Georgia Weddings

You could say that I am slightly obsessed (read: totally obsessed) with all things Jane Austen, so when I first read that this darling Atlanta wedding was inspired by a scene from Emma, I knew I was going to love every.last.second of wedding bliss.  And, oh my goodness, do I ever.  From the oh-so-romantic purple hues to the sweet stylings of Juli Vaughn Designs to the beyond glorious images captured by CWF Photography, this, my lovelies, is a vintage-inspired masterpiece.  And totally Jane approved.  See so much more right here.

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From the Bride… For our wedding, Ryan and I wanted to embrace the idea of relaxed romance, so we decided to go with a vintage-inspired picnic theme. My initial inspiration came from a picnic scene in the movie Emma with Gwyneth Paltrow, where they bring along tables, china and beautiful linens. This seemed like such a wonderful idea for a wedding: an elegant, upscale picnic. Once I had this vision, everything else started falling into place. 

Our venue, the Retreat at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, was one of my first choices, and the minute I stepped into the beautiful room, with its exposed beams and mason fireplace, I knew it was the perfect place. The gardens were a gem hidden in the big city of Atlanta and gave us the picture perfect, romantic vision we were seeking for the ceremony. Because the garden was so beautiful and naturally decorated, we didn’t need to add much. As far as the reception site, we rented beautiful farm tables from Four Inch Fold and placed burlap runners and vintage lace (from a trunk in my mom’s attic) on top, then used heirloom silver pieces and vintage books to bring it all together. For our sweetheart table, we used a pub table that my parents bought 20 some years ago when traveling. Initially, our invitations were going to be simple white invitations bought from a website. However, as with everything else, I wanted something unique and special, so with the help of my mom, we designed our own custom invitations. They turned out amazing, printed on canvas with a button attaching all the pieces together. In addition to the invitations, my mom and I made the place cards, napkin rings and our favors, which were Farkle games (a dice game similar to Yahtzee). For the favors, we found plastic containers, made custom stickers for the top and wrapped the outside with burlap, purple ribbon and a vintage safety pin holding it all together. Our families are big gamers, so instead of dancing at the wedding, we decided to play a round of Apples to Apples and ended with Farkle.

One of the most important (and personal favorite) aspects of the wedding was the fashion. My dress was actually the second dress I bought because the first one did not have the vintage feel I was looking for. So I went back to Bride Beautiful and found a great dress that fit me perfectly. The only problem was it was about 18 inches too long and had the wrong neckline! I customized the dress to be the perfect tea length, changed the neckline to a deep sweetheart and added a Swarovski studded belt. For my matron of honor, I found an adorable, cream-c0lored, Nanette Lepore dress that she will surely wear again. The men were dressed in tan suits, and Ryan wore an amazing purple and gray Burberry tie. The most adorable aspect of the day were my five nieces and nephews. The girls wore frilly cream dresses with stylish gladiator sandals, and the boys were decked out in tan and white seersucker pants, vests and newsboy caps. In addition, the boys wore purple ties that my wonderful sister-in-law made just for this occasion. I’m afraid that the kids stole the show!

In the end, our wedding was a beautiful day that really captured our love for life, for our family and most importantly, our love for each other.

Wedding Photography: CWF Photography / Wedding Venue: Callanwolde Fine Arts Center in Atlanta, Georgia / Styling: Juli Vaughn Designs / Catering: Talk of the Town / Vintage Rentals: Four Inch Fold / Matron of Honor’s Dress: Nanette Lepore

Through the great lens of The Reason I Love, we have this little number chock-full of loveliness with just the perfect splash of color. Greystone at Piedmont Park Conservancy was the flawless host in urban Atlanta for a celebration complete with striking florals and stunning details from Brette Start Floral & Event Design. Plus, who can’t love a wedding where the flower girl is referred to as the “Petal Princess?” I’ll be a Petal Princess any day.  Find even more lovely in our gallery, right here.

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From the Bride… Clifton and I are from opposite sides of the country — Los Angeles and Atlanta — and we met in Rhode Island. Seven years, bouts of long-distance and two graduate degrees later, we have friends all over the country, and we wanted to bring them all together, with our families, for a hitchin’ celebration that was fun and comfortable. To honor the memory of those who couldn’t be with us and to symbolize the coming-together of our families, Clifton carried his grandfather’s pocket knife and my grandmother’s handkerchief stitched with the word “Memories” in Italian, and I laced a light blue ribbon from Clifton’s baptismal gown into my dress with a bit of family lace and a button from my grandmother. In my bouquet, I carried a delicate lace handkerchief Clifton’s mom got thirty years ago, hoping it would one day go to Clifton’s bride.

We picked Greystone at Piedmont Park for our ceremony and reception because it was a beautiful, natural setting right in the heart of Atlanta but provided a little shelter from the February weather. Guests stayed across the street at the W Hotel Midtown and walked through the park to our ceremony. As soon as they were inside, the skies opened up, and rain showered down while we said our vows. The raindrops made the candlelight all the more sparkly. We stayed dry and warm, dancing the night away, and the rain stopped just in time to throw petals for our getaway.

We can’t say enough about our photographers, Chris and Allie from The Reason I Love, and our event coordinator and florist, Brette Start. They perfectly captured the fun, family, friends, and togetherness that we’d hoped to feel on our wedding weekend. We couldn’t have done it without them, and we now count them among our friends.

Wedding Photography + Cinematography: The Reason I Love / Wedding Venue: Greystone at Piedmont Park Conservancy in Atlanta, Georgia / Floral Design + Event Planning: Brette Start Floral & Event Design / Officiants: Larry + Cynthia Daniel / Catering: Bold American Events / Wedding Invitations: Custom Paper / Band: Loose Chain via East Coast Entertainment / Hair + Makeup: Tiffany Stone of Mirror Mirror Makeup

Tim Duncan Events is closing out this week on SMP Georgia with a photo shoot pretty enough for the big screen. Swoon-worthy, if I may say. It’s a dance between romantic and chic, and all captured beautifully by Christi Sue Photography. The team behind this photo shoot created fairytale magic, and you can see it all dancing around in the full gallery of images!

