Georgia Weddings

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

Let me reiterate: this is not a styled shoot. This is actually a real wedding, but the details are SO on point stylistically that even I thought it was orchestrated for inspiration. But no, this is Taylor and Rainge’s beautifully ‘big’ day. An intimate elopement in the woods that you won’t want to miss – see it all in The Vault!

From Candice Lorraine…“I need to be bold
Need to jump in the cold water
Need to grow older with a girl like you
Finally see you were naturally
The one to make it so easy when you show me the truth
Yeah, yeah I’d rather be with you
Say you want the same thing too”

The lyrics Taylor sang to Rainge when they walked through the woods as husband and wife. With the little white church behind them and the rest of their lives ahead of them, Taylor chose the intimate setting of the Georgia mountains to start their life together.

The day began with coffee and biscuits at their favorite local brunch nook at Mama’s Boy in Athens. This cozy spot hosted many their dates in college, and tons of shared memories. After full bellies, they drove up through the mountain fog to the Juliette Chapel, tucked away in the woods of the Appalachian. As Hope Ferguson, started hair and makeup, Taylor calmly told the story of how her and Rainge met and her vision for the wedding day.

Their relationship was created during many drives between South Carolina and Georgia, so the thought of being away in the mountains near the states borders thrilled them. They loved the romance of the woods, being away from all the noise, and reminded that despite all the distractions in life — it is truly just the two of them and their union. Taylor wanted everything to be organic and natural. Her love for the outdoors and career in horses, she just desired to feel like their altar was an oasis created by God. Surrounded by nature was incredibly important to her. Nothing extravagant or dramatic, just her and her fiance in a natural setting.

After Hope finished the perfect makeup touches, Taylor changed into her breathtaking BHLDN dress. The most whimsical and dainty dress and started her walk across the courtyard, down the aisle to her groom. Tears filled Rainge’s eyes when he saw his bride before him. They both giggled and sniffled back tears as their dear friend read a passage from the Bible. They held hands as they exchanged vows to each other. Sealed with a long and quiet kiss, tears rolled down both their cheeks, followed by squeals and lots of laughs, Taylor and Rainge were married.

Amanda Jewel flawlessly executed a whimsical and earthy ceremony design for them to speak their vows under God. They wanted the invitation suite to be a reminder of their vows, their commitment to each other, and to show their children one day. During their engagement, Taylor and Rainge often spoke about the songs that they danced to in the kitchen, and sweet calligrapher Anna Brown, of Olive Juice Press, decided to surprise them by writing the lyrics to “I’d Rather Be With You” by Joshua Radin on the ribbon for Taylor’s bouquet.

It was evident through every detail of the day, that Taylor and Rainge have a peaceful confidence in their love for each other. They reiterated over and over how calming it was to just be together, to spend a day away from any wedding fluff or details, and focus on their marriage.

Photography: Rustic White Photography | Floral Design: Amanda Jewel Floral + Design | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Hair + Makeup: Hope Ferguson | Invitations + Calligraphy: Olive Juice Press | Groom's Attire: The Black Tux | Venue: Juliette Chapel | Ribbon: Silk and Willow | Stylist: Candice Lorraine

A gorgeous field at dusk, complete with a romantic picnic, handsome groom by your side… can we just run away and escape to this fantasy pretty please? Sawyer Baird captured this rustic wonderland full of Forage and Fleur’s lush blooms and captivating calligraphy from the talented Jenny Sanders. With this gallery in front of me, there isn’t much hope for a productive rest of the day and I’m a-ok with that.

From Sawyer Baird… This shoot all began when I was contacted to create and teach a fellow photographer for a 1:1 Workshop with myself… I was beyond honored and couldn’t wait to get to work!

With this began the thoughts of creating with purpose, creating with a story in mind, and creating with real, pure, and amazing love. In this shoot you see real love notes, combined with a real couple… and I wouldn’t have it any other way. This shoot describes the couple so well, from the simple picnic to the mountain side, and the amazing details. It really couldn’t have been better.

Photography: Sawyer Baird | Floral Design: Forage & Fleur | Wedding Dress: The Sentimentalist | Rings: Trumpet & Horn | Hair & Makeup: Claudia Verduzco | Calligraphy: Graceline Art | Men's Attire: H&M | Venue: Private Residence | Ribbon: Adorn Company | Ring Box: The Mrs Box

Southern weddings have a certain flair, a certain style that I’ll never tire of. And not only do we have one romantic Southern soiree captured by VUE Photography right here, but we have another one of their gems later on today. But first, let’s dive into this elegant affair with enough blush and cream roses to make me downright giddy. See every pretty petal – and one absolutely beaming Bride – right here!

From VUE Photography… This amazing summer vineyard and winery wedding in north Georgia had the bride wearing the most romantic Hayley Paige dress. The wedding colors were pale pinks and lavenders with the bridesmaids wearing different Amsale dresses. The ceremony was out by the pond and the reception on the winery patio with a gorgeous 4-tier cake.

