Georgia Weddings

This couple looks like they would be so much fun to hang out with! They did more than just walk around town for their engagement session with Milanes Photography — they climbed trees, played in the park, had a picnic and cheesed for the camera in their college t-shirts. You can just tell they’re having a blast together, and I have no doubt that their wedding, planned by ellyB Events, will be just as awesome! Be sure to click over to the full gallery for more!

From the Bride… Labor Day weekend 2008, Adina was hanging out with some girlfriends in DC when one of her friends received a phone call from another friend visiting from out of town. He wanted to know what they were doing and if he and his friends could meet up with them. The guys had planned to be in New Orleans that weekend, but Hurricane Gustav had other ideas.  The ladies agreed to meet them, and soon after, the gentlemen arrived. Adina introduced herself to a handsome young man using her college nickname “Deen,” and to her surprise, his name was also Dean. The group mixed and mingled for a while, but it was obvious that Adina and Dean had a lot in common. They talked the entire night, as if the others never existed. They learned that they both attended college in Atlanta – Dean was a Morehouse man and Adina, a Spelman woman.  They graduated the same year but never crossed paths in the four years they spent in the same small college community.

That night, Dean bought Adina flowers from a man who was walking around selling roses.  Adina was intrigued.  Before the end of the night, the feeling was right, and Dean got on one knee and proposed to Adina there on the spot!  Onlookers starting clapping and cheering once Adina said, “YES!” Sparks were flying, but the proposal was a little premature. :) When it was time to go, they said goodbye and exchanged mailing addresses instead of phone numbers (old school style). Dean went back to his apartment in New York, and Adina resumed life as normal in Virginia. A couple weeks later, Adina received flowers from Dean, and the card had his phone number written in it. They’ve never stopped talking since…

Dean proposed to Adina (for real this time) in February 2012 in front of their closest family and friends at their home in the Washington D.C area. The couple will be married this Labor Day weekend in their favorite city of Atlanta, Georgia, on the campus of Agnes Scott College.  They will share a romantic ceremony with their family and friends, planned by the fabulous Eliana Baucicault of EllyB Events.

Photography: Milanes Photography / Location: Atlanta, Georgia / Planning: ellyB Events

As a self-proclaimed homebody, this Athens wedding from Alyssa Alig Photography held in the backyard of the bride’s childhood home is right up my alley. Because of the gorgeous locale, this sweet fête needed little in the way of decor-just simple florals by Elizabeth Ann Florist & Gift Shop and the loveliest cakes from Classic City Confections. See the rest right here! 

From Alyssa Alig Photography… A sophisticated wedding of baby’s breath, burlap and satin blush, Alex and Hannah were wed on a warm summer day in Georgia at her parents’ home. Hannah works for an independent jewelry store that sells unique jewelry made by local artisans, some of which she was allowed to borrow for the wedding! Hannah says, “Having the biggest day of my life happen at the home I grew up in, surrounded by the ones we love and who love us most — it was my dream wedding!”

Wedding Photography: Alyssa Alig Photography / Wedding Venue: The Home of the Bride’s Parents in Athens, Georgia / Floral Design: Elizabeth Ann Florist & Gift Shop / Catering: Hallie Jane’s Catering / Wedding Cakes: Classic City Confections / DJ: Athens Light and Sound / Wedding Dress: Allure Bridals / Jewelry: Aurum Studios / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Bill Levkoff via I Do, I Do Bridal Boutique

I love my job – and there are a lot of reasons why. The pretty, pretty weddings, the never-ending inspiration, the crazy talented people I get to surround myself with every.single.day… it’s amazing. But, my favorite part? Getting to know each and every one of you. The brides and grooms out in SMP-land that share their lives with us. Your days with us. Your loves with us. And today’s stunning duo has put a smile on my face that just won’t go away. From their touching high school love story to their beautiful Piedmont Park proposal to their uber-stunning wedding day captured by Gregg Willett Photography. I love them. And you will, too. See so much more right here.

From the Bride… Stephen and I met in high school, when he was a junior and I was a senior. We were 17. He came into my life just five months I lost my mom to cancer, and two weeks into our relationship, I knew he would be the last guy I ever dated. Five years later, I was picking Stephen up from the airport on July 3, 2011, when he said he wanted to stop at Piedmont Park near downtown Atlanta to stretch his legs after being on the plane. In preparation for the Peachtree Road Race that happens every year in Atlanta, roads were blocked off, and it was a nightmare to try and find a parking spot. I had no idea why Stephen wanted to go to the park so badly, and I kept trying to convince him to go home instead, but he insisted. A few minutes later, as we sat down on a bench by the pond, Stephen surprised me by getting down on one knee and asking me to marry him.

When we started planning our wedding, we knew that we didn’t want to get married in a hotel ballroom. I loved the idea of a rustic venue but needed a reception venue to match the grandeur of the Cathedral of Christ the King, where we would be having our ceremony. We found Roswell Mill Club and knew that it would be perfect for our reception. Another decision that we made early on is that we knew we didn’t want Stephen and the groomsmen to wear tuxes. Stephen is a classical musician and wears a tux when he performs, so I liked the idea of him getting married in a suit. I fell in love with the gray, peach and pink color scheme and decided to incorporate touches of gray in the custom logo, groomsmen’s suits, invitations and favor tags with plenty of peach Juliet garden roses throughout our wedding to complement the sangria-colored bridesmaids’ dresses.One of my favorite details were the custom clutches I gave each of my bridesmaids. They were each made out of a different gray pattern and had a quote sewn in the inside that I chose for each of them.

At the end of the night, our guests waved their well wishes with peach and pink ribbon wands from Etsy, and we made our getaway in a silver Rolls Royce. We couldn’t have been happier with the way everything turned out!

