The Venue at Cotton Creek

Rehearsal Dinner

St. John's Evangelical Protestant Church

Ceremony

Home of Ronald Apel

Reception

Our Wedding

This story could get very lengthy, but I'll try to keep it short. Greyson and I both went to Cullman High School, where Greyson was best friends with my brother Tucker. And to me, that's all he was- Tucker's cute friend. Fast forward to both of us being at Auburn, Greyson came on our family beach trip going into my junior year, his sophomore year. It wasn't the first Apel-Barone family trip he'd been on- but it was the first time he seemed a little more interested in being on the beach with Molly (my MOH) and I, and less interested in sleeping in and laying around with Tucker and the other guys. There was a little flirting, but that was the extent of it. Fast forward months later, we went to Avondale in Auburn, just the two of us, and sat there for 6 hours and talked. We started hanging out a little more, but knew someone had to break this news to Tucker- and he did NOT like it at first. I broke things off in the Sonic parking lot after Greyson bought me ice cream- which he likes to remind me of regularly. A couple months later I am riding home from Auburn with Tucker and he looks at me and says, "What are you even doing?" Then went on to say every reason I should be going out with Greyson. That was definitely NOT what I expected to come out of his mouth, given his initial reaction to me going out with his best friend. I thought about it, and about a month after that I was in Auburn with some friends and found out Greyson was there. So, I walked my happy self right over to where he was- his favorite bar, 1716, and the rest is history. Greyson likes to say the long game played off, and I would have to agree!

Her Version:

This all started on the famous Apel-Barone beach trip a few years ago. While I was there with Tucker, I started wanting to be around Gracie more than I wanted to be around Tucker and our friends. There was some flirting and she was obviously into me but nothing happened for a few months after that. One night she invited me to Avondale and we sat there all night talking and had an amazing time. We started hanging out more and then I had to tell Tucker. Of course, after I told him and he decided he didn’t like me was when she dumped me, after I bought her ice cream at Sonic. After this happened I went home, and my roommate, Will, and I along with my friend, Tice, sat around the table in my trailer as I told them about it. Will said, “I think it’s the right girl at the wrong time,” and he was absolutely right. A few months later during summer break, I was at 1716 with some friends and she was at Avondale with Molly. Once she figured out I was in town she finally figured she wanted to be with me and waltzed into the bar and the rest is history. The long game absolutely pays off!

His Version:

Our Story

Photos

Molly Elizabeth Ambrose

Cole Roth Gerding

Hannah Rebecca Wilson

Tucker Holmes Apel

Anne Eltz Tighe 

Brantley Parker Apel

Millennia Joanne LaGanke

John Wayne Wood III

Carson Reagan Conard

Stephen Tice Wood

Lauren Elizabeth Skinner

Benjamin Blake Turner

Patricia Lynn Underwood

Thomas Schuyler Wright McClellan

Bailee Ponder Sessions

Robert Jase Goolsby

Anna Grace Morton

Wil Stallings

Anna Caroline Harris

Slade Guy Wood

Elizabeth Lewis Lamberth

Kortlan Oliver Hammons

Talia Marin Pate

Dawson Tucker Mills

Avery Blake Johnson

William Austin Bradberry

Tanner Claire McKelvey

Jacob Hunter Brooks

Macey Evelyn Apel

Tucker Clark Rainwater

Wedding Party

Dress Code

Q + A

The Cobblestone is a 10 minute drive from the ceremony venue and a 20 minute drive from the reception venue. To receive the group discount, please call (256) 798-0054 and book your room directly with the hotel. Use code “Apel Wedding” to receive the group discount.

The Cobblestone

The Fairfield is a 15 minute drive from the ceremony venue and a 12 minute drive from the reception venue. To receive the group discount, please call (256) 841-7020 and book your room directly with the hotel. Use code “Apel Wedding” to receive the group discount.

Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Cullman

Travel

Food & Beverage

Sit-Down Restaurants 

Here are some of our favorite "sit-down" restaurants in Cullman:The All SteakPublic House 412Half Shell Oyster HouseThe NationalGrumpy's Italian Grill

Quick Bites & Brews

If you are looking for a place to grab a quick, but delicious lunch or dinner and maybe a drink, here are some of our favorites:Rumor's Deli + Hank's BarGoat Island BreweryJohnny's BarbequeThe Downtown Grille (Greyson's fav)Karma's Coffee HouseDuchess Bakery

Shopping

Cullman has a great selection of locally-owned boutiques &amp; stores to choose from:Three PearsJK TaylorTaylor &amp; Co.PlatformWerner's Trading CompanyWhite Willow

Things to Do

Registry 

Gifts

Event Details

The ceremony will begin at 4:30 PM in the sanctuary at St. John's. If seating becomes limited, we will provide additional seating nearby with live audio so everyone can attend comfortably. We suggest arriving early to ensure comfortable seating. We cannot wait to celebrate our marriage with everyone, and we are blessed to be surrounded with so many amazing people!

Cocktail Hour

Following the ceremony, guests are invited to the bride’s grandparent’s home for a relaxed and warm cocktail hour while the bride and groom finish taking pictures. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be served, and guests are welcome to explore the garden and mingle with other guests before the party begins.

The celebration will continue into the evening with a joyful reception on the grounds of the bride’s grandparents’ home. Dinner, dancing, and desserts will be served, and there will be plenty of seating throughout the garden. Please wear comfortable shoes for walking on grass; a weather update and any last-minute details will be posted here as we get closer to May 9, 2026.

Wedding Details

Amazon

<a href="https://www.amazon.com/wedding/share/gracieandgreyson" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/wedding/share/gracieandgreyson</a>

Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, & West Elm

<a href="https://www.williams-sonoma.com/registry/cb9vjpmxrt/registry-list.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.williams-sonoma.com/registry/cb9vjpmxrt/registry-list.html</a>

The Knot Registry

<a href="https://www.theknot.com/greysonandgracie/registry" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.theknot.com/greysonandgracie/registry</a>

Target

<a href="https://www.target.com/gift-registry/gift/gracieandgreyson" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.target.com/gift-registry/gift/gracieandgreyson</a>

Anthropologie

<a href="https://www.anthropologie.com/registry/listing?registryId=8B979176810C" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.anthropologie.com/registry/listing?registryId=8B979176810C</a>

Wedding Registry