Grace Guyton and John Reagan Harrell tied the knot on a picturesque Saturday, November 23, 2024, in a celebration that was both elegant and deeply personal. Their wedding was a reflection of their love story, carefully planned together to create a weekend their friends and family would never forget.
The couple’s journey began 20 months earlier, and their engagement story is one for the books. Surrounded by loved ones during a dinner at Coastal in Orange Beach, Reagan proposed on the beach under the guise of taking a Christmas card photo. A hidden photographer from Beach Shutters Photography captured the magical moment on video and in stills, ensuring the memory would last forever.
Their ceremony took place at Orange Beach Methodist Church on Canal Road, a location as timeless as their love. Grace, stunning in a Chantilly lace gown designed by Caroline Castigliano, walked down the aisle to meet Reagan in front of their closest friends and family. Her gown, purchased from The White Room in Mountain Brook, Alabama, was paired with a custom bolero and veil, completing her classic bridal look.
The reception followed at the Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach, where guests were greeted by a sophisticated palette of whites, creams, golds, with accents of dusty blue and royal blue. Sunshine Designs, led by Sarah from Pensacola, created breathtaking floral arrangements that added to the enchanting ambiance.
The Harrells’ attention to detail was evident in every aspect of the evening. Their six-tiered wedding cake, crafted by A Specialty Bakery in Gulf Shores, alternated between almond and strawberry layers with buttercream icing. Live peonies and white roses adorned the cake, and as a playful touch, a miniature statue of their beloved MicroMini Labradoodle, Beau, was hidden on the back layer, sneaking a taste of icing. Reagan’s groom’s cake table featured almond-flavored golf ball cake pops displayed on artificial turf, complete with personalized golf tees.
The evening wasn’t without its memorable laughs. During the reception, Reagan’s jacket button popped off twicе, and he managed to rip his pants while showing off his dance moves. Grace shared, “It was such a funny and candid moment-so Reagan-and it just added to the joy of the day.”
For the Harrells, their wedding was about more than just one day. They began celebrating with guests on Wednesday, ensuring everyone had a memorable beach weekend. “We wanted the entire experience to reflect who we are as a couple,” Grace explained.
The couple’s favorite photos captured the intimate moments of their first look and the tender image of Beau touching noses with Grace under her veil. “It was the perfect representation of our little family,” Reagan said.
Following their honeymoon in Antigua, the Harrells have settled into married life in Irondale, Alabama. Their wedding day, lovingly curated with the help of vendors such as Ellison Smith Creative for photography and Orange Beach Weddings’ Carol McCracken for planning, will forever remain a cherished memory.
As Grace and Reagan look back on their special day, they do so with gratitude for the love and laughter that surrounded them. Their story is a testament to planning with intention and celebrating what matters most: family, friends, and each other.
