Georgia Weddings

A few things I know for sure.  Atlanta rocks, Lauren Jackson Photography takes one crazy gorgeous picture and I want to marry this wedding.   A little cliché to say on a wedding blog?  Sure… but it’s sooo true.  Because if I could stare at this wedding on a daily basis, I would in a heartbeat.  And, let’s face it, thanks to one uber-amazing gallery, I plan to.  From the hot pink meets blue color palette to the traditional-with-a-twist details to that stunning Vera Wang, there’s not a moment that doesn’t have me drooling.  And did I mention that amazing gallery?!?  Join me there for more.

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From the Bride…Like many girls, I had dreamed about my wedding day for as long as I could remember.  But what I was really most happy about, and what I had dreamed of even longer, was that I had found the person that I wanted to share that special day and the rest of my life with.  My best friend.  I immediately fell in love with Johnny.  He was loving, funny, silly, but serious, and brought out the best in me.  Despite our immediate and undeniable connection, life threw us quite a few obstacles early on in our relationship, but I knew we’d make it through because we were so perfectly matched to the other.  Although we had too many similarities to count, we also had very different styles.  He, more preppy classic, me, a bit more edgy.  Even if our different styles, the wedding planning came together seamlessly.  I wanted our big day to be unique, reflective of us, and, above all else, fun. Summerour was an easy and obvious choice.  It is naturally elegant, with exposed beams, farm tables and beautiful views of the Atlanta skyline.  Next were the details.  Part of the vision I had with color, was to have blue and white stripes on the tables with pops of hot pink all over the room.  This idea then spread into our wedding party attire, having all the men in blue and white striped ties, and the women with hot pink bouquets.  Like many things, details began to unfold and come together so naturally.  Our wedding reception band was a no-brainer.  I work for a music management company and one of the bands we book is Yacht Rock Revue.  They are extremely fun and incredibly popular here in Atlanta.  Our guests were excited about the big day as soon as they heard they would be rocking the night away.

Again, at the end of the day, I wanted all of the traditional details most weddings have, but for all of them to be unique in style or presentation.  Another spin on the traditional, we loved the idea of having a guestbook, but didn’t want something that would gather dust and sit on a bookshelf for years without being opened.  So I came up with the idea of framing a large poster sized version of our Save the Date for everyone to sign.  That way we could hang it prominently and proudly in our house and it would be enjoyed everyday.  From seeing each other the morning of the wedding, to being introduced for our first dance with our dogs, we knew wanted every moment to be unique, be us, and be fun.  We followed a traditional wedding playbook, but at the end of the day, we made up our own rules as we went along.  And everything was perfect.

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Wedding Photography: Lauren Jackson Photography | Wedding Venue: Summerour Studio in Atlanta, Georgia | Floral Design: Arrangements by Catherine | Wedding Cake: Frosted Pumpkin Gourmet | Music: Yacht Rock Revue | Invitations: Paper Affair | Linens: I Do Linens | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang “Diana” | Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bride’s Veil: Vera Wang | Bride’s Earrings: Kleinfeld Bridal | Bride’s Necklace: Rivini | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: LulaKate | Groom + Groomsmen Attire: JoS.A.Bank

Nature just might be the best accessory. It needs not a lot of decoration and adds the prettiest layer of organic greenery to a celebration. Paired with the happiest sun flowers by Petals A Florist and a tented reception worthy of accolades, this wedding is on its way to becoming our favorite backyard celebration to date. Have a look at the full affair captured by Paperlily Photography in the gallery and be sure to hit the play button on the film shot by Bob’s Eye View.

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From the Bride…If Michael and I had one word in mind while planning our special day, it would be the word- meaningful. We wanted people to think, “That’s so Michael and Audrey,” without being predictable. If we had to think of one aspect of our wedding that would sum up our aesthetic vision it would be our flowers. Wildflowers were the perfect choice for us. The flowers were whimsical, organic, vintage inspired, and fairy tale like. They were muted, like the bridesmaids dresses, but had pops of color that made a statement like many other details. We were married at a family friend’s house. The tree in their backyard was more than perfect and the huge roots that came through the ground were a perfect spot to stand during our vows- barefoot. Family and friends are the most important to us. We wanted to have a huge celebration and include them as much as possible. Our thumb print guest book was a fun way to take away each and every one of them. Every one of our guests made it out to the dance floor at least once. There was so much love that day.   

The smallest details can make a wedding day special, and you will be amazed at what you can do with a little bit of spray paint! I spray painted all of the turquoise vases and the bird cages. All of the vases were thrifted and found by our families. The escort cards were made by my mother, and the wooden boxes that held the cards were constructed by Michael’s dad. Michael’s dad also carved our names and wedding date into a small log. The photo display was created by us (we thrifted all of the frames for cheap and spray painted them white). My garter was a gift from a bridesmaid. Michael’s wedding ring was inherited, his Grandfather wore it for 53 years. The lace incorporated with my bouquet belongs to Michael’s Grandmother. Our cake plate and champagne glasses are vintage and were a gift from my mother. My Uncle was our Officiant. We loved that. He was amazing. Music was hand-picked and our guests could tell that we put lots of love and time into the songs that we chose.

It is impossible to choose just one favorite moment. So, here’s a few. Getting ready with our wedding party was hilarious and so relaxing. The girls sang, danced, and drink Mojitos as the boys hung out in the pool. I remember when Michael and I were saying our vows. We completely forgot that other people were in attendance. At that point, nothing else mattered. All I could see was his smiling face. One of the craziest moments (and funniest) was when my mom decided to join my dad and I in our father/ daughter dance. They are no longer married so it was spur of the moment and unexpected. She just jumped right in! It was a complete surprise and a crowd pleaser! Last, but not least, dancing for hours with all of the people that we love, including each other.

