Rehearsal Dinner

Creekside Meadows

Wedding Day

Summer

Directions From Highway 65: Take exit 275: Morris / to US Hwy 31 If coming from north Alabama - take a LEFT onto Barber Boulevard for 0.5 miles. If coming from Birmingham - take a RIGHT onto Barber Boulevard for 0.3 miles. At the intersection of Highway 31, take a left onto Hwy 31 north. Drive for 2.2 miles. Take a left onto Doss Drive (1 turn after the Jacks). Follow the signs down the right driveway to the parking lot.

Our Wedding

For starters, everyone asks... yes we met on a dating app :) and are thankful that experience is over! Clay and I had our first date April of 2023, we took an afternoon walk through the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. One of Clay's favorite places in Birmingham, and a place that holds many special memories for me. We stayed talked until we were kicked out at closing time. I had rubbed a terrible blister into both my feet by wearing new shoes. Clay without hesitation offered to piggyback me all the way to my car. I politely declined due to not wanting to become a public spectacle. However this kind gesture was one truth I learned about Clay that day, he wholeheartedly loves helping and serving others. Over the next few months we explored our shared love for outdoors activities together. Almost all of our dates revolved around hiking, camping and kayaking. We discovered some of the most beautiful places around Alabama, while also discovering the beauty inside each other. Dating someone in residency is no joke, but we sat down and meticulously scheduled out making the most of every week. Clay even survived coming to an Alexander family reunion at the farm. Near the end of summer, Clay took a medical missions trip to Africa. With both of our hectic schedules, we found we were going to be apart from each other for over a month. We in stride changed our pace and transitioned our dates to handwritten notes and planned out phone calls. Once reunited, we did not skip a beat. We jumped back where we left off and planned more outdoors adventures. Our fall was full of more travel, but finally together. Even Scooter (my pup) got to tag along, and we found he keeps up with Clay's pace more than my own! During our trips I got to meet Clay's family, cousins and even spend our 6-month anniversary in Memphis together during one of Clay's residency rotation. We ended our fall taking a few long walks on the beach during a Pugh family mini vacation. As we started to discuss our future, we reminisced that we could see God in very moment of our relationship. Clay and I have so many differences, but we seem to fit together so well in the areas that matter. Our love for God, family, friends and adventure. As well as a passion for serving others by being called to work in the medical field. As the months continued on, many prayers about the future were prayed, and we decided we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. Creating our new adventure, and seeing what God has in store for us. All I asked for in a proposal was to be surprised. Knowing Clay's forte is not being sneaky, I was a little skeptical! After a hectic week of work before Christmas, Clay asked me on a hike. We always find time for a hike so this was not out of the normal for a Saturday afternoon. He surprised me by taking me to one of the only waterfalls that still had water flowing after a dry December. It was a beautiful hike around Mardis Mill with no one else around. As we were sitting watching the water cascade down the rocks, I could feel Clay's heartrate skyrocket, abnormal for an avid marathon runner. But something told me not to ask him about it. Just moments later he got down on one knee and recited a handwritten poem asking me to marry him. It was the easiest "Yes!" of my life. We then got to share a couple of hours together, before surprise number two. As we drove to my parents house that night to go on our regular "Sol Aztecca" dinner night, I noticed our neighborhood was full of cars. And our house was full of sweet friends and family ready to celebrate with us. I doubted Clay could dupe me, but he pulled off the best surprise engagement yet! We cannot wait to spend the rest of our life finding new adventures together! See the photos below for some of our sweet memories we have shared during our relationship!

Our Story

Mac McCollum MediaKennon Brake Photography

Photos

Wedding Ceremony Seating of the GrandmothersSeating of the MothersWedding Party Processional Entrance of the BrideCanon in D, Ashley Rice on Keyboard Welcome&nbsp;Giving of the BridePrayer Speak O Lord, Carter Autrey on Keyboard Old Testament Reading:Genesis 2: 18-24, read by Colbe Earles New Testament Reading:Ephesians 5: 21-33, read by Mikayla Smith Declaration of Intent Message by Pastor Kevin NaylorJohn 13: 34-5: A new command&nbsp;I give you: Love one another.&nbsp;As I have loved you, so you must love one another.&nbsp;By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Exchange of VowsExchange of RingsPronouncement of Husband and WifePresentation of the Couple RecessionalWalking on Sunshine, Katrina and the Waves Closing Remarks Dinner Reception to Follow

Wedding Party

Chris and Susie Pugh

Martin and Carol Rice

Martha Graves 

Margie Curry

Ivey Dyer

Morgan Currin

Mikayla Smith

Danielle Smith

Ashley Rice

Roommate and Friend from Cahaba Residency

Joel Manzi

Colbe Earles

Friend, and Childhood Friend of the Bride

Carter Autrey

College Roommate and Friend, former Youth Group Co-Leader

Corey Bern

College Roommate and Friend from Medical School

Justin Brown

Eric & Buddy

Maddie & Mila

Audrey's Pastor at Antioch Community Church

Kevin Naylor

Joyce Jung

Marshall Dyer

Wedding Party

Q + A

Travel

13 minutes from venue (7.6 miles). Many restaurants nearby.

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Birmingham Gardendale

16 minutes from venue (12 miles). Large selection of restaurants and shopping nearby.

Home2 Suites by Hilton Birmingham Fultondale

23 minutes from venue (18.3 miles). Historic hotel in the heart of Birmingham. Only 12 minutes from the Birmingham Shuttlesworth Airport.

Redmont Hotel Birmingham, Curio Collection by Hilton

22 minutes from venue (18.2 miles). Historic hotel in the heart of Birmingham. Only 11 minutes from the Birmingham Shuttlesworth Airport.

Hampton Inn & Suites Birmingham-Downtown-Tutwiler

One of our favorite date spots! Indian cuisine.

Taj India Resturant

Surin West

One of the Pugh's favorite restaurants! Mediterranean cuisine.

The Pita Stop Resturant

Umami Resturant

Another favorite restaurants of the Pugh's. Authentic and Americanized Chinese cuisine.

Red Pearl Restaurant

Giuseppe's Cafe

Chez Lulu Resturant

Dave's Pizza

Los Valedores Taco Truck

Our first date spot, beautiful place to wander around. Free admission!

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

One of our favorite past-times, hiking! (However, Clay enjoys running these trails)

Red Mountain Park

Must-go outing for kiddos (large and small)

McWane Science Center

Staple tourist spot in Birmingham, ride the elevator to the top of the Vulcan Statue. Then take a stroll below on the walking path. Or if it is too hot, tour the Birmingham Museum.

Audrey & Clay