Georgia Weddings

This wedding is pure magic.  A laid-back meets glamorous type of magic that is making me want to pack up my bags and set up shop right under those majestic oak trees.  It’s the kind of day that is innately beautiful, from the fabulous stylings of Belle of the Ball Events (they rock) to that beautiful bouquet from Virtu Floral and Event Design to the beyond breathtaking scenery.  See it all captured by Jane Johnson right here in the full gallery.

From the Bride… Every girl dreams of her big day being perfect and just how she imagines, but it is only once in a lifetime that a bride has her day that is better than she could have ever hoped for. The morning of the wedding, I woke up thinking, “oh my goodness I am about to marry my high school sweetheart, my first and only true love, and my best friend!” After my moment of bliss, it hit me that everything had to be set up that day. I got a little bit nervous, and then I remembered that with the tremendous help of my girlfriends, my wonderful mother in-law, and my amazing planner, Eva, that I wouldn’t even need to lift a finger. I was spoiled that day! They were able to pull off everything in a matter of a few hours. The reception was under two beautiful Georgia Oak trees. To keep tradition, we didn’t see each other before the ceremony. However, guided by our maid of honor and best man, Tommy and I met up in the middle of the woods and read each other our vows… our backs touching so that he couldn’t see me. This was the perfect way to settle any nerves so that we were able to be as intimate as we wanted to be with the promises that were to last for a lifetime.

It came time for my daddy to walk me down the aisle, and as soon as the double doors opened, seeing Tommy stand under those trees, I was ready to RUN to him. He built the altar that was under the trees with his own handsome hands. It was his idea to have the alter serve as the guest book. Guests signed wooden chips that were inserted post-ceremony. The weather that day was beautiful, not too hot and just the right amount of breeze. Once we were pronounced husband and wife we were able to take pictures. The sun was setting and the atmosphere was perfectly romantic for our intimate moments.

The reception was filled with details that took my breath away! The dessert table was filled with different styles of treats and sweets all surrounding our Oreo cake. All the tables had candles and flowers all on top of burlap, which set the mood for the night. The entertainment included a poem from one of our dear friends, a song from my beautiful nieces, our song by Tommy’s brother and one of my bridesmaids, and the MOH and best man speeches. I loved that it was all very personal. The cake cutting part, consisted of Tommy and I stacking together a bunch of oreos and feeding them to each other, followed by a milk toast with teeth full of oreos!

My vision for my wedding was to have a personal setting that would be like a big family dinner, and that is exactly what it was. After the guests sent us off with a sparkling exit, we returned to the reception site for a private first dance. This was my favorite part, because I was able to have my dance with my husband and still keep tradition. Only our family, close friends, and the bridal party were there. Our song was a “Thousand Years, Part 2” which was exactly how we felt that day! Being a bride that loves personal touches, I loved that everything was put together by the people that love me dearly, and each of them were able to put their own spin on it. It was definitely a group effort and the result was phenomenal!

Photography: Jane Johnson Photography | Grooms Attire: Hugo Boss | Bride's Bouquet: Virtu Floral and Event Design | Bride's Gown: Justin Alexander | Camp Southern Ground: Camp Southern Ground | Event Furnishings: Crush Event Rentals | Planning: Eva Clark Events | Rentals: Unlimited Party Rentals

Have I mentioned just how much I love a classic wedding?  Because sharing this gem of a day captured by Robin Nathan seems like the perfect time to repeat myself.  I’m talking sophisticated details, gorgeous bridesmaid frocks (hello Jenny Yoo) and a seriously stunning bride and groom filling our galleries with pretty and teaching us just how awesome a traditional (with a twist) wedding can be.  Dive into all of the amazingness right here in the full gallery.

From the Bride… Tyler and I wanted our wedding to exude classic elegance with a dramatic edge. We looked to incorporate our Jewish traditions in a way that fit with that vision, such as our huppah, which featured floating candles, flowers and my maternal grandfather’s tallis.

It was important to me to find a dress that mirrored the décor: dramatic and edgy but also classic and tasteful. I pulled a lot of inspiration from architectural and structural designs, as seen in my dress and the wedding cake. My dress made the whole vision come together for me. I was excited when I found my bridesmaids dresses at Jenny Yoo because they followed that same inspiration and looked amazing on my girls.

The heart charm on my bouquet was worn by my grandmother on her bouquet when she got married 64 years ago as well as by my sister on her wedding.

We took special care with the hospitality bags as our DIY project. We brought together our favorite items from my home, Atlanta, and Tyler’s, Minnesota. We also gave our out of town guests a taste of the South with fried chicken and waffles at our after party.

My sister and I planned our weddings at the same time. She was married in June in Atlanta. We are very similar so we worked hard to define our own styles and keep them distinct. We shared a veil to honor how close we are.

