Georgia Weddings

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.

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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.

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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

There are a lot of reasons I adore this beautiful Clayton wedding, but let me start out by saying this: the bride and groom are adorable.  Adorable in a way that makes you happy just looking at them… and filled with an immense joy just to share in their day.  And those aforementioned “other” reasons?  Well, just one look at their breathtaking affair and it’s easy to see.  From the sweet DIY details to the stunning florals from Southern Stems to a plethora of crazy awesome patterns (the bride’s passion), it’s the literal definition of pretty.  See every last moment captured perfectly by Julia from Our Labor of Love in the full gallery.

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From the Bride… When my fiance Hal and I got engaged in May, I didn’t know where to start. I wasn’t one of those girls that dreamed about my wedding as a little girl and never really gave it much thought. But I absolutely knew what I did not want in a wedding and that helped lead the way from the beginning through the end.

Shortly after our engagement we were visiting Hal’s family at Lake Burton where he spent most of his summers growing up- it was his favorite place. When I commented on the relaxed nature of lake living and the amazing view of the Blue Ridge mountains in the distance, it clicked. I did not want a wedding filled with stress or formality, and a wedding on Lake Burton could be neither of the two. We quickly decided on the venue, The Waterfall Club, with breathtaking views and laid back surroundings.

After perusing Style Me Pretty and a few wedding magazines, I had an aesthetic in mind, and thanks to family and friends, the vision was realized. Our colors were yellow and gray, which translated often to gold and silver, with accents of peach. Many of our ideas we created ourselves, from the moss letters that hung on the entry, to the centerpieces made from distressed wooden boxes, to the invitations, welcome bags, programs and personalized mad libs. As a designer, the creative was my favorite part. I love patterns of all kinds and included a variety in our printed materials: ikat, polka dots, chevron, and stripes were sprinkled throughout.

Looking back, it’s the details I remember: the scenic views of the mountains overlooking the emerald green lake, the perfect-couldn’t-ask-for-better weather in early September, the delectable cookies (homemade by family), smiling friends dancing with ‘J + H’ koozies in hand. It was all as it should be- the combination of who we were as a couple and everything we wanted in a ceremony. Our histories and families and future all coming together in one night. All of our favorite people in the world under the same roof, what else could we ask for?

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Wedding Photography: Julia from Our Labor of Love | Wedding Venue: The Waterfall Club in Clayton, Georgia | Event Coordination: Signature Weddings + Events | Floral Design: Southern Stems | String Trio: Georgia String Ensemble | Wedding Dress: Allure | Bride’s Shoes: J.Crew | Bridesmaids’ Attire: J.Crew | Groom’s Attire: Calvin Klein

A few things I know for sure.  Atlanta rocks, Lauren Jackson Photography takes one crazy gorgeous picture and I want to marry this wedding.   A little cliché to say on a wedding blog?  Sure… but it’s sooo true.  Because if I could stare at this wedding on a daily basis, I would in a heartbeat.  And, let’s face it, thanks to one uber-amazing gallery, I plan to.  From the hot pink meets blue color palette to the traditional-with-a-twist details to that stunning Vera Wang, there’s not a moment that doesn’t have me drooling.  And did I mention that amazing gallery?!?  Join me there for more.

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From the Bride…Like many girls, I had dreamed about my wedding day for as long as I could remember.  But what I was really most happy about, and what I had dreamed of even longer, was that I had found the person that I wanted to share that special day and the rest of my life with.  My best friend.  I immediately fell in love with Johnny.  He was loving, funny, silly, but serious, and brought out the best in me.  Despite our immediate and undeniable connection, life threw us quite a few obstacles early on in our relationship, but I knew we’d make it through because we were so perfectly matched to the other.  Although we had too many similarities to count, we also had very different styles.  He, more preppy classic, me, a bit more edgy.  Even if our different styles, the wedding planning came together seamlessly.  I wanted our big day to be unique, reflective of us, and, above all else, fun. Summerour was an easy and obvious choice.  It is naturally elegant, with exposed beams, farm tables and beautiful views of the Atlanta skyline.  Next were the details.  Part of the vision I had with color, was to have blue and white stripes on the tables with pops of hot pink all over the room.  This idea then spread into our wedding party attire, having all the men in blue and white striped ties, and the women with hot pink bouquets.  Like many things, details began to unfold and come together so naturally.  Our wedding reception band was a no-brainer.  I work for a music management company and one of the bands we book is Yacht Rock Revue.  They are extremely fun and incredibly popular here in Atlanta.  Our guests were excited about the big day as soon as they heard they would be rocking the night away.

