Georgia Weddings

I love anniversary shoots.  Love, love, love them.  Because, really, is there a better way to celebrate one year of happily ever after than with one image after another of pure perfection?  I think not.  And this darling session from IYQ Photography?  All kinds of amazing, with a hot air balloon festival backdrop, one seriously adorable duo and bundles upon bundles of happy.  See it all in the full gallery.

From IYQ Photography… Jess and Zane for married a year ago in a sweet ceremony in the Bride’s grandparent’s backyard. Now, a year later, we all met up at the Helen Race to the Atlantic Hot Air Balloon Festival for a super sweet, super fun anniversary shoot. This couple is so sweet and perfect for each other. Jess even broke out her custom wedding dress (handmade by her sister) for this shoot. We met at sunrise in the mountain town of Helen, Georgia for a colorful, fun hot air balloon shoot.

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Photography: IYQ Photography

You might find it hard, almost impossible, not to fall in love with this sweet duo after taking a peek at all the pretty below captured by Mark Elkins Photography. And when you read the Bride’s description on her big day, I wouldn’t be surprised if you just melted into a pile of wedding-loving mush. Because this, folks, is what weddings should be all about – pure, I.can’t.wait.another.minute.to.marry.you, love. See all the sweetness here.

From the Bride… Our wedding was truly a labor of love! My then-fiance and I are both young actors, so we of course had no money to throw the kind of wedding we had always dreamed of. Luckily, with a little ingenuity, a lot of creativity, and generosity from so many people (including our vendors) we were given a day more perfect than we ever could have hoped for.

Our wedding took place at Neverland Farms in north Georgia, a peaceful, idyllic paradise of rolling meadows, gentle breezes, and stunning foliage almost year-round. As soon as we saw it, we knew we wanted to be married there. Suzy Tebor, the owner, opened her heart to us, and her farm. She took care of all of the details of the venue, including the incredible food. My dress was purchased secondhand, the invitations were handmade, and our florist was a dear family friend.

These details helped cement the notion that this day was, for us, not about how much my dress cost or at what “exotic” location our honeymoon was spent (we spent a quiet, long weekend in a cabin in Helen), but about our love, and the love of our family and friends. So much love went into making our day possible, and that’s what we felt. I hope you enjoy a tour of our day, and are inspired to find ways to make your own dream day come true!

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Wedding Photography: Mark Elkins Photography | Wedding Venue: Neverland Farms in Cleveland, Georgia | Event Planning + Design: Suzy Tebor from Neverland Farms | Floral Design: Deb Gosier | Wedding Invitations: DIY by the Bride | Wedding Dress: Lazaro | Bride’s Shoes: J.Crew

Oh my heavens, this shoot is take-your-breath-away beautiful. Honestly, I think I’ve gone through each of the perfect pictures in this gallery captured by Libelle Photography about 100 times, and it doesn’t seem enough. It will never seem enough. I need one of you sweet Georgia peaches to take this pretty party and run with it, because it’s southern charm done beyond right.We have Wrennwood Design to thank for all the oohs and ahhs behind the design of this stunning shoot, and you can start the swooning here.

Thankfully it doesn’t have to end there. This behind the scenes film from Artworks Wedding Cinema? Simply stunning.

Georgia Peach – Wrennwood Design – The Tisinger House from Artworks Wedding Cinema on Vimeo.

We sat down with Amberly Odom of Wrennwood Design and came up with the idea of doing a photoshoot that is as sweet as Georgia Peach. Amberly had access to a family friends lovely venue, The Tisinger House, and it all blossomed from there. A fully functioning farm and garden,The Tisinger House provided a beautiful backdrop to our story. With 300 acres of rolling hills and farm land, everywhere you looked there were flowers, animals and sweet honeybees.

Amberly really hit the ball out of the park with her lovely floral designs. Simple yet elegant color palette with sweet peach accents throughout really brought this photoshoot to life.

After reaching out to several vendor friends, we came up with some pretty great collaborations. Sareh Nouri made this beautiful Wilhemina gown for her Fall 2012 Collection in which we styled with some jewelry by Riley Clay Designs.

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Photography: Libelle Photography | Floral & Event Styling: Amberly Odom of Wrennwood Design | Invitations: Wrenn Paperie | Venue: The Tisinger House | Cinematography: Artworks Wedding Cinema | Wedding Dress: Sareh Nouri Bridals | Bridesmaid Dresses: BHLDN + Ruche | Jewelry: Riley Clay Designs | Custom Headpiece: Fine and Fleurie | Hair: Mallory Turner of Elle Salon | Makeup: Jennifer Horton Makeup | Misc: Woodberry Design Studio

I love Georgia’s take on rustic. Sure the wedding might take place in a barn, and sure, there might be cowboy boots involved, but those Georgia folks know how to add the perfect splash of sophistication to dress up that rustic feel. Rustic elegance? It’s been coined by Georgians. Case and point – this gorgeous Spring Lake soiree captured by Brita Photography. It’s DIY and downright gorgeous, and it’s all sitting pretty right here.

From Brita Photography… Everything about Jennifer and Seth’s wedding was rustic and a little vintage; filled with DIY details (hand painted wooden signs, burlap decorations and table runners). Their outdoor venue at Spring Lake Events was the perfect blend of Southern charm, decorated with details that Jennifer spent hours making in her garage. Mason jars with white flowers, lined the wooden pews down the aisle; wood, hand painted signs directing you to the wedding down by the lake; and a gorgeous wooden arbor at the altar, covered in beautiful, cascading white flowers and Baby’s Breath.

