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Georgia Newlywed Holiday Shoot

This collection of images from Haley Sheffield make me happier than a little kid on Christmas. They are ADORABLE. It’s like three adorable shoots styled perfectly by Kaylee Daily all wrapped up in one gorgeous gallery, making it feel like I get the pleasure of opening gifts a bit early this year. Join me in unwrapping all the pretty right here.

From Haley SheffieldA day spent with Bobby and Kaylee is sure to make your heart warm and your spirits bright.

After their first two “Married Christmases” hit the Pinterest world like a storm (here and here), Kaylee decided to take this year’s Christmas home (where the heart is, of course), highlighting “a day in the life” during Kaylee’s favorite time of year!

They started their day with breakfast in bed, sharing their his-and-hers take on a classic pancake. Kaylee’s with Christmas-colored M&Ms and Bobby’s with bacon, of course. Typical for their average morning, they were joined by their three daschunds, Nina, Beasley, and Dolce. Never a dull moment in the McCollough home with these pups! Next, they decided to decorate the house for Christmas! Kaylee’s love for all things bright and ban.do (as you can see on her fashion blog, Kaylee Daily), inspired their Christmas decor this year–filled with fun pinks and teals and yellows! Such a fun spin off the traditional green and red. They ended the day with a backyard fire, complete with s’mores and snuggling!

Photography: Haley Sheffield | Photography: Haley Sheffield | Styling: Kaylee Daily | Styling: Kaylee Daily | Makeup: Sarah Elisabeth Makeup Artistry | Makeup: Sarah Elisabeth Makeup Artistry | Accessories: ban.do | Accessories: ban.do

Savannah, Georgia Wedding from Alison Epps Photography

Savannah has set the scene for many a sweet soiree, and thanks to Alison Epps Photography we have yet another one to add to that list. It’s filled to the brim with all the things we just adore about weddings in the southern city, and you can see every last detail right here in the full gallery.

From Alison Epps PhotographyMary Rose and Ross had a beautiful fall destination wedding. They got ready at 109 West and the York Street condos. They were wed in Pulaski Square with a reception in Telfair Square. Their close friend officiated the wedding; it was nice and intimate with a vintage flair. Family traveled from near and far and for many it was their first time in Savannah and found it very charming. The weather was beautiful and made for a nice setting for a lot of the out of town guests to enjoy the gorgeous destination of Savannah.

Photographer: Alison Epps Photography | Wedding Coordinator: Ivory and Beau | Caterer: Cape Creations Catering, Inc | Makeup: Jessica Duthu | Hair: Salon Aqua | Bartending: Johnny Ganem | Ceremony Musician: Chris Dooley | Floral: A to Zinnias | Reception Band: Coastrunner | Rental: 109 West | Rentals: Amazing Event Rentals | Vacation Rental: 109 West

Lime Coconut Granitas Recipe from Jade + Matthew

We like to toast to things around these parts – we’ll raise a glass to a gorgeous wedding without a second thought. So as we started to ponder which delicious cocktail we should mix up  to send our office off into the weekend, we of course headed straight to our galleries. Which led us to this beauty from Jade + Matthew Take Pictures. Lucky for all of us, they so graciously shared the recipe, and yes, we know it’s not summer, but ohhh doesn’t this sound delicious…

Lime Coconut Granitas
prep time
cook time
total time
Serves 0Ingredients
  • 1 Stalk of Lemongrass, chopped
  • 1 Tbsp of agave
  • ½ cup of water
  • 3 cans of plain coconut water
  • 2 limes (one finely zested, one peeled into curls and the juice of both)
Instructions
  1. Simmer lemongrass and agave in water until it reduces to about ¼ cup of liquid (about 15minutes), let cool.Meanwhile use a lemon zester and make little curls of rind with one of the limes and zest the entire peel of the other. Juice the naked limes. Keep the lime curls in a glass of water in the fridge; they will curl up. Remove lemongrass stalks and combine remaining syrup with lime juice, zest and coconut water in a casserole or baking dish. Freeze for 2 hours, every 15-30 minutes rake it with a fork so that it breaks up into little grainy ice crystals. Once the entire mixture is frozen, but grainy and separated, spoon into bowls and top with the remaining lime rind curls.

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Photography: Jade + Matthew 

Savannah Wedding from Jade and Matthew Take Pictures

Savannah is just pure magic. I’m convinced of that fact. And it only takes one little peek at all the pretty below to see precisely why I think weddings that take place in that southern city can do no wrong. With a lovely understated style and images from Jade and Matthew Take Pictures so pretty I could spend hours pouring through them – it goes without saying this gallery just made me fall in love with Savannah even more. See why here.

From the Bride…I fell in love with the gorgeous city of Savannah the same day Stephen and I met. He was stationed there with the 1/75 Ranger Battalion and I was on a last minute whirlwind weekend trip. I walked into the same bar he was at, tripped over a stage almost falling on my face while he was watching from across the room. I didn’t know it at the time, but we both fell head over heels that night. The whole thing is kind of serendipitous actually. Because as it turns out, Savannah almost perfectly parallels the qualities I love most about him–Warm, kind-hearted and charming with a dash of unexpected crazy fun! Because Savannah is where we met and fell in love it was the only place that seemed right to us begin our new chapter together.