Photography: VUE photography | Videography: Blue Carousel | Floral Design: Edge Design Group | Wedding Dress: JLM Couture, Inc | Cake: Sweet Caroline's Cakes | Stationery: Simply Put | Wedding Shoes: Kate Spade | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | Catering: Montaluce Winery | Groom's Attire: Ike Behar | Wedding Venue: Montaluce Winery

Deep within the lush woods of the Dahlonega Forest, an intimate guest list gathered to celebrate one stunning union. Sprinkled with glowing woodworked candles, this earthy yet elegant enchanted forest fête is captivating to say the least. Captured beautifully by Cluney Photo, every detail illuminates a fairytale evening, and it’s all right here!

From the beautiful Bride… We knew from the beginning that we wanted our wedding to be a cozy gathering of family and close friends. We didn’t want the event or the planning process to be high-strung and over the top. The feel we wanted to go for was a refuge in an ‘enchanted forest’, which is why our venue was perfect for us – made to hold a smaller number of guests, a very natural and woodsy exterior and interior, and best of all in the middle of the woods of North Georgia. We wanted the location and the wedding overall to feel lush and natural.

Tony loves woodworking (which most definitely helped us with our forest theme), and I love arts & crafts, so a lot of our wedding was DIY. He created all of the wooden drawer centerpieces and the food stands as well as 100 candleholders that were strung all throughout the venue.

We had a blast, and we’re so happy with how everything turned out. Looking back, the wedding was really us.

Photography: Cluney Photo | Floral Design: Adaptation Floral Design | Wedding Venue: Juliette Chapel | Catering+ Day Of Coordination: Events By Dezine | Music: Bella Musica Strings

This wedding is the one I used to dream of as a little girl. The horse-drawn carriage. The tuxedo-clad gents. The lace Marchesa gown made just for the Bride.  It’s a fairytale wedding if I ever saw one, and Amy Osaba brought every stunning design detail to life. The gallery from Our Labor of Love is one perfect image after another, and don’t miss the film from Dave Pileggi. Happy Friday!

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From the planner… Both born and raised in the South, this true Southern couple had the sweetest love story for all to witness on their big day. Jana from Knoxville, Tennessee & David, from Fairhope, Alabama, met at the University of Alabama and after several attempts to get Jana as his fraternity date to a football game, Jana finally gave David a chance and the two immediately bonded over a Bama victory and the rest is History! The power couple both settled in Atlanta after graduation. David works in Logistics and Jana landed a job in media, publishing luxury magazines. After 9 LONG years of dating, David finally popped the question at his sister’s baby shower in Atlanta that Jana was hosting. Jana was hard to keep secrets from so David figured he would have to surprise her at someone else’s party to swing it- plus what perfect timing with friends/family surrounded.

Choosing the venue was the easiest part for these two- their long-term relationship has touched so many people so they had guests coming in from all over, even her Maid of Honor from Australia, so they wanted a destination wedding close to Atlanta and immediate fell in love with Tuscany-inspired winery, Montaluce Vineyards & Estate in Dahlonega, Georgia. It seemed like the ideal spot to finally bring together friends and family who have known each of for so long throughout this relationship to celebrate in unity.

Publishing veteran, Jana, has profiled many weddings so she knew exactly what she wanted and custom curated her own special day. From her customized Marchesa gown to hand selecting different dresses from all over for each bridesmaid, every little detail of this fairytale wedding was so unique and personalized. Upon arrival, guests were greeted with strawberry water and Blueberry adorned Prosecco from the vineyards in antique glasses as they took their seats at the gorgeous ceremony site situated on a hill overlooking the N. Georgia mountains and Montaluce Vineyards underneath a tall oak tree with hanging chandeliers. Jana custom designed all 11 flowergirl dresses with one of her bridesmaids’ mothers and they all strolled down the aisle in their bohemian styled floral headpieces with Perse, the couple’s 9 year old chihuahua they got in college together.

The Bride and her father made a grand entrance on a white horse drawn carriage and placed a beautiful moss covered cross on her mother’s chair at the end of the aisle in remembrance of her Brother who passed away just before David appeared in Jana’s life- impeccable timing for a guardian angel! David’s Father was even able to stand by their sides and officially pronounce the couple as a Chief Clerk. So many other special touches throughout the evening brought this true romance to life, especially the 1976 convertible Ford Bronco completely restored by David’s Father- for their wedding day- that awaited the couple at the end of their sparkler exit.

Photography: Our Labor of Love by Heidi | Videography: Dave Pileggi | Wedding Dress: Joan Pillow Bridal | Wedding Dress: Joan Pillow Bridal | Wedding Cake: Montaluce Winery | Wedding Shoes: Something Bleu Shoes | Jewelry: BHLDN | Band: Drivetrain | Favors: Erica Loesing | Tux: Ralph Lauren | Flowers/styling: Amy Osaba | Hair / MU: Karen Filos | Jewlery: Tiffany & Co. | Table Assignment Board + Place Cards: Confetti Press | Wedding Invites: Erica Loesing | Winery: Montaluce Winery

I think we can all agree: love at first sight is a beautiful, beautiful thing.  And when that amazing emotion overcomes two sweeties like this adorable duo, it’s an “I love you” on the first date, engagement within months kind of love story.  One that accumulates in an ohhhh-so-pretty engagement sesh captured by Cottrell Photography and features a whole lot of frolicking through fields and rivers + stylish everything.  See it all right here in the full gallery.

