Prepare to feast your eyes on this elegant Northern Georgia vineyard celebration shot by Artstar by Laura Stone. Jewel-toned florals by Unique Floral Expressions set the stage for this pretty-as-can-be affair and personalized DIY touches (think chalkboard signage and custom UGA koozie favors) brought the event to life! And it doesn’t stop here…there plenty more images to sip on in the gallery!
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From the Bride… We searched many places and finally decided to look at venues further outside Atlanta, including vineyards in North Georgia. We had friends in California in the wine industry and had spent a lot of time at wineries while out west, even dreaming of owning a vineyard one day. Montaluce was the last place we visited after a long day. Driving up we were very excited — the neighborhood is modeled after the Italian countryside, and this was especially meaningful because we knew we were going to Italy for our honeymoon. We knew from the second we saw the setting and the buildings and tasted the food, especially the white chocolate cauliflower soup, that we could not go anywhere else.
All of the special touches were the DIY ideas and the things that really spoke to our personalities and our relationship. Little things like the music while people were being seated — it was not the traditional pieces you think of. We chose some of our favorite music that would make people think of us — Jimmy Buffet, Dave Mathews, etc. We tried to keep things in perspective and to think outside the box. All of our invitations were designed and made by us. I also made several chalk boards with pictures frames to add some special touches here and there (“Please sign our guest book,” plus His and Hers favorite drinks for our guests to order). The band was one we found while out one night. They played great music and kept the crowd energetic and going. One of our favorite things we did was to take dance lessons prior to the wedding. It was great time to spend together, let loose and relax from the busy times. We danced to Van Morrison’s “Moondance.” We really tried to keep things real and stay true to what we liked and what we though were important to us! We look back and think about all that we did ourselves and are most proud of those things and think the time was well worth it! It makes these little things feel so special!
From the Groom… The whole day is pretty unforgettable, but there are a couple of moments that stand out. The first was our “reveal,” the time we got to see each other before the ceremony, so we could get some crying, kissing, photos — and supposedly some jitters — out of the way. I had not seen Krissy all day and was so excited to see my best friend, laugh a little, take some stupid photos, and then was like… hell yeah we got this. The second most vivid moment was few moments we kinda got to spend alone the rest of the night. We had just said our vows, walked the aisle, and then Montaluce staff put us on a golf cart and drove us out into the vineyard while our friends and family went back to the vineyard for appetizers and cocktails. Those few minutes, alone, in the vines, just being done — it was awesome. I will never forget holding her in her wedding dress, I just wanted to drive off and leave with her. There are also the infinite moments you have with all of your friends and family together for probably the first time in forever — both families enjoying time together.
Our wedding favors were koozies – UGA koozies to celebrate with our other UGA fan friends and to force upon our friends who favor other SEC schools! It’s fun seeing them in use when we hang out. We also LOVED this idea we came up with — we made “Farewell Gifts” instead of “Welcome Gifts” because everyone was traveling, but we had no dedicated place where people were staying. We had the valet put a “Farewell Bag” in every car he parked, so the guests found it sitting in their car when they got in it to leave later that night. The bags were filled with water bottles (with custom Mike and Krissy wedding labels we made ourselves), some snack packets, cookies, and aspirin. And a little handmade thank you note tied to the handle.
Wedding Photography: Artstar by Laura Stone / Wedding Venue: Monteluce Winery and Estates in Dahlonega, Georgia / Floral Design: Unique Floral Expressions / Event Design + Planning: DIY / Wedding Day Coordination: Wonderful Events and Celebrations / Wedding Invitations: DIY / Wedding Cake + Desserts: Frosted Pumpkin Gourmet, Inc. / Wedding Dress: Essense of Australia / Bride’s Earrings: Borrowed from a Friend / Bride’s Necklace: From Her Mother-in-Law / One of Bride’s Rings: From Her Maternal Grandmother / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Bill Levkoff