After Jennifer and Seth said I Do, we walked all around the venue for amazing bride and groom portraits. They were so natural in front of the camera, and so natural together. The lighting was amazing, and their timeline allowed us plenty of time to capture amazing pictures. When they stepped into the reception, announced as Mr. + Mrs. to all their friends and family, the celebration and dancing began…and didn’t end until the sparkler departure.

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Photography: Brita Photography | Venue, Catering, + Floral Design: Spring Lake Events | Wedding + Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal | Coordination: Debbie Smith | Wedding Cake: Confection Perfection | Hair Stylist: Carty Harike, Tootsie’s Salon | DJ: Groomsman Entertainment | Shoes: Enzo Angiolini

If I had to pick one of my favorite places for saying “I do,” a sweet farm setting would most definitely rank high atop that list.  Especially when that farm setting is one like the breathtaking Neverland Farm, which literally brought tears to this gorgeous bride’s eyes when she first stumbled upon its breathtaking beauty and rolling countryside.  And the gorgeous wedding she and her Mr. put together amongst the towering trees and lush greenery?  It’s amazing.  And you can see every last moment captured by Michael Knowlton right here in the full gallery.

From the Bride… Such a beautiful, beautiful day to start the rest of my life! It was actually raining almost all day, until about 30 minutes before our 5:00 pm wedding. The rain stopped, the clouds moved, and the sun came out right as the wedding started.

Neverland Farm is settled in a small valley in North Georgia, off a dirt path that’s off the beaten path, off the dirt road that leads to the backwoods highway. Literally. As soon as my car hit the dirt path and the trees parted, I started bawling like I had just come home after a long trip away. 

I made my flower girl dresses, as well as made/put together the ring bearer picnic basket and pillow. I also made the bridesmaids’ jewelry, and as a ‘special’ treat for the guests, I raided thrift stores for months prior and started baby peanut seedlings for the guests to take home and grow!

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Wedding Photography: Michael Knowlton (mknowlton89@gmail.com) | Wedding Venue: Neverland Farm in Cleveland, Georgia | Floral Design: Tara Robinson from Whole Foods |Wedding Cake: Amanda Carroll from Sweet Cakes (jaaacarroll@hotmail.com) | DJ: Ampd Atlanta | Wedding Dress: Cassablanca “1914” custom tailored | Bridesmaid Attire: J.Crew

I have never planned a wedding in Georgia, but I can only imagine that choosing the perfect locale for your Big Day must be seriously difficult.  Difficult, because every last venue is drop-dead gorgeous, filled with Southern charm and straight from a romantic fairytale.  Take for example this beautiful Mansfield soiree held at the Burge Plantation, an amazing backdrop to play host to this darling couple’s dream of a garden party style affair, complete with mason jars, DIY florals and glorious images by Mockingbird Photography.  See so much more right here.

From the Bride… We married in my hometown of Covington, Georgia. Despite the forecasted 90% chance of thunderstorms, we were lucky enough to have a bright, sunny day with relatively mild temperatures for Georgia in June. This was great since I refused to make a rain contingency plan! Our wedding ceremony and reception took place at Burge Plantation- I wanted a wedding that felt like a summer garden party, with lots of fun and camaraderie, while still embodying southern traditions. Burge Plantation was a fabulous venue to make that a reality. The ceremony took place on the porch of an old plantation home, dinner for 175 was served indoors, and dancing took place underneath the stars. My husband built lawn games to entertain our non-dancing guests, mason jar luminaries hung from willow tree branches, and hydrangeas around the grounds were in full bloom. It was just the garden party we had in mind. The venue also had cabins for both the gents and ladies of the bridal party to get ready in that day – I was surprised by sweet, heartfelt letters from both my groom and my bridesmaids, and we sipped mimosas while curling each other’s hair all afternoon. We were able to take advantage of the lush greenery on the grounds – sunflowers, gardenias, hydrangeas, and peaches all seemed to be in bloom just for our special day.

I wanted a breezy summer pallet and landed on colors of turquoise, green, and peach. The bridesmaids wore turquoise and their well-worn cowboy boots: a true Georgia girl staple. Fathers and groomsmen wore classic black tuxes, with ties picked out by John Henry and cotton boutonnieres that I created myself.

There were several homemade components to our wedding, which made it very personal and special to us. One of my favorite memories is working on flower arrangements with my mother two days before the wedding. We designed and arranged all of the flowers ourselves, and my mother worked on collecting blue glass bottles, mason jars, and other décor elements during our engagement. My husband built our lawn games and I used scrap wood to create rustic directional signs and seating assignments, and even a cake stand. Pictures from our grandparents’ weddings adorned a fireplace mantle, and we each had a signature drink for our guests to try: White Russian for the groom, and Amaretto Sour for the bride. Guests danced well into the night, and the party continued at a nearby hotel for quite some time from our understanding.

We both agree that our outdoor, garden party style wedding turned out to be better than either of us could have imagined. It was such a blessing to spend a night with family and friends from all over the country as they helped us celebrate our new marriage.