From the Bride-to-Be… Love at first sight does exist, and I was able to experience it with the greatest man alive. So, doing what any smart girl would do, I jumped in head first without any hesitation. January 24th marks our first date, first kiss, and first I love you’s. I think about how vast this universe is, and I had the privilege of meeting Brett.

Shortly after our relationship began, we knew marriage would come quickly, and we couldn’t wait for it. I would often talk to my friend Michael about Brett and the plans we were making. As a photographer, he would always say, “Well I better be your photographer.” September 13th we were engaged, and I couldn’t wait to share the news with Michael, mainly because I could not wait to ask him to shoot our wedding. I adore and appreciate his patience when it comes to capturing moments through pictures. He used his knowledge along with God’s gifts of light and His creation to tell our story. Our engagement session was full of fun and joy. Expressing the love we share for others to see was such an experience. Michael’s knowledge of photography is so evident with the precious moments he captured. People get a glimpse of the love we share through these exceptional pictures. I am grateful that many years to come Brett and I will have these beautiful reminders of exciting love and the beginning of our journey together.

Photography: Cottrell Photography | Flowers: The Flower Mart | Photography - Assistance: Kayna Clemons

If there is a guaranteed way to start a work week off on the prettiest of foots, it’s with a wedding by the beyond talented Amy Arrington. Her images have a way of making any day feel a bit more lovely, and this wedding at Wolf Mountain Vineyards definitely ups the ante on gorgeous. It’s 100% perfect and captured in a way that will leave you weak in the knees, making this Monday pretty darn fabulous. See why here.

From the Bride… Our wedding at Wolf Mountain Vineyards was literally a dream come true. Dustin and I could not have imagined a more beautiful and perfect day. The venue is set in the North Georgia Mountains, giving it a breathtaking view. Walking down the aisle and seeing my husband look at me with tears in his eyes was the most special moment in my life. The staff at Wolf Mountain literally made the day effortless and Amy and her husband did such a great job capturing all of our special moments! We will always cherish that day and the life-long memories that we made.

Photography: Amy Arrington Photography | Florist: La Petite Fleur, Corrine Siegel | Wedding Dress: Casablanca | Catering: Wolf Mountain Vineyards | Hair: Alexa Kelly | Ceremony + Reception Venue: Wolf Mountain Vineyards

Montaluce Winery is quickly becoming one of my favorite places in the world to say “I do.”  Maybe that’s because every.single.wedding we see coming from this Georgia wonderland seems to exude the perfect combo of Southern elegance and old-world charm, with just a dash of rustic sweetness.  It’s perfection. Which is why it took this darling duo just one visit to know that Montaluce was THE place to celebrate their union, complete with pretty, pretty florals from Boukates, darling DIY touches and the ever-amazing Amy Arrington Photography on hand to capture every love-filled moment.  Join me in the gallery to take it all in.

From the bride… I have always heard people say that after you find your wedding venue, everything else just falls into place. Bo and I certainly found this to be true. We knew we wanted a place that felt elegant yet rustic, so Montaluce Winery was just what we were looking for. The quaint, Southern town of Dahlonega was the perfect place for a Fall wedding, and we loved that guests could enjoy a weekend browsing the shops and enjoying the beautiful weather.

The ceremony took place in the Wine Production room with big barn doors that were opened to let in the sunlight. The string quartet played special hymns and songs to set the mood for our very meaningful ceremony.

Besides the perfect venue, my favorite things about our wedding were all the small details that made it special. Bo and I are both very close to our families, and we wanted them to be represented that day. In the ceremony, we displayed a large wooden cross that was built by my cousin from old barn wood belonging to Bo’s grandfather. Antique Mason jars were also prominent in both our ceremony and our reception. Each of the jars we used were collected from our family- our moms, cousins, and grandmothers. Perhaps my favorite detail, though, were the earrings that I wore. They had belonged to my grandmother, and each granddaughter in my family has worn them on her wedding day.

We wanted classic flowers and neutral colors as the backdrop for our wedding so that all of the other details could be showcased. The white hydrangeas the bridesmaids carried complemented their navy dresses, and I loved the way the hypericum berry boutonnieres fastened together with twine accented each groomsmen’s gray tuxedo.

I must say that one of the things our guests still comment on most is the food. We had especially delicious beef short ribs, as well as a scrumptious cakes- two tiers of chocolate ganache, two tiers of carrot cake, and a groom’s cake with strawberry and lemon filling. To thank our guests for coming to celebrate with us, we gave each of them a jar of North Georgia honey.

We wish that we could relive this day over and over. We feel so blessed that we were able to celebrate with the family and friends who mean so very much to us. It was a magical day!

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Wedding Photography: Amy Arrington Photography | Wedding Venue: Montaluce Winery in Dahlonega, Georgia | Floral Design: Boukates | Wedding Cake: The Frosted Pumpkin | String Quartet: Lark Chamber Music | DJ: Complete Music and Video | Wedding Invitations + Stationery: Southern Sisters | Hair: Pure Class Hair Design | Makeup: Timeless by Paula

When I first locked eyes with this Montaluce Winery wedding from Heather Cook Elliott, I would have never, in a million years, guessed it belonged on the Georgia blog! The gorgeous rolling hills and lush vineyard locale took my mind directly to Tuscany, Italy, not Dahlonega, Georgia! It was at this little gem of a venue, in the North Georgia Mountains, where the sweetest couple became Mr. and Mrs. surrounded by family + friends. See it all right here! 