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From Tim Duncan Events… When Christi Sue of Christi Sue Photography and I first sat down to discuss our ideas for this photo shoot, we knew we wanted something that was clean and chic, with a touch of classic elegance. We knew the historic Swan House in Atlanta would be the perfect place to tell the story of our lovely bride and groom. The Renaissance-styled architecture and plush green lawns provided the perfect backdrop to the classic elements we infused into this shoot, while adding the right touch of sophistication and elegance. I reached out to some of the most talented wedding professionals in Atlanta to help bring my vision to life. In order to maintain the concept of clean and elegant, I kept the color scheme simple. Nothing screams fresh and chic more than pure white. I chose to accent it with silver, purple and sparkle (everybody loves a little sparkle in their life!).

Our table was draped in beautiful white ruffled linen, accented with Victorian, lilac, satin napkins provided by Connie Duglin Linens. To continue with this classic elegance, we used baroque-style silverware; silver-rimmed glassware; silver, beaded, crystal chargers and silver chiavari chairs. Blossoms Atlanta created amazingly beautiful floral centerpieces of beautiful fresh pink peonies and purple irises draped in crystals and wrapped in moss. The bejeweled, three-tier cake was provided by Sweet Sensations and the couple’s chic menu cards and invitations were provided by Poetic Twist. The bride’s gown was provided by Bel Fiore Bridal and the groom’s tuxedo was provided by Black Tie by Lori, the sister store to Bridals by Lori of “Say Yes to the Dress Atlanta” fame. Rentals were provided by Classic Party Rentals Atlanta, and the beautiful chiavari chairs were provided by Sweet Seats.

For this shoot, we imagined that our bride and groom are hopeless romantics who are modern and chic but appreciate classic style. Our couple enjoyed an intimate wedding that was enchanting and magical. The atmosphere had the perfect blend of classic renaissance with accents of chic elegance — definitely a night to remember.

Photography: Christi Sue Photography / Photo Shoot Venue: Swan House / Event Design + Planning: Tim Duncan Events / Floral Design: Blossoms Atlanta / Wedding Cake: Sweet Sensations / Invitations: Poetic Twist / Rentals: Classic Party Rentals / Chairs: Sweet Seats / Linens: Connie Duglin Specialty Linen & Chair Cover Rental / Wedding Dress: Calla Designs via Bel Fiore Bridal / Groom’s Tuxedo: Black Tie by Lori

The term rustic charm doesn’t even touch the surface of this gorgeous fete from Gregg Willet Photography. It is everything a good ol’ Southern Belle could ask for with the stop-you-in-your-tracks stunning golf course and grounds of Lake Lanier Islands Resort and the perfectly placed rustic elements that just make me weak in the knees. This bride’s gorgeous smile from ear to ear can tell ya, this one’s a real keeper. And you can see the full wedding right here in our gallery.

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From Caroline + Gregg Willett of Gregg Willett Photography… This Lake Lanier wedding was overflowing with southern-inspired, rustic details and plenty of DIY inspiration to boot! From the burlap table runners, to the lantern centerpieces and the custom signs, everything was purely sweet southern charm. Thomas is a greenskeeper in South Florida, so the golf course photos were a perfect touch to the day!

Wedding Photography: Gregg Willett Photography / Wedding Venue + Catering: Lake Lanier Islands Resort in Buford, Georgia / Floral Design + Decor: Your Event Solution / Event Coordination: Lake Lanier Islands Resort / Wedding Cake: Catering by Originals / Wedding Dress: Allure Bridals via Bride Beautiful / Makeup: Tamrin Craig

For each wedding I blog about, I find there’s typically an aspect or two that stands out. In this wedding by Red Fly Studio it’s the drop dead gorgeous setting of the Swan House venue and picture perfect florals by Jackson Durham, the tasty food truck, the stylish stationary, the cake, the oh and did I mention the Manolo Blahnik heels!? Did I say one or two? This entire day consistently fabulous thanks to the event planning of TOAST. Be sure to take in every detail in the full gallery.

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From Red Fly Studio… Erinn and Will’s wedding was so lovely! They were married on the lawn of the gorgeous Swan House in Atlanta. We think Erinn picked out the perfect dress and bridesmaids’ dresses to complement the beautiful scenery. Erinn and Will were so much fun to work with. At the reception, everyone had a wonderful time, and they ended the night with a fun exit with glow sticks. Before Erinn and Will rode off in a gelato truck, they served their guests scoops of yummy gelato. 

Wedding Photography: Red Fly Studio / Ceremony: Swan House in Atlanta, Georgia / Reception: Atlanta History Center in Atlanta, Georgia / Event Planning: Lindsay Pitt of TOAST / Floral Design: Jackson Durham / Catering: Bold American Events / Wedding Dress: Priscilla of Boston (Now Closed) / Bride’s Shoes: Manolo Blahnik / Stationery: Hi Note / Linens: I Do Linens

Honing in on the unique Southern charm of Atlanta’s Candler Park neighborhood, Pretty Swell Parties teamed up with Evie Perez Photography and a few more of the city’s best vendors for this traditional (with a twist!) styled shoot. Nothing screams Georgia like peaches + peanuts, and Sugar Style Events put together the sweetest dessert bar showcasing the two! From the cherry boutonnieres to the invites + menus embellished with washi tape this shoot is adorable from start to finish! See the rest right here!