Wedding Photography, Custom Logo + Guest Book: Gregg Willett Photography / Ceremony: Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta, Georgia / Reception: Roswell Mill Club in Roswell, Georgia / Floral Design: Chuck Milne Productions / Catering: Events Catering / Wedding Cake: Sweet Caroline’s Cakes /Transportation: Lovely View of Heaven / Ribbon Wands: Tia’s Dresses / Coke Bottle Tags: Design Circus / Wedding Dress: Anjolique via Wedding Angels / Bride’s Veil + Garter: Wedding Angels / Bride’s Earrings: Kate Spade “Crystal Gardens” / Reception Hair Flowers: Amie Noel Designs / Hair + Makeup: Trio Makeup & Hair Design / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Bill Levkoff via Bel Fiore Bridal / Bridesmaids’ Necklaces: The Limited / Bridesmaids’ Custom Clutches: Jenna Lou Designs / Men’s Suits: Men’s Wearhouse

“Home is definitely where the heart is.”  Yep, I’m starting out today’s glorious wedding with a quote from the beautiful bride, because, well… we couldn’t agree more.  Especially because this beautiful bride’s home happens to be set against a stunning forest paradise and was built lovingly by her father, aka, the perfect backyard wedding locale and an amazing place to layer one DIY detail after another, including a cake she baked all by herself.  Kaylynn Marie Photography captured every moment beautifully and it’s all making for one uber-gorgeous (+ heartwarming) gallery.  Join me there for more.

From the Bride… I am, and always have been, head over heels in love with weddings! When it came time for me to start planning my own in July of 2011, I was so excited to begin working out all of the details to make our day the very best. My fiancé, Jacob, and I wanted our special day to reflect the things most important to us, including our faith, family, and love for one another.

For me, home is definitely where the heart is, and I couldn’t think of a better place for our location. We decided on the church that I grew up in as our ceremony location and my parents’ backyard for the reception. My parents own a beautiful home (built by my dad) that we have a lot of cherished memories in. It meant the world to me to have our reception with family and friends at a place so near and dear to my heart. As for our photographer, that was another easy pick! We knew from the day we got engaged that we wanted Kaylynn of Kaylynn Marie Photography to shoot our wedding. She is a very sweet friend of the groom, and she always captures the most beautiful images. We couldn’t wait to begin working with her!

When creating that “homey” feeling for our guests, we wanted everything to be beautiful, yet comfortable. I have always lived in Georgia, while the groom calls Louisiana his home. To bring a little Louisiana flair to the reception, we had a friend cook a pot of jambalaya and surprised the the groom with a king cake instead of a traditional groom’s cake! With the help of family and friends, I spent many months working on all the little DIY details, including the wreaths on the church, bridesmaids’ jewelry, table centerpieces, fingerprint guest book and the favors. With inspiration from the internet and my love for baking, I made our wedding cake and a few desserts for our guests to enjoy. The morning of the wedding was crazy, but with the help of some dear friends and family, we were able to get everything put together just in time to enjoy a wonderful evening of romance, happiness and love!

Wedding Photography: Kaylynn Marie Photography / Ceremony: First Baptist Church of Lilburn in Lilburn, Georgia / Reception: The Home of the Bride’s Parents in Lilburn, Georgia / Floral Design: Gerald Spivey / Catering: Carolyn Yelton of First Choice (carolynyelton@yahoo.com) / Wedding Cake: DIY by the Bride / Wedding Invitations: Lady B Paperie / Rentals: Atlanta Rental / Kid’s Wedding Activity Book: Lovely Indeed / Favors: DIY by a Cousin of the Bride / Wedding Dress: Mori Lee via Formally Yours / Bride’s Ceremony Shoes: kelly&katie / Bride’s Reception Shoes: ALFANI / Hair: Gerald Spivey of Southern Styles Salon & Day Spa in Snellville (770-979-2168) / Makeup: Beth Ashworth of Southern Beauty Skin Care in Snellville / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: David’s Bridal / Groom’s + Groomsmen’s Suits: Men’s Wearhouse

Paying homage to her soon-to-be-hubby’s US Air Force roots, this gorgeous bride chose the Dixie Wing Hangar for her light-filled bridal portrait session. And what a stunning choice it was for her timeless, yet stunning shoot with Chris Isham Photography. They kept the Groom top of mind by incorporating vintage planes and WWII cars while the soon-to-be-Mrs. got an oh so fabulous excuse to don her breathtaking Tara Keely gown. It’s a gallery worth stopping by, and you can see it all right here!

From Chris Isham Photography… During most of their wedding planning season, Lindsey was here in the US, while her fiancé Will was stationed in Guam in the US Air Force. Needless to say, that made wedding planning for them a little different than most couples, but they made it happen. When planning her bridal session, Lindsey suggested to me that we incorporate Will’s love of flying — especially since this shoot was really his desire. It was only a natural choice at that point that we shoot at the WWII veterans airport hangar where they’d later be having their wedding reception. Between the vintage planes and old WWII staff car, it was a perfect fit.

Photography: Chris Isham Photography / Wedding Venue: Dixie Wing Hangar in Peachtree City, Georgia / Floral Design: Andy Beach & Co. / Wedding Dress: Tara Keely via Bridals by Lori

Sometimes the shortest engagements yield the prettiest weddings. And this next wedding, sent into us by J Morgan Flowers proves just that. Pay close attention my friends because this gorgeous and intimate penthouse wedding for 10 was planned in just two weeks! We can’t help but fall fast in love with this romantic and spontaneous display of love. Join us in the gallery for even more.

From J Morgan Flowers… Eun planned her wedding in two weeks. Yes, you read that right — two weeks! After a whirlwind romance with Daniel and a ring on her finger, Eun called her family in Korea, and a wedding date was set! She booked the penthouse at The Soho House in South Beach as her wedding venue because it was the perfect space to hold her and her 10 guests. With Daniel’s Chinese roots, they kept with tradition and did a tea ceremony to honor the parents.