Photography: Robin Nathan Photography | Photography: Robin Nathan Photography | Cinematography: Evolution Video | Coordination: Magnolia Events & Planning | Floral Design: Andy Beach | Floral Design: Andy Beach | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Cake: Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis | Stationery: Fontastic | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Make-up: Van Michael Salon | Hair: Todd with Studio Todd G Salon | Band: Rupert's Orchestra | Wedding Venue: Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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I think we can all agree that bridal sessions are all sorts of awesome.  I mean, an entire day dedicated to frolicking around the countryside (or beach or city) wearing your Big Day duds and capturing every moment in beautiful imagery?  That’s what we call the best day ever, and when it’s a gorgeous sesh like this one captured by Julie Anne, Wedding Photographer, well… seriously amazing.  See it all right here in the full gallery.

From Julie Anne, Wedding Photographer… Lauren is a professional dressage and eventing instructor and owns Bigtime Eventing in Alpharetta, Georgia. Her dream was to have her bridal portraits with her horses and her dog Punch at Wilson Farm where Bigtime is headquartered. To make it extra special, I brought in Flowers by Holland and Posh Hair by Lindsay. The shoot was designed to highlight Lauren’s natural beauty and her whimsical Nicole Miller gown. We chose a fall color palette that matched well with Lauren’s brown hair. We decided to give Lauren two different looks – one for each horse! We even decorated the horses and pup to make them look dressed up! I believe all women should have a portrait session as lovely as this when they get married!

Photography: Julie Anne, Wedding Photographer | Floral Design: Flowers by Holland | Wedding Dress: Nicole Miller | Alteration Specialist: Rodica Lazarian | Farm: Willson Farm | Hair & Makeup Stylist: Posh Hair by Lindsay

Duos this cute make me happy.  From their “can’t stop smiling” faces to their pure, unadulterated love for one another, it’s like a shot of joy with my morning cup of coffee.  And when you start off your day like this, you know it’s going to be amazing… seriously amazing. See every gorgeous moment captured by Kelly Anne Photography right here in the full gallery.

From Kelly Anne Photography… This couple was just so fun to shoot! Their love, glow, and personalities really made these photos come alive. These two are true southerns, and are proud of it! Oh, and they love their football!

Photography: Kelly Anne Photography | Venue: Little River Farms

You know what I love?  A bride who isn’t afraid of a little DIY.  A bride who will craft the heck out of every last detail of her big day, all with the help of amazing friends and family.  A pretty little lady like this one, who styled a drop-dead gorgeous wedding chock-full of love-filled moments and personality.  See all of the pretty captured by Holly L Robbins in the full gallery.

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From Holly L Robbins… A very beautiful fall day for one of the sweetest couples I know… Kelly and Will’s Starrsville Plantation wedding had their guests in awe! Their ceremony showcased their love story and had us all in tears (yes, even me!).

Kelly worked especially hard on her DIY projects that made her wedding country chic. She and her bridesmaids rocked cowgirl boots and light teal dresses. Her flowers, a beautiful mix of elegance and whimsy. Kelly and her friends and family transformed the barn by adding decor to every square inch and drenching it with lights.

Such an honor to have been a part of this very special day. Congratulations Kelly and Will!

Photography: Holly L. Robbins | Floral Design: Bouquet by Betty | Wedding Venue: Starrsville Plantation

Today is a very good day here at SMP Georgia; a very good day.  One in which we get to spend every second of our morning, noon and night swooning over the top-notch wedding locale known as The Georgia Club, a beautiful venue just perfect for saying “I do.”  I’m talking award-winning service meets breathtaking settings meets crazy yummy food.  And when I tell you that they are holding an open house on November 24th, you won’t be able to stand the wait.  They are just that amazing.

From The Georgia Club… The Georgia Club is located minutes from downtown Athens, Georgia and offers award winning food, an outdoor wedding garden, an indoor town hall ceremony location, two reception venues with customizable floor plans for up to 300 people and a two-room bridal/wedding night suite. The Georgia Club open house will be held on November 24, 2013 from 2-5 pm with over 20 handpicked local vendors and a cash bar.  Each pre-registered guest is $15; cost is $20 at the door. 

Visit The Georgia Club to learn more about this amazing event and win a $500 credit towards your room! 

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Welcome to the family, The Georgia Club!  We are so happy to have you! xo

This wedding at the The Goat Farm Arts Center surprised me in the best possible way. Just when I thought I found the prettiest possible moment of this couples’ big day, I would discover an even more gorgeous layer planned by Jade Lee Events, I couldn’t help but drool over. With each image snapped up by Justin DeMutiis, I fell deeper in love with this fête, and you can do the same right here in the full gallery of images.

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At first, we made several trips to visit each other between Atlanta, Washington DC and then, after Jordan finished law school, to New York. Eventually, Michal moved to New York. This past February 9th, on Michal’s 30th birthday, she came home to a polished apartment filled with flowers and birthday gifts. Jordan insisted that she open his gift first. While she opened that tiny box, he asked–in Hebrew–if she would marry him! (At first, she was too shocked to answer, in any language.)

Over the past several years, we have traveled back to Israel, Jordan taught Michal how to ski and we have gone as far as Zermatt, Switzerland on winter vacation. We’ve enjoyed several camping trips, and have traveled to see and meet each other’s friends and families.