Again, at the end of the day, I wanted all of the traditional details most weddings have, but for all of them to be unique in style or presentation.  Another spin on the traditional, we loved the idea of having a guestbook, but didn’t want something that would gather dust and sit on a bookshelf for years without being opened.  So I came up with the idea of framing a large poster sized version of our Save the Date for everyone to sign.  That way we could hang it prominently and proudly in our house and it would be enjoyed everyday.  From seeing each other the morning of the wedding, to being introduced for our first dance with our dogs, we knew wanted every moment to be unique, be us, and be fun.  We followed a traditional wedding playbook, but at the end of the day, we made up our own rules as we went along.  And everything was perfect.

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Wedding Photography: Lauren Jackson Photography | Wedding Venue: Summerour Studio in Atlanta, Georgia | Floral Design: Arrangements by Catherine | Wedding Cake: Frosted Pumpkin Gourmet | Music: Yacht Rock Revue | Invitations: Paper Affair | Linens: I Do Linens | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang “Diana” | Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bride’s Veil: Vera Wang | Bride’s Earrings: Kleinfeld Bridal | Bride’s Necklace: Rivini | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: LulaKate | Groom + Groomsmen Attire: JoS.A.Bank

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

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

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

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

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

I have a thing for al fresco affairs. And by a thing, I mean I have a full on obsession with each and every twinkling light and seat at the seemingly never-ending banquet table. It’s the conversations I can imagine the guests having, that extra glass of wine poured – all while the stars shine down on you. Al fresco equals the most dreamy of nights to me, so hosting such an affair in Savannah (the capital of charming) could just put me over the edge. But it’s an edge I’ll gladly go over.  Particularly when a Bride and Groom like these two are involved and it’s captured by Donna Von Bruening. See so much more of this gorgeous wedding from Caroline Carter Events right here.

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From Caroline Carter Events… This was truly a destination wedding to Savannah, Georgia  Bride and Groom are from Los Angeles with their parents in Orlando and North Carolina. There was a definite southern influence in food and decor. They married under a fabric swathed oak tree in a Savannah Square. Cocktailed inside the historic Harper Fowlkes House then had a banquet seated dinner under lights in the secret courtyard. Cake had magnolia’s on it. Place cards were old keys. Design element of a trellis circle was woven into everything.

We used the garden gate’s iron work to create a custom design on all of her stationery and came up with the “secret garden”, backyard soiree that was intimate and played off of the natural settings. We incorporated skeleton keys that had the guests’ names on them and led them to their tables. Tablescapes included potted herbs and hydrangeas, with lots of lanterns and candlelight. Barebulb lighting was strung in the garden and the food was all locally inspired with southern and coastal cuisine!

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Wedding Photography: Donna Von Bruening | Wedding Venue: Harper Fowlkes House in Savannah, Georgia | Event Planning: Caroline Carter Events | Floral Design: Garden on the Square | Catering: John Nichols | Wedding Cake: Tier Luxury Cakes | Ceremony Music: New Arts Ensemble | DJ: All about you Entertainment | Rentals: Beachview | Wedding Invitations + Stationery: Lilah Paper | Wedding Programs: Natalie Kilgore | Calligraphy: Caroline Whitfield | Trolley: Old Savannah Tours | Rehearsal Dinner: Old Pinke House | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier |Hair + Makeup: Nikki Westberry

Nature just might be the best accessory. It needs not a lot of decoration and adds the prettiest layer of organic greenery to a celebration. Paired with the happiest sun flowers by Petals A Florist and a tented reception worthy of accolades, this wedding is on its way to becoming our favorite backyard celebration to date. Have a look at the full affair captured by Paperlily Photography in the gallery and be sure to hit the play button on the film shot by Bob’s Eye View.

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From the Bride…If Michael and I had one word in mind while planning our special day, it would be the word- meaningful. We wanted people to think, “That’s so Michael and Audrey,” without being predictable. If we had to think of one aspect of our wedding that would sum up our aesthetic vision it would be our flowers. Wildflowers were the perfect choice for us. The flowers were whimsical, organic, vintage inspired, and fairy tale like. They were muted, like the bridesmaids dresses, but had pops of color that made a statement like many other details. We were married at a family friend’s house. The tree in their backyard was more than perfect and the huge roots that came through the ground were a perfect spot to stand during our vows- barefoot. Family and friends are the most important to us. We wanted to have a huge celebration and include them as much as possible. Our thumb print guest book was a fun way to take away each and every one of them. Every one of our guests made it out to the dance floor at least once. There was so much love that day.   

