With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we’re thrilled to announce the finalists of Wed Society Birmingham + Central Alabama’s annual Looks of Love contest! There’s truly nothing more heartwarming than reading a love story and seeing beautiful photos that capture the special bond between two people. Over the past two weeks, our team has read and admired the many amazing love stories shared with us and have selected the top eight couples to enter our Instagram voting competition kicking off on Wednesday, February 11th! Get a jumpstart on reading the incredible love stories of these eight couples and tune in each day to @wedsociety.birmingham to vote for your favorite couples and love story. The winner will be announced on Saturday, February 14th and receive a sunset excursion at Pursell Farms Secret Place including wine and a charcuterie board.
Bella & Siddhu
Bella and Siddhu’s story began on the very first day of medical school — two eager, slightly nervous students stepping into a brand-new chapter neither of them could have predicted. What started with shared lectures and long anatomy study sessions slowly turned into something deeper during late nights planning free dermatology clinics and even later nights splitting Trader Joe’s fried rice or heading to Taco Mama for half-off margaritas.
Somewhere between flashcards, clinical rotations, and the chaos of becoming doctors, they found something steady in each other. The ordinary moments — quick dinners, tired laughs, walking out of the hospital together after long days — quietly became the foundation for a life they’re still building side by side.
Now, as dermatology residents counting down to their wedding day, Bella and Siddhu know one thing for sure: no matter where medicine takes them, together will always be their favorite place to be.
Hope & Bradey
Hope and Bradey’s story started in the fall of 2022 under the bright lights of Coleman Coliseum. Alabama was playing Longwood, the student section was packed, and Hope was in her usual spot — second row with Crimson Chaos, helping lead the cheers. That just so happened to be the night Bradey chose the seat right next to her. From kickoff to the final buzzer, they talked like they’d known each other for years.
In the months that followed, what began as a game-day introduction turned into daily rhythms — Bradey walking Hope to class, coffee breaks squeezed in between busy schedules, and any excuse to spend a little more time together in Tuscaloosa.
Their first official date was January 20, 2023 — dinner at Logan’s Roadhouse followed by a stop at the fraternity house. Later that night, while walking to the bus hub for a sweet treat, Bradey asked Hope to make it official. She said yes, and that simple walk turned into the start of two years filled with steady, sweet love.
On May 4, 2025, at his family’s lake house, Bradey asked her another question — one that would shape the rest of their lives. Now, as they look ahead to becoming Mr. and Mrs. Shelnutt, they’re stepping into this next chapter the same way their story began: side by side, all in.
Halla & Grayson
Halla and Grayson’s story began over cafeteria lunches and AP Biology notes, back when forever sounded like a joke you tossed around between classes. Throughout high school, they spent countless lunches together, teasing each other like they’d already been married for years. Halla gave Grayson a hard time about his questionable granola bar flavors, and he happily accepted whatever new snack or sandwich she insisted he try that week.
Somewhere between homework and hallway conversations, it became their thing — the easy banter, the comfortable rhythm, the “old married couple” energy everyone else noticed too. One day in AP Biology, Grayson pulled a ring out of the Jostens class packet, handed it to Halla, and said with a grin, “Now you’re officially my wife.” At the time, it was just another sweet inside joke.
Six years later, that joke turned into something beautifully real. Grayson planned a surprise proposal at the Dunn Formal Rose Garden at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, complete with a custom ring designed by a local Birmingham jeweler — thoughtful, intentional, and so them.
After celebrating six years together earlier this month, they’re stepping into this next chapter with full hearts and the same best-friend energy that started it all — only this time, forever isn’t a joke.
Kendal & Nicholas
Kendal and Nicholas met in 2022 the way a lot of great love stories do — on a shift. Both nurses in the Emergency Department at Grandview Medical Center, they were assigned as “pod mates” one night, working side by side in the middle of the usual ER chaos. Nicholas swears he knew that very first shift he was going to marry her.
He eventually worked up the courage to ask her out… and Kendal said no. Dating a coworker felt risky. But Nicholas didn’t give up, and it’s a good thing he didn’t. After their first date, something clicked — the kind of certainty you don’t question twice. What started under fluorescent hospital lights quickly turned into something steady and sure.
