Georgia Weddings

I absolutely adore Brides these days. Why, you ask? Well there are many reasons (obviously), but with this Bride, it’s her effortless elegance. It’s her gorgeous flowing mane mixed with a gown worthy of the most sophisticated occasions. It’s her “hair down” approach to her gorgeous day done in such a way that style seems to seep from every detail. It’s image after gorgeous image of pure perfection captured by Gracie Blue Photography, and it’s all waiting for you right here.

And the beauty from this day continues with their film from Tyler Rumsey…

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From the Bride… Andrew and I met through mutual friends at an outdoor movie during college. We were engaged three months after we graduated and married ten months later on June 16th, 2012. We’ve been married for almost a year now and I love looking back and remembering those sweet memories. That period of planning was such an exciting and nerve-racking time. You want everything about that day to be perfect but eventually you realize that even if every single detail isn’t exactly the way you wanted it, it will still be perfect because you are marrying the one you love.

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Wedding Photography: Gracie Blue Photography | Wedding Venue: Foxhall Resort and Sporting Club in Douglasville, Georgia | Wedding Planner: Angela Whitmire from Angelic Affairs | Wedding Cinematography: Tyler Rumsey | Floral + Event Design: Angelic Affairs | Catering: Proof of the Pudding |  Wedding Cake: Publix Bakery | Wooden Signs: the Bride | Wedding Dress: Essence of Australia via New Natalie’s Bridal Boutique | Bridesmaids’ Attire: Forever 21 | Groom’s + Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Wearhouse | Hair: Bliss Day Spa

I don’t have many regrets about the day I said I do to my now hubby, but after seeing this day-after session from Stephanie Hicks Photography, I am pretty darn bummed I didn’t think to do the same. I mean, whats better than slipping on that dress again and having such a perfect excuse to kiss your newly minted hubby? I can’t think of much, and from the looks of this gallery…I don’t think there is much. Catch all the cuteness here.

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From Stephanie Hicks Photography… Tiffany and Jim are my all time favorite couple to photograph! Here in the South it is very popular for the bride to do a pre-wedding bridal session, but they wanted something different. Tiffany wanted her handsome groom to be in the photos so they opted for a post-wedding session. This couple needs no direction at all. Every look they exchange is dripping with love and adoration. Tiffany wanted a field with rustic charm for the location. Add a piano, gorgeous afternoon light, and a few wishing lanterns to the mix and magic happens. 

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Wedding Photography: Stephanie Hicks Photography | Event Planning: Blissful Events by Patsy Voyles

You know what I love?  This wedding.  This wedding with all of its crazy beautiful details and fun-filled memories.  From the gorgeous State Botanical Gardens ceremony to the laid back, yet elegant reception at the uber-hip Transmetropolitan Restaurant to every last moment in between captured by Kathryn Kimmel Photography, I am head over heels for this sweet, sweet soiree.  Oh, and the adorable duo saying I do?  I love them, too.  Click here for so much more.

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From Kathryn Kimmel Photography… Stephanie and Zach had a very laid back, modern, and intimate wedding. They got married at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia Day Chapel in Athens, Georgia and had their reception at the top of Transmetropolitan; a popular restaurant in the heart of downtown Athens. They supported many local vendors from the Athens area including Town Center Salon and Spa, Cecilia’s Cake, and Elizabeth Ann Flowers. They also made this wedding happen on an amazing budget! They bought flowers for the reception from Trader Joes, her Vera Wang wedding dress from David’s Bridal, jewelry for the bridesmaids from a shop on Etsy, bridesmaid dresses from Target, their cardigans from Kohls and the guys’ ties from Amazon, and the Bride’s brother designed the invitations! Stephanie got super creative to have the day she always dreamed of within a budget that didn’t break the bank.  The Day Chapel has a very natural feel and natural beauty and is set back in the woods of the Botanical Gardens and has the quaint feel of an intimate chapel. Stephanie chose yellow and grey to be the colors of her day.

The bridesmaids wore gray dresses with a pop of yellow for their shoes. And the groomsmen wore very sleek looking gray suits with yellow ties. Zach, the Groom, also wore some funky mustache socks. The Bride and Groom rode away in Zach’s grandfather’s teal, ’55 BelAir. It was the perfect compliment to the style of their day. This couple loves the city of Athens, Georgia because it played a special role in their relationship. They love the atmosphere, the culture and the people of Athens; so they wanted that to play a huge role in their wedding day. Having their reception in downtown Athens, at the top of a restaurant that is an Athens staple, was such an awesome way to do that! It was rustic meets modern. They had burlap runners lining the tables, mason jars with an array of spring flowers, a bar where guests could grab a beer or a glass of wine, pizza galore (the restaurant’s staple), three different Cecelia Valencia Cakes, CD’s burned with their favorite love songs as favors, a photo booth and a laid back casual time.

The Bride and Groom could walk around and socialize with their family and friends, sit down and have a beer, and just enjoy their celebration. They avoided the norm of the hustle and bustle of large receptions with a lot of people they have never met, split second introductions and congratulatory waves. They actually got to spend quality time with the people most dear to them. I thought it was such a great way to truly celebrate and enjoy the people that were there to share their special day with them. And the atmosphere of one of the most popular restaurants in downtown Athens, Ga was the perfect place to enjoy the heart of their favorite city, the food, their family and friends, and to celebrate their new life together!