Our Advice to Those Planning Now: It sounds so simple, but just be yourself in all that you do. People will love you for that. Don’t be afraid to be different. When you start to feel pressure and overwhelmed just remember what this day is for. On the day of, let everything go. Have fun! Everyone is there to have a good time. Most importantly, remember to take a minute to sit down and look around. Take it all in because in an instant it is over! You will see and feel all of the love around you. Oh, and kiss your new husband every chance you get- it’s fun!

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Photography: Paperlily Photography | Ceremony + Reception Location: Private Residence, Villa Juanita | Event Planner: Susan Harlan | Event Designer:  Jeffrey Powell | Floral Designer: Petals A Florist | Caterer: Carole Parks Catering | Invitation Designer: Invitations by Dawn | Cinematography: Bob’s Eye View | Cake Designer: Perfect Wedding Cake | DJ: Spectrum Entertainment | Wedding Dress: Claire Pettibone via Kelly’s Closet | Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal

Oh, backyard weddings.  What can I say?  I adore you with a passion.  You’re all at once sophisticated and elegant with a sweet personalization that can’t be beat.  And when you’re planned in just five months by Creme de le Chic and boasting layers upon layers of natural meets organic details and an adorable Mr. and Mrs. who made the day all about family?  It’s amazing.  See exactly why this darling affair from Kelly Lane Photography ranks high atop my list of favorites in the full gallery.

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From Kelly Lane Photography… Andy and Honor planned their wedding in five short months. When it came to deciding on a venue, they looked at several, but because family means so much to them, and so much of their relationship revolved around her parent’s home (game nights, pool parties and ladder ball competitions), they decided to have the wedding where it meant the most to them, her childhood home.

Organic, Natural and garden: The three words used to drive the design inspiration and wedding theme. A simple neutral color palette was the perfect backdrop for the colorful flowers and plants her family spent every weekend preparing, thanks to her mom’s green thumb and dad’s hard work. They loved the juxtaposition of the natural elements of the backyard garden with the soft and elegant white table linens, china and string lights spread over the putting green.

To incorporate their love of games, as each family member and friend entered the ceremony, they signed a little note of encouragement, inside jokes or well wishes to Andy and Honor on a Jenga block. They spent hours in their living room sorting through the blocks after returning home from their honeymooon, brought to tears in laughter.

The food and desserts were another reflection of the family and were catered by Endive. Roasted vegetable lasagna, vino and cannoli for the Italian family (because there is no real Italian celebration without these). Then for the Southern side, there was braised beef brisket with coca-cola gravy, grilled farmers market vegetable medley, and baked red snapper court bouillon!

Almost all of the details were DIY.  Honor grew up with a family that spent numerous Saturdays as a  family renovating her mom’s new vision for the family home or doing projects around the house. Her family inspired in Honor the DIY attitude that they could do anything they put their minds to and growing to love that creative mindset, applied this to her wedding.

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Wedding Photography: Kelly Lane Photography | Wedding Venue: Family Home in Atlanta, Georgia | Wedding Coordinator + Floral Design: Creme de le Chic | Wedding Cinematography: Rob Berry | Officiant: Scott Thompson from Bethel Atlanta | Catering: Endive | Wedding Cake: Rhodes Bakery | DJ: Adam Maine + Harvey Cheek | Pool Luminaries: Luminari | Vintage Rentals: Four Inch Fold | Hair: Siggers | Makeup: Suni Cosmetics

You learn so much about couples from their e-sessions and weddings.  Mainly, that every single duo we feature here on SMP is head-over-heels, but also that they have the sweetest love stories you’ll ever get the chance to hear.  Case in point?  These adorable Atlanta sweeties, who met in high school, dated for ten years and tied their love of antiquing and vintage cars into their engagement session captured by Michelle Landreau.  Get to know them right here.

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From the Bride… After dating for ten years (we are high-school sweethearts), Michael and I finally got engaged on a ski trip in North Carolina. The very next day we went antique shopping, one of our favorite things to do together, and we picked up a vintage bottle engraved with a heart. This treasure from our engagement trip, along with my beautiful antique engagement ring, became the basis for our e-session.

So I moved forward with the vintage, romantic style of the shoot in mind but still pondering exactly what to incorporate in the shoot. I grew up in a family that renovated old cars and as a couple, Michael and I have enjoyed going to vintage car shows. So I contacted the Atlanta Thunderbird Club and one of their members graciously offered the use of both his 57’ Ford Fairlane and his 56’ Thunderbird (for free!). The cars were both so amazing, we just couldn’t pick between them, so we ended up using both. In addition, we brought along some props to pull everything together- including a vintage suitcase (bought on Etsy), bunting I made myself, and of course, the vintage bottle from our engagement trip. It was so much fun posing with the vintage cars, I felt like a movie star and the pictures came out better than anything we could have imagined.

After the vintage, romantic shoot that morning we really wanted to do something more modern and fun. We headed to downtown Atlanta to one of our favorite tunnels, the Arizona Avenue Tunnel, which is covered in some amazing bright colored graffiti. The graffiti made an awesome backdrop for the pictures. We changed into some more casual clothes and had a lot of fun making faces at the camera and just being silly.

Finally, we ended the day on the Jackson Street Bridge. This bridge has one of the best skyline views of downtown Atlanta (now made even more famous by it’s use in the opening credits of a certain zombie TV show filmed in Atlanta). I love that we were able to capture Atlanta in some of our photos, since it is the city we have lived in and grown together as a couple and the city where we are getting married.

