Georgia Weddings

Honing in on the unique Southern charm of Atlanta’s Candler Park neighborhood, Pretty Swell Parties teamed up with Evie Perez Photography and a few more of the city’s best vendors for this traditional (with a twist!) styled shoot. Nothing screams Georgia like peaches + peanuts, and Sugar Style Events put together the sweetest dessert bar showcasing the two! From the cherry boutonnieres to the invites + menus embellished with washi tape this shoot is adorable from start to finish! See the rest right here!

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From Pretty Swell Parties… When it comes to charm, Atlanta seems to get passed over in favor of more classic southern locales such as Charleston, New Orleans or Savannah.  But the secret of Atlanta’s charm lies in its historic neighborhoods, like Candler Park, where we decided to do this shoot. Candler Park is named for the founder of Coca Cola, and it is known for its adorable craftsman bungalows and unique local businesses. Inspired by the 100-year-old house where we shot and the charm of the surrounding neighborhood, Evie from Evie Perez Photography and I envisioned a wedding set in a bride’s family home that had a modern feel, but was inspired by the history of the setting.

Our groom, Justin Rishel, owner of J Rishel Woodworks, designed and hand-crafted the wooden ring box we used for the shoot, and it is the same one he used to propose to our bride, Michelle. He also built the beautiful table we used for desserts out of a vintage sewing machine table. Justin and Michelle are coming up on three years of marriage and they just radiate fun and love in a way that makes us all remember why we are in this industry. We were lucky to have the very talented hair and makeup artist Louie Lieberman, from Lux Studio, to create a fresh and clean look for our bride, who wore a gorgeous, two piece gown by Atlanta designer Chaviano Couture. Katie of Boukates did such an amazing job with the florals and table design. She pulled in so many cool, traditional elements, such as a bridal bouquet wrapped in lace, and then added fun and charming details like a cherry boutonniere. The traditional lace on the table was complemented beautifully by the fresh and clean menu cards created by Calliespondence. Lauren of Sugar Style Events styled the dessert table to include classic Georgia ingredients such as peanuts and peaches, but she added a modern spin on the presentation to keep things fresh. And what better place for a Georgia-themed dessert bar then on the front porch? 

We also walked around the corner to The Mercantile, a neighborhood specialty foods store, to visit their soda shop-style counter. There aren’t many places in Atlanta where you can walk around the block to a warm and friendly neighborhood shop, but in Candler Park you can. And of course we had to add a little nod to the Candler family with a Coke bottle toast!

Photography: Evie Perez Photography / Photo Shoot Locations: A Private Home + The Mercantile, Both in Atlanta, Georgia / Floral Design: Boukates / Event Coordination: Melissa Bloomfield of Pretty Swell Parties / Dessert Bar: Sugar Style Events / Invitations + Menus: Calliespondence / Ring Box + Custom Furniture: J Rishel Woodworks / Wedding Dress: Chaviano Couture via Fabulous Frocks of Atlanta / Hair + Makeup: Louie Lieberman of Lux Studio

Our Labor of Love shoots some of my favorite weddings. Magic ensues when they grab hold of a camera, and when they team up with We Tie The Knots for the wedding of a seriously stylish couple like this one – it sets off all of my SMP alarms. It’s everything I love about a personality-filled party (including that Anthropologie shrug I need to make mine ASAP), and you can see every gorgeous bit right here.

From We Tie The Knots… Sarah and Kevin tied the knot on May 6, 2012, at Empire State South restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia. This venue was so naturally them, and everything just fit together perfectly with their theme. We helped in the designing/decor aspect of this wedding, and I must say it turned out beautiful and was so much fun. Their ceremony took place outside on the bocce court/lawn area with all different style vintage chairs for the guests. The front rows of the aisle had vintage furniture for family seating, which also made for some great photos. We brought in a chandelier and had it hung over the altar, along with a multicolor ribbon backdrop. The tablescapes had a real personal touch with vintage medical prescriptions with the table numbers stamped over them, along with music sheets used as the table runners.

Wedding Photography: Julia of Our Labor of Love / Wedding Venue + Catering: Empire State South in Atlanta, Georgia / Wedding Design + Planning: We Tie The Knots / Floral Design: Bloom Floral Design / Pie: Pie Shop/ Wedding Invitations: Dapper Paper / Vintage Rentals: Four Inch Fold / Wedding Dress: J.Crew / Bride’s Shoes: Vince Camuto / Bride’s Shrug: Anthropologie / Bride’s Earrings: Alexis Bittar / Bride’s Bracelets: From Her Mother / Groom’s Suit: Sid Mashburn

 The only thing that beats this oh-so-perfect, rustic inspired backyard wedding is the collection of portraits of the bride and groom. Oh. MY. The wedding day portraits of this couple are breathtakingly beautiful, and the best part is that they look so natural and comfortable! Red Fly Studio really delivered a masterpiece of images, and the details that this couple infused into their celebration (their love for the outdoors, old bikes, etc.) are tremendously fun. Click here for the FULL gallery of images! 

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From Red Fly Studio… Josh and Bailey’s wedding has been one of our favorites this year. Their wedding is the kind of wedding that we hope to shoot all the time — we love a sweet bride and groom, welcoming families and fun friends who are there to celebrate! The ceremony and reception took place on the groom’s family farm in Eatonton, Georgia. Bailey and Josh are a very outdoorsy couple, and we think they did a good job in incorporating their personality into the wedding. They used their old bikes, some neat wooden signs and old quilts. We loved that the groom and groomsmen wore Chacos, and even the bride decided to wear a pair for part of the day. How great is that?!

Wedding Photography: Red Fly Studio / Wedding Venue: The Groom’s Family Farm in Eatonton, Georgia / Floral Design: Designs By Kent / Wedding Cake: Publix / Wedding Dress: Allure Couture / Bride’s Shoes: Nina / Men’s Shoes: Chaco

Nothing gets my heart fluttering quite like this sophisticated, stylish Sea Island wedding by Brooke Roberts Photography. All of the elements at play, like the classic floral arrangements and mouthwatering cake by Sea Island, are right on point.  I keep going back for one more glance of the The Cloister at Sea Island ceremony location – pure beauty! There’s more to love in the full gallery here. 

