Georgia Weddings

I probably don’t need to tell you just how much we adore rustic weddings here at SMP, but bare with me one more time, because it’s definitely worth repeating… rustic weddings rock.  And when we get the chance to dive into some rustic-y goodness of the Southern variety?  Even better.  Because this is the kind of inspiration-fest that mixes sweet country details with a non-stop dash of elegance, from the gold-plated flatware from Vintage Vogue Event Rentals to the gorgeous invites from Minted to the mesmerizing gallery captured by ABH Fine Photography.  Join me there for all of the pretty.

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From ABH Fine Photography… It’s a hot, Georgia Summer day, but not just any other. Kaitlin and Joseph are set to tie the knot amongst friends and family in a lovely rustic setting. If there’s a theme for the day, it’s “love,” fortified by “country elegant” details that showcase the bride and groom’s big day…

In reality, it’s a photographer’s dream. It’s the capture of a couple that had recently married months short of a year prior, and the cooperation and excitement of several contributing vendors. It may be “stylized,” but the romance and the beauty of it all is very, VERY real. My hope is that all of you enjoy it as much as we truly did having the opportunity to make it all come to life!

Photography: ABH Fine Photography | Flowers: Alpharetta Flower Market | Invitations: Minted | China and Gold-Plated Flatware: Vintage Vogue Event Rentals | Dress, Shoes & Veil: Glitz Bridal and Formal Salon | Models: Brian and Kendall Stout | Personalized Bridal Hanger: Wooden Heart Designs | Suit & Shirt: Men's Wearhouse | Tie and shoes: Dillard's | Wine, Cigar & Cigar Box: The Tinder Box | Wine, Cigar & Cigar Box: Vino 100 Alpharetta

When traditional and modern elements meet, it’s a beautiful, beautiful thing.  And so is a drop-dead gorgeous Atlanta wedding featuring those aforementioned elements, with a touch of NYC sophistication and dash of Southern hospitality.  All together, that’s a combination that seriously can’t be beat and you can see every last moment captured beautifully by Robin Nathan right here in the full gallery.

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Lainey and Sam met on her first day of Columbia Business School. He was her peer group leader and they spotted each other at once. Sam proposed on a hike in the Santa Monica mountains overlooking Malibu. He had gone on the same hike by himself two years prior and thought it was amazing but just wished he had someone to share it with, he met Lainey two weeks later.

When planning their Atlanta wedding, where Lainey grew up, they wanted to incorporate their home in New York City as well as Sam’s family from New England. They set the tone for the weekend with the guest bags, which included treats from all three locations. Sam and Lainey both love wine; they took a trip to Napa at the beginning of their engagement and to start their honeymoon. They paid special attention to the wines on the menu.

The goal of the wedding was New York style with Southern hospitality. The centerpieces were designed to not block guests view of each other, flip flops were provided for dancing and an after party featuring gourmet grilled cheese and other late night bites were all put in place to make the guests feel welcome and at home.

Photography: Robin Nathan Photography | Cinematography: Wages Films | Event Planning: Magnolia Events & Planning | Flowers: Arrangements By Catherine | Wedding Gown: Saks Fifth Avenue | Makeup: Van Michael Salon | Hair: Todd with Studio Todd G Salon | Band: US Beat | Wedding Venue: The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead | Paper: Fontastic | Rentals: Settee Event Rentals

One thing I know for certain about this darling Atlanta duo: they really know how to have a good time. From their epically awesome First Look to their smile-filled ceremony to their seriously fun (+ seriously beautiful) reception held at the amazing Monday Night Brewing, you can tell these two really know how to throw a party.  Even better?  They do it all with a love that seriously bursts from the computer screen. See it all captured by Caroline Fontenot right here in the full gallery.

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From the Bride… Jeff is from Indiana, I’m from Texas, but Atlanta has meant a great deal to each of us, so we knew we wanted to have the wedding in Atlanta. Monday Night in particular, was the most obvious choice. The owners are our good friends and some of the first people we each met when we moved to Atlanta. The three guys all started out going to the same church Jeff and I were members of there. Monday Night beer is probably responsible for most of Jeff’s friendships and many of mine…in many ways…Plus, the beer’s really great!

