Kimberley Rushton and David Wilson caught a first glance at each other at a mutual friends’ home during their high school years. David was best friends with the brother of Kimberley’s best friend. But it actually took six years for them to reconnect and realize there was a special spark between them. They spotted each other at a Mardi Gras event in Gulfport and got caught up. They stayed in touch after that.
The two became business partners and opened a juice bar in Birmingham, Ala., in 2015. It seemed they might not ever be able to tie the knot because they both had such busy lives. They were working all of the time. “On Sundays, we would go get coffee and drive around our neighborhood,” Kimberley shares. “There was a spot we would drive past that overlooked the whole city of Birmingham.” That spot ended up being very special indeed to the two of them.
In 2016, David chose the week of her birthday to pop the question. Kimberley recalls every detail of that special day. “It was the night before my birthday and I thought we were going to dinner with my cousins after we got off work at my favorite restaurant in the city. He rushed me to get ready and ended up driving me to the spot we would drive past overlooking the city. It was right at sunset and I was freaking out because we were late and my cousins were telling me the place they were at was packed. He made me get out of the car on top of the hill. It was right at sunset and he proposed there. He then took me to “meet my cousins” for dinner. My whole family and all of my best friends were there to celebrate with us. I had no idea. It was perfect.”
After all of the planning, every moment of their Oct. 14, 2017, wedding day was special, but for Kimberley, “getting ready with all of my friends and family,” was a highlight. “I loved just being with everyone and enjoyed every moment. I had a few surprises from out-of-town friends and family and that was really special. I think its great how weddings can bring a lot of people together. It was a very happy experience all around.”
She also has a very fond memory of her sister, Kate Rushton, and friend, Carly June Cohen, performing the song for their first dance. “All of the vendors and people involved in coordinating the special day were very close to me. Down to the caterer, photographers and florist. The reception was at my parents’ house.”
The newly wedded Wilsons had planned to travel to the wine country in Napa and Sonoma, but the wildfires blew them in a different direction. They ended up eating and drinking their way through San Francisco instead.
The two now live in Gulfport. David is a medical device representative for Boston Scientific and Kimberley is a development coordinator at Emeril Lagasse Foundation.
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VENDORS
Photographer: James Edward Bates Photography
Wedding planner: Andi Oustalet (mother of the bride), Roianne Gutierrez, Laura Warr, Stephanie Carter, David Delk, Stacey Waldrop and Susan Hunt
Ceremony venue: Holy Family Catholic Church
Reception venue: Home of the bride’s parents
Florist: Mike Brunson, Flowers Forever; Gayle Christian; Gail Majure
Caterer: Naomi’s Catering, Half Shell Oyster House, St. James Cheese Company, Melissa’s Fine Pastries, Meril
Liquor: L&M Package Store
Makeup: Anne Marie Walley, Antonian Salon
Hair: Christina Wagner, Antonian Salon
Videographer: Brooke Boyd
Jewelry: Grandmother’s peridot ring, mother’s diamond earrings, sapphire and diamond bracelet (gift from a family friend)
Shoes: Stuart Weitzman
Wedding gown: Pronovias
Tux: S.F. Alman
Bridesmaid dresses: Jenny Yoo
Musician/Entertainment: Musical Fantasy, Ty and Graham
Clergy/Officiant: Father Mike Austin
Rentals: ABC Rental
Cake: Melissa’s Fine Pastries
Transportation: Guy Jerman
Invitations: Scriptura
Rehearsal dinner: Great Southern Club
Lighting: David Delk, ABC Rental; Robert Kelly; Joe Coggins