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Wedding Photography: Michelle Landreau from Morning Light by Michelle Landreau Photography | Location: Atlanta, Georgia | Bride’s Attire: Ruche “Peach Rose Dress” | Bride’s Shoes: J.Crew “Mona” | Groom’s Attire: J.Crew

Jeremy Harwell.  What can I say?  He rocks.  And the weddings he sends our way?  They’re awesome.  So, to say I was excited when this little gem popped up on my computer screen is, well… an absolute understatement.  Because I don’t just love this wedding, I seriously adore each and every moment.  Which is to be expected, since the whole shebang was planned and designed by the uber-talented ellyB Events, who just so happen to rock, too.  It’s classic, gorgeous and everything you dream your wedding to be.  See so much more in the full gallery.

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From ellyB Events… Julie and Dave were an absolute joy to work with! Julie and Dave live in two separate states so it was imperative for Dave to get Julie help to plan their big day so she would have the guidance they needed. One thing was for sure, Julie wanted an opulent location that her out of town guests would be able to enjoy, as well as compliment her fairy tale ball gown.

When designing the wedding, we knew that we wanted everything light and airy and classic. It was important to use the blush tones, silver undertones and compliment the decor that was already in place at the St. Regis. We also wanted to add to the experience and personalization of Julie and Dave by adding the gelato cart to signify Italy where Dave proposed to Julie. We also had custom cigars for the guests to enjoy on the terrace at the St. Regis.

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Wedding Photography: Jeremy Harwell | Wedding Venue: St. Regis Atlanta, Paces 88 in Atlanta, Georgia | Event Planning, Floral + Event Design: ellyB Events | Wedding Cinematography: Imagine VP | Officiant: Jae Wook Seo | Wedding Cake: St. Regis + Baker’s Man | Gelato Station: Dreamy Gelato | Ceremony Musicians: Celebrations String Quartet | Band: KLF Productions, Inc. | Favors: Invictus Cigars | Wedding Stationery: ellyB Events | Hair + Makeup: My Wedding & Hair

So, we’re kind of obsessed with Artworks Wedding Cinema and here’s why: they’re awesome.  Awesome in that each and every lovely film they send our way has the power to make us laugh, cry and cheer all in one sitting.  Here at SMP, we call that mesmerizing.  And this lovely Atlanta affair?  It’s just what we’ve come to expect from these masters of cinema, complete with one of the cutest duos you’ll ever meet.  Hit play and then stay tuned for an entire gallery of lovely from Rustic White Photography.

As promised, even more from these cuties… happy, happy Tuesday. 

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From the Bride… Our wedding and reception was held at the beautiful Summerour Studio in West Midtown in Atlanta, GA. We loved the rustic, old world feel about it. Our ceremony was held on the staircase and then we joined guests for cocktail hour in the courtyard (thank goodness for incredible September weather!) We then went back inside for dinner and dancing.

We wanted our wedding to be casual and laid back, but still elegant. Not too stuffy or formal, and we wanted our closest family and friends to just let loose and share the moment with us. We wanted it to really reflect our personalities.

We wrote our own vows and Matt’s uncle performed our ceremony. One of my best friends from childhood read a poem by E.E. Cummings. Both my father and my stepfather gave me away. Our décor and southern-inspired food from Bold American was unbelievable, and the photos from Rustic White and the video from Artworks really helped us see our day in a whole new light.

My maid of honor made the adorable burlap monogrammed wreaths that hung on our chairs during the reception. In addition to the guest book, we purchased a large apothecary jar and card stock and had our guests write us well-wishes and words of wisdom .Those were great to look back and read the day after!

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Wedding Photography: Rustic White Photography | Cinematography: Artworks Wedding Cinema | Wedding Venue: Summerour Studio in Atlanta, Georgia | Floral Design + Catering: Bold American Catering | Wedding Coordinator: Lauren LeNoir ( lauren@laurenlenior.com) | Wedding Cake: Cakes by Darcy (770.993.2253) | Pies: The Pie Shop | Trolley Service: The Trolley Guy | DJ: Tom Russo | Wedding Dress: Sottero and Midgley via Uniquesly Yours | Bridesmaids’ Attire: Jasmine via New Natalies | Groom’s Attire: Savvi Formalwear | Shoes: Nina  | Hair: Jessica Rivera (509.570.8977) | Makeup: Stacey Ridell (404.281.0046)

Confession time, I almost didn’t hire a cinematographer. Thank goodness I can say almost. Looking back, I am SO glad my nearest and dearest convinced me it was necessary, and I have made it a priority to tell Brides all across the land just how important these talented folks are. Because I simply couldn’t imagine not having my big day on film, and I am pretty sure these two newlyweds captured by Expression Cinema feel the same way. Because with a wedding film this pretty, they will probably watch it more than they want to admit (it happens to the best of us), and that’s just another reason why wedding cinematography is oh-so-fabulous.

From Expression Cinema… Amrita and Jay were a pleasure to work with. Jay is originally from Boston but found the love of his life, Amrita, in Atlanta, Georgia. They spent so much time planning this amazing wedding and so came the big day of their celebration or should I say days of their celebration. They got married at the Baps Shri Swaminarayan Mandir of Atlanta. We definitely had a great time getting to know them and filming their wedding.