On March 21, 2025, Nicholas planned what Kendal thought was an early birthday celebration at The Redmont Hotel rooftop. Instead, it became the biggest surprise of her life — a proposal overlooking the city, thoughtful and perfectly timed. In a twist that feels very on-brand for them, Kendal had actually booked their wedding venue earlier that same week because she thought he was taking a little too long. Meanwhile, Nicholas already had the ring and the plan in motion.
After the proposal, they were greeted by family, friends, and a secret photographer waiting to capture it all — making the night even sweeter than either of them imagined.
Now, with just a few short months until they say “I do,” Kendal and Nicholas are stepping into marriage the same way they met: side by side, calm in the chaos, and completely sure about each other.
Mattie & Tomi
Mattie and Tomi’s story is proof that timing really is everything.
They first matched on Tinder in 2020 and even had a date planned — but after Mattie had just moved back to Birmingham, nerves got the best of her and she canceled. Instead of being frustrated, Tomi responded with so much kindness and understanding that it stuck with her.
Fast forward two years to 2022… and they matched again. This time, Mattie remembered how gracious he had been and decided to say yes to the date. What could’ve been a missed connection turned into something steady, intentional, and meant to be.
Nearly three years later, Tomi planned a surprise proposal at Vulcan, disguised as a quick stop to pick up a gift for a friend. Instead, it became the moment that marked the start of forever.
Now, they’re planning a beautiful two-day Nigerian and American wedding — a celebration that honors their love, their cultures, and the perfect timing that brought them back to each other.
Molly & Kaleb
Molly and Kaleb’s story started at Jacksonville State University — she was a freshman, he was a senior, and what began as a simple college friendship quickly turned into something that just felt easy. The kind of connection where conversations flow, laughs come naturally, and you start to realize you might’ve found your person when you weren’t even looking.
Over the past almost four years, they’ve grown up side by side — building their faith, learning how to navigate life together, and creating a relationship that feels steady and deeply rooted.
When it came time to propose, Kaleb went into full secret-agent mode. For 2–3 months, he kept the entire plan completely under wraps, making sure every detail lined up perfectly. With the help of friends and family, he pulled off a proposal Molly had always dreamed of.
Under a beautiful oak tree in his backyard — one planted by his great-grandfather — Kaleb asked Molly to marry him. The setting felt symbolic in the sweetest way, a reminder of how grounded and strong their love has become. What started as a morning spent shopping turned into an afternoon surrounded by all their favorite people, celebrating the beginning of forever.
Now, with full hearts and the best support system around them, Molly and Kaleb are stepping into this next chapter the same way they’ve done everything else — together.
Mae Mae & Brock
Mae Mae and Brock’s story started at Auburn University, thanks to a little matchmaking from someone who knew them both best — his sister, Hannah, who also happens to be one of Mae Mae’s close friends. She set them up on a blind date for a sorority Christmas cocktail, and from that very first night, something just clicked. What was supposed to be a setup felt more like a reunion — easy, natural, like they’d known each other long before that party.
A year and a half later, Brock planned a proposal that was just as thoughtful as their beginning. He asked Mae Mae to marry him in her grandparents’ backyard — a place filled with memories and meaning — and completely surprised her by having both of their families waiting to celebrate.
Now, with a May wedding right around the corner, Mae Mae and Brock are counting down the days and stepping into their next chapter the same way their story began — surrounded by the people who love them most.
Meredith & Dale
Meredith and Dale met at Marion Military Institute — he was on the baseball team, she was on the softball team, and campus life kept their paths crossing long before they officially became them.
Their first date was MMI formal in 2023, and somewhere between getting dressed up and dancing the night away, what started as teammates on neighboring fields turned into something more.
After two years of dating, they planned a trip to Boston — fitting for two major sports fans. In front of Fenway Park, surrounded by so much history, Dale asked Meredith to marry him. As if that wasn’t already unforgettable, they went to the game later that day and even got to step out onto the field. A proposal at Fenway + time on the field? Truly elite sports fan energy.
Now, they’re counting down to May 2025 when they’ll say “I do” at the MMI President’s Mansion — the very place their story first began. Getting married where they met feels like the most full-circle way to start forever.
Vote Now!
Congratulations to our top 8! Now we know it’s hard to choose… but these couples need YOUR vote! Head over to Instagram @wedsociety.birmingham to vote via the polls on our stories! https://www.instagram.com/wedsociety.birmingham/
Visit our Instagram stories every day from Wednesday, February 11th – Saturday, February 14th and cheer on your favorite couple!
