Georgia Weddings

Inspired by the hues of a salt marsh just steps away from the Jekyll Island Club Resort, this native-Georgian bride planned her dream wedding day in pale blues, greens, and neutrals – a feminine take on the Coastal Grandmother aesthetic! Take notes because we can’t stop obsessing over the stand-out details of the day – the black and white dance floor and the oyster shell escort display, handmade by the bride’s father, to name a few. Kati Mallory Photo Design captured this elevated classic to perfection, ‘sea’ for yourself in the full gallery!

Jacqueline and Ryan’s wedding took place in Jekyll Island, Georgia. Just a short drive away from Jacqueline’s hometown of Saint Simon Island, Jekyll Island was the perfect place to have their friends and family gather to celebrate the beginning of their marriage. Miraculously, the couple did not use an official wedding planner and instead designed this stunning affair with Jacqueline’s impeccable taste.

The wedding color palette was inspired by the colors of the salt marsh – pale blues, greens, tans and golds – which is located only steps away from Crane Cottage where the ceremony and reception were held. Guests got to experience sunshine and the breeze coming in from the marsh as Jacqueline & Ryan exchanged vows under the Spanish moss blowing in the trees above.

Their reception, held in the gardens of the cottage, featured a classic black and white dance floor and greenery, along with an escort card wall, designed and built by the bride’s father and showcasing oyster shells, that helped guests find their seats before the plated dinner service began.

Overall it was a beautiful spring day on the Georgia coast!

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Photography: Kati Mallory Fine Art Photography | Coordination: Jekyll Island Club Hotel | Floral Design: Edward on St. Simons | Wedding Dress: Anne Barge | Cake: Hollaway's Bakery | Invitations: Love, Annie | Rings: Cachet Fine Jewelry | Band: Emerald Empire Band | Venue: Jekyll Island Club Hotel | Wedding Venue: Jekyll Island Club Hotel | Beauty: B.lush Salon and Spa | Cups and Cocktail Napkins: The Essential Market | Earrings: Vivian Drew | Painter: Maggie Kuhn | Pajamas: Petite Plume | Rentals: Beachview Event Rentals and Design | Veil: Tailored Tulle

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When this couple first visited Crane Cottage, hundreds of butterflies were flitting about the property gardens. They couldn’t forget this magical scene, which ended up providing a beautiful bit of inspiration for their special day. Custom silk butterflies were tucked into the floral arrangements by Colonial House of Flowers, and a beautiful watercolored butterfly by Every Little Letter was incorporated into the stationery. Yes, it’s as enchanting as it sounds, so head into this gorgeous gallery photographed by Sarah Ingram.

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When D.C. couple, Courtney and Chris, started planning their wedding, they knew a destination affair was the right move for them. The bride grew up in Florida and knew she wanted a coastal location where guests could really disconnect and treat the trip not only as a wedding weekend but a true getaway. Jekyll Island was a vacation spot for the groom growing up, so the couple decided to visit and see if it felt right for the wedding. The bride says, “We immediately fell in love after touring Crane Cottage for no more than 15 minutes. We both knew this would be it.” The southern charm along with the dreamy landscape including Spanish moss, historic architecture, and the ocean shore steps from the venue was an instant draw.

“I remember when we had initially visited Crane Cottage, that there were a ton of butterflies in the gardens. This stuck with me when I started to think about an underlying theme, and I ended up having custom silk butterflies made, which we sprinkled amongst the floral arrangements. We also had our invitation designer paint watercolor butterflies to weave into our crest on the Save the Dates,” Courtney says.

She also shares a sage piece of advice for other brides-to-be: “Someone told us to take a moment in the midst of everything with your significant other to stand back and take everything all in. I would say that was the most memorable moment of our day! Seeing friends and family all together in one place having a good time is very special.”

Photography: Sarah Ingram | Coordination: Jekyll Island Club Hotel | Floral Design: Colonial House of Flowers, Est. 1968 | Wedding Dress: Marchesa | Cake: Jekyll Island Club Hotel | Invitations: Every Little Something | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Needle & Thread | Catering: Jekyll Island Club Hotel | Hair and Makeup: Emma Collins Beauty | Ceremony Music: Music By Pegge | Venue: Jekyll Island Club Hotel | Bride's Earrings: Mallarino | Film Lab: PhotoVision Prints | Film Lab: Goodman Film Lab

The beach has long been my special place but this one right here takes the cake. Subtle yet striking style and plenty of romance – with just a dash of coastal charm for good measure – this scene is the epitome of summer love if we do say so ourselves. Posh, Petals & Pearls orchestrated the looks and Amanda Watson captured it all for our hungry eyes to enjoy – see every pic right this way!

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From Amanda Watson… I am the host behind this inspiration shoot. I’ve always loved the historical side of Jekyll Island but there are so many other beautiful areas of the island including Driftwood Beach where I have wanted to shoot for some time. I wanted this shoot to bring out the natural textures and tones of the beach and surrounding sights.

I enlisted the help of Posh, Petals & Pearls to perfectly execute this vision. Tara & her team did an impeccable job bringing the beach tablescape to life with custom driftwood place cards, an oyster garland and sea glass votives – perfect for any coastal bride!

Incredible florals from Marble & Pine brought out the colors of the sunset and were such a stunning addition to the table. And the bride’s bouquet was to die for and such perfect florals for any bride of almost any season!

The cake reflected the tones and textures of the waves. Cathy Huber brought it to life with ruffled layers topped with a beautiful silver sea fan and oyster shell.

Our real bride wore a beautiful Carol Hannah gown that flowed in the wind and waves along the shore and if the dress didn’t evoke enough romance, it was just oozing from our real couple Karli and Will having it been just over their one year anniversary – what a perfect way for these still newlyweds to celebrate!