The ceremony was held with just the ocean view as a backdrop and those closest to them to witness. The table for the celebration dinner was adorned with three taller vases and topped with a lush, modern arrangement of hydrangeas, roses and lilies. The base was set with a collection of vases of various sizes, each full with lush florals and candles in between. Each napkin was adorned with a yellow rose to welcome the guests to this special occasion.

We wish Eun and Daniel a lifetime of love, laughter and happiness as they start out on the journey of husband and wife.

Wedding Photography: Gesi Schilling / Wedding Venue: Soho Beach House in Miami, Florida / Floral Design: J Morgan Flowers / Hair: Cowshed Miami Beach at Soho Beach House

So, let’s say we might have already eaten a few extra chocolates and had more slip-ups than our New Year’s resolutions allowed… not that it’s actually happened though, right SMPers? Well, just in case, let this wedding from Brooke Roberts Photography re-inspire you with all the Southern hospitality and charm you could ask for. The Crane Cottage at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel made for a spectacular location for some of the most amazing fireworks and magnificent send-off images I’ve ever seen. Click here for the full wedding.

From Brooke Roberts Photography… This elegant southern wedding was held at the stunning Crane Cottage and Faith Chapel on Jekyll Island in Coastal Georgia. The bride and groom wanted to envelope their guests in true southern hospitality and charm in one of the south’s finest and most romantic locations. Their inspiration for the wedding was Georgia Peach and they set the tone by presenting each guest with a welcome bag of goodies keeping with the theme. The ladies at Caroline Carter Events worked with the couple to add in countless thoughtful touches that were not only beautiful but also showcased the couple’s personalities. The evening was closed out by the sky being filled with celebratory fireworks before the couple departed in a vintage white rolls royce.

Wedding Photography: Brooke Roberts Photography / Ceremony: Faith Chapel in Jekyll Island, Georgia / Reception: Crane Cottage at Jekyll Island Club Hotel in Jekyll Island, Georgia / Floral Design: The Vine / Wedding Coordination: Caroline Carter Events / Wedding Cinematography: James Futch Video / Catering + Wedding Cake: Jekyll Island Club Hotel / Wedding Invitations: Crane & Co. / Calligraphy: Dede Adams Calligraphy / Ceremony Musicians: Ambiance Trio / Band: Spike at the Beach / Wedding Dress: Rivini “Ilys” / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka “Lacie” / Hair: Bienvenue / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Jim Hjelm “5022”

This wedding from Sophia Barrett Studios simply has me beside myself. It’s infused with so much pretty, so many perfectly sophisticated details styled by ellyB events – yet it also incorporates so many lovely nods to this couple, their upbringing and their cherished culture. Basically it’s wedding perfection, and it’s all dancing around in this completely stunning full gallery of images.

From the Bride… Our wedding reflected just who we are: sweet urban sophisticates in love with each other and family. Michael and I are southern-raised (although currently dwelling in New York City) and thrive in city life. We grew up in a culture of formal southern cotillions, beautillions and holiday affairs, and I would like to think that one day our children and grandchildren will look back at us the way we look back at the urban hipsters of the Harlem Renaissance. So we infused these familiar, personal and culturally-signficant elements into our special day…

The music: neo-soul, jazz and R&B classics (opting for the tunes of, for example, Jill Scott for my bridal march, Goapele for the bridal party, John Coltrane for pre-ceremony music, Musiq Soulchild for the groom’s entrance and a jazz band for cocktail hour). The color palette: blush, beige and cream; reminiscent of the ballet (I love the Alvin Ailey Company and chose flowing crinkled chiffon dresses for the bridesmaids, blush satin ribbons for my corset and soft ballet ruffles for my train). The wedding lineage table: images of the unions of our parents, grandparents, and great grandparents. Jumping the broom: a historical wedding tradition for African-American couples. The flowers: simple and soft hydrangeas, garden roses, orchids and dahlias. The tuxedos: modern with a flair of the “old world” with suspenders and bowties. We also threw in King and Queen chairs at the estate table and a few black and white images for a small taste of what our wedding will look like to our children in 50 years.

Wedding Photography: Sophia + Derrick of Sophia Barrett Studios / Ceremony: Imperial Ballroom at The Biltmore Ballrooms in Atlanta, Georgia / Reception: Georgian Ballroom at The Biltmore Ballrooms in Atlanta, Georgia / Wedding Design + Planning: Eliana of ellyB events / Floral Design: Jacki of Stylish Stems / Wedding Cinematography: Ryan of Imagine Video Productions / Catering: Rhys of Endive Fine Catering / Tiered Wedding Cake: Couture Cakes / Cake Bar Wedding Cakes: Piece of Cake / Wedding Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas / Cocktail Hour Musicians: thehc3 / DJ + Emcee: DJ SixFive / Vintage Rentals: Settee Event Decor Rental /Wedding Dress: Dennis Basso for Kleinfeld / Bride’s Shoes: Enzo Angiolini / Bride’s Belt + Veil: Kleinfeld / Hair: Todd of Purple Door Salon / Makeup: Carmen of Love Over Logic

We are going to ask you to slip on your sparkliest of virtual pumps for this little number, because it’s a shoot that just screams for your fanciest footwear. It’s inspiration created by Jessica Interiors and Jennifer Horton Makeup, and I can honestly say it’s a dream. A dream filled with the prettiest florals from Gertie Mae’s Floral Studio, stationery worthy of a swoon or two from Buzzy Craftery, the loveliest glitter confetti linens I ever did see from I Do Linens, and all captured perfectly by Haley Sheffield. So if we have to bid adieu to 2012, we might as well do it with a shoot as stunning as this one. See it all here!

From Jennifer Horton of Jennifer Horton Makeup… When I first set out to piece this shoot together my main inspiration was taken from the holidays, the city and from the hotel itself. The description I used to explain the shoot to each vendor for the overall look and mood was glamorous, festive, holiday sparkle. Everyone did a wonderful job of incorporating a high-end glamorous look in their work that went perfect with The Georgian Terrace Hotel. By the way the staff at the Georgian Terrace Hotel are amazing! Walter Nemeth, Catering Executive was so helpful.