The smallest details can make a wedding day special, and you will be amazed at what you can do with a little bit of spray paint! I spray painted all of the turquoise vases and the bird cages. All of the vases were thrifted and found by our families. The escort cards were made by my mother, and the wooden boxes that held the cards were constructed by Michael’s dad. Michael’s dad also carved our names and wedding date into a small log. The photo display was created by us (we thrifted all of the frames for cheap and spray painted them white). My garter was a gift from a bridesmaid. Michael’s wedding ring was inherited, his Grandfather wore it for 53 years. The lace incorporated with my bouquet belongs to Michael’s Grandmother. Our cake plate and champagne glasses are vintage and were a gift from my mother. My Uncle was our Officiant. We loved that. He was amazing. Music was hand-picked and our guests could tell that we put lots of love and time into the songs that we chose.

It is impossible to choose just one favorite moment. So, here’s a few. Getting ready with our wedding party was hilarious and so relaxing. The girls sang, danced, and drink Mojitos as the boys hung out in the pool. I remember when Michael and I were saying our vows. We completely forgot that other people were in attendance. At that point, nothing else mattered. All I could see was his smiling face. One of the craziest moments (and funniest) was when my mom decided to join my dad and I in our father/ daughter dance. They are no longer married so it was spur of the moment and unexpected. She just jumped right in! It was a complete surprise and a crowd pleaser! Last, but not least, dancing for hours with all of the people that we love, including each other.

Our Advice to Those Planning Now: It sounds so simple, but just be yourself in all that you do. People will love you for that. Don’t be afraid to be different. When you start to feel pressure and overwhelmed just remember what this day is for. On the day of, let everything go. Have fun! Everyone is there to have a good time. Most importantly, remember to take a minute to sit down and look around. Take it all in because in an instant it is over! You will see and feel all of the love around you. Oh, and kiss your new husband every chance you get- it’s fun!

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Photography: Paperlily Photography | Ceremony + Reception Location: Private Residence, Villa Juanita | Event Planner: Susan Harlan | Event Designer:  Jeffrey Powell | Floral Designer: Petals A Florist | Caterer: Carole Parks Catering | Invitation Designer: Invitations by Dawn | Cinematography: Bob’s Eye View | Cake Designer: Perfect Wedding Cake | DJ: Spectrum Entertainment | Wedding Dress: Claire Pettibone via Kelly’s Closet | Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal

My best friend in college grew up in Savannah. And she was fabulous. With a pretty Southern accent that could charm the pants off of just about anyone she came across. So when she invited us home for a Summertime visit, well, we knew that it would be something special. What we didn’t know, was just how very special that Savannah trip would be  – with sweeping gardens and French inspired architecture and food and food and food for days. It was magic. And Jeremy Harwell, photographer and friend who recently devoured every inch of Savannah’s most beautiful season, just might tell you the exact same thing. Click here to see his full, gorgeous adventure.

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From Jeremy Harwell…I really love Savannah! It has such a soul and personality all its own. I love the history mixed with the modern elements as it’s such a great mix and makes the city feel alive and progressive.

FOOD

I stayed at the Mansion On Forsyth Park. The food here is amazing! The food at 700 Drayton (the hotel restaurant) is exceptional. I love the Drayton Plate with homemade Parmesan and chive biscuits, Georgia pecan crusted goat cheese, shaved country ham, savannah bee company honey comb, sweet grass dairy of Thomasville GA asher bleu cheese, and green tomato jelly. Also the Buttermilk fired chicken sandwich on toasted challah bread with bleu cheese slaw is so tasty! To top the meal off try the blackberry crème brulee.

A wonderful Brunch spot is Firefly Café.  Order the Habersham Hash!

A favorite for dinner is The Pink House

For a great cup of coffee try The Coffee Fox. My favorite is the Horchata Latte and the Café Con Leche.

For a quick lunch or ice cream try Leopold’s – a Savannah Landmark!

I love strolling all the beautiful squares and right off one of my favorites (Chippewa square) is The Public Kitchen & Bar. Go for the Club Sandwich and their homemade soups!