Photography: Amanda Watson Photography | Event Planning: Posh Petals and Pearls | Floral Design: Marble + Pine | Gown: Carol Hannah | Cake: Cathy Huber Cakes | Hair + Makeup: Emma Collins Beauty | Venue: Driftwood Beach | Film Lab: Indie Film Lab | Ribbons: Tono Co | Workshop: Amanda Watson Workshops | Workshop Host: Amanda Watson Photography

When asked what color palette she wanted for her Jekyll Island wedding, this fabulous bride replied, “All of them!” The bespoke watercolor invitation suite by Momental Designs, the beautiful bridesmaids Plum Pretty Sugar robes and Amsale dresses, and the pastel florals by Garden on the Square all helped make her colorful wedding day dream a reality. The end result  – captured by Amy Arrington Photography and Imagine Video Productions  – is oh-so-pretty!

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From the Bride… From our first few dates back in 2013, Steve and I set a tone for our lives together that we would always meet each other halfway. Our relationship was long distance in the beginning, and with us both balancing busy careers in intercollegiate athletics, we measured weeks by football and basketball games. I was living in Orlando, Florida, and Steve was living in Columbia, South Carolina. A chance encounter at a professional development conference had quickly flourished into a relationship that spanned 430 miles. In the beginning, we would take turns hopping on a plane and joining each other for a weekend. These weekends together often consisted of bringing the other person to work functions – our version of date night.

After a few months, we realized we wanted to meet each other halfway geographically. We had both heard about the Golden Isles area of Georgia and quickly started doing our research. First priority of this search was finding a pet friendly hotel and beach for Steve’s puppy, Riley. Through our research, we stumbled upon a pet friendly location called Jekyll Island. Neither of us had ever heard of this former home of America’s elite. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, this small island became the winter retreat for families that represented one sixth of the world’s wealth. Some familiar names that would bring their yachts down from the northeast or travel by railroad include the Rockefellers, Pulitzers, and Carnegies. One winter weekend, Steve, Riley, and I arrived at Jekyll Island and experienced the quiet beauty of this lovely place and learned the rich history of its club. To top it all off, the pet friendly beaches where Riley could run free for miles on end really sealed the deal. Without hesitation, we said this is where we will get married one day!

One year following our first trip to Jekyll Island, I had the opportunity to join Steve in Columbia to finally begin our lives in the same city and to see each other more than twice per month. Six months following my move, on a Saturday in July, we travelled up to Boston to see the Red Sox (Steve’s favorite team) play the Yankees. Steve proposed before boarding a boat to cruise the Boston Harbor. We could barely make it off the celebratory cruise before calling the Jekyll Island Club Hotel to book our wedding!

We knew we wanted a spring date, and with a short ten months to plan, we didn’t waste any time. We communicated what we wanted for our wedding to all of our great vendors and started the planning process. Many people would ask, “What are your colors?” I’d reply, “All the colors!” By combining my vision of all the colors and highlighting the natural beauty of Jekyll Island and the Club, our wedding evolved into everything we wanted it to be and more.

The Jekyll Island Club Hotel is a sprawling property with each building telling another story of the rich history of the turn of the nineteenth century. Steve and I chose to wed at Crane Cottage. It was built in the Italian Renaissance style for the plumbing mogul, Richard Teller Crane, Jr. The cottage features a sunken garden where Steve and I said “I do,” a reflecting pond overlooking the river where we had cocktails, a courtyard where we dined under the stars for dinner, and a living room where we finished off the night dancing before taking off in a 1969 Cadillac DeVille Convertible.

We were beyond grateful for our wonderful family, friends, and vendors that helped make our wedding the perfect day that it was. We wanted to tell a story throughout the weekend and show everyone the reasons we love and appreciate the history of Jekyll Island so much. We even offered our guests the opportunity to take the historic tour hosted by the Jekyll Island Museum to both learn and appreciate our special wedding location.

The tone was set for our wedding with the hand painted and completely custom invitations illustrating the Jekyll Island Club Hotel by Momental Designs. From the intricate flowers by Garden on the Square that were so important to me to the musical stylings of Steve’s brother, Joe, on the keyboard, our wedding truly reflected who we were as a couple. With Amy Arrington Photography behind the camera and Imagine Video Productions handling cinematography, our wedding was immaculately covered so that we can remember every detail for years to come.

I couldn’t pick a favorite moment if I tried because everything from sipping mimosas with my mom and bridesmaids to dancing the night away on the dance floor was flawless. For those searching for a one-of-a-kind destination wedding venue, look no further than the Jekyll Island Club Hotel. To say they outdid themselves would be an understatement. Steve and I were their royalty for the weekend, and even with another wedding on property, it was as if we were William and Kate. Their Southern hospitality was impeccable, and the food was quite possibly the best food I have ever experienced at a catered event. From the endless shellfish station to the customized pasta dishes, the menu and memories of the cuisine will leave us with cravings for years and years to come.

For those that are about to embark on the planning process, my advice is to tell a story about who you are as a couple or even the location you so carefully picked to wed, pick vendors that you trust and work well with, and just enjoy the process. What every former bride says is true – time flies when you’re having fun, and this day will flash before your eyes. Take those moments to breathe and admire the perfection that has been created to celebrate you and your new spouse. I promise it will be the best day of your life. And when the dust settles and you look back on your wedding, you’ll give anything to do it all over again. For Steve and me, we’ll always have Jekyll Island, the memories of the most perfect day, and the commitment to always meet halfway.

Photography: Amy Arrington Photography | Cinematography: Imagine Video Production | Event Planning: Caroline Carter Events | Floral Design: Garden On The Square | Wedding Dress: Demetrios Bride | Stationery: Momental Designs | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | Makeup: Patricia Koziack | Hair: Bienvenue | DJ: All About You Entertainment | Men's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Venue: Jekyll Island Club Hotel | Bridesmaids' Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar | Catering and Cake: Jekyll Island Club Hotel | Ceremony and Late Night Music: Joe (brother of the groom) | Getaway Car: Martins Wedding Transportation | Rentals: Beachview Tent Rentals | Save the Dates: Natty Michelle Paperie | Signage: Lilah Paper | Sparkling Wine: Schramsberg Vineyards

We’re big fans of coastal soirees and when it comes to saying “I do” with the stunning blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean as your backdrop, Jekyll Island Club Hotel is IT. From the crazy cool venue options to the breathtaking views to the talented staff that knows everything about throwing a fab wedding, this is a place that has dream day written all over it. See just what I mean below.