Wedding Photography: Kaitlynn Mockett from Mockingbird Photography / Second Photographer: Laura Greenich / Wedding Venue: Burge Plantation in Mansfield, Georgia / Event Planning: Dawn Leonetti from Burge Plantation / Floral Design: DIY by the Bride + Mother / Cinematography: Eric Swanburg Productions / Wedding Invitations: Fine and Dandy Paperie / Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal / Shoes: Ariat

We’re wrapping up another fabulously pretty week here at SMP Georgia with this vintage inspired wedding by Leslie & Dusty Photography. Planned in just nine short months, it’s filled with the prettiest touches including pops of purple and some out of this world floral displays. Click here for the full gallery!

From the Bride… As a soon-to-be bride, you know how everyone keeps telling you to give yourself as much time as possible to plan your wedding? Well, if you’re planning a remote destination wedding, or in my case, in your hometown when you live 5-6 states away, just take the advice! Luckily, as I planned our wedding in Atlanta from my apartment in Washington, D.C., I had the help of my mom, sister, cousin and aunt who all lived in the Atlanta area and played a very integral role in creating what ended up being the exact wedding I had envisioned.

My very first decision was our photographer, who just so happened to be a good friend from my high school cheerleading days. Leslie and her husband Dusty shot our wedding and as you can see from the photos, they were absolutely exceptional!! Next up was the dress. I noticed the gorgeous lace and pleated tier skirt of the Lazaro dress first, and absolutely had to try it on – even if it was exactly the opposite of what I thought I wanted. The second I had it on, I knew that was the dress I would walk down the isle and spend the most amazing evening of my life in. Using the dress as my inspiration for the rest of the wedding details, I embarked on planning a romantic, vintage-styled wedding. My beautiful bridesmaids ended up picking out the dress they all wore, providing me with more inspiration for the overall look and feel of the wedding. And, my amazingly creative cousin, Jennifer Maddox, offered to design and produce our save-the-dates, ceremony programs, place cards, guest gift notes and menu. Honestly, I don’t know what I would have done without her! She knew exactly what I wanted, every time.

The one major hiccup? Dirk decided to gift all the groomsmen their handmade suites (an extremely thoughtful gesture that everyone ended up really enjoying!) However, after months and months of choosing fabrics, tie patterns, shirt materials and cuts, and coordinating measurements, the week of the wedding came around and no one had their suits! Thankfully, my loving husband jumped on the issue, dealing with tailors in four different cities and coordinating the delivery of each and every one of the suits the day of the wedding.

But, everything finally ended up coming together as the magical event it was because of our florist, Mr. Paul Brummer from Rooms in Bloom. I was stressing out in a major way leading up to the wedding, because being in D.C. meant that I was unable to actually see any of the flowers that Paul would be able to use for the wedding. It was nerve racking, not being able to visualize what it would ended up looking like. However, the moment I stepped into the ballroom after Dirk and I took our “first glance” photos, I was overwhelmed by the beauty and great sense of relief I experienced. Seeing Paul’s one of a kind artwork brought to life was just perfect! And, best of all, Dirk and I enjoyed every single moment – thanks in part to our wonderful band, A-Town A-List. Not to mention all the love and support we received from our family and friends, many of which traveled from far-off places such as California and Germany (where Dirk is from). In the end, the 9 months we had to plan the wedding truly ended up paying off and I wouldn’t trade any aspect of our wedding for anything different!

Wedding Photography: Leslie & Dusty Photography / Wedding Venue: Country Club of the South in Johns Creek, Georgia / Floral Design: Paul Brummer from Rooms in Bloom / Wedding Cake: Two Urban Licks / Band: A town A List / Makeup: Shannon Jennings from Formal Faces

It shouldn’t be a surprise that I am a huge fan of love. In particular, love stories. Hearing how two people made their journey from meeting to their wedding always captures my undivided attention, and stories like this one truly show what a journey it can be. But when they made it to that aisle? It was perfection filled with sentimental touches that will make your heart melt. Like the ring bearer bringing their rings down on a bed of their love letters while the Groom was deployed. I know, it’s amazing…and there is more from Soli Photography waiting for you right here.

Can’t get enough of this couple? We can’t either. So be sure to tune to their adorable film from Sea & Sky Films…

From the Bride… Andrew and I met a couple of months before he was supposed to leave for boot camp. When we first started dating I knew there was something about this guy that was completely different than anyone I had ever dated. It just felt right! He left for Fort Benning, GA, then it was off to airborne school, and then it was time for us to find where he would be stationed. I will never forget the look on his face when he told me he was going to be stationed in Alaska. Andrew was stationed in Alaska for 3 ½ years and I can honestly say when I went to visit him those were some of the best times in our relationship! His year long deployment was difficult but we made it through and in 2011 he returned home to us for good!

The day that I went to view Walnut Hill Farm I fell in love. I just knew it was the perfect place for our wedding! So on a hot spring day in May we were married at the beautiful Walnut Hill Farms. When contemplating about the overall style of our wedding we both agreed that southern elegance was the only option. We love relaxing and being outdoors and we wanted our guests to feel the same. When beginning this journey we decided to plan our entire wedding ourselves down to every last detail. First and foremost we wanted God to be the center of our celebration. It was finally real that we were getting married after being engaged for 3 ½ years! Ever since I was a little girl I have always loved family heirlooms. My dad and I both enjoy collecting antiques and many of them were passed down from previous generations. We were able to use many of them in our wedding to make it that much more personal and memorable. It was a blast to get to plan and decorate with my dad. I loved all of the personal touches in our wedding. My father in-law cut down a tree from their yard, my husband sanded and stained it, and my sister in-law was able to burn our names into the wood. Once this piece was finished we used it as the base for the grooms cake. One of my favorite parts of the wedding was when our ring bearer carried our stacks of handwritten letters from boot camp and Afghanistan down the aisle.