Photography: Jade + Matthew Take Pictures | flowers: A to Zinnias | Ceremony: Forsyth Fountain | Ceremony Venue: Forsyth Fountain | Reception Venue: Vic's on the River | Reception Venue: Vic's on the River | Transportation: Oglethorpe Tours | Hair/Make-up: Beyond Beautiful by Heather | Rentals: Amazing Event Rentals | hair/make-up: Beyond Beautiful by Heather

Vintage English Garden Wedding from Morning Light by Michelle Landreau

I’m just going to start off this post by telling you to read the darling bride’s description of the day, because she and her dapper hubby?  Seriously awesome.  The kind of awesome that plans a budget-friendly English garden-inspired wedding, complete with crazy gorgeous DIY details, vintage stylings and a TARDIS.  Yep, you heard me.  They had a TARDIS.  And every ounce of my being wants to be their bestie just for that very reason.  Oh, and the gallery captured by Michelle Landreau?  Simply amazing.  Join me there for all of the pretty.

From the Bride… My husband and I dated for 10 years before finally tying the knot. When planning our wedding, my main goal was to create an event that represented both of our personalities. I wanted something that would be timeless; vintage simplicity with a touch of geek chic.

We decided on a small, intimate wedding that would include our closest family and friends. With a guest list of just 60 people and a tight budget of $10,000, we decided on a Sunday morning wedding. This is a great option for a budget conscious bride since most venues have lower costs on Sundays. In addition, it helped accommodate our many out of town guests since they could travel on Saturday.

Our theme was a traditional English garden wedding. Our ceremony took place at 10:30 am in the garden followed by a High Tea reception, complete with scones, clotted cream, and finger sandwiches. My splurge was the china for our table settings which I rented from Vintage English Teacup china rentals. I wanted mismatched vintage china on all the tables in keeping with the vintage English theme. All the china was so beautiful and was set off by simple white lace tablecloths.

Since I am crafty and we were on a budget, I chose to do a lot of DIY projects for the wedding. In place of dancing, we decided on lawn games in the garden. We purchased unpainted cornhole boards, ring toss, and giant Jenga. My husband and I painted all the games in our wedding colors. I also made yards and yards (probably 50 yards total!) of bunting, to decorate the staircase in the garden and many of the tables. This was time consuming but really tied the inside and outside spaces together.

The guestbook table was also a lot of fun to create. Since our wedding was so small, I was able to get wedding photos of all the married guests attending. I printed these out in black and white and used them to decorate the guestbook table by attaching them to ribbons in our wedding colors. I loved seeing everyone looking for their own wedding photo and reminiscing.

One of my favorite touches was the use of fresh lavender throughout the wedding in different details. The florist tied bushels of fresh lavender to the chairs down the aisle. I made a lavender simple syrup to be used in our signature cocktail, a lavender champagne. And my mother put together small pots of lavender for our thank-you gifts, tied with the same fabric I used to create the bunting.

To top it all off, we had the most amazing photo booth! My husband and I are both huge fans of Dr. Who, a classic British TV show that has been around since the 1960’s. I was able, thorough a network of fans, to find and rent a TARDIS to be used as the photo booth. I personally made small chalk boards and other photo booth props and I am in love with the pictures from our photo booth. It was definitely one of the quirky highlights that made our wedding uniquely ours.

In the end, our wedding really represented both our personalities and I was so happy how everything came together to create a cohesive and enjoyable event. I wouldn’t change a thing and although it went by fast, it truly was a happy, perfect day.

Photography: Morning Light by Michelle Landreau | Floral Design: Stylish Stems | Wedding Dress: Alfred Angelo | Cake: Confection Perfection | Shoes: J.Crew | Hair & Makeup: Raney O'Keefe | Ceremony Music: The Vauxhall Garden Variety Players | Wedding Venue: The Whitlock Inn | Groom's Tie: Burberry | Groom\'s Attire: J.Crew

The Gardens at Great Oaks from Scobey Photography

When your engagement begins with an uber-romantic proposal in Paris (“love locks” included), you know your wedding is going to be something extra special.  The kind of wedding that exudes pure beauty from start to finish and is chock-full of heartwarming moments between beloved friends and family. This, my friends, is that wedding; a gorgeous purple-hued day set against the stunning Gardens at Great Oaks with an entire gallery of lovely captured by Scobey Photography.  Join me there for every ounce of pretty.

From the Bride… Tony and I were engaged in Paris, France on March 8th, 2012. He proposed on a bridge covered in locks near the Notre Dame. The locks are locked to the links on the bridge by lovers who write their name on their lock, attach it to the bridge, and throw the keys into the river to symbolize their infinite love for each other. Tony had written our names on a lock for the occasion, and when I tossed our keys into the river, he got down on one knee. The locks inspired us to have a wedding that had the feel of Paris – the watercolor purples of the Seine, the Old World lace, the romantic lovebirds nesting in the rafters of the buildings. And of course we had to include locks and keys!

We started planning for a wedding in Georgia where we’re both from. Historic Roswell was ideal in terms of location for our families and the many people traveling to our wedding – including us! We are current residents of Boston, MA, where Tony is in his last year of law school and I am a writer. Tony’s schedule made timing a wedding difficult, because law students don’t have a summer break. During the summer, law students are expected to work as summer associates at law firms, courthouses and the like. So our choices were to have the wedding during his Spring Break in early March, or in August during the small break between work and school. Although March 2013 would have been a lovely time because it was so close to our engagement date, the weather wasn’t what we had our hearts set on. So August it was, and the venue we loved – The Gardens at Great Oaks, just happened to have August 10th, 2013 open.