Keeping with the glamorous theme of the hotel and Caroline’s beautiful dresses (she had 2), I wanted her makeup to have a fun vintage look. Her lips were to be the star so I used a gorgeous bright coral lip color perfect for a New Years Eve Wedding. For her eyes I swept a pale pastel pink color over her lids and a soft matte brown in her crease. With a sweep of thick jet black liquid liner to complete her look. The bridesmaids dresses were by TFNC of London we purchased them from ASOS. With the girls gold sequin dresses having so much sparkle I wanted to keep their makeup colors more subtle to play up the sparkle from their dresses. I wanted both bridesmaids makeup to have a young, pretty and sweet look so I used a pink cotton candy cheek and lip color. Alex (the blonde) had a smokey silver eye to play up her beautiful green eyes and Alexis (the brunette) wore a smokey golden brown eyeshadow.

Jessica Phon of Jessica Interiors… The main inspiration came from the theme of “holiday/new years eve theme.” We knew the venue was a mixture of contemporary with old historical reference, and we wanted to incorporate classic with a mix of contemporary. We used mint and gold as our main colors and added splashes of silver, white and red. Mint and gold have been a hot color combo this year and felt it was appropriate for the end of year theme. Playing off of our main colors we wanted the gold and mint to really pop on tabletop. We used a classic white linen and some detailed vintage dinnerware. A non-traditional setup was created in the seating arrangement with custom upholstered benches with accent pillows in the gold color family. Since we had a glamorous gold sequin linen on the cake table we wanted a simpler but elegant cake design with an organic feel to it. We then raised it high on a pedestal table and placed it in a bed of baby’s breath. An arrangement of florals, drinks and escort cards were placed on a very modern high lacquer console table. Escort card ornaments were hung on a gold sequenced tree. Sparkling champagne was pored with flagged stirrers!

Photography: The Photography of Haley Sheffield / Venue: Georgian Terrace Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia / Event Design: Jessica Interiors / Floral Design: Gertie Mae’s Floral Studio / Cinematography: Dynes Media / Wardrobe Styling: Melissa Welch / Wedding Cake: Ann Kathleen Cakes (large cake with flower) / Pastries + Small Mint Cake: Kristina Weems of The Georgian Terrace Hotel / Linens: I Do Linens via StudioWed / Stationery, Confetti + Stirrers: Buzzy Craftery / Prop + Furniture Rentals: Four Inch Fold / Bride’s Dresses: Watters (strapless dress) +  Carol Hannah (halter top dress) via Fabulous Frocks of Atlanta / Bride’s Dress Belts: Fine & Fleurie / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Chaviano Couture (one shoulder dress) + Romona Keveza (short strapless dress) via Fabulous Frocks of Atlanta + TFNC of London (gold sequin dresses) via ASOS / Accessories: Fine & Fleurie / Hair: Dani Pennone of Southern Accent Salon / Makeup: Jennifer Horton Makeup / Bride + Groom: Caroline Seymour + Lionel Grebert / Bridesmaids: Alex Gerdes + Alexis Reed Hopkins

There’s just nothing that can put a smile on my face like two madly in love sweethearts celebrating their big day.  Nothing.  And when those two madly in love sweethearts are captured ever-so-perfectly by 3Ring Weddings, that’s a whole new level of happy.  Case in point?  This darling Atlanta duo, who celebrated their union in traditional style with a stunning St. Regis soiree that is crazy gorgeous + seriously sophisticated.  And their heartwarming words for each other?  They’re magical – in so many ways.

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From 3Ring Weddings… Before Veronica and Marlon even knew each other existed, Veronica’s mom felt that they were meant to be together. “If my mom didn’t love him, we never would’ve met. My mom is very passionate about who she allows into our lives.” The first time the couple met, Marlon was invited to Trinidad to stay with her family over Christmas. It wasn’t love at first sight. Their long term friendship-turned-relationship had a slow burn, which has already lasted almost a decade. Veronica remembers, ”I knew I was in love with Marlon long before he knew he was in love with me. His patience, wisdom and willingness to know me was what attracted me to him. I fell in love with his uniqueness. I knew God sent him.”

After her mother’s recent passing, Veronica was charged with going through her mother’s things and helping “clear out all her stuff.” While doing so, she found a wedding gift and a card from her mother that said “a gift from heaven.” Her mother’s spirit was still felt in various aspects of the wedding. Not only did she handpick the groom and leave them a wedding gift, but she gave preferences for a wedding dress (poofy) and who would be walking Veronica down the aisle (your brother). More gifts from heaven. Marlon believes that “part of the beauty is we have families who love us. They would do anything for us, and they support us, believe in us and pray for us. She’s the woman I believe God created for me. Magic happens when we get together.”

“He’s a wonderful guy and makes me happy to wake up every day, knowing that he’s in my life,” Veronica affirms. “It’s going to be a journey, but I’m really looking forward to it.” A journey that is bound to be a magical one.

Wedding Photography: Janet Howard Studio / Wedding Venue: The St. Regis Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia / Wedding Planning: Lemiga Events / Floral Design: Edge Design Group / Wedding Cinematography: 3Ring Weddings

My southern-charm loving heart is all a-flutter for this Foxhall Resort & Sporting Club soiree captured beautifully by Viktoriya Evich Krudu Photography. This DIY + vintage inspired wedding is all kinds of beautiful-from the bride’s lace James Clifford gown to the gorgeous blooms by Carithers Flowers. Lucky for us the gallery is full of even more pretty and you can see it all here!