From Heather Cook Elliott… Andrea & Ray were married overlooking a vineyard in the North Georgia Mountains where most folks don’t know that a little slice of Tuscany exists. Their outdoor wedding was preceded by one of my favorite first looks ever – Ray was nervous then calm, nervous again and then finally, completely and for the rest of the day perfectly calm once Andrea tip toed up behind him between rows of grapes on vines. He seemed to exhale a breath he didn’t know he was holding and she giggled. She glowed. She looked amazing. And she would soon be Ray’s wife. Andrea’s minister brother officiated the nuptials and the wedding party was intimately small and included Ray’s dad as one of the groomsmen. The details were plentiful and festive and just basically joyful – sweet flowers from the fields set off by rustic wood tables, delicious cuisine from the award winning dining room at Montaluce, a rich his and hers set of cakes, and then the sparklers – so many sparklers to wish them well at the end of the night.

Wedding Photography: Heather Cook Elliott / Wedding Venue: Montaluce Winery & Estates in Dahlonega, Georgia / Floral Design: Corrine Siegel from La Petite Fleur / Officiant: Reverend Brad Hood, the Bride’s Brother / Wedding Cake: Publix / Harpist: Carolyn Lund / DJ: Andre Peterson from DJ Dre 1800 / Wedding Invitations: Reaves Engraving / Wedding Programs: Wiregrass Weddings / Wedding Dress: Blue by Enzoani via J Andrews Bridal / Veil: the Bride’s Mother’s / Bride’s Shoes: Ted Baker + TOMS / Bridesmaids’ Attire: Alfred Sung via Formally Yours / Hair + Makeup: Brushworx Hair & Makeup 

I can always count on a good vineyard wedding to spread a wide smile across my face and warm my heart with the romance and grandeur of it all. And this little number from the long farewell is no exception, lovelies. Not only is this bride gorgeous beyond belief, but the floral arrangements, candlelit dinner, and breathtaking views of Montaluce Winery & Estates truly made this wedding an absolute stunner and I just can’t.get.enough. Find even more of this vineyard beauty in our gallery right here.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… When Brett and I got engaged, we were really undecided on the location of our wedding. We searched through what felt like hundreds of venues and then finally found the perfect spot in Montaluce Winery & Estates. Brett is from Ohio, and my extended family was coming all the way from South Africa and England, so Montaluce was a perfect special getaway that felt a little bit like a destination wedding.

Our family friend offered to do all of our flower arrangements for the wedding, so our DIY wedding was truly that. We worked together to decide on a color scheme and chose georgia peach as our accent color, since we moved to Atlanta, Georgia from South Africa after I was born and still call it home! Our family and friends all pitched in to make this wedding the beautiful affair that it was. Brett’s brother Ryan designed the gorgeous wedding invitations which also influenced our programs and other paper products. On the wedding day we had a team of people lighting candles, laying out the handmade burlap aisle runner, cleaning lanterns, setting out flower arrangements, decorating the table tops and laying out the bags of almonds on each place setting(a special tradition from South Africa). I collected antique postcards from South Africa through Ebay and Etsy to make our table numbers, which was a surprise for my parents and a little slice of home. Our wedding absolutely would not have happened without the love and care each and every “worker bee” put into it.

The weather was absolutely perfect (75 degrees in Georgia in June?!) on our wedding day, creating a wonderful backdrop to our candlelit ceremony in the production room of Montaluce. We then ate family-style dinner with the winery sunset as a backdrop and danced under the stars. Altogether, our day was one I will never forget and really was a tribute to all of the hard work that everyone involved put into making it happen. Finally, our photographers have put together an amazing collection of photos that we will have forever to remind us of the day. Chad and Tina of The Long Farewell are genuinely wonderful people who made everyone feel at ease and comfortable all day. We could not have asked for two better people to spend the day capturing our wedding. A million times thank you!

Wedding Photography: the long farewell / Wedding Venue: Montaluce Winery & Estates in Dahlonega, Georgia / Floral Arrangements: Martin Lawrie, A Family Friend of the Bride / Personal Flowers: Katie Lloyd of Boukates / Wedding Day Coordination: Laura Godfrey of Godfrey Wedding Design / Wedding Cakes: Cecilia Villaveces Cakes / Wedding Invitations: Designed by Ryan Willi, Brother of the Groom / Invitation + Program Printing: Sam Flax / DJ: DJ Hal Mealor of Halco Services, Inc. / Transportation: Wacky Taxi / Wedding Dress + Veil: Priscilla of Boston (Now Closed) / Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade / Hair + Makeup: Danielle Shlien Dungan / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew

Oh White Oaks Barn, how we love you so! With your super picturesque vistas and you’re pretty little barn, you’ve totally changed the game for Georgia brides looking for rustic perfection. And for that, we love you! Amy Arrington Photography captured all the pretty details including those adorable mason jars wrapped with twine and doilies. There’s nothing not to love about this one and you can click right here to see even more!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Amy Arrington Photography… Brannon and Emily’s wedding in the mountains was so sweet! Most of the decoration details used at their wedding were of sentimental value. The hair flower that Emily wore was made with lace from her mother’s wedding gown. A few bible verses were also sewn into the inside of her wedding gown. Emily gifted all of her bridesmaids an oh so cute Plum Pretty Sugar robe to wear while they got ready.