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Wedding Photography: Kathryn Kimmel Photography | Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Chops & Hops in Watkinsville, Georgia | Ceremony Venue: Day Chapel, State Botanical Gardens in Athens, Georgia | Reception Venue:  Transmetropolitan Restaurant in Athens, Georgia | Officiant: Jared Bryant | Bouquets + Ceremony Floral Design: Elizabeth Ann Flowers | Reception Floral Design: Trader Joes | Catering: Wesley Russo from Transmetropolitan Restaurant (wesleyrusso74@yahoo.com) | Wedding Cake: Cecilia’s Cake | Music: Laurel Haislip, Anna Gatch + Carly King (laurelanne282@gmail.com) | Decor: Hobby Lobby | Wedding Invitations Design: Matthew Stutzenberger (matthewstutz8@yahoo.com) | Invitations Printing: Sam Flax | Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal | Wedding Rings: Shane Company | Bride’s Shoes: The Dessy Group | Bridesmaids’ Attire: Target  | Bridesmaids’ Cardigans: Kohls | Groom + Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Wearhouse | Hair + Makeup: Town Center Salon & Spa

You might find it hard, almost impossible, not to fall in love with this sweet duo after taking a peek at all the pretty below captured by Mark Elkins Photography. And when you read the Bride’s description on her big day, I wouldn’t be surprised if you just melted into a pile of wedding-loving mush. Because this, folks, is what weddings should be all about – pure, I.can’t.wait.another.minute.to.marry.you, love. See all the sweetness here.

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From the Bride… Our wedding was truly a labor of love! My then-fiance and I are both young actors, so we of course had no money to throw the kind of wedding we had always dreamed of. Luckily, with a little ingenuity, a lot of creativity, and generosity from so many people (including our vendors) we were given a day more perfect than we ever could have hoped for.

Our wedding took place at Neverland Farms in north Georgia, a peaceful, idyllic paradise of rolling meadows, gentle breezes, and stunning foliage almost year-round. As soon as we saw it, we knew we wanted to be married there. Suzy Tebor, the owner, opened her heart to us, and her farm. She took care of all of the details of the venue, including the incredible food. My dress was purchased secondhand, the invitations were handmade, and our florist was a dear family friend.

These details helped cement the notion that this day was, for us, not about how much my dress cost or at what “exotic” location our honeymoon was spent (we spent a quiet, long weekend in a cabin in Helen), but about our love, and the love of our family and friends. So much love went into making our day possible, and that’s what we felt. I hope you enjoy a tour of our day, and are inspired to find ways to make your own dream day come true!

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Wedding Photography: Mark Elkins Photography | Wedding Venue: Neverland Farms in Cleveland, Georgia | Event Planning + Design: Suzy Tebor from Neverland Farms | Floral Design: Deb Gosier | Wedding Invitations: DIY by the Bride | Wedding Dress: Lazaro | Bride’s Shoes: J.Crew

Farm weddings?  I love them.  Especially when they happen to take place in the land of rustic elegance, Georgia.  That’s because you lovelies from The Peach State know a thing or two about throwing a gorgeous farm party and when it comes to country nuptials, these two sweeties mastered the pretty (and then some) with a fabulous Lily Pond Farm setting, beautiful details planned by An Elegant Occasion, a few furry friends and a whole lot of yummy.  (Here’s looking at you, mac ‘n’ cheese.)  See it all captured in amazing images by The Studio B Photography in the full gallery.

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From The Studio B Photography… This sweet country wedding took place at the bride’s aunt’s farm and was filled to the brim with down home charm. Ashley and Chris were married the week before Halloween and chose to accent their decor with pumpkins and other delightful Fall details. Much more stylish than spooky, several of the pumpkins had been monogrammed with the couple’s initials. During the ceremony, after saying their vows, the pair took a rope and literally tied the knot to symbolize the beginning of their new life together. Guests were invited to explore the beautiful property and they were treated to beautiful horses grazing in the distance and cute sheep who made sure to greet everyone they saw!

The reception featured Southern comfort food like mac and cheese and fried chicken. The centerpieces featured collections of antique books along with flowers as a nod to the fact that Ashley is a teacher. Ashley and Chris exited the reception through a festive line of well wishers with sparklers.

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Wedding Photography: The Studio B Photography | Wedding Venue: Lily Pond Farm in Adairsville, Georgia | Wedding Planning: An Elegant Occasion | Floral Design: Wed 101 | Catering: Big Girls Events & Catering | Cupcakes: The Village Cakery | DJ: Nice Guys DJ | Linens + Rentals: Unlimited Party and Event Rental | Wedding Dress: Casablanca

Can I just say that that this bride-to-be has some serious style?  Honestly, I think I need to raid her closet. Because that beautiful burgundy sweater, those sassy black heels and that crazy-gorgeous skirt are, well… TO DIE FOR.  And I am definitely not kidding when I tell you it’s like the prettiest outfit I have ever seen. (Literally.)  And her breathtaking e-session with her handsome Mr. captured beautifully by Caroline Fontenot Photographer?  Just as stunning, with a whole host of fab Atlanta backdrops and two downright amazing smiles filling the gallery.  Join me there for all of the pretty.