From the Bride… Our wedding was a dream come true! If our personalities could create a wedding venue, it would be Foxhall. Foxhall is a gorgeous equestrian estate and sporting club located just south of Atlanta. I grew up riding horses my whole life, and Cody is the perfect Southern gentleman, so it was the ideal setting for the rustic, elegant wedding we had both been dreaming of. We wanted our wedding to have a very Southern feel and atmosphere, but still have the elegance of a wedding. Foxhall couldn’t have been more perfect for this. From the moment you step foot on the 1,100 acre facility, you feel like you are visiting the English countryside or you’re suddenly in a scene from the movie Secretariat. With the rustic lodge setting of Legacy Lookout, our guests enjoyed sweeping views of wide-open horse paddocks, an English-style equestrian stable, a two-mile stretch of the Chattahoochee river and an 81-acre lake; it’s stunning to say the least. With so many natural colors and elements surrounding our venue, I was able to get away with my pop of coral for the bridesmaid dresses, flowers and bow ties. We kept the rustic feel with all of the wood elements from the lodge, iron chandeliers, lantern centerpieces, as well as the tan suits for the guys and a mix of khakis, browns, and taupe. We introduced the elegant girly side with lots of mercury glass vases, lace and just a touch of crystals here and there. The catering tables were beautifully decorated with vintage wine boxes and antique silver platters to really tie together the whole theme of the wedding. I had an girly wedding cake covered with glitter details, while the groom’s cake decorated with chocolate-covered strawberries and giant antlers was the most manly thing I’ve ever seen.

My favorite part of the wedding were all of the personal touches and DIY projects that truly made our wedding special. My dad passed away 10 years ago, and I knew how hard it was going to be to not have him there to see his little girl get married. To make it feel like he was still there with me, I tried to incorporate as many little things that reminded me of him as I could. Our ringer bearer walked down the aisle carrying my dad’s Bible that I had wrapped in lace and burlap ribbon. To really make it feel like he was there to walk me down the aisle, my next door neighbor created my beautiful bouquet wrap that she made using one of my dad’s neckties and the lace sleeve from my mother’s wedding dress. That way as my mother walked me down the aisle in place of my dad, I had a piece of my dad walking with me as well. It truly was so special and something I will cherish forever. I also surprised my younger sister with a maid of honor bouquet wrap that coordinated with mine. Giving her that special gift moments before the wedding was so special and a moment we will both remember forever. We also had a memory table set in the lobby covered with my great-grandmother’s hand crocheted doilies and pictures of relatives and loved ones with a candle burning “in memory of those who are forever present in our hearts.”

The biggest hit for the men at the wedding was most definitely Cody’s cigar bar. If you couldn’t find someone on the dance floor, they were probably outside by the fireplace hanging out at the cigar bar. Another meaningful element was the “key to a happy marriage” message board where guests left words of wisdom and advice for Cody and me as newlyweds on vintage skeleton keys, surrounded by wedding photographs from both sides of our family. Other DIY projects included the dress hangers I made for me and my bridesmaids, the wedding invitation that I created and designed myself (with my team of family and friends working as an assembly line), the Mr. & Mrs. signs at the reception, and the cornhole set my husband built specifically for our big day. Everything was just perfect; I couldn’t have asked for more. It was a beautiful day, and I will cherish the memories forever.

Wedding Photography: Viktoriya Evich Krudu Photography / Wedding Venue: Legacy Lookout at Foxhall Resort & Sporting Club in Douglasville, Georgia / Floral Design: Carithers Flowers / Catering: Zest Atlanta / Wedding Cake: Sugar Plum Visions / Wedding Invitations: DIY by the Bride via Cards & Pockets / Wedding Dress: James Clifford (Style J11169) via Bridals by Lori / Bride’s Shoes: The Glass Slipper Collection Cinderella Pump / Bride’s Hair: The Bride’s Neighbor / Bride’s Makeup, Bridesmaids’ Hair + Makeup: Betsy St. John (betsystjohn@gmail.com) / Bridesmaid Dress: Bari Jay (Style 126)

Just because Christmas is over, it doesn’t mean that we’re over all the gorgeous holiday and winter party inspiration. Our latest crush? This to-die-for winter tablescape photo shoot designed and coordinated by A Big To Do Event. It’s a total stunner with it’s simple color scheme of red, grey and white and that incredible hanging centerpiece of roses, candles, and crystals. I sort of want to dine under it like right now. See the full gallery here for even more. 

From A Big To Do Event… We decided to provide inspiration for a “Natural Glam” winter event, and our fantastic vendor team could not have done a better job executing this look! There are so many amazing elements of this tablescape that I don’t even know where to start! Heath, one of the brilliant artists behind Jackson Durham, outdid himself with this centerpiece consisting of a tall, silver candelabra with an arrangement of red tulips and roses, berries, greenery, pinecones and branches, capped off with a lamp shade covered in bark and accented with dripping crystals and dusted with snow. Talk about WOW factor! The base is surrounded by crystal and silver mercury glass candle holders that keep the eye moving to every element. We can’t go any further without talking about the biggest pieces: the furniture. Mirrored table on a barrel anyone? Jackson Durham made it happen! Rustic sofa seating on one side with wood grain pillows? Settee Event Decor can provide it. Barrel to highlight your cake? Got it! One of the best features of the mirrored table is that your centerpiece and décor doesn’t just end when the base touches the table; it continues on into the mirror, reflecting back up so you see another dimension of the design.

The cake is pure perfection! Melonie of For Goodness Cakes outdid herself with this four-tiered, rustic winter statement with red sugar rose petals falling down the snow-capped tiers and faux wood fondant pieces mimicking the wood grain of the barrels. A delightful winter masterpiece that matches the design perfectly and tastes just as good! Adding to the winter feel is the “blanket of snow” covering the ground and running along the center of the table. We got this look with the help and genius of Tamara with I Do Linens. Since we couldn’t actually bring snow in, we got the next best thing: white fur linens. The runner helps bring the table together and bring your attention to the centerpiece. The carpet finishes the look and separates the table from the rest of the space while adding comfort and warmth. Event Drapery provided the backdrop of red velour drape to transport you to the middle of this winter wonderland event.