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Wedding Cinematography: Vadim Pavlyuk from Expression Cinema | Wedding Venue: Baps Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Atlanta Georgia | Photography: Ash Fotos | Wedding Coordinator: Sandip Trivedi | Caterer: BAPS Shayona

When I think through the most perfect places to host a wedding, a quaint country inn almost always tops the list. I dream of a day that oozes with charm alongside a sense of quiet romance. And this Georgia soiree is built around that exact sentiment plus all the pretty we so desperately love. Watson-Studios documented the day, resulting in the most gorgeous full gallery right here.

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From the Bride…We were so lucky to hold our wedding at The Inn at Serenbe, a working farm and sustainable community located about 30 minutes south of Atlanta. Our goal was to have our wedding close to home but feel as if our friends and family had been whisked away from the city to a more calming, serene environment, and Serenbe was the perfect place. In order to accentuate Serenbe’s natural beauty, we tried not to go overboard with decor, keeping things as rustic as possible while still being elegant, and we chose a mostly neutral color palette with pops of purple.

I wasn’t exactly a stress-free bride, so I especially enjoyed working with all of our wonderful vendors, who made the process more tolerable than I ever expected! We searched high and low for a photographer, and I’m so glad we chose Watson-Studios out of Knoxville. Immediately upon meeting Natalie and Dan, they made us feel so comfortable, and I knew they really “got” us. After our wedding, they even described the event as a “mixture of fun and romance, fashion and charm,” which was exactly how we had envisioned it while planning!

It was also super special to work with several of our very talented friends, like our calligrapher, Emmy Scruggs, our hair stylist, Martin Spradlin, and our wedding planner, Debbie Felker. Thanks to everyone who helped make our special day so memorable!

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Wedding Photography: Watson-Studios | Ceremony and Reception Venue: The Inn at Serenbe | Wedding Coordinator: Debbie Felker | Wedding + Floral Design + Catering + Cake: Gloriosa | Invitations: CalligrEMMY | Ceremony Music: Smokey’s Farmland Band | Reception Music: Atlanta Rhythm and Groove | Wedding Dress and Coverlet: Monique Lhuillier |Bride’s  Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew | Groom’s Tux: J.Crew | Bow tie: Ralph Lauren | Groomsmen Attire: Their own Tuxes + Accessories | Hair: Salon Martin Spradlin

I’m not sure where to begin with this amazingly beautiful modern-loft Atlanta wedding – I’m completely smitten with every single detail! The couple’s blush, ivory and pewter palette set the tone for the eclectic affair, and personalized details (like that amazing tissue paper wall + AstroTurf lounge area) were DIYed by the gorgeous bride and her maids. See all of the images from Ben Vigil Photographers in the full gallery!

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From A Big To Do Event…Taana and Corey’s wedding was so elegant and chic you would hardly believe how much of it was DIY by the bride herself! The wedding was held at Ambient Plus Studio, which is a great blank, industrial space that can be transformed to fit so many wedding themes and styles. The space was draped off into three different sections so we could reveal each section throughout the evening and wow the guests! After dinner we transitioned the cocktail hour space to a dance floor so guests could keep the party going with our amazing DJ! All of the stunning DIY details of the wedding were made by the bride and her bridesmaids (Made and Styled) including the eleven-foot, tissue paper flower wall, personalized chocolate bar wrappers used as escort cards, and the dark gray, pewter, ivory, and blush ceremony backdrop. To make the event even more personal, the couple mounted their engagement photos, in which they played on other ways of saying “Getting Married” like “Taking the Plunge” and “Buying the Cow,” on acrylic and hung them in the cocktail hour space. They were a huge hit and the guests loved them!

From the Bride… I’ve always loved blush, ivory, and pewter together, so I knew that would be our color palette. We didn’t have one specific theme or style but we definitely borrowed from all types – vintage (pin-up hair, ivory roses and hydrangea, trolley transportation), modern (white leather sofas, the lit LED bar, videobooth, Patron and Chambord favors), and lots of personal DIY touches (the flower wall, favor tags, string art sign). We wanted it to be relaxed and fun and just made decisions that felt like “us” throughout the planning process. Since Corey is a high school football coach, we had to incorporate that. We made a mat for the lounge area out of AstroTurf that resembled a mini football field, complete with our monogram on the 50-yard line. Two of his players even served as ushers for the ceremony.

We opted not to have a sign-in book because I knew we’d probably never look at it. Instead, we used a butterfly-shaped paper punch to make small black paper butterflies and had each guest sign his or her name on them with a silver pen. I plane on displaying them in a shadow box in our home.

I wanted to do something interesting to cover up the plain panels for the entryway to the restrooms. Corey and I sat down and made a list of about 20 interesting thing that we love about each other. Some things were quirky and some were completely random. I designed large posters and used faint images of our faces for the background and put the lists on top of them – my face with what he wrote about me for the ladies panel, and his for the men’s.

Overall, our wedding was a beautiful mix of raw and refined with lots of creative personal touches. Love in a lofty space with lots of light, fun people, and both modern and vintage touches.

