Happy 2011! I hope you all had an amazing New Year’s weekend! There might not be a better way to start of the new year right than with this romantic, Southern charmer from one of my all time favorite designers Elizabeth Demos. We are so lucky to have a bounty of loveliness by Aregrayline Photography with the help of Susan Dean Photography. It is classic beauty at its absolute best set on the gorgeous Sapelo Island in Georgia complete with Spanish moss, trickling fountains and an enchanting mansion! The dreaminess continues in not one but two galleries here and here!
Click here and here for more inspiration in the full wedding galleries!
We met as strangers, but quickly learned out that not only were our grandparents buried within a stone’s throw from each other in a tiny Waycross, GA cemetery (hold the Deep South/Deliverance jokes – we confirmed that our family trees are not intertwined), but that our paths had nearly crossed dozens of times before unbeknownst to us – from the Stone Roses first U.S. concert in 1995, to witnessing the Centennial Olympic Park bombing of ’96, to the parties of mutual friends we both inexplicably attended at different times, we have both been within a stone’s throw of each other all these years without even knowing it. So little wonder that when we finally met, everything came together with a strange yet calm sense of destiny and within 10 months of meeting, we were engaged to be wed on a rather adventurous trip to the Florida Keys. Although we had both traveled extensively around the world and lived far from our mutual hometown, we both share a passion/love for the beauty and history of coastal Georgia and its barrier islands. With a list of several coastal wedding destinations (from Jekyll Island Hotel Club to St. Simons) to consider, we decided to begin our scouting on the little-known island of Sapelo. Within minutes of arriving on this otherworldly island of towering oak trees, Spanish moss and pristine beaches, we made up our mind once we stepped foot into the 19th century mansion of tobacco magnate J.R. Reynolds.
Although the island proved to have some logistical challenges – namely the fact that it is accessible by ferry only (no cars!) and there are no stores, hotels or restaurants on this undeveloped island – we were also glad to know that beyond the beauty of the island, that we could also have a positive impact on the island by giving our money to the state of Georgia and supporting the economy of nearby Geechee community Hogg Hammock rather than simply go the easier route of established resort or hotel chain.
Michelle’s vision was to have a weekend wedding and summed it up to our fantastic wedding stylist as ‘elegant vintage’. From the Spanish lace dress to the color scheme of teals, golds and grays, we feel like the ceremony and reception were exactly what we wanted. We decided to say our vows before noon and could not have had better light in the late October day. The reception included shrimp & grits, other southern delicacies and desserts, along with a Dixieland jazz band from Savannah. The cook staff and Mansion managers were full of warmth and hospitality. Guests spent the afternoon relaxing on throws and pillows on the lawn or combing the nearby beach for sand dollars. The celebration was capped by a Halloween party that evening in the Mansion’s third floor Circus Room.
Wedding Design, Planning and Florals: Elizabeth Demos Events / Wedding Photography: Aregrayline Photography with the help of Susan Dean Photography / Wedding Venue: R.J. Reynolds Mansion / Cake: SugarBakers / Cake Topper: The Small Object / Invitations: Royal Steamline / Playing Card Favors: Monogrammatiks / Other paper goods: Hein’s Dutch Designs / Bride’s Dress: Bridal Couture by Ruby V / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Hair and Makeup: Kim Swann / Groom’s Suit: Le Tux Suit / Wedding Band: Savannah Stompers