I remember standing in the barn with my dad and the doors were about to open for us to walk down the aisle. I could hear one of our favorite songs playing and then I heard my bridesmaid Amanda start singing and playing the guitar, which was our cue. Beautiful white petals lay daintily on the stone path that was lined with shepherd’s hooks and swinging flower filled mason jars that led to the altar. In there hung antique weathered windows surrounded by our perfect wedding party waiting for us to say our vows. It was everything I had ever dreamed of and I couldn’t believe it was finally happening! The ceremony was beautiful and then the lovely barn doors opened and the fun at the reception began. I hopped into my reception dress and we danced the night away. I had so many people tell me it was the best wedding they had ever been to which made me feel like all of our hard work paid off. God has truly blessed Andrew and I and we are excited for our future!

Wedding Photography: Soli Photography / Wedding Venue: Walnut Hill Farm in Dalton, Georgia / Floral Design: Humphreys / Wedding Cinematography: Sea & Sky Films / Invitations: One Little M / DJ + Lighting: Soundforce / Wedding Dress: Priscilla of Boston / Bride’s Shoes: BHLDN

This couple? They are adorable. And it only takes one look at their wedding captured by Audra Starr Photography to know they are squeeze-worthy. So it shouldn’t be a surprise that their wedding was equally charming. Rustic with the perfect amount of sweetness, every nook and cranny if filled with love-filled details. The gorgeous Bride described her big day as “better than any board she could have pinned”, and I do believe she is right. See it all here!

From Audra Starr Photography… Brittany White+Jacob McCullough are one of my new favorite couples, and I’m sure you won’t be able to help falling in love with them too! They have this totally disarming way about them that can put anyone at ease. Brittany is super charming and witty, and Jacob is the epitome of manly man (and is definitely the guy you want on your trivia time, he knows everything!). They live simply, and they wouldn’t have it any other way. And the best part? They are ALL about each other.

Every little piece of their wedding reflected them, and even though they wanted to keep it simple, they still managed to make it stunning and full of charm. They had their close friends and family set-up by the little lake to watch them exchange vows, and had everyone surround them in the middle of the ceremony to pray over them and their new lives together. Right as they were finishing the ceremony, the sun started creeping down, so we were able to get some drool-worthy pictures of just the two of them! They had some awesome set-up’s brought in by the Funky Shack for their reception, and they turned a little open-air pavillion into a quaint little dance hall. She made one of her own garters to out-girl the other camo garter she got in Jacob’s honor (of course). She’s also a teacher and loves all things kids, so they included a little chalk table for them to play games on and also had little mad libs and other games on each of the tables. They even had a biscuit AND mashed potato bar with toppings galore to go along with their country cooked dinner set-up. After the food fest, everyone let their hair down and danced the night away. Which of course, didn’t hurt fighting off the cold! It was really an amazing story to be told, and it was an honor coming alongside of them to be a part of it. I’m so happy for these guys!

From the Bride… Our wedding was a classic, rustic affair full of southern charm. Better than any board I could have created or pin I could have pinned. The crisp November air and fall leaves made the lakeside ceremony and candle-lit reception the perfect setting to start our life together.

Photography: Audra Starr Photography / Wedding Venue: Private Venue in Brooks, Georgia / Event Design: The Funky Shack / Floral Design: Leslie Longstreth (Family Friend) / Caterer: Teresa Carter from Southern Touch Catering / Invitations: VistaPrint / Wedding Dress: Tara Keely / Shoes: Dyeables

 

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – I love Fall weddings.  And when it’s a Fall wedding chock-full of candles, twinkle lights, rustic details and a roaring fire?  I love it even more.  Which is why I am currently obsessing non-stop over this little gem of an affair captured beautifully by Karie Denny Photography.  It’s a crisp Autumn landscape meets one heartwarming detail after another meets the world’s cutest ever bride and groom.  Or as I like to call it, Fall perfection through and through.  See so much more right here.

From Karie Denny Photography… Scattered clouds and tall pines filled the skies at Brasstown Valley on November 12, 2012. We stepped out of our cabin, took a walk to the lodge and saw our bride, Elizabeth, getting ready. One of my favorite moments as a wedding photographer is seeing the bride for the first time on her wedding day. And Elizabeth was no different. She was in her “little bride” robe, cross legged, hands folded in her lap, twisting her engagement ring around her finger, while the hair stylist worked her magic. Across the lodge, Jamie, the groom was playing pool with his groomsmen. The excitement built as Jamie and Elizabeth had a private (but photographed) moment of prayer before their ceremony. They did not want to see one another before the ceremony, so we found a perfect spot for them to hold hands in prayer with one another. It was a teary/beautiful moment for all of us involved.

The location looked out onto a gorgeous display of Atlanta’s fall trees. It was the perfect backdrop for their rustic-chic affair. Flower arrangements of pink and white filled every space perfectly. The details were effortless, with twinkle lights in all the right places and a fireplace blazing. Candles and lanterns set the mood. As everyone said when they saw it, they said, “It is SOOOO Elizabeth.”