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From Caroline Fontenot Photographer… We shot the photos in Atlanta, in the Westside, and at Piedmont Park.

Joe and Kelly wanted to do two looks for their engagement session, and the vision for the dressed up look, in Joe’s words, was “I think my fiancé has an idea of something like ‘Audrey Hepburn at Breakfast at Tiffany’s meets modern and artsy if it were in a magazine ad’ kind of feel.”

Atlanta’s Westside made for the perfect urban feel, and Piedmont Park was a great way to wrap up dressed down, but still looking great.

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Wedding Photography: Caroline Fontenot Photographer |  Location: Westside + Piedmont Park in Atlanta, Georgia.

I feel as though this wedding has danced in the dreams of girls all around the world. It’s perfectly fairy-tale like. With the perfect dose of romance and the loveliest splash of pink, all in hosted in a venue, the Cloister, that just oozes fancy – it’s a dream, really. But for this Bride and her handsome Groom, that dream was their reality. And thanks to the beautiful images from Julie Cate Photography, you can see every last gorgeous moment right here.

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the Bride… Exactly ten years ago, during a trip to the Cloister with a childhood friend, we stood on the beach while the warm surf washed over our toes.  As the sun faded on another bustling July day at Sea Island, sounds of revelry filled the air. Curious about the nearby festivities, we wandered closer to find a beautiful beachside wedding in full swing. Amber rays illuminated the reception area and the joyful faces of the guests as they danced the night away. That night, I knew that if I could get married anywhere in the world, it would be right there in that magical spot.

Ten years later, my dream became a reality after a surprise proposal in that very spot. Scott and I met through mutual friends, and after a year of dating, he proposed to me on the same sand dunes where I stood ten years earlier. Scott grew up spending summers in Sea Island, and had no idea I had ever dreamed about getting married there. It was a special place to both of us and we knew that a wedding in Sea Island would be a dream come true for both of us. As we concluded our engagement weekend with a tour of the wedding facilities, I knew it was the place for our wedding upon entering the intimate chapel nestled beneath an array of gorgeous live oaks.

A July 14th date was set, and the whirlwind planning process begun. Blush pink, champagne, ivory and gray were the colors I chose to create my vision of a romantic and elegant seaside affair. The Sea Island planning team was a dream to work with. No stone was left unturned as we planned the most important day of my life. Every idea I presented was carefully considered and executed even better than I could have imagined.

Attention to detail, in every aspect, was very important to me in the planning process.  A custom monogram was used throughout the design process and was incorporated smaller details, such as welcome bags, dancing shoes tags, napkins and drink stirrers. My paper obsession and creative vision for the paper suite was realized through the beautiful creations by Shelly at the St. Augustine Paper Company. We worked together to create gray and ivory letterpress invitations, programs, station menus and thank you cards. Her insight and creativity made my vision a reality and added many personal touches to our wedding.

Our much anticipated wedding day arrived, complete with beautiful blue skies and mild weather, which is not typical of a mid July day in southern Georgia. As the setting sun streamed through the stained glass windows of the chapel on an idyllic summer evening, I married my best friend. The reception to follow was true celebration of love with the people we care about most in this world. After guests enjoyed a seated buffet that featured Southern favorites with an elegant twist and an impressive cheese spread (bride’s favorite), the party moved to the courtyard. Guests danced the night away under the stars to the sounds of Atlanta Rhythm and Groove. It was a truly magical evening in every way; one that came full circle as we laughed, danced, and reveled in the same spot I stood with a dream of my wedding day ten years before.

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Wedding Photography: Julie Cate Photography | Wedding Venue: Cloister in Sea Island, Georgia | Floral + Event Design:  Sea Island | Catering + Wedding Cake: Sea Island | Band: Atlanta Rythm and Groove | Wedding Stationery: St. Augustine Paper Company | Wedding Dress: Legends by Romona Keveza | Groom’s Attire: Brooks Brothers | Hair: Casey Powell from Casey Does Hair | Makeup: Maureen Riley, Makeup Artist

At the end of the day, throwing a great wedding isn’t much different than planning the ultimate party. Take this whimsical Atlanta affair, for example that breaks all the wedding rules in the best way possible. It’s a celebration in the city where this love story first started, featuring the most fabulous decor and design by Amy Osaba. We’re tickled pink to have all the pretty photos from Kate Belle at our fingertips, and there’s even more waiting right here!

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From the Bride…When Jason and I started planning our wedding, we had a few “must haves” in mind, a personal ceremony, great food, special people and fun! We wanted our day to be a reflection of us and of our journey together. While I am from Massachusetts and Jason is from Tennessee, we met and fell in love in Atlanta, and so we decided to have our wedding in the city that brought us together.

We wanted to show our guests, most of them meeting for the very first time, our take on southern hospitality! Guests were greeted at their hotel with a “welcome to Georgia” gift bag stamped with a heart on the state of Georgia and filled with Atlanta treats. We hired our favorite food truck, Yumbii, to cater our rehearsal dinner. It was a fun and unique way to welcome our guests and gave everyone a relaxed environment to meet and mingle before the big day. Who doesn’t love tacos?!

