ALMetro360

10 AL/ Metro 360 www.almetro360.com ON THE COVER: Josie and Heath Young on their wedding day — May 19, 2018. Photo by Nick Drollette Photography The Premier Lifestyle Magazine for the Heart of Alabama FEBRUARY 2019 DEPARTMENTS 12 FROM THE EDITOR 12 TRENDING Great Gifts for Valentine’s Day 16 THE DISH Cake Designs 18 SPOTLIGHT 360 Dawson’s Creek 20 CULTURE Fairley Rinehart: Landscape Designer 22 INSIDE OUT From Garden to Bouquet 50 DESTINATIONS Great Locations for Small Weddings 58 SEEN The River Region’s Social Scene 62 HERE & THERE Community Events Calendar in the Heart of Alabama 24 50 FEATURES 24 Wedding Gowns Choosing a wedding dress is an exciting process, but it can also be a stressful one. Between the seemingly endless list of options and the confusing terminology, picking the perfect gown can seem almost impossible. But with the plethora of styles available today — you’re destined to find the perfect one to say “I do” to. 34 Brides of 2018 Every girl dreams about her wedding day, complete with visions of a big beautiful, one-of-a-kind dress, a romantic ceremony, a great reception and, of course, the perfect man. All makes for a memorable wedding. And we were honored that the brides on the following pages allowed us to spotlight their very special day. 54 Unique Wedding Exits Ever wonder why people throw rice at newlywed couples at weddings? This post-ceremony practice has been around since ancient Roman times and isn't just a festive way of ending a wedding — it actually symbolizes showering the bride and groom with abundance and fertility. Everything from wheat to corn, and even oats have been used throughout history for the ceremonial wedding toss. However, in the past century, the tradition of the wedding send off has expanded. Check out some of the popular “wedding exits” for today’s bride.