Whether you’re planning an intimate soiree for two, want to celebrate the night away with 300 of your nearest and dearest or fall somewhere firmly in between, Jekyll Island Club Hotel has you totally covered with their 30 years of wedding planning experience and variety of breathtaking venues. Think the sand-in-your-toes perfection of the Beach Pavilion, the Italian Renaissance-inspired Crane Cottage and the luxurious Morgan Center… just to name a few. Not to mention their world-class catering, top-notch event professionals and chic accommodations that will make every invited guest sooo happy. It just doesn’t get better, you guys.

From romantic celebrations overlooking the water to nights spent cozying up in true Victorian style, Jekyll Island Club Hotel is most definitely the locale for you… We promise. Contact them today to start your journey towards happily ever after.

Photography: Caitlin Lee Photographers | Photography: Peacock Photo and Video

Jennifer Blair, I love you. I love the way you capture moments, and the way your images just overflow with prettiness. I’ll continue professing my admiration for your talent for as long as you send us gorgeous features like this one, where each image is worthy of the most prized spot on this couple’s mantle. If I were them, I would fill my entire house with each of these work-of-art images sitting in this gallery, because they are just.that.gorgeous – and you can see precisely what I am talking about right here.

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Jennifer Blair Photography…This romantic session was captured on Jekyll Island, most of which feature the backdrop of Crane Cottage. The immaculate gardens and architecture was styled after the Italian Renaissance when built in 1917. Walking around the terraces and courtyard provides a little slice of Europe on the Georgia coast. Combined with the gargantuan Oaks adorned with Spanish moss, Jekyll Island is one of the most romantic destinations for miles. This nostalgic and European inspired place was the perfect backdrop for this stunning couple and their overflowing love. Lindsay & James danced and whispered in corners as if they belonged there. The scenery just added to the ethereal feel of the entire session.

Photography: Jennifer Blair Photography | Wedding Venue: Jekyll Island Club Hotel

This shoot? It’s three doses of fabulous inspiration all sitting in one oh-so-pretty gallery captured by Brooke Roberts Photography. And really, how can you go wrong with that? Three gorgeous floral designs from English Gardens, three different set ups from Fancy Plates and three different all around looks  – it sounds too good to be true, but it’s true alright, and it’s all sitting pretty right here.

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From Brooke Roberts Photography… One wedding dress, one table, one location, three different looks created using a focus on details, regional flowers, eclectic plating and custom accents.  

A picture perfect romantic spot nestled among the sweeping branches of a majestic live oak, decorated by mother nature in dreamy spanish moss, provided the blank state for a themed inspiration shoot to show how the personality of an event can be transformed with simple styling.

Classic Cream and Ivory were the basis of our first vision. Taking this very elegant yet simple color theme and adding in touches of gold and lace gave it southern charm and beauty. The florals were a nod to the natural surroundings using autumn fern,  hydrangea, stock, rose, queen anne’s lace, spanish moss and hypericum. Vintage wood spools were repurposed as bud vases and  antique chairs provided a luxurious seating arrangement. A favorite element was the stunning gold flatware and how perfectly it accented the gold rimmed china and amber glassware. Our brides dress was given the graceful additions of a vintage cathedral length veil, a French Alencon Lace bridal bolero with 3/4 length sleeve and a timeless strand of pearls. The stationery was simple with an elegant scroll font and carried through on the theme with a touch of lace. For dessert we added a decadently moist vanilla cupcake with buttercream frosting to each guest’s plate.

A fun and flirty mixture of peach and mint was the centerpiece for our second styled look. The use of light pink garden roses, dusty miller, wax flower, seeded eucalyptus, ferns, mint and fresh peaches created this soft romantic setting. Accented with a whimsical mixture of mismatched vintage china and crisp linens this tablescape is perfectly fitted for spring. Four simple wooden chairs became a bold and bright feature with the addition of torn fabric arranged into an ombre pattern. Mint colored buttons were a fun way to add in more detail and color to the table and provide a super cute surprise for guests when they realize that they are made of chocolate and equally as yummy as they are adorable. The playful striped invitations, rsvp’s and place settings kept the peach and mint color theme going as does the jewelry selected for our bride. Exquisite feminine style was added with a peach reception dress complimented with a pretty up-do. The cake was trimmed with flowers top to bottom with the smell of sweet sugar and fresh flowers interlacing into a tantalizing aroma.

Our final source of inspiration was the very essence of our coastal setting. Taking a color cue from the blue of the ocean and the tan sand lining the golden isles of Georgia we created a relaxed and charming palette. The custom save the dates were designed to give guests a hint at the wedding colors and to set the tone. Natural palmetto fronds, blue delphiniums, hydrangeas, rose, and spanish moss created our dramatic coastal driftwood centerpiece. The table was framed by brightly painted mismatched thrift store found chairs and set with lovely layered arrangements of pretty blue accented china. Bringing in more of the same vibrant blue from the chairs was a selection of painted vases and jars holding more fresh flowers. The delicate ruffled ombre cake added in another color pop and texture to our coastal inspired tablescape.  The addition of a seersucker blazer and vintage jewelry gave the dress a very non-traditional and different look.

Imagination, functionality and depth offer up limitless possibilities for the creative Bride, Enjoy.