The couple opted to do a “first look,” which we love! During their first look, Emily gave Brannon a special journal that she began when she first started dating him, which she kept it until the day that they got married. I love that! Their ceremony was held in a pasture in the mountains at White Oaks Barn in Dahlonega. White Oaks is such a beautiful place. The mountain landscape and vast grassy land is just breathtaking. To the right of the ceremony, we could see a distant rainstorm hovering over the mountain, which was pretty cool. My favorite part of the ceremony was when Emily’s dad walked her down the aisle. Emily’s father has Lou Gehrig’s disease, and it was an honor to get to see him walk her down the aisle.

Inside White Oaks Barn, their reception was decorated with tables dressed in burlap and lace. The centerpieces consisted of hydrangea and baby’s breath arranged in mason jars. Outside, guests enjoyed playing corn hole. There were two sets of corn hole — one for Georgia fans and one for Auburn fans. There were also two cakes. The bride’s cake held a wedding topper that was used at her parent’s wedding. And the groom’s cake consisted of Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Brannon chose doughnuts for his cake because he and Emily had their first date at Krispy Kreme. My favorite detail at their reception was the photos that were strung on a line with clothespins on a set of two antique window panes.

Wedding Photography: Amy Arrington Photography / Wedding Venue: White Oaks Barn in Dahlonega, Georgia / Floral Design: Fairview Florist / Bakery: C&N Cakes / Wedding Dress: Tara Keely via Bridals by Lori / Bride’s Hair Flower: From Her Mother’s Wedding Dress / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Makeup: Brushworx / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Bill Levkoff / Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar / Men’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse

If this couple isn’t the cutest ever, then I don’t know who is! They planned and DIYed their little hearts out and created one heck of a pretty wedding. Held at the beyond pretty White Oaks Barn and photographed beautifully by Ben & Colleen Wedding Photographers, this wedding has tons and tons of charm. From the rainbow of green and blue bridesmaid dresses to the glittery gold cupcake signs, this wedding will have you swooning in the full gallery all weekend!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… I married my best friend, Chris Fenner, a month ago in Dahlonega, Georgia, at White Oaks Barn. Our photographers were Ben and Colleen of Pure Gold Photography. I got each of the bridesmaids a kimono as their gift to wear while we were getting ready day-of! My dress was a champagne ballgown, and my birdcage veil was homemade. Each bridesmaid got to pick out their own dress in a color palette ranging from mint to teal. During our first look, Chris gave me a very special necklace made from the diamonds from my mother’s engagement ring The sweet little junior bridesmaid is Chris’s youngest sister. My dad married us, and my mom was my matron of honor! Chris’s dad was his best man as well. I painted a re-creation of the mountain and house from the movie UP! (one of our faves!), and the guests put their thumbprints on it like balloons. The reception was in the barn and the ceremony was outside on the hills. I made each centerpiece by hand by vintage postcards with cute sayings (example: “We’re having and H— of a time!” There really were dashes after the “H!”) and hand-dipping each bottle. I got the milk glass vases at thrift stores, along with the succulent pots. Friends volunteered to make cupcakes instead of us having a cake. My grandmother, Julia, my namesake, made our little cake to cut: red velvet from scratch. I made the cake plates from vintage plates from Goodwill and candlesticks! I made hearts on the cupcakes and the big “F” too! In the reception shots, you’ll see the ribbon chair backs I made for Chris’s and my chairs. I painted small mirrors black and wrote “bride” and “groom” on them with chalk! I got “FOREVER” engraved into his ring because that’s what he texted me the night we got engaged. :)

Wedding Photography: Ben & Colleen Wedding Photographers / Wedding Venue + Catering: White Oaks Barn in Dahlonega, Georgia / Decor: DIY by the Bride / Cupcakes: Friends / Wedding Dress: Wtoo via Bride Beautiful / Bride’s Veil: DIY / Hair + Makeup: Friends

When I look (and when I say look, I mean gaze in awe and wonder at every click) through the pretty pretty pretty photographs from the lovely Artstar by Laura Stone, I’m caught up in all of the beauty and splendor of these two gorgeous lovebirds at the Montaluce Winery & Estates. The talents behind Lovelee Affairs have made this pink, yellow and gray color palette one that I simply can’t.get.enough.of. From the invitations from Alee and Press to the to.die.for Vera Wang number, this wedding is all things charming and splendid. Take a look at the full wedding in our gallery, right here.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… I often call David my better half. He’s got traits I sometimes lack: patience, athleticism and a sense of humor that makes me giggle every day. We met less than a year after I graduated from Northwestern University in Chicago. I had moved to Atlanta for my first-ever real job as a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, and I didn’t know a soul. Little did I know, two years prior, my future husband graduated from Virginia Tech and moved to Atlanta to work at a software company. After our first date over fondue and South African wine (we both had spent some time there and loved the country), the chemistry was instantaneous. We’ve talked every day since that date four and a half years ago, and he has become my best friend. David proposed on October 3, 2010, after work on a Friday. He tried to convince me to go on a walk to Piedmont Park. He had planned to propose at our favorite spot we like running by, a small spot overlooking the water where you can see the Atlanta skyline. But I was tired and stubbornly made my way upstairs where I found champagne and rose petals everywhere. The next thing I knew, David was on one knee asking me to marry him. The answer was obvious!