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Wedding Photography: Huy Cat for Ben Vigil Photographers | Wedding Venue: Ambient Plus Studio in Atlanta, Georgia | Event Planning: Lila Wilson from A Big To Do Event | Bouquet Floral Design: Carithers Flowers | Reception Décor + Floral Design: Made and Styled | Catering: Chris McKinstry from Affairs to Remember | Wedding Cake: Celso’s Cakes | Cupcakes: Kennedy’s Sweet Tooth | Favors: Made and Styled | Linens: I Do Linens | Entertainment + Lighting: Mark Adams from One Sound and Entertainment | Drapery: Event Drapery | Rentals: Event Rentals Unlimited + We Rent Atlanta | Photobooth: UBooth | Wedding Invitations + Stationery: Made and Styled | Transportation: Georgia Tech Trolley | Wedding Dress: La Raine’s Bridal | Bridesmaids’ Attire: Amsale from Bridal’s by Lori | Men’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse | Hair + Makeup: Mimi Johnson from P3 Lab

There is one word that comes to mind when I sift through this Velveteen Rabbit inspired baby shower gallery and that word is magic. Truly. Not a single thing has been left unearthed, no detail left unthought of. Every moment is absolutely dripping in the loveliest of lovely and I’m, officially, completely blown away. Beautifully captured by the talented Buffy Dekmar and designed by Simply Charming Socials I know exactly who I’ll be going to for any baby showers in my future.

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From Buffy.. Designed and orchestrated by Simply Charming Socials, this styled baby shower brunch brings to life a children’s classic, The Velveteen Rabbit. With watercolored hues, soft textures, and organic floral design by Gertie Mae’s, this brunch is quaintly inspired. Pastel velvet and linen are set against the cool neutrals of the Summerour Studios courtyard creating a scene that is both chilling and comforting, much like the familiar story itself. The creative culinary pieces by Sun in my Belly brighten the palette a bit with a range of sweet and savory menu items that compliment the color scheme. A super 8 film by Dekmar Films fits perfectly with the nostalgia of the story, culminating the sweetly styled details and the mood of the day. It was a joy to photograph this occasion.

Photography: Buffy Dekmar Photography | Cinematography: Dekmar Films | Catering: Sun In My Belly | Venue: Summerour Studio | Design, Styling, Coordination: Simply Charming Socials | Dessert: Sugar Style Events | Floral: Gertie Mae’s Floral Studio | Furnishings: Settee Event Rentals | Paper Goods: Charlotte Lane

Fact one.  Heidi Geldhauser from Our Labor of Love is awesome.  Fact two.  She snaps up the pretty like it’s no one’s business and I may or may not consider myself her biggest fan. (Read: I totally do.)  So, when I saw that Heidi teamed up with the equally as amazing Blue Eyed Yonder (they sooo rock) for an uber-gorgeous photo shoot, I knew we were in for an epic day of inspiration.  One that includes a pretty in pink love theme, stunning florals from Lindsay Coletta Designs and a sweet courthouse “I do.”  Check out every breathtaking moment right here.

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From Blue Eyed Yonder…There’s alway been something very romantic about the simplicity and intimacy of a courthouse elopement – grab your best dress, pluck a fresh bouquet and skip away to the courthouse with your sweetheart. That’s exactly what this adorable couple did, and what’s more romantic than tying the knot on Valentine’s Day? After quick “I do’s” the happily married couple drove off in a classic 1957 Chevy Bel-Air with lots of handmade hearts, cans and streamers trailing behind.

Inspired by courthouse weddings of the 50’s and 60’s we incorporated a knee-length blush pink wedding dress with lace overlay for the bride as well as coordinating vintage accessories and birdcage veil. The groom wore a black suit and handmade skinny black tie. The florals were warm and romantic, using garden roses, tulips, and ranunculus in shades from blush to poppy pink.

The celebration didn’t stop once this couple said “I do”; they dropped custom wedding announcements in the mail inviting friends and family to celebrate their nuptials at a fun, backyard bar-b-que!

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Wedding Photography: Heidi Geldhauser from Our Labor of Love | Location: Old Courthouse on the Square in Decatur, Georgia | Event Planning + Styling: Blue Eyed Yonder | Floral Design: Lindsay Coletta Designs | Vintage Furniture + Decor: Blue Eyed Yonder | Invitations: Chica Design | Wardrobe Styling: Recollection Vintage | Bride’s Veil + Groom’s Tie: Molly Gee Designs | Hair + Makeup: Raney O’Keefe

I haven’t stopped smiling since I laid eyes on this sweet-as-can-be Fox Hall Resort + Sporting Club destination wedding. Between the whimsical, tandem-bike themed paper goodies by Jen Simpson Design, the blue maid’s dresses and that amazing cake by Uprising Custom Cakes, this pretty little number has it all. See every last image from Char Beck Photography right here!

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From Char Beck Photography… Is there anything more charming than a destination wedding in the country? For Lis and Billy’s wedding, all the guests and wedding party traveled to Fox Hall Sporting Club, a rolling expanse of hunting grounds about an hour outside of Atlanta. The wedding day dawned cold and bright but spirits were high all around. The ceremony was held overlooking the Georgia Hills, followed by dancing and a scrumptious farm to table supper provided by Avalon Catering.

After their first date, Billy knew it was his “last first date” and that Lis was very special. Their second date was a weekend beach trip with friends. As they rode bikes down the beach they fell in love, which is why all of their paper suite items feature a tandem bike.

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Photography: Char Beck Photography | Wedding Venue: Fox Hall Resort & Sporting Club in Douglasville, Georgia | Event Design: Kate Byars | Floral Design: Britt Kroll | Catering: Avalon Catering | Wedding Cake: Uprising Custom Cakes | Band: Complete Desire | Wedding Stationery: Jen Simpson  | Letterpress Printer: Dear So and So | Hair + Makeup: Claudia Mejerle

I’m head-over-heels for the sweet simplicity of this Primrose Cottage wedding from the amazingly talented Artstar by Laura Stone. The soft, muted color palette played up the venue’s gorgeous indoor and outdoor spaces which were embellished with personal details galore (the couple’s chuppah was made from the bride’s mother’s wedding dress!) Be sure to set aside some time to see every last image in the full gallery!