Sarah of Foglio Press created some stunning works of art on paper for this tablescape. The stationery to go along with this reception décor is clean while making a big impact. The invitation fits inside a natural wood pocket envelope, bringing in a natural pop of red and tied together with a silk dupioni ribbon in platinum. The platinum continues in the menus, with entrees are printed in red on translucent paper, revealing a platinum pattern underneath. The finishing touches of this tablescape came from We Rent Atlanta, where we were able to pick out everything we needed including the gorgeous, gunmetal-colored chivari chairs. We set the table with We Rent’s elegant “Estate Platinum” china. The silver baroque flatware and array of glassware from We Rent Atlanta tie together each place setting, and we finished with a red napkin from I Do Linens for a pop of color.

Photography: Janet Howard Studio / Photo Shoot Venue: StudioWed Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia / Design, Planning + Coordination: A Big To Do Event / Design, Floral Creation + Styling: Jackson Durham / Wedding Cake: For Goodness Cakes / Stationery: Foglio Press / Linens: I Do Linens / Drapery: Event Drapery / Furniture Rentals: Settee Event Decor / Other Rentals: We Rent Atlanta

Oh, 3Ring Weddings.  I just want to HUG you.  Hug you for sending this sweet, sweet Atlanta film our way and for brightening our Friday with one of the cutest couples in the Peach State.  Two high school sweethearts that are sooo in love, it’s like one moment after another of pure joy streaming from our computer screens.  Yep – this is the kind of film we could never ever get enough of with so much inspiration, we’ll be basking in pretty ’till Monday.  And those hugs?  They are on the way.

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From 3Ring Weddings… “Like a river meets the sea / Stronger than it’s ever been / We’ve come so far since that day / And I thought I loved you then.“ — From “Then” by Brad Paisley

High school sweethearts Rehana and Jimmy have been together for a decade now. They’ve experienced many life changes — both good and tragic — and remained steadfast by each others’ side through it all. Rehana adores Jimmy’s ability to still make her laugh after all these years and appreciates how he always puts her first. “He’s just a good guy. He always cares about other people and makes them feel good. He’s a very genuine guy.” Jimmy declares, “Rehana’s helped me grow up a lot, probably more than she’ll ever know. She’s helped me find my voice, be who I want to be and pushed me to become way more than I ever thought I could. I owe her everything. I just love knowing that we’re going to grow old together — the person I grew up with.” This young couple, already together longer than many couples, has determined to never call it quits — to never go to bed angry and to always kiss each other goodnight.

Wedding Photography: Katie Rivers / Wedding Venues: The Georgian Terrace Hotel + The Fox Theatre, Both in Atlanta, Georgia / Wedding Cinematography: 3Ring Weddings / DJ: Indaglow Productions / Ceremony Music: Lark Chamber Music

A true DIY-er at heart, this casual and whimsical Cartersville wedding from Pure Gold Photography had me at  “flea market.” Turning Taylor Farm Pavilion into the venue of their dreams was quite the feat for this (totally adorable) bride + groom, along with their event planner Ashley Cox, who thrifted, crafted + reached out to family and friends to put on their big day. There are more sweet details than I can count, and you can see them all right here!

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From the Bride… We got married at a beautiful farm in Cartersville, Georgia. We had to do everything ourselves, which was overwhelming at first, but once it was all put together it was FABULOUS! Our photographers, Ben and Colleen from Pure Gold Photography, were the best. We had so much fun with them, and at the same time, we didn’t even know they were there. Everything was very family and friend-oriented. Our cake was made by our friend Susanne from tsp. bakery. We had pies made by our aunts, and our food was even catered by our friend Mike LaSage from Bone Lick Barbecue in Atlanta. I got all my wedding decorations either at a flea market or IKEA. My friend Vanessa Phelan helped me pick out all the decorations, and she even spent the entire day before and day of setting things up and making sure they were perfect for our big day. Our wedding would not have been nearly as beautiful as it was without her help. My wedding planner was my friend Ashley Cox. She did an amazing job keeping track of all the vendors while I was busy getting ready for the big day! As for makeup and hair, I didn’t hire a makeup artist or hairstylist because I wanted to do my own hair and makeup. I feel like I did a pretty great job at that, too. We just had a blast with all of our friends and family, and I could not have asked for a more perfect day — right down to the weather. It was all perfect!

Wedding Photography: Pure Gold Photography / Wedding Venue: Taylor Farm Pavilion in Cartersville, Georgia / Event Design: Vanessa Phelan (A Friend of the Bride) / Event Planning: Ashley Cox (A Friend of the Bride) / Floral Design: Adaptation Floral Design / Catering: Mike LaSage of Bone Lick BBQ / Wedding Cake: Susanne of tsp.bakery / / Wedding Invitations: Wedding Chicks / Wedding Dress: Symphony Bridal / Bride’s Shoes: Just Fabulous + Converse / Bride’s Hair + Makeup: DIY

If there’s one thing every wedding needs, it’s a grand old oak tree.  Well, that and acres upon acres of lush Georgia landscape.  Because when those two ingredients make an appearance at your Big Day, it’s like a guaranteed dose of lovely.  Need proof?  Take a look at this breathtaking plantation affair captured by Ansley Studio, LLC, which is literally overflowing with Southern romance and sweeter than sweet rustic details, grand old oak tree included.  See it all here.

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From Ansley Studio, LLC… Dee and Dustin were wed under an oak tree on a family friend’s plantation in South Georgia. They were surrounded by those who love them, and their altar included photos of family members who are no longer present but still very important to them both. Hay bales covered with family quilts and blankets were provided for guests, but this was a standing room only event that was overflowing with love and details. Never have I ever seen so many flowers at one wedding! The “saucy” favors were a hit among the guests, and Dee made sure to add special touches everywhere she could. She even had seven different types of cakes — something for everyone! The band played late into the night, and a joyous time was had by all.