From the Bride… We wanted our wedding to feel different from so many wedding’s we’d been to that seemed to follow a template. I don’t think we looked at one hotel ballroom when we were considering venues, and as soon as I heard about The Goat Farm, I was pretty much sold. After visiting the venue I recognized it’s challenges, but had already fallen in love with the room – the high wood beams, the limitless light dynamic, what photos we’d be able to capture, and the overall vibe (we are big on “vibe”, whether its our own living room, a restaurant, and especially our wedding). From having attended a few weddings in Israel, where I’m from and where we met, we knew we wanted to adopt the custom of guests standing up during the ceremony. There is something about this being an active portion of the night that we were really drawn to, and in play, it really worked. With the huppah situated in the center of the room and our guests standing close and all around us, our ceremony felt like a big hug with us its core. Our parents and family, of course, were nearest to us, but close friends were also able to get close and take part of our intimate ceremony. We didn’t emphasize very much on traditional elements, such as a long walk down the aisle – we are not into the regality of traditional ceremonies and wanted the music that played us down the isle to feel lively, warm, and a reflection into the night to come. We had carefully selected the entertainment and guests had a ball. The oversized dance floor was packed all night long.

Photography: Justin DeMutiis Photography | Coordination: Jade Lee Events | Floral Design: Amy Osaba | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Catering: Affairs To Remember | Makeup: Erica Bogart | Hair: MaraZ | Lighting: Hale Koa phineas Estate | Band: Rareform | Officiant: Rabbi Kranz | Wedding Venue: The Goat Farm Arts Center | After Party DJ: Renaissance Sound Crew | Bartender: Greg Best | Chair Rental: Sweet Seats | Chalk Art: Jasmine Ellesse | Espresso Bar: John Cole | Food Truck: One Love Food Truck | Table Rental: Bash Factory | Valet Service: 180 Parking

There’s no denying it, fall is officially upon us.  And with the cooler temps and changing colors also comes some of the prettiest weddings you will ever have the privilege to lay your eyes upon.  Weddings that are rich with meaning and beauty, weddings that scream flawlessly chic.  And if you think I am talking about this gorgeous day captured by Britt Croft, you are right on the money.  Because this is a day that is chock-full of all of the aforementioned with a big ol’ dose of amazing.  See it all right here in the full gallery.

From the Bride… Matt and I first met in the 7th grade. We weren’t friends until we began dating towards the end of high school, but who knew that over seven years later we would be getting married!

When Matt proposed in the most romantic way possible (in Paris!) we knew we wanted to share a heartfelt wedding day with all of our friends and family. Our engagement lasted over two years, which left plenty of time for planning! Since we had been dating for so long, our families were already really close. Both my mom and Matt’s mom were highly involved in the planning stage. We couldn’t have done as much as we did without their help!

We wanted the day to be personal, casual and fun. We chose an outdoor venue because we both love natural beauty. Belle Terra was so beautiful without needing much décor. The ceremony was held outside between the lakes and the reception was held in the conservatory. It had the outside feel but the comfort of knowing we were covered if it rained.

Our dog, Mufasa, is a large part of our life. We’ve had him for most of our relationship and knew he had to be included in the photos. He just looked so handsome in his bowtie!

My Pawpaw passed away about a year before the wedding. We wanted for him to be there in spirit and wanted my Nana to know he was there, too. My mom had the original wedding cake topper from their wedding in 1956 so we surprised her by having it on a smaller cake at the reception. The look on her face when she saw it was priceless!

We also wanted to make sure we had some time to ourselves amongst saying hello to so many friends and family members. Since we did a first look, we had some time before the reception to eat at a table outside. It was just the two of us, if only for ten minutes, and it was so worth it.

One of the best decisions we made was getting a wedding planner. Holly was so helpful throughout the whole process and allowed us to focus on bigger things than what time the cake was arriving. It’s so important to have some help especially if you are a stress ball like I am. We trusted Holly and the vendors she worked with. Our flowers turned out more beautiful than I could even imagine even though I couldn’t tell the florist my exact vision. The DJ worked it on the dance floor to make sure none of our guests were wallflowers and we also included a photo booth, which everyone loved!

If there is one tip I would give to another bride….. don’t be afraid to enter contests! I won my dress for FREE from Moonlight and Val Stefani as well as some other smaller items.

Photography: Britt Croft Photography | Cinematography: With This Ring Wedding Films | Event Planning: The Season Events | Floral Design: Bussey's | Wedding Dress: Val Stefani | Cake: Honeymoon Bakery | Bride's Shoes: Nine West | Bridesmaids Dresses: David's Bridal | Catering: Harvest Moon Cafe | Hair + Makeup: Collette Eubanks | Groomsmen Attire: Savvi Formalwear | Wedding Venue: Belle Terra | Bridal Boutique: La Raine's Bridal Boutique | Music: The TC Show | Photobooth: ShutterBooth | Veil: Erica Angeline

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

Fall is my favorite season, and with absolute good reason.  Not only is it a drop-dead gorgeous time of year (red + orange + gold always equals magic), it makes for some seriously stunning weddings. I’m talking weddings that are chock-full of fabulous autumn details (ahem, hot cocoa bar) and warm and cozy accents every which way you turn (one word: pashmina).  So today?  Well, we’re dedicating our morning, noon and night to those cool weather soirees with a little look at some of our Fall faves.