Photographer: Caroline Fontenot Photographer | Floral Design: Stems | Wedding Dress: Romona Keveza | Reception Venue: Monday Night Brewing | Bridesmaid Dresses: Monique Lhuillier | Caterer: Simply Catering | Band: PLATINUM | Pre Ceremony Location: Georgian Terrace

I’m what some might call an inspiration junkie. I pin, favorite, and store images away like it’s my job (and it kind of is) hoping to set my brain in a tailspin of beautiful ideas. Well today’s inspiration overload landed right in my lap thanks to this stunning shoot from Tessa Marie Weddings planned by  We Tie The Knots. It’s everything I seek out each day in one pretty post – gorgeous florals from Boukates, stunning linens from La Tavola, perfect chiavari chairs from Sweet Seats and  a show stopping cake from Sweet Peeps Bakery. It’s practically perfect in every way, and it’s all waiting for you right here.

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Photographer: Tessa Marie Weddings | Floral Design: Boukates | Wedding Dress: Casablanca | Cake: Sweet Peeps Bakery | Hair + Makeup: Brielle Brenner Of Blue Bird Artistry | Venue: Foxhall Resort And Sporting Club | Bridal Boutique: Wedding Angels Bridal Boutique | Chiavari Chairs: Sweet Seats | China: Bloomingdales | China: Kate Spade | China: Bernardaud | Furniture: Settee Event Rentals | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Wedding Planner + Designer: We Tie The Knots

I am such a summer fan. Yes, I love every season, but summer never fails to steal my heart. So when we enter that inevitable transition into fall, I find myself clinging on to any warm weather activity with all my might. This little camping getaway captured by Johnny Cheng Photography  and styled by Megan Elliott is the perfect way to do just that, and it is sooo up my summer-loving alley. See why here.

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From Lush to Blush..There are few things more peaceful than escaping from the hustle and bustle of the city to enjoy some time with nature. After a stressful few weeks, Johnny and I decided to head just north of Atlanta to get away for a couple days. Although we are both huge environmentalists and love nature, camping is not something we are generally drawn to. But when we discovered a site that offered teepees with real beds inside, we took advantage.

We headed to a little town called Lula for our weekend getaway. When we got there, we decided to have a picnic for dinner at sunset. With yummy eats from The Little Tart Bakeshop in Atlanta and a couple glasses of wine, we were set. Next, we got settled into our teepee. It was easy to make the outdoor abode feel cozy with some candles and blankets. I brought some additional items, like my Crafts & Love jewelry collection to make it really feel like home (and to wear, of course!).

Our night plan was to watch a meteor shower and make smores, but unfortunately, rain prevented us from doing so. On the upside, the storm outside made us feel that much cozier in our little teepee. The next morning we made some hot chocolate and chatted by the campfire before heading back home. The short, overnight break from reality is just what we needed.

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Photography: Johnny Cheng Photography | Stylist: Megan Elliott, Lush to Blush| Jewelry: Crafts + Love | Food: The Little Tart Bakeshop | Camping Site: North Georgia Canopy Tours

I may not know this darling duo in “real life,” but there is one thing I can say with absolute certainty. This wedding is soooo them.  A little bit classic, a little bit fun-filled and a whole lot of sophisticated everything, it’s the kind of day that is chock-full of elegant moments and bundles upon bundles of personality.  So even though we may only be virtual besties (we sooo are), it’s not hard to see their smiling faces bursting from every second planned to perfection by No Regrets Events and captured by Simple Color Photography.  See them all in the full gallery.

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From the Bride… When we started planning our wedding, we tried to decide how we wanted to feel on our wedding day. We agreed that we wanted to be relaxed, traditional, and authentically us. We wanted family to be a big part of the weekend and we wanted a chance to really spend time with our bridal party and out-of-town guests. We answered this desire by doing a semi-destination wedding. We rented out the Farmhouse Inn in Madison, Georgia (a frequent childhood retreat of my family) for the entire bridal party to stay at, and had a ball staying up late around a bonfire the night before and having breakfast together the morning of the wedding. Both of our venues really captured the character of Madison and the feeling we wanted for our day; the church was an 1840’s beauty that touched on my love of history and our deep faith, and the reception hall was a renovated schoolhouse (perfect for a teacher-bride!) with an airy, lovely space for our guests.

The day was steeped in family and tradition, and I wore a traditional Irish engagement ring that has been in my family for generations and has been worn by every bride on her wedding day, as well as a garter made by my lovely grandmother out of my great-grandmother’s lace gown, and carrying the same handkerchief that my mother carried on her wedding day. The love that is carried through our families was displayed in canvas photos of mine and Andy’s parents and grandparents on their wedding days, bringing with them the memory of decades of happiness. The grandparents who are no longer with us were present through candles lit in the church and ornamented with beautiful pendants with their photos.