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Wedding Photography: Brooke Roberts Photography | Location: Jekyll Island Historic District in Jekyll Island, Georgia | Floral Design: English Gardens | Wedding Cake + Cupcakes: Ranae Peeples from Nae Nae’s Cakes | Chocolate Buttons: The Frosted Petticoat | Vintage Rentals + Design: Fancy Plates | Wedding Stationery: Chelsea Erickson Designs for Arcreative | Lace Bolero: Alisa Benay | Hair + Makeup: Ashley Edenfield from Kimberly’s Back Porch | Model: Julia Savage Morrison

From the very moment I started reading this darling bride’s description of her day, I knew I was going to love her AND her wedding.  Because not only is she one of the sweetest brides you’ll ever have the privilege to virtually meet (she sooo is), she and her Mr. crafted a day that was literally overflowing with meaningful details, heartwarming moments and, of course, a whole lot of pretty.  Swoontastic?  Yes, indeed.  See it all captured by Thompson Photography Group in the full gallery.

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And a beautiful look at the day from Key Moment Films…

From the Bride… We always knew that we wanted a destination wedding, but we were just unsure where that place was. We loved the idea of spending the weekend with all of our loved ones, instead of one quick day. After pulling onto the property of Jekyll Island Club Hotel I immediately fell in love with its beauty and charm. After touring the hotel it was clear that this was where I would marry my best friend. 

The highlight of our wedding was our ceremony. We both played a very active part in writing our ceremony with our officiant, I think that helped make our ceremony that much more intimate. There were close to 100 people there, but it only felt like Chris and me. I was happy and overcome with emotion and couldn’t stop laughing. We decided to do traditional and non-traditional vows and hearing the words that came from the bottom of his heart was so touching. Another highlight of our wedding was our Same Day Edit by Key Moment Films. At the end of the night they played a quick film of the day. From us getting ready, walking down the aisle, first kiss/dance and announcing us as Mr. & Mrs. for the first time. Sitting down and watching the day with my husband, family and friends was amazing. That was when the waterworks started. All of our family and friends were so impressed by the quick editing skills of our amazing videographers. Another great part of that was when we were able to watch it on our honeymoon. We were able to relive our day over and over again.

I wore 4 pieces of jewelry all which came from my mom and mother-in-law. My mom let me borrow her anniversary ring and my late grandmother’s wedding ring, they were my something old and borrowed. They were beautiful, and I felt so special wearing them. For a shower gift my mother-in-law gave me earrings from Boca Raton Bridal and a bracelet from Nordstrom.

Even before being engaged I always knew I wanted a romantic country chic wedding. I knew I wanted something simple and the elements of nature. We had such an amazing location that there really wasn’t much that needed to be added, and that’s what drew me to Jekyll Island. The Island speaks for itself.

My mom and I did a lot of DIY for the wedding. We bought picture frames and painted the inside with chalk paint for the table “numbers,” however to tie in Chris’s love for fishing we used fish names instead of the traditional table numbers. We also made the place cards with a wine cork, we made welcoming bags that were filled with a welcoming note, water, fish mix (trail mix) and homemade chocolate dipped pretzels and oreos with sprinkles. My mom also made a MR and MRS sign that hung behind of chairs, a “cards” sign that hung from an old suitcase. Chris is an avid fisherman, so for the boutonniere we bought fishing lures and had the florist wrap them with eucalyptus.

We said a prayer for all of our family members that could not be with us. That was especially touching, meaningful and hard for Chris. His older brother passed away and I know it would have meant to world to Chris to have Jeff there on our wedding day.

The afternoon of our wedding it poured, and I mean poured. Our ceremony site and reception site both had to be relocated. I was so upset; this wedding I had dreamt of, spent a year and a half planning was ruined. Or so I thought… Our amazing vendors did a fabulous job recreating an even better dream for me and Chris. Know that there will be hiccups, and things don’t always go as planned, but remember the most important thing, you are marrying your best friend and that is all that matters!

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Photography: Thompson Photography Group | Venue: Jekyll Island Club Hotel | Floral Design: The Vine Garden Market | Cinematography: Key Moment Films | Dress: Jasmine Couture from Boca Raton Bridal & Consultants | Makeup: Makeup by Paulina Perez | DJ: Skip Kelly Productions | Shoes: Aldo + Stephen Bonanno | Bridesmaid Dresses: Monique Lhuillier via Nordstrom | Flower Girl Dresses: Gurliglam | Suits: Jos. A. Bank

I knew from the moment I laid my eyes on these gorgeous images by Sarah Deshaw, I was going to love this wedding.  Love it in that way that only seersucker suits, pretty pink hues and touches of burlap can bring.  Because when sweet Southern elegance meets intimate garden party, you can’t help but adore every last minute.  That’s a fact, lovelies.  See all of the pretty planned by Jekyll Island Club Hotel in the full gallery.  You’ll love it just as much as me.

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From the Bride… From the very beginning we decided that we wanted a small intimate destination wedding. We wanted a few guests who we absolutely knew would remain close to us for the remainder of our lives. That was the theme. The best years of our lives are yet to come. And because Hunter was 40 and I was 30 we had many friends and relatives with young children. My parents are from The Netherlands and Hunter’s are from the South. We needed it to be small so that people could learn one another’s accents! Also, we wanted a place that was kid friendly and where everyone could really get to know one another. Having attended graduate schools in both New England and Texas,  we had friends from all of the country and world. Folks came from Washington, California, The Netherlands, Israel, Uruguay, Texas, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Colorado and Arizona. And it was great. Everyone mingled and got to know each other.  

As soon as we found our wedding location the planning began. We wanted something that was classic, romantic, and that incorporated the incredible natural surroundings of Jekyll Island, particularly the dramatic trees enveloped in Spanish moss.  We designed our wedding based on soft pinks, greens, and whites and infused them into small details throughout the wedding. Classic touches included white lace, simple font type and pink details. A splash of burlap added an earthy feel. Our calligrapher designed a monogram with our first initials that was displayed on cups, napkins, programs, and cigars. In addition to the decorations, our main priority was creating a family affair that was convenient, fun and interactive. Being a second grade special education teacher, I wanted it to be child friendly as well.

