Georgia Weddings

Friday, we shared their engagement session, and today we open up the week (which I’m excited to say is filled with stunning soirees around every corner) with this stylish couple’s wedding. They are the kind of couple that can have a beautiful, completely chic, stunning wedding with very little effort – because they are just that cool. Cool enough for Artstar by Laura Stone to capture their unbelievable day, and cool enough to pack our gallery full of envy-inducing details!

We became long distance in 2008 after I moved to Atlanta to be closer to my family. It was a challenge and there were some really tough times, but because we had such a strong foundation we ended up on the other side unscathed and stronger.  

Photography: Artstar by Laura Stone / Flowers: Rory Moon  / Ceremony & Reception Location: Flint Hill / Shoes: Mui Mui and Marc Jacobs / Dress: Anne Barge / Event Planning & Design: Magic Moments / Invitation Designer: Paces Papers / Cake/Desserts: White Windmill Bakery / Bridesmaid’s Dress Designer: Diane Von Furstenberg / Bride’s Necklace, bride’s earrings, and bridesmaids’ rings: Made Her Think

We know we are in for a special treat anytime The Studio B Photography sends a little inspiration our way – and today’s darling photo shoot is a swoon-fest to the EXTREME.  I’m talking soft pink hues, chevron stripes and a bundle of glittery goodness like you’ve never seen.  Set against a stunning Atlanta backdrop and styled to absolute perfection by Fine & Fleurie, you’re in for a weekend filled to the brim with sweet, modern details and a whole lot of pretty.  Click here for more.

Click here for the FULL photo shoot!

From Jessica of Fine & Fleurie… I have wanted to put together a modern rooftop shoot for some time, and the terrace at The Peachtree Club offered an unparalleled Atlanta skyline view that was exactly what I had in mind. After putting together a inspiration board loaded with gold, champagne and pink tones and a decidedly feminine feel, I called on some of Atlanta’s sweetest wedding professionals to help pull it all together. My vision of a stylish but romantic bride came to life the moment I saw our model in this Monique Lhuillier gown and no-fuss braided up-do. I wanted to keep our table design fresh and light, with varying heights that called to mind the many buildings serving as our background. The floral arrangements included lots of Dutch freesia, roses, baby’s breath and the prettiest pale pink stock, making our table not only beautiful, but also cost-effective and super fragrant! A little pink champagne, gold-glittered menus and pink chevron napkins rounded out the modern look.

Photography: The Studio B Photography / Venue: The Peachtree Club in Atlanta, Georgia / Floral Design, Styling + Accessories: Fine & Fleurie / Stationery Suite + Calligraphy: Buzzy Craftery / Wedding Cake: Sugarplum Visions / Drapery: Event Drapery / Linens: I Do Linens / Wedding Dresses: Monique Lhuillier + Rivini via Fabulous Frocks of Atlanta / Shoes: Target / Hair + Makeup: Claudia Mejerle

Boasting a beyond dreamy riverside location, a whole lot of country charm AND a gorgeous bride in boots, this lovely Senoia affair by Odalys Mendez Photography is EVERYTHING I absolutely adore about a Southern wedding.  Yep, from the rustic chic stylings to the fab pops of aqua blue to a night filled with yummy BBQ, I just can’t get enough.  Plus, with a duo as seriously cute as these two filling EVERY SINGLE image with L.O.V.E., it’s going to be a very happy Thursday, indeed.  Click here for more.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Odalys of Odalys Mendez Photography… This southern rustic wedding took place in Senoia, Georgia. The couple wanted to incorporate their love of country living, simplicity, and southern charm into their day. The ceremony took place under an oak tree in front of a river. The vibrant color scheme of brown and turquoise was as cheerful and down to earth as the couple. The bride and groom made their exit in a jeep and went to a private “retreat” after the ceremony, where they toasted with champagne and took in the hilltop view from a rustic bench draped by an heirloom quilt made by the bride’s grandmother. The menu included old family recipes for biscuits and southern barbecue, and guests received homemade jam as a favor. The flower arrangements were a mix of traditional delicate roses and rustic twigs.

Wedding Photography: Odalys Mendez Photography / Wedding Venue: Big Oak Plantation, A Private Property in Senoia, Georgia / Floral Design: Virtu Floral Design / Event Planning: Melissa Turner (simplysassyevents@yahoo.com) / Barbecue: Tulla White Cuisine and Catering (706-845-8888) / Wedding Cake: Cutie Pies and Cakery / Artwork on Easel: Glory Haus / Wedding Dress: Romona Keveza

I have to admit that I wish I could go back in time and do a day-after session with my hubby.  I love the photos that were taken after our ceremony but I was on such an emotional high it was hard to just breath and take in the moment.  Plus I loved my wedding dress and seeing my husband looking so handsome in his suit.  It would have been so special to have one more day to enjoy it.  This adorable couple definitely created something special with these photos by Happy Everything Co..  The field, the light, the love between them.  It is all just magical.  See it all in the full gallery!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Kaylan of Happy Everything Co.… Mark and Meier got married this past September at the Walters Farm. They had a gorgeous southern wedding with handmade details that made the wedding one-of-a-kind. Their ceremony was the sweetest, most pure moment I’ve ever seen. You can see their wedding here. We were so excited when they wanted to do a “day-after” shoot and throw on their wedding attire — I just can’t get enough of this gorgeous couple. Because the bride is studying for her doctorate, we were just able to schedule the shoot recently. The sun was golden, and we had a blast in a quiet field in Georgia…