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From Pretty Swell Parties… When it comes to charm, Atlanta seems to get passed over in favor of more classic southern locales such as Charleston, New Orleans or Savannah.  But the secret of Atlanta’s charm lies in its historic neighborhoods, like Candler Park, where we decided to do this shoot. Candler Park is named for the founder of Coca Cola, and it is known for its adorable craftsman bungalows and unique local businesses. Inspired by the 100-year-old house where we shot and the charm of the surrounding neighborhood, Evie from Evie Perez Photography and I envisioned a wedding set in a bride’s family home that had a modern feel, but was inspired by the history of the setting.

Our groom, Justin Rishel, owner of J Rishel Woodworks, designed and hand-crafted the wooden ring box we used for the shoot, and it is the same one he used to propose to our bride, Michelle. He also built the beautiful table we used for desserts out of a vintage sewing machine table. Justin and Michelle are coming up on three years of marriage and they just radiate fun and love in a way that makes us all remember why we are in this industry. We were lucky to have the very talented hair and makeup artist Louie Lieberman, from Lux Studio, to create a fresh and clean look for our bride, who wore a gorgeous, two piece gown by Atlanta designer Chaviano Couture. Katie of Boukates did such an amazing job with the florals and table design. She pulled in so many cool, traditional elements, such as a bridal bouquet wrapped in lace, and then added fun and charming details like a cherry boutonniere. The traditional lace on the table was complemented beautifully by the fresh and clean menu cards created by Calliespondence. Lauren of Sugar Style Events styled the dessert table to include classic Georgia ingredients such as peanuts and peaches, but she added a modern spin on the presentation to keep things fresh. And what better place for a Georgia-themed dessert bar then on the front porch? 

We also walked around the corner to The Mercantile, a neighborhood specialty foods store, to visit their soda shop-style counter. There aren’t many places in Atlanta where you can walk around the block to a warm and friendly neighborhood shop, but in Candler Park you can. And of course we had to add a little nod to the Candler family with a Coke bottle toast!

Photography: Evie Perez Photography / Photo Shoot Locations: A Private Home + The Mercantile, Both in Atlanta, Georgia / Floral Design: Boukates / Event Coordination: Melissa Bloomfield of Pretty Swell Parties / Dessert Bar: Sugar Style Events / Invitations + Menus: Calliespondence / Ring Box + Custom Furniture: J Rishel Woodworks / Wedding Dress: Chaviano Couture via Fabulous Frocks of Atlanta / Hair + Makeup: Louie Lieberman of Lux Studio

Our Labor of Love shoots some of my favorite weddings. Magic ensues when they grab hold of a camera, and when they team up with We Tie The Knots for the wedding of a seriously stylish couple like this one – it sets off all of my SMP alarms. It’s everything I love about a personality-filled party (including that Anthropologie shrug I need to make mine ASAP), and you can see every gorgeous bit right here.

From We Tie The Knots… Sarah and Kevin tied the knot on May 6, 2012, at Empire State South restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia. This venue was so naturally them, and everything just fit together perfectly with their theme. We helped in the designing/decor aspect of this wedding, and I must say it turned out beautiful and was so much fun. Their ceremony took place outside on the bocce court/lawn area with all different style vintage chairs for the guests. The front rows of the aisle had vintage furniture for family seating, which also made for some great photos. We brought in a chandelier and had it hung over the altar, along with a multicolor ribbon backdrop. The tablescapes had a real personal touch with vintage medical prescriptions with the table numbers stamped over them, along with music sheets used as the table runners.

Wedding Photography: Julia of Our Labor of Love / Wedding Venue + Catering: Empire State South in Atlanta, Georgia / Wedding Design + Planning: We Tie The Knots / Floral Design: Bloom Floral Design / Pie: Pie Shop/ Wedding Invitations: Dapper Paper / Vintage Rentals: Four Inch Fold / Wedding Dress: J.Crew / Bride’s Shoes: Vince Camuto / Bride’s Shrug: Anthropologie / Bride’s Earrings: Alexis Bittar / Bride’s Bracelets: From Her Mother / Groom’s Suit: Sid Mashburn

I could seriously hug Melissa Schollaert Photography for sending this breathtaking Wimbish House wedding our way.  And not just any hug – one great BIG bear hug.  Because not only is this one of the most gorgeous affairs I have ever laid my eyes upon, it also happens to be chock-full of heartwarming moments and classic inspiration that will you have swooning from the get-go.  All planned and designed by Lindsay Pitt of TOAST, this, my friends, is traditional elegance at its very finest.  Click here for more.

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From Melissa Schollaert Photography… Angela and Matt were the sweetest couple ever — so in love and so excited for their wedding. The day was designed and planned by Lindsay Pitt of TOAST and had a very elegant feel.  The reception was held at the historic Wimbish House, the home of the Atlanta Women’s Club.  The old mansion is already so beautiful on its own, and Toast enhanced its beauty with very elegant decor, including lots of whites and gold accents. The patterned white and gold linens on the dinner tables were gorgeous! Andy Beach provided the florals and did an amazing job with all-white flowers and accents of green in a variety of vases and vessels. The main part of the house, as well as the ballroom, was filled with candlelight that gave a very romantic feel to the evening. Angela and Matt danced the night away to the sounds of the Coconut Groove Band, who rocked the reception. They left on foot to the glow of sparklers and headed off into the cityscape for their honeymoon!

Wedding Photography: Melissa Schollaert Photography / Ceremony: The Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta, Georgia / Reception: The Wimbish House in Atlanta, Georgia / Wedding Planning + Design: Lindsay Pitt of TOAST / Floral Design: Andy Beach & Associates / Catering: Bold American Catering / Wedding Cake: Frosted Pumpkin / Wedding Stationery: Hi Note / Band: Coconut Groove Band via East Coast Entertainment / Transportation: Georgia Trolley Services / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier via Joan Pillow Bridal / Hair + Makeup: The Moore Agency

Atlanta weddings have got IT.  And by IT, I mean that downright prettiness that leaves you feeling all gooey/happy/lovey-dovey.  They are always, always chock-full of gorgeous – and this fab Canoe soiree is certainly no exception.  From the uber-stunning details to the whimsical garden vibe to a gallery simply brimming with to-die-for images by Alecia Lauren Photography, this, my friends, is a serious lesson in Peach State lovely.  See so much more right here.