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From Brooke Roberts Photography… This event was a wedding weekend rather than just a wedding day. Tanja and Chris planned a three-day celebration for their families and guest that included a river cruise, fishing trips for the men, spa treatments for the women, a beach-side welcome party and cocktails, a stunning outside ceremony, a jaw-dropping reception and a sparkler fountain grand exit.

When looking for the perfect location to hold their wedding, Tanja made appointments at four of the finest venues the east coast had to offer. Sea Island was the first on her list to visit, and after driving up to the Cloister, she told her family they could cancel the other appointments — this was the venue. When walking through the garden with the Sea Island wedding team, they listed all of the wonderful details the wedding could include, and she said that they had her when they mentioned they could hang crystal chandeliers from the trees. Tanja’s inspiration for her wedding design was soft elegance. She wanted feminine touches without being too girlie or stuffy. Using a mixture of baby’s breath, delicate pale pink and cream roses and peonies to decorate the arch for the ceremony, the theme was carried through to the bouquets and table centerpieces.

The river cruise was held the first night for family and the wedding party as a fun and relaxed icebreaker event. The Cloister has it’s own beautifully restored 71-foot vintage yacht, The Cloister Belle. Everyone enjoyed drinks and hors d’oeuvres while relaxing in the warm summer breeze, accompanied by dolphins swimming at the boats bow. The evening before the wedding, as more guests arrived, Tanja and Chris’s families hosted a welcome party at Sea Island’s Beach Club overlooking the water. Set up on the ocean terrace under strands of glowing white paper lanterns, everyone was treated to an array of mouth-watering desserts, cocktails and music from a Jimmy Buffet-style band.

For the main event, Sea Islands event team had designed a ceremony site fit for a fairytale. In the glorious Cloister Garden, set under towering oaks hung with crystal chandeliers, was a green lawn filled with white chairs, the baby’s breath arch and an aisle decorated with cream rose petals and crystal candelabras. After the ceremony, guests were escorted to the Cloister Black Banks Terrace overlooking the tidal river and marsh to enjoy drinks before dinner. They mingled on the grand terrace that was decorated with large potted trees and watched as the sun set in the south Georgia summer sky. The final stage for the wedding celebration was perhaps the most elegant as the party moved into the Cloister Club Room. This glittering ballroom with massive crystal chandeliers opens up to yet another outdoor terrace that was also decorated with soft furnishings so that guest could mingle both inside and out. And for their grand exit, Tanja and Chris left in Sea Island style with a stream of sparklers that lined the long Cloister drive.

Wedding Photography: Brooke Roberts Photography / Wedding Venue: The Cloister at Sea Island in Sea Island, Georgia / Event Planning, Floral + Event Design: Sea Island / Wedding Cinematography: iMint Media / Wedding Cake: Sea Island / Wedding Invitations: Salutations / Wedding Dress: Unknown / Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Hair + Makeup: Stephanie Adams + Ashley Edenfield / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Amsale / Men’s Attire: Zegna

I could seriously hug Melissa Schollaert Photography for sending this breathtaking Wimbish House wedding our way.  And not just any hug – one great BIG bear hug.  Because not only is this one of the most gorgeous affairs I have ever laid my eyes upon, it also happens to be chock-full of heartwarming moments and classic inspiration that will you have swooning from the get-go.  All planned and designed by Lindsay Pitt of TOAST, this, my friends, is traditional elegance at its very finest.  Click here for more.

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From Melissa Schollaert Photography… Angela and Matt were the sweetest couple ever — so in love and so excited for their wedding. The day was designed and planned by Lindsay Pitt of TOAST and had a very elegant feel.  The reception was held at the historic Wimbish House, the home of the Atlanta Women’s Club.  The old mansion is already so beautiful on its own, and Toast enhanced its beauty with very elegant decor, including lots of whites and gold accents. The patterned white and gold linens on the dinner tables were gorgeous! Andy Beach provided the florals and did an amazing job with all-white flowers and accents of green in a variety of vases and vessels. The main part of the house, as well as the ballroom, was filled with candlelight that gave a very romantic feel to the evening. Angela and Matt danced the night away to the sounds of the Coconut Groove Band, who rocked the reception. They left on foot to the glow of sparklers and headed off into the cityscape for their honeymoon!

Wedding Photography: Melissa Schollaert Photography / Ceremony: The Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta, Georgia / Reception: The Wimbish House in Atlanta, Georgia / Wedding Planning + Design: Lindsay Pitt of TOAST / Floral Design: Andy Beach & Associates / Catering: Bold American Catering / Wedding Cake: Frosted Pumpkin / Wedding Stationery: Hi Note / Band: Coconut Groove Band via East Coast Entertainment / Transportation: Georgia Trolley Services / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier via Joan Pillow Bridal / Hair + Makeup: The Moore Agency

Saddle up, SMPers, because this wedding from Stephie Hicks Photography is full, I mean full, of gorgeous details you are sure to love. It has everything you could want from the beautiful, beautiful florals from Apple Blossom Flower Shop, to the most perfect of venues, to the sweetest bride and groom chairs at the flawlessly rustic reception. You’ll be asking for more, but don’t fret, we have the full gallery right here for even more eye candy.

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From Stephie Hicks Photography… Travis and Brittany’s wedding was one of my favorite weddings to date!  I go absolutely gaga over weddings like this!  Brittany and her family left no detail untouched.  They diy’ed and handmade everything they could.  I can’t get over how beautiful everything was – even something as simple as the bridesmaid bouquets made out of baby’s breath!  The Brittany and her bridesmaids started the day getting ready at the York House in Rabun Gap, GA.  The ceremony and reception were across the road on the property of a close family friend.  The ceremony was held in from of a gorgeous pond with the North Georgia mountains in the background and the reception was housed inside a really fantastic barn. 