Photography: Happy Everything Co. / Location: A Field in Alpharetta, Georgia

Every day I find a new reason to fall head over heels for the Peach State – and today’s darling Savannah affair planned by Posh, Petals & Pearls most definitely ranks at the VERY top of my list.  The gorgeous tree-filled ceremony and brilliant images by Azelle Photography are enough to make any Georgia lover completely giddy – and when you cap it all off with a serious celebration at the amazing Tybee Island Wedding Chapel, you KNOW we’re in for one awesome day in the gallery.  Join me there for more.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… The first time I stepped foot in Savannah, Georgia, I fell in love with the city. From the rich history and lovely architecture to the large live oak trees everywhere you turn, what was there not to love. It is one of the most romantic places I have ever been. Dustin and I wanted to have a destination wedding, but we were having trouble deciding on where we wanted to go. One day while talking, he suggested that we go to Savannah for our wedding. He had never been to Savannah himself and had only listened to the countless stories about my travels there. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought of that first. It was perfect! Savannah would be close enough that our family and friends could attend, but it was still far enough away that it would be an adventure for them as well. I knew it would be stressful trying to organize a wedding from eight hours away. The first thing I did was look for someone in Savannah to help me with the planning. Little did I know, the first decision I made would be the best one. I found Tara and Ashley of Posh Petals and Pearls. They organized the whole event from start to finish. All I had to do is tell them my budget and what I wanted, and they took care of the rest. To my delight, it wasn’t stressful at all.

Our wedding day was perfect. The sun was shining through the limbs of the live oak trees as we were married on Lafayette Square. The occasional breeze would gracefully blow the Spanish moss dripping from the tree limbs. A to Zinnias cheerful floral creations looked so beautiful in the natural setting of the park, and I absolutely loved my bridal bouquet. It was very special to us both. I ordered a memorial charm from Etsy to be placed in it for Dustin’s mother. This was a very sweet reminder of her and a wonderful keepsake. Kristin from New Arts Ensembles played the harp masterfully as the guest arrived and were seated. Dustin and I had decided to take pictures before the wedding ceremony so that we could enjoy more time with our family and friends. Jason and Veta from Azelle Photography worked wonders with us, and it shows. Their kindness and relaxed approach was very calming, and through their artistic eye, they captured the feeling of our day perfectly. After the wedding ceremony, Dustin and I, along with our guests, boarded a stately trolley that was provided by Old Savannah Tours. We really enjoyed the trolley ride. This gave us a great opportunity to thank everyone for coming. The trolley ride came to an end at the gorgeous Tybee Island Wedding Chapel for the reception. After our first dance, we were treated to some of the best low-country food I have ever had, made by Cape Creations. They really did a great job. Everyone just kept bragging on how good the food was. After the reception was over, the trolley took us back into town as we witnessed the most spectacular sunset over the marsh. I really could not believe how smoothly everything flowed and how relaxed Dustin and I both were throughout the day. We truly enjoyed every minute of our special day.

Wedding Photography: Jason + Veta of Azelle Photography / Wedding Ceremony: Lafayette Square in Savannah, Georgia / Wedding Reception: Tybee Wedding Chapel in Tybee Island, Georgia / Wedding Planning: Tara + Ashley of Posh, Petals & Pearls / Floral Design: A to Zinnias / Ceremony Music: Kristin of New Arts Ensemble / Officiant: Rev. Steven Schulte / Catering: Cape Creations Catering / Rentals: Savannah Special Events by Ranco / Guest Transportation: Old Savannah Tours / Bridal Preparations Site: Cathedral Inn / Hair: Hot Headz Salon (912-335-2773) / Makeup: Face to Face Makeup

You just won’t be able to help falling in love with this couple.  They are sweet, charming, funny and oh-so head over heels for each other.  You’re also not going to be able to stop yourself from falling for their sophisticated and elegant wedding captured by Gracie Blue Photography.  The fact that this Athens beauty was done with budget-friendly creativity makes it that much more amazing!  Click here to see it all!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Grace of Gracie Blue Photography… This beautiful wedding took place in North Georgia near the University of Georgia, where the couple met. Sam is a Marine, and he surprised Sarah with an engagement ring on Federal Hill in Baltimore, Maryland, back in July 2011 on a weekend trip. On their wedding day, Sarah was glowing. She was confident and full of joy. It was blatantly obvious that this was the best day of her life. The two decided to do a first sight session before the ceremony, and it paid off. There’s nothing more beautiful or intimate. Their bridal party was incredibly supportive and funny. The individual personality portraits of each one was the bride’s idea, and they rocked it. There was so much laughter and fun in the air, and that created a happy environment for Sarah and Sam.

The ceremony was performed by Sam’s dad. He included some personal and touching knowledge about the couple’s relationship and the strengths he’s come to recognize in it. During the vows, Sam got choked up, and Sarah held his hands tightly. The reception was held at the Melting Point in Athens, Georgia. A fun atmosphere for a fun group that likes to get down, complete with a photo booth by Athens Photo Booths. This was a budget friendly, yet sophisticated wedding full of love and laughter.