Little splashes of sunlight would peek through the clouds as the ceremony wrapped up. The light and sky could not have been better for pictures. The sky was on fire as the sun set on this couple’s afternoon. We were truly blessed to be a part of such an intimate affair.

Wedding Photography: Karie Denny Photography / Wedding Venue: Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa in Young Harris, Georgia / Floral Design: Claudia Floyd / Wedding Cake: The Cakelady & Company / Wedding Invitations: Jenny Daniels / DJ: Spectrum Entertainment / Wedding Dress + Shoes: Winnie Couture / Hair: Daniele Shlien / Makeup: Victoria Joubert / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Wedding Angels Bridal Boutique / Men’s Suits: Jos. A. Bank

Georgia has the charm thing down, don’t you think? It certainly sets the bar for me with its love-filled fêtes and southern style-filled soirees. Well, Laura Barnes sent along another stunner that fits oh-so-nicely in that charming category with its bountiful fall-inspired blooms from Buds & Blossoms Florist and adorable new Mr. & Mrs. It’s lovely and then some, and it’s all waiting for you right here.

From Laura Barnes Photo… Meredith and Allen had a gorgeous wedding in the North Georgia mountains. October weather can be a little unpredictable in Georgia, but their day had such beautiful fall colors and a cool breeze. Huge win! The wedding reception took place at a private airplane hanger’s resort. It was completely surrounded by a wall of windows that showed off the mountains and fall colors. These two were such a dream to work with. Meredith is very organized, and it was a huge help in making sure their day went as perfectly as possible. I’m so glad to have watched them become husband and wife!

Wedding Photography: Laura Barnes Photo / Ceremony: Clayton Baptist Church in Clayton, Georgia / Reception: Heaven’s Landing in Clayton, Georgia / Floral Design: Buds & Blossoms Florist / Catering + Wedding Cake: Valley Café / DJ: Keeping It Clean DJ Service / Wedding Dress: Netbride.com /  Hair: Meagan DuPriest / Men’s Tuxedos: Squire Shop

Sometimes the shortest engagements yield the prettiest weddings. And this next wedding, sent into us by J Morgan Flowers proves just that. Pay close attention my friends because this gorgeous and intimate penthouse wedding for 10 was planned in just two weeks! We can’t help but fall fast in love with this romantic and spontaneous display of love. Join us in the gallery for even more.

From J Morgan Flowers… Eun planned her wedding in two weeks. Yes, you read that right — two weeks! After a whirlwind romance with Daniel and a ring on her finger, Eun called her family in Korea, and a wedding date was set! She booked the penthouse at The Soho House in South Beach as her wedding venue because it was the perfect space to hold her and her 10 guests. With Daniel’s Chinese roots, they kept with tradition and did a tea ceremony to honor the parents.

The ceremony was held with just the ocean view as a backdrop and those closest to them to witness. The table for the celebration dinner was adorned with three taller vases and topped with a lush, modern arrangement of hydrangeas, roses and lilies. The base was set with a collection of vases of various sizes, each full with lush florals and candles in between. Each napkin was adorned with a yellow rose to welcome the guests to this special occasion.

We wish Eun and Daniel a lifetime of love, laughter and happiness as they start out on the journey of husband and wife.

Wedding Photography: Gesi Schilling / Wedding Venue: Soho Beach House in Miami, Florida / Floral Design: J Morgan Flowers / Hair: Cowshed Miami Beach at Soho Beach House

This rustic + elegant wedding at The Barn at High Point Farms from Valimont Photography is as sweet as they come. To keep herself on a tight budget, this graphic designer bride designed her own paper goods, handmade much of the decor and utilized inexpensive (but totally beautiful) elements like burlap and baby’s breath! And the end result? Pure perfection. See the rest right here!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… I always dreamed of a rustic, elegant wedding. I knew going into our wedding that we were on a budget and I would have to make a lot of the decorations myself and get really creative with where our money was spent. We decided to have an outdoor June wedding at a barn in Flintstone, Georgia. The barn was perfect. We could have our ceremony and reception in the same location and it provided for a breathtaking backdrop to our special day. To save money, my bridesmaids wore different dresses all in similar shades of light blue. I got my dress on the sale rack and I designed my own save the dates, invitations, and programs. We used inexpensive items such as burlap and baby’s breath on the tables and I handmade the guest book as well as other little details. Being on a budget was difficult, but it made the day even more special because of all the little details and effort we put into it. It was my perfect day.

Wedding Photography: Valimont Photography / Wedding Venue: The Barn at High Point Farms in Flintstone, Georgia / Floral Design, Wedding Cake + Coordination: Yvonne of South City Cakes, Flowers & Events / Wedding Invitations: Designed by Jenny Highsmith of Maiedae (The Bride) / Wedding Dress: Forever Yours (Style Number: 49205) Ella Park Bridal

There’s nothing like a sweet, barn wedding to kick off another week of gorgeous inspiration here at SMP Georgia. And when the barn happens to be as fabulous as this one, well, we consider it a very happy Monday morning indeed. Brenda Upton Photography captured all the pretty DIY details including lovely little bits of burlap here and there. Click here for all the rest.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Brenda Upton Photography… This unbelievably adorable couple tied the knot at the Walter’s Barn in Lula, Georgia. It was an outdoor farm wedding, complete with mason jars, church pews, DIY fan programs, bright, colorful flower arrangements and flower girls so adorable you’ll die. Inclement weather added a bit of stress, but in the end everything turned out flawless. It was one of my favorite weddings I’ve ever photographed.

