Good morning SMP Georgia! We’ve got a pretty peach and grey fete to start your week off right. Nestled in a quaint vineyard, this outdoor ceremony was exactly what this southern couple had in mind when planning first began. Brenda Upton Photography was on hand to capture all the goodness and lucky for us, there’s an entire gallery waiting to be discovered. Click here for more!
Click here for the FULL wedding!
From the bride… James and I both grew up in Georgia and wanted to have a wedding that was intimate not only for us, but for our friends and family. I am part Italian and have always wanted an Italian-influenced wedding. James grew up with southern influences, so we were on the hunt for something in the middle. We came across Montaluce Winery and Estates in Dahlonega. It was everything we were looking for! The entire venue is breathtaking. It had the Southern, Italian and vintage feel we were looking for. With the Appalachian Mountains surrounding the vineyard, it set the perfect romantic ambiance for our wedding. It was the first and last venue we toured. We cancelled all of our other appointments because we immediately fell in love.
Our colors were shades of gray with soft peach accents. We wanted everything to feel very simple and relaxed. We knew we wanted to have an outdoor ceremony, which is why we picked September to get married. We were hoping for the weather to have cooled off enough for our guests to be able to enjoy the ceremony and because September is rumored to be the driest month of the year. We picked the area of Montaluce that is down in the vineyard, set alongside a small pond for the ceremony. Our guests sat in the shaded area between two huge trees, surrounded by beautiful views of the rustic mountains in one direction and vineyards as far as you could see in the other.
Aside from the beautiful venue, we added our own little touches to help personalize the event. Our flowers were a very unique mix of different shades of peach and white, not the typical bouquets or arrangements you would normally see. We used several different shaped wine bottles throughout the day, hanging down the aisles with beautiful arrangements during the ceremony and used as vases on the tables at the reception. We also used the diverse wine bottles illuminated with tea lights to set a romantic and Italian feel all through the reception. We collected hundreds and hundreds of corks and used them to fill vases on the tables with arrangements in them, and made distinctive cork boards to which we pinned the guests’ table assignments. To tie in the Southern feel we were going for, there were hints of jute in the bouquets, boutonnieres and used to wrap the wooden table numbers. We had a decadent chocolate bar for take-away favors for our guests. It included chocolate-covered potato chips, salted caramels, espresso beans and pomegranates to name a few. Each guest had a custom-made mason jar to fill and bring home with them. Great dancing followed dinner and, to make our exit a little different and exciting, we ordered extra-long sparklers! Overall, the night was perfect for us and exactly what we wanted! I couldn’t have put everything together without the help of family and friends and all my fabulous vendors! I wouldn’t change anything. For other brides, my advice would be to try and remember that the day is about you and your fiancé and you should enjoy every moment of it. On the day of, it will be a whirlwind. You will hear that a million times before you get married, because I know I did. There is a reason why … because it’s true. Take it all in and cherish it! It was the best day of my life!
Wedding Photography: Brenda Upton Photography / Flowers, Event Design + Planning: Everything and More Events / Wedding Venue + Food: Montaluce Winery and Estates / Wedding Cake: Frosted Pumpkin / Dress: Taylor Parkerson of Elite Bridal / Wedding Gown: Wtoo Brides / Bridesmaid Dresses: Priscilla of Boston / Groomsmen Suits: Savvi Formalwear