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We’re kicking off our day of pretty with this Long Island City affair from Firefly Events and Mademoiselle Fiona, because, well… it’s just that darn beautiful.  And this fall-hued bundle of blooms?  Exquisite.  See so much more right here.

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Did someone say hot cocoa bar?  Because this pretty little Chicago affair from Julia Franzosa happens to be boasting one of the most stylish hot cocoa set-ups I have ever seen.  Think chocolate covered spoons meets cinnamon sticks meets a whole lot of yummy whip cream.  See it all right here in the full gallery.

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The perfect way to kick off a lovely Autumn event?  Some pretty paper goods that just scream “Fall chic.” Pretty paper goods like these ones from Papier Fabrik, which just so happen to be a crazy gorgeous mix of vibrant colors and oh-so-beautiful calligraphy.  See every last detail (and the entire mesmerizing wedding) captured by Jillian Modern Photography right here in the full gallery.

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When vibrant blooms like this come my way, I tend to get a little speechless.  Because bright pops of orange, red and yellow are the pure definition of fall perfection.  And when they are showcased in a bouquet as stunning as this one created by Felicity Banford Flowers, it’s an entirely new level of awesome.  See the entire soiree captured by Lilian Haidar Photography right here in the full gallery.

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I’ve already mentioned my love of Fall color palettes, but you can’t even begin to speak about this beautiful garden wedding without paying homage to the pretty, pretty hues filling every last beautiful image captured by Olivia Leigh Photographie.  It’s like a Fall-colored explosion, lovelies… and it’s amazing.  Join me in the gallery for sooo much more.

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This gorgeous berry farm shoot is here to teach us that a table overflowing with lush fruit-filled blooms from Honey of a Thousand Flowers, gold anything and fabulous Kraft paper place settings is always, always a fall fave.  And the gallery of every mesmerizing moment captured by Brandon Werth? Even better.  See so much more right here.

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So there you have it, lovelies.  A lineup of fall-inspired pretty that will leave you swooning for days. You’re totally welcome.  xoxo

This wedding from Kristin Leigh Photography plays out like a fairytale. With he stunning Ritz Carlton setting draped in lovely florals and perfect details by the oh-so talented Engaging Events, a show-stopper of a gown, and a couple who couldn’t be more in love if they tried – this gallery  has once upon a time written all over it. See it all here.

Pink was the color of choice for Sarah- she really wanted a romantic look and her fairtale style gown really helped set the tone. We used pinks, peaches, ivorys, and champagne for her color palette– while her Save the Date, Wedding and Program had a vintage look on beautiful cotton paper, with the invitation being letterpressed by Sixpence Press.

One of our favorite design elements was the monogram that we had made for the dance floor. The cake, created by the groom’s grandmother, covered up the monogram during guest arrival- as the Sarah and Chris were introduced onto the dance floor- they immediately cut the cake- we then surprised the crowd by rolling the cake away and revealing the spot lit monogram on the dance floor- what a wow factor!

Photography: Kristen Alexander | Floral Design: Engaging Events, LLC | Church: Peachtree Road United Methodist Church | Catering: Ritz Carlton | Lighting: Ritz Carlton | Band: Root Doctors | Transportation: Atlantic Limo | Hotel: Ritz Carlton Buckhead | Event Planner/Designer: Engaging Events, LLC | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Paper Goods: Heather at Sixpence Press | Rentals: Peachtree Tents and Events | Second Photographer: Kristen Alexander

Buffy Dekmar has a way of capturing weddings that always leave me weak in the knees. She just has this amazing talent of snapping up the most beautiful moments in the loveliest of lights leaving us with weddings like this one that is happily sitting in a league of its own. With its southern charm and perfect details, this is just as pretty as it gets, folks. See it all here.

The couple’s family and friends traveled from all over the country to celebrate their wedding, so Katie and Sean wanted to show them a truly southern wedding. Their styling, menu, and venue choices accomplished that beautifully, and a good time was had by all!

Photography: Buffy Dekmar Photography | Floral Design: Primrose Cottage | Cake: Publix Bakery | Shoes: Kate Spade | Bridesmaids Dresses: David's Bridal | Catering: A Divine Event | Makeup: Mimosa Salon and Spa | Hair: Colours Salon | DJ: Black Tie Events | Wedding Venue: Primrose Cottage | Bagpipes: Gig Masters - PartyPosh | Bridal Salon: Bridals By Lori

This adorable duo came to their talented team with the idea that was a little bit nautical, a little bit vintage-travel inspired and sprinkled with southern charm – and boy their team did they deliver. With Andrea Harper at the design helm, rentals from Gray Harper Event Maker, a gorgeous cake from Samantha Sanford and stunning pictures from Jade and Matthew Take Pictures – it’s safe to say their engagement session is in a league of its own. I can’t even wait to see their wedding! See it all here.