When the day arrived, it was magical. I remember being in my hotel room taking a shower and thinking, “Is this it? Is this real?” The bridesmaids, my mother and I got ready in a suite at the Doubletree Hotel in Roswell, GA. The makeup team from Brushworx was there to greet us and did all of our makeup and hair for the day. We got ready in robes I ordered on Etsy and enjoyed mimosas, Chick-fil-A biscuits, and Krispy Kreme doughnuts. I have missed those Southern staples! Lacey from Scobey Photography arrived halfway through the process and began taking pictures. Her enthusiasm was contagious and she had us all laughing. What I didn’t know is that she was trying to pump everyone up because there was a torrential downpour outside!

All week, it had rained every day, and it had rained around our ceremony time of 6:30 PM. I was worried but everyone assured me that if it rained, we’d figure something out. My fabulous wedding planner Pat Gardella had a plan B, C and D – but of course as a bride I was fretting over the details. As the time drew near, I saw the rain come pouring from the sky. Even on the way over, I thought there was no way I would have my outdoor ceremony. But when we arrived at the Gardens, it was like God had opened up the clouds just over the house, and the sun streamed through and bathed everything in a heavenly glow. It was a perfect daydream light that I feel really shows through in Lacey’s photos.

Like every other bride says, the rest of the day just flew! All my vendors were so professional that all I noticed was the great jobs they did.

Sarah Provow from Bloomin’ Bouquets helped my watercolor floral vision come to life. Wrapped around my bouquet is a handkerchief that belonged to my maternal great grandmother, and a cameo belonging to my late grandmother on my father’s side. There is also a lock that matches the key hanging from Tony’s boutonniere. The flowers include Rose Patience, Lisanthus Lavender, Garden Roses, Stock, Orchids, Hydrangeas and more. She also provided mercury class vases on the tables that gave a vintage feel. Other items on the table included pictures from Tony and my relationship, thank you notes, French styled lavender napkins, and table numbers that look like old vintage postcards sent from Paris ordered from Etsy. Sarah also set up the canvas with the picture someone grabbed in Paris of our proposal!

Outside in the yard were Cornhole (you know, the bean bag game) boards that were handmade and hand painted by my mother, Angie. They feature my alma mater and favorite team, the Alabama Crimson Tide, and Tony’s favorite team, the Florida Gators. The years listed are the years where the teams won national championships in football. People played during cocktail hour.

Also during cocktail hour we had a tour guide who gave tours of the Civil War era historical home. Our guests could see the beautiful rooms and hear the stories behind the antiques and the family history of the people who once lived there.

Another handmade item by my mother was the escort card board. She hand selected vintage keys and tied them to escort cards shaped like luggage tags. She took a corkboard, painted the frame, and put key fabric over it. It was so fun!

Tony and I ordered a birdhouse cardbox from Etsy with our wedding date and colors on it. Other bird details include mini guestbooks with lovebirds, and a lovebird cake topper purchased from Hallmark (they are actually salt and pepper shakers).

The signs for Signature Drinks and the thank you notes found at each place setting were worded, printed and cut by me. I purchased paper at Staples, downloaded some free fonts, and arranged them in Adobe Photoshop. Then I printed them and cut them to size. It was a great way to add detail while also thanking my guests in a personal way, since I am a writer.

I also made 120 wedding wands! I’m sure you lovely folks at SMP know what wedding wands are. I used two colors of ribbon and one strand of lace that I aged over a candle. It was a long process but a labor of love! One of the bridesmaid’s zipper broke, and we stuck a wedding wand in there to hide it. Voila! Wedding magic. They were handed out by my cousins before the ceremony and people used them to wave us on our trip down the aisle as husband and wife, as well as at the end of the night. And they were fun dance floor accessories, too!

The mustaches that hooked around the beer bottles were made by Tony’s friend as a gift to us. They were a hit! They make you look like you have a mustache while you drink your beer.

The Signature Drinks were the Mint to Be – Mint Vodka Sweet Tea with Mint Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka, mint leaves from the garden, and sweet tea with a hint of lemon – and the Something Blue – a Blue Hawaiian.

The dinner menu was Southern and French – everything from Fried Buttermilk Chicken Tenders to a beautiful Roast Beef with Au Jus. Jerry Dilts & Associates did an amazing job.

Our cake was simple vanilla buttercream frosting over raspberry cake. But the cake the guest enjoyed were actually petit fours in all kinds and flavors – fruit tarts, chocolate truffles, etc. And they were delivered on a French pastry cart that Tony’s mom Tina found at an antique store. We donated it to the venue afterwards – people loved it!

After the drinking and dancing, the party was over much too soon. On our way to the limousine, our guests tossed French lavender and waved their wedding wands. It was the perfect end to our perfect day. I hope you feel it was as dreamy as we did.