Wedding Photography: Stephie Hicks Photography / Wedding Venue: The Home of a Friend in Rabun Gap, Georgia / Floral Design: Apple Blossom Flower Shop / Catering: Oinker’s BBQ (706-782-7010) / Wedding Cake: 211 Main Street Restaurant & Bakery / Printing: He Saw Sparks / DJ: Ray McKnight + Larry Nelms / Tent: Mountain Party Tents & Events / Wedding Dress: Impression Bridal via New Natalie’s Bridals / Maid of Honor’s Dress: Light in the Box / Bridesmaid’s Dress: The Red Dress Boutique / Flower Girls’ Dresses: Bailee Boo’s Boutique / Hair + Makeup: Laura Edwards of Cloud 9 Salon (706-782-9990) + Kristen Mote / Men’s Tuxedos: Jim’s Tuxedos via Cannon’s

It is easy to recognize the ever-frequent utterances of “oops,” “sorry,” and “excuse me” heard throughout all newlyweds’ kitchens that so accurately explain those first few months of marriage. This couple decided to use the kitchen as their backdrop as they baked “save-the-date cookies” for this simply sweet and utterly adorable engagement shoot from Jessica Williams Studio. While baking some seriously delicious-looking confections, these two cuties also conjured up one of the most charming engagement shoots. Click here for even more darling photos.

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From Jessica Williams Studio… Meet Laura and Eric, high school sweethearts that are promised to marry each other in May of 2013. When Laura contacted me about working with them, she said she wanted to “do something” during her engagement shoot but wasn’t quite sold on what she wanted that “something” to be. After we discussed a few ideas, she decided that she wanted to bake “save-the-date cookies” and plan a sweet picnic together afterwards. Laura loves baking, and Eric has learned a lot from her over their years together — the two seemed to flow perfectly together throughout the kitchen. Laura was prepared for this shoot doing what she referred to as “tapping into her inner Martha,” and Eric seemed to know what steps came next without having to be so much as nudged. I think a couple who can cook together with that kind of smoothness is headed for a long life of happiness. 

For the wedding, Laura and Eric have expressed they want their colors to be the colors of berries, as they both very much like berries. Fitting for such good bakers! I suggested that for the picnic, we take some berries along with us to help incorporate their desired theme. Everything was perfectly planned … then we got the weather report. Much to our dismay, the high for the day of the shoot was 108 in Georgia, a record-breaking high temperature. Laura and Eric were troopers and stuck it out in the heat and we pulled off what I think is a beautifully romantic picnic. You’d never guess it was 108 out, would you?!

I cannot wait to shoot their wedding this coming spring. Here’s to a long, happy life for Laura and Eric!

Photography: Jessica Williams Studio

Atlanta weddings have got IT.  And by IT, I mean that downright prettiness that leaves you feeling all gooey/happy/lovey-dovey.  They are always, always chock-full of gorgeous – and this fab Canoe soiree is certainly no exception.  From the uber-stunning details to the whimsical garden vibe to a gallery simply brimming with to-die-for images by Alecia Lauren Photography, this, my friends, is a serious lesson in Peach State lovely.  See so much more right here.

From the Bride… David and I met through our jobs as physicians, and when we first started dating, he had already accepted a one-year fellowship in Sacramento, California. I was really nervous about him leaving only five months into our relationship, but we decided to give the long-distance thing a try. My dear friend Sandra was having a 40th birthday party celebration in Napa, so we planned to meet up then. That week ended up being really important for us. We had talked every single day since he left, but I think we didn’t realize how much we missed each others’ company until we were back together. We also did a good bit of traveling together that week and had a good bit of fun, both with our friends and with each other. I think you really learn a lot about someone from traveling together, and for me, after that, I just knew. One of the reasons why we asked my friend Sandra to officiate our wedding was because it was her 40th birthday weekend that really helped us to understand that our relationship was really something to hold on to. After his year of fellowship was finished, David moved back to Atlanta so we could be together again. It wasn’t too long after that that he proposed. Unbeknownst to me, he had been secretly looking at rings and discussing with my mother and sister what I might like. When he found the right one, on a typical, quiet Friday night, we went out to dinner, then came home to make a fire in the backyard fire pit. David proposed right there, at home, with our beloved dachshund, Monday, as a witness. I remember us being so happy and warm together in front of the fire. We called our friends and family the next day to share the happy news.

My 3-year-old twin nieces were the flower girls. They were so excited to throw petals for me and had practiced for days to get it right.  Then when it came time for their big moment, they were so enthusiastic about their job, they ran out of petals after five steps. Then they didn’t know what to do so they just stood there, frozen — probably noticing for the first time that all eyes and cameras were on them. David walked over to them from his spot in the ceremony, took their hands and walked them over to their dad. Every mother’s heart melted when they saw David do that, and I’m still hearing about it. So sweet.

I have always been crafty, and I was so excited to do a few DIY things to personalize our day, as well as save a little money. For our invites, I purchased bulk, ivory paper from Paper Source, had a calligrapher from Etsy create digitized files of our invite text and designed an invitation suite with Sam Flax with gold lettering. I edged all the paper elements in blush pink with an inkpad, and the return envelopes were in pink as well. I used a gold baker’s twine from Etsy to tie the invitation suites together with a sweet bow, and David lent me his steady hand to hand-cut envelope liners out of a vintage, gold, floral paper. I really owe him for that one – he didn’t complain once.  Our welcome bags were reuseable, canvas bags that I printed with a customized message, typeset like an eye chart  — a play on David’s job as an ophthalmologist. We try to be pretty healthy eaters, so we stuffed the bags with some homemade maple pecan praline granola, fruit, gummi bears and a few other things.  Wedding menus, programs, etc. were all typeset by Sam Flax and stamped by me with a gold floral rubber stamp to maintain the gold/ivory theme. I ended up purchasing a calligraphy font that I liked, which maintained uniformity between the program and menu text, as well as all the wedding day signage, which I made and printed at home. Escort cards were these huge, cool lollipops I had found on Etsy that came in customizable flavors and colors. So each guest received a lollipop with their table number, and I used the same calligraphy font to make name flags to attach to each of the lollipops. It was a nice, whimsical surprise for our guests. I also wanted to make sure that our younger guests were happy and entertained for the evening, so we set up some coloring books and fairy wands for our little guests, as well as some mad libs books for our older guests. They helped to keep everyone’s faces happy.