Wedding Photography: Gracie Blue Photography / Ceremony: The State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens, Georgia / Reception: The Melting Point in Athens, Georgia / Photo Booth: Athens Photo Booths / Hair: Mint Hair Boutique

We fell head.over.heels for this gorgeous duo’s Savannah nuptials, so it’s no surprise that we love their “Day Before” session JUST AS MUCH.  Yep, it’s a well-known fact that we simply ADORE two people in love… and these two cuties are positively GLOWING.  From the sweet looks shared in Chippewa Square to the good times had at Six Pence Pub (Hello Guinness!), there’s not a single brilliant image captured by Cheryl Joy Miner Photography that won’t leave you feeling all warm and St. Patty’s Day cozy.  See them all here.

Click here for the FULL engagement session!

From Cheryl of Cheryl Joy Miner Photography… We actually did a “day before” session instead of a typical engagement session because Dan and Erin live out of state. It was SO much fun to see them both in the midst of all their wedding planning coming together. They were giddy with excitement. We visited Chippewa Square, where the two were engaged. It’s also the square from Forrest Gump — which was a complete coincidence. Dan had a different square in mind, but the day he proposed, Erin’s feet were killing her and she insisted on stopping on that very bench. Talking that day, it was evident that Dan is very proud of his Irish heritage. We decided to visit the Six Pence Pub and sit down for a nice glass of Guinness. Apparently, Erin always writes their initials and hearts in their Guinness. They are just too cute.

Photography: Cheryl Joy Miner Photography / Location: Savannah, Georgia

When you you have a crazy creative couple and that couple has a plethora of crazy creative friends you know that their wedding is guaranteed to be a gorgeous day!  That’s definitely what this pair of lovebirds got at their Atlanta celebration captured by Aragon Photography and Artworks Wedding Cinema.  So many details and elements were contributed by friends from the coordination to the cake to the cool paper goods making the entire day that much more special.  After you check out the full gallery make sure you watch the amazing film below!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Cheryl of Artworks Wedding Cinema… If there was ever a couple who incorporated all their personalities into their wedding day, it’s Anna and Joseph. I could immediately tell the two had fun and unique personalities when I laid my eyes on all the details! Their wedding took place at Park Tavern in Atlanta, which is an open and light venue that overlooks Piedmont Park as well as taking in a beautiful view of Atlanta’s skyline. We had a blast filming and editing their little film and really played up their fun personalities in their film. We wish Anna and Joseph the very best in their life together!

From the Bride… Since so many of our friends helped us with the cool and unique elements of our wedding, I would love it if we can highlight their contributions.  They really tried to tie all the elements and theme together even though they were all working independently. Our friend Anita of CakeKarma made our wedding cake, and our friend Sandy created the sweet bar and organized most of our vendors. Another friend, Becky at Pinto Bean Press, made our save-the-date cards, our custom wedding print with the penguins and our skate handboard favors. I work for a skateboard company out in LA, so of course, we had to have mini skateboards as our wedding favors. :) Our friend Chris Hamer of Urbnpop created the “Marry Me” Mega Munny vinyl toy for Joseph when he proposed. I guess his original plan was to take it with us on our business/holiday trip to London, but it was too big, so he ended up just bringing the sign with him so I wouldn’t suspect anything. The Munny is supposed to represent all the places we’ve been together in eight years and all the places we plan to go. We also used another Mega Munny for our guestbook.

Wedding Photography: Aragon Photography / Wedding Venue: Piedmont Room at Park Tavern in Atlanta, Georgia / Wedding Planning, Coordination + Sweet Bar: Sandy Sun of Vanity Affairs (A Friend of the Couple) / Floral Design: Eki Flowers / Wedding Cinematography: Artworks Wedding Cinema / Wedding Cake: Anita of CakeKarma (A Friend of the Couple) / DJ: Lethal Rhythms Entertainment / Skate Handboard Favors, Custom Wedding Print + Save-the-Date Cards: Becky of Pinto Bean Press (A Friend of the Couple) / “Marry Me?” Mega Munny Design: Chris Hamer of Urbnpop (A Friend of the Couple) / Wedding Programs: Gartner Studios DIY Kit / Photo Booth: Red Eye Photo Booths / Accommodations: Loews Atlanta Hotel / Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal / Shoes: Caparros Shoes / Hair + Makeup: Fashion Taipei Studio / Tuxedos: Men’s Wearhouse

There’s nothing quite like a wedding crafted to perfectly fit a couple. It always makes for the happiest, most gorgeous of affairs. We liken it to a wonderful dinner party built just for you and your love. And in this case, Georgia-fied in the prettiest of Savannah ways with the help of First City Events and Garden on the Square. This gem has everything from wildly beautiful flowers to nautical striped linens and the cutest lacy TOM’S, making this is a Southern charmer through and through. Ashley Hoskins Photography captured way too many lovely images to squeeze into one post so we have them all sitting pretty in the gallery for you to pore over. Enjoy!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Victoria of First City Events… Kellye and Bram’s wedding involved so many wonderful details. From corn hole on the side of the garden to lemonade in mason jars, this wedding felt like an elegant and intimate back yard wedding. The ceremony décor featured refurbished church pews for the parents of the bride and groom to enjoy, along with blue and white programs that matched the handmade table runners at the reception. The unique details didn’t stop there, with café lights strung from the tent, a boat as the bar, chalk board signs and canned honey for their guest favors. Kellye and Bram enjoyed a live band as they danced the night away with their friends and family, then ended the evening with and exit donning their favorite Tennessee Vols pom-poms and pendants. It was truly a wedding made for them!