SHOPPING

Right down the street from Leopold’s, you can shop at another favorite – Paris Market

Just a short walk down on Bull St. It is one of my favorite haunts, Alex Raskin Antiques. This shop is 4 floors of amazing antiques and architectural pieces.

FOR FUN

The Lucas Theater  is a great for vintage films and musical events.

River Street is great for some quintessential Savannah flavor- I especially love the Jazz

E. Shaver Books is a lovely bookshop with a great selection of rare finds and new books.

Another one of my favorite shops is Shop SCAD. Filled with artistry of all kinds – from photography to jewelry – this is a mecca for creativity.

I always avoid touristy spots when I travel, I always seek local info from shops I love, they always give great recommendations for food and other shops they like, so all these spots are much less mainstream and hidden gems more or less!

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Photography by: Harwell Photography

Oh, backyard weddings.  What can I say?  I adore you with a passion.  You’re all at once sophisticated and elegant with a sweet personalization that can’t be beat.  And when you’re planned in just five months by Creme de le Chic and boasting layers upon layers of natural meets organic details and an adorable Mr. and Mrs. who made the day all about family?  It’s amazing.  See exactly why this darling affair from Kelly Lane Photography ranks high atop my list of favorites in the full gallery.

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From Kelly Lane Photography… Andy and Honor planned their wedding in five short months. When it came to deciding on a venue, they looked at several, but because family means so much to them, and so much of their relationship revolved around her parent’s home (game nights, pool parties and ladder ball competitions), they decided to have the wedding where it meant the most to them, her childhood home.

Organic, Natural and garden: The three words used to drive the design inspiration and wedding theme. A simple neutral color palette was the perfect backdrop for the colorful flowers and plants her family spent every weekend preparing, thanks to her mom’s green thumb and dad’s hard work. They loved the juxtaposition of the natural elements of the backyard garden with the soft and elegant white table linens, china and string lights spread over the putting green.

To incorporate their love of games, as each family member and friend entered the ceremony, they signed a little note of encouragement, inside jokes or well wishes to Andy and Honor on a Jenga block. They spent hours in their living room sorting through the blocks after returning home from their honeymooon, brought to tears in laughter.

The food and desserts were another reflection of the family and were catered by Endive. Roasted vegetable lasagna, vino and cannoli for the Italian family (because there is no real Italian celebration without these). Then for the Southern side, there was braised beef brisket with coca-cola gravy, grilled farmers market vegetable medley, and baked red snapper court bouillon!

Almost all of the details were DIY.  Honor grew up with a family that spent numerous Saturdays as a  family renovating her mom’s new vision for the family home or doing projects around the house. Her family inspired in Honor the DIY attitude that they could do anything they put their minds to and growing to love that creative mindset, applied this to her wedding.

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Wedding Photography: Kelly Lane Photography | Wedding Venue: Family Home in Atlanta, Georgia | Wedding Coordinator + Floral Design: Creme de le Chic | Wedding Cinematography: Rob Berry | Officiant: Scott Thompson from Bethel Atlanta | Catering: Endive | Wedding Cake: Rhodes Bakery | DJ: Adam Maine + Harvey Cheek | Pool Luminaries: Luminari | Vintage Rentals: Four Inch Fold | Hair: Siggers | Makeup: Suni Cosmetics

It’s not often that middle school romance blossoms into a full fledged love story, but when it does, you simply can’t help but get wrapped up in all the cuteness. What’s even more adorable? Urban Poppy helped to weave the love notes written by these two cuties back in their younger years throughout the celebration. That’s when the ahhhh’s come out in full force. It’s a southern wedding that is literally as sweet as they come, and thanks to Vue Photography we can keep the ooh’s and ahh’s going in the full gallery.

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From Vue Photography… Kellie and Alden’s wedding was a quirky December wedding. It took place at the Mansion on Forsyth, in Savannah Georgia. The couple met in middle school and with last names “crowthers” (her) and “chewning” (him), they were always seated beside one another. A relationship grew and well-ah! Urban Poppy, the designer used their love notes from their youth as folded paper flowers in her bouquet and his bout.

