When you look through the images by Amy Arrington, it’s hard to believe this wedding didn’t actually take place in Italy. The sweeping vineyard views set the scene for Sam and Michael’s incredible day and you’ll fall hard when you dive into the gallery and film below by Before Your Eyes Cinema.
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From the Bride… When Mike and I sat down to discuss our wedding, we both knew that we did not want the standard affair. We love to travel and one of our first big trips together was to Italy and wine country. When we started to discuss venues, our thoughts immediately returned to those memories of rolling hills, grape vines, and Tuscany. The venue was therefore set, a winery, but how would we transport Italy to North Georgia? Enter Montaluce Winery, the first and only venue that we visited. It was an Italian oasis set among the mountains of North Georgia, and after our fist visit, when the vineyard was coated in a light dusting of snow, we knew we had found the perfect place to get married. With the venue locked in, the rest of our preparations began to fall into place.
While he was initially hesitant, I was able to talk my husband into a first look. The pictures and memories of us looking at each other, secluded between the high vines of the grapes is a moment we will both hold onto forever. Those few moments of solitude, to be with each other outside of the events of the day, reminded us of what all the planning and preparation was for; a celebration of our love. The timing of the first look and the perfection of the autumn light allowed us to capture some of the most beautiful and unique photos of the day, and freed us up after the ceremony to enjoy time with our friends and loved ones who had come to celebrate with us.
Our ceremony was also unique to our situation. As we both worked at the Children’s Hospital, we are fortunate to call one of the Chaplains a dear friend . Mike and I are both people of faith and having a friend who is also a Chaplain allowed us to have an intimate, personal ceremony that was a reflection of our personalities and our love. Reverend Rachel was able to create a ceremony that was not only spiritual, and honored our families, but reflected the best of us as individuals, and as a couple.
While our big day was a collaboration, and my husband and I agreed on most aspects of the wedding, there was one issue on which he would not budge, a live band. This turned out to be one of our best decisions. The sound of live music from the Emerald Empire Band filling the venue, accompanied by their energy invigorated the dance floor and led to some of the more memorable moments of the night. We will forever remember standing arm in arm with family and friends singing the chorus to ‘Sweet Caroline” at the top of our lungs. The sounds of the band and looks on everyone’s faces are the enduring legacy of the beauty and love that made our wedding day so special.
Photography: Amy Arrington Photography | Videography: Before Your Eyes Cinema | Floral Design: Forage & Fleur | Wedding Dress: Legends by Romona Keveza | Cake: Frosted Pumpkin Gourmet, Inc. | Invitations: Minted | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bill Levkoff | Catering: Montaluce Winery | Band: Emerald Empire Band | Groom's Attire: Jos. A. Bank | Groomsmen Attire: Jos. A. Bank | Venue: Montaluce Winery | Bridal Salon: Bridals By Lori | Bride's Hair: Erin Tierney | Bride's Makeup: Brielle Brenner | Bride's earrings + bracelet: BHLDN | Garter: The Garter Girl | Ring Box: The Mrs Box | Welcome sign, seating chart, guest book sign: Fox And Fallow