Photography: Scobey Photography | Wedding Planner: The Gardens at Great Oaks | Floral Design: Bloomin’ Bouquets: Unique Floral and Event Design | Wedding Dress: Casablanca | Cake: Douceur De France | Ceremony Venue: The Gardens at Great Oaks | Reception Venue: The Gardens at Great Oaks | Bridesmaids Dresses: J.Crew | Catering: Jerry Dilts & Associates | Hair and Make Up: Brushworx Hair & Makeup | DJ: Eric Anthony Productions | Groom's Attire: Macy's | Groomsmen's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Bridal Jewelry: Tiffany & Co. | Photography - Assistance: Chil Studios

Bellevue Mansion Engagement Session from Buffy Dekmar Photography

I love the rain.  I love the wonderful smell, the cozy feel and the downright romantic vibe it brings to each and every moment it touches.  Moments like the ones filling this mesmerizing engagement session captured beautifully by Buffy Dekmar Photography, a true Georgian day featuring one seriously lovely duo and image after image of pure pretty.  See it all in the full gallery.

From Buffy Dekmar Photography… Mallory and Ross are from Texas, but a big part of their engagement has been spent in Georgia, where Ross is in officer’s training at Fort Benning. The couple wanted a quintessential Georgia backdrop for their engagement photos, so we chose the antebellum Bellevue Mansion and the pine grove at Hills and Dales Estate. Afterall, there isn’t much that is more “Georgia” than pine trees, magnolias, and Civil War history.

Mallory was in town for just one day, so we were a little bit discouraged to see big gray clouds looming on the way to their session. The clouds stayed, and the rain came and went, but the couple’s cheerfulness never wavered. I was reminded that when you’re young and madly in love (slippery sidewalks aside), inclement weather can only add romance to the equation.

Photography: Buffy Dekmar Photography | Venue: Hills & Dales Estate | Venue: Bellevue Lagrange | Black Dress: Anthropologie | Film Scanning: Richard Photo Lab

Lawrenceville Wedding from Caroline Fontenot Photographer

This wedding is perfection.  A sort of rustic meets romantic meets industrial perfection that takes your breath away the very moment you lay your eyes on the stunning images from Caroline Fontenot Photographer.  It’s the kind of awesomeness that can only be found in a day that is chock-full of DIY details (hello beautiful blooms) and a custom gown that is all kinds of amazing.  See so much more right here in the full gallery.


From the Bride… My dress was truly a work of art. Handmade by Cheryl Taylor. Working with Cheryl to make this dress was one of the most fun and creative experiences I’ve ever been apart of. The most special part was that the lining of the my dress was from my mom’s wedding dress from when she married my step dad. My mom wore a simple Caroline Kennedy style satin dress and it was the exact amount needed for the bias cut satin lining of mine… And then the inner lining of my wedding dress was from a white dress I wore as a child in a cherished photo taken with my Dad. My Dad passed away when I was thirteen and the photo of him and I was taken right before he got sick. Cheryl used the sash from my childhood dress as the anchor for the low cut back of the wedding dress, and the skirt of the childhood dress for my petticoat. The rest of the wedding dress was vintage chantilly lace sourced from Europe with hand beaded chantilly lace flowers appliqued all over the bodice and sleeves.  The full length antique tambour lace veil from Belgium complemented the lace on the gown.

I let my bridesmaids pick their own dresses, since I knew two of the girls would be really pregnant, and I had a lot of different heights. I said cream, nude or ivory – and any material. They were from a variety of places: J.Crew, Anthro, Macy’s, Ruche, Francesca’s.

We aren’t huge fans of cake, and we had King of Pops at a friend’s wedding and loved it, so we decided to do the same! They were by far the most easy vendor to work with! And they let us hand pick from a huge variety of flavors!

My moms sweet friends did ALL of the flowers, boutonnieres and centerpieces. They bought them wholesale in Atlanta the day before and put them together. I had no idea what they would look like except for the photos I had shown them of what I liked. They did a great job, because everything was so beautiful!

We had guests sign postcards we collected over the years, from places we lived or visited before and after we were together. We asked guests to sign one from a place that was special to them or just write a note. Then they hung them on a big antique window pane. We had so much fun after the honeymoon reading what everyone wrote- some were funny and unsigned!

A note and a packet of flower seeds was on each plate. The note had a link to a playlist Bryan put together and it said the music was from him and seeds from me, a bit of each of our respective past time.

Photographer: Caroline Fontenot Photographer | Wedding Dress: Hand Made - Cheryl Taylor Bridal | Invitations: Megan Tidwell | Caterer: Moe's Original BBQ | DJ: Spectrum Entertainment | Suits: Jos. A. Bank | Wedding Venue: 550 Trackside | Dessert: King Of Pops | Personalized Tie Clips: XpressiveMpressions

Atlanta Autumn Engagement from Buffy Dekmar Photography

You know what would be a dream come true? If Buffy Dekmar could follow me around all day and make my life look lovely through her beyond talented lens. It only takes a little look at the gorgeous engagement session below to see that magic from her amazing eye unfold, and there is even more waiting for you right here.

From Buffy Dekmar PhotographyLindsay and Cody are the kind of couple who are connected on every possible level. They can communicate without speaking. They have smiles for each other that relate far more than happiness. They are lovely as individuals, but there is a physical and visual completeness that makes them even more attractive as a couple. It was an honor to photograph them in and around Atlanta’s Poncey Highlands neighborhood against the autumn leaves and the golden sunset!

Photography: Buffy Dekmar Photography | Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab

Garden Wedding at the Brumby Hall and Gardens from Brita Photography

Brita Photography always sends us weddings that are not only as pretty as they come, but also as sweet as they come – and this little colorful beauty is the perfect example. Filled with equal parts heart and adorable details, there isn’t an image in this gallery that won’t make you smile from ear to ear. See them all here.