Wedding Photography: Brenda Upton Photography / Wedding Venue: The Walters Barn in Lula, Georgia / Floral Design: Blue Willow Floral / Catering: Events by Dezine / Wedding Cake: Sydney Cakes / Wedding Dress: Casablanca Bridal / Makeup: Jolie Day Spa / Bridesmaids’ Dress: Affordable Bridal, Inc.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Trust me when I say you’re going to want to put that turkey leg down for a minute and check out this adorable DIY barn wedding. Crafted entirely my the bride and her friends and family, this wedding is filled to the brim with so much rustic goodness, you’re gonna wanna take notes. Andrew Thomas Lee captured this casual and oh-so-pretty day and we’re totally thankful for all the lovely images right here in the full gallery.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… We got married at my husband’s parents barn property on the Chattahoochee River in the North Georgia Mountains. The barn is in the Sautee Nacoochee Valley, and it just five minutes from Helen, Georgia. This wedding was almost all DIY, with an amazing family friend doing the wedding details. Danielle did all the decorations herself. The wedding was in October, so it was a sunny and cool night.

Wedding Photography: Andrew Thomas Lee / Wedding Venue: The Groom’s Parent’s Barn near Helen, Georgia / Wedding Planning: Danielle Pleger of Emma & Oliver / Bride’s Bouquet + Men’s Boutonnieres: Cleveland Florist / Entree Catering: Flaming Butts BBQ / Side Dish Catering: Nacoochee Valley Guest House / Wedding Cake: Sweet Peeps / Wedding Invitations + Programs: Cam Addison Designs / Reception Band: Atlanta Funk / Rentals: Lanier Tent Rental / Wedding Dress: Unknown Designer via New Natalie’s Bridals / Hair + Makeup: Katie McDaniel (A Bridesmaid)

When you work at SMP, you spend a lot of time falling in love with gorgeous gowns – it just comes with the territory.  So, when this stunning Gainesville affair from Amanda Suanne Photography came our way, I fully expected to spend a few hours of my day dedicated to dress-only swooning.  But, the moment I spotted this glorious Amsale number, I knew a few hours wouldn’t be enough.  Because this is the kind of dress that is sooo take-your-breath-away gorgeous, you don’t know what to do with yourself. An amazing gown, an elegant affair and a whole lot of pretty.  Join me in the gallery for so much more.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

And even more of this gorgeous day from the ever-amazing Artworks Wedding Cinema.  Enjoy!

From the Bride… Last October, Austin and I went on a weekend trip to Charleston. It is our favorite spot to visit during the fall, and we always spend hours walking around downtown, but we had never been out to any of the beaches there. The second morning of our trip, Austin woke me up extra early to go see Folly Beach, where we got engaged! It was one of the sweetest moments in my life, and I will always cherish our special weekend away. I was so excited to dive into our wedding that I started making notes on the drive back home to Georgia. 

Wedding planning was one of the most enjoyable things I’ve ever done. I loved every aspect of the planning process. From the beginning, I knew I wanted a traditional wedding. For our ceremony, Austin and I agreed that we wanted the elegance and grace that comes with being in a church, and I wanted that to carry over into our reception. My event decorator, Andy Beach, was so easy to work with.  The first time we met I told him that I wanted a “colorless” wedding with the fullest flower blooms he could find. The vision for our wedding day was classic with a contemporary twist. I really didn’t give him any other guidelines, yet somehow he created exactly what I had dreamed of. I am still amazed at the beautiful flower arrangements Andy and his team created. They used lots and lots of hydrangeas with cabbage roses, peonies and ranunculus. Everything was beautiful and just perfect.

Stunning as the decor was, the most important detail of our wedding was making sure that we had fun. I told my parents several times that we wanted the beginning of our wedding to be traditional and sweet, but that after dinner I wanted a fun mess out on the dance floor — and that is exactly what we got! My dad picked the band before I even knew who they were, and they did not disappoint. Our friends and family danced and sang the night away. It really was the best night of our lives. Before the night ended we gave all of our guest fresh apple pies from McDonald’s in a special box to remind them that “Love is Sweet.” 

Wedding Photography: Amanda Suanne Photography / Ceremony: First Baptist Church in Gainesville, Georgia / Reception: The Grand Ballroom at Gainesville Civic Center in Gainesville, Georgia / Event Planning: Lindsay Pitt of Toast: Signature Celebrations / Floral + Event Design: Andy Beach & Company / Wedding Cinematography: Artworks Wedding Cinema / Wedding Cake: Razzle Dazzle / Band: Twisted Whiskey / Wedding Dress: Amsale Blue Label via Bridals by Lori / Bride’s Shoes: Benjamin Adams / Hair: Brittany Bentley of Salon Pure / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Bari Jay / Flower Girl’s Dress: Just Ducky Originals

I’ve been struggling for what seems like forever to find just the right words to describe my feelings for this beautiful Blue Ridge affair, but I just keep coming up short.  Problem is, I am sooo beyond obsessed with every gorgeous detail, there’s not a word in the English language that can give it justice. Not a one.  So, please excuse my bumbling as I tell you that I am head over heels for the breathtaking chapel, rustic backyard reception and beyond amazing images by Amy Arrington Photography – and then prepare to fall in love with every last one.  Click here for more.