We had a nontraditional outdoor ceremony, officiated by Rev Dawn Smith. I walked down the aisle with my father to strings playing “here comes the sun” by the Beatles, a personal favorite! Rev Dawn helped us create a truly personal ceremony which brought in some traditional elements to ensure that all of our guests were comfortable. In lieu of the standard wedding vows, Jason and I wrote letters to each other and Rev Dawn read them to us for the first time during our vows. We then read our inside jokes or a quote from our favorite movie. I am not sure if there was a dry eye in the house! It was the most amazing and emotional part of our ceremony and we are thankful we decided to break the mold a little bit. We included our family in as many aspects of the ceremony as possible, we each selected our brothers as “men of honor” and my sisters did a reading of one of my favorite poems, “I Carry Your Heart” by EE Cummings.

The inspiration for our wedding really came from our love of all things southern and charming. We chose JCT Kitchen for our venue for many reasons, amazing food, hospitality, and the casual yet elegant décor.  Our colors were soft, natural tones, even though we were married in November, we wanted our day and photographs to be timeless so we did not choose the typical fall color scheme. We chose blush, dusty miller, plum, pale green and blush. We used glass vessels of all shapes and sizes, vintage candle holders in plum and green tones and small wooden boxes to elevate the small arrangements down the longer tables. For flowers, we used a mix of peonies, ranunculus and succulents. Our table numbers were wooden chalkboards, with our nicknames serving as our table number for our table. We scattered heart shaped confetti on our cake and gift tables that I punched out of my favorite book pages. We hand stamped personal thank you notes to each of our guests at their place setting to welcome and appreciate them for coming. As guests left, we handed out handmade birdseed heart ornaments tied with twine as favors. Our guests loved the personal touches; they made the reception unique to us.

During cocktail hour and reception, guests were encouraged to use our photo booth and courtyard space to play lawn games while we were off having our photos taken. It was a big hit for adults and kids! We made our first entrance together as a couple to “hey ho” by the Lumineers, a fun song to kick off our reception, and life together. Being a day wedding, I wasn’t sure if many people would dance, but they did! And we made sure to have music to span the tastes (and ages!) of our guests.

For our send off, we handed out lace streamers with bells for our guests to wave and ring as Jason carried me off – what a great moment, it is one of our favorite photographs from the reception, all our family and friends looking as happy as we were!

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Wedding Photography: Kate Belle Photography | Assistant Photographer: Tiffany Lynn | Wedding Venue + Cake: JCT Kitchen & Bar | Floral Design + Décor: Maria Taylor of Amy Osaba | Officiant: Rev Dawn Smith | Wedding Dress + Veil: Paloma Blanca via La Raine’s Bridal |  Ceremony Music: Piedmont Strings + AMPD Atlanta, DJ Mike Walsh | Stationery: Minted | Paper Cut Letters: Erica Loesing | Hair + Makeup: Kyle, Melrose & McQueen

I’ve been partial to picnicking since I first discovered the love of my life, Jane Austen.  I mean, is it just me or do those Regency ladies and gents love to throw a party in the middle of the forest?  And since I think lounging around on a blanket is pretty much one of the most romantic things you could ever do, this Atlanta shoot captured by SmmS Photography happens to have me all kinds of excited.  Because, really, who wouldn’t love the vintage meets southern stylings of Elisa Event Design set against the stunning Atlanta gem of Stone Mountain?  Jane Austen, eat your heart out.  See so much more right here.

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From Elisa Event Design … For tourists visiting Atlanta, Stone Mountain is a must-see. For a gal raised in the South, the park is part of so many childhood memories. For this shoot, we wanted to explore the possibility of having a romantic, vintage inspired wedding in a place that is so familiar and dear to Atlantans.

Infused with a myriad of details, this shoot reflects the best that the South has to offer: tasty food, charming landscape, and a spirit of fun. The shoot also captures what in our mind the perfect picnic wedding would include – lawn games and marshmallows roasted by the fireside. Even more perfect would be for the couple and guests to go on boat rides in the park, and we hint at this with the paddle and boat motifs repeated throughout.

For the decor we chose a soft, fresh pattern of peach and mint. We mixed raw, unfinished wood with dainty lace, rusty metal and a gorgeous collection of spring blooms. We included a number of carefully curated vintage pieces from some wonderful Etsy vendors.

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Wedding Photography: SmmS Photography | Location: Stone Mountain in Atlanta, Georgia | Floral + Event Design: Elisa Event Design | Letters: Edie’s Lab | Blanket: PoBa  | Afghan: Tinkers Vintage | Wedding Stationery: Ink and Honey | Utensils: The Baker’s Confection | Picnic Basket: Put Family First | Ice Bucket: Rhapsody Attic | Books: The Farm Road | Photo Booth + Decor: Little Retreats | Vintage Garland: Anita Spero Design | Wedding Dress, Belt + Hairpiece: Chaviano Designs | Vintage Earrings: Tasha Hussey Jewelry | Bride’s Garter: Rosebud Lips Bridal | Purse: San Monet | Rings: Scarlett Jewelry | Groom’s Bole Tie: Linda Kratz | Models: Natalie Joy Nicoara (Nathalie.nicoara@gmail.com) + Frank Gallo

Sitting down to dine at tables reminiscent of Dutch still life with some Georgia peaches thrown in for good measure. That sentence set the scene for this Atlanta wedding crafted by Juli Vaughn Designs and the reality is just as pretty as the description.  All those details are complimented with a layer of soft, light-filled beauty seen through the lens of Heidi Geldhauser with Our Labor of Love and you can see even more right here in the full gallery.