Wedding Photography: Ashley Hoskins Photography / Ceremony: Monterey Square in Savannah, Georgia / Reception: Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum in Savannah, Georgia / Event Coordination: Victoria, Katy + Bonnie of First City Events / Floral Design: Garden on the Square / Catering: Chef Nick Mueller & Company / Wedding Cake: Kerry O’Connor Cake Design (912-236-0016) / Ceremony Music: New Arts Ensembles / Reception Music: Doctor Doctor / Corn Hole Game, Mason Jars + Wedding Details: The Bride / Rentals: Savannah Special Events by Ranco / Lighting: Stage Front Presentation Systems / Transportation: Old Town Trolley Tours / Getaway Transportation: Savannah Pedicab / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier / Bride’s Shoes: TOMS / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Various Navy Blue Dresses / Hair + Makeup: B Street Salon / Men’s Ties: Brooks Brothers

This Augusta wedding is all about the little, personal details.  As a graphic designer, this bride knew about all the best ways to bring her wedding style together and packed a big paper punch through the invitations, wish tags, dessert cards and even the cups!  An adorably unique wedding was created with these sweet touches and details that incorporated family history and fun. Giving Weddings gave it all they got to bring us these lovely images!  See them all in the full gallery!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… I was very excited to start planning my wedding, but to be honest, I had no idea where to start! We had a modest budget, which required me to pull from my creative side. As a graphic designer, I was always getting the “latest” invitation designs and coolest ideas. The hardest part was to pick an idea and STICK WITH IT! I knew I wanted to do something contemporary and modern for our save the date — saving the nicer, more expensive paper stock for our wedding invitations. I came up with a “love bird” idea, mainly because of Jason’s nickname that has followed him since high school: “Bird.”  All of his friends still call him Bird, and on our first date, that’s all I could think of! I had the hardest time remembering his real name! I didn’t want the “bird” theme to get out of hand, so I kept it simple with a small logo at the bottom of all our print materials.

It was important to me to incorporate my family’s background into certain parts of our wedding. Between Jason and me, the only surviving grandparent is my grandmother, who is German. (I call her Oma.) We decided to honor her by not only printing our invitations on German handmade paper, but also ordering our wedding cake from a local German restaurant.  I have never liked the taste of traditional wedding cake and since Jason was open to ideas, we decided to have a table full of various cakes! We had everything from Black Forest Cake to Prince Regente (a yellow layered cake brushed with rum flavoring and apricot preserves, then covered in chocolate buttercream — yummy!). I also asked Oma to bake two of my favorite cakes: Mocha Torte, a chocolate cake with mocha frosting, and Viennese Torte, layers of pound cake and chocolate ganache.

Our reception was held at Enterprise Mill, which I chose for it’s architectural elements — exposed brick walls and large exposed beams running the length of the room. We dressed up the room with large arrangements of simple yellow roses. My background in graphic design has taught me that it’s the little details that really bring a concept together. I spent hours creating unique gift bags, wish tags (instead of a traditional guest book) and even a special treat for our guests from our dog, Sage. Family heirlooms are important to me. I wrapped a piece of lace from my Mom’s wedding veil around my bridal bouquet. (Mom wanted me to wear her veil, but after I tried it on, we both agreed that her 1980s veil did not pair well with my dress!) I secured the lace around my bouquet with my Dad’s pearl tie pin. I wanted something of his with me as I walked down the aisle. My bouquet consisted of white hydrangea and white ranunculus. It was beautiful!  My bridesmaids carried small bouquets of yellow roses, a great contrast to their floor-length, slate-colored dresses! For the ceremony, I wore my Oma’s pearl necklace. In the pocket of my wedding dress I carried the handkerchief she used at her wedding along with a new monogrammed handkerchief my matron of honor surprised me with the day before the wedding! My favorite moment was immediately after our first kiss. Jason leaned in again after he kissed me and gave me a short, sweet kiss on my cheek. It was the most endearing moment. I felt so full of love and happiness. That moment made the whole day absolutely perfect in my eyes.

Wedding Photography: Brent Cline + Chris Campbell of Giving Weddings / Ceremony: St. John United Methodist Church in Augusta, Georgia / Reception: Enterprise Mill in Augusta, Georgia / Floral Design: Charleston Street / Wedding Invitations: Phoenix Printing / Wedding Cakes: Villa Europa + Two Cakes Made by the Bride’s Grandmother / Cake Topper: knottingwood / Band: The Endalls / Ring Bearer Nest: Garden Side Studio / Wedding Dress: Galina for David’s Bridal / Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade “Charm” / Bride’s Veil: Marisol Aparicio / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Jim Hjelm (Style JH5084) via Bridals by Lori / Bridesmaids’ Necklaces: Ann Taylor Loft

It doesn’t get more adorable than this backyard beauty by Sugar Snap Photography. It just doesn’t! The Bride’s dress is enough to send you into a tizzy of excitement, but then we you add the sweet DIY details and the couple’s adorable pups we go into an adorable territory that hasn’t been touched.  If you need even more adorable to get you through they day – well, visiting the full gallery needs to move to the top of your Monday to-do list!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… When Austen and I (then full-time college students at the time with very little money and absolutely no construction experience) bought a 60-year-old, dilapidated house to completely renovate and live in two years ago, everyone told us we were crazy. So it didn’t come to a shock to many of our friends or family when we announced we were getting married in our un-landscaped backyard —and doing everything ourselves — on a very low budget in less than 60 days. Sure, getting married at your house with little money and even less time isn’t the simplest thing in the world, but I guess we are just DIY people, and when it came to our wedding, I could not have been more pleased with the choices we made.