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From the Bride… For our wedding, the most important thing to us was to have a beautiful day surrounded by our family and friends, and we couldn’t have asked for it to have turned out better. We chose Primrose as a venue because it felt like a home away from home where we could still have an intimate wedding, and we loved the outdoor and indoor spaces. Our favorite thing about the wedding was the little touches – whether it was having photos of our family around the house, to the chuppah in our ceremony that my mother made from her own wedding dress, to wearing my aunt’s wedding earrings, to the handkerchief “something blue” I used that my great-grandmother had made for me many years ago. One of the most important things to us was choosing a photographer we knew would capture all of the little moments and emotion of the day which we 100% found with Laura. It’s hard to choose a favorite moment, but I think our ceremony or dancing with our family and friends during the horah would have to be among them.

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Wedding Photography: Artstar by Laura Stone | Wedding Venue: Primrose Cottage in Roswell, Georgia | Floral Design: Magic Moments | Cake + Desserts: Magic Moments | Wedding Invitations: Noteworthy Designs | Band: The Moxie Band | Wedding Dress: Watters | Bridesmaids’ Attire : Bill Levkoff

You can’t go wrong with chevron, that’s a well-known wedding fact. And this modern, bold and bright Atlanta fête at the gorgeous Mason Murer Fine Arts event space from Stacey Bode helps me prove that truth. The bride, a wedding planner, called on the talents of Estoria Social to bring her creative vision to life. The result? Simply stunning. Click here to see the rest of this beauty! 

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From the Bride… As a wedding planner, creating and designing my own wedding was an exciting and slightly unnerving challenge. I knew that I had to convey elements of our style, create a welcoming and inviting setting for our guests, and honor both of our families- mine Northeastern Jews and his with deep Southern roots. Our mission was to strike the right balance and create something that people would recognize as “Clint and Jaimie.” I wanted our wedding to be different from any I had planned before. We are both really into the arts scene and wanted our space to reflect our personal style- we just wanted it to feel like “us.” We discussed how our wedding space should look like our home; warm, inviting and unique, and the Mason Murer gallery was the perfect place.

I started with the notion of a pattern- I have been in love with chevron since the day I saw it as a chair in a friend’s apartment. I wanted to use the look throughout the wedding but present it in a new and fun way. We used simple chevron on our invitations and then I worked with a custom linen designer to create wide chevron runners for our guest tables. I decided on only using farm tables, since Clint and I eat at a farm table in our own home and it is one of our prized pieces. We used soft drapery throughout the room and custom lighting to bring warmth to our reception space. It was a delicate balance of bringing life to the room that was already covered in stunning art work. Next, I hand painted over 150 collected bottles with white spray paint as the vessels for our floral décor. Maggie Rentz, my business partner, filled them with gorgeous unstructured arrangements. The arrangements contained soft yellow garden roses, deep gold ranunculus, dusty miller, pink and white astilbe, and sweet lisianthus and she created my bouquet out of the same. 

Finally, I thought about the ceremony space, which we wanted to seem holy and spiritual. Our first accomplishment was creating our Chuppah (wedding canopy), with a woodwork frame created and hand-built by Clint, and draped in my father’s prayer shawl. He covered it in willow to look like climbing vines, symbolic of our growing love. We filled the space with simple elements, vintage church pews, and our friends’ band. It was simple and perfectly us.

We felt like our ceremony was the most important part of the entire evening. This was merging of our families, our cultures and our hearts. Because it was important to me to have a rabbi marry us, we selected Rabbi Josh Lesser, the leader of the Reconstructionist Temple in Atlanta to lead us through our interfaith ceremony. We based our ceremony language on our Ketubah, or marriage contract, in which we told each other the importance of our mutual respect for each other. Of course we had to have First Corinthians as a part of our ceremony, as it is a prayer that both Clint and I love. We also asked our friends to present us with the traditional “Shevah Brachot” or seven blessings, a part of the Jewish ceremony. We rewrote them, with the help of Rabbi Josh, to reflect the blessings we find in each other. Our ceremony was more than we expected it to be and there was not a dry eye in the house!

I couldn’t believe how moving I found it all. We had talked about this moment for a year and finally, this incredible day had come. I couldn’t stop looking into Clint’s eyes and feeling this overwhelming excitement for our future. The best part of the whole evening was signing our Ketubah or marriage contract. We were tucked into this small room with just our families and my best friend, and all of us were smiling, clapping, crying and experiencing this moment of families coming together. We felt like we had come up with the most important things in our relationship to include in this lifetime commitment to each other – kindness, respect, understanding, family and love- and as we signed the document, I couldn’t have felt more connected to this man, my best friend. I have never ever felt so incredibly lucky.

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Wedding Photography: Stacey Bode |  Wedding Venue: Mason Murer Fine Arts in Atlanta, Georgia | Event Planning + Design: the Bride + Maggie Rentz from Estoria Social | Wedding Cinematography: Paul Wages | Officiant: Rabbi Josh Lesser | Floral Design : Maggie Rentz from Estoria Social | Catering: Bold American Caterers | Pies: Little Tart Bakeshop | Vintage Furniture Rentals: Mao Thao | Lighting: PSAV | Linen Rental: I Do Linens | Drapery: Event Drapery |  Reception Music: DJ SugarCut from Scratch Weddings | Wedding Invitations: Pinto Bean Press | Wedding Stationery: DIY by the Bride + Bride’s Mother | Favors: the Bride | Transportation: Cooper Transportation | Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero via Le Dress Boutique | Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Jewelry: Best Friend’s Great-Grandmother |  Bridesmaids’ Attire: J.Crew and Monique Lhuillier | Bride’s Mother: Teri Jon | Groom + Groomsmen attire: Macy’s and Nordstrom |Hair: Aaron Ruehling from SalonModello | Makeup: Lindsey Corrado from BellaB Make Up Artistry

I kind of want to live inside the Biltmore Ballrooms.  Seriously.  I would move in tomorrow if they would let me.  And since I am guessing that may not happen anytime soon (read: never), this dazzling gem from Artstar by Laura Stone is exactly how I’ll be spending my Wednesday.  Because all of the reasons I oh-so-adore the Biltmore?  They are front.and.center with elegant details and sophisticated stylings filling every inch of the gallery.  Join me there for so much more. 

