Like so many couples with wedding plans during the pandemic, Katie and Steven Lee had to adjust and plan for what no one could have predicted when they got engaged. But what resulted was perhaps even more special, and the couple now gets to enjoy 2 wedding dates. Officially married in February 2020, the couple planned on a large wedding in May of 2020, but those plans were put on hold as the world shut down. Cut to May 2021 when the couple was finally able to hold the wedding of their dreams at The Birmingham Zoo.
The young couple met right after Steven had moved to Birmingham and was in the process of opening Burn Boot Camp in Hoover; whereas Katie was working in marketing for iHeartMedia. While recruiting businesses for an annual seminar, Katie came upon Burn Boot Camp on Instagram and invited them to come participate. Katie remembers her first thought when Steven walked in those doors that day “Hellllooo Steven from Burn Boot Camp!”
After an eight month courtship and through a series of challenges including opening a new business and family medical issues, the couple got engaged and wedding planning was in full throttle. May 2, 2020 was expected to be the big day for the happy couple. The last thing they ever would have expected was a global pandemic interfering with the day they had been dreaming of. Katie shared that going into quarantine, they expected it to be a short fourteen-day staycation as did many.
Steven and Katie were married prior in a small, private ceremony with only themselves and a pastor. However, they were still missing out on the opportunity to have their big day surrounded by friends and family. Although with patience, hope, and of course, lots of planning, the big day was able to take place one year later on May 1, 2021.
According to Katie, all of the unknowns and anticipation that led up to the day made it all the more special. “God moved in ways that I cannot even explain. I am STILL in awe over the events that occurred, resulting in the most magical, storybook wedding I could have ever asked for.”
All Photos: David Rogers Photography
WEDDING INFORMATION
BRIDE FULL NAME: Katie Swann Lee
GROOM FULL NAME: Steven Lee
DATE OF WEDDING: Actual wedding- 2/17/2020; original date- 5/2/2020; rescheduled wedding at the Zoo- 5/1/2021
LOCATION CEREMONY & RECEPTION: Birmingham Zoo
HONEYMOON: Pending! It was canceled due to COVID, so we plan to book our honeymoon once we get our business up and running!
WEDDING GOWN DESIGNER: L’amour by Calla Blanche
WEDDING GOWN BOUTIQUE: Bridal Bliss Homewood
CATERING/FOOD & BEVERAGE: Birmingham Zoo
DÉCOR/FLOWERS: Lindsay Kessler Designs
CAKE: Pastry Art Bake Shoppe
PHOTOGRAPHER: David Rogers Photography
HAIR: Hair: Kerry McIntosh at Shear Grace Salon
VIDEO: Down in Front Productions
GETAWAY CAR: Dream Drives Bham
NAILS: Touch and Glow Nails Spa in Hoover
About Town's next bridal issue coming in February 2022. If you're a 2021 bride and interested in possibly being featured, contact us at info@abouttown.io.