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Wedding Photography: Vue Photography | Wedding Venue: Mansion on Forsyth in Savannah, Georgia | Floral Design: Anissa Manzo from Urban Poppy | Wedding Cake: Minette Rushing from Custom Cakes | Wedding Dress: Jim Hjelm

You learn so much about couples from their e-sessions and weddings.  Mainly, that every single duo we feature here on SMP is head-over-heels, but also that they have the sweetest love stories you’ll ever get the chance to hear.  Case in point?  These adorable Atlanta sweeties, who met in high school, dated for ten years and tied their love of antiquing and vintage cars into their engagement session captured by Michelle Landreau.  Get to know them right here.

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From the Bride… After dating for ten years (we are high-school sweethearts), Michael and I finally got engaged on a ski trip in North Carolina. The very next day we went antique shopping, one of our favorite things to do together, and we picked up a vintage bottle engraved with a heart. This treasure from our engagement trip, along with my beautiful antique engagement ring, became the basis for our e-session.

So I moved forward with the vintage, romantic style of the shoot in mind but still pondering exactly what to incorporate in the shoot. I grew up in a family that renovated old cars and as a couple, Michael and I have enjoyed going to vintage car shows. So I contacted the Atlanta Thunderbird Club and one of their members graciously offered the use of both his 57’ Ford Fairlane and his 56’ Thunderbird (for free!). The cars were both so amazing, we just couldn’t pick between them, so we ended up using both. In addition, we brought along some props to pull everything together- including a vintage suitcase (bought on Etsy), bunting I made myself, and of course, the vintage bottle from our engagement trip. It was so much fun posing with the vintage cars, I felt like a movie star and the pictures came out better than anything we could have imagined.

After the vintage, romantic shoot that morning we really wanted to do something more modern and fun. We headed to downtown Atlanta to one of our favorite tunnels, the Arizona Avenue Tunnel, which is covered in some amazing bright colored graffiti. The graffiti made an awesome backdrop for the pictures. We changed into some more casual clothes and had a lot of fun making faces at the camera and just being silly.

Finally, we ended the day on the Jackson Street Bridge. This bridge has one of the best skyline views of downtown Atlanta (now made even more famous by it’s use in the opening credits of a certain zombie TV show filmed in Atlanta). I love that we were able to capture Atlanta in some of our photos, since it is the city we have lived in and grown together as a couple and the city where we are getting married.

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Wedding Photography: Michelle Landreau from Morning Light by Michelle Landreau Photography | Location: Atlanta, Georgia | Bride’s Attire: Ruche “Peach Rose Dress” | Bride’s Shoes: J.Crew “Mona” | Groom’s Attire: J.Crew

Jeremy Harwell.  What can I say?  He rocks.  And the weddings he sends our way?  They’re awesome.  So, to say I was excited when this little gem popped up on my computer screen is, well… an absolute understatement.  Because I don’t just love this wedding, I seriously adore each and every moment.  Which is to be expected, since the whole shebang was planned and designed by the uber-talented ellyB Events, who just so happen to rock, too.  It’s classic, gorgeous and everything you dream your wedding to be.  See so much more in the full gallery.

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From ellyB Events… Julie and Dave were an absolute joy to work with! Julie and Dave live in two separate states so it was imperative for Dave to get Julie help to plan their big day so she would have the guidance they needed. One thing was for sure, Julie wanted an opulent location that her out of town guests would be able to enjoy, as well as compliment her fairy tale ball gown.

When designing the wedding, we knew that we wanted everything light and airy and classic. It was important to use the blush tones, silver undertones and compliment the decor that was already in place at the St. Regis. We also wanted to add to the experience and personalization of Julie and Dave by adding the gelato cart to signify Italy where Dave proposed to Julie. We also had custom cigars for the guests to enjoy on the terrace at the St. Regis.

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Wedding Photography: Jeremy Harwell | Wedding Venue: St. Regis Atlanta, Paces 88 in Atlanta, Georgia | Event Planning, Floral + Event Design: ellyB Events | Wedding Cinematography: Imagine VP | Officiant: Jae Wook Seo | Wedding Cake: St. Regis + Baker’s Man | Gelato Station: Dreamy Gelato | Ceremony Musicians: Celebrations String Quartet | Band: KLF Productions, Inc. | Favors: Invictus Cigars | Wedding Stationery: ellyB Events | Hair + Makeup: My Wedding & Hair

When a wedding day includes chandeliers hanging from moss-covered trees, DIY details and a breathtaking Lazaro gown, I call it perfection.  And perfection is exactly what we have with this beautiful day captured by Jamie Borland Photography.  An Alcyone Plantation fête that was completely crafted by the gorgeous bride, her dapper groom and uber-devoted family and friends.  The result?  One breathtaking beautiful Southern meets vintage-inspired moment after another, including fried chicken and mac ‘n’ cheese.  My favorite.  See it all here.