Because our family and friends live all over the world, we thought it would be the most convenient to host the party in Atlanta. Of course, we also selected Atlanta for its sentimental value: It’s where our relationship deepened and evolved, both as a couple and personally as we transitioned into grownups. This wedding meant so much for our families; especially mine since I am the first of all my siblings and cousins on both sides to get married. My parents came to the U.S. from Taiwan, so this was their first American wedding. I wanted to create a romantic but modern feel for the wedding by using vintage items. I’ve also always had penchant for details, so we made sure to add vintage family photos of ourselves and families, as well as incorporating a homemade map that reflected the adventures we love in our lives. I selected yellow because it reminded me of warmth and happiness and added gray to balance out the brightness. The shades of pink satisfied my girly side, and I had always wanted pink in my wedding! I worked with our florist to pick out gorgeous pink peonies that really added to the softness I wanted in the wedding. I’m also a huge fan of simple, clean lines and fonts. The letterpress invitations I designed were all hand-pressed by David at a local vendor with a great old-fashioned machine!

We wanted to bring a bit of both of our cultures (Taiwanese and Italian) to the wedding. We incorporated a Taiwanese tea ceremony during the reception and used my great-grandparents’ tea set. It’s customary in Taiwanese culture to pass tea to your elders, and in return, they hand you a red envelope with your wedding gift and give you a piece of advice for your life ahead. We also selected Montaluce, which featured Tuscan architecture, to add in David’s Italian roots. We served an assortment of fresh Italian pastas and dishes for the main course. My most vivid memory from the wedding day right after our officiant pronounced us husband and wife. The moment of walking back down the aisle with David, hand in hand, was a sweet memory I’ll have forever. I can remember our friends and family smiling at us, the music playing in the background and how the best party of our lives was about to begin. David and I both spent three years volunteering for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta, and the experience really meant a lot to us. We decided to donate to the charity, and we had the kids come help us assemble all the favors.

Wedding Photography: Artstar by Laura Stone / Wedding Venue: Montaluce Winery & Estates in Dahlonega, Georgia / Wedding Planning, Floral + Event Design: Jade Lee of Lovelee Affairs / Wedding Cake + Desserts: Publix / Wedding Invitations: Alee and Press / Menus: DIY by the Bride / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang / Bride’s Earrings: Tiffany & Co., Borrowed from Her Sister-in-Law / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Ceremony Music: Lark Chamber Music

When you’re a lover of wine and the great outdoors, it makes total sense to get married in a vineyard. And that’s exactly what this adorable couple did. Every detail from the cute as can be flower girl’s floral head wreath to the simple mercury glass centerpieces was captured perfectly by Amy Arrington Photography. And lucky for us, there’s an entire gallery just full of images to inspire! Click here for more!

From the Bride… As soon as Bryan and I saw Wolf Mountain Vineyard, we knew that this was the venue that we wanted to get married at. Beyond being wine enthusiasts, Bryan and I have a deep passion for the outdoors … especially mountains. Bryan has lived in the North Georgia mountains his whole life, and we have enjoyed many hiking trips together. I am thrilled to say that our wedding day was perfect. I was expecting some flaws along the way because of all the horror stories I have heard from other weddings. Lindsey and Linda from Wolf Mountain were terrific making sure that the day went according to plan and that our whole family was looked after. We got married on May 5, and the weather was absolutely beautiful. It was also the night of the super-moon, so our guests got an amazing view from the back patio. Bryan and I are more than pleased with the vendors that we chose for our wedding, and if we were to do it all over again, we wouldn’t change a thing.

Wedding Photography: Amy Arrington Photography / Wedding Venue: Wolf Mountain Vineyards in Dahlonega, Georgia / Floral Design: The Flower Post / Officiant: Durwood Snead / Wedding Cake: Frosted Pumpkin / Wedding Invitations: Paper Affair / Harp: Lisa Handman / Wedding Dress: Alfred Angelo / Bride’s Shoes: Nina / Hair: Alisa Lawson / Makeup: Lindsey Bryant Carter / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: David’s Bridal / Groomsmen’s Tuxedos: Men’s Wearhouse

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

We always get a little excited when we see a Montaluce Winery and Estates wedding.  The gorgeous, lush backdrop is one of the most stunning settings in Georgia.  This classically beautiful wedding by Melissa Schollaert Photography might be one of our favorites.  It is picture perfect and sweet as can be!  See it all in the full gallery!