But as we all know, not everything goes according to plan.  Although it had been bright and sunny the day before, rain combined with the five miles of dirt road to travel caused a nearly two-hour delay for the guests and ceremony. We had a heart-to-heart and decided to return to the plantation at a later date for the couple’s formal portraits. It’s exceptionally rare to find a truly amazing couple who are not just completely wildly madly in love, but also willing to completely go with me on an idea. Without trust and vision, the photograph of them in the swamp, one of my favorite wedding photos from any wedding I’ve shot, would have never happened. I am lucky and blessed to have shared in their love before, during and after their wedding.

Wedding Photographer: Ansley Studio, LLC / Wedding Venue: Tinnerbrook in Quitman, Georgia (Owned by a Family Friend) / Floral Design: Annell’s Flower Shop (229-377-1114) / Catering: Chuck Thomas & The Cook Crew (The Groom’s Father + Friends) / Wedding Cakes: Family Members / Band: Billy Rigsby Band / Wedding Favors: Hot Tar, Inc. / Wedding Dress: Casablanca Bridal “1975” via A New Image / Hair: Today Hair Innovators (229-226-9594) / Makeup: Lauren Legette Turner

We all know Atlanta weddings are awesome.  That goes without saying.  But, did you know that you can have a secret garden-esque wedding right in the middle of the city?  Well, you can.  And if you are anything like these two cuties, you’ll infuse it with one gorgeous DIY detail after another, a sweet vintage vibe and dreamy pastel hues.  The ever-amazing Amy Arrington Photography snapped up all of the pretty and you’ll be a fan of Cator Woolford Gardens (and this adorable duo) in no time at all.  Join me in the gallery for more.

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From the Bride…  Although we now live in Arlington, Virginia, Ben and I decided to get married at the Cator Woolford Gardens because it’s right around the corner from where my parents live in Atlanta (we can literally walk there from home in about five minutes!). We both knew we wanted to get married outside, and this little “secret garden” in the middle of the city was the perfect combination of our love for the city and for being in nature. Although we planned our wedding from afar, which was definitely difficult, we were grateful for all of the fabulous local vendors who made things much easier for us.

My vision for the day was that I wanted it to feel like a vintage, southern garden party — part fairytale, part casual comfort. I wanted to infuse the day with whimsical, personalized decor and details that really said something about us as a couple, as well as individuals. I made most of the decorations by hand (chalkboard signs, programs, banners, pie stands, seating cards/seating card tree, window pane displays, cake topper, etc.), and those that I didn’t make, I purchased from Etsy or commissioned family and friends to make. All of the bunting (hundreds of yards of it!) was hand-sewn by a friend’s mother in Oklahoma, and my own mother spent many hours stuffing welcome packets, stringing letters onto ribbons, and traveling around the city with me as we visited flea markets and junkyards.

We also completely designed our own programs, ceremony and vows in order to make this part of the event — the most important part! — fit with our personalities and relationship. We’ve been together for over eight years, so we wanted our ceremony to reflect our past together, but also celebrate the new journey that we were embarking upon on our wedding day. We got creative with our wedding party; my brothers both served as “bridesmen” on my side, we had a “flower sister” instead of a “flower girl” (so that one of my dear friends, who I think of as a younger sister, could have a special role in the wedding), and Ben had two “best men,” so that he wouldn’t have to pick between friends. I think the biggest piece of advice that I can give brides-to-be is to not be afraid to think outside of the box, or outside of tradition, in order to make your wedding your own (although I do love tradition and definitely think it has its place!).

Our wedding day was everything that we imagined it would be and more, and I believe that our amazing family and friends are what made it so special. Ben and I look back on it as the most incredible day of our eight years together, and we are filled with love and gratitude for everyone who was a part of it. And we are also extremely thankful for Amy Arrington, as she did a fabulous job capturing the day!

Wedding Photography: Amy Arrington Photography / Wedding Venue: Cator Woolford Gardens in Atlanta, Georgia / Planning + Coordination: Allie Brackett of We Tie The Knots / Event Design + Decor: DIY by the Bride / Floral Design: Candler Park Flowers / Catering: Sun in My Belly / Cake: DIY by the Bride’s Mother / Pies: Pastries A-Go-Go / String Duo: The Wedding Players / Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal / Bride’s Sash: White by Vera Wang / Bride’s Shoes: LOFT / Bride’s Veil: Erica Elizabeth Design / Hair: Rebecca Powell / Makeup: Paula Xiong / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Anthropologie / Bridesmaids’ Jewelry: Vintage + Forever 21 / Groom’s Suit: J.Crew

When a wedding like this comes along, it’s like a gift from the wedding gods.  A crazy amazing gift that grabs ahold of your heart and never lets go.  Because this isn’t just any wedding.  It’s a day filled to the brim with drop-dead gorgeous details and image after image of one of the most beautiful duos you will ever lay your eyes upon.  (Seriously.)  Ariel Renae Photography captured every moment to absolute perfection and I am spending my entire day basking in the gallery.  You should join me.  Click here for sooo much more.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Ariel Renae Photography… This Savannah, Georgia, destination wedding beautifully represented this creative, fun couple. The attention to personal details at this event were insane. From an extremely meaningful, post-ceremony biscuit station and the handmade jewel “bouquet” made from Juliana’s grandmother’s and family’s heirlooms, to the handmade wedding favors at the reception (crafted by Juliana’s mother, Karen Moore, and close family friend Bob Hefferan), these two truly wanted this destination wedding to be a beautiful and memorable experience for every single guest. The day was truly about the couple and the things and people that are important to them. We followed up the wedding day by doing a “day after session” that allowed us to go to some additional locations for portraits to really be able to capture the a fuller experience of the Savannah backdrop.

Wedding Photography: Ariel Renae Photography / Ceremony: Wesley Gardens in Savannah, Georgia / Reception: Vic’s On The River in Savannah, Georgia / Floral Design, Event Design + Planning: Bob Hefferan (A Family Friend) + Karen Moore (The Bride’s Mother) / Wedding Invitations: John + Juliana Cox (The Bride + Groom) / Wedding Dress: Dennis Basso / Bride’s Shoes: L.A.M.B.

