Maria and Bill Maria and Bill Maria and Bill Maria and Bill Maria and Bill

Maria & Bill

September 25, 2010

Hi, family and friends!

Updates

  • 7/23/10

    Invitations are going out soon! / No More Online RSVP

    Because we were getting more spam than actual human submissions, I yanked the RSVP form from the site. However, invitations will be going out within the next 2 weeks! Keep an eye out for it!

  • 6/15/10

    The Oil Spill

    The Gulf Shores wedding is absolutely on! Some of you have had questions concerning the oil spill, and rightly so. But the beaches in Gulf Shores are open. There has been significant oil impact in the area, so the Gulf waters are off limits for swimming. But the beaches are cleaned daily -- and the best-ever seafood is still safe to enjoy. (Even Obama had some recently!)

    Stay In-the-Know: See daily updates on the oil spill in Alabama

    Make a Difference: Donate to the Gulf Restoration Network

  • Accommodations

    We're working on blocking off some rooms for y'all. We should have more info later this week, so check back soon. If you'd like for us to contact you directly about rooms, feel free to email Maria or Bill.

Thanks for stopping by. We created this site to give you all the details you need to enjoy our September 25th wedding in sunny Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Though the wedding’s at the end of September, it'll still be pretty beachy! Temperatures will be in the 70s, so non-Alabama folks – pack your swimsuits and think of it as a vacation. And Alabama folks – every day’s a vacation, right? You can get the daily Gulf Shores weather forecast here.

Click here to visit the wedding registry. Need to get in touch with us? Fire away. Can’t wait till September? Neither can we!

Photos courtesy of Claris Photography

Wedding Details

Gulf Shores Wedding Chapel

Ceremony

The ceremony will take place at the ever-so-adorable Gulf Shores Wedding Chapel in Gulf Shores, AL.
The grounds feature a small lake, gazebo, and quaint wedding chapel.


Where

Gulf Shores Wedding Chapel
3533 Chapel Lane
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
View Map

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When

September 25, 2010
7:30pm–10:00pm

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Who

  • Maria Inez Dawson

    Bride: Maria Inez Dawson

    Wizard of words, collector of products and panties.
  • William Thomas Copes IV

    Groom: William Thomas Copes, IV

    Gorger of ice cream, sleeper of beds.
  • Rachel Barlage

    Maid of Honor: Rachel Margaret Barlage

    Molder of minds, master of the hula hoop.
  • Mike Rinaldi

    Best Man: Mike Thomas Rinaldi

    Keeper of homeland security, breaker of hearts.

    (Unfortunately, Mike will be off protecting our President from G20 protesters, instead of attending the wedding. Good luck! Your presence will be missed!)
  • Lucas Custer

    Stand-In Best Man: Lucas Colin Custer

    Ruler of the Zodiac, charmer of coffeehouse audiences.
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Reception

Reception Hall

The reception will start immediately after the ceremony – and it's just a stone's throw from the chapel (literally). There will be heavy hors d'oeuvres aplenty, and we're all going to enjoy some drinking and dancing till 10pm. Shoes optional. There's even a brand-new covered pavilion outside where the DJ will play the songs YOU want to hear. (Request your favorite wedding songs in the RSVP area.)

Drinks

Afterward, we're not heading straight for Aruba. We're staying in town Saturday night, so we'll party as long as you want to! We could dance on the beach till dawn or maybe even hit the infamous Florabama – an open-air beach bar on the Florida-Alabama line, known as America's "Last Great Roadhouse."


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Hotel Information

There are tons of hotels and condos in the area, as the Chapel's about a mile from the white sands of Gulf Shores. If you haven't already made arrangements, check back soon for blocked-room rates, or shoot us an email and we'll get back to you ASAP with details.

About 'Bama

Here's some info that'll help you plan your stay in Sweet Home Alabama.

Closest Airport

For those of you flying from to Gulf Shores, it's near two airports: Pensacola Regional Airport (30 miles from Gulf Shores) and Mobile Regional Airport (60 miles from Gulf Shores). Not only is Pensacola closer, but flights are often a little bit cheaper.

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Things to Do

Here are some of the area's must-sees. You can also check out the Gulf Shores Calendar of Events for up-to-date info as the wedding nears.

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Good Eats ('n' Drinks)

Ah, Alabama – home of deep-fried everything with two sides of fries. Seriously though, you won't find better seafood anywhere. And it's not required to have it deep-fried. Here are some of the best good-eatin' spots in and around Gulf Shores, from beachfront bars to fine dining.

Casual

  • Original Oyster House

    Killer seafood and sweet Southern hospitality. A local favorite. Lunch & dinner.

  • The Pink Pony Pub

    A favorite casual beachfront hangout since 1956. (Beware of a drink called the 190 Crazy Horse!) Lunch & dinner.

  • The Hangout

    A large restaurant and bar on the public beach with picnic tables and indoor/outdoor seating. Lunch & dinner, frequent entertainment.

  • Sea 'n' Suds Restaurant

    Casual beachfront dining on the pier since 1975. Greasy goodness. 7 days a week, lunch & dinner.

  • Papa Rocco's

    Best pizza and raw oysters on the beach. Daily lunch specials Monday through Friday. Happy Hour 11am-7pm (ha!), nightly entertainment.

Upscale

  • Nolan's Restaurant & Lounge

    Award-winning steaks and seafood in a serene environment. Monday through Saturday dinner. Live music nightly from 7:30pm.

  • Ginny Lane Bar & Grill

    Casual atmosphere, classic continental cuisine, and libations aplenty. Lunch, dinner, Saturday & Sunday brunch.

  • The Louisiana Lagniappe

    Specialty seafood, steak, and Creole/Cajun cuisine. One of the nicer (and pricier) places to eat. Dinner & Sunday brunch.

  • Café Grazie

    Often called the best Italian food in the South. (That's not an oxymoron.) Super fancy-schmancy. Lunch & dinner.
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