Every last detail of our wedding was DIY, handmade or budget-friendly. We set our budget at $5,000 and even though every one told us we were crazy, we tried with all our might to stick to it. Sure, it made things a little more difficult, but in the end it caused us to be much more creative and involved. Best of all, because we enlisted so much help from our friends and family, each detail of our wedding is even more meaningful to us. Most of the flowers we used were grown by a gardener friend of ours and the bouquets were arranged by me, my best friend and my wonderfully helpful aunts. Our rings were handmade for us by a jewelry artist on Etsy. The catering was done for us by an incredibly generous family friend and the cake was baked and decorated for us by my mom, using her famous carrot zucchini cake recipe. The favors were made from honey from my uncle’s honey farm and were an enormous hit. The live centerpieces were potted by my mom and me (a week before the big day and in the rain, no less), and the decor, which included dozens of chalkboards, cake stands, lanterns, and countless pillar candle holders, was all tediously painted and put together by my handy groom. The music for the ceremony was played for us by my Dad and a few other musically inclined family members, and the ceremony was written and led by my witty uncle and grandfather. Each aspect was thought out, deliberate and helped us tell our story to our guests.

Sure, there were many melt downs, catastrophes and mishaps along the way (yes, a pizza delivery guy DID barge in right in the middle of our ceremony, and yes, the power did temporarily go out the during the reception, taking both our music and light source with it) but we gained so many wonderful memories that made all the blood, sweat and tears worthwhile. We really hit the wedding jackpot in my eyes, because not only did our wedding end up symbolizing our love for each other, but also the immense amount of love and support that we have from our friends and family. Looking back, we are so happy with the choices we made and just feel so very grateful for each and every person that helped make our wedding day so magical. And lastly, my advice to all the DIY or budget brides out there? Go for it! Have fun with it! And, while you’re at it, enlist lots of help! You really can have the wedding of your dreams without spending your whole life’s savings. It won’t always be easy, but the result will be a wedding that is as meaningful as it is beautiful.

Wedding Photography: Sugar Snap Photography / Floral + Event Design: The Bride / Decor: The Groom / Catering: A Family Friend / Wedding Cake: The Mother of the Bride / Officiants: The Uncle + Grandfather of the Bride / Favors: Michael’s Mountain Honey (Owned by the Uncle of the Bride) / Wedding Dress: BCBG / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Menswear: J.Crew / Rings: SingleBbeautiful / Rentals: Unlimited Party Rental

I love reading about each of our couple’s creative process and planning journey.  It’s so inspirational to see how they took their initial vision and brought it to life with their own unique style.  This bride took her traditional wedding and mixed it up a bit with fun, feather-filled arrangements by Urban Poppy to create a lovely, natural and elegant affair.  Greg Ceo filled our full gallery with so many more details so head over there to see it all!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

And not one but two videos from Derek Scearce!

From the Bride… As soon as the words “Yes, of course, Yes, Yes!” came out of my mouth, I knew exactly where we were going to get married: Savannah, Georgia. I had no idea where the ceremony or reception would be. But I definitely knew Savannah was the place. Darren and I took our first out of town trip down to Savannah. It is a place with romance and beauty. The venues were chosen when Darren and I went to Savannah for a weekend. We got there late at night and decided to take a stroll around the Historic District of Savannah. Savannah is blessed with 22 lush green squares that are surrounded by treasures of historic architecture. As we arrived at each square, we took in the beauty each one had to offer. Telfair Square was the square that literally mesmerized me that night. It wasn’t just the beauty, but the peaceful, quiet, serene feeling that came over me as we entered the square that put me in awe. However, the “this is the place” moment happened as I continued through the square and saw the softly spotlighted Jepson Center for the Arts. It really is a modern marvel of architecture amidst two of the oldest and timeless historical buildings in Savannah.  That image, modern architecture next to historical/traditional architecture, captured my inspiration for our wedding, “traditional with a touch of modern.” Oh, and also I forgot to mention something my cute husband did when we were walking through Telfair Square. He pulled me near to him, kissed me and said, “This is the place, I can picture us getting married right here.” Then he kissed me again. How could it not be the place after that! 