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Photography: Jade + Matthew Take Pictures | Event Design: Gray Harper Event Maker | Floral Design: Gray Harper Event Maker | Cake: Lavender & Honey Designs | Rentals: Gray Harper Event Maker

In a perfect world, I would live inside this photo shoot.  I would frolic in the gorgeous fields, rock a beautiful gown from Ivy and Aster and surround myself with lush (+ gorgeous) blooms from Gertie Mae’s Floral Studio for every second of every day.  Because this, my friends, is the kind of wonderland you sort of dream about, with every last mesmerizing moment captured in beyond perfect images by Paperlily Photography.  See them all right here in the full gallery.

And a beautiful film from Anchor Heart Films?  Yes, please.

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From Sherry Donnelly of Gertie Mae’s Floral Studio… Everyone has a dream, a vision, something magical that runs around in their brain. I decided to bring mine to life in a styled shoot with the incredible talent of Paperlily Photography. Growing up in the southeastern part of the country, I was raised with the Maypole tradition. That of lovely girls in white dresses, dancing around the Maypole, and weaving the colorful ribbons in and out until they were braided. This event normally takes place in the spring time, so I put a twist on it and created an Autumn Maypole themed shoot. Adding the rich tones and textures in the ribbons, floral crowns, organic necklaces, and table settings, gave it a lush, yet natural feel. The concept was for the ladies to gather their own flowers, create their own wearable designs, and dance the afternoon away around the Maypole. The Ivy and Aster dresses were perfect for the storyline. My dream came to life through the lense of Paperlily Photography and even more so in the magical video Teejay Heaslip of Anchor Heart Films created of the day.

Photographer: Paperlily Photography | Film: Anchor Heart Films | Floral Design: Gertie Mae’s Floral Studio | Cake: Blooming Flour | Hair + Makeup: Andrea Carter Artistry | Hair + Makeup: Brielle Brenner | Hair + Makeup: Beth Pilgreen | Venue: Glen Ella Springs Inn | China: Vintage English Teacup | Custom Ribbons: Nicholas Kniel | Furniture Rentals: Crush Event Rentals | Lead Hair Stylist: Michelle McCoy | Muffins: Homespun | Stationery + Paper Suite: Julia's Poppies | Wedding Gowns: Ivy And Aster

Vintage-loving brides! We’ve got just the feature for y’all today. It’s a sweet southern wedding complete with some of the loveliest vintage details, thanks to our friends at Southern Vintage, who will be breaking down some of our favorite highlights. Most of all, we love the personal touch that incorporating vintage goodies adds to a wedding and we want to know how to pull it off! Keep reading for the breakdown & tips and then join us in the gallery!

From Southern Vintage… For table numbers the bride and groom chose vintage postcards that reflected them—vintage West Point soldiers (groom West Point Army officer) and vintage Florida and Gators (the bride is from Florida and a University of Florida graduate). The post cards were displayed on wire stands on vintage door knobs and lids from Southern Vintage. The linens, vintage napkins and doily runners on the tables were vintage also.

The gift table and guest book table were set side by side on vintage wood tables. The bride wanted a vintage treasure for the guests to place cards in that was unique to let them know how important she felt their gifts were. She selected a Southern Vintage 6 drawer tool crate. The bride made the scrabble welcome sign and painted the M for Myers. The bride loves succculents so they were incorporated on to these two tables in milk glass vessels rented from Southern Vintage. The guest book was a large (huge) wood slab from the brides back yard. The guests signed their names on the slab and the groom is going to make a coffee table out of the wood slab. They rented a vintage wood table to place the slab on and a chalk board sign to instruct the guests. It was a unique guest book that all the guests had fun signing.

Tip: Pick a guest book that incorporates your style and that you will enjoy for years and even for life!

The bride and groom wanted a fun cocktail hour. They didn’t want their guests waiting in long lines, So two separate bars were created with vintage barrels with antique doors across the top for back and front bars. The back bars were created for the bar tenders to have a work area so the front bar stayed clean and pretty. Next to the two bars were unique displays with vintage stemware for the guests or bartenders to chose the appropriate stemware. Their was washi tape and markers for naming of glasses for the night. One display was a vintage garden cart and the other an oak dresser. Both had chalk board signs with the bar options and signature drinks.

Tip: Functional as well as lovely displays are important for the guests to have a good time. No one wants to wait on an hour line for a drink no matter how pretty the bar is!

The important elements the bride wanted on the table settings were vintage china, stemware, silver flatware, napkins and lace. Her florals were baby’s breath for a romantic breathy feel with other soft and pretty flowers in vintage milk glass and silver vessels, with a pop of blue and pink here and there. She chose all the elements and the day of coordinators styled the tables with all the Southern Vintage table ware on the day. The vintage floral vessels were given to the florist days before the wedding. Smaller wood boxes, rusty keys and small bird figurines were added to continue the rustic and romantic style.