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From the Bride… After considering many options, The Biltmore was just perfect.  The ballroom has that old classy southern charm, the staff was great to work with, and there were a couple of hotels for our guests to stay at that were very close.

I like simple, calming colors and I had seen some pictures of green flowers that really got me thinking of having the colors of our wedding be a blend of soft green and whites.  (It was purely coincidence that the interior of The Biltmore ballroom was also a similar green color.)  I wanted the reception decor to be elegant but not stuffy. I really liked the idea of having varying table centerpieces and I liked the simplicity of the twigs as one of the main items to bring height to the tables.  My husband also liked the twigs because they weren’t so bulky that you couldn’t see the person sitting across the table. Because 90% of our guests traveled from out of state, I really wanted them to enjoy the reception ambiance, which I think we accomplished.

It really is a blur, but I remember walking down the aisle with my father and seeing Tim waiting for me at the front of the church.  I also remember taking a few seconds at the reception before anyone else was allowed into the ballroom to just stand in awe of what a beautiful job all the vendors did in putting our ideas together.  One other memory was our first dance.  We had only practiced dancing together 2 nights before our wedding, so we both were a bit nervous.  It turned out great (I think).

A few of my favorite photos is one right after we said “I do” and were walking back down the aisle…I could just see how happy I was with my big smile and I loved Tim’s smirk.  I also liked a black and white photo that we have right as we are leaving the reception (again, it’s just the pure happiness in our faces that tell it all).  Finally, there is the picture of us walking towards the camera, holding hands, and surrounded by a beautiful green background.  It reminds me of what perfect weather we had that day.

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Wedding Photography: Artstar by Laura Stone / Ceremony Venue: Inman Park United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Georgia / Reception Venue: Biltmore Ballrooms in Atlanta, Georgia / Wedding Planner: Amy DiLoreti from A Flawless Event / Floral Design: Tulip / Catering: Bold American / Wedding Cake: The Frosted Pumpkin / Cookie Favors: Ali’s Cookies / Wedding Invitations: Eberle Invitations / Wedding Dress: Judd Waddell via Bridals by Lori / Bridesmaid’s Attire: Alfred Sung Dessy Collection

Farm weddings have their own special charm. I’m not sure if it’s the expansive land, fresh air, or simply the gorgeous natural light of the outdoors, but whatever it is, we just can’t seem to get enough of them. Belle of the Ball Events planned this pretty vintage chic day and they even managed to wrangle a snake just moments before the I Do’s! Don’t miss all the beautiful images from Graceology Photography right here in the full gallery!

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From Belle of the Ball Events… The expansive and charming Diastole Farms in Gay, Georgia provided the quintessential southern setting for Dianna and Frank’s rustic chic wedding. Though no stranger to upscale events, including styled shoots for home design publications, October 6, 2012 would become the date of the venue’s first wedding ever.

With the advice of the wedding planner and blessing of the venue owner, the father of the bride rolled up his sleeves for a little nip-and-tuck on the eve of the wedding, removing unsightly barriers and hoisting low branches of a large and lovely black gum tree, which would be the site for the ceremony.

One for the books: While Dianna and Frank exchanged vows, 30 yards away, the wedding planner discreetly handled two crises within a 10-muinute period… a giant King snake and a faint groomsman. (Note to self: Sharp tool/hoe needed in emergency kit for future rural events.) The gallant DJ and catering manager quietly bagged up the snake while the planner tended to the groomsman, who’s wooziness was unrelated to the snake.

Friends and family indulged in a homestyle buffet then danced the night away under the stars. With a sparkler and lavender send-off the handsome newlyweds exited in a vintage Ford truck.

Wedding Photography: Graceology Photography / Wedding Venue: Diastole Farms in Gay, Georgia / Event Planning: Belle of the Ball Events / Floral Design: Lindsay Coletta / Caterer: Hallie Jane’s Catering

I love Atlanta.  Sure, I may have never actually stepped foot anywhere outside of the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, but when you know, you know.  So, when I added Atlanta to my list of all-time favorite cities, it was with the utmost certainty that The ATL is one of the coolest places on earth.  One that plays host to drop-dead gorgeous weddings like this captured by the ever-amazing Anne Almasy.  Planned to perfection by Events Decorated, it features fab DIY florals, a chic gray color palette and an uber-stunning bride and groom.  See all of the pretty right here.

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From Anne Almasy… Amy and Chad were friends for 2 years before they started dating, so, by the time their wedding day arrived, they said “we know ALL of the good and the bad and we love each other in spite of it all.”

Chad is a music freak. His two favorite bands are The National and Interpol. His favorite beers are Anchor Steam, Pacifico, and Abita Strawberry (when it is in season).

Amy is a food freak. She loves to cook and bake. She loves trying new restaurants around Atlanta. Amy’s drink choice changes with her mood. Sometimes she wants a cold beer, sometimes it is a glass of red wine or even a margarita. Her “special occasion” drink is a French 75 (with vodka instead of gin).