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From Juli Vaughn Designs…Simona (who is Romanian) and Darren (who is from Michigan) traveled a very long way to find one another. They were married at the Callenwolde Fine Arts Center in Georgia on a July 15, 2012, with Simona’s father officiating – partly in Romanian and partly in English. Both artists, Darren and Simona wanted to incorporate art into every part of their ceremony and reception, asking that the tables look as though guests were sitting down to Dutch still life paintings. They also gave guests the opportunity to create their own erasure poetry, leaving a page from a book and white-out at each guest’s place. This element is particularly sweet since Darren proposed to Simona, a literature professor and writer, via erasure poetry!

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Photography: Heidi Geldhauser with Our Labor of Love | Floral + Event Design: Juli Vaughn Designs | Event Planning: Kristy Masterson | Ceremony + Reception Location: Callenwolde Fine Arts Center | Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas | Cake: Sweet Peeps Bakery | Food: Sun in My Belly | Wedding Dress: Christos | Bridesmaids Dresses: Various (J.Crew, Banana Republic, Ruche, Donna Karan, and Amsale)

There’s something pretty magical about two people falling in love after years of friendship.  Like your soulmate was literally right there next to you, but you didn’t even know it.  It gives me chills.  So, when I read that these two cuties met at work and developed a friendship first relationship, I couldn’t help but adore them OR their sweet engagement session styled by the uber-talented B. Moore Events.  It’s a love story for the ages set against a breathtaking Georgian Terrace backdrop with Milanes Photography on hand to capture every second.  See it all unfold right here.

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From B. Moore Events… Corey and Brandy met while working at Ft. Benning. The two became fast friends, but only friends. They didn’t have a “love at first sight” experience but rather something more memorable and rewarding… a true friendship. That friendship led to an extraordinary connection between two people. All those years looking for Mr. Right and all along he was there in the cubicle next door.

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Wedding Photography: Milanes Photography |  Venue: Georgian Terrace | Event Design: B. Moore Events

From the very moment I started reading this darling bride’s description of her day, I knew I was going to love her AND her wedding.  Because not only is she one of the sweetest brides you’ll ever have the privilege to virtually meet (she sooo is), she and her Mr. crafted a day that was literally overflowing with meaningful details, heartwarming moments and, of course, a whole lot of pretty.  Swoontastic?  Yes, indeed.  See it all captured by Thompson Photography Group in the full gallery.

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And a beautiful look at the day from Key Moment Films…

From the Bride… We always knew that we wanted a destination wedding, but we were just unsure where that place was. We loved the idea of spending the weekend with all of our loved ones, instead of one quick day. After pulling onto the property of Jekyll Island Club Hotel I immediately fell in love with its beauty and charm. After touring the hotel it was clear that this was where I would marry my best friend. 

The highlight of our wedding was our ceremony. We both played a very active part in writing our ceremony with our officiant, I think that helped make our ceremony that much more intimate. There were close to 100 people there, but it only felt like Chris and me. I was happy and overcome with emotion and couldn’t stop laughing. We decided to do traditional and non-traditional vows and hearing the words that came from the bottom of his heart was so touching. Another highlight of our wedding was our Same Day Edit by Key Moment Films. At the end of the night they played a quick film of the day. From us getting ready, walking down the aisle, first kiss/dance and announcing us as Mr. & Mrs. for the first time. Sitting down and watching the day with my husband, family and friends was amazing. That was when the waterworks started. All of our family and friends were so impressed by the quick editing skills of our amazing videographers. Another great part of that was when we were able to watch it on our honeymoon. We were able to relive our day over and over again.

I wore 4 pieces of jewelry all which came from my mom and mother-in-law. My mom let me borrow her anniversary ring and my late grandmother’s wedding ring, they were my something old and borrowed. They were beautiful, and I felt so special wearing them. For a shower gift my mother-in-law gave me earrings from Boca Raton Bridal and a bracelet from Nordstrom.

Even before being engaged I always knew I wanted a romantic country chic wedding. I knew I wanted something simple and the elements of nature. We had such an amazing location that there really wasn’t much that needed to be added, and that’s what drew me to Jekyll Island. The Island speaks for itself.

My mom and I did a lot of DIY for the wedding. We bought picture frames and painted the inside with chalk paint for the table “numbers,” however to tie in Chris’s love for fishing we used fish names instead of the traditional table numbers. We also made the place cards with a wine cork, we made welcoming bags that were filled with a welcoming note, water, fish mix (trail mix) and homemade chocolate dipped pretzels and oreos with sprinkles. My mom also made a MR and MRS sign that hung behind of chairs, a “cards” sign that hung from an old suitcase. Chris is an avid fisherman, so for the boutonniere we bought fishing lures and had the florist wrap them with eucalyptus.