In lieu of a guest book, we created a gorgeous wishing tree, a Dutch tradition that invites guests to write their wishes for the bride a groom. The kids table enjoyed activity books and fun games. After dinner, champagne was passed and all the guests were ushered into the middle of the courtyard for a group photo (taken from the upstairs balcony). We were then introduced for our first dance as a married couple, a fox trot to Eta James’ “At Last,” for which we had practiced endlessly. My father, an engineer by day and competitive ballroom dancer by night, surprised me with a quickstep for the father-daughter dance to “Shall We Dance.” The groom and his mother danced to James Taylor’s “Carolina in my Mind,” which brought tears to family members around the dance floor. The rest of the night, guests enjoyed dancing, a photo booth, a cigar bar, and a late night snack of honey baked ham and biscuits. We ended the party with a sparkling send off!

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Wedding Photography: Sarah Deshaw | Wedding Venue: Jekyll Island Club Hotel, Crane Cottage in Jekyll Island, Georgia | Wedding Planner: Jessica Shell from Jekyll Island Club Hotel | Floral Design: Stacy Bass from Straton Hall | Music: Spike at the Beach | Ceremony Music: Deborah Ray | Wedding Invitations: Paper and Chocolate | Wedding Stationery: Josie Patrick at VivalaLovely | Wedding Dress: Paloma Blanco via Isis Bridal Boutiques | Jewelry: Nadri via Nordstrom Wedding Suite | Rings: The Diamond Doctor | Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka + Vera Wang Lavender | Groom’s Attire: Jos.A.Bank | Hair: Amy Jenkins (912.634.0546) | Makeup: Eva Liptak (912.399.3035)

Looking for the world’s sweetest duo?  We found them.  Right here in this Jekyll Island engagement session captured by Brooke Roberts Photography.  An engagement session, mind you, that happens to mix gorgeous hues and beyond beautiful cultural elements with one seriously stunning setting.  And the aforementioned world’s sweetest duo?  Well, they used their e-session as an “excuse” to vacation in one of Georgia’s sweetest locales.  Yep, we love them.  See it all in the full gallery.

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From the Bride… Our engagement photos were taken at Jekyll Island in Georgia. Neither one of us had ever been and BOTH of us needed a break from work, school, and wedding planning…so we thought why not kill two birds with one stone and do our engagement session there, too! Abbas & I wanted to create an engagement session that represented us along with our culture, too. Coming from an Indian/Pakistani background, I love my roots, especially all the COLOR. That is the reason I decided to wear a Sari. Since both of us grew up mostly around the Western culture, we wanted to also include our “Western” side in our photos. The beach pictures represent both of our “calm” personalities.

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Photography: Brooke Roberts Photography | Location: Jekyll Island, Georgia| Bride’s Dress: H&M + ASOS | Bride’s Shoes: H&M + ZARA | Sari: Custom made in Pakistan | Jewelry: H&M | Groom’s Attire: Hugo Boss | Groom’s Shoes: ZARA

There’s so many fun details that make up this pretty blue and yellow wedding by the beach, but I have to admit, the nostalgic nerd in me loves the fact that the bride’s grandfather performed the ceremony. That’s my favorite part. Don’t get me wrong, the ceremony and reception were both drop dead gorgeous and Brooke Roberts Photography captured each moment perfectly. But don’t take my word for it. See it all right here!

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From the Bride… Since I was a little girl, I’ve always dreamed of the “fairy-tale wedding.” I used to make my sisters put a blanket over my head as a veil, draped like a train behind me, and I walked down our long hallway holding a brush for a bouquet. I always hoped I would find someone special that would be waiting for me at the end of my walk, and I have definitely found that in Brett. He is the love of my life, so this day is really going be a dream come true for me. I have always wanted to have an outside wedding by the beach, so when we found The Beachview Club on Jekyll Island, I knew it was the perfect place. That was the first big thing crossed off the list! I like simple but elegant, so that’s what I have aimed for in planning all of the details for our wedding. I loved the idea of using lanterns, so I asked that those be added to the trees that cross over the ceremony spot. My grandfather will be marrying us, and he has performed the ceremonies in all of his grandchildren’s weddings so far. He is one of the greatest men I have ever known, and a very important person in my life, so the ceremony will definitely be special having him officiate. Aside from all of the small details added here and there, I really feel like our friends and family are going to make our day more special than anything. We are so excited to be able to share this day with all of the people that mean the most to us, and my goal is for everyone to just have fun and celebrate!

Wedding Photography: Brooke Roberts Photography / Reception Venue: Beachview Club Hotel in Jekyll Island , Georgia / Floral + Event Design: Straton Hall / Catering + Wedding Cake: Straton Hall / Linens + Party Rentals: Beachview Rentals / Sign Graphic Designer (‘Kick Off Your Shoes’): Chic Weddings by Jamie Irene

So, let’s say we might have already eaten a few extra chocolates and had more slip-ups than our New Year’s resolutions allowed… not that it’s actually happened though, right SMPers? Well, just in case, let this wedding from Brooke Roberts Photography re-inspire you with all the Southern hospitality and charm you could ask for. The Crane Cottage at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel made for a spectacular location for some of the most amazing fireworks and magnificent send-off images I’ve ever seen. Click here for the full wedding.

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From Brooke Roberts Photography… This elegant southern wedding was held at the stunning Crane Cottage and Faith Chapel on Jekyll Island in Coastal Georgia. The bride and groom wanted to envelope their guests in true southern hospitality and charm in one of the south’s finest and most romantic locations. Their inspiration for the wedding was Georgia Peach and they set the tone by presenting each guest with a welcome bag of goodies keeping with the theme. The ladies at Caroline Carter Events worked with the couple to add in countless thoughtful touches that were not only beautiful but also showcased the couple’s personalities. The evening was closed out by the sky being filled with celebratory fireworks before the couple departed in a vintage white rolls royce.