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From the Bride… John-Paul and I met at a Halloween party in 2010. We were both newly divorced and struggling with that stigma. We were happy to find understanding from each other and quickly became a couple. We have worked hard to not repeat our past mistakes and make sure this marriage is our last. Although previously married, we wanted to make our commitment to each other a day we would always remember surrounded by those we love. Our wedding was in the north Georgia mountains in the town of Blue Ridge. We had had the ceremony at a rustic little chapel in the woods, Pleasant Gap Tarpley Chapel, that is only used once a year for a family reunion. It was built in the 1800s but was rebuilt in the early 1900s. We had a cocktail reception right next to the chapel in my family’s blueberry patch, and our reception was held at our second home right down a gravel road from the chapel. My family and extended family owns all the land between the chapel and our second home, and I grew up coming to these mountains and driving past the little white chapel in the woods. When I brought John-Paul to the mountains for the first time, he was completely at home, and since then, it’s been a special place for us. My parents passed away in 2007, and this was also a very special place for them, so it felt like a great way to honor both my parents and our relationship to have our wedding there. A couple of other things we did to honor my parents were that I wore my mother’s wedding veil, and we used my mother’s vintage napkins at the reception. She loved vintage linens and had over 100 white napkins.

We created most of the decor components ourselves, with lots of help from our friends and family. Our vision was rustic and simple, with neutral colors, burlap, twine and mason jars. All the pallet furniture and the popcorn cart at the cocktail reception were built by John-Paul and me, with the help of Pinterest. I made the large moss B hanging on the chapel, the burlap table runners, the mason jar table numbers, the matchbooks, the napkin rings, the signs and programs. I used my silhouette machine to make all the signs and used mostly pallet wood and frames from the thrift store that I painted and transformed. I like simplicity when it comes to flowers, so I also did the flower arrangements and bouquets. I scoured thrift stores for books about love or weddings and used those under the table number markers. We got the honey from a local beekeeper, and we’ve gotten so many compliments since the wedding about how amazing it is.

The day was exactly what we wanted. Everything was perfect and reflected “us.” The one funny incident, which you will see in the pictures, is that while I was waiting to walk down the aisle, I was standing over a yellow jackets’ nest. As I started down the aisle, my uncle jerked me back and started trying to release the 20 yellow jackets that were caught between my dress and the lace overlay. Thankfully, they were not against my skin and no one got stung. It at least kept me from crying down the aisle.  John-Paul’s daughter, and now my stepdaughter, Kaila, was our flower girl. We had a special place for the kids to eat and play until the dancing started, and they all had a blast, as you will see in the pictures.

Wedding Photography: Amy Arrington Photography / Ceremony: Pleasant Gap Tarpley Chapel in Blue Ridge, Georgia / Reception: The Home of the Bride & Groom in Blue Ridge, Georgia / Floral Design: The Flower Garden / Wedding Dress: Galina / Catering + Wedding Cakes: In Sister’s Kitchen

Before you lose yourself in the gallery for this amazing wedding, I’d like to prepare you for all of the incredibly darling wonderfulness that you are about to witness. Brit Fray Photography has treated us to these swoon-inducing, sweet-as-ever images of this complete and total love fest featuring The Walters Barn and oodles of adorable details made by close friends and family of this Bride and Groom. Designed by Chancey Charm Weddings, this little number is the perfect illustration of total fun with total romance and you can see it all right here.

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From the Bride, Owner of Family Ties… I first laid eyes on Kyle at the rock climbing gym. While I was more than impressed as he bouldered with strength and grace, I somehow saw right into his kind heart, and my love for him started in that moment. I was a freshman and he was a sophomore at the University of Georgia. After an afternoon with friends turned into just the two of us having lunch (all of our friends were “busy”), Kyle and I started dating. Kyle is the gentlest, sweetest man I’ve ever met, and he absolutely swept me off my feet with his tender love — and still does! After just a few months of dating, we knew we were going to marry each other. Of course, we figured we’d wait until we graduated college and were “wiser,” or at least more prepared. In October, just seven months after we started dating, Kyle asked me to marry him, and I said YES! We were both only half-way done with school, but we’ve learned that when you’re faithful to love, everything falls into place perfectly.

When we started planning our wedding, we knew we wanted it to involve our amazing community of friends who had been so supportive of us. We had so many talented friends who worked together to make our wedding perfect. From our photography to our catering and cupcakes, every part of our wedding was crafted by our best friends and family. I also designed and created many elements of the wedding myself, including the stationery, centerpieces and 22 bow ties. My mom spent months planning a dessert buffet that featured all of our friends’ and family’s specialty desserts. My grandmother made her famous carrot cake, and a hometown friend’s famous homemade bread and honey were a huge hit! Even my wedding cake was made by one of our best friends. My mom did an amazing job putting it together. My brother built a giant Jenga game, and my dad built the altar for our ceremony. Our friends and family are more important to us than anything, so it was very special to have them contribute so much to our wedding.

In addition to desserts, our reception had a complete coffee bar, lawn games and frisbee and a two-hour dance party. It really was just such a fun, laid-back day. One of my favorite moments of the entire day was actually at a gas station on the way to our  hotel after the wedding. Kyle realized he left his wallet at the venue, so while we waited for someone to bring it to us, we sat in the car and talked about all of our favorite moments of the day. It really helped us to remember every detail, and we had so much fun reliving the day together. Every moment, from that one at the gas station to to our first look and the moment we became husband and wife, was filled with romance and gentle love. Kyle and I now work together at the rock climbing gym where we met, and he continues to sweep me off my feet every day.