Tip: Vintage table settings can get very busy in a hurray. Each piece is unique and lovely but if you overcrowd the table your guests can’t appreciate the loveliness through the clutter. So don’t send more to the venue than you want placed on the tables or it will all get set out.

Later in the evening, the dancers were given a sweet cool treat. The ice cream bar was very important to the bride because she and her dad loves ice cream. The used vintage treasures to create the ice cream bar, milk glass compotes, depression glass cookie jars, wood cheese crates, scales and ice cream churns all placed on a vintage farm table. Our vintage hoosier cabinet was used place vintage sherbet cups and spoons for the self serve ice cream bar.

The most important tip we have learned from our vintage weddings is that it’s to communicate your inspiration, style and details that are essential with the day of coordinators. We have brides that come to us to rent the vintage treasures with a clear vision in mind. On the day of the wedding, the bride should be primping and relaxing so it is essential that the day of coordinator knows her bride and her vision. Some brides are very detail oriented and some are not so make sure you pick a coordinator that fits your style and personality so all your months or years of planning are not lost on your big day! Congrats to Callie and Billy!

From Southern Vintage… Callie and Billy vision for their wedding was a romantic vintage rustic wedding, a relaxed and happy celebration of their love and their love of their family and friends. On May 3, 2013, Billy and Callie had their beautiful wedding at the Inn at Serenbe. They had a long and obstacle ridden path to their wedding. After the wedding, Billy said the wedding was amazing and worth the two year wait! Some of the obstacles they faced were: postponement of the their first planned ceremony in March 2012 until after Billys return from deployment to Afghanistan (First Lieutenant in US Army), a stylist that promised a “deserving couple wedding, since Callie a special education teacher and Billy soldier in Army, only to steal money from them and the unexpected change of venue five days before the wedding! Flexibility and perseverance were much needed by the couple and her parents to continue to create the vision. Thanks to good friends, family and gracious vendors that went above and beyond, Callie and Billy had their magically romantic vintage wedding. The Inn at Serenbe was so gracious to allow us to have the wedding at their beautiful venue with less than a weeks notice. The beautiful venue so complimented their style and vision for the wedding. In the end, it was that love of family and friends, one of the key ingredients in the vision they had for their wedding, that made it all possible!

The style of romantic vintage was created using vintage treasures from Southern Vintage and all Callies DIY projects that kept her busy while Billy was in Afghanistan. The color palette was filled with vintage hues but mostly white, ivory, blush, gray and a touch of tiffany blue. The brides dress with its flowing chiffon and a tiny bit of bling was perfect for romantic vintage wedding. Her mother adapted her veil from her 1983 wedding using lace from her dress and bling from Callies belt (that she didnt want on the belt) to create a less 80s headpiece. Callies love of children was evident in the amount of children in the ceremony and dancing at the reception. The couples puppy, Molly, a swiss mountain dog was the most special flower girl. The grooms cake was a delicious replica of Molly. The guest book was a huge slice of an old oak tree from the brides backyard that they will use to create a coffee table. The escort cards were attached to a vintage key on very old shutters. The table numbers were on very old postcards of West Point and other important places to the bride and groom. The ice cream bar later in the night for dancers to cool off, which was also the Father of bride’s favorite food. Lastly, the send off was lavender tossed at the couple from little muslin sachets.

Photography: Noi Tran | Photography: Caroline Akins | Event Design & Planning: Southern Vintage | Floral Design: Virtu Floral Design | Cake: Blooming Flour | Invitations: Tasha Rae Designs | Ceremony Venue: The inn at Serenbe | Reception Venue: The inn at Serenbe | Catering: Tulla White Catering | Hair & Makeup: Jamie | Day of Event Styling & Planning: Vinewood Plantation | Day of Event Styling & Planning: LeAnn Hurd of Southern Flair | Menus, escort tags + favor cards: Moore Custom Creations | Vintage Rentals: Southern Vintage

The moment I laid eyes on this stunning Serenbe Farm wedding by Carla Gates I knew it needed to grace the pages of SMP Georgia ASAP. It has that level of lovely that is sure to inspire everyone who scrolls through this gorgeous gallery of images, and it’s topped off with so much sweetness you can’t help but smile. It’s pure prettiness from start to finish, and you can see why I was so excited to share it right here.

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As we eagerly began planning our wedding day, we knew we wanted a location that would give our family and friends a chance to get away for the weekend and enjoy spending time together. When we visited Serenbe it was love at first sight! From the beautiful Inn and cottages that made it easy to have our friends and family stay for the weekend, to the on-site locations available to host our rehearsal dinner, ceremony and reception, as well as activities like daily animal feedings and bonfires, it was perfect! Michael and I love being outdoors, and were thrilled to find a venue that allowed us to host the entire event outside. Our vision for the wedding was “casual elegance” to maximize the natural beauty and laid-back atmosphere of the venue while incorporating beautiful romantic touches throughout the décor. I love neutrals, but also wanted to add a splash of soft pink to the color pallet to match the pearl design on my dress, so we added it in with the bridesmaids’ dresses and subtly into the flowers, invitations and programs. It came out so lovely!