Wedding Photography: Alecia Lauren Photography / Wedding Venue: Canoe in Atlanta, Georgia / Floral Design: Your Flowers by Isabel / Officiant: Sandra Zaky, A Friend of the Bride & Groom / Catering + Wedding Cake: Canoe / Wedding Invitations: Sam Flax, Etsy + The Bride / Entertainment: Drivetrain / Wedding Dress: Modern Trousseau / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Hair: Murray Briggs of Salon Briggs / Makeup: DIY / Groom’s Suit: Hugo Boss / Men’s Ties: Burberry

It could be my Southern roots coming out here, but this wedding sure has knocked me off my barn-lovin’ feet. Nothing can put my heart aflutter more than the rustic barn at Chukkar Farm with amazing green, green farmland that goes on for days or the lovely images from Photographs by Anjuli that capture so perfectly the soft palette and atmosphere of this vintage-inspired wedding. With every moment of the day flawlessly expressing the personality of this creative couple, Laura Birney Events has really enchanted and delighted this Southern blogger. Click here for even more vintage wonderfulness in the gallery.

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From Laura Birney Events… Church pews in a field? Chandeliers hanging in a rustic pavilion? Sign me up! This wedding had all the elements of a perfect event and, oh, the fabulous details! Christina and Dan envisioned a vintage, rustic affair, and Chukkar Farm was a beyond perfect backdrop. For the ceremony, guests sat in church pews set in an open field. The altar was decorated with a vintage, four-pane window set adorned with hanging vases of beautiful blooms. A dear friend of the couple, Dwight Haymon, delivered a beautiful and touching ceremony.

Guests then made their way up to the farm’s pavilion area for the reception, and there was no detail left undone! Christina is an artist and a graphic designer, and she custom-made the invitations and all the beautiful paper products. She tied everything together perfectly, from the seating chart placed on vintage window panes to the table numbers to the hand-painted welcome signs. The pavilion was decorated to perfection with chandeliers, burlap and beautiful drapery. We used a variation of round and long tables and dressed them with clean, white linens. Christina provided a variety vintage bottles, vases and bowls that were set atop burlap squares. They were filled with beautiful blooms of ranunculus, anemones, godetia and astible in shades of pink, peach, coral and ivory.

Christina and Dan served amazing Korean and Thai food, which was delicious! The meal was complete with yummy vanilla and chocolate cupcakes for dessert. The guests partied on the dance floor and took pictures in the DIY photo booth until the couple’s grand exit through a sea of sparklers. The evening was filled with joy, laughter and lots and lots of love for this beautiful couple.

Wedding Photography: Photographs by Anjuli / Wedding Venue: Chukkar Farm in Alpharetta, Georgia / Wedding Planning: Laura Birney Events / Floral Design: Design House Weddings & Events / Event Design, Wedding Invitations + Paper Products: Christina Yoo Ketmayura, The Bride / Officiant: Dwight Haymon / Bakery: Publix / Ceremony Musicians: Quartet Led by Courtney Dow, A Friend / DJ: Matt Keller, A Friend / Wedding Dress: J.Crew / Makeup: Veronica Sitterding

If there’s a wedding with any hint at peach cobbler, sign.me.up. There is nothing I love more, except maybe these stop-dead-in-your-tracks gorgeous photographs from Laura Deas Photography, or the swoonworthy florals from The Vine that have made this St. Simons Island wedding so stunning. Everything from the groom’s seersucker pants to the bride’s timeless Ramona Keveza gown, each detail of this wedding is quintessentially Southern and especially beautiful. Click here for the full wedding in our gallery.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Laura Deas Photography… This wedding was special to me as a photographer because I’ve known the bride all of my life. I have to say Reagan is one lucky guy! Julia is indeed beautiful inside and out, and I feel extremely fortunate that she chose me to photographically document her wedding weekend in St. Simons. While everything from the rehearsal dinner to the reception was extremely elegant, the atmosphere had that casual, laid-back feel that you find at the beach. Congrats, Julia and Reagan!

From the Bride… Even though we both attended The University of Georgia and were in some of the same circles, our paths did not cross until some time after college. We hit it off in the summer of 2010 at a friend’s birthday party and never looked back! St. Simons Island is a special place for us and in looking for reception spots, we fell in love with the simple beauty of the Frederica Boat House. We loved the idea of arriving to the reception on a boat, and it was a magical moment when we pulled up to the dock with all of our guests watching from above. We are truly blessed to have found the perfect match in each other, so we chose “More than Everything” by Rhett Akins as our first dance song. Reagan loves surprises and surprised me when our first dance was introduced by a personalized audio message from Rhett Akins himself! For our reception food, we stuck to our Georgia roots and went with a southern theme — complete with a mashed potato bar, fried chicken, and green beans. We decided to forego the wedding cake tradition and instead serve southern cobblers — blackberry and peach — in mini mason jars, topped off with homemade vanilla ice cream. They were a hit! The next day, we were sad that our day was over, but we are lucky to have some amazing photos to remember what a special day it was for us!

Wedding Photography: Laura Deas Photography / Ceremony: St. Simons United Methodist Church in St. Simons, Georgia / Reception: Frederica Boathouse in St. Simons, Georgia / Wedding Planning: Caroline Carter Events / Floral Design: The Vine / Catering: Frederica Golf Club / Band: Mo’ Sol Band / Spa: Island Day Spa /  Golf Club: Sea Palms Golf and Tennis Resort / Wedding Dress: Romona Keveza via Bridals by Lori / Bride’s Shoes: Nina / Bride’s Jewelry: Bridals by Lori / Hair: Amy Jenkins / Makeup: Judy Crouch / Bride’s Dress Hanger: Etsy / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Children’s Clothing: J.Crew / Flower Girl Halo: Designed by the Bride’s Mother

Does it get any sweeter than a southern wedding with mason jars filled with sweet tea on top of lace and burlap at the wedding of a sweet southern belle and her handsome beau? If it does, we haven’t come across it yet. Stella Harper Events sat down with the most adorable couple (EVER) and planned a wedding that was perfectly Georgia chic. The gallery is like a cool breeze on a warm southern day thanks in full to 375 Photography!