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From Melissa of Melissa Schollaert Photography… Ann-Marie and Jason’s wedding was a classic and beautiful wedding at Montaluce Winery and Estates in north Georgia. The couple was married under a big tree out in the winery, and their reception was held in the main winery building on the property. Their palette consisted of greens and grays with a pop of deep purple, which carried through their florals, bridesmaids’ dresses and wedding decor. The guests enjoyed cool beverages served up on old wine barrels while waiting for the ceremony to start. They also enjoyed a cocktail hour in the winery with wines straight from the vineyard, as well as a fun photo booth to kick off the party for the evening. Montaluce has its own restaurant within the winery, which provided a beautiful, seated, candlelit dinner for all the guests. After some amazing toasts from their friends and family, Ann-Marie and Jason danced outside on the terrace under string lights. As an extra surprise, guests were treated to a scotch and cigar bar upstairs on the top terrace. It was a really fun party, and an amazing time was had by all.

Wedding Photography: Melissa Schollaert Photography / Wedding Venue + Catering: Montaluce Winery and Estates in Dahlonega, Georgia / Wedding Coordination: Laura Godfrey of Godfrey Wedding Design / Floral Design: Corrine Siegel of La Petite Fleur / Wedding Invitations: Swoozies / Ceremony Musician: Brandon Crocker / DJ: Tom Russo / Wedding Cakes: Frosted Pumpkin / Cinematography: Ashley + Matt Hampton of Hampton Road Studios / Transportation: MTI Limo and Shuttle Services / Wedding Dress: Amy Kuschel / Bride’s Accessories: Borrowed / Bride’s Hairpiece: Etsy / Bride’s Shoes: Kelly & Katie via DSW / Bridesmaids’ Attire: Suzi Chin via Nordstrom / Flower Girl’s Dress: David’s Bridal / Men’s Attire: J.Crew + Men’s Wearhouse

This film is for all of you die hard romantics out there and for all of you that love a good how we first met story. This adorable couple couldn’t be any sweeter and the love that they share is totally written in the stars. We’re loving their entire story from when they first met in a cafe to their super romantic engagement to their gorgeous wedding day. And thanks to Three Ring Media we can watch it all unfold over and over again. Enjoy!

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From the bride… As cliché as it may be, Ryan and I actually met in a coffee shop. While we waited in line we started chatting and the croquembouche that was on display became a point of conversation. Most people don’t even know what a croquembouche is, so we were both surprised when the other knew about it. It turns out we had both seen the same cooking show a week prior that featured the French wedding cake. As we talked more, we discovered that we had a similar story and shared many of the same interests. We were both new to the area so we made plans to explore our new city together. He knew how much I loved good food, so the following week we had dinner at Willow, which is still one of our favorite restaurants. Our three-hour dinner was filled with amazing food, wine and great conversation. We both knew that night that we had found something special, and he’s been my partner in crime ever since. Ten months later Ryan worked with the chef to recreate a menu of all our favorite things and proposed in a private room of the very same restaurant. For dessert, Ryan had the pastry chef make a mini croquembouche, and Ryan brought it out himself with the ring. It was so fitting for the moment since that’s really how it all started.  

We incorporated a wine box ceremony to reflect the theme of our wedding. We placed three wines from Montaluce in a wooden box with a love letter to each other. On our first anniversary we will open one of the bottles of wine and read the notes we wrote to each other on our wedding day. Then we will write new letters to each other and place them in the box to open on our fifth wedding anniversary and continue the same tradition on our tenth anniversary. There were so many amazing moments on our wedding day, but nothing touched us as much as the ceremony. We wrote the entire ceremony ourselves, and each word was a true reflection of our love for each other. It was the most perfect expression of everything we believe in and everything we have committed to each other. One of my favorite photos is actually just after the ceremony. When we walked out. we were whisked away to a room so we could have a moment alone. We both started tearing up immediately because the ceremony had been so beautiful and moving. There’s a picture of the two of us where we are facing each other and we’re both wiping away tears with a tissue. It is a moment I will never forget, and it was so special to have even few brief minutes with my new husband.

The most special thing about our wedding was actually the date. We got married on November 11, 2011. Some people say that when you see 11:11 on the clock, you are supposed to make a wish because it is the only time that all of the digits are the same. I told Ryan about this when we first started dating, and it has developed into something very meaningful to us. Whenever we see 11:11 on the clock, we will stop whatever we are doing and make a wish for our future. Regardless of what exactly the wish is, it is one minute to stop and reflect on us. I give so much credit to our vendors for making all of our wedding dreams come true. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day, and I truly think that it is because we surrounded ourselves with people who were so incredible to work with.

Wedding Cinematography: Three Ring Media / Wedding Photography: Janet Howard Studio / Wedding Venue: Montaluce Winery and Estates in Dahlonega, Georgia / Event Design + Planning: Stella Harper Events / Flowers: DIY / DJ: DJ Tod of Peavy Entertainment / Officiant: Rev. George Callahan / Cake + Desserts: Douceur de France / Wedding Gown: San Patrick “Eresma” / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: DIY by the Bride’s Mother

I know we say this a lot but this wedding is our new favorite, our new best Georgia wedding ever, our new go-to for all things pretty in pink. And I don’t think you’ll fault us for falling head over heels once you take a peak at this love fest unfold. It’s a million beautiful details crafted by Lucky and Lovely and coordinated by ellyB Events as well as a million perfect moments captured by The Studio B Photography with a lovely video by Iris Films that is sure to leave you all warm and fuzzy. Honestly, this love between this gorgeous couple is completely infectious. See it all here.