From Brita Photography…Jeff and Lauren share this sweetness together that just brings a smile to your face and warms your heart. The way they look at each other, it’s like they can read each other’s minds without saying anything at all. My favorite part of their day was when Lauren walked up to see her future husband for the first time. She ascended the brick steps and made her way between the garden hedges; she lightly touched Jeff’s shoulder and they shared the biggest hug. It was so romantic and sweet. Lauren is a designer herself and made all the wedding stationery from their invitations to their programs. The table centerpieces had gorgeous terrariums filled with succulents and soft flowers. Her bridal bouquet had succulents, too! It was perfect.

Jeff and Lauren were absolutely made for each other and it was such a privilege to be invited into their special day to capture them as they are together, with all their closest friends and family.

After their ceremony in the Perennial Garden, Jeff and Lauren had their first dance under a gazebo, strung with golden lights. It was the perfect start to celebrate the night away as Mr. and Mrs.!!

Photography: Brita Photography | Videographer: Limestone Films | Wedding Coordinator: Simply Special Events, Kendall Stein | Floral Design: Carither's Events | Wedding Dress: Enzoani | Wedding Cake: Gabriel's Desserts | Ceremony Venue: Hilton Marietta Hotel & Conference Center | Reception Venue: Hilton Marietta Hotel & Conference Center | Hair and Makeup: Medalyn Salon | DJ: Marquee Events | String Trio: Luna Strings | Wedding Invitations and Signage: Lauren Anderson Creative

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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Georgia Engagement Shoot from Cottrell Photography

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

Romantic September Wedding in Atlanta from Altmix Photography

This is the type of wedding I dream about. Timeless and stunning, it’s absolute perfection from start to finish all captured beautifully by Altmix Photography. From the Bride’s stunning Jenny Packham gown to one of the most gorgeous ballrooms I’ve ever seen overflowing with flowers from Britt Wood Designs – this gallery is just a dream come true. See it all here.


From the Bride… Rob and I met in NYC almost 5 years ago, and we knew from those first few minutes that our lives would never be the same again. Two days later he flew back home to Los Angeles. We talked on the phone every day for three months, until I packed my bags and stepped on a plane bound for LAX. Being that we’re best friends, we haven’t been apart since. Rob’s work in the film industry brought us to Atlanta almost three years ago and we fell absolutely in love with the charm and hospitality of the South. When Rob proposed on a crisp and bright February morning, it quickly became clear that a beautiful destination wedding would be just the right thing to connect our friends on both coasts and to introduce them to our Atlanta home. We envisioned an intimate magical wedding filled with dancing, singing, and love.

I wish it was easy to pick our favorite part of the day, but there are just so many highlights that stand out. My mom has been my biggest supporter my entire life, so it was incredible to be able to hold on to her as she walked me down the aisle. I must say that I when I saw Rob in his tuxedo, I almost lost it right there and then. Thankfully at that moment, my gorgeous cathedral length silk tulle veil- beaded by the fabulous Nicholas Kniel- got stuck behind me. I couldn’t help cracking a smile after that! Right before Rob stepped on the wedding glass (as per Jewish custom), our Rabbi looked thoughtfully at him and said “Well, I guess this is the last time you’ll get to put your foot down…it’s a little sexist, but ehhh, I’m going with it!” Our ceremony was filled with laughter, meaning and warmth, and at the end of our vows, the best piece of advice we received was “don’t forget to say ‘I Love You’ every single day”.

The moment we first saw our reception ballroom, covered in flowers, I teared up a little. We love flowers and I had asked our florist to bring a garden inside, and he did just that. It was like stepping into a dream. Garlands of greenery with ivory roses and candles…oh my. We chose an old Russian pop song for our first dance called “A Million Red Roses”. Both being romantics at heart, we fell in love with the lyrics that tell the story of a man so in love with a beautiful actress that he sells everything he owns to buy her a million roses as a symbol of his devotion.

As the libations flowed and our guests partook in the delicious meals that SIMB cooked, the dance floor opened up and it was only a matter of time before our amazing friends and family performed some of the best dancing (and singing!) outside of a pop concert. The evening could not have gone off as perfectly as it did without the help of our coordinator, Amy. She kept us sane and on track through the whole wedding planning process, her calmness and professionalism was above and beyond. Seeing the photos that Kate and Matt Altmix took brought the memory of the whole evening flooding back, their work is really something special. The night goes by so quickly, and they were able to capture of the beauty and joy of it so well in their photographs. It was truly a magical night.

Photography: Altmix Photography | Coordination: Amy DiLoreti, A Flawless Event | Florist: Britt Wood Designs | Wedding Dress: Jenny Packham | Cake: Classic Cheesecakes & Cake | Invitations: William Arthur Fine Stationery | Ceremony Venue: Georgian Ballroom | Reception Venue: Georgian Ballroom | Brides shoes: Armani | Bridesmaids Dresses: Ivy And Aster | Catering: Sun In My Belly | Makeup: Gayle York | Hair: Deanna Stanfield | Calligraphy: Mamie Velez | DJ: Rich Grove | Rabbi: Dr. Ronald Gerson | String Quartet: Allegro Strings | Vintage Car: Special Day Limos | Groom's Shirt & Bowtie: Tom Ford | Groom's Tuxedo: Armani | Linens: I Do Linens | Shrug: Jenny Packham | Veil: Nicholas Kniel

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
Camp Southern Ground Wedding from Belle of the Ball Events

This wedding is pure magic.  A laid-back meets glamorous type of magic that is making me want to pack up my bags and set up shop right under those majestic oak trees.  It’s the kind of day that is innately beautiful, from the fabulous stylings of Belle of the Ball Events (they rock) to that beautiful bouquet from Virtu Floral and Event Design to the beyond breathtaking scenery.  See it all captured by Jane Johnson right here in the full gallery.