From the Bride… David and I met through our jobs as physicians, and when we first started dating, he had already accepted a one-year fellowship in Sacramento, California. I was really nervous about him leaving only five months into our relationship, but we decided to give the long-distance thing a try. My dear friend Sandra was having a 40th birthday party celebration in Napa, so we planned to meet up then. That week ended up being really important for us. We had talked every single day since he left, but I think we didn’t realize how much we missed each others’ company until we were back together. We also did a good bit of traveling together that week and had a good bit of fun, both with our friends and with each other. I think you really learn a lot about someone from traveling together, and for me, after that, I just knew. One of the reasons why we asked my friend Sandra to officiate our wedding was because it was her 40th birthday weekend that really helped us to understand that our relationship was really something to hold on to. After his year of fellowship was finished, David moved back to Atlanta so we could be together again. It wasn’t too long after that that he proposed. Unbeknownst to me, he had been secretly looking at rings and discussing with my mother and sister what I might like. When he found the right one, on a typical, quiet Friday night, we went out to dinner, then came home to make a fire in the backyard fire pit. David proposed right there, at home, with our beloved dachshund, Monday, as a witness. I remember us being so happy and warm together in front of the fire. We called our friends and family the next day to share the happy news.

My 3-year-old twin nieces were the flower girls. They were so excited to throw petals for me and had practiced for days to get it right.  Then when it came time for their big moment, they were so enthusiastic about their job, they ran out of petals after five steps. Then they didn’t know what to do so they just stood there, frozen — probably noticing for the first time that all eyes and cameras were on them. David walked over to them from his spot in the ceremony, took their hands and walked them over to their dad. Every mother’s heart melted when they saw David do that, and I’m still hearing about it. So sweet.

I have always been crafty, and I was so excited to do a few DIY things to personalize our day, as well as save a little money. For our invites, I purchased bulk, ivory paper from Paper Source, had a calligrapher from Etsy create digitized files of our invite text and designed an invitation suite with Sam Flax with gold lettering. I edged all the paper elements in blush pink with an inkpad, and the return envelopes were in pink as well. I used a gold baker’s twine from Etsy to tie the invitation suites together with a sweet bow, and David lent me his steady hand to hand-cut envelope liners out of a vintage, gold, floral paper. I really owe him for that one – he didn’t complain once.  Our welcome bags were reuseable, canvas bags that I printed with a customized message, typeset like an eye chart  — a play on David’s job as an ophthalmologist. We try to be pretty healthy eaters, so we stuffed the bags with some homemade maple pecan praline granola, fruit, gummi bears and a few other things.  Wedding menus, programs, etc. were all typeset by Sam Flax and stamped by me with a gold floral rubber stamp to maintain the gold/ivory theme. I ended up purchasing a calligraphy font that I liked, which maintained uniformity between the program and menu text, as well as all the wedding day signage, which I made and printed at home. Escort cards were these huge, cool lollipops I had found on Etsy that came in customizable flavors and colors. So each guest received a lollipop with their table number, and I used the same calligraphy font to make name flags to attach to each of the lollipops. It was a nice, whimsical surprise for our guests. I also wanted to make sure that our younger guests were happy and entertained for the evening, so we set up some coloring books and fairy wands for our little guests, as well as some mad libs books for our older guests. They helped to keep everyone’s faces happy.

Wedding Photography: Alecia Lauren Photography / Wedding Venue: Canoe in Atlanta, Georgia / Floral Design: Your Flowers by Isabel / Officiant: Sandra Zaky, A Friend of the Bride & Groom / Catering + Wedding Cake: Canoe / Wedding Invitations: Sam Flax, Etsy + The Bride / Entertainment: Drivetrain / Wedding Dress: Modern Trousseau / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Hair: Murray Briggs of Salon Briggs / Makeup: DIY / Groom’s Suit: Hugo Boss / Men’s Ties: Burberry

This photo shoot by Lovelee Affairs and Erik Umphery pretty much sums up my idea of the perfect day: wake up and cuddle with your love, spend the morning getting all dolled up, slip into a stunning Jim Hjelm gown and then get married (just the two of you!) Smaller, more intimate weddings are becoming a definite trend, and this shoot is brimming with gorgeous inspiration. See the rest of the loveliness right here!

From Lovelee Affairs… The inspiration for this shoot came from both Erik and I meeting with increasing numbers of clients who are interested in nontraditional, intimate weddings. We wanted to do something that was soft and pretty, using various shades of pink and touches of ivory. We decided to use the entry courtyard of Summeour Studio for our ceremony and reception backdrop. The atmosphere, lighting and decor worked together perfectly to create a warm, personal love story.

Photography: Erik Umphery Photography / Photo Shoot Venue: Summerour Studio in Atlanta, Georgia / Floral Design: Jade Lee of Lovelee Affairs / Linens: I Do Linen / Paper Goods: Paper Daisies Stationery / Getting Ready Location: The Ritz-Carlton Atlanta / Wedding Dress: Jim Hjelm via J. Andrew’s Bridal / Wardrobe Styling: Kelvin Wilkerson / Garter: Le Gartier Wedding Garters / Hair: Rachel Swire of Salon Cabelo / Makeup: Saisha Beecham

No matter how many times I take in every.last.ounce of this breathtaking Atlanta affair, I still can’t wrap my head around just how downright gorgeous it is.  Set amongst the sprawling garden paradise of the Barnsley Gardens Resort, it’s a Jane Austen novel come to life with fabulous fashion, a glowing Mr. and Mrs. and a decidedly whimsical twist.  The Studio B Photography snapped up every last moment and the gallery is one you just.can’t.miss.  Join me there for more.