We love to swing dance together, so we chose Big Band Atlanta to play at the reception, and loved swinging the night away with our guests. When it was time to depart the band played the Georgia Tech fight song (for Andy!) and the University of Georgia fight song (for me!) and our guests chose white-and-gold or red-and-black pom poms to cheer us on our way. It was such a fun way to get our guests involved and have so much fun with the traditional going-away.

We were delighted with how smoothly and beautifully everything went; we were so relaxed and happy on our big day, and we wouldn’t change a thing!

Photography: Simple Color Photography | Event Planning: No Regrets Events | Floral Design: Le Petit Jardin | Wedding Dress: Justin Alexander | Ceremony Venue: Church of the Advent | Reception Venue: Madison-Morgan Cultural Center | Shoes: Franco Sarto | Catering: Hallie Jane's Catering | Band: Big Band Atlanta | Accomodations: Farm House Inn | Parasol: Priscilla's Parasol

Oh southern weddings, you complete me. It’s the southern charm mixed with the perfect amount of style, and the sweet focus on family and friends – it’s everything snapped up by Twin Hearts Photography at this gorgeous Georgia fête. Add some gorgeous florals from Gardenia Floral Design, lovely stationery from Rifle Paper Co and one seriously gorgeous (and seriously in love) couple, and I’m officially a goner. See why here.

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From Erin McKendry…Erin and Benjie could not have hand picked a better day to get married! Seriously, it was the perfect day for an outdoor wedding.  This beautiful Athens wedding was set on the family property of Lee Epting  (owner of Epting Events). The ceremony took place in a gorgeous sunken, English garden. Guests said as soon as the wedding began, the sunlight filtered through the trees and the birds started to chirp in anticipation. The Hill is known for its rustic look and the bride knew this historic property would be the perfect place to show her Northern guests what southern charm looks like. Twin Hearts Photography did such an amazing job capturing each tender and joyous moment the couple shared throughout the day. The bride and groom had such a fun time putting their personal touches into each detail of the wedding. The bride created the programs, wedding signage, and cocktail/drink menu. They both spent time antique and thrift shopping to collect all the eclectic vases, jars, and trays and helped create the chevron table runners. One of their favorite memories though was looking around halfway through the reception and seeing all guests sporting the custom neon sunglasses and glow sticks.

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Oh what I would have given to be on site at this seriously gorgeous shoot. It’s a flower-lovers piece of heaven thanks to all the beautiful blooms provided by the talented Colonial House, and pining over every petal in this gallery one fabulous way to spend your day. The pretty was snapped up by J Leigh Captures, allowing us to enjoy every last second right here in the full gallery.

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From Christy Hulsey… A slow southern Saturday full of frolic, flowers & whimsy-fun? Yes. Yes! Though I struggle for words to fully express the afternoon, FABULOUS does the job pretty well. Striking. Breathe-taking. Simply sapping in southern charm. Dripping, in fact.

Armed with a make-up bag, a bucket of posies, cutting shears to trim greenery and pretty blooms along the way, our camera, mugs of sweet tea and a dream we set out into the woods to make the best of the day. A canopy of pine needles crowned the day. It was sapping full of floral crowns, pine bark and lush smiles.

We crowned ourselves with magnolia, jasmine, butterfly bush, camelias and peonies. We adorned rich flower rings, carried buckets of foraged materials, made bouquets, and took pictures.

Photography: J Leigh Captures | Floral Design: Colonial House of Flowers, Est. 1968 | Hair & Make-up Artistry: Melissa Bunn | Model: Hannah Watkins | Model: Harley Strickland

I wish Amy Arrington could follow me around and capture all my life moments. Because her images? They are breathtaking. They have this beautiful, timeless feel, and always tell the sweetest of stories filled with moments that are completely priceless. This pretty little Georgia peach is the perfect example. Every image makes my heart sing the sweetest of songs, and you can see them all right here.

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From the bride: Our wedding was held on June 1, 2013 at the First Baptist Chapel in Gainesville, Ga. The colors were champagne, white, and shades of pink. I enjoyed getting ready with my mom, sister, & closest friends in the beautiful church parlor. One special detail was my Grandmother’s vintage pins on my bouquet which I used to honor and remember her. A favorite memory of the day was playing with my sister on the couch in the parlor right before the ceremony. The harpist really set the mood for my traditional church wedding. My sweet cousin was the ring bearer, and he carried a “Here Comes the Bride” sign which will be passed down to each of my bridesmaids for their future weddings. My dad had the honor of marrying us which was a very sweet blessing! We enjoyed eating Truelove’s cupcakes before being sent off with bubbles by our best friends and family. It truly was a perfect day!