We were so fortunate to have such wonderful family and friends to help with the planning and decorations as the wedding got closer! My mom and sister added so many sweet touches by putting ribbon around our invitations, creating bags for the guest rooms, creating labels for the favors, making hanging flower vases for the ceremony and much more. My dad even designed a wedding themed corn hole game for use throughout the weekend and purchased glow stick necklaces and bracelets, which were a huge hit at the reception! We were also blessed to have creative family friends to help with the artwork for our guestbook and signage!

Before long, the wedding day was upon us and the weather was absolutely amazing! The morning of, Michael and I were able to separately enjoy a relaxing breakfast with our family and friends at The Inn, and then spend more time with them getting ready. I had been a little concerned about being nervous when walking down the aisle, but seeing the faces of so many family and friends instantly calmed me and made me excited to have so many of our loved ones in one place. It was such an amazing day, even down to the reception where everyone danced all the way up until the sparkler exit, and we were so fortunate to have an incredible photographer who helped us capture beautiful pictures to remember it by forever.

Photography: Carla Gates Photography | Event Design: Gloriosa Design | Wedding Coordination: Ashley Baber Weddings | Floral Design: Gloriosa Design | Wedding Dress: Bridals By Lori | Wedding Dress: Watters | Wedding Cake: Gloriosa Design | Invitations: Paper Daisies Stationery | Bridesmaids' Dresses: J.Crew | Makeup Artist: Veronica Sitterding | Band: Francisco Vidal | Groom's Attire: Allure Bridal | Grooms Attire: Savvi Formalwear | Wedding Venue: Serenbe | Bridal Shoes: L.K. Bennett | Bride's Veil: Something Tulle Bridal | Confetti, straws, and fondest memories cards: BHLDN | Garter: Something Tulle Bridal | Hairstylist: Alixx Hetzel | Placecards: BHLDN | Programs & Table Numbers: Paper Daisies Stationery | Wishing Tree: Etsy.com

If you hang out on SMP Georgia, you know I may just be the president of the Amy Arrington fan club. I could gush about her gorgeous images for days. Just take one look at all the pretty packed into this gallery, and you’ll feel the exact same way. Because not only does she capture some of the most swoon-worthy images around, she also seems to attract some of the loveliest couples. The result? Features like this one that couldn’t be prettier if it tried. See it all here.

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Photography: Amy Arrington Photography | Floral Design: A Divine Event | Cake: Alpine Bakery Trattoria | Catering: A Divine Event | Hair + Makeup: Brenda Tatum from Ambrosia Salon | DJ: Black Tie Events | Tuxes: Savvi Formalwear | Reverend: All-faith weddings | Wedding Venue: Flint Hill | String trio: Lark Chamber Music

There are engagement sessions, and then there is this mesmerizing day captured by Kendra Elise, which is what I am calling “the greatest engagement session of all time,” and I’m not being the least bit hyperbolic. Because when you combine a breathtaking Georgia setting with a talented photog, a stylist bride (hello, Allison Rhee, I heart you) and her handsome beau, it’s bound to equal pure, unadulterated lovely through and through.  And guess what?  It sooo does.  Click here for more.

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From Allison Rhee (the Bride)… We were in the same geometry class in 9th grade. We had a crush on each other, but we lived in two different worlds at the time. Instead of pursuing a relationship, we remained good friends for about eight years. I went to college in Boston and he stayed in Georgia. He was one of the few friends I would keep in touch with and try to meet during my vacation time at home. During our senior year of college, we finally decided to take the next step past friendship. We started off as long-distance and, although it was tough, I am so grateful for the experience. We built a strong foundation of communication, trust, and gratitude through those months. Fast forward about 3.5 years, living and traveling abroad for a year, and many dates later, we are now engaged!

Our engagement shoot was a true blessing. We won a free session with the talented Kendra-Elise who shot in film! It was a beautiful, dreamy, and memorable day. I first stayed in Serenbe for a few days for Joy Thigpen’s first styling workshop so it definitely has a special place in my heart. Serenbe is truly a serene place full of tall trees, farm animals, and open fields.

As an event and photo shoot stylist, I played around with the idea of creating different scenes and going all out with props like I have done in the past. But at the end of the day, I felt like Serenbe was the perfect backdrop for us and that the focus should be on us and our love for each other. With minimal props, we spent a few hours with Kendra who captured our love so beautifully.

My favorite memory of the day was when we were lighting the wish lantern. It was a joint effort, just like our relationship, but there was definitely a huge reward as we saw it take flight into the beautiful night sky. My wish is for us to always stay Christ-centered, to love each other with tender hearts, and to pour out the same love to our community.