The style of our wedding was clear in my mind.  I could see the colors and knew the feeling I wanted to create; therefore, I planned the wedding myself.  However, for my sanity’s sake and wanting to be stress-free the week of the wedding, I hired a wedding coordinator, Jeannie of Brilliantly Designed Events. She was crucial, and I could not have been happier with her services. Planning an out of town wedding is tricky. Since I live in Atlanta, a lot of my planning was done online. So glad I live in the 21st Century — phew! I came across Urban Poppy while browsing … and browsing … and browsing florists in Savannah. Anissa’s website/portfolio/blog kept my attention for about an hour (to say the least). She creates arrangements that are striking and it amazes me how she thinks to group the various flowers/greenery together that you don’t normally see. After a phone conversation with Anissa, I scheduled a time to meet with her. I told her I wanted fall colors, burnt oranges, reds, deep yellows, and most importantly, pheasant feathers. With the ceremony outside, I wanted some natural elements and textures.  Calla lilies and orchids were the main flowers I wanted.  She did her magic and worked in other complimenting flowers perfectly.

My largest DIY project was painting the pedestals that held the flower arrangements for the wedding ceremony. I bought plaster columns from Garden Ridge. I started by applying a light brown paint as the base paint. I layered on a crackle texture application. I followed the crackle texture with a darker brown matte paint. I detailed the fluted columns with a black stain along the edges to try and create dimension. I ultimately wanted the columns to look somewhat worn. To create the worn look I rubbed dirt (Yes, dirt!) on various areas. The final touch was adding moss to the base and up the column slightly. I applied the moss with a spray adhesive. Anissa with Urban Poppy actually liked these so much, she bought them from me!

Wedding Photography: Greg Ceo / Ceremony: Telfair Square in Savannah, Georgia / Reception: Jepson Center for the Arts in Savannah, Georgia / Floral Design: Urban Poppy / Event Planning: Jeannie Sims of Brillantly Designed Events / Wedding Cinematography: Derek Scearce / Wedding Cake: Michelle Still of Delectable Designs / Catering: Paul Kennedy Catering / Drinks: Bull River Beverage (912-897-7690) / Rentals: Savannah Special Events by Ranco / Band: Terry Lee and the GTs / Ceremony Musicians: New Arts Ensembles / Exit Pedicab: Savannah PediCab / Wedding Dress: Pronovias “Feria” / Bride’s Veil: The Groom’s Mother + Sister / Bride’s Shoes: Nina / Flower Girl Baskets + Ceremony Flower Columns: DIY / Ring Bearer Pillow: The Groom’s Mother / Programs: The Bride’s Sister

As much as we love backyard weddings, barn bashes and al fresco affairs there is something about a ballroom celebration that fills us with delight every single time.  There is a classic beauty that accompanies these grand gatherings especially when they are full of so many sweet, personal details like this Statham wedding by Melissa Tuck Photography.  See it all in the full gallery!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the bride… Thomas and I wanted a wedding day packed with special moments, tradition and people we love. We definitely got all of that and more. After dating for eight years, Thomas proposed in Napa Valley, and we planning started as soon as we were back in Georgia. We knew we wanted something local and thought that Athens was the perfect choice. Not only am I from that area, but we spent four years together there in school at UGA. We decided on my family’s church for the ceremony, and The Georgia Club was the perfect reception site.

Our first part of planning was the dress. Walking into the bridal store, my mom saw a heads-up penny in front of the door and saw it as a good sign for the day. It must have been a good sign for the entire wedding planning process because everything went very smoothly. We found and bought my dress that day. Everything else was just as easy. The first photographer we met with was perfection. The first florist we talked to was the best fit for our style as well. The first band we listened to was just what we were looking for, and we only visited one reception site and booked it immediately.

As for the actual day, I could not have imagined anything more perfect. We were surrounded by such a great group of family and friends who made our day so special. Our families are so important to us, and they were involved in so many aspects of the day. My dress had pockets and I carried a penny that all the women in my family have carried on their wedding day, the lucky penny from the dress shop and a cutting of lace from my great-grandmother’s wedding dress. Our ceremony was so personal, sweet and fitting for us a couple. We then enjoyed celebrating and dancing with our families and friends to end a wonderful day. Everything fell in place perfectly thanks to that lucky penny!

Wedding Photography: Melissa Tuck Photography / Wedding Venue + Catering: The Georgia Club in Statham, Georgia / Floral Design: Gardenia Floral Design / Wedding Cake: Publix / Cake Topper: The Bride’s Parents’ Cake Topper at their 1982 Wedding / Ceremony Music: Carter McMullen / Reception Music: The Splitz / Wedding Gown: Allure Bridals / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Alfred Sung via I Do, I Do Bridal Boutique / Hair + Makeup: Roxy Salon, Spa and Boutique / Groom’s + Groomsmen’s Attire: I Do, I Do Bridal Boutique / Graphic Design by Puddleduck Paper Co.

Oh, how I love, love, LOVE a winter wedding.  Yep, that warm, cozy vibe gets me every.single.time – and this Callaway Gardens affair just moved to the top of my favorites list.  The setting is STUNNING, the bride and groom are BREATHTAKING and the sweet handcrafted details are SWOON-WORTHY times ten.  Add to that an amazing Vera Wang gown and an entire gallery of heart-warming images by David Murray Weddings and well.  I’ll be spending my entire Friday soaking it all in.  Click here for more.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… Callaway Gardens is located in Pine Mountain, Georgia. The pine forests in the winter are beautiful and brown with touches of dusty green which inspired the color scheme. The forest floor is covered with pinecones, which led me to use them in our details. I wanted to share some of my favorite things with family and friends who would be celebrating with us. Old family wedding pictures, southern heritage baskets, preserves and grape vine wreathes from our farm, pictures of Brandon and I growing up and our life together. For favors, we made homemade preserves from fruit grown on the my family’s farm! They were presented in family antique baskets with framed portraits of my mother and grandmother making preserves. Each batch was unique and made with fruit ripe at that time. My grandmother reproduced old family recipes, while my mother added modern twists such as bourbon and basil.