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Photography: Amy Arrington Photography | Flowers: Judy Morris & Bonnie Vaughan of Floral Passions | Food & Cake: Truelove Celebrations, 770-983-0160 | Reception Coordinator & Candy Table: Southern Elegance by Stacey Morgan, 706-983-1127 | Harpist: Elizabeth Bennett, 678) 997-9871 | Hair: Brooke Stephens at Hair Artistry | Dresses: David’s Bridal | Venue: First Baptist Church | Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas

There is something so magical about a ballroom wedding. Don’t you agree? The gowns, the chandeliers, the elegance – it all tends to make me swoon. So when I come across a wedding like this one by Artstar by Laura Stone, I feel like I’ve hit the wedding jackpot. Because not only is it filled to the brim with lovely, but it’s also overflowing with love…and it doesn’t get better than that. See every gorgeous moment here.

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Colby proposed on Christmas day 2011. We had talked about getting married earlier that year, and went and looked at rings a few times. Christmas came around and I thought it maybe would happen on or around Christmas. Christmas day came and we visited both sides of the family and soon it was ten o’clock at night (I was thinking, “Maybe next year.”) I went into our room to unpack our things because we were just settling into a new house. When I came out he had all the lights out and candles lit. He had a 3 Musketeers bar on the table, and I said, “What the heck is this? I am confused?” He started to talk about our lives together, and one of the first times of us meeting how he asked me to marry him, how “he meant it then and means it now”. The 3 Musketeers bar represented the movie, which had marry me on the back. The Holiday-our favorite movie at the time, which we watched ALL the time. Jude Law told his family that they are the 3 musketeers. “We are in our first home and soon our first child. I want us to be the three musketeers”. Of course I said yes.

Colby is very rare. He is the kindest person I have ever met. He tells me I am beautiful every day, even when I am not acting that way. We welcomed our first child in April of 2012. It was not easy having a newborn, going to school, and planning a wedding at the same time. Luckily I found an angel, my wedding planner, Nicole Fantz. She was a dream, and so was everyone who was part of our special day.

When we first looked at the Biltmore Ballrooms, we thought it was gorgeous — the architecture was amazing! I wanted a glamorous, white/clean, romantic feel for our wedding. I happened to spend a lot of time on Style Me Pretty, Etsy, and Pinterest. That is how I came across Style Me Pretty. I spent a lot of time on the web due to school and the baby…..and the fact that I was all the way in Phenix City.

We had a lot of special touches. I couldn’t even begin to say which one was my favorite! I LOVED the thank you note that we placed on every charger at each table setting. Loved our monogrammed “book signing” and our advice box-both from Etsy. My brother walking our son down the aisle in his Army Blues, and the dedication we had to all of the family members we have lost. Our food was amazing and we had Cake Pops wrapped in cellophane for our guests. Everyone that we worked with just played such a big part in all if it. I think they put in their special touches and made it what it was.

My favorite memory is probably how calm the whole weekend was. How you hear that all you see when you walk down the aisle is your future husband, and how very true that is. How unbelievably gorgeous the day was-flowers, lighting. THE BAND!!! Honestly, EVERYTHING continues to be a vivid memory from that day because of how absolutely beautiful and wonderful it was. I am still amazed. My favorite photos are the reception photos of Colby and me and our son. I really loved all of the detailed pictures as well. The slide show that Laura, our photographer made, was amazing. She really captured the whole day and night very well, enough to make the slide show as good as any video. I cry every time I watch it.

Photography: Artstar by Laura Stone | Event Planning: Peachtree Weddings & Events | Floral Design: Blossoms Atlanta | Cake Pops: Sweet Sensations | Wedding Location: Georgian Ballroom

You know what makes for one seriously awesome combo?  Two adorable high school sweethearts, the amazing city of Atlanta and one breathtakingly gorgeous wedding.  That’s what we here at SMP call the trifecta of wedding goodness and this pretty little affair has all three.  Not to mention it’s a day that is seriously brimming with pretty, from the sweet romantic details to the traditional reception bursting with elegance to the fabulous gallery from Melissa Pepin Photography.  Join me there for every ounce of lovely.