Amy and Chad had their hands on every aspect of their wedding day, from the flowers (which Amy designed with the mothers and grandmothers), to Chad’s shoelace ties around the boutonnieres — a nod to Summerour’s former status as a leather and shoestring warehouse.

The only surprise that day was Amy’s Maid of Honor, who toasted the couple with a traditional Hawaiian dance.

Photography: Anne Almasy / Ceremony & Reception Venue: Summerour Studio in Atlanta, GA / Wedding Coordination: Events Decorated / Floral Design: DIY / Wedding Cake: The Bake Shoppe / Catering: Soiree / Wedding Band: Sonic Groove / Photobooth: Shutterbooth / Wedding Dress: Casablanca / Hair: Ici Paris (The Bride’s Sister)

Bow ties, pups and southern style never fail to leave me weak in the knees. They each have the ability to make me squeal, and when they are combined – watch out, I become giddy and then some. So forgive me if I just want to call up Melissa Tuck and thank her profusely for sending us this Georgia beauty. You will too after one look at this gallery of images, which just so happens to be adorable and filled to the brim with the (seriously fabulous) personalities of this darling duo. See even more here.

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From Melissa Tuck Photography… Victoria & Chris’s wedding took place at the Cator Woolford Gardens in Atlanta, Georgia on September 28, 2012. It’s a great venue tucked away in the heart of Atlanta. Things that stand out in my mind from this wedding would be the overall style (vintage tablescapes – think lace, books, candles!, rockin’ suits from the gentlemen, classic navy from the ‘maids), the ADORABLE kids (complete with a teeny bow tie!), the couple’s pup was the ring bearer, and the “Man of Honor” instead of a ‘maid…love that

Wedding Photography: Melissa Tuck Photography / Wedding Coordinator: Leah Bilz from The Whole Shebang / Floral Design: Botany Bay / Caterer: Black Tie Catering and Barbecue / Wedding Cake: Tom Zach, the Bride’s Friend / Ceremony Music: Hotlanta Dixieland Trio / DJ: Jason Flake from Flake Productions / Popsicle Favors: King of Pops /  Wedding Invitations: Andrew Norman, the Bride’s Friend / Wedding Dress: Judd Waddell / Bride’s shoes: TOMS / Bridesmaids’ Attire: J.Crew / Groom + Groomsmen Attire: J.Crew / Makeup: Melanie Cristescu, Groom’s Sister / Hair: Van Michael Salon

I can’t help but fall in love with a bride who describes the day she gets to marry her man with so much gratitude, love + joy. This sweet Atlanta wedding took place at the beautiful Chastain Horse Park and was captured to perfection by Nina Parker + George Street Photo & Video.  Filled to the brim with lovely details and family traditions, you’ll be sure to spend some time perusing it all in the full gallery!

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From the Bride… We were married at Smyrna First United Methodist Church and I couldn’t have prayed for a more beautiful church ceremony. We were surrounded by our closest friends and family, my father gave us his blessing and spoke during the ceremony, my groom was just as anxious as I was for our first (married) kiss, and I have never known such joy. It wasn’t just happiness that made me smile that day. It was pure, sweet love.

We had our wedding reception at Chastain Horse Park, a special event facility that also offers a therapeutic program through horse riding. Not only did the facility have the perfect Southern charm, but it gave back to those in need, which we loved. Guests were able to walk the grounds and enjoy the beautiful club house, quaint stables, and oh-so-entertaining equestrian ring right from the balconies. Watching the horses trot around as we sat through dinner was fun for the kids and adults!

My “something old” was my bouquet wrap, made from lace that my mom used as a veil cap when she was married and my grandmother before her used as a hat when she was married. I was so honored to carry on this bit of fabric that had seen the start of some of the most rock-solid marriages I’ve known. Taylor’s tie tack was made from an earring that his grandmother wore. Since she is no longer with us, this was a very special tribute to the closeness Taylor felt to her. In this way, she was able to share the day with us.

We wanted to have our wedding in Fall and embrace all of the colors of our favorite season. We chose to have the girls in floor-length aubergine chiffon dresses. The guys wore light grey tuxes with a deep, leafy-green vest and tie. Our flower girl wore an ivory dress with an aubergine bow and her “princess” shoes.

Wedding Photography: Nina Parker + George Street Photo & Video  / Ceremony Location: Smyrna First United Methodist Church in Smyrna, Georgia / Reception Location: Chastain Horse Park in Atlanta, Georgia / Event Planning + Design: Bride / Floral Design: Heather Kocevar of Stems Atlanta / Wedding Cinematography: Mark Burch of  George Street Photo & Video / Caterer: Avenue Catering Concepts / Wedding Invitations: Minted / Wedding Dress: Bel Fiore Bridal / Shoes: The Dessy Group /Jewelry: Kate Ketzal / Hair: Christine of NY Bridal Hair Styles / Makeup: Amanda Ford of Lace Cosmetics

It’s always the simplest of e-sessions that really get our attention around here. A pretty lace red dress, a wintry mixed bouquet, and an adorable couple all add up to e-session fabulousness. Odalys Mendez Photography captured these love birds as they strolled throughout Atlanta. See it all right here!

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From Odalys Mendez Photography… This collection of photos is part of a recent engagement session, and I thought they were so appropriate for winter, especially the set of images with the red dress and winter bouquet. The session took place in Atlanta.

Photography: Odalys Mendez Photography / Location: Atlanta, Georgia