Wedding Photography: Brooke Roberts Photography / Ceremony: Faith Chapel in Jekyll Island, Georgia / Reception: Crane Cottage at Jekyll Island Club Hotel in Jekyll Island, Georgia / Floral Design: The Vine / Wedding Coordination: Caroline Carter Events / Wedding Cinematography: James Futch Video / Catering + Wedding Cake: Jekyll Island Club Hotel / Wedding Invitations: Crane & Co. / Calligraphy: Dede Adams Calligraphy / Ceremony Musicians: Ambiance Trio / Band: Spike at the Beach / Wedding Dress: Rivini “Ilys” / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka “Lacie” / Hair: Bienvenue / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Jim Hjelm “5022”

Matched with her Mr. since the age of 14, this bride made sure she found the perfect venue to say “i do” after many years of waiting for this day to arrive! A long search lead them to the Jekyll Island Club Hotel, and from there, the rest fell into place.  The sunset-inspired florals from Straton Hall Events set the tone for the casual and romantic event captured beautifully by Sarah DeShaw and Artworks Wedding Cinema. See the rest here!

Any time a film from the awesomely-talented Artworks Wedding Cinema falls into our inbox, our hearts do a little happy dance. And this one is no exception — it’s a stunner!

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Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Artworks Wedding Cinema… Cari and Chris had a gorgeous destination wedding at Jekyll Island, Georgia. We started out exploring the island with the two of them for their engagement film just two days before the wedding. They had fun riding bikes and visiting Jekyll Island’s famous Driftwood Beach, and they finished off the shoot at the pier at sunset. We couldn’t wait to film their wedding, and it definitely did not disappoint! The best way to describe their wedding was bright, sunny and full of joy. It was a gorgeous day and all the beautiful, soft pink blooms paired with the abundant sunshine and sunsets just makes your heart sing!

From the Bride… Chris and I are high school sweethearts, and I counted down the days until our wedding since I was 14! We set the date, Sunday, June 3, almost four years ago because I wanted to be married on my grandfather’s birthday. He and my grandmother had the sweetest love I’ve ever known, and I wanted to hold them close on the most important day of my life. I pinned the cameo my grandmother wore in her 1952 graduation photo to my bouquet as my “something old.” Those were the first two decisions we made, and after that the theme of our day came together very easily. Having a Sunday wedding seemed very natural and helped create the comfort we wanted our guests to feel.

We knew from the beginning that we wanted a small, intimate, and romantic wedding. After visiting every venue in North Georgia, I had almost given up hope of finding the perfect place. There were plenty of good options, but nothing felt right. After an afternoon with my mom and sister at a bridal show, I was thumbing through a bridal magazine and saw an ad for the Jekyll Island Club Hotel. It was love at first sight all over again! I told my mom, “I found it! This is where we’re getting married!” We called the next day, drove down that weekend and booked our day with out looking back. As a social studies teacher, the Jekyll Island Club Hotel provided just the vintage, historic elegance I was looking for. It was so wonderful to celebrate our day with those closest to us and have our loved ones nearby all weekend. Those days are memories we will cherish forever!

Inspired by a spectacular sunset over the water in Jekyll Island, we chose a color palette of soft pink, cream and gold for a dreamy, romantic look. I wanted to create a vintage vibe but still keep the look cohesive. The venue was stunning in itself so I wanted to enhance its natural beauty without overshadowing it. My favorite feature of our wedding was the crystal and milk glass centerpieces. The pink flowers complemented the white containers beautifully. Our fantastic florist surprised me with peonies for my bouquet after telling me he couldn’t get them, and it was the sweetest surprise! Our vendors were phenomenal and helped create a day more beautiful than I ever could have dreamed!

Wedding Photography: Sarah DeShaw / Wedding Venue: Jekyll Island Club Hotel in Jekyll Island, Georgia / Floral Design: Straton Hall Events / Wedding Cinematography: Artworks Wedding Cinema / Wedding Film Music: “White Dress” by Ben Rector, Licensed through The Music Bed / Catering + Wedding Cake: Jekyll Island Club Hotel / Band: Spike at the Beach / Wedding Dress: Tara Keely via Bridals by Lori / Bride’s Shoes: Vera Wang Lavender / Bridal Party Attire: Bridals by Lori / Bridal Party Hair: Chelsea Adams of Princeton Salon and Spa / Makeup: Island Day Spa at Jekyll Island Club Hotel

I LOVE surprises. If I could be surprised every day (with something fabulous, of course) I would be the happiest girl in the world. And this adorable bride-to-be got the BEST kind of surprise-you know, the kind with a diamond involved– when her soon-to-be-groom popped the question! Under the guise of a photo shoot, Anna K. Photography caught the entire proposal on film, so the most amazing surprise could be remembered perfectly, forever! See the rest of this sweet proposal here.

Click here for the FULL proposal!

From the Bride-to-Be… As a little girl, I totally had my wedding planned out at age eight — flowers, dress, everything! All I needed was my Prince Charming to come, sweep my off my feet and make my fairy tale complete. As I got older I learned that it wasn’t exactly as easy as all of the movies and stories made it out to be. Well, after many years of searching, I found him; my fairy tale came true. On Friday October 19, 2012 my very best friend got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. We had talked over the summer about getting married, so naturally, after so much anticipation and talk about it all, I knew it was coming. Poor thing, knowing myself, I knew that he had quite the challenge before him. From day one I told David that when the time came he HAD to have Anna hiding in the bushes or the nearest tree to capture every moment of it all. I just knew that in all of the shock and excitement I would forget the small details, and that just couldn’t happen! The Tuesday prior, I received a phone call from Anna explaining that she had been planning a big photo shoot for her blog for months now and that her model had suddenly cancelled on her. After venting out her frustration she asked if there was any way possible that I might be able to fill in as her model. Of course, I was ecstatic and immediately agreed to help her out. I’m not going to lie, after we got of the phone I got a bit curious, but after talking with her and David throughout the week, I slowly started to tell myself that I needed to get that sweet little thought out of my mind that it just wasn’t going to happen.

