If you’ve ever stopped to wonder why we here at SMP are sooo obsessed with Georgia weddings, the answer is simple: they are awesome. Awesome in the way that only sweet Southern affairs can be, with the perfect mix of traditional and rustic and enough pretty to fill the entire Peach State. It’s the tried and true formula shining brightly in this darling Rome soiree, a DIY extravaganza with the fab stylings of one very talented bride and a stunning Farm backdrop that will, put simply, take your breath away. See every last moment captured perfectly by Scobey Photography in the full gallery.
From the Bride… From an unconventional beginning on PlentyOfFish.com came the greatest gift I could have imagined, a man whose love, determination, and selflessness envelops me every day. Matt asked me to be his wife at a castle in Scotland. Almost immediately we started talking about our wedding and how we wanted it to look. We both agreed, we did not want a cookie cutter wedding. We wanted a wedding that would be a reflection of us, it would be a personalized wedding everyone would remember. We wanted something that seamlessly melded my love for all things vintage and antique, Matt’s love of the outdoors, and incorporated our mutual love of the mountains. Our vision blossomed when we found our venue, a farm emanating a rustic elegance, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia; a place where you can see the stars shine at night, and most cell phone service ceases to exist… our version of perfect.
As a lover of DIY projects, I knew this was the way I would create a wedding that would stand out. In an effort to keep every element personalized I wanted to incorporate something into our centerpieces that would be a conversation starter, it came in the form of tea cups. Our floral centerpieces were housed in my grandmothers 100-year-old tea cups, gifted to her by her mother. I also wanted to DIY our favors, so from my love of baking the idea of bottling homemade vanilla extract for favors (a six month process) was born. We documented the process through photos and displayed these at the wedding. I wanted our table settings to tie in the soft peach, and smokey blues found throughout the day, so I cut fabric strips for napkin rings and attached sparkled buttons. We even painted and re-purposed an old table we found in the garbage and used it as vessel to showcase our family’s wedding photos. In addition we tea-stained and hand-stamped tags for our invitations and favors, and created table names out of wooden birds, moss and dowels. The satisfaction and pride I had decorating the venue was amazing, as I placed each little detail where it belonged I couldn’t wait for our friends and family to see what we had created.
My beautiful Mom only tried on one wedding dress and fell in love, after she told me the story I found myself rolling my eyes thinking that will never happen to me. As it turns out, like mother like daughter, I bought the first dress I tried on. To me, that dress was magic, in just the right light it flashed the slightest hue of peach, the separate lace overlay added a vintage charm, and the belt enhanced the peach undertone of the dress. This dress was an extension rather that a departure of my normal wardrobe. I often layer jackets and belts, and with the layers in the dress it allowed the dress to change throughout the night by removing the overlay. The bridesmaids’ dresses were not as easy. I had a very specific blue in mind, not baby blue, not bright blue, but a soft smokey antique blue. I held out until I found it, and I am so glad I did.
As our wedding day approached, as most brides, I had my eyes on the weather, 100% chance of rain. Really? I had never seen the weather report so certain. Well it did rain, but it rained just as our guests were enjoying the cocktail hour inside of the covered stables, some even sitting in rocking chairs looking out over the vast farm as the rain poured down; the thunder and lightning didn’t stop until morning. As the rain pounded the tin roof of the barn at the end of the night, someone said to me “aren’t you sad its all over.” I remember thinking to myself, no, I am not sad its over, because this was not an end, this was our beginning. I think the most important thing Matt and I did throughout the planning was never loosing sight of what this day really meant, it was the celebration of our beginning. Our wedding day was perfect, I will cherish my memories of that day, the planning, and all the wonderful projects and details, but most of all each day I cherish my patient, loving, honest, husband, my greatest gift in this world.
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Photography: Scobey Photography | Cinematography: Jeremy Tucker of Cinema Bliss | Band: Chris Wold of 7 Sharp 9 | Wedding Cake: Kate White of Honeymoon Bakery | Cake Topper: Shauna Hullender of Lava Gifts | Bar Service: Sharon Gregory of Bar None of Rome | Catering: Deborah Rothman of Harvest Moon Cafe | Floral Design: Bussey’s Florist | Bridal Party Bouquets: Heidi Belmont of Burlap and Bling Studio | Groomsmen Boutonnieres: DIY by the Bride | Event Design & Decor: The Bride | Event Planning: The Bride assisted by Dixie Bagley of The Farm | Wedding Ceremony Location: St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church | Wedding Reception Location: The Farm in Rome, Georgia | Wedding Invitations: Jen Simpson of Jen Simpson Design | Groomsmen Suits: Perry Ellis | Groom’s Tie: Kohl’s | Groomsmen Ties: Marc Anthony via Kohl’s | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Jasmine Bridal (B2) via Bride Beautiful | Wedding Dress: Martina Lianavia via Bride Beautiful | Bride’s Shoes: Alex Marie | Groom’s Shoes: Sonoma | Rings: D. Geller & Son | Vintage Ring: Heirloom, Bride’s Grandmother | Bride’s Necklace & Bracelet: Borrowed, Mother of the Bride | Bride’s Earrings: Borrowed, Cousin of the Bride | Bridesmaids’ Necklaces: Cute Actually by Narin B | Garter: Garters by Kristi | Bride’s Perfume: La Vie Est Belle By Lancome | Bridal Hair & Makeup: Amber Grey + The Bride Bride’s | Headband: Icing | Bridal Party Hair: Christina Burton (Christina.Burton@nch.com) | Favors: Homemade Vanilla Extract, DIY by the Bride & Groom | Favor Labels: Vista Print | Table Numbers: DIY by the Bride | Napkin Rings: DIY by the Bride