Flash back to 2004… University of Georgia… Sorority rush has just ended. And Bid Day meant experiencing my first fraternity band party. That night I met several of these fraternity boys… but one in a red hat stood out from the rest. As we left the pre-party, that boy escorted me, with an umbrella in hand, through the pouring rain and in to the taxi. Some front row dancing, several fist pumps, and hours of conversation later, I was hooked on this boy in the red hat… Travis.

With two bachelors degrees, a master’s degree, a law degree, and moving to three new cities, the seven years leading up to our engagement were full of highs and lows, but those years laid the foundation of our relationship and ultimately our marriage. Having a summer birthday, I always felt like I missed out in grade school… never being able to take cupcakes, pass out invitations or have a party where all my friends were able to come. So as the big 2-5 was quickly approaching, I had asked Travis SEVERAL times what we would be doing hoping he had something planned. Well my actual birthday went off without any big surprises. All I got was that we would be celebrating the next day. But then my controlling nature took over… he had planned for us to go to the Botanical Gardens, out to dinner and then stay in Atlanta. Of course I had to have my input… we would get up, go to the Gardens around 9 or 10 am, and then head to maybe Park Tavern for lunch, go to our hotel and get ready for dinner. Travis had other plans in mind for our little schedule of events… 

We made it to the Botanical Gardens the next day and over to the Canopy Walk… one of the things on my Atlanta Bucket List. We made our little walk through the trees and the scorching heat, ending up in one of the many gardens. Travis insisted we walk over to the side of the waterfall, but the way he was pointing was straight towards the Visitor’s Center and Exit… exactly where we had just come from. Me being the planner, pulled out my map and tried to explain to him that he was going the wrong way. He continued to walk over to the side of the waterfall and then insisted that I take a picture of this waterfall. At this point, we were in direct sunlight. I was burning up and sweating and not too happy. So he kept insisting. And I turned to walk away. I was going to find shade. As I turned around, he grabbed my hand, pulled me around, and said “But I have a question for you…” So there was a question. A ring. Laughter. Tears. An engagement. After walking around for about 15 more minutes, we were both hot and ready to just enjoy the moment… in air conditioning. 

When it came time to plan our wedding, Travis and I knew we wanted a place that would be comfortable and reflect our personalities. We chose the Athens area because it was where we first met and our relationship began. My senior year of college, we had a sorority formal at Carl House and so it made the list of places to check out. As the planning process progressed, all of the pieces were falling perfectly in to place for our wedding at Carl House. The only date they had available in June was the 23rd… and it was at this moment I knew that this number would become so special. Travis’s birthday is the 23rd. His brother was married on the 23rd. We were engaged on the 23rd and would soon be married on the 23rd. So Carl House it was… and from there our wedding vision was quickly coming to life.

Southern. Burlap. Mason Jars. Soft candlelight. Lace. A mix of family heirlooms – all of the candlesticks that lined our estate table were collected from family members. A veil made from my mother’s wedding dress. In the 11 months leading up to our wedding, DIY projects were constantly being dreamed up and then made a reality… from our programs, table runners, cake topper and koozies, to the décor, flower girl tutu, guest book and wreaths honoring my grandfathers… It all came together in a way that was more personal and meaningful than we ever could have imagined.

Photography: Justin Wojtczak + Justin McGough for 375 Photography / Event Planning + Design: Stella Harper Events / Floral Design: Stems / Cinematography: Illuminated Videos / Venue: The Carl House / Entertainment: Spectrum Entertainment / Cake: Cecilia’s Cakes / Rentals: J & L Party Rentals /Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas / Dresses: Wedding Angels

The bride went barefoot; bluegrass music played, and sunshine and suspenders were the name of the game! I absolutely love an honest-to-goodness southern country wedding which is EXACTLY what this wedding was in every shape and form. Many of the details, including the flower bouquets, masen jars AND the bride’s wedding dress (amazing, right??) were homemade. The couple picked the perfect venue for this intimate and laid-back affair, The Barn at High Point Farms, and you can pretty much feel the warm sunshine radiating from the full gallery of photos, courtesy of Claudia McDade Photography. Absolutely lovely!

From the Bride… Will and I met the very first day of college in our very first class as freshmen at Berry College. I walked into the room, and he walked up to me, shook my hand and introduced himself. It was weird but sweet, so I sat next to him. Will claims he fell in love with me right then and there — but we both had significant others at the time so I would say we became friends…. and initially I could not really stand him! Over the years, we became close friends and started dating our senior year of college. He proposed to me on Halloween at a String Cheese Incident concert in Virginia in 2010! We spend a lot of our time going to concerts, volunteering and making artwork out of various media!

I really love the feel of a southern country bluegrass wedding. I just knew that I wanted mason jars and bluegrass music to be involved, and I wanted to be barefoot and outside. I got a lot of ideas from blogs, magazines, Pinterest and, of course, from my family and friends. My art teacher from high school, Deb Sumpter, as well as my mother, Laurie Cerretani, played a big role in creating signs and coming up with ideas for decorating the inside of the barn. My “second mom,” Mary Kay Parry, made all of the bow ties the men and ring bearer were wearing! My mom and I picked out the fabric, and Mary Kay Parry made them! My mother-in-law, Susan, and her best friends put all my flowers together as well. I told her my favorite flowers, sunflowers and daisies, and she went from there! She and her friends grew a large amount of the flowers, and they also selected some from the Atlanta farmers’ market. Erin Coughlin, Will’s brother’s girlfriend, MADE my wedding dress, and our bakery actually GAVE me the cakes as a gift because I used to work there in high school. Most of the decorations were found in antique stores, including the window pane for the menu and vases.

Just like everyone predicted the whole day went by so incredibly fast, but I have to say I did enjoy every minute of it. My sisters, Maria Cerretani and Elise Broz; my bridesmaids; my sister’s boyfriend, John Russ; my dad, Jerry Broz; and my mom all worked their tails off on the hottest day of the year to put everything together that morning!! The ceremony was simple and sweet. Will and I created it together with the help of a dear friend, Kathleen Rife. Our minister was a close friend of Will’s family, as well as the religion professor at Berry, which made the homily very sweet and personal. I think my favorite part was when my mom read an Apache wedding prayer that my grandmother had in her diary. It was so beautiful. Not to mention the fact that it was my grandparents wedding anniversary as well! There was just a buzz of positivity and happiness all around even though we were all melting from the heat! After the ceremony, the reception started, and we had the King of Pops come with their DELICIOUS local and seasonal popsicles! Bluegrass music was playing and family and friends were all over the place looking at the goats, playing games, eating popsicles, or just trying to stay cool. I danced my heart out with family, friends and the flower children! My father-in-law, Jim Watkins, played with the band, which was a big highlight of the night for me! My dad, my sister, and my brother-in-law all made beautiful speeches that I will never forget. It was such a wonderful day! I had so many people tell me it was the best wedding they had ever been to (even the caterers said that) and that truly made all the hard work feel worth it! Anyway, we had a nice sparkler send off and hopped onto a party bus with our best friends and partied the night away!

