We kind of have a favorite color here at SMP and that color is overwhelmingly pink. It’s perfectly girly, soft and romantic, and it can be the perfect punch of vibrancy a wedding needs. Needless to say, when a wedding like this comes along, with so many pretty in pink moments, we immediately put it on our favorites list. Especially when it’s captured so utterly fabulously by Artstar by Laura Stone. Click here for even more!
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When Ryan and I started planning our wedding, we decided our top priority was to throw a really fun party. We wanted good food, a great band, and to be surrounded by our family and friends all spending a fantastic evening together. When all was said and done, we truly felt that we had succeeded.
I had always wanted an outdoor wedding, so soon after we got engaged, the search was on for the perfect venue. I grew up a few miles from historic Roswell, home to almost a dozen historic, southern homes turned into event facilities. We chose the Gardens at Great Oaks because we loved the grounds and the ballroom was perfectly sized for our 130 count guest list.
For 12 months, I pictured our ceremony in the gardens on a beautiful spring day. Unfortunately, the weather forecast did not cooperate, and two days before the wedding we decided to move the ceremony inside to the chapel next door. Planning a wedding is a major lesson in how to “go with the flow!” Fortunately, our guests could walk from Great Oaks to the chapel, so no announcement of the change in plans was necessary. In the end, it did not rain, and we still had a beautiful cocktail hour in the garden (complete with cornhole, bocce ball, and a jazz quartet), and the perfect indoor/outdoor reception that I had pictured.
Photography: Artstar by Laura Stone / Venue: The Gardens at Great Oaks / Wedding Planner: Erica Prewett, A Big To Do Event / Floral Design: Rittenhouse Designs & Events / Band: Nelson Brownstone / Officiant: David Gilleland, Heart to Heart Ministries / Cake: Douceur de France / Caterer: Talk of the Town / Dress: Casablanca Bridal from Wedding Angels / Bridesmaids dresses: Alfred Sung from Bel Fiore / Groom: custom suit / Groomsmen: Jos. A Bank / Hair and Make-up: Aura Hair and Make-up / Bride’s jewelry: Sorrelli / Cake topper: Country Squirrels R Us / Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas / Programs: The Green Kangaroo