We said a prayer for all of our family members that could not be with us. That was especially touching, meaningful and hard for Chris. His older brother passed away and I know it would have meant to world to Chris to have Jeff there on our wedding day.

The afternoon of our wedding it poured, and I mean poured. Our ceremony site and reception site both had to be relocated. I was so upset; this wedding I had dreamt of, spent a year and a half planning was ruined. Or so I thought… Our amazing vendors did a fabulous job recreating an even better dream for me and Chris. Know that there will be hiccups, and things don’t always go as planned, but remember the most important thing, you are marrying your best friend and that is all that matters!

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Photography: Thompson Photography Group | Venue: Jekyll Island Club Hotel | Floral Design: The Vine Garden Market | Cinematography: Key Moment Films | Dress: Jasmine Couture from Boca Raton Bridal & Consultants | Makeup: Makeup by Paulina Perez | DJ: Skip Kelly Productions | Shoes: Aldo + Stephen Bonanno | Bridesmaid Dresses: Monique Lhuillier via Nordstrom | Flower Girl Dresses: Gurliglam | Suits: Jos. A. Bank

When modern meets Savannah, magic happens.  Drop-dead gorgeous magic planned to perfection by From This Day Forward Weddings and captured in mesmerizing images by Jade + Matthew Take Pictures.  Magic that is layered with a sophisticated black and white color palette, fabulous Rachel Pally bridesmaid gowns and elegant florals from A to Zinnias, plus a bride and groom who are the literal definition of stunning.  In summary, the kind of magic you just can’t get enough of.  See it all right here.

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From the Bride… Ryan and I were married September 1st, 2012 in Savannah, Georgia! Ryan hails from Idaho – and I am from Philadelphia – but we were both living in Georgia when we met (Savannah for me, Fort Benning for him). If you’ve ever been to Savannah, you will understand why we wanted to host our family and friends there for the best day of our lives! 

Ryan and I knew from the instant that we became engaged that we wanted our wedding to be in Savannah, Georgia. We fell in love with each other AND with the city simultaneously. Savannah itself is so beautiful… and so historic. The venue where we held our ceremony and reception is a modern art gallery (The Jepson Center for the Arts) that stands out (yet somehow manages to fit in perfectly) against the rest of the historical buildings and landscaping of Savannah. We chose our AMAZING photographers, Jade + Matthew Take Pictures because all of their photographs scream “HAPPINESS!!!!” and that’s exactly how we wanted to remember our day. Ryan is a Captain in the US Army and was deployed for much of the year between our engagement and our wedding date, but luckily, he and I saw eye to eye on most of the planning details. We both love a modern, minimal, chic, yet laid back aesthetic. We kept the colors in the same color family… mostly everything was white and cream, with bits of black and silver mixed in. Our wedding planner, Genina Ramirez of From This Day Forward Weddings, was so incredibly helpful in bringing the vision in my head to life… I couldn’t have done this without her! We capped the night of amazing love, amazing food, and amazing music off with a sparkler sendoff into a surprise getaway into a 1949 Bentley! So amazing. Best day of our lives.

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Photography: Jade + Matthew Take Pictures | Event Planning + Design: Genina Ramirez of From This Day Forward Weddings | Flowers: A to Zinnias | Venue: Jepson Center for the Arts | Invitations: Vera Wang + Bride | Dress: Romona Keveza | Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaid Dresses: Rachel Pally | Bridesmaid Jewelry: Kate Spade | DJ: All About You Entertainment | Catering: Chef Nick Mueller and Company | Makeup: Dollface by Jules

Oh my heavens, this shoot is take-your-breath-away beautiful. Honestly, I think I’ve gone through each of the perfect pictures in this gallery captured by Libelle Photography about 100 times, and it doesn’t seem enough. It will never seem enough. I need one of you sweet Georgia peaches to take this pretty party and run with it, because it’s southern charm done beyond right.We have Wrennwood Design to thank for all the oohs and ahhs behind the design of this stunning shoot, and you can start the swooning here.

Thankfully it doesn’t have to end there. This behind the scenes film from Artworks Wedding Cinema? Simply stunning.

Georgia Peach – Wrennwood Design – The Tisinger House from Artworks Wedding Cinema on Vimeo.

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We sat down with Amberly Odom of Wrennwood Design and came up with the idea of doing a photoshoot that is as sweet as Georgia Peach. Amberly had access to a family friends lovely venue, The Tisinger House, and it all blossomed from there. A fully functioning farm and garden,The Tisinger House provided a beautiful backdrop to our story. With 300 acres of rolling hills and farm land, everywhere you looked there were flowers, animals and sweet honeybees.

Amberly really hit the ball out of the park with her lovely floral designs. Simple yet elegant color palette with sweet peach accents throughout really brought this photoshoot to life.

After reaching out to several vendor friends, we came up with some pretty great collaborations. Sareh Nouri made this beautiful Wilhemina gown for her Fall 2012 Collection in which we styled with some jewelry by Riley Clay Designs.