As Friday approached, I started to get really excited. Anna came and picked me up around 5:15 Friday evening, and we headed over to Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island, Georgia. In the 30 minutes that it took us getting over there I told her all about our first date and how excited I was that I had found my best friend. To tell you the complete truth after that car ride, I was totally convinced that yet again, I was wrong, and that this really was just a blog shoot. I mean, Anna perfected the little white lie to a T, with props and everything! When we arrived, we walked out to the beach to start taking pictures. I grabbed up my bouquet and we started our “photo shoot.” About 15 minutes in, I suddenly felt a tap on my shoulder and I turned around to my David. For the first two second I was in such shock I really didn’t know what was going on until he so gracefully got down on one knee, looked me dead in the eye, and said, “Jeanie Beth, I love you. Marry Me.” I looked back at Anna and then back to David and just grabbed him, squeezing him as tight as I possibly could. I didn’t want to let go, I didn’t want to lose or forget that feeling, until he said, “Well, are you going to put the ring on?” I shouted YES!, gasped over how stunning it was, slipped it on and went in for another hug. I wish so badly that everyone reading this could feel what I felt in that very moment because it was the most beautifully wonderful thing I’ve ever felt in my life thus far. 

Photography: Anna K. Photography / Proposal Location: Driftwood Beach in Jekyll Island, Georgia / Bouquet: Edward on St. Simons / Dress: Hunter Dixon

Ok, I officially can’t get over how adorable this post is. Proposals just make me weak in the knees. I can never get enough of them. The moment a person asks their favorite person in the entire world to hang out with forever and ever – that’s a moment that can’t be beat. And when there just happens to be a lovely photographer like Sarah DeShaw there to capture it all, we all get to gush about it together! See even more here!

Click here for the FULL proposal!

From the Groom… From the moment we came into each other’s lives, this verse from Ephesians 3:20 has described every little detail of our relationship: “Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or imagine.” As we reflect back on God’s purposeful timing, we are in awe of how He directed our love story down to the second as part of His plan for our lives because of His infinite love for us as His children. Leading up to now we often say our relationship has been storybook. Since the author of this story is the Almighty God, then its no wonder the surprises keep getting better. Little moments will happen and I’ll just turn to Mattye and say “storybook.” She grins and gives me one of those smiles I love. Originally I had thought about asking Mattye to be in my life forever on my birthday. I mean who would really be getting the best gift of all on that day? God gave me all the help and blessing I could ask for by allowing the ring to be ready one day before we would leave for our trip to St. Simons. During our second day of the trip we met with David Yarborough, pastor of SSCC, to hear his heart for weddings and offer him our vision of a Godly marriage we desire to have. We talked with him about past life experiences with family and described what we thought the other really needed in a husband or a wife. He gave us the book Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas and posed the question, “What if marriage isn’t just about finding happiness, but was truly created to make us more Holy through sanctification?” Interesting question, we both thought. We believe God plants traits within us to bring our partner closer to HIM.

On the last day of our trip in the final hours of daylight we drove over to Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island. The sun was still hanging around in the sky and a view of sunset was growing near. We met up with our friends and photographers Sarah and Brent Deshaw. Mattye didn’t know it, but I had been in contact with them sharing my plan for the proposal and orchestrating for them to photograph the special moment. All four of us walked along the driftwood trees stepping over and under branches. It was really an amazing setting, almost like a movie set. Brent and Sarah suggested we go exploring, and this was the beginning of some natural cues to come. We walked along the beach holding each other as the sun dipped lower in the sky. Sarah positioned us in some very relaxed poses, but I was a little tense. I just kept holding onto Mattye, saying I love you and giving her kisses. Finally, the moment appeared. I said I believe that 33 years, and one day ago God had knit me together with talents and longings and a purpose. He birthed me out into this world to glorify HIM with all that I am. I believe he did not create me to be alone. I reminded Mattye that on Sunday she asked me if she would be happy in five days and I said no. Our time and prayers leading up to this moment were perfect. She wasn’t expecting a proposal and I believed she had given up control of this thing to me and God to let us handle the right timing. I talked about my heart definition of who she is. Then I told her that I could not tell her she would be happy in five days because in four days I was going to ask her to marry me. I got down on one knee and pulled the little black felt box from my pocket and said, “Mattye Caroline LaSuer, will you be in my life forever?” She covered her face and came toward me to kiss me. Then she paused to look down at the sparkling new ring that was meant for her finger. When she saw it for the first time her mouth dropped open. She finally let me take the ring and put it on her finger. We jumped, laughed, hugged, kissed, and praised our God through whom all this was possible.

Photography + Cinematography: Sarah DeShaw Photography / Music: August York / Location: Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island, Georgia / Ring Setting: Designer C. Gonshor from Diamonds Direct / Diamond: Levy’s Fine Jewelers of Birmingham / Necklace: Stella & Dot

When I think about getting married barefoot on the beach my mind tends to veer towards the carefree and casual.  For a bride who loves the outdoors and always imagined sand between her toes on her wedding day she is certainly more princess than backpacker.  The entire day, captured by Sara D. Harper, is such a dazzling display of elegance. Catch all the chic details in the full gallery!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride.. .I always knew at a young age that I wanted to get married barefoot on the beach … so that’s what I did!  We got married on Jekyll Island which is a small quiet beach off the coast of Georgia.  I grew up going to this beach and have always admired the huge plantation style mansions that make up the historic Jekyll Island Club Hotel.  My husband and I both love the outdoors, so, initially, the ceremony and reception were planned to take place outside.  That all changed the day before the wedding when there was 90% chance of thunderstorms on the “big day.”  It sprinkled the morning of, but no rain in sight for the time of the ceremony!  YAY!

The ceremony took place on the beach in front of the Jekyll Island Club Beach Pavilion.  It was very windy, but I think God just wanted to let us know that he was there (since we weren’t in church).  The reception was moved from the Riverfront Front Lawn to the J.P. Morgan Tennis Courts at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel.  The courts, which were built in 1929, were newly renovated and had just opened for events the week before!  The Grapevine from Macon, GA were absolutely wonderful at entertaining our guest all night long.  All the catering and cake was done by the Jekyll Island Club Hotel.  J and D Designs out of Douglas, GA decorated the ceremony and reception site.  Our beautiful pictures were done by Sara D Harper.  She did an amazing job at capturing all the of details throughout the whole day.