Wedding Photography: Claudia McDade Photography / Wedding Venue: The Barn at High Point Farms in Flintstone, Georgia / Floral Design: Susan Watkins, Karla DesPrez, Kathie House + Sandra Morris (The Groom’s Mother + Her Friends) / Catering: Famous Dave’s / Wedding Cake: Bill Rhodes Bakery / Popsicles: King of Pops / Music: The Allen Tolbert Unit / Wedding Dress: Erin Coughlin (The Groom’s Brother’s Girlfriend) / Hair + Makeup: Hairbenders / Bow Ties: Mary Kay Parry

This glorious fete at Grand Oaks has the perfect blend of gorgeous antique charm and soft, flawless beauty. It is everything classic and perfectly graceful, just as you would hope every Southern Belle would be. From the amazing images from Peach Blossom Photography that make us ooh and ahh, to the rustic bluegrass group, Old Mill Road Band – complete with overalls – this wedding has me homesick for the South. It is simply wonderful in every way, and the cherry on top, is actually a peach! Click here for even more loveliness in our gallery.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Peach Blossom Photography… Zach and Leah had a lovely wedding at Grand Oaks House in Cartersville this past May. Grand Oaks house is a fabulous, all-inclusive wedding venue. They picked the venue because it was a reasonable price, considering their low budget. The venue has a beautiful, lush garden with fabulous statues and natural light. The house itself is full of beautiful antiques. Ray Thacker, the owner of the house, is fabulous and designs the delicious cakes and beautiful floral arrangements himself. Leah spent a lot of time on Pinterest! She designed and sewed each bouquet wrap herself so each bridesmaids’ bouquet was unique. She placed a fun pair of earrings on each of the bouquets as a gift for the girls! Leah and Zach met at UNC and decided to get married in Georgia, where Zach is from, so the color palette was important to them.They chose Carolina blue and Georgia peach for their colors. To continue with the peach theme, they had a peach piñata made for the kids to bust since the focus of the wedding was about the whole family. One of my favorite things about the wedding is still Leah’s beautiful Casablanca lace gowns! A few other fun details included the local honey they gave as favors and the ribbon picture hanger that showed the couple at different ages. The local bluegrass band was fabulous too!

Wedding Photography: Peach Blossom Photography / Ceremony: Sam Jones United Methodist Church / Reception, Floral Design, Catering, Wedding Cake + Vintage Car: Grand Oaks in Cartersville, Georgia / Band: Old Mill Road Band / Wedding Dress: Casablanca Bridal / Bride’s Shoes: Kate Preston / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew

This photo shoot by Lovelee Affairs and Erik Umphery pretty much sums up my idea of the perfect day: wake up and cuddle with your love, spend the morning getting all dolled up, slip into a stunning Jim Hjelm gown and then get married (just the two of you!) Smaller, more intimate weddings are becoming a definite trend, and this shoot is brimming with gorgeous inspiration. See the rest of the loveliness right here!

From Lovelee Affairs… The inspiration for this shoot came from both Erik and I meeting with increasing numbers of clients who are interested in nontraditional, intimate weddings. We wanted to do something that was soft and pretty, using various shades of pink and touches of ivory. We decided to use the entry courtyard of Summeour Studio for our ceremony and reception backdrop. The atmosphere, lighting and decor worked together perfectly to create a warm, personal love story.

Photography: Erik Umphery Photography / Photo Shoot Venue: Summerour Studio in Atlanta, Georgia / Floral Design: Jade Lee of Lovelee Affairs / Linens: I Do Linen / Paper Goods: Paper Daisies Stationery / Getting Ready Location: The Ritz-Carlton Atlanta / Wedding Dress: Jim Hjelm via J. Andrew’s Bridal / Wardrobe Styling: Kelvin Wilkerson / Garter: Le Gartier Wedding Garters / Hair: Rachel Swire of Salon Cabelo / Makeup: Saisha Beecham

I don’t know how a wedding venue could be any cooler than a refurbished cotton mill from 1905, a.k.a 550 Trackside. To top it off, this adorable couple picked their wedding flowers together {swoon!} and when they heard it was going to rain? No problemo, we’ll just buy rain boots! Easy, breezy, happy is what this wedding is all about. Shower yourself with more amazing images by Twin Hearts Photography by visiting the full gallery here.

From the Bride… Last February I married the love of my life at Trackside 550 in Lawrenceville, Georgia. We happened upon this refurbished cotton mill from 1905 on a visit to my hometown of Atlanta and fell in love. After picking the venue, we used its rustic and unique essence in planning out our special day. Brandon, my husband, is a graphic designer and designed our save-the-dates, invitations and all of the printed material for our big day. He even designed a one-of-a-kind wedding website that allowed our guests to RSVP online to save money and paper. During our 14-month engagement, we were able to enjoy every second and really put ourselves into our wedding day — from my dress, which was picked out of a magazine by my grandmother, to our flowers, which we picked togther. Everything was just as we wanted it. When we saw that rain was on the schedule for our big day we went out and bought fun umbrellas for our wedding party. We also bought some rain boots to complement my dress.

Since our venue was located by train tracks, a favorite of my late grandfathers, we rented trolley for our wedding party and rode around to historic downtown Lawrenceville for group photos. Since we did first look photos and wedding party photos before the ceremony, our wedding party joined us in a toast before we went into the venue to be married. During our ceremony, I also chose to have my stepfather meet my father and I halfway down the aisle and was given away by them both. Brandon and I are also of mixed faith, so I wrote the ceremony and we had a family friend officiate. The chuppa was decorated with a family heirloom, a tablecloth passed down through three generations. A college friend sang “The Lord’s Prayer” and we had readings from The Alchemist and the Bible. Our ceremony ended perfectly as an oncoming train blew its whistle right as our officiant said, “I now pronounce you husband and wife.” Our guests erupted in applause at the magical unplanned moment.