Colors

From the Bride… Every girl dreams of her big day being perfect and just how she imagines, but it is only once in a lifetime that a bride has her day that is better than she could have ever hoped for. The morning of the wedding, I woke up thinking, “oh my goodness I am about to marry my high school sweetheart, my first and only true love, and my best friend!” After my moment of bliss, it hit me that everything had to be set up that day. I got a little bit nervous, and then I remembered that with the tremendous help of my girlfriends, my wonderful mother in-law, and my amazing planner, Eva, that I wouldn’t even need to lift a finger. I was spoiled that day! They were able to pull off everything in a matter of a few hours. The reception was under two beautiful Georgia Oak trees. To keep tradition, we didn’t see each other before the ceremony. However, guided by our maid of honor and best man, Tommy and I met up in the middle of the woods and read each other our vows… our backs touching so that he couldn’t see me. This was the perfect way to settle any nerves so that we were able to be as intimate as we wanted to be with the promises that were to last for a lifetime.

It came time for my daddy to walk me down the aisle, and as soon as the double doors opened, seeing Tommy stand under those trees, I was ready to RUN to him. He built the altar that was under the trees with his own handsome hands. It was his idea to have the alter serve as the guest book. Guests signed wooden chips that were inserted post-ceremony. The weather that day was beautiful, not too hot and just the right amount of breeze. Once we were pronounced husband and wife we were able to take pictures. The sun was setting and the atmosphere was perfectly romantic for our intimate moments.

The reception was filled with details that took my breath away! The dessert table was filled with different styles of treats and sweets all surrounding our Oreo cake. All the tables had candles and flowers all on top of burlap, which set the mood for the night. The entertainment included a poem from one of our dear friends, a song from my beautiful nieces, our song by Tommy’s brother and one of my bridesmaids, and the MOH and best man speeches. I loved that it was all very personal. The cake cutting part, consisted of Tommy and I stacking together a bunch of oreos and feeding them to each other, followed by a milk toast with teeth full of oreos!

My vision for my wedding was to have a personal setting that would be like a big family dinner, and that is exactly what it was. After the guests sent us off with a sparkling exit, we returned to the reception site for a private first dance. This was my favorite part, because I was able to have my dance with my husband and still keep tradition. Only our family, close friends, and the bridal party were there. Our song was a “Thousand Years, Part 2” which was exactly how we felt that day! Being a bride that loves personal touches, I loved that everything was put together by the people that love me dearly, and each of them were able to put their own spin on it. It was definitely a group effort and the result was phenomenal!

Photography: Jane Johnson Photography | Grooms Attire: Hugo Boss | Bride's Bouquet: Virtu Floral and Event Design | Bride's Gown: Justin Alexander | Camp Southern Ground: Camp Southern Ground | Event Furnishings: Crush Event Rentals | Planning: Eva Clark Events | Rentals: Unlimited Party Rentals

Classic Four Seasons Atlanta Wedding from Robin Nathan Photography

Have I mentioned just how much I love a classic wedding?  Because sharing this gem of a day captured by Robin Nathan seems like the perfect time to repeat myself.  I’m talking sophisticated details, gorgeous bridesmaid frocks (hello Jenny Yoo) and a seriously stunning bride and groom filling our galleries with pretty and teaching us just how awesome a traditional (with a twist) wedding can be.  Dive into all of the amazingness right here in the full gallery.

From the Bride… Tyler and I wanted our wedding to exude classic elegance with a dramatic edge. We looked to incorporate our Jewish traditions in a way that fit with that vision, such as our huppah, which featured floating candles, flowers and my maternal grandfather’s tallis.

It was important to me to find a dress that mirrored the décor: dramatic and edgy but also classic and tasteful. I pulled a lot of inspiration from architectural and structural designs, as seen in my dress and the wedding cake. My dress made the whole vision come together for me. I was excited when I found my bridesmaids dresses at Jenny Yoo because they followed that same inspiration and looked amazing on my girls.

The heart charm on my bouquet was worn by my grandmother on her bouquet when she got married 64 years ago as well as by my sister on her wedding.

We took special care with the hospitality bags as our DIY project. We brought together our favorite items from my home, Atlanta, and Tyler’s, Minnesota. We also gave our out of town guests a taste of the South with fried chicken and waffles at our after party.

My sister and I planned our weddings at the same time. She was married in June in Atlanta. We are very similar so we worked hard to define our own styles and keep them distinct. We shared a veil to honor how close we are.

Photography: Robin Nathan Photography | Photography: Robin Nathan Photography | Cinematography: Evolution Video | Coordination: Magnolia Events & Planning | Floral Design: Andy Beach | Floral Design: Andy Beach | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Cake: Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis | Stationery: Fontastic | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Make-up: Van Michael Salon | Hair: Todd with Studio Todd G Salon | Band: Rupert's Orchestra | Wedding Venue: Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis

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Whimsical Bridal Portraits from Julie Anne, Wedding Photographer

I think we can all agree that bridal sessions are all sorts of awesome.  I mean, an entire day dedicated to frolicking around the countryside (or beach or city) wearing your Big Day duds and capturing every moment in beautiful imagery?  That’s what we call the best day ever, and when it’s a gorgeous sesh like this one captured by Julie Anne, Wedding Photographer, well… seriously amazing.  See it all right here in the full gallery.

