Photography Provided By: TR Arts Photography, Robin Miller & Michele Lane
Videography: BH1 News, Baker High School
Venue: Baker Hornets Football Stadium
Wedding Coordinator: Catherine Roberts with Southern Flare
Rehearsal Dinner Setup/Decorating: Catherine Roberts with Southern Flare
Ceremony Musicians: Pride of Baker band and DJ G (George Bass)
Caterer: Smith Catering, Joe Smith
Bridal Hair and Makeup: Tammy Akridge
Hotel: The Battle House Hotel, Mobile, AL