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From Melissa Pepin… There are not enough words to describe how beautiful this affair was! Danielle and Tyler were the epitome of beautiful on their wedding day. Every detail was custom fitted to them. From the monogrammed outdoor bar to the artist drawn images from their engagement session pictures to the personalized wedding cakes… it was perfect.

Danielle adorned her hair with a custom-made piece that was created based on the belt of her wedding dress. All of her maids wore beautiful Kate Spade jewelry that went perfectly with their peach and soft pink dresses. Tyler was stunning in his linen suit and made all of his groomsmen happy with their customized cigar boxes filled with favorites he selected for each person. Outdoor seating on the back patio of their venue also made for a super relaxing evening under the stars while inside their guests dined and danced the night away to an amazing band brought in just for their big day.

After dating for 10 years and finally marrying their high school sweetheart, this couple put on the perfect affair and we were SO excited to be a part of it!

Photography: Melissa Pepin Photography | Florals: Jamie Parrish | Wedding Dress: Matthew Christopher | Wedding Cake: Sugar Kneads | Ceremony: UGA Chapel | Reception: Foundry Park Inn & Spa | Jewelry: Kate Spade | Catering: Foundry Park Inn & Spa | Make up and hair: Southern Roots | Band: Fly By Radio

It might not feel like fall just yet, but after five seconds with this Georgia “I do,” a mug of cider was calling. my. name. Factor in all the autumn-inspired florals from Twigs, Leaves & Flowers plus every picture-perfect moment caught by Red Fly Studio, and I’m feeling an oh so sudden urge to cuddle up in a cardigan and watch the leaves change outside my window…but until then, I’ll be perfectly happy spending my days right here.

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From the Bride…When Daniel and I first started planning our wedding we knew that we wanted an event that came from our hearts. We choose a venue that was near his parents home in the mountains and it fit our vision perfectly. We’ve always loved the area and it seemed fitting to get married in a place that was close to our hearts. We did a first look, included our dog, Bella, and spent our time focusing on the things that really matter. I’ll never forget our ceremony and the way that Daniel looked at me, the prayer that Matt spoke over us and the feeling when“Home” by Edward Sharpe started playing as we walked down the aisle as husband and wife.

It’s the moments that are spent with the people that mean the most to you that really matter and working with a great team that you know, love and trust makes all of the difference. Molly and Cristina, our photographers, did an amazing job capturing every moment and we loved having them as part of our celebration. We can’t say thank you enough to Daniel’s family for making sure that everything came together the week before hand. Our florist Mrs. Cyndi of Twigs, Leaves and Flowers understood our vision perfectly and created the most precious wreath for Bella to wear, along with my bouquet and all of the table pieces.

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Photography: Red Fly Studio | Floral Design: Twigs, Leaves & Flowers | Event Venue: Lawn at Skylake Clubhouse | Black Tie Events: Rich Leggitt | Wedding Dress: J. Crew

Weddings like this Lake Lanier beauty by VUE Photography always make me wish I could crawl through the computer screen and experience it all first hand. The gorgeous lake-side setting, the oh-so in love couple, the pretty vintage details – it all makes for one gorgeous day. Beyond gorgeous actually. Thankfully, we all get to soak it all up right here in the full gallery.

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From VUE Photography…Ali an Nick’s wedding was in early Fall of 2012.  Set beside Lake Lanier the whole event was out doors.  Greys, Whites, Blushes, Greens, and touches of Aqua, and pink were the colors.  There was a bit of a message in a bottle theme! 

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Photography: VUE Photography | Event Design: Edge Design Group | Stationary: Ali Rendulic | Hair + Makeup: Authentic Beauty | Cake Toppers: Claylicious | Groom + Groomsmen Suits: Custom | Wedding Dress: Jim Hjelm | Shoes: Ivanka Trump | Bridesmaids Dresses: Joanna August | Cuff: Couturelove | Bridesmaids Robes: Silkandmore | Bridesmaids Gifts: HawaiiChicJewelry | Bridesmaids Bags: BucktoothedBunny | Groomsmen Cuffs: whitetruffle

Old Hollywood meets the south, and the result? Perfection. With a little bit of spunk and a whole lot of sweet southern charm, the combo makes for a party that people are probably still talking about. It doesn’t hurt that the new Mr. & Mrs. are head over heels in love with each other, which just might be the most fabulous detail of all. See all the pretty captured by Julie Anne, Wedding Photographer right here.