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From the Bride… Simple, southern, and vintage describe the inspiration behind our wedding. I always envisioned getting married under a big oak tree draped with Spanish moss. I wanted natural beauty, Southern charm, and chic décor without breaking the bank. And the groom? Anyone who knows him knows he’s as laid back as they come. He had only two small requests: no tux and good food!

DIY was the theme, even down to the planning and my own hair and makeup. My sweet and talented mother spent countless hours crafting wedding signs, painting books for the centerpieces, and scouring countless online tutorials on how to make DIY mercury glass votive holders. It was important for us to have personal touches sprinkled throughout the wedding that had meaning to us. Covering the table with pictures of family wedding photos was an afghan my great grandmother knitted that will be passed down to me. My veil was my something borrowed. One of my bridesmaids was pregnant and her baby’s due date was too close to the wedding to attend. My photographer captured the moment I was holding her veil and thinking of her before I put it on (love!). Justin didn’t want traditional “boring” wedding food. On the menu: fried chicken, biscuits, green beans, and mac n’ cheese. The small vintage bottles on the tables were my mother’s personal collection. The wedding favors were potted herb plants grown in my father’s garden and a family favorite homemade datil pepper sauce.

The groom’s parents were also incredibly helpful with projects and hosted a perfectly casual and intimate rehearsal dinner at their home. Early in the planning I felt like a burden asking for help, but my advice to future brides is to allow friends and family to help, they actually get a lot of joy out of it!

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Wedding Photography: Jamie Borland Photography | Wedding Venue: Alcyone Plantation in Lake Park, Georgia | Floral Design: The Flower Shop | Catering: Covingtons Catering | Wedding Cake: Friend of Bride (jen.hellen@gmail.com) | DJ: Kevin Quinn from Storybook Events | Chandelier Rental: Kelley’s Bloom Room LLC | Wedding Dress: Lazaro via The White Magnolia | Groom’s Attire: Perry Ellis

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

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

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

So, we’re kind of obsessed with Artworks Wedding Cinema and here’s why: they’re awesome.  Awesome in that each and every lovely film they send our way has the power to make us laugh, cry and cheer all in one sitting.  Here at SMP, we call that mesmerizing.  And this lovely Atlanta affair?  It’s just what we’ve come to expect from these masters of cinema, complete with one of the cutest duos you’ll ever meet.  Hit play and then stay tuned for an entire gallery of lovely from Rustic White Photography.

As promised, even more from these cuties… happy, happy Tuesday. 

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From the Bride… Our wedding and reception was held at the beautiful Summerour Studio in West Midtown in Atlanta, GA. We loved the rustic, old world feel about it. Our ceremony was held on the staircase and then we joined guests for cocktail hour in the courtyard (thank goodness for incredible September weather!) We then went back inside for dinner and dancing.

We wanted our wedding to be casual and laid back, but still elegant. Not too stuffy or formal, and we wanted our closest family and friends to just let loose and share the moment with us. We wanted it to really reflect our personalities.

We wrote our own vows and Matt’s uncle performed our ceremony. One of my best friends from childhood read a poem by E.E. Cummings. Both my father and my stepfather gave me away. Our décor and southern-inspired food from Bold American was unbelievable, and the photos from Rustic White and the video from Artworks really helped us see our day in a whole new light.

My maid of honor made the adorable burlap monogrammed wreaths that hung on our chairs during the reception. In addition to the guest book, we purchased a large apothecary jar and card stock and had our guests write us well-wishes and words of wisdom .Those were great to look back and read the day after!

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Wedding Photography: Rustic White Photography | Cinematography: Artworks Wedding Cinema | Wedding Venue: Summerour Studio in Atlanta, Georgia | Floral Design + Catering: Bold American Catering | Wedding Coordinator: Lauren LeNoir ( lauren@laurenlenior.com) | Wedding Cake: Cakes by Darcy (770.993.2253) | Pies: The Pie Shop | Trolley Service: The Trolley Guy | DJ: Tom Russo | Wedding Dress: Sottero and Midgley via Uniquesly Yours | Bridesmaids’ Attire: Jasmine via New Natalies | Groom’s Attire: Savvi Formalwear | Shoes: Nina  | Hair: Jessica Rivera (509.570.8977) | Makeup: Stacey Ridell (404.281.0046)

Confession time, I almost didn’t hire a cinematographer. Thank goodness I can say almost. Looking back, I am SO glad my nearest and dearest convinced me it was necessary, and I have made it a priority to tell Brides all across the land just how important these talented folks are. Because I simply couldn’t imagine not having my big day on film, and I am pretty sure these two newlyweds captured by Expression Cinema feel the same way. Because with a wedding film this pretty, they will probably watch it more than they want to admit (it happens to the best of us), and that’s just another reason why wedding cinematography is oh-so-fabulous.