From Julie Anne, Wedding Photographer Lauren is a professional dressage and eventing instructor and owns Bigtime Eventing in Alpharetta, Georgia. Her dream was to have her bridal portraits with her horses and her dog Punch at Wilson Farm where Bigtime is headquartered. To make it extra special, I brought in Flowers by Holland and Posh Hair by Lindsay. The shoot was designed to highlight Lauren’s natural beauty and her whimsical Nicole Miller gown. We chose a fall color palette that matched well with Lauren’s brown hair. We decided to give Lauren two different looks – one for each horse! We even decorated the horses and pup to make them look dressed up! I believe all women should have a portrait session as lovely as this when they get married!

Photography: Julie Anne, Wedding Photographer | Floral Design: Flowers by Holland | Wedding Dress: Nicole Miller | Alteration Specialist: Rodica Lazarian | Farm: Willson Farm | Hair & Makeup Stylist: Posh Hair by Lindsay

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Little River Farm Engagement from Kelly Anne Photography

Duos this cute make me happy.  From their “can’t stop smiling” faces to their pure, unadulterated love for one another, it’s like a shot of joy with my morning cup of coffee.  And when you start off your day like this, you know it’s going to be amazing… seriously amazing. See every gorgeous moment captured by Kelly Anne Photography right here in the full gallery.

From Kelly Anne PhotographyThis couple was just so fun to shoot! Their love, glow, and personalities really made these photos come alive. These two are true southerns, and are proud of it! Oh, and they love their football!

Photography: Kelly Anne Photography | Venue: Little River Farms

Starrsville Plantation Fall Wedding from Holly L. Robbins Photography

You know what I love?  A bride who isn’t afraid of a little DIY.  A bride who will craft the heck out of every last detail of her big day, all with the help of amazing friends and family.  A pretty little lady like this one, who styled a drop-dead gorgeous wedding chock-full of love-filled moments and personality.  See all of the pretty captured by Holly L Robbins in the full gallery.

From Holly L Robbins… A very beautiful fall day for one of the sweetest couples I know… Kelly and Will’s Starrsville Plantation wedding had their guests in awe! Their ceremony showcased their love story and had us all in tears (yes, even me!).

Kelly worked especially hard on her DIY projects that made her wedding country chic. She and her bridesmaids rocked cowgirl boots and light teal dresses. Her flowers, a beautiful mix of elegance and whimsy. Kelly and her friends and family transformed the barn by adding decor to every square inch and drenching it with lights.

Such an honor to have been a part of this very special day. Congratulations Kelly and Will!

Photography: Holly L. Robbins | Floral Design: Bouquet by Betty | Wedding Venue: Starrsville Plantation

SMP Georgia Welcomes Our Advertisers + A GIVEAWAY!

Today is a very good day here at SMP Georgia; a very good day.  One in which we get to spend every second of our morning, noon and night swooning over the top-notch wedding locale known as The Georgia Club, a beautiful venue just perfect for saying “I do.”  I’m talking award-winning service meets breathtaking settings meets crazy yummy food.  And when I tell you that they are holding an open house on November 24th, you won’t be able to stand the wait.  They are just that amazing.

From The Georgia ClubThe Georgia Club is located minutes from downtown Athens, Georgia and offers award winning food, an outdoor wedding garden, an indoor town hall ceremony location, two reception venues with customizable floor plans for up to 300 people and a two-room bridal/wedding night suite. The Georgia Club open house will be held on November 24, 2013 from 2-5 pm with over 20 handpicked local vendors and a cash bar.  Each pre-registered guest is $15; cost is $20 at the door. 

Visit The Georgia Club to learn more about this amazing event and win a $500 credit towards your room! 

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Welcome to the family, The Georgia Club!  We are so happy to have you! xo

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Atlanta Goat Farm Arts Center Wedding from Justin Demutiis Photography

This wedding at the The Goat Farm Arts Center surprised me in the best possible way. Just when I thought I found the prettiest possible moment of this couples’ big day, I would discover an even more gorgeous layer planned by Jade Lee Events, I couldn’t help but drool over. With each image snapped up by Justin DeMutiis, I fell deeper in love with this fête, and you can do the same right here in the full gallery of images.

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Our Story… We met nine years ago in Israel while both studying at Tel Aviv University. Michal was still in college and decided to spend the year studying abroad while living with her father in Israel. Jordan had just finished up a year working at the Israeli Embassy in Washington DC and came to Israel to learn Hebrew and work on a few projects. It took Jordan a week after arriving to arrange to get a cell phone, but the first call he made was to Michal, whose number he had scribbled on his notebook in class. (Okay, his first call was most likely to his grandmother who lived in Israel, but still…) We became close friends that year. We didn’t, however, start a romance. After school, we both moved to the US, but it wasn’t until four years later that our lives intersected again and sparks began.

At first, we made several trips to visit each other between Atlanta, Washington DC and then, after Jordan finished law school, to New York. Eventually, Michal moved to New York. This past February 9th, on Michal’s 30th birthday, she came home to a polished apartment filled with flowers and birthday gifts. Jordan insisted that she open his gift first. While she opened that tiny box, he asked–in Hebrew–if she would marry him! (At first, she was too shocked to answer, in any language.)