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Photography: Libelle Photography | Floral & Event Styling: Amberly Odom of Wrennwood Design | Invitations: Wrenn Paperie | Venue: The Tisinger House | Cinematography: Artworks Wedding Cinema | Wedding Dress: Sareh Nouri Bridals | Bridesmaid Dresses: BHLDN + Ruche | Jewelry: Riley Clay Designs | Custom Headpiece: Fine and Fleurie | Hair: Mallory Turner of Elle Salon | Makeup: Jennifer Horton Makeup | Misc: Woodberry Design Studio

I love Georgia’s take on rustic. Sure the wedding might take place in a barn, and sure, there might be cowboy boots involved, but those Georgia folks know how to add the perfect splash of sophistication to dress up that rustic feel. Rustic elegance? It’s been coined by Georgians. Case and point – this gorgeous Spring Lake soiree captured by Brita Photography. It’s DIY and downright gorgeous, and it’s all sitting pretty right here.

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From Brita Photography… Everything about Jennifer and Seth’s wedding was rustic and a little vintage; filled with DIY details (hand painted wooden signs, burlap decorations and table runners). Their outdoor venue at Spring Lake Events was the perfect blend of Southern charm, decorated with details that Jennifer spent hours making in her garage. Mason jars with white flowers, lined the wooden pews down the aisle; wood, hand painted signs directing you to the wedding down by the lake; and a gorgeous wooden arbor at the altar, covered in beautiful, cascading white flowers and Baby’s Breath.

After Jennifer and Seth said I Do, we walked all around the venue for amazing bride and groom portraits. They were so natural in front of the camera, and so natural together. The lighting was amazing, and their timeline allowed us plenty of time to capture amazing pictures. When they stepped into the reception, announced as Mr. + Mrs. to all their friends and family, the celebration and dancing began…and didn’t end until the sparkler departure.

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Photography: Brita Photography | Venue, Catering, + Floral Design: Spring Lake Events | Wedding + Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal | Coordination: Debbie Smith | Wedding Cake: Confection Perfection | Hair Stylist: Carty Harike, Tootsie’s Salon | DJ: Groomsman Entertainment | Shoes: Enzo Angiolini

There are a lot of reasons I adore this beautiful Clayton wedding, but let me start out by saying this: the bride and groom are adorable.  Adorable in a way that makes you happy just looking at them… and filled with an immense joy just to share in their day.  And those aforementioned “other” reasons?  Well, just one look at their breathtaking affair and it’s easy to see.  From the sweet DIY details to the stunning florals from Southern Stems to a plethora of crazy awesome patterns (the bride’s passion), it’s the literal definition of pretty.  See every last moment captured perfectly by Julia from Our Labor of Love in the full gallery.

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From the Bride… When my fiance Hal and I got engaged in May, I didn’t know where to start. I wasn’t one of those girls that dreamed about my wedding as a little girl and never really gave it much thought. But I absolutely knew what I did not want in a wedding and that helped lead the way from the beginning through the end.

Shortly after our engagement we were visiting Hal’s family at Lake Burton where he spent most of his summers growing up- it was his favorite place. When I commented on the relaxed nature of lake living and the amazing view of the Blue Ridge mountains in the distance, it clicked. I did not want a wedding filled with stress or formality, and a wedding on Lake Burton could be neither of the two. We quickly decided on the venue, The Waterfall Club, with breathtaking views and laid back surroundings.

After perusing Style Me Pretty and a few wedding magazines, I had an aesthetic in mind, and thanks to family and friends, the vision was realized. Our colors were yellow and gray, which translated often to gold and silver, with accents of peach. Many of our ideas we created ourselves, from the moss letters that hung on the entry, to the centerpieces made from distressed wooden boxes, to the invitations, welcome bags, programs and personalized mad libs. As a designer, the creative was my favorite part. I love patterns of all kinds and included a variety in our printed materials: ikat, polka dots, chevron, and stripes were sprinkled throughout.

Looking back, it’s the details I remember: the scenic views of the mountains overlooking the emerald green lake, the perfect-couldn’t-ask-for-better weather in early September, the delectable cookies (homemade by family), smiling friends dancing with ‘J + H’ koozies in hand. It was all as it should be- the combination of who we were as a couple and everything we wanted in a ceremony. Our histories and families and future all coming together in one night. All of our favorite people in the world under the same roof, what else could we ask for?

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Wedding Photography: Julia from Our Labor of Love | Wedding Venue: The Waterfall Club in Clayton, Georgia | Event Coordination: Signature Weddings + Events | Floral Design: Southern Stems | String Trio: Georgia String Ensemble | Wedding Dress: Allure | Bride’s Shoes: J.Crew | Bridesmaids’ Attire: J.Crew | Groom’s Attire: Calvin Klein

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

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

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

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

I knew from the moment I laid my eyes on these gorgeous images by Sarah Deshaw, I was going to love this wedding.  Love it in that way that only seersucker suits, pretty pink hues and touches of burlap can bring.  Because when sweet Southern elegance meets intimate garden party, you can’t help but adore every last minute.  That’s a fact, lovelies.  See all of the pretty planned by Jekyll Island Club Hotel in the full gallery.  You’ll love it just as much as me.