Wedding Photography: David Murray Weddings / Wedding Venue: Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia / Flowers: Details of the Gardens / Wedding Dress + Veil: Vera Wang / Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Jenny Yoo / Groom’s + Groomsmen’s Attire: JoS. A. Bank / Bouquet Handkerchief: A Family Heirloom / Fruit Preserve Favors: DIY by the Bride + Her Grandmother / Embossing: Horchow / Mason Jars + Baskets: Family Antiques / Grapevine Wreaths: DIY by the Bride’s Grandfather

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

View Portfolio

There aren’t many things more fabulous than when a couple puts their own spin and personalized stamp on the design of their wedding.  That is what we love so much about this Savannah soiree by Jenny Evelyn Photography.  They took a classic style, that was already full of that fantastic Southern charm we all love so much, and added so many playful, heart-felt details.  Click here to see it all!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Jenny of Jenny Evelyn Photography… Ashlee and Scott’s fabulous Savannah wedding featured two gorgeous gowns, two vintage cars, three fantastic locations and so many adorable details!  I loved the sentimental and personal details, like Ashlee’s grandfather’s Air Force pin that she used to pin her bouquet and the pill bottles filled with pralines that this pharmacist couple gave to their guests. The three locations truly defined this couple’s big day. They had a “first look” in Savannah’s iconic Forsyth Park, filled with beautiful trees and dripping in Southern Spanish moss. Then they went on to the ceremony at one of Savannah’s oldest chapels, Whitefield Chapel at Bethesda School for Boys. Finally, they left their ceremony in style in a vintage Rolls Royce and headed to their reception at The Mansion on Forsyth Park. This beautiful venue is filled with fabulous chandeliers and was the perfect location for the bride, the groom and their guests to dance the night away. This couple also had some great DIY projects. The mother of the bride made the bridesmaid’s bouquets, the groomsmen’s boutonnieres and the groom’s cake — a tribute to their alma mater, The University of Georgia. They also created tiny flags with the inscription “And they lived. . . Happily ever after.” The guests waved the tiny flags as the couple rode away in their classic Chevy 442. 

Wedding Photography: Jenny Evelyn Photography / Ceremony: Whitefield Chapel at Bethesda School for Boys / Reception: Mansion on Forsyth Park / Flowers: Chuck Hanes / Bridesmaids’ Bouquets, Groomsmen’s Boutonnieres + Groom’s Cake: The Mother of the Bride / Mini Flags: DIY / Wedding Invitations: Open House Charleston + Embossed Graphics / Other Paper Accessories + Decorations: The Mother of the Bride /  Wedding Dress: Pronovias / Shoes: Stuart Weitzman + Pour la Victoire / Earrings: Diana Warner via Melissa Tecklenburg of Open House Charleston / Silk Photo Album: Melissa Tecklenburg of Open House Charleston

Get ready to be WOWED by yet another Georgia beauty marrying her handsome beau in all out southern style. It just never gets old. Swoon-worthy, steal-worthy all out southern perfection snapped up by Happy Everything Co., it’s hard to not love something so darling. So kick off your boots and get acquainted with all the lovely in the full gallery of images!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Kaylan of Happy Everything Co.… Stacey and Greg had a gorgeous southern wedding at The Reid Barn in Cumming, Georgia. This charming wedding included every handmade detail you could image. The bride chose to design and make lanterns for her and her bridesmaids to hold instead of the traditional flowers. Each centerpiece was carefully crafted out of old wood, lanterns, and florals. All DIY was done by Stacey and her two sisters Shelly and Stephanie. The couple had a candle-lit ceremony topped off with one of the most fun receptions we’ve been two. Hats off to the creativity and thought this southern couple put into there fairytale wedding!

From the bride… Our wedding was at a barn on a BEAUTIFUL day. We had all homemade decorations with a touch of both of our styles but kept everything very simple. We had our family and closest friends there and loved EVERY minute of it! My favorite part of our decorations was our beautiful altar!

Wedding Photography: Happy Everything Co. / Wedding Venue: The Reid Barn in Cumming, Georgia / Flowers, Lanterns + Decor: DIY / Event Design: The Bride, Her Sisters + Her Mother / Event Planning: Carmen Smith (carmsmith@comcast.net) / Wedding Dress: Custom-Made in China / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Allure Bridals via Jillian’s Bridal Loft

What do you get when you combine one VERY stunning Georgia backdrop, a breathtaking bride and groom and an adorable Columbus Day theme?  Well, lovelies.  You get this ogle-worthy Jekyll Island Club affair by the oh-so-talented Agnes Lopez Photography and, WOW, is it amazing.  Yep, an entire bundle of nautical goodness is coming your way, including sweet seahorse table numbers, a plethora of “Old World” touches and charming pink and blue hues.  All planned to absolute perfection by Nancy Hillis of Romantic Weddings of Savannah by Nancy, trust me, Columbus Day never looked so good.  Click here for more.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Agnes of Agnes Lopez Photography… Lauren and Troy came down from Charlotte to have their wedding in an outdoor ceremony on the lawn at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel’s Crane Cottage. They incorporated a bevy of amazing details for their Columbus Day-themed wedding, from floral seahorses and wooden ships to compasses that served as place cards. And that wasn’t all — the attention to detail extended all from the bride’s brooch and seahorse bouquet to the way to the cuff links, belts, and nautical map fabric that lined the inside of the custom suit jackets that Troy and his groomsmen wore.