Over the past several years, we have traveled back to Israel, Jordan taught Michal how to ski and we have gone as far as Zermatt, Switzerland on winter vacation. We’ve enjoyed several camping trips, and have traveled to see and meet each other’s friends and families.

From the Bride… We wanted our wedding to feel different from so many wedding’s we’d been to that seemed to follow a template. I don’t think we looked at one hotel ballroom when we were considering venues, and as soon as I heard about The Goat Farm, I was pretty much sold. After visiting the venue I recognized it’s challenges, but had already fallen in love with the room – the high wood beams, the limitless light dynamic, what photos we’d be able to capture, and the overall vibe (we are big on “vibe”, whether its our own living room, a restaurant, and especially our wedding). From having attended a few weddings in Israel, where I’m from and where we met, we knew we wanted to adopt the custom of guests standing up during the ceremony. There is something about this being an active portion of the night that we were really drawn to, and in play, it really worked. With the huppah situated in the center of the room and our guests standing close and all around us, our ceremony felt like a big hug with us its core. Our parents and family, of course, were nearest to us, but close friends were also able to get close and take part of our intimate ceremony. We didn’t emphasize very much on traditional elements, such as a long walk down the aisle – we are not into the regality of traditional ceremonies and wanted the music that played us down the isle to feel lively, warm, and a reflection into the night to come. We had carefully selected the entertainment and guests had a ball. The oversized dance floor was packed all night long.

Photography: Justin DeMutiis Photography | Coordination: Jade Lee Events | Floral Design: Amy Osaba | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Catering: Affairs To Remember | Makeup: Erica Bogart | Hair: MaraZ | Lighting: Hale Koa phineas Estate | Band: Rareform | Officiant: Rabbi Kranz | Wedding Venue: The Goat Farm Arts Center | After Party DJ: Renaissance Sound Crew | Bartender: Greg Best | Chair Rental: Sweet Seats | Chalk Art: Jasmine Ellesse | Espresso Bar: John Cole | Food Truck: One Love Food Truck | Table Rental: Bash Factory | Valet Service: 180 Parking

Rome, Georgia Fall Wedding from Britt Croft Photography

There’s no denying it, fall is officially upon us.  And with the cooler temps and changing colors also comes some of the prettiest weddings you will ever have the privilege to lay your eyes upon.  Weddings that are rich with meaning and beauty, weddings that scream flawlessly chic.  And if you think I am talking about this gorgeous day captured by Britt Croft, you are right on the money.  Because this is a day that is chock-full of all of the aforementioned with a big ol’ dose of amazing.  See it all right here in the full gallery.

From the Bride… Matt and I first met in the 7th grade. We weren’t friends until we began dating towards the end of high school, but who knew that over seven years later we would be getting married!

When Matt proposed in the most romantic way possible (in Paris!) we knew we wanted to share a heartfelt wedding day with all of our friends and family. Our engagement lasted over two years, which left plenty of time for planning! Since we had been dating for so long, our families were already really close. Both my mom and Matt’s mom were highly involved in the planning stage. We couldn’t have done as much as we did without their help!

We wanted the day to be personal, casual and fun. We chose an outdoor venue because we both love natural beauty. Belle Terra was so beautiful without needing much décor. The ceremony was held outside between the lakes and the reception was held in the conservatory. It had the outside feel but the comfort of knowing we were covered if it rained.

Our dog, Mufasa, is a large part of our life. We’ve had him for most of our relationship and knew he had to be included in the photos. He just looked so handsome in his bowtie!

My Pawpaw passed away about a year before the wedding. We wanted for him to be there in spirit and wanted my Nana to know he was there, too. My mom had the original wedding cake topper from their wedding in 1956 so we surprised her by having it on a smaller cake at the reception. The look on her face when she saw it was priceless!

We also wanted to make sure we had some time to ourselves amongst saying hello to so many friends and family members. Since we did a first look, we had some time before the reception to eat at a table outside. It was just the two of us, if only for ten minutes, and it was so worth it.

One of the best decisions we made was getting a wedding planner. Holly was so helpful throughout the whole process and allowed us to focus on bigger things than what time the cake was arriving. It’s so important to have some help especially if you are a stress ball like I am. We trusted Holly and the vendors she worked with. Our flowers turned out more beautiful than I could even imagine even though I couldn’t tell the florist my exact vision. The DJ worked it on the dance floor to make sure none of our guests were wallflowers and we also included a photo booth, which everyone loved!

If there is one tip I would give to another bride….. don’t be afraid to enter contests! I won my dress for FREE from Moonlight and Val Stefani as well as some other smaller items.

Photography: Britt Croft Photography | Cinematography: With This Ring Wedding Films | Event Planning: The Season Events | Floral Design: Bussey's | Wedding Dress: Val Stefani | Cake: Honeymoon Bakery | Bride's Shoes: Nine West | Bridesmaids Dresses: David's Bridal | Catering: Harvest Moon Cafe | Hair + Makeup: Collette Eubanks | Groomsmen Attire: Savvi Formalwear | Wedding Venue: Belle Terra | Bridal Boutique: La Raine's Bridal Boutique | Music: The TC Show | Photobooth: ShutterBooth | Veil: Erica Angeline

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