From The Studio B Photography… Megan and Tripp were married on the beautiful grounds of Barnsley Gardens Resort. The whole day was filled with a wonderful combination of personal touches and the utmost attention to making guests comfortable. The couple included a moss version of their beloved dog, Cody, at the top of the aisle, and Tripp’s grandfather did a wonderful job officiating the ceremony. The reception was amazing, complete with meaningful toasts (and even a poem!) and a packed dance floor. Band X provided wonderful entertainment for everyone, even inviting the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom up on stage to sing “We Are Family!”

Wedding Photography: The Studio B Photography / Wedding Venue: Barnsley Gardens Resort in Adairsville, Georgia / Floral Design + Decor: Edge Design Group / Wedding Cakes: Frosted Pumpkin / Wedding Invitations: Smock / Band: Band X / Wedding Dress: Christos “Brisa” via Bridals by Lori / Bride’s Ceremony Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Bride’s Reception Dress: Melissa Sweet via Priscilla of Boston (Now Closed) / Bride’s Reception Shoes: Qupid / Hair: Belize Salon / Makeup: Nicole Orozco / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Bari Jay via Bridals by Lori

Good morning, lovelies! Let’s start this Monday off right with a sweet wedding by Tessa Marie Photography featuring a bride and groom who chose the Evergreen Marriott Conference Resort as their wedding venue after having their high school senior prom there-how cute is that! The gorgeous outdoor setting was perfectly highlighted with lush, organic florals by Chuck Milne Productions. Take a peek at the full gallery for even more Monday morning prettiness!

From the Bride… I always knew I wanted a summer wedding filled with bright colors and warm sunshine, and that’s exactly what I had. Once Ryan and I had our senior prom at the Evergreen Marriott Conference Resort in Stone Mountain, Georgia, I knew that’s where I wanted to get married. The Evergreen Marriott is surrounded by beautiful lakes, trees and flowers. My wedding day was more perfect that I ever dreamed it would be. The sun was out, and the sky was clear blue. I felt incredibly beautiful, and I could hardly contain my anticipation! I’ve never been more excited about something in my life before. My wedding dress fit right into my summer theme because of the flowers that covered the dress and the sweetheart neckline. Ryan glowed and looked more handsome than ever. I felt so relaxed with him during our first look and knew that we were both exactly where we were supposed to be in life.

Wedding Photography: Tessa Marie Photography / Wedding Venue + Catering: Evergreen Marriott Conference Resort in Stone Mountain, Georgia / Floral Design + Reception Decor: Chuck Milne Productions / Music: Fonix Entertainment / Wedding Dress: Watters via J. Andrews Bridal / Hair + Makeup: Brushworx

If you’re a sucker (like me!) for thoughtful details and bright pops of color, this Cinco de Mayo fiesta will surely get your wedding-loving heart racing! Channeling Anthropologie’s eclectic + vintage vibe as inspiration, the bride, along with event + floral designer Amy Osba, brought in mix-matched napkins, painted Mason jars and (drumroll, please….) a SEQUIN chevron runner for the head table! Lauren Nicole Studios captured all the details and you can see the rest for yourself right here-believe me, you don’t want to miss this one!

From Lauren Nicole Studios… Stephanie and Mike were married on Cinco de Mayo this year at the Puritan Mill in Atlanta, Georgia. Given a blank slate at Puritan Mill, Stephanie made it a goal to leave no detail behind for her day. She worked hand-in-hand with Amy Osaba and Callie Garrett to create the picturesque, Anthropologie-inspired wedding day. Keeping it simple at the ceremony so that the reception could shine, she tied pink ribbons to the chairs to line the aisle and draw the eye to the simple cross at the altar where she and Mike married.

Immediately following the ceremony, margaritas were served in mason jars to pay homage to the holiday. At the reception, Stephanie’s vision came together beautifully. Every table was covered with burlap and topped with beautiful floral arrangements, vintage vases and pastel colored mason jars crafted by the unbelievably talented Amy Osaba. At every seat, the guests were greeted with a thank you from the bride and groom and were told to help themselves to the candy and cookie bar.  The main attraction of the room was the head table, an old estate table lined with a sparkly chevron runner and covered with beautiful arrangements and brightly-colored Anthropologie napkins at every seat. The backs of Mike and Stephanie’s seats were tied together with Mr. and Mrs. lettering. The entire table was tied together by a beautiful ivory ribbon chandelier that hung above the table. After the first dances ended, the guests were invited to the buffets, each with a different theme; the Southern buffet featured items such as fried chicken and corn bread; the Mediterranean buffet offered Greek salad and hummus; and of course there had to be a Mexican buffet with freshly-made quesadillas and a salsa bar. After cutting the beautiful tiered cake topped with fresh peonies, the guests danced the night away to Atlanta Beat, a band that really knows how to get a crowd up and dancing. Before the night was over, Mike joined the band to sing Stephanie their song, “Sweet Caroline.” At the end, the guests sent Stephanie and Mike off as newlyweds with a sparkler exit. An unbelievably beautiful wedding all around.

Wedding Photography: Lauren Nicole Studios / Wedding Venue: Puritan Mill in Atlanta, Georgia / Wedding Planning: Callie Garrett of We Tie The Knots / Floral Design + Decor: Amy Osaba / Catering: Bold American Events / Wedding Cake: Sweet Caroline’s Cakes / Band: Atlanta Beat / Wedding Dress: Christos “Femme”

The sweet southern charm mixed with the seriously stylish loft venue of this wedding by Brita Photography could not be a more perfect match. It just could not. It compliments the other perfect match dancing around in this post, and that is the oh-so-adorable duo saying I do. They are just too cute for words, and their personality-filled fête is making for one stylish Monday! See it all here!