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From Rebecca of The Studio B Photography… Sometimes you just need to have faith. Although she got impatient every now and then, Julie knew that eventually God would bring her to the man she would marry. Luckily for James, he was that man. These two feel so strongly about each other and have such a sense of spirituality that it’s impossible not to feel uplifted when you’re around them.

Julie put her heart and soul into planning this wedding, handcrafting the invitations, the welcome bags, the favors and so much more. Her excitement to marry the love of her life was present in every aspect of the wedding, including during the ceremony when she threw back her head and laughed, saying, “Can y’all believe how amazing this is right now?” Indeed it was amazing. From start to finish, the wedding was wonderful. The pair opted to see each other before the ceremony and greeted each other with a tearful embrace. There really is nothing like those private moments spent together sharing the excitement about what the day will bring.

Speaking of exciting, James surprised Julie at the reception by serenading her with a beautiful love song. It was a huge hit, the guests swayed to the music as he sang, and some even held up candles like they were at a concert. Tucked away in the North Georgia Mountains, Montaluce Winery was a stunning venue for the wedding, from the lush vineyards to the delicious food served at the reception, no detail was overlooked. Styled to perfection by Lucky and Lovely and coordinated by ellyB Events, it was definitely an evening to remember.

Wedding Photography: The Studio B Photography / Wedding Day-Of Coordination: Eliana of ellyB Events / Wedding Flowers, Stationery + Styling: Melanie of Lucky and Lovely / Wedding Venue + Catering: Montaluce Winery in Dahlonega, Georgia / Wedding Cinematography: Iris Films / Cupcakes: Fresh to Order / Wedding Gown: Martina Liana / Shoes: Nine West / Wedding Veil: Veiled Beauty / Birdcage Veil: Fine & Fleurie / Hair Flowers: A La Parisienne / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Aria Dresses / Bridal Party Spa Robes: Chrissy’s Creations / Peach Jam Favors: Homegrown and Homemade by the Bride’s Mother / Band: Infinity Band Atlanta

Good morning SMP Georgia! We’ve got a pretty peach and grey fete to start your week off right. Nestled in a quaint vineyard, this outdoor ceremony was exactly what this southern couple had in mind when planning first began. Brenda Upton Photography was on hand to capture all the goodness and lucky for us, there’s an entire gallery waiting to be discovered. Click here for more!

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From the bride… James and I both grew up in Georgia and wanted to have a wedding that was intimate not only for us, but for our friends and family. I am part Italian and have always wanted an Italian-influenced wedding. James grew up with southern influences, so we were on the hunt for something in the middle. We came across Montaluce Winery and Estates in Dahlonega. It was everything we were looking for! The entire venue is breathtaking. It had the Southern, Italian and vintage feel we were looking for. With the Appalachian Mountains surrounding the vineyard, it set the perfect romantic ambiance for our wedding. It was the first and last venue we toured. We cancelled all of our other appointments because we immediately fell in love.

Our colors were shades of gray with soft peach accents. We wanted everything to feel very simple and relaxed. We knew we wanted to have an outdoor ceremony, which is why we picked September to get married. We were hoping for the weather to have cooled off enough for our guests to be able to enjoy the ceremony and because September is rumored to be the driest month of the year. We picked the area of Montaluce that is down in the vineyard, set alongside a small pond for the ceremony. Our guests sat in the shaded area between two huge trees, surrounded by beautiful views of the rustic mountains in one direction and vineyards as far as you could see in the other.

Aside from the beautiful venue, we added our own little touches to help personalize the event. Our flowers were a very unique mix of different shades of peach and white, not the typical bouquets or arrangements you would normally see. We used several different shaped wine bottles throughout the day, hanging down the aisles with beautiful arrangements during the ceremony and used as vases on the tables at the reception. We also used the diverse wine bottles illuminated with tea lights to set a romantic and Italian feel all through the reception. We collected hundreds and hundreds of corks and used them to fill vases on the tables with arrangements in them, and made distinctive cork boards to which we pinned the guests’ table assignments. To tie in the Southern feel we were going for, there were hints of jute in the bouquets, boutonnieres and used to wrap the wooden table numbers. We had a decadent chocolate bar for take-away favors for our guests. It included chocolate-covered potato chips, salted caramels, espresso beans and pomegranates to name a few. Each guest had a custom-made mason jar to fill and bring home with them. Great dancing followed dinner and, to make our exit a little different and exciting, we ordered extra-long sparklers! Overall, the night was perfect for us and exactly what we wanted! I couldn’t have put everything together without the help of family and friends and all my fabulous vendors! I wouldn’t change anything. For other brides, my advice would be to try and remember that the day is about you and your fiancé and you should enjoy every moment of it.  On the day of, it will be a whirlwind.  You will hear that a million times before you get married, because I know I did. There is a reason why … because it’s true. Take it all in and cherish it! It was the best day of my life!

Wedding Photography: Brenda Upton Photography / Flowers, Event Design + Planning: Everything and More Events / Wedding Venue + Food: Montaluce Winery and Estates / Wedding Cake: Frosted Pumpkin / Dress: Taylor Parkerson of Elite Bridal / Wedding Gown: Wtoo Brides / Bridesmaid Dresses: Priscilla of Boston / Groomsmen Suits: Savvi Formalwear