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Photography: Julie Anne, Wedding Photographer | Wedding Cake: Confection Perfection | Ceremony Venue: Cedar Plantation | Catering: Adriane's Delectables | Hair + Makeup: Amber Nicole Design

I love rehearsal dinners. The air is full of excitement and everyone wears smiles as if it is their most prized accessory. So when I come across such a dinner like this one snapped up by Bre Sessions, Scobey Photography, I get a little giddy. Ok a lot giddy. Because when you combine happiness and prettiness, it doesn’t get any better to me. See it all here.

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Photography: Scobey Photography | Floral Design: Le Jardin Fracais | Location: Restaurant Eugene

Sometimes I have to pinch myself that this is what I get to do for a living.  You know… spend my days soaking in some seriously stunning inspiration from some of the world’s most talented vendors?  I know I am so, so very lucky, and on days like today, I count my blessings in a big way.  That’s because I’ve been spending my morning gazing at this stunning affair from Stephie Hicks Photography, aka, a Southern-inspired masterpiece with too many beautiful details to count literally bursting from my computer screen.  See it all right here in the full gallery.

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From Stephie Hicks Photography… Hannah and Rhett’s wedding was absolutely gorgeous!  The vintage touches and soft colors were really amazing.  The Thompson House and Garden’s was the perfect venue – You can’t find a bad spot to photograph. 

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Photography: Stephie Hicks Photography | Ceremony  + Reception Location: Thompson House and Gardens | Event + Floral Design + Planning: Thompson House and Gardens

This wedding had me at hello.  Well, actually it had me at two high school sweethearts tying the knot in a drop-dead gorgeous modern meets vintage masterpiece, but you get the point… I love every last second of this sweet, sweet day captured by Eclectic Exposures.  And once you dive into all of this whimsical + DIY pretty, you’ll see exactly what I mean.  Because this isn’t just any Southern-inspired day of lovely.  It’s a day chock-full of beautiful stylings from The Conservatory at Waterstone and a whole lot of happy.  See it all in the full gallery.

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From the Bride… From the moment I agreed to go to an independent professional wrestling show our junior year of high school to watch him wrestle, I knew Kyle was going to be the one. Nine years, one high school and college graduation and one simple Christmas Eve proposal that perfectly fit our relationship style later, I was walking down the aisle to marry the man I’ve loved for so long. Kyle and I had actually been friends since 9th grade, but 11th grade chemistry is where our love started blossoming. Funny thing is, to this day we still find ourselves acting like we did during those first high school moments.

We knew we would be sharing this special day with so many of our loved ones that have grown over the years with our relationship so we wanted to make sure our day incorporated everyone. We chose to get married at the Conservatory at Waterstone (which used to be an old restaurant before it was turned into a wedding venue) in the quaint downtown area of Acworth, GA. We did some researching for venues online prior to choosing, but the Conservatory was the first and last venue that we visited. Everything about it from the cobblestone floors to the walls and back down to the wrought iron details made this venue incredibly inspiring. The Conservatory provides an all-inclusive package as well which played a major role in our tight wedding budget.

The venue really inspired the “vintage-modern” theme of our wedding. We spent the next year and a half searching yard sales, flea markets, estate sales, Four Inch Fold vintage rental shop … everywhere to collect bottles, glasses, jars, any assortment of items to put flowers in. We knew we wanted the flowers to be arranged in a very simple and minimalist technique throughout the 35+ tables at the Conservatory. Along with bottles, we collected trunks, old coke crates, windows and other used and re-purposed odds and ends to complete our venue’s modern vintage feel. We also completed several DIY projects throughout the process including the Yarn M nailed to wood, beautifully hand-written signs (courtesy of my maid of honor) throughout the Conservatory, several dyed paper doilies, our window program sign, guestbook canvas and the menu signs made out of pallets and chalkboard paint to name a few. Kyle and I really enjoyed adding these meaningful touches throughout our wedding.

Before the ceremony, rather than going by tradition and not seeing each other up until I’m walking down the aisle, we chose to write each other letters and do a first look in a garden location that Amber, our photographer chose near the ceremony site. It was definitely a special and personal moment for us both.

