Savannah is one of the most enchanting cities I have ever visited…steeped in history, tradition and total romance. It is no small wonder that a wedding taking place here would share the same goodness. Peach Blossom Photography brought this budget-friendly beauty to our attention filled with good ol’ Southern charm and classic details. You’ll definitely be inspired by all the DIY and creative planning so make sure you head to the full gallery to see it all!
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From the bride… Tarry and I are both native Georgians and love our home state. There was simply no question of ever getting married anywhere else. Tarry’s family is from the low-country region of Georgia near Savannah, and with the Spanish moss, marshes and beautiful scenery, Savannah has always been close to our hearts and was the perfect place to hold our wedding. We chose to have the ceremony at Whitefield Chapel at the Bethesda Home for Boys. Located near the marsh, the grounds of the school are stunning, filled with majestic live oaks and the draping Spanish moss that Savannah is so famous for. We incorporated our love for Savannah’s live oaks into our stationery, with our invites bearing the silhouette of a live oak with draping Spanish moss. The chapel is simple and sweet in its beauty, perfect for an intimate ceremony, and the ideal setting to go along with our loose theme of “Old Southern Romance.” The school has been in Savannah since the 1700s, but Whitefield Chapel was only built in the early 1900s. Still, the original wooden pews and exposed brick flooring added the perfect Old South feel to our ceremony.
We did not have a firm number in mind when it came to budget, but I am budget-conscious in my day-to-day life, and this naturally bled through into wedding planning. We managed to have a beautiful Southern wedding for just around $7,000. My dress was made by a Greek seamstress I found through Etsy and was inspired by the Brisa dress from Christos’ Spring 2011 line. My bridesmaids’ dresses were custom made through Light in the Box and their draped sleeves were altered according to the girls’ preferences. I spent the better part of a year scouring local Goodwill stores for the 60 or so milk glass pieces we used for our reception centerpieces, as well as the candelabra we used in our ceremony. My mother-in-law spent many hours assembling our centerpieces and they turned out beautifully. Two days before the wedding, Tarry’s aunt and a family friend met us at a flower wholesaler in Savannah and we chose flowers they had available in our color scheme (light pink, light green, ivory, champagne) for the ceremony flowers, bouquets, and boutonnieres.
Our reception was held at Paula Deen’s famous restaurant, The Lady and Sons, in downtown Savannah. We wanted our guests to enjoy real Southern cooking, and to experience both parts of Savannah- the quiet beauty of the marsh, and the vibrant New South feel of downtown. Our guests were served The Lady’s traditional Southern buffet with a choice of three meats, ten sides, and three desserts. The meal was finished off by our simple but elegant wedding cake done by Adrienne Bibb of lemon twist cake with lemon curd filling and vanilla buttercream icing. Guests enjoyed a music selection of classic country, Motown and R&B hits, and contemporary love songs throughout dinner. Our first dance was to Ray LaMontagne’s upbeat “You Are the Best Thing.” At the end of the night, guests were invited to join us at the Rocks on the Roof bar atop the Bohemian Hotel overlooking the river for a low-key after party. After our wedding, this was the perfect place to relax, enjoy a glass of white sangria, and take in the sweeping views of downtown Savannah and the river before calling it a night.
Wedding Photography: Julie Neill of Peach Blossom Photography / Ceremony: Whitefield Chapel at The Bethesda Academy for Boys in Savannah, Georgia / Reception + Catering: The Lady and Sons in Savannah, Georgia / Wedding Cake: Adrienne Bibb of Addy B’s Cakes / Flowers: DIY by Family + Friends / Centerpieces: DIY by the Groom’s Mother / Milk Glass Vases + Candelabra: Goodwill /Transportation: Hamilton Coastal Limo / Wedding Dress: Custom by AtelierTAMI / Shoes: Nina / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Custom by Light in the Box / Invitations: The Bride + Tamara Ivie of Pixels and Creme / Ceremony Music: Vitamin String Quartet