From Brita Photography… This DIY wedding was filled with beautiful, rustic details. From mason jars, vintage Coke decorations and wooden crates to burlap flowers and elegant branch centerpieces, every single detail was made and designed (even their logo!) by Ian and Victoria.

Ian and Victoria are the bride and groom that every photographer dreams of working with. They are the sweetest, kindest, most thoughtful, in love and gorgeous couple you will ever meet! Seriously! (Sounds cheesy, I know.) I can’t tell you how many times during their day that Victoria asked me how I was doing or if I wanted to have a seat. They sent us their custom-designed save-the-dates along with their custom-made wedding invitation, and they even reserved seats for us at their reception with the most delicious chicken, roasted red potatoes and vegetables. It’s the small things. We were so appreciative to work with them and have them as our clients, and even more so now that we’ve become friends.

Wedding Photography: Brita Photography / Reception: The Foundry at Puritan Mill in Atlanta, Georgia / Wedding Coordination: Lauren Duplantis / Floral Design: DIY by the Bride / Wedding Cake: McEntyre’s Bakery / DJ: DJ Spanks / Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero via Bride Beautiful / Hair: Gina Earnest / Makeup: Vanessa Burnham / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew

It doesn’t get much more classic Atlanta than this exquisite (and undoubtably timeless) affair by Robin Nathan Photography. The stunning Bride and dashing Groom kept things simple and clean letting the historic Swan House venue speak for itself and Unique Floral Expressions kept things fresh with a bright yellow palette, incorporating artichokes and succulents into the bouquets! See it all right here!

From Robin Nathan Photography… Brenda and Brent are such a great couple. Their wedding was a perfect reflection of their life, music, art and a blend of timeless and modern. Choosing the Swan House as the venue was a perfect choice. Adding the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra set the bar very high for a classic Atlanta feel. The table names were Atlanta street names, which were displayed on a vintage city map. The groom’s cake featured a skyline decoration. But they also wanted a modern and funky vibe as a contrast to the venue. Working off the colors of chrome and marigold, their florist, Julie Coffin of Unique Floral Expressions, added a modern feel by using artichokes, baby clementines, succulents, king protea and dusty miller. Instead of a traditional guest book, they provided a Scrabble board for their guests to build on through the evening. They went vintage with a polaroid camera for a DIY photo booth. Brent is a printer and brought the letterpress plate of the invitation to be photographed. (How cool is that!?)

Wedding Photography: Robin Nathan Photography / Ceremony: Swan House at the Atlanta History Center in Atlanta, Georgia / Reception: McElreath Hall at the Atlanta History Center in Atlanta, Georgia / Event Planning: Courtney Surber Paz Weddings & Events / Floral Design: Unique Floral Expressions / Wedding Cake: Sweet Sensations / Paletas: King of Pops / Wedding Invitations: DIY by the Groom / Music: Atlanta Symphony Orchestra / Wedding Dress: Amy Kuschel via Kelly’s Closet / Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade / Hair Comb: Lulu Splendor / Groom’s Tuxedo: Black by Vera Wang

Give me a Bride in a Claire Pettibone gown and photographed to perfection by Simply Bloom Photography and I give you my undivided and whole heartedly enamored attention. Done deal. But all gorgeous dress and breath-taking photography aside, this wedding is chock full of amazing vendors who built a gem one lovely layer at a time. From the wild florals by Lucky + Lovely to a sea of steal-worthy details crafted by Simply Charming Socials + the Bride, there’s a whole lot to love. And you can love it all night long in the full gallery.

From the Bride… We had over a year to plan, which was perfect for me — I had so many ideas I wanted to execute that I knew it would take a long time to put everything into place. I knew the second I found pictures of Fair Weather Farm that I had found where we should get married. It was remotely-located  and surrounded by acres of beautiful land, a lake and a 200-year-old oak tree that took my breath away. Getting Christine at Simply Bloom as our photographer was a no brainer for us as well. We knew from day one that besides our venue, having an amazing photographer was at the very tippy-top of our list in terms of what we thought was most important. When I found them online, I fell in love with their amazing photographs and overall aesthetic and knew we had to book them. Luckily, when we found Fair Weather Farm, we also found Danielle and Kristine, our wedding coordinators, who spent countless hours helping me narrow down my vision and ended up executing it perfectly. They also helped us find our amazing florist, Melanie, who created some of the most beautiful arrangements I’ve ever seen. My bouquet was so beautiful that Danielle and Melanie made me have a “first look” with it! Melanie also created giant gold flowers and pom-pom flowers for the ceremony, and Danielle and Kristine individually spray-painted hundreds of animals gold to create the amazing tablescapes for the reception. 

As so many people have said of their wedding planning, ours was truly a labor of love. So many wonderful friends and family members spent hours helping me brainstorm, one of our close friends letterpressed each invitation and RSVP card by hand, my maid of honor helped stuff all of our invitation envelopes, Brian’s father cooked for the rehearsal dinner, my older brother played guitar during the ceremony, I painted the programs, one of Brian’s groomsmen set up an AMAZING photo booth (which he later made into a video) … and I could go on and on. Although at the time planning was stressful, we felt such an outpouring of love from everyone which helped us immensely. Of course, without the help — of every kind — and support of our parents, our wedding wouldn’t have been what it was. We are so incredibly thankful to them for everything they contributed.

