Tara Kettell & Casey Smith – Huntsville, Alabama
The First Encounter:
By Ashley Riddle
Tara Kettell and Casey Smith were co-workers and friends when Tara began teaching fifth grade at the elementary school where Casey was the P.E. teacher. It wasn’t until the Spring semester that the romance between them began to bloom. “I remember one specific day when Casey came in my classroom to help me unpack some computers. Something was different. I had butterflies in my stomach!” Tara recalls, “I wasn’t looking for it, it just happened.” Shortly after that, they started dating. One summer afternoon, when they were both out of school, Tara was cleaning and Casey was out running errands. When Casey came home there was something unusually exuberant in his spirit. Although Tara was slightly suspicious she did not think much more of it. Later that evening when they got home from dinner, there were candles lit and scattered rose petals. Tara caught her breath as Casey knelt down and asked her to be his wife. Of course, she said yes!
In Preparation:
The wedding planning began with a guest list of nearly six hundred in Huntsville, Alabama, the bride’s hometown. Tara commented, “my mom was such a great help; she’s very good with planning.” The couple wanted to have everything in a central location. Thus, the Catholic church
downtown and the nearby Roundhouse were the perfect pairing for the ceremony and reception sites. Tara knew exactly what she was looking for, she dreamt of having a fairy-tale wedding and the dress to match. Although she sampled over 40 dresses, the first one she tried on was the one. It was an Alvina Valenta with slight gathers on an A-line skirt and a sweep train. “I knew it was the dress for me from the moment I
put it on! I fell in love with it!” Tara says. Pink peonies and green hydrangeas decorated the church and looked lovely in centerpieces adorning the ivory and green table linens at the reception. The butterflies that hung alongside Chinese lanterns at the reception were meaningful. Tara
inherited a butterfly ring that had been passed down from her grandmother to her mother then to her. The heirloom gave her the inspiration for her wedding theme.
The Big Day:
Tara reminisces about how special it was for her to see Casey for the first time on their wedding day. “We met before the wedding began and the photographer was able to capture emotions that were just between the two of us. We had a private talk and got rid of all our butterflies.”
The whole day was filled with personal touches. Tara’s uncle married them, while friends and family read sentiments during the ceremony. A trumpeter played “Trumpet Voluntary,” as she walked down the aisle. “It was so beautiful, it gave me chills.” Tara recalls. At the reception, a friend sang Rascal Flatts “Like I Am” for the newlyweds’ first dance. The five-foot cake that stood in the middle of the dance floor had to be moved so the dancing could begin! Their parents surprised the couple and their guests by arranging for Big Al, the mascot for the University of Alabama, to be at the reception. All the guests had shakers and really enjoyed the surprise. At the end of the reception Casey picked up his bride and ran to their get-away car through the crowd of guests celebrating with colored sparklers.
The Retreat:
The honeymooners waited three weeks to leave on their honeymoon to the Royal Resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico; and when they got there, it was everything they’d hoped for. The all-inclusive resort provided them with a large ocean front room along with champagne and cake to greet them when they arrived. The resort pampered them with 24-hour room service, a variety of restaurants and excellent nightly shows. Although it was no laughing matter at the time, Casey lost the camera that held over 450 priceless photos of the couple on their honeymoon. “We never found the camera but it will always be something I remember for years to come; and at least we have each other.” Tara says. Luckily,
a couple they had met and spent some time with on their trip had gotten some great shots of them!
One Tip:
“Keep everything in a binder or organize on a webpage and stay on top of it! You’ll be glad you did in the end!” Tara Smith
Acknowledgements and Special Thanks from the Kettell/Smith Wedding
Wedding Photographer:
Allison Jansen Photography
Huntsville, AL
256.683.4411
www.allisonjansenphotography.com
Ceremony Site:
Saint Mary of the
Visitation Catholic Church
Huntsville, AL
256.536.6349
Reception Site:
Historic Huntsville Depot
Roundhouse
Huntsville, AL
256.564.8106
www.earlyworks.com
Rehearsal Dinner Location:
Embassy Suites Hotel-
Catered by Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
Huntsville, AL
256.539.7373
www.ruthschris.com
Reception Caterer:
Cyn Shea’s Complete Catering, Inc.
Huntsville, AL
256.882.2837
www.cynsheas.com
Wedding Cake:
Couture Cakes
Huntsville, AL
256.534.6718
Invitations/Programs/Reception Cards/Menus:
Blush Paperie
407.702.4365
www.blushpaperie.com
Florist:
In Bloom Floral Design Studio
Huntsville, AL
256.533.3050/256.519.8898
Décor/Rentals:
Mullins Special Occasions
Huntsville, AL
256.534.5701
www.mullinsrentals.com
Entertainment & Lighting:
Metropolitan DJ Service
Hampton Cove, AL
256.533.6065
www.metropolitandiskjockey.com
Makeup:
D’nani Makeup Studio, LLC
Huntsville, AL
256.489.7798
Guest Accommodations:
Embassy Suites
Huntsville, AL
256.539.7373
www.embassysuiteshuntsville.com
Honeymoon Location:
The Royal Cancun & Playa Del Carmen
Wedding/Engagement Ring:
Sanders Jewelry
Homewood, AL
205.414.8477
Wedding Gown:
Bridals By Lori
Atlanta, GA
404.252.8767
www.bridalsbylori.com
Bridesmaid’s Gowns:
The Something Blue Shoppe
Hartselle, AL
256.773.4956
www.thesomethingblueshop.com
Groom & Groomsmen Attire:
Tuxedo Inn
Gadsden, AL
256.547.5947
Videographer:
Cutting Edge Video Productions
Hartselle, AL
256.797.0320
Trumpeter:
Werner Smock
Huntsville, AL
256.498.2885
Organist:
Marcia Connell
Huntsville, AL
256.881.4781
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