Photos by Elizabeth Gelineau 
Lindsey Stiegler says she hadn’t been focused on getting married, thanks to her job in the wedding industry, a somewhat vicarious life punctuated by a melange of happy-couple stories. Now she has one of her own.
Lindsey says it was love at first “swipe,” alluding to the way she and Joseph Schreiner met. “In the past, I had a checklist, but Joey was none of those things,” she concedes of the Evonik Industries employee. “We get along so well. We have very similar personalities — we both like to be in control.” While this trait well suits the graphic designer, calligrapher and owner of Soiree Signatures, it’s one she had to grapple with when it came to planning her own wedding. “It’s hard to take a step back,” admits the McGill-Toolen alum. But if there’s one thing she’s learned over the years, it’s to not take yourself too seriously, sage advice Lindsey was sure to follow.
“Many times brides come in and everything is so tense because they want to do the ‘right thing.’ They forget to have fun. In the end, this is a celebration. Allow yourself to enjoy the process.” And she did. Working side-by-side with vendors, Lindsey explained what she wanted and then gave them freedom to flex their creative muscles. “I wanted to do all the things,” she laughs. “I like natural and neutral and punchy and dark and moody.” What resulted was a beautiful two-day celebration, a cohesive collision of color schemes and moods.
Nearly one year after groom Joey asked for her hand in marriage, Lindsey still beams when she talks about the proposal. “I just knew he was going to ask me on my birthday, which is in November.” But he didn’t. On Halloween 2020, he dropped to bent knee, the date chosen because it was the one-year anniversary of when she first met his children.
Following their early September wedding, at which the couple danced to Kacey Musgraves’ song, “Late to the Party,” the couple spent time relaxing with close friends. They hope to honeymoon on their first anniversary.
Tiny program booklets tied with ribbon (Soiree Signatures) feel like little jewels. Custom handheld fans boast the same Kimberly Zukley print used on the invitations. 
Lindsey’s vellum embellished invitation suite (Soiree Signatures) features a bright, yet soft and bridal citrus print by artist Kimberly Zukley.
SET THE TONE
Invitations are as unique as the couples themselves, a reflection of the bride and groom’s personalities — and, often, a sneak peek of the wedding. By repeating the invitation’s colors or patterns throughout the ceremony and reception, the entire celebration is pulled together for a subtle, cohesive look.
The Ceremony
For outdoor weddings, let nature do the decorating. Take advantage of existing natural elements, such as the lush and enveloping canopy of trees at Steelwood Country Club’s outdoor chapel. Here, soft shades of green complement the ceremony’s natural color palette of buttery yellow, creams and taupes.
Tufts of muted yellow, cream and peach flowers imbue a simple, organic, romantic feeling. 
“We wanted to keep the ceremony small with just close friends and family.” – Lindsey Stiegler
WEDDING PARTY
A blended family is a beautiful gift, as is bestowing the honor of serving as bridesmaids and groomsmen to your children. Joey’s twin girls, Keely and Bailey, 10, were adorable in soft yellow dresses (by Janie and Jack), and Wyatt, 13, and Owen, 14, looked dapper in suits (by Metzger’s).
VENDORS
Hair: Katherine Grant Makeup: Courtney Matthews Bridal gown: Bliss Bridal Groom’s suit: Metzger’s Florals: Julia Greer Priest: Lydia Johnson Wedding planners: Events Detailed Ceremony music: Enen Yu Invitations and Printables: Soiree Signatures Ceremony Rentals: SOHO Rings: Elizabeth Adams Ceremony site: Steelwood Country club
Saturday Night Reception
Don’t be afraid to take the celebration on the road. After Lindsey and Joey’s intimate ceremony, the wedding party traversed the Bay for an evening reception at Crown Hall in downtown Mobile. The color palette changed from the ceremony’s light and airy hues to more dark and moody shades of natural greens, taupes and yellows.
In keeping with the ceremony’s intimate feeling, for the reception, Farm tables were positioned lengthwise down the center of the room, giving the dinner a family-style feel. 
A SEATED AFFAIR
No detail was overlooked when planning this coursed dinner menu (Bay Gourmet) that started with a pass-around of savory hors d’oeuvres. A peach caprese salad drizzled with white balsamic glaze was followed by crab mac and cheese, beef tenderloin and grouper.
VENDORS
Music: Karen and Eric Marrero Caterer: Bay Gourmet Reception rentals: Port City Rentals Artwork: Kimberly Zukley Fabric drapes: Sterling Event design Event space: Crown Hall
Sunday Brunch
Who says you can only have one day? The celebration spilled over to Sunday brunch at Crown Hall, an event planned purposely to include Lindsey’s wedding industry friends for whom attending a Saturday evening ceremony is nearly impossible. Guests arrived in “posh frocks and fascinators,” as invitations suggested. The previous day’s subdued natural shades turned to bright and punchy colors. The use of lemons and orange blossoms gave a clear nod to the two-day soiree’s theme and added a dimension of fun.
An elegant cake display (Underground Custom Cakes) held five unique cakes, each with different flavors and decorations. 
TOUCHES OF ART
Custom art by Kimberly Zukley brightens the room and features the same lemony yellow used throughout the event.
MAKE IT COZY
To bring coziness to a large space, consider hanging fabric swags from the ceiling or rafters, allowing the material to drape down the walls. For the couple’s nighttime reception, Sterling Events hung swags dyed in shades of green. The fabric carried over to the Sunday brunch, tying the two events together.
Brunch Menu by Bay Gourmet
Biscuit station with fried chicken, gravies and jams
Grits station with shrimp, sherry cream sauce and New Orleans beef grillades
Tomato pie
Charcuterie board
BLT toast
Conecuh sausage
Grilled oysters
A simple monogram (Hannah Legg, Soiree Signatures) adorns guests’ favors: koozies, Mason jars filled with a cocktail infusion kit (Jesse McKinney, Styr Cocktails) and matchbooks (Soiree Signatures).
VENDORS
Caterer: Bay Gourmet Music: James Martin Brass Band (New orleans) Audio engineer and music curator: Jason Stiegler Cakes: Underground custom cakes Live artist: Melissa Munger Junior bridesmaids’ fascinators: Julia Greer Bride’s fascinator: Rua Flores Stage front graphics: Soiree signatures Favors: Soiree Signatures Cocktail infusion kits: Jesse McKinney, Styr Cocktails Event space: Crown Hall Daiquiri machine: Mobile Popcorn