Photographer: Kendra Elise Photography | Banner: Meghan Kay Sadler | Flower + Pearl Crowns: Flower Crown Society | Location: Serenbe | Make-Up Artist: Hayley Bidez | Paper Hearts: The Little Canopy | Stylist: Allison Rhee Of Enamored With

The best part of Baz Luhrmann’s newest rendition of The Great Gatsby?  Well, other than the obvious fact that I have yet another reason to love Leonardo DiCaprio?  The drop-dead gorgeous wedding inspiration it has managed to inspire.  Wedding inspiration like this stunning shoot captured by Sean and Amanda, a session that manages to mix all of the glamour of the Roaring 20’s with the perfect dash of modern stylings without skipping a beat.  I guess that’s what happens when a dream team of Georgia vendors gets together to inspire… a day of non-stop beauty.  See it all here in the full gallery.

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From Sean and Amanda… A sweet southern interpretation of a modern Art Deco wedding. With the recent remake of F.Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” we, along with talented vendors, created an inspirational shoot featuring a mix of old and new. Our model’s hair and makeup were done in roaring twenties fashion while their styling and clothing are modern pieces. Our decor showcases a lovely mix of blush, ivory and metallics. A true gramophone from the era adorns the table alongside a swag of aromatic botanicals. Each place setting uses a unique mix-match of vintage English china. The paper products were designed especially for an art deco celebration and the cake follows suit. There is no more perfect venue for this than the Atlanta History centers, Swan Coach house which was built in 1928 for the Edward H. Inman family, heirs to a cotton brokerage fortune.

We imagine our couple as lord and lady of this fine mansion sitting down to a formal dinner followed by some dancing on the lawn.

Photography: Sean and Amanda | Cake: Sweet Sensations | Ceremony Venue: Swan House Mansion | Hair and Makeup: Raney O'Keefe | Bridal Gowns: Fabulous Frocks of Atlanta | Bridal Hair Accessory: Vanilla Hue | Bridal Shoes: Ann Roth Shoes | China: Vintage English Teacup | Floral and Design: Juli Vaughn Designs | Furnishings: Crush Event Rentals | Glassware: The Funky Shack Art Studio | Linens: Nuage Designs | Menswear: The Modern Gent | Stationery Suite: Julia's Poppies

Photography: Sean and Amanda | Cake: Sweet Sensations | Ceremony Venue: Atlanta History Center | Hair and Makeup: Raney O’Keefe | Bridal Gowns: Fabulous Frocks | Bridal Hair Accessory: Vanilla Hue| Bridal Shoes: Ann Roth Shoes | China: Vintage English Teacup | Floral and Design: Juli Vaughn Designs| Furnishings: Crush Event Rentals | Glassware: The Funky Shack Art Studio | Linens: Nuage Designs | Menswear: The Modern Gent | Stationery Suite: Julia’s Poppies | Earrings, Necklace & Bracelet: Fabulous Frocks

Combining the uber-gorgeous fashions of the 1920’s with just a dash of modern stylings is never a bad idea, particularly when it comes in the form of a beautiful inspiration shoot like this darling sesh captured by Haley Sheffield.  I’m talking stunning gowns from The Sentimentalist, glamorous jewelry from Vintage Green and a whole lot of vintage goodness courtesy of Southern Vintage, here to rock your Wednesday in all sorts of ways.  Care to take a gander?  Join me in the gallery for sooo much more.

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Melissa Welch, stylist for the shoot, found inspiration in the pieces of Vintage Green Jewelry–a company by Edith Anne Hunt that collaborates vintage gems (literally) with contemporary elements to make extraordinary, unique pieces. After thrifting two 20’s-inspired evening gowns, Melissa coordinated with Southern Vintage (a vintage rental company based in Macon, GA) and several other vendors to create a shoot that would inspire the modern bride, while incorporating the glam and elegance of the 1920’s that we all love.

For the day-look, we used a light blue beaded chiffon gown, paired with a stunning Twigs & Honey headpiece from The Sentimentalist (a bridal boutique in Atlanta), as well as a few vintage-mod pieces from Vintage Green. We decided to go with a down-do for the bride, styled by Nichole Mitchell of Signature Salon. Jennifer Horton decided to use a soft, peachy color palette for the bride’s makeup, supplementing the softness with the classic cat-eye liner. For an extra touch of modern, she also painted the bride’s nails black to bring a “punch” into the light colors of this look.

For the evening look, we used a black beaded halter-neck gown, paired with a vintage fur coat, a dramatic necklace from Vintage Green, and another headpiece from The Sentimentalist. We just love the way each of the elements catches the candlelight. For this look, hair stylist Nichole Mitchell structured a stunning modern take on the classic up-do, featuring interwoven pin curls. The makeup for this look played on the drama of the gown, with sultry eyeliner and a dark burgundy lip.

We hope that these looks inspire brides who love the elegance of the 1920s, but want to incorporate them in a more modern way. We recommend choosing daring colors, vintage-mod jewelry pieces, and even small touches like dark lips and nails. In addition, we love the idea of using unique and bold statement pieces in the wedding decor–like the vintage red chaise lounge used in this shoot.

Photography: Haley Sheffield | Jewelry: Vintage Green | Hair: Nichole Mitchell | Bridal Shop: The Sentimentalist | Makeup Artistry: Jennifer Horton | Stylist: Melissa Welch | Vintage Rental: Southern Vintage