The thing I’m loving most about this Athens garden wedding from Jason Thrasher Photography is the complete and utter adoration the bride + groom have for each other. Their love is pouring out of every single image, and it’s a beautiful sight to behold! Add in perfectly crafted florals from Buzzy Craftery and a too-pretty-to-eat sweet table by Cecilia Villaveces Cakes and we’ve got a wedding day that dreams are made of. See the rest right here!

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From the Bride… Aziz and I met in Spain while studying abroad during college. We fell in love in the gardens, playgrounds and romantic pathways of Seville, and we continued dating in Athens, Georgia. Two and half years later, Aziz took me on a date, and we ended up chatting away on a bench at a playground in Athens. To my surprise, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I said yes. He had invited my best friends and parents (from out of state) to my house to celebrate with us that night. It was a whirlwind of happiness, love and family, and it was a surprise I will always cherish.

We began looking for the perfect spot to get married. We wanted to go back to Spain, but instead we found a tucked-away garden on our university’s campus. I had stumbled upon The Founder’s Garden before but never knew you could get married there. We were thrilled and decided to have a totally outdoor garden wedding and reception in the fall. We were working on a budget, so instead of having one big fancy wedding cake, we ordered nine cakes from our favorite bakery in Athens and a friend made two more for us. We also wanted a kid-friendly wedding since we are both teachers, so we picked up some cupcakes from Trader Joe’s for the wee ones. My friend was our DJ, my dress from the sale rack at David’s Bridal, and the bridesmaids and I did our own makeup.

It was a perfect day, and everyone commented on the European, relaxed and romantic feel of the day. My best friend read “i carry your heart” by E.E. Cummings at the ceremony, and we wrote the words onto tiles to make coasters for our favors. This poem is very meaningful to us because on the last day in Spain, I hand wrote it and tucked it in Aziz’ suitcase so he would find it when he returned to America. It was a beautiful day that really represented us and our story. We felt more joy, love and happiness than we ever had, and we hold the memories of that special day close to our hearts.

Wedding Photography: Jason Thrasher Photography / Wedding Venue: The Founder’s Memorial Garden in Athens, Georgia / Floral + Event Design: Buzzy Craftery / Event Planning: The Bride / Wedding Cakes: Cecilia Villaveces Cakes / Other Cakes: Hope Cymerman, A Friend of the Bride / Cake Toppers: DIY by the Bride & Groom / Wedding Invitations: Buzzy Craftery / DJ: Adam Galatioto, A Friend / Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal / Bride’s Shoes: YagmurShop

White, green and gold. Quite possibly the most elegant, yet wonderfully understated color palette and it’s safe to say that I am utterly smitten with just about anything that comes in those glorious hues. It just doesn’t get better. The perfect mix of natural with metallics, this rehearsal dinner at the Summerour Studio from Pink Shoe Photography is abundant in all this palette’s beauty and you can see every bit in the gallery right here.

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From Pink Shoe Photography… Marion and Nick are one of those couples that everyone wants to know. Their energy and love for each other is radiant, and their rehearsal dinner at Summerour Studios echoed that. The space was classically decorated with white and green floral arrangements, silver accents and crisp, natural-colored linens. The couple welcomed their friends and family with a signature cocktail of Kentucky Bourbon slushes. They were served in Derby glasses from the groom’s parents’ and grandparents’ collections, which date back to early 1950’s — a wonderful homage to the groom’s home state of Kentucky. Bold America catered the dinner and also made the groom’s cake. The tennis-themed cake was because he played at UVA (where the bride and groom met), won four ACC championships and was captain of the team. The guests were dressed to the nines, with whiskey slushes in hand, and the bride was stunning in her Nicole Miller dress. And it just wouldn’t be right if we didn’t mention her fabulous Dolce Vita shoes! The rehearsal dinner was a beautiful beginning to a magical wedding weekend.

Photography: Pink Shoe Photography / Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Summerour Studio in Atlanta, Georgia / Venue Contact: Monica Zanger (mzanger@novareevents.com) / Floral Design, Linens + Silver: Britt Wood (jhbrittwood@gmail.com) / Catering + Wedding Cake: Michelle Klub of Bold American Catering / Horse Heads: Nashville Antique Show / Bride’s Dress: Nicole Miller / Bride’s Shoes: Dolce Vita

Engagement sessions are some of my most favorite images of the wedding experience and I think I’ve pinned down just why I adore them so. It’s all about the love, people! Every image is solely focused on the couple and their love. And that simple concept is just what makes this engagement session from Timwill Photography so essentially wonderful. It could also be that to die for Badgley Mischka gown and you can see all its glittery goodness in the gallery here.

Click here for the FULL engagement session!

From the Bride… After six years of dating, Will proposed to me in March 2012 in the sparkliest way possible. We were taking photographs after a wine tasting in Napa, when Will handed me a bottle of Schramsberg sparkling wine with his proposal etched in gold on the bottle, along with a beautiful, three-stone sparkler! We had talked previously about getting married either in the California wine country or at the historic Ford Plantation in Georgia, a very special place to us. Since our engagement took place in Napa, we knew The Ford Plantation would be the site for our wedding. We opted for a fall wedding, so we chose to shoot our engagement photo session at Ford in October to get a sense of what our wedding day would be like. Our incredible photographer, Tim Willoughby, captured the beauty of the location exquisitely. We incorporated our proposal story in the shoot and celebrated by popping open a bottle of Schramsberg. The result, was a fun, sparkly, very “us” experience. Tim has left us more eager than ever for October 2013!

Photography: Tim Willoughby of Timwill Photography / Venue: The Ford Plantation in Richmond Hill, Georgia /  Event Planning: Caroline Carter Events / Champagne: Schramsberg / Blanket: Pendleton Woolen Mills / Bride’s Gold Dress: Badgley Mischka “Screen Siren Gown” via Rent the Runway