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From the Bride… From the very beginning we decided that we wanted a small intimate destination wedding. We wanted a few guests who we absolutely knew would remain close to us for the remainder of our lives. That was the theme. The best years of our lives are yet to come. And because Hunter was 40 and I was 30 we had many friends and relatives with young children. My parents are from The Netherlands and Hunter’s are from the South. We needed it to be small so that people could learn one another’s accents! Also, we wanted a place that was kid friendly and where everyone could really get to know one another. Having attended graduate schools in both New England and Texas,  we had friends from all of the country and world. Folks came from Washington, California, The Netherlands, Israel, Uruguay, Texas, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Colorado and Arizona. And it was great. Everyone mingled and got to know each other.  

As soon as we found our wedding location the planning began. We wanted something that was classic, romantic, and that incorporated the incredible natural surroundings of Jekyll Island, particularly the dramatic trees enveloped in Spanish moss.  We designed our wedding based on soft pinks, greens, and whites and infused them into small details throughout the wedding. Classic touches included white lace, simple font type and pink details. A splash of burlap added an earthy feel. Our calligrapher designed a monogram with our first initials that was displayed on cups, napkins, programs, and cigars. In addition to the decorations, our main priority was creating a family affair that was convenient, fun and interactive. Being a second grade special education teacher, I wanted it to be child friendly as well.

In lieu of a guest book, we created a gorgeous wishing tree, a Dutch tradition that invites guests to write their wishes for the bride a groom. The kids table enjoyed activity books and fun games. After dinner, champagne was passed and all the guests were ushered into the middle of the courtyard for a group photo (taken from the upstairs balcony). We were then introduced for our first dance as a married couple, a fox trot to Eta James’ “At Last,” for which we had practiced endlessly. My father, an engineer by day and competitive ballroom dancer by night, surprised me with a quickstep for the father-daughter dance to “Shall We Dance.” The groom and his mother danced to James Taylor’s “Carolina in my Mind,” which brought tears to family members around the dance floor. The rest of the night, guests enjoyed dancing, a photo booth, a cigar bar, and a late night snack of honey baked ham and biscuits. We ended the party with a sparkling send off!

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Wedding Photography: Sarah Deshaw | Wedding Venue: Jekyll Island Club Hotel, Crane Cottage in Jekyll Island, Georgia | Wedding Planner: Jessica Shell from Jekyll Island Club Hotel | Floral Design: Stacy Bass from Straton Hall | Music: Spike at the Beach | Ceremony Music: Deborah Ray | Wedding Invitations: Paper and Chocolate | Wedding Stationery: Josie Patrick at VivalaLovely | Wedding Dress: Paloma Blanco via Isis Bridal Boutiques | Jewelry: Nadri via Nordstrom Wedding Suite | Rings: The Diamond Doctor | Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka + Vera Wang Lavender | Groom’s Attire: Jos.A.Bank | Hair: Amy Jenkins (912.634.0546) | Makeup: Eva Liptak (912.399.3035)

I have a thing for al fresco affairs. And by a thing, I mean I have a full on obsession with each and every twinkling light and seat at the seemingly never-ending banquet table. It’s the conversations I can imagine the guests having, that extra glass of wine poured – all while the stars shine down on you. Al fresco equals the most dreamy of nights to me, so hosting such an affair in Savannah (the capital of charming) could just put me over the edge. But it’s an edge I’ll gladly go over.  Particularly when a Bride and Groom like these two are involved and it’s captured by Donna Von Bruening. See so much more of this gorgeous wedding from Caroline Carter Events right here.

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From Caroline Carter Events… This was truly a destination wedding to Savannah, Georgia  Bride and Groom are from Los Angeles with their parents in Orlando and North Carolina. There was a definite southern influence in food and decor. They married under a fabric swathed oak tree in a Savannah Square. Cocktailed inside the historic Harper Fowlkes House then had a banquet seated dinner under lights in the secret courtyard. Cake had magnolia’s on it. Place cards were old keys. Design element of a trellis circle was woven into everything.

We used the garden gate’s iron work to create a custom design on all of her stationery and came up with the “secret garden”, backyard soiree that was intimate and played off of the natural settings. We incorporated skeleton keys that had the guests’ names on them and led them to their tables. Tablescapes included potted herbs and hydrangeas, with lots of lanterns and candlelight. Barebulb lighting was strung in the garden and the food was all locally inspired with southern and coastal cuisine!

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Wedding Photography: Donna Von Bruening | Wedding Venue: Harper Fowlkes House in Savannah, Georgia | Event Planning: Caroline Carter Events | Floral Design: Garden on the Square | Catering: John Nichols | Wedding Cake: Tier Luxury Cakes | Ceremony Music: New Arts Ensemble | DJ: All about you Entertainment | Rentals: Beachview | Wedding Invitations + Stationery: Lilah Paper | Wedding Programs: Natalie Kilgore | Calligraphy: Caroline Whitfield | Trolley: Old Savannah Tours | Rehearsal Dinner: Old Pinke House | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier |Hair + Makeup: Nikki Westberry

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

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

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

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

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

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