My personal favorite detail for our entire wedding day was actually a site not even seen, it was our selection of music throughout the night. Here are a few from our list:

Wedding Party Entrance – Falling Slowly by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova; Bride’s Entrance – Harvest Moon by Neil Young (I listened to this song on tape over and over again with my mom as a child); Unity Candle Ceremony – I Won’t Give Up by Jason Mraz; Ceremony Exit – Send Me On My Way by Rusted Root; Wedding Party Reception Entrance – Let’s Get Married by Jagged Edge (we had each pair do a dance as they were announced in); First Dance – At Last by Etta James; Father/Daughter Dance – Landslide by Fleetwood Mac.

Truth be told, nothing can compare to hearing our close friend and pastor pronounce us husband and wife. However, all of the well-thought out details of our wedding and our team of wedding day extraordinaires made this an unforgettable day for everyone.

Photography: Eclectic Exposures | Event Design: The Conservatory at Waterstone | Event Planning: The Conservatory at Waterstone | Floral Design: The Conservatory at Waterstone | Wedding Dress: David's Bridal | Cake: The Conservatory at Waterstone | Invitations: Swirl Creative | Ceremony Location: The Conservatory at Waterstone | Reception Location: The Conservatory at Waterstone | Bridesmaid Dresses: Alfred Sung | Rentals: Four Inch Fold

When it comes to weddings, I consider myself a little bit of a contemporary lover.  But show me a drop-dead gorgeous barn wedding and I turn to some serious wedding lovin’ putty.  Especially when that drop-dead gorgeous barn wedding is rich in DIY details and some of the prettiest rustic stylings you will ever lay your eyes upon.  That’s the kind of affair that can make any modern lady or gent reconsider (believe you me)… and you can see it all captured by One Nine Images right here in the full gallery.

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From the Bride… I grew up in the horse country of the northern suburbs of Atlanta and had always dreamed of having my wedding reception in a barn. Soon after our engagement, I had given up hope of finding one in our area that hosted events until I stumbled upon a link to The Reid Barn. When my fiance and I visited it for the first time, I instantly fell in love. With a pond, a pasture and plenty of indoor and outdoor space to accommodate our 300 guests, we knew it was the place for us. I immediately began brainstorming all of the DIY decor that would compliment the Barn’s rustic yet elegant yet simple aura and we spent the next eleven months making them a reality. My brother-in-law cut slabs and branches from fallen trees and he, my fiance and I spent countless hours drilling and sanding them to make centerpieces. I scoured every thrift store in a ten mile radius for mason jars and my family and friends saved wine bottles and miscellaneous jars for months. I purchased 100 yards of burlap from a discount online store and used it to make table runners, bows for the church pews, table numbers, bean bags for Corn Hole, a bulletin board for photos and many other decor elements. (We still have so much burlap left that we joke we’ll be making burlap crafts for our grandchildren some day!) We wanted our wedding to have as many personal touches as possible and nearly everything was created by one of us or one of our friends or family members. From our toasting glasses hand painted by my aunt, to my bridesmaids’ hair flowers made by a friend, to the wedding programs and escort cards designed and printed by me, to signage hand painted by my mom, our wedding was certainly a labor of love made possible by countless loved ones. My cousin, Marjorie, volunteered to be our day-of decorator and she did an outstanding job offering ideas and bringing my wedding dream to life. I wish I could list out each project and each person who contributed to our decor, but the list would go on and on! I love looking back at the pictures and having the ability to say “We made that. And that. And that. And it’s beautiful.”

It was important to me to also honor the natural simplicity and beauty of the Barn and its surroundings and to keep a more casual vibe to the day. We opted for a simple white cake with no topper to allow the Barn’s beauty and our own DIY decor to do the talking. I loved the lace-like look to a cluster of plain baby’s breath and decided to use it as the bridesmaids’ bouquets and the groomsmen’s boutonnieres. The groomsmen wore vests instead of full suits to allow them to be more comfortable and casual on a warm Georgia October day. My bridesmaids chose from a selection of dark purple Bill Levkoff dresses and chose their own shoes and jewelry so they could feel comfortable and beautiful in their own style. Our flowers at the reception were a combination of baby’s breath, green mums and white carnations– lovingly arranged by my cousin. They didn’t overpower the decor but added a touch of simple elegance. The neutral tones of the burlap and wood, the green tones of the mums and groomsmen ties and the classic white of various flowers grounded the day in the aura of the Barn I had first adored. And the glimpse of a purple bridesmaid dress here and there provided some definite pop!