From Expression Cinema… Amrita and Jay were a pleasure to work with. Jay is originally from Boston but found the love of his life, Amrita, in Atlanta, Georgia. They spent so much time planning this amazing wedding and so came the big day of their celebration or should I say days of their celebration. They got married at the Baps Shri Swaminarayan Mandir of Atlanta. We definitely had a great time getting to know them and filming their wedding.

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Wedding Cinematography: Vadim Pavlyuk from Expression Cinema | Wedding Venue: Baps Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Atlanta Georgia | Photography: Ash Fotos | Wedding Coordinator: Sandip Trivedi | Caterer: BAPS Shayona

I’ve never been to the Roundhouse Railroad Museum, but, I swear to you, I am obsessed.  Like, next time I visit Savannah, it’s the first place I am going to visit obsessed.  Because this little rustic meets industrial gem of a venue hosts the sweetest soirees – and always, always leaves a smile on my face.  Case in point? This uber-darling affair from Smitten and Hooked, which happens to be the perfect combo of darling DIY details, sweet blooms from Garden on the Square and the oh-so-amazing planning skills of Morgan Gallo Events. See it all right here.

And even more lovely from the amazing Hart to Heart Media.  Enjoy!

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From the Bride… Jacob and I always knew we wanted our wedding to be casual and relaxed. We knew we’d never get married in a hotel ballroom, because that just isn’t us! We are easy-going and like to have fun and we wanted our wedding to reflect that.

I’ve always enjoyed the rustic/vintage feel in design, so incorporating that into our big day was a given. I also knew that I wanted to make and put together as many of the details as I possibly could! I didn’t want to walk into my reception and not recognize any of the details!

My mom loves to crochet and my dad loves wood-working, so it made perfect sense that they would get to contribute their talents to add a little something special. My dad made every single sign, including ones with built-in candle holders! My dad also made the wood box centerpieces and the table numbers. Once a piece was made by my dad, I would either hand-paint it or add the details like lace, burlap, etc. I made the programs, seat assignment name tags, and painted the signs free-hand. I made the table numbers by painting the wood, cutting out a piece of burlap, attaching it with upholstery tacks and then adding metal house numbers.

When it came to the flowers, we wanted a very natural feel and nothing too stuffy or fancy. I wanted my flowers to have a look and feel like they were just plucked out of a field and tied together. My bridesmaids and I even made their bouquets! On the morning of the wedding, my sister (one of my bridesmaids) went to Fresh Market and picked up all the simple, rustic flowers, berries and greenery she could find.

When it came to my bouquet and the boutonnieres, our florist helped us pick out perfect combinations. Since we were getting married in Savannah, I knew I wanted to incorporate cotton and wheat to give a great Southern feel. Cotton was used in my bouquet and my husband’s bout, and wheat was used in all the bouts. Many of our centerpieces were simple greenery, berries, and pieces of wheat or cotton.

I got a lot of my inspiration from Pinterest and wedding websites (like Style Me Pretty), but I also tried to add my own touch. When planning our wedding, I knew I wanted to look back on our photos and think “we made that centerpiece” and “our wedding completely reflected who we are”… and I think we did just that.

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Wedding Photography: Smitten and Hooked | Wedding Venue: Roundhouse Railroad Museum in Savannah, Georgia | Wedding Planning: Alysse Sweeny from Morgan Gallo Events | Floral Design: Garden on the Square | Wedding Cinematography: Hart to Heart Media | Officiant: Robert Dyer | Catering: Creative Catering | Wedding Cake: Sweet Cakes | DJ: All About You | Lighting: Stagefront Production Systems | Hair + Makeup: Beyond Beautiful by Heather

It’s safe to say this Bride is a lucky gal. Obviously she’s beautiful, and marrying one dapper man, but the luck just keeps on following this lovely lady. Her wedding day, hosted in her childhood home, was made perfect from her wedding planning genius of a Mother. And I mean perfect. Not a detail was left unturned or a bow untied – all because this Bride is surrounded by so much love. Red Fly Studio captured every moment of this perfect southern soiree, and we are all lucky enough to see it in its entirety here.

