Bradley & Josh

November 2, 2019

 Bradley Carrington and Josh Russell’s relationship has been a stronghold for the past six years despite the odds, with Josh going away to college just seven months into the start of their relationship. Bradley met Josh during her junior year at St. Paul’s while he attended UMS-Wright for his senior year. “Both schools are so similar that friend groups always intertwine, and that is exactly how Josh and I met,” Bradley shares. “It only took us seeing each other for the first time when we were in a social setting with mutual friends for the early stages of our relationship to begin,” Bradley reminisces. “We had approximately seven months before Josh left for college at the University of Alabama (basically the worst timing ever). Everyone warned me about dating a freshman guy at college, but we survived that year of Josh being away and me finishing out my senior year with zero hiccups along the way,” she says.

 Josh adds that he knew Bradley was “the one” during their year apart, as she never left his side, no matter what. “Although people gave her every reason to believe she couldn’t date me through that year, she put her trust in me and supported me my whole first year of college,” Josh says. “That year really solidified our relationship and the lengths we were willing to go to make ‘us’ work.”

 Fast-forward to the end of his collegiate run, when Josh knew it was time to ask his high school sweetheart to spend forever with him. The pair were enjoying a beach weekend with Bradley’s parents when Josh took the opportunity to ask her father for permission to wed Bradley. Her father, of course, gave Josh his blessing, but nearly spoiled the proposal (which was planned for a few weeks later) when he laid eyes on Bradley next. “I guess my dad panicked when he saw me and just hugged me and goes, ‘Congratulations,’” Bradley jokes, admitting in the moment she had no idea what he was talking about. Three weeks later, on July 1st, the two set off for their families’ annual Russell and Carrington summer trip to Orange Beach. The two families boarded Bradley’s parents’ 53 Hatteras Yacht, “The Queenie,” headed for Fort McRee, and upon arriving, the couple was sent off to walk their dog, Briggs, alone along the beach. “I turned around to Josh on his knee asking me to marry him,” Bradley gushes. “I was in complete shock because I really did not see it happening in this moment.” Obviously, she said “Yes,” and the couple returned to their families to celebrate. “If you know us, you know how perfect and meaningful this proposal was, because we were in our absolute favorite place with our families,” Bradley shares.

The pair decided St. James Episcopal Church in Fairhope was the perfect spot to confirm their love with friends and family. Their reception was held at Bradley’s grandmother Priscilla Wilson’s bay house, something she said was most meaningful for their wedding. “Having our reception there was the perfect setting because it attested to Josh and I’s relationship in every way possible,” Bradley says. “We are both extremely family-oriented, so to be able to host all of our friends and loved ones at my grandparents’ home was more than anything I could have ever asked for,” she says. Bradley’s father catered the reception, serving dishes like shrimp with smoked gouda grits, fried seafood, grilled crab cakes, and even a late-night snack of fried waffle triangles with powdered sugar. The groom’s favorite moment? Seeing his bride walk down the aisle. “The second I saw her coming down the aisle, all my nerves went away,” he says. “We have been each other’s safe place for so long, and all I needed that day was to see her.”

Jetting off to a quaint, all-inclusive resort in Belize for their honeymoon was the icing on the proverbial wedding cake, and Bradley and Josh say they look forward to every little bit that comes with marriage. “In those little moments, all seems right in the world, and I wouldn’t trade a single minute of it for anything else,” Bradley says.

Caterer: Rebecca’s Restaurant

Photographer: Miranda Stallings

Lighting: Showbiz Lighting

Band/DJ: Mr. Big & the Rhythm Sisters

Rentals: Blue Rents

Gown: I Do Bridal

Men’s suits: JoS. A. Bank

Makeup: Jessica Price

Hair: Jessica Price

Flowers: Ron Barrett

Officiant: Father De Freeman