Dothan Wedding at Magnolia Bay | Haley & Clay | Birmingham Alabama Wedding Videographer | Megan Pettus

Haley & Clay were married amidst a crazy Alabama weather day in late October at the Magnolia Bay wedding venue in Dothan. By crazy I mean, the day started with stunning blue skies, those skies opened up with floods for a few minutes, then the cold of winter decided to show up. Oh—and October 28 is a bye week for both Alabama and Auburn, so everyone and their Momma joined in on the reverie! Haley & Clay are the definition of childhood sweethearts, and their love made all the southern Alabama weather a blip on all of our radars. In fact, I’d venture to say their first dance among the raindrops was just about the dreamiest I’ve ever seen.

These two say they are not fans of being the center of attention, but I caught a few ladies murmuring over their wine glasses that they just couldn’t help but be drawn to the couple. Seeing these two and their love for each other is the sweetest thing.

Haley & Clay have a classic life-long love story, from meeting each other in elementary school, to studying together at Troy University, and finally starting their life as husband and wife.

Haley tells the story so well. She says “I attended Abbeville Christian Academy from the fifth grade up until the eighth grade and during that time, I always knew there was something special about Clay. Although, he was more interested in riding dirt bikes and playing sports. After Clay’s father passed away, we began talking more and hanging out, and something just stuck. We started dating my last year at ACA and I remember people telling me that word around the street was that Clay planned on breaking up with me if I moved schools and went back to Headland. Eleven years later and he’s still hanging on to me. He was a year ahead of me in school, so when he finished high school he moved to Troy, and a year later I followed. We attended Troy University and five years later moved home [to Abbeville]. We’ve been working and have been trying to figure out how this thing called life, reality, bills, and all works, but one thing has remained throughout everything. We may drive one another crazy at times, but our love for one another continues to grow everyday.”

I mean, y’all. How precious is that love story??

Haley told me all about their proposal, and I have to say, it is really cute. (As is any engagement story with a pup involved!)

She said, “Clay got a chocolate lab, named Drake, when we were off at school. He has always taken up so much time with him. One of Drake’s FAVORITE things to do is play fetch. One random Wednesday night I drove to Abbeville to go to what I thought was dinner with friends. When I arrived I noticed he was dressed nicer than usual, but shook the thought off. He told me we were waiting on his brother to get ready so in the mean time we would go outside a play fetch with Drake. I complained just a little, but he still remained so excited. By this time I’m still oblivious as to what is going on. We go outside and he throws the ball to Drake several times and one time he ends up bringing the ball to me. Instead of picking the ball up to throw it, I kicked the ball. Drake then goes to get the ball and drops it at my feet again and finally Clay says “Haley read the ball”. I honestly at this point still didn’t even realize what was going on. It was like a dream. It still just doesn’t seem real. It has been a long eleven years, but it was all worth the wait.”

And would you know it, sweet Drake & Haley’s little dachshund made an appearance at the wedding! One other personal detail that made the day so sweet was seeing Haley in her mother’s wedding dress. Haley just glowed in this classic satin and lace dress and knowing the story behind it made it even more special.

Haley & Clay,

Thank you so much for allowing me to be there to film your day. I know having “all eyes on you” isn’t the easiest, but you two took it in stride and it made for a beautiful wedding day to film! I hope you’ll always have fun together and cherish these next few days of being newlyweds. Snuggle those pups close and enjoy your new life together!

Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Herring!!

-Megan