Featured Weddings

Elegance, Snow and Party Time at Club Harralson!

By: Ellen Shaheen Fox, Wedding Planner

Start with a Groom and his panic-attack while showering. Next, add in proposing to his ex-girlfriend’s younger sister. Then throw in a dash of a snow storm and there is the great story of the engagement and wedding of Cindy Reid and Johnny Harralson.

Sixteen years ago Johnny dated the bride’s sister, Jenny. The entire Reid family adored him and were upset when the relationship ended. Jenny said, “If you like him so much, then you marry him.” In a weird twist of fate, little than anyone know that is exactly what would happen. On Christmas Eve 2005 Johnny decided to propose to Cindy. He was so nervous that he had a panic-attack in the shower, and so he memorized three lines incase his mind went blank: "I love you," "You are the girl of my dreams," "Will you marry me?” That is as creative as it gets for a self-proclaimed bachelor. It was enough for Cindy, and they were engaged.

On the morning of Saturday, February 17, 2007 guests awoke to clear skies, but two hours before the start of the wedding, Louisville experienced the most beautiful, thick snow fall in years. The streets were covered, requiring some guests to take over an hour to get to the ceremony. In deference to the snow storm, the ceremony, held at Second Presbyterian Church, was delayed 15 minutes. Finally, under this magnificent blanket of snow, and a church filled with family and friends, the wedding ceremony began between Cindy, daughter of Carol Proctor Whayne and Carroll Glenn Reid of Louisville and Johnny, son of John Henry Harralson, Jr. and Sarann Salsburg Harralson of Central City, Kentucky.

Johnny is criminal defense attorney in Louisville with offices at 600 West Main Street. Cindy just completed her Master's of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education. In addition, she is also property manager for CJC Properties LLC, which she owns with her mother and sister.

The wedding party included friends and family with a memoriam for groomsman, Philip Donald Fox. The bride’s sister, Jennifer Reid McAdams was Matron of Honor. Bridesmaids where Erica DeGraff Samelson, Shannon Malone King, Patricia McCullough McMahon, Jennie Reigleman Hulette, Stacey Miller Harralson and Heidi Jean Kinney. The junior bridesmaid was the bride’s cousin, Mary Lynn Proctor and the flower girl was her niece, Caroline Marie McAdams. The Best Men where all brothers of the groom; James Kincheloe, Thomas Giles and Benjamin Simpson Harralson. Groomsmen where Coleman Daniel Hulette, Stephen Edgar Waltrip, Edward Doll Deters, Jr., Hugh Presley Krieger, Jr., and Benjamin Rapier Parker. The ring bearers were twins, Ryan Clayton and Reid Cameron McAdams, nephews of the bride.

The bride was stunning in her ivory, form-fitted mermaid style gown from designer, Pronovias. It was strapless, covered completely in lace with a gorgeous scalloped train.

The gown had a matching three-quarter length lace jacket with a pearl button back that the bride wore at the reception. Her hair was adorned with a sterling silver tiara embellished with freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals and rhinestones that were custom designed and crafted by Carol Grisanti of Louisville. For the ceremony, she wore a cathedral length veil accented with lace appliqués and a scalloped, beaded edge. At the reception, she wore a shorter version of the veil. The bride carried an exquisite bouquet designed of diamond white cymbidium orchids with plum centers, stephanotis, camellia leaves and lily grass.

The bridesmaids wore full-length grape colored gowns by designer Dessy in different cuts that reflected the individual styles of each attendant. They carried hand-tied bouquets with a gathering of apple green cymbidium orchids, plum miniature calla lilies, green dendrobium orchids, money plant and lime warniki leaves. The gentleman each wore their own personal tuxedos with a boutonnière of green cymbidium orchids.

When the wedding guests entered into the main dining room of The Pendennis Club, where the reception was held, they were greeted with an incredibly beautiful and grand presentation. Exquisite linen tablecloths in fabrics of damask, silk and organza, all in ivory, cream and shell tones covered the tables. The chairs were covered in a sleek ivory spandex fabric and tied with a gorgeous shell silk sash. Shell-colored silk napkins were folded in the shape of a tuxedo and each held a dinner menu designed exclusively by First Impressions Fine Stationery and included the CJ Initial Monogram designed by Terry Dillard. The centerpieces were an artful assortment of design, all featuring miniature and giant calla lilies, willow branches, exotic foliage and masses of candles. The room was majestic, and many guests were overheard commenting that it was the most beautiful Pendennis had ever looked.

For dinner the wedding guests dined on a magnificent plated meal. The first course began with a mesculin green salad with mandarin oranges, sliced strawberries and feta cheese with raspberry vinaigrette dressing. The entrée was a duet plate of crabmeat stuffed lemon sole and filet of beef tenderloin served with grilled portabella mushrooms and demi glaze, haricot vert amandine and roasted redskin potatoes. After dinner, guests were treated to white cake with butter cream filling drizzled with fresh homemade raspberry sauce created by Virginia Rankin of Mert’s Cakes. During the toast, Cindy and Johnny shared some bubbly while sipping out of silver goblets, handmade and hand-engraved by family friend, John Wilson, of Wilson Art Works.

After cake, guests were invited to the Ballroom, which had magically been transformed into "Club Harralson." The room was decorated to imitate a New York night club with the tables sporting shinny plum and black spandex fabrics. Black candles, LED, chase and glow lights accented contemporary floral designs throughout the Ballroom. Guests were wowed by the uniqueness of the themed party and had a blast turning glow sticks into sunglasses and bowties. The bar area was draped with black velvet and surrounding the fireplace was a giant silver truss with the “Club Harralson” sign positioned between chase lights.

To kick off the party, the bride and groom danced to Frank Sinatra’s The Best is Yet to Come in a choreographed routine by dance instructor Susan Smith. Guests enjoyed an array of treats from the Louisville Chocolate Fountain and partied into the wee hours of the morning to the band, Familiar Faces. It was truly an evening of incredible elegance, originality, and beautiful snow. Original designs were created by Wayne Esterle of In Bloom Again and detailed event planning by Ellen Fox of ShaFox Weddings & Events.

During their honeymoon in St. Lucia, Cindy and Johnny enjoyed snorkeling, a private candlelight dinner on the beach, and a sunset dinner cruise. The weather was perfect with sunny skies each day. To end their trip, they took a helicopter ride for an aerial tour of the island. The wedding and honeymoon were dreams come true for the newlyweds.

Wedding Vendors:
Wedding Planner – ShaFox Weddings & Events, LLC
Florist – In Bloom Again
Photographer – Jay May Photography
Videographer – Bluegrass Video
Reception – The Pendennis Club
Cake – Mert’s Cakes
Bridal Gown – Sher’s
Headpiece and Veil – Classic Veils by Carol
Bridesmaid Gowns – Rebecca’s
Ceremony Musicians – Commonwealth Musicians
Reception Entertainment – Familiar Faces
Dance Instruction – Your Wedding Dance
Audio Visual Services – C&H Audio Visual
Stationery – First Impression Fine Stationery and Engraving
Calligraphy – Dillard Graphic Designs

Article featured in the Voice-Tribune of Louisville.