It took me six months to decide on a wedding dress and I ended up choosing the first one I had tried on. I loved the simple lace, the lovely neckline and the stunning train. I toyed with the idea of other dresses along the way, but ultimately decided on the first and only one that I had fallen in love with. I like to compare my dress buying experience to my relationship with Arthur. We met when we were 14 at church and he has always said that the first time he saw me, he knew I would be his wife. We were friends for several years and then began dating when we were 16. We broke up at 19, but stayed in touch and had a long saga of reunions and then more break ups. When we were 26, we realized we were both still crazy about each other and decided to give it one final try. Ten months later, we were engaged. Much like my dress, Arthur was the first and only one I ever loved. I’m so glad I followed my heart and ended up with the perfect dress… and husband!

The most special thing about our wedding was that we actually got married at the church where we met. I grew up in that parish and his family became very involved there in high school. We met as children in the very same building where we said our vows and committed our lives to each other as adults. It’s such a special place for both of us as individuals and as a couple and we couldn’t imagine starting our marriage at any other place. Sitting with him and holding his hand during the ceremony was such a powerful experience for me and my favorite part of the entire day.

Fun Fact – I practically placed the bouquet in my best friend’s hands, knowing she was hoping for a proposal very soon. She caught the bouquet and got engaged a week later! I was a bridesmaid in her wedding in June.

Photography: One Nine Images | Cinematography: Marquee Events | Wedding Dress: Allure Bridal | Cake: The Cake Shoppe | Ceremony Venue: St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic | Reception Venue: The Reid Barn | Bridesmaids Dresses: Bill Levkoff | Catering: Tam's Backstage | DJ: Marquee Events | Men's Attire: Dillard's | Men's Attire: Perry Ellis | Bouquets + Boutonnieres: Amazing by Amanda | Bridal Boutique: I Do I Do Bridal | Bride's Hair: Davao Hair Salon | Bride's Make Up: Makeup Couture | String Light Rentals: North Georgia Party Rental

You know, I’ve never been to St. Simons Island but after devouring all the pretty sitting in this gallery captured by Nate and Jenny Weddings, I’m pretty sure I’ll be convincing my hubby we need a getaway. That little island set the scene for this oh-so-sweet soiree, one that perfected southern elegance in a way you can’t help but swoon over. It’s image after image of pure southern lovely, and it’s all waiting for you right here.

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Photography: Nate And Jenny Weddings | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Ceremony Venue: St. William Catholic Church | Reception Venue: Village Creek Landing | Shoes: Toms | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | Catering: Halyards Catering | Accomodations: Sea Palms Resort

You know why I love Georgia weddings?  This darling Peachtree wedding right here, aka, the perfect example of Southern awesomeness all wrapped up in beautiful imagery by Claudia McDade Photography. Because this is the kind of wedding that just screams Georgia elegance with lush florals from Sheridan’s Designs and a Flat Creek Country Club setting that will literally make your heart sing.  Oh, and the darling “can’t stop smiling” sweeties?  They’re amazing.  See so much more in the full gallery.

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From the Bride… My husband Patrick and I met at Presbyterian College in small Clinton, South Carolina. We are both so proud to call ourself Blue Hose! Some of our fondest memories will always be playing college basketball and volleyball. After college we moved to Augusta, Georgia to pursue our masters degrees and continue to find Gods plan for our lives. Once we both finished school Pat finally popped the question and I couldn’t wait to start planning my dream wedding.

We decided to have a Spring wedding on a beautiful golf course in my home town of Peachtree City, Georgia. I have always wanted an outdoor wedding and after visiting the country club we both knew this was our venue. We loved the intimate feeling of the beautiful veranda over looking the golf course and the party to follow in the club house. Our wedding was a classic style with purples, pinks and grays. I was so blessed to have amazing vendors, and my talented mother, to help me make my dream wedding come to life.

Saturday was finally here! The weather was absolutely perfect, we could not have asked for anything better. The white wisteria hung over the venue and set the stage for a beautiful ceremony. Our family and wedding coordinators made the day go by so smoothly, it was stress free, and allowed us to take in every moment and focus on our love and commitment. Our families traveled from all over the country for our big day, so it was very special to have such a great celebration with everyone. We both had the best times of our lives, we wish we could do it over and over!

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Wedding Photography: Claudia McDade | Cinematography: Bobs Eye View | Wedding Venue: Flat Creek Country Club, Peachtree City, Georgia | Floral Design: Sheridan’s Designs | Cake: Sweet Sisters Creations | Wedding Coordinator: Weddings by Elain | DJ/Music: Beat House Productions | Makeup: Shakuwra Norwood | Hair: Robin Melton | Shoes: Toms