Our reception was a blast. Being fans of the Beatles, Brandon and I decided to name each of our tables after a Beatles song. When it was time for guests to get their food, the DJ released the table by playing their particular song. It worked perfectly, and we had a dinner hour full of great Beatles music. The food, specialty beer and wine was picked by both Brandon and me. For our cake, we had cupcakes in four flavors: red velvet, strawberry, chocolate and banana chocolate chip. Guests also enjoyed our photo booth, and the photos they left in our guest book are already memories we cherish. The dancing went until the last possible moment, when Etta James’ “A Sunday Kind of Love” put the perfect end on a magical night. From start to finish, everything was just as it should have been. Most importantly, Brandon and I got to spend an amazing weekend with our favorite people in the world and celebrate our commitment and love for each other. He’s my best friend and my soul mate, and I couldn’t be happier to be sharing forever with him by my side.

Wedding Photography: Twin Hearts Photography / Wedding Venue: 550 Trackside in Lawrenceville, Georgia / Event Coordination + Catering: Events by Dezine / Wedding Invitations, Programs, Paper Goods + Wedding Website: Brandon Tully (The Groom) / Music: Fonix Entertainment / Transportation: Georgia Trolley Services / Photo Booth: ShutterBooth / Wedding Dress: Priscilla of Boston (Now Closed) / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Dessy / Mother of the Bride’s Dress: J.Crew

This couple deserves a standing ovation, a really nice prize or how about just a lot of big ol’ whopping respect from us here at SMP for putting together such a gorgeously tasteful and stylish wedding with a modest budget. We are so impressed with the bride’s DIY execution, and the fact that she partnered with Sautee Nacoochee Vineyards to hold the first wedding ever at the venue is just icing on the cake. The pictures are simply a must; so enjoy browsing through all of them in the gallery, courtesy of Ashley Ryan Photography.

From the Bride… I stumbled upon Sautee Nacoochee Vineyards while my fiance and his parents were wine tasting in the North Georgia mountains one weekend. While talking to one of the staff members, we got onto the conversation about weddings, how popular they have become on vineyards, and how I have always dreamed of having my wedding on a vineyard. Fate took over because the staff member informed me the venue was finishing up their wedding venue and looking to book their first wedding. I immediately got in touch with the owner and set up a time to come see the venue. It was perfect and everything I could have wanted. It was homey, vintage, romantic, laid back, simple, and absolutely breathtaking! I am proud to say that I did everything DIY and created this wedding on a serious budget. The total cost of my wedding was — ready? $5,000.00! Everything turned out perfect and could have not been more enjoyable. For it being the venue’s first wedding, they assisted in so many tasks and were helpful every step of the planning process. I am truly blessed to have family and friends with such creative minds and help me along the way — and Pinterest!

The venue really came through on decoration. Instead of chairs, I opted for their cloth benches that have”live, laugh, love, dream” painted on them.  The view was immaculate enough, so to go along with the winery theme I had a wine barrel replace where an altar would be that we placed our unity candle on. Along the aisle, we had stakes in the ground with candle holders hanging on them. It was tastefully simple. My little niece walked down the aisle with a “here comes the bride” sign before I walked out. Another idea from Pinterest. My little nephew carried our rings on a pillow my grandmother made out of her mother’s lace handkerchief. Such a sweet idea. For the reception, I used the tables provided by the venue and rented white linens. I got half my table top ideas from Pinterest, and my grandmother added her special touch to the other half of tables. I bought birch wood slices off the internet and put mason jars with candles in them wrapped in lace. It created such a romantic ambiance. My grandmother put together vintage bird cages. Our food was catered by Moe’s Original BBQ. We know the owners, so they definitely went above and beyond to make sure everything ran smoothly. The menu hung from a clothespin on chicken coop wire, which was another idea from Pinterest! My cake was made by my mother’s cousin who owns a bakery. She made tiers miniature cupcakes, and at the top of the tier, she placed a mini cake for us to cut.  The grooms cake was made of mini red velvet cupcakes with butter cream icing on top! Our DJ is my dear friend’s husband. He really pumped up the crowd and played such a variety of music. For a guest “book,” we had a large wooden L made that our guests signed with a metallic pin. It really turned out great, and now we now have it hanging in our house.

Everything about this wedding expressed Colt’s and my taste and laid-back nature. Out main concern was for everyone to feel comfortable, have a great time and enjoy the breathtaking view of the vineyard. Guest were coming up to me, saying it was one of the best weddings they have been to, which made me so happy — I never thought I would have a wedding due to my budget, but if you plan accordingly, take on your own tasks and make it about you and your husband, everything will fall in place. I honestly wasn’t expecting it to be perfect because we couldn’t afford the luxuries I thought I “needed” but it indeed turned out perfect!

Wedding Photography: Ashley Ryan Photography / Wedding Venue: Sautee Nacoochee Vineyards in Sautee Nacoochee, Georgia / Floral Design: The Bride’s Grandmother / Event Design + Planning: The Bride + Sautee Nacoochee Vineyards / Catering: Moe’s Original BBQ / Wedding Invitations: Invitations by Brittany / DJ: To the Rescue Entertainment / Wedding Dress: Bari Jay via Wedding Angels Boutique / Bride’s Shoes: Lulu Townsend / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Wedding Angels Boutique / Men’s Tuxedos: Calvin Klein via Men’s Wearhouse

No matter how many times I take in every.last.ounce of this breathtaking Atlanta affair, I still can’t wrap my head around just how downright gorgeous it is.  Set amongst the sprawling garden paradise of the Barnsley Gardens Resort, it’s a Jane Austen novel come to life with fabulous fashion, a glowing Mr. and Mrs. and a decidedly whimsical twist.  The Studio B Photography snapped up every last moment and the gallery is one you just.can’t.miss.  Join me there for more.