Wedding Photography: Sara D. Harper / Hair: Jekyll Island Club Salon / Florals: J and D Designs / Wedding Dress: Eve of Milady / Bride’s Shoes: Converse / Groom’s Attire: Savvi Formalwear / Venue, Catering + Wedding Cake: Jekyll Island Club

Oh boy, am I loving Style Me Pretty Georgia.  It’s literally been one amazing wedding after another, all filled with gorgeous brides, wonderful details and fabulous locations.  And these stunning Jekyll Island nuptials are no exception to the Georgia weddings rule.  (And I am thoroughly convinced there is one.) There are so many incredible details, from those bouquets by Floriade to that beautiful color palette, I have been in swoon-mode since the moment I saw these brilliant images by Agnes Lopez Photography. And when I spotted that ah-mazing gown, well, it was all over for me.  I plan to buy that dress, move to Georgia and see what happens.  In the meantime, let’s spend some time in the gallery!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride… Alex and I got married at the Jekyll Island Club on Jekyll Island, GA.  We had our ceremony in the romantic Crane Garden and our reception next door at the beautiful Crane Cottage & Courtyard.  When Alex and I started discussing our wedding we didn’t focus on colors or a theme, instead we discussed how we wanted our wedding to feel.  We knew we wanted to include our guests in the entire weekend and for everyone to feel like they were a part of the celebration.  We also knew the only way to accomplish that would be a destination wedding which was close enough to both our home towns and Charleston, SC, where we live now.  The first time we visited the Jekyll Island Club, we realized quickly it was exactly what we were looking for! I grew up in Atlantic Beach, Florida not too far from Jekyll Island and visited as a child.  Both Alex and I were fascinated by the Island and Hotel’s history. Jekyll Island is such a magical and inviting place and is a gorgeous backdrop for a wedding.  We knew that if everything worked out that it was the perfect place to celebrate all weekend with family and friends!

My mom guided us through the entire planning process.  She made sure everything was gorgeous and everyone was happy!  We had so much fun working together on every detail to create a timeless, fun and low key celebration.  And celebrate, we did!  Our band kept everyone on the dance floor and the Crane Cottage and Courtyard created the perfect flow for our guests to mingle and enjoy the gorgeous clear night.  We couldn’t have asked for better weather the entire weekend and I was so happy that we were able to cut our cake in the Courtyard and have all the bars outside, too.  I love the old world feeling of the Hotel and especially the Crane Cottage and spending the evening under the stars in the Courtyard only added to the romantic and warm atmosphere. I have so many amazing memories from the entire weekend but my absolute favorite was walking down the aisle and seeing Alex anxiously waiting for me gleaming with the biggest smile I’ve ever seen! Some of my other favorite memories; staying with my sisters and cousin the night before the wedding and dancing the night away with everyone I love and looking down at all my friends and family from high up in the air while doing the Horah!  It was an absolutely perfect weekend!

Wedding Photography: Agnes Lopez Photography / Ceremony + Reception Venue: Crane Cottage, Jekyll Island Club Hotel / Flowers: Floriade / Hair: Grazyna Mercado + Taylor Tuttle / Wedding Dress: Love, A Bridal Boutique / Jewelry: Miriam’s Jewelry / Wedding Invitations + Stationery: mac & murphy / Music: The Blues Factor Band

We always like to ask our brides to give us some insight into how they approached planning their wedding ~ their inspiration, their vision. Here’s what Ashaki had to say ~

The main inspiration for our wedding came from my two favorite movies, Gone With The Wind and Marie Antoinette. I made Embry watch these movies countless times while we were dating, and when he barely objected, I knew he was the man for me!!! I really wanted to have a traditional wedding, but I also wanted to make sure that our day was young, fun, and bright. So we combined traditional accents (inspired by the two movies) ~ the antique gold candelabras, candlesticks, and bowls from the outdoor dining scene in Marie Antoinette … and a very traditional ceremony wedding gown with all the fixings – corset, lace, tiered layers  (like in Gone with the Wind!).

Our wedding coordinator, Terrica, was amazing at helping us combine everything!

I wanted the bridesmaids to wear lemon-yellow because I thought it would look absolutely gorgeous on them and also because yellow looks amazing under the sun. The hostesses wore beautiful cocktail dresses in plumeria. Both the bridesmaids and hostess dresses were designed by Watters & Watters and were made in dupioni silk. The girls looked absolutely stunning.

Ashaki and Embry were married in a gorgeous outdoor ceremony on the lawn of Crane Cottage at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel.  LBB photographer, Agnes Lopez, was there to capture their special day!

More from Ashaki ~

As for me, I knew I wanted a big white dress. When I went wedding dress shopping with my mother, I did not expect to find two dresses that I absolutely loved. For the ceremony, I chose a gown with tiered layers, a corset, and lace everywhere. For the reception, I changed into a strapless gown with a completely beaded bodice and beaded accents on the tulle skirt. And for a pop of color, I wore fuchsia Kate Spade peep toe pumps with both dresses. My earrings were designed by the fabulous wedding jewelry designer, Tejani.

What a beautiful wedding! Our thanks and congratulations to Ashaki and Embry for sharing their day with us!

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More of Agnes’ stunning photography can be seen on her website and blog! Of particular interest ~ a recent bridal fashion shoot with some killer gowns (by Monique Lhuillier, Oscar de la Renta & Romona Keveza): Fashion Shoot (1); Fashion Shoot (2);  Fashion Shoot (3)

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Credits: Wedding Planner- Terrica Skaggs with Cocktails & Details, Video- Christina Grimsley of In Motion Video Productions, Make up Artist- Daren Lee of Glamour Face Makeup, Florist- Gay Whatley Floral Design, Linens- BBJ Linen, Lighting- P.O. Lighting and Sound, String Music- Ambiance Trio, Reception Band- EXCITE!, After Party DJ- Dance Jammers