A sunny spring wedding spanning The Preserve Town Hall, Vestavia Hills Methodist Church, and The Florentine in downtown Birmingham.

When couples begin searching for a Birmingham wedding videographer, they are often looking for more than someone who simply documents the day. They want someone who captures every laugh, every happy tear, and every unforgettable moment in a way that allows them to relive it for years to come.

Mary Ashley and Drew’s wedding was exactly that kind of celebration.

Their spring wedding took guests on a journey through some of Birmingham’s most beautiful locations, beginning in Hoover, continuing through Vestavia Hills, and ending with an unforgettable reception in the heart of downtown Birmingham at The Florentine. Every location brought its own unique character, creating a wedding film filled with timeless elegance, genuine emotion, and joyful celebration.

As Birmingham wedding videographers, weddings like this are the reason we love what we do.

Getting Ready at The Preserve Town Hall in Hoover

The day began at The Preserve Town Hall in Hoover, Alabama, where Mary Ashley spent the morning surrounded by her bridesmaids and closest family members.

The excitement built throughout the morning as final details came together. Hair and makeup wrapped up, dresses were steamed, bouquets arrived, and everyone eagerly anticipated seeing Mary Ashley in her wedding dress.

One of our favorite parts of the morning was capturing the emotional first looks.

Mary Ashley shared a heartfelt first look with her bridesmaids before revealing her dress to her father. His reaction was filled with pride and emotion, reminding everyone just how meaningful these quiet moments can be before the celebration begins.

These are the moments that often become couples’ favorite memories when they watch their wedding film years later.

A First Look They Will Never Forget

After spending time with friends & family, it was finally time for Mary Ashley and Drew’s first look.

As Drew turned around and saw his bride for the first time, one of the first things he said was how much he loved her dress. It was genuine, heartfelt, and completely unscripted.

Then came one of the most memorable moments of the entire wedding day.

As the couple walked together, their wedding party watched from inside a vintage white trolley. The doors opened, cheers erupted, and their closest friends celebrated them from just a few feet away. The surprise created one of the happiest moments we’ve ever filmed.

It perfectly reflected who Mary Ashley and Drew are: joyful, fun, and completely surrounded by people who love them.

Watch this unforgettable trolley surprise in our YouTube Short here

Before leaving Hoover, we captured portraits around The Preserve, taking advantage of the beautiful architecture and spring sunshine before everyone boarded the trolley.

A Timeless Ceremony at Vestavia Hills Methodist Church

From Hoover, the wedding party traveled aboard the white trolley to Vestavia Hills Methodist Church, one of the most iconic churches for weddings in the Birmingham area.

Guests were welcomed by stunning floral arrangements that framed the entrance to the church beautifully. Designed by The Ivory Orchid and Michael Sanchez Designs, the florals complemented the timeless architecture and set the tone for the ceremony.

Inside the sanctuary, sunlight streamed through the windows as family and friends gathered to witness Mary Ashley and Drew exchange vows.

Church weddings have a timeless quality that never goes out of style. The historic architecture, meaningful traditions, and sacred atmosphere created an unforgettable ceremony that perfectly reflected the couple’s love story.

Celebrating at The Florentine in Downtown Birmingham

Following the ceremony, everyone made their way to The Florentine, one of downtown Birmingham’s most sought after wedding venues.

As Birmingham wedding videographers, The Florentine is always a venue we’re excited to return to.

The combination of historic architecture, elegant interiors, exceptional catering, and its location in the heart of downtown Birmingham makes it an incredible choice for couples planning a luxury wedding.

Every corner of the reception space was beautifully designed.

From lush floral installations to elegant table settings and candlelight, every detail reflected Mary Ashley and Drew’s vision while creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere for their guests.

Planning by Angie G. Weddings ensured every detail flowed seamlessly from one part of the day to the next, allowing the couple to simply enjoy every moment.

Sunset Portraits in Downtown Birmingham

Just before sunset, we stepped outside for one final portrait session.

Downtown Birmingham provided the perfect backdrop for some of our favorite moments of the day.

With the city skyline surrounding them and a vintage getaway car waiting nearby, Mary Ashley and Drew shared a few quiet moments together before returning to the celebration.

These portraits became some of the most cinematic moments in their wedding film.

The vintage automobile was not only beautiful in photographs but also served as their getaway car later that evening, making it a meaningful part of their wedding story from beginning to end.

Dancing the Night Away

As guests returned inside The Florentine, the energy immediately shifted.

The Emerald Empire Band filled the ballroom with live music, keeping the dance floor packed throughout the evening.

One of our favorite parts of wedding filmmaking is seeing the transition from emotional ceremony to joyful celebration.

Parents danced with their children.

Friends sang every lyric.

The newlyweds laughed together between songs.

These genuine moments are what transform a beautiful wedding into a meaningful wedding film.

Why We Love Filming Weddings at The Florentine

The Florentine has quickly become one of our favorite wedding venues in Birmingham.

Its downtown location allows couples to experience the best of both worlds.

Inside, the venue offers timeless elegance, incredible lighting, and beautifully restored historic architecture.

Outside, downtown Birmingham provides endless opportunities for stunning portraits with classic city views, historic streets, and unforgettable sunset light.

For couples dreaming of a luxury wedding in Birmingham, The Florentine offers an experience that feels both sophisticated and welcoming.

It’s a venue we’d love to film at again and again.

Watch Mary Ashley & Drew’s Full Wedding Film

Nothing tells the story of a wedding quite like motion.

From heartfelt first looks to joyful trolley rides, timeless vows, and an unforgettable celebration downtown, Mary Ashley and Drew’s wedding was filled with moments worth reliving.

Watch their full Birmingham wedding film below.

Planning a Wedding at The Florentine?

If you’re planning a wedding at The Florentine, Vestavia Hills Methodist Church, The Preserve Town Hall, or anywhere throughout Birmingham, we’d love to tell your story through timeless wedding films.

At Defining Moments Media, we’re passionate about creating films that feel just as meaningful twenty years from now as they do today.

Every wedding is unique, but our goal remains the same.

To preserve not only how your wedding looked, but how it felt.

If you’re searching for a Birmingham wedding videographer who values authentic storytelling, genuine emotion, and timeless filmmaking, we’d love to hear from you.

👉 Contact us here to learn more about our wedding films: https://definingmomentsmedia.com/inquire

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you film weddings at The Florentine?

Absolutely. We love filming weddings at The Florentine and would be honored to capture your celebration there. The venue offers beautiful architecture, elegant reception spaces, and incredible opportunities for downtown portraits.

Do you travel throughout Birmingham for weddings?

Yes. We regularly film weddings throughout Birmingham, including Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Hoover, Downtown Birmingham, and surrounding areas across Alabama.

Do you offer photography as well?

Yes. Defining Moments Media is a husband and wife led wedding photography and videography team serving Birmingham and beyond. Couples can book photography, videography, or both together for a seamless experience.

What makes your wedding films different?

We focus on authentic storytelling. Rather than simply documenting events, we create timeless films that preserve genuine emotions, meaningful audio, and the moments that matter most.

Vendor Team

Planning: Angie G. Weddings

Photography: Elizabeth Hall Photography

Videography: Defining Moments Media

Florals: The Ivory Orchid & Michael Sanchez Designs

Hair: Styled by Paige

Makeup: Cosmetics by Mackenzie

Entertainment: The Emerald Empire Band

Venue & Catering: The Florentine

Dress: Bella’s Bridal

Bridesmaids Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids Birmingham