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From the Bride… Mike and I got engaged while I was finishing up a residency so needless to say, I did not have much free time.  At first I wanted a destination wedding, but after my Mom and sisters starting talking about having a reception at the house I grew up in, I knew that was the perfect choice.  My Mom was my wedding planner, and she did an excellent job!  It was truly a family affair and a labor of love.  My Mom and I painted all the signs, she and my Dad built arbors and walkways, my uncle gathered tea lights and japanese lanterns, a former neighbor made the cinnamon roll groom’s cake (his favorite!), and my Mom’s friends did all of the reception flowers.  I was nervous that the weekend would be hectic with everything going on at the house while we were getting ready, but it was perfect!  It felt a little like Father of the Bride, watching the tent go up and everybody making sure everything was just perfect.  Mike and I did a first look at an old plantation right by my parent’s house.  We debated doing this, but I am so glad we did.  It gave us an intimate moment where we could take everything in, kiss and laugh together, making us less nervous about everything.  The wedding took place at the church I grew up in, Porterfield United Methodist.  

The reception started immediately after with a Southern supper, dancing, s’mores, cinnamon rolls, and a delicious pound cake wedding cake with almond buttercream.  The band kept everyone dancing!  While we did the traditional first dance, daddy daughter dance, and mother son dance,  one of my favorite parts was right after these dances when the band played “We are Family” and both of our families boogied down together.   At the end of the night, Mike and I left in a vintage Mercedes convertible complete with a “Just Married” sign my Mom and I painted.  It was a perfect weekend and one that we will always treasure.  

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Wedding Photography: Red Fly Studio | Ceremony Venue: Porterfield United Methodist Church in Albany, Georgia | Reception Venue: Bride’s Parent’s Home in Albany, Georgia | Event Planning + Design: Mother of the Bride | Floral Design: Floral Accents by Kay Thompson | Wedding Invitations: Jenny’s Paper Ink | Wedding Dress: Melissa Sweet via Priscilla of Boston | Shoes: Badgley Mischka

When I think through the most perfect places to host a wedding, a quaint country inn almost always tops the list. I dream of a day that oozes with charm alongside a sense of quiet romance. And this Georgia soiree is built around that exact sentiment plus all the pretty we so desperately love. Watson-Studios documented the day, resulting in the most gorgeous full gallery right here.

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From the Bride…We were so lucky to hold our wedding at The Inn at Serenbe, a working farm and sustainable community located about 30 minutes south of Atlanta. Our goal was to have our wedding close to home but feel as if our friends and family had been whisked away from the city to a more calming, serene environment, and Serenbe was the perfect place. In order to accentuate Serenbe’s natural beauty, we tried not to go overboard with decor, keeping things as rustic as possible while still being elegant, and we chose a mostly neutral color palette with pops of purple.

I wasn’t exactly a stress-free bride, so I especially enjoyed working with all of our wonderful vendors, who made the process more tolerable than I ever expected! We searched high and low for a photographer, and I’m so glad we chose Watson-Studios out of Knoxville. Immediately upon meeting Natalie and Dan, they made us feel so comfortable, and I knew they really “got” us. After our wedding, they even described the event as a “mixture of fun and romance, fashion and charm,” which was exactly how we had envisioned it while planning!

It was also super special to work with several of our very talented friends, like our calligrapher, Emmy Scruggs, our hair stylist, Martin Spradlin, and our wedding planner, Debbie Felker. Thanks to everyone who helped make our special day so memorable!

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Wedding Photography: Watson-Studios | Ceremony and Reception Venue: The Inn at Serenbe | Wedding Coordinator: Debbie Felker | Wedding + Floral Design + Catering + Cake: Gloriosa | Invitations: CalligrEMMY | Ceremony Music: Smokey’s Farmland Band | Reception Music: Atlanta Rhythm and Groove | Wedding Dress and Coverlet: Monique Lhuillier |Bride’s  Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew | Groom’s Tux: J.Crew | Bow tie: Ralph Lauren | Groomsmen Attire: Their own Tuxes + Accessories | Hair: Salon Martin Spradlin

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.

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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