The day of the wedding we were panicking because there was a 30% chance of rain, and EVERYTHING was happening outside. We had an option to set everything up inside, and I almost pulled the trigger on it, even though it wasn’t what I had envisioned at all. I was talking with my dad, in tears at the salon, because I was so disappointed that everything I had planned could be ruined by the rain, and he said, “Hannah, would you be more disappointed if it didn’t rain and we had moved it inside, or if it DID rain and everything got soaked?” and I knew at that moment that I had to follow through with what I wanted and keep everything outside. In the end, even if it did rain, it would still be a beautiful and joyful day, and that was all that mattered. And you know what? There wasn’t a cloud in the sky from start to finish, and we danced the night away under the super moon. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect way to celebrate marrying the love of my life, surrounded by all the people who had shaped us and made us who we are today. 

Wedding Photography: Simply Bloom Photography, LLC / Wedding Venue: Fair Weather Farms in Monroe, Georgia / Wedding Design, Planning + Decor: Simply Charming Socials + The Bride / Floral Design: Melanie Hernquist of Lucky + Lovely / Catering: Home.Made Catering / Wedding Cake: Deborah’s Specialty Cakes / Wedding Invitations: Bess Gaby, A Friend of the Bride / Wedding Programs: The Bride / Vintage Rentals: Blue Eyed Yonder / Rentals: Goodwin Rentals / Ceremony Guitar: The Bride’s Brother / DJ: Michael Doyle of Lethal Rhythms / Photo Booth: A Friend of the Groom / Wedding Dress: Claire Pettibone / Bride’s Shoes: ZiGiNY / Hair: Rizzie at Republic Salon / Makeup: Keka Heron

I have a confession. Even though I am a full blown wedding junkie, I thought about eloping more than once when planning my big day. There is something so incredibly romantic about running off with the love of your life to say I do, just you two. It’s even better when you get to bring along the talents of Minutes of Love Photography so all the romance is captured on film – which is just what this new Mr. & Mrs. did allowing us to get lost in all the love in the full gallery of images!

From the Bride… Spencer and I met in sixth grade at summer camp. We were friends at first, and then in eighth grade, we began dating. The jewelry on the bouquet is from all those years spent together — the promise ring he gave me in high school and my mom’s wedding band. When the day came, I felt very at ease and secure. It was truly the day we had been talking about since were were in eighth grade (we had always told each other we wanted to marry the other, even from the beginning). We had a very small ceremony to keep it intimate. We just wanted the day to focus on the two of us making commitments to one another … and get to the root of what marriage truly is about — two people.

You know what I love? Garden weddings and this is about as gardeny as they come. You know the type: loads of greenery and fresh florals as far as the eye can see. This Georgia peach has all that and more with images by The Studio B Photography that tell a tale of an oh so in love couple and their alfresco shindig with the cutest floral bridesmaids dresses might I add. It’s pretty times a mil and you can see it all right here!

From The Studio B Photography… Victoria is one of those people who wins you over with her warm, outgoing personality as soon as you meet her. An artist and an actress, she is simultaneously hilarious, dramatic and elegant. Shawn brings out the very best in her and is happy to let his darling fiancé shine like the star she is. Their wedding day was bright and sunny — the perfect accompaniment to their laid-back garden party. It was filled with so much genuine happiness and the contagious kind of laughter that makes you tilt back your head and giggle with glee. The styling of the wedding was beautiful, with each table featuring a completely different centerpiece, yet they all tied together perfectly. Instead of a traditional guestbook, the couple set out a display of keys with tags attached. Guests left “keys to a happy marriage” and shared relationship advice with the bride and groom. The bridesmaids each wore a different dress, all floral prints to coordinate with the overall theme of the day. After a gorgeous outdoor ceremony, the site was transformed into a beautiful dance floor under the stars. Everyone had a wonderful time!

Wedding Photography: The Studio B Photography / Wedding Venue: Brumby Hall & Gardens in Marietta, Georgia (770-427-2500) / Floral Design + Styling: Annette Joseph / Wedding Day Coordination: Sharon Fisher Events / Officiant: Jeremiah O’Keefe-West / Catering: Hilton Atlanta/Marietta Hotel & Conference Center / Wedding Cake + Pies: Gabriel’s / Wedding Invitations: Studio Four Three / Wedding Programs: DIY by the Bride / DJ: Disc Jockey Etc. / Wedding Dress: Casablanca Bridal / Custom Sleeve Alterations: Lily of Bravura Bridal / Bride’s Shoes: Seychelles / Hair + Makeup: Hair Art Day Spa / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: ModCloth / Groom’s Suit: J.Crew / Men’s Ties: General Knot & Co.

We might be smack dab in the middle of summer, but for all of you brides out there planning your fall fête – get your bookmarks ready, because this wedding by Paperlily Photography is favorite-worthy. The flowers by Stylish Stems alone are enough to fill up your favorites’ folder, and when you add pretty as can be details and a pup in a bow tie, well – you have one lovely wedding and one fab full gallery!

From the Bride… Planning my wedding was truly one of the easiest tasks I’ve ever had to do. I owe so much of that to my husband, who shares my vision and understands my dreams — not to mention the fact that he agreed with everything I described to him. I also owe many “thank you’s” to my florist, Heather Oliver at Stylish Stems. At my first meeting with her, I bombarded her with my vision of “vintage rustic” and “non-traditional” ideas. The only words I could use to describe what image I had in my head was “rustic, vintage, nature, branches, moss, romantic, candles, glass, mason jars, wildflowers, coupled with a peacock feather.” With the various adjectives that I threw at her, she was able to create exactly the image I had in my head … and more.