From The Studio B Photography… Megan and Tripp were married on the beautiful grounds of Barnsley Gardens Resort. The whole day was filled with a wonderful combination of personal touches and the utmost attention to making guests comfortable. The couple included a moss version of their beloved dog, Cody, at the top of the aisle, and Tripp’s grandfather did a wonderful job officiating the ceremony. The reception was amazing, complete with meaningful toasts (and even a poem!) and a packed dance floor. Band X provided wonderful entertainment for everyone, even inviting the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom up on stage to sing “We Are Family!”

Wedding Photography: The Studio B Photography / Wedding Venue: Barnsley Gardens Resort in Adairsville, Georgia / Floral Design + Decor: Edge Design Group / Wedding Cakes: Frosted Pumpkin / Wedding Invitations: Smock / Band: Band X / Wedding Dress: Christos “Brisa” via Bridals by Lori / Bride’s Ceremony Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Bride’s Reception Dress: Melissa Sweet via Priscilla of Boston (Now Closed) / Bride’s Reception Shoes: Qupid / Hair: Belize Salon / Makeup: Nicole Orozco / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Bari Jay via Bridals by Lori

I love paper.  I love the pretty little details, the beautiful typography and the way a gorgeous letterpress invitation feels against your fingertips.  I love receiving that very first Save-the-Date, the oh-so-stunning invite and finally seeing those pretty, pretty menus at the reception.  Yep… I am obsessed.  So, when it comes to finding swoon-worthy invitations, well… it’s no surprise that I am head over heels for Foglio Press.  These masters of all things paper goods are taking classic styling and modern details to an entirely new level.  It’s perfection.

No doubt about it – Foglio Press will take your unique vision and turn it into an absolute reality with custom pieces that will wow you AND your guests.  I’m talking handmade and imported envelope liners, leather cording, raw silk ribbon wraps and the highest quality papers available.  Add to that years of experience, traditional printing techniques and an overall awesomeness and you have yourselves an invitation suite that is all sorts of fabulous.  And, really, who doesn’t want that?

So, here’s where it gets really exciting.  Foglio Press will be launching a completely re-designed collection of ready-to-order invitations and stationery on their Etsy shop and website in 2013… and they’d LOVE to hear your input on their new collection!  Just head on over to the Foglio Press Etsy Shop and leave a comment below telling us which invitations are your favorite OR what you would love to see in the new collection and you’ll be entered to win a set of 50 letterpressed Thank You notes!  Leave your comment by August 16th for a chance to win.  For terms and conditions, click here.  Good luck, lovelies! xoxo

Good morning, lovelies! Let’s start this Monday off right with a sweet wedding by Tessa Marie Photography featuring a bride and groom who chose the Evergreen Marriott Conference Resort as their wedding venue after having their high school senior prom there-how cute is that! The gorgeous outdoor setting was perfectly highlighted with lush, organic florals by Chuck Milne Productions. Take a peek at the full gallery for even more Monday morning prettiness!

From the Bride… I always knew I wanted a summer wedding filled with bright colors and warm sunshine, and that’s exactly what I had. Once Ryan and I had our senior prom at the Evergreen Marriott Conference Resort in Stone Mountain, Georgia, I knew that’s where I wanted to get married. The Evergreen Marriott is surrounded by beautiful lakes, trees and flowers. My wedding day was more perfect that I ever dreamed it would be. The sun was out, and the sky was clear blue. I felt incredibly beautiful, and I could hardly contain my anticipation! I’ve never been more excited about something in my life before. My wedding dress fit right into my summer theme because of the flowers that covered the dress and the sweetheart neckline. Ryan glowed and looked more handsome than ever. I felt so relaxed with him during our first look and knew that we were both exactly where we were supposed to be in life.

Wedding Photography: Tessa Marie Photography / Wedding Venue + Catering: Evergreen Marriott Conference Resort in Stone Mountain, Georgia / Floral Design + Reception Decor: Chuck Milne Productions / Music: Fonix Entertainment / Wedding Dress: Watters via J. Andrews Bridal / Hair + Makeup: Brushworx

This lovely wedding emanates rustic charm and Southern warmth at every turn. We’re loving the details everywhere we look — chandeliers hanging from the ceremony tree, haystack sitting areas draped with blankets, horseshoes and a puppy in a bowtie. I mean, what could be better? (And we could go on and on and on!) Vinewood is clearly the ideal venue for a rustic and intimate wedding, and  the amazing folks at The Studio B Photography captured all of the rustic loveliness right here.

From The Studio B Photography… At the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding, Casey’s dad spoke about what it was like when his son was growing up: “The first time he rode his bike, I was terrified. He was by himself on those two wheels, and I didn’t know what was going to happen. The same thing happened again when he first drove a car and when he first drove a boat. I was so scared because he was on his own. Then years later, he met Amanda, and I knew from the first time he spoke about her that she was special. When he proposed to her, I finally stopped being afraid of the new things Casey came across because I knew from that point on that he’d never be alone.”

These two love each other fiercely, and the support they have for each other is unwavering. Two weeks before the wedding, Amanda finished up her first year of medical school. A couple who can get through that together in the final days leading up to a wedding can get through anything! The pair were married at Vinewood, and the whole day was sweetly Southern and laid-back. In honor of her late mother, Amanda’s bouquet had her picture pinned on it. She also wore her mother’s veil, which was cathedral-length and stunning. The ring bearer was their adorable Rottweiler puppy Gunner, who donned a seersucker bow tie for the occasion and did a great job! Amanda and Casey said their vows beneath the shade of the “wedding tree,” and it was beautiful. Guests enjoyed dinner and dancing in the stables, and a good time was had by all.

Wedding Photography: The Studio B Photography / Wedding Venue: Vinewood in Newnan, Georgia / Floral Design: Virtu Floral Design / Styling + Design: Jamie Elliott McPherson of Vinewood / Catering: Making Memories Catering / Wedding Cake + Dessert Table: Blooming Flour Bakery / Dessert Table Styling: Southern Flair Events / Custom Paper Goods: You’re Invited / Chandeliers: The Funky Shack / Wedding Dress: Judd Waddell via Bridals by Lori / Bride’s Veil: Her Mother’s / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: LulaKate