Wedding Photography: Brit Fray Photography / Wedding Venue: The Walters Barn in Lula, Georgia / Event Design + Planning: Chancey Charm Weddings / Wedding Cinematography: The Society of Greater Things / Wedding Dress: J.Crew / Bride’s Headpiece: Tessa Kim / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Madewell / Groom’s Attire: J.Crew / Bow Ties: Family Ties (The Bride)

I could seriously talk for days about how perfectly pretty this wedding is…it’s got just the right amount of charm and is filled with so many great steal worthy details, you’re going to want to pay close attention! The florals by Gertie Mae’s Floral Studio will seriously take your breath away and the bride’s bouquet? Amazing. See even more of this gorgeous day captured by Buffy Dekmar Photography right here in the full gallery.

See this pretty wedding come to life in this film by River Walk Films:

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From the Groom… On Friday December 2, 2011, Heather was busy studying for final exams. We planned to go hiking at Raven Cliff Falls that afternoon so she could de-stress and take a study break. We were also going to use this hike so that I could show her how my camera worked because she wanted to take my camera on her family vacation to Hawaii and Saipan after finals were over. So we headed over to the trail. About 1/4 mile up the trail is a tree that has a natural hole in it shaped like a heart. We stopped here and set up the camera on the tripod so I could show Heather how to use the timer feature. We snapped one picture, then I told Heather to go check the camera and take another. This gave met time to get the ring out of my pack. When she got back to the tree, I dropped down to one knee and asked her to spend the rest of her life with me. At the same moment, the camera flashed and took our very first engagement photo. She couldn’t stop smiling. There were a few tears, but mostly smiles.

From the Bride… Will and I both met in a graduate physical therapy program in Dahlonega, Georgia. We have always felt that the location that fits us the most is in the North Georgia mountains, considering it is where we met and where we enjoy hiking, camping and spending time with our two dogs, Dozer and Luna. We are also very relaxed people and wanted to get married at a location that would reflect our love for the outdoors and our laid-back personalities. We both fell in love with Glen-Ella Springs at first sight. This quaint inn in the North Georgia mountains is the perfect place for an outdoor wedding with its large green meadow, oak trees, flower and vegetable gardens, and a small creek running behind the property. We also love our family and friends and wanted to be able to spend more time with them during the weekend and not just on our wedding night. A unique feature about having our wedding at this inn was that our immediate and extended families, as well as the bridal party, were able to stay with us at the inn and spend all of Labor Day weekend enjoying the beautiful grounds. The weekend was full of laughs, tears and a lot of love.

Wedding Photography: Buffy Dekmar Photography / Wedding Venue: Glen-Ella Springs Inn in Clarkesville, Georgia / Event Design: The Bride / Event Planning: Luci Kivett of Glen-Ella Springs Inn / Floral Design: Gertie Mae’s Floral Studio / Wedding Cinematography: River Walk Films / Wedding Cake: True Love Celebrations in Gainesville (770-983-0160) / Wedding Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas / Programs: Postscripts / DJ: Ray Redding of Soundscape Atlanta / Koozie Favors: Totally Wedding Koozies / Wedding Dress: Birnbaum & Bullock / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Wire Dress Hanger: Emily’s Emporium (Formerly Rock A Buy Creations) / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Bill Levkoff / Groom’s Tuxedo: Black by Vera Wang via Men’s Wearhouse

What lucky little lovelies you are this morning, because Happy Kiss Photography has just supplied us with an abundance of beauty in the form of this photo shoot at LL Farm and Event Center. Not only does it come complete with the prettiest of flowers from Creme de le Chic Events, but factor in a fit-for-a-fairy-tale horse and this shoot goes straight from sweet, rustic inspiration to downright swoon-worthy eye candy. Find the rest of the shoot in our gallery right here.

Click here for the FULL photo shoot!

From Happy Kiss Photography… With such a serene and peaceful atmosphere, the LL Farm makes an ideal location for a wedding celebration. Our goal was to have vintage, rustic details to complement all the decor. The bride is wearing a delicate Annasul Y gown and a vintage lace veil. The groom was looking sharp in a gray “Legend” tuxedo by Calvin Klein. The outdoor ceremony decoration was nicely done with beautiful luminaries surround by mason jars filled with flowers and wrapped in lace. The little gazebo made a special and unique place for a ceremony, with its vintage chairs and charming benches made on the farm. Hand-made body scrub favors in beautiful decorated jars with burlap made the perfect gift for the guests. The reception table was amazing and was decorated with laced mason jars, flowers, luminaries and wooden elements. The vintage couch complemented the table really well. Adding a unique twist on our photo shoot, Diesel the farm horse came into our photo shoot, making the photographs even more romantic. 

Photography: Happy Kiss Photography / Photo Shoot Venue: LL Farm and Event Center in Clermont, Georgia / Floral + Event Design: Créme de le Chic Events / Wedding Cake: Confection Perfection / Linens: BBJ Linen / Luminaries: Luminari / Favors: The Fragrant Ones / Wedding Dress: Annasul Y (2012) via Wedding Angels Bridal Boutique / Bride’s Veil: Vintage via Wedding Angels Bridal Boutique / Bride’s Hair + Makeup: ELA Cosmetology / Groom’s Tuxedo: Calvin Klein via Savvi Formalwear