Nick and I had our first date at Piedmont Park during sunset so it was undoubtedly where we wanted to get married. Magnolia Hall Lawn was the perfect place for Nick and I to say “I do” while the sun went to rest. Our close friend Kyle Gordon played a Spanish guitar, singing a variation of Bob Marley’s “Turn Your Lights Down Low” while I walked down the aisle. Nick and I shared our vows under a large oak tree which symbolized so much for us. Our officiant, Reverend Donna said it best, “Marriage creates from two committed spirits one beautiful tree of life. It’s roots are the trust and devotion that underlie each action, thought and motive. It’s branches are experience created, hopes realized, and dreams pursued. And it’s blossoms are the kisses, gentle words and tender sighs that decorate each day, and beautify the union of two loving hearts.” It was under this large oak tree, decorated with beautiful white lanterns, where I kissed my husband for the first time. That moment was magical.

The reception decor was just as perfect, with each table having an arrangement of flowers similar to my bouquet sitting in a water-filled mason jar, wrapped with twine, and surrounded by candles that flickered throughout the night. The estate table couldn’t have been better put together — a center runner of green sheet moss with interwoven grapevine going down the full length of the table. Ivory dendrobium orchids sat on the moss in various places. A moss-covered “N” and “J” hung by twine on each side of the mantle which was covered by 50 candles protected by glass votives and pillars. The decor and arrangements were better than I could have imagined — a dream come true. Although the flowers and decor pieces were perfect, I couldn’t have done any of it without the help of my day-of coordinator, Susan Roberson with Endive. Susan listened to all of my ideas and ensured that each one of them were executed flawlessly and without any worry to me. As the sole wedding planner, most of my inspiration came from Etsy, Style Me Pretty and my heart. My DIY projects and fun ideas included an interactive guestbook where our guests could take a Polaroid picture, sign it, and hang it on twine with a clothespin, a still slideshow that showcased our love-story, seed bombs so our guests could spread the love, luggage tags for our guests to write advice to hang on a tree, a photo booth and props (compliments of Paperlily Photography), our pup in a homemade tux (thanks to our dear friend Earnest Randall), a vintage suitcase filled with cards, and a table dedicated to our parent’s wedding day to always remember what true love is all about.    

Wedding Photography: Brooke Drellos + Christy Gillam of Paperlily Photography / Ceremony + Reception Venue: Magnolia Hall at Piedmont Park in Atlanta, Georgia / Floral Design: Heather Oliver of Stylish Stems / Wedding Coordination + Catering: Susan Roberson of Endive / Wedding Cake: Publix / Reception Signs + Decor: DIY by the Bride + Friends / Guitar: Kyle Gordon (A Friend of the Couple) / Band: Kingsized / Wedding Dress: Vintage via Le Dress Boutique / Hair + Makeup: Cathi Chandler of Bridal Styles by Cathi / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Anthropologie

I don’t know about you, but whenever I see a wedding with this much southern charm, I wish I was a belle myself. Luckily, we can all live vicariously through the lens of Carla Gates Photography who caught every.single.detail from this rustic Atlanta celebration! The custom lemonade stand, chalkboard signage and bow-tie clad gents captured my heart…and you’ll be smitten too when you peek through the full gallery!

From Carla Gates Photography… It was such an honor to not only get to capture, but to be a part of Laurie and Caleb’s magical wedding day! They have such a gentle sweetness between them and such a warm surrounding of family and friends whose love absolutely permeated the air all around. Laurie, as well as the many wonderful vendors involved, worked so hard to dream up and produce all of the beautiful details that came so wonderfully together to create the perfect Southern Soiree they had been dreaming of! It was an evening to remember and I can’t say enough how grateful I was to get to work alongside such talented, wonderful people!

From the Bride… It all started with a walk on the beach among some of our closest friends. We had just met, and as we walked, Caleb told me his life story; the conversation was so real. Being the quieter one who loves to listen, I only got a few words in but enjoyed our time so much. Over time, we became good friends and continued to grow that friendship until a year later on a fateful night after a kickball party when Caleb asked me on a date. I said, “Yes,” and it wasn’t long before we realized that what we had was extraordinary! Ten months later he proposed, and I couldn’t have been more elated to marry the man of my dreams! Having both grown up in Georgia, there was no question that it would be a southern affair. We began by taking inspiration for the feel of the day from one of my all time favorite cities, Charleston, South Carolina. Fried chicken, mac-n-cheese, collard greens and biscuits were a must and absolutely had to be accompanied by none other than some good ol’ southern sweet tea. Additionally, we wanted to have a church that reflected Christ, a choir that echoed His presence, and a band to play fantastic music as we danced the night away! We felt so fortunate to have found Mao Tao of Four Inch Fold, who has become a dear friend in helping to bring our vision to life! Farm tables, old books and lanterns dangling from the trees combined with the dreamy, old-world feel of Rhodes Hall was truly incredible. I have to admit though, my absolutely most favorite moment of the day was having a gospel choir lead us and the bridal party from the church to Rhodes Hall singing “Oh Happy Day!” The guests were enjoying their pimento sandwiches and sweet tea on the lawn at Rhodes Hall as the choir, with us close behind, rounded the corner of Peachtree Street, carrying such beautiful melodies as we made our entrance as husband and wife! I will forever cherish March 31, 2012, as such a sweet celebration of the amazing union God has given us!

Wedding Photography: Carla Gates Photography / Ceremony: Peachtree Christian Church in Atlanta, Georgia / Reception: Rhodes Hall in Atlanta, Georgia / Reception Venue Contact: Chrystal Butts / Event Planning + Coordination: Kathleen Dennison / Floral Design: Jennifer Euart of Elizabeth Lucille Floral and Event Design / Wedding Cinematography: Rodinis Films / Catering: Zest Atlanta / Wedding Cake: Gabriel’s Desserts / Wedding Invitations + Paper Goods: Diane Rember of Calligraphy Expressions / Vintage Rentals: Four Inch Fold / Band: Yacht Rock Revue / Wedding Dress: Rivini via Bridals by Lori / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Bride’s Hair: Kristo Willson of Melrose & McQueen Salon / Bride’s Makeup: Diego Christian / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid / Grooms’ Suit: Bridals by Lori