From the Bride… After much discussion over having a summer wedding, we decided to marry in October and not subject our guests from up north to the summer heat in South Georgia. We also wanted to marry on a holiday weekend, but not a busy one such as Labor Day. Not everyone had that following Monday off, but this way, any of our out of town guests who did have the day off and wanted stay an extra day could do so without having to miss work or school. So, that is really how our date came to be October 8th, 2011 which was Columbus Day weekend!

Growing up in Savannah, Georgia, I have always been fond of everything nautical, but I thought the month of October was too much in the fall to do a summer-themed wedding. For me, I definitely had to have a “theme” in order to pull it all together, and with our wedding being on Columbus Day weekend, I could still have my nautical themed wedding and not feel so weird because summer was over! Now, I didn’t want anything too beachy — no sea shells or sand. I wanted everything to be “Old World” style and very traditional. So, my first thought was of the old Tall Ships, compasses and old world maps. Those were the main things that made me think Christopher Columbus! After racking my brain and searching all over the internet for “Old World” items, I decided that it was all becoming way too masculine and I needed to add some more feminine touches. I then decided to change our colors from navy and cream to navy and pink, and I incorporated the seahorses as a whimsical touch. I searched for anything and everything that would go with our theme, from the old world map lining in the men’s custom suit jackets to the small seahorse figure on my dog’s custom made navy and pink hair bow… and everything in between! I went all out with my “Columbus Day” theme, and it began with our save-the-dates that read, “Please join us Columbus Day Weekend, as we set off for a new world together.”

Wedding Photography: Agnes Lopez Photography / Wedding Venue: Crane Cottage at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel in Jekyll Island, Georgia / Wedding Planning +  Flowers: Nancy Hillis of Romantic Weddings of Savannah by Nancy / Floral Design, Ship Arrangements, Carnation Seahorses + Seahorse Table Numbers: Nancy Hillis of Romantic Weddings of Savannah by Nancy / Music: Cloud 9 / Wedding Invitations + Save-the-Dates: beyonddesign / Wedding Programs: Sweet Talk Designs / Compass Escort “Cards”: Laura Hooper Calligraphy / Wedding Dress: Paloma Blanca / Bride’s Belt: Desla Couture via J. Majors Bridal Boutique / Pearl Hair Clip: J. Majors Bridal Boutique / Custom Rhinestone and Pearl-Covered Heels + Clutch Purse: Alibaba.com / Bride’s Other Shoes: Prada with Customized DIY Lace + Details / Brooch Bouquet: Noaki / Makeup: Jackie Neal / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Alfred Sung / Bridesmaids’ Necklaces, Bracelets and Earrings: Miss Annie May / Bridesmaids’ Shoes: Nordstrom / Men’s Custom Suit Jackets: Astor & Black / Custom Cuff Links: Cozad Sundry Fine Art Atelier / Belt Buckles: bmused / Belts: Orion Leather Co. / Men’s Shoes: Johnston & Murphy / Rhinestone Seahorse Buckles for Napkins + Bridesmaids’ Bouquets: Rhinestone Jewelry Corporation / Guest Book, Matching Pen Holder + Tiered Cake Card Box: LoveNotes / Dog’s “Flower Girl” Dress + Matching Leash: Pampered Pup N Stuff / Custom Navy and Pink Dog Bows: Val’s Diva Do’s / “I DO” Shoe Stickers: YourHappilyEverAfter / Laser-Cut Seahorse Favor Boxes: KatBluStudio / Sixpence for Bridal Shoes: Mon Amour Boutique / “Bride” Silk Robe: Victoria’s Secret / Welcome Box Stickers: iDoArtsyWeddings / Bride’s Welcome Dinner Dress: Sherri Hill via Poffie Girls

I am thoroughly impressed with this next couple.  The creativity they have between them is outstanding and the amount of projects they made for their adorable, al fresco wedding is quite admirable.  I’m talking about hand-sewn programs and invitations, paper lanterns, and garlands galore.  Their hard work definitely paid off because the result is a magical fairy tale full of color and lots of love!  Twin Hearts Photography perfectly captured all the details with a whimsical vibe that adds to the feeling of wonderment.  Click here to see it all!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

Twin Hearts Photography even put together an incredible film that you won’t want to miss!

From the bride… Our wedding was mostly a DIY type of wedding with LOTS of personal touches and sewing. Justin and I wanted something magical with a whimsical feel, and it was better than we had even imagined. All the hard work everyone put into this wedding paid off once we saw it all come together to create the perfect, enchanted wedding we dreamed of. Our outdoor wedding took place in the magical gardens of Cator Woolford Gardens in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia. I think it is the best kept secret in the city! It is an outdoor garden filled with beautiful landscaping and set an amazing backdrop for our big day. One thing that made it special to us was that they take 80% of the proceeds and put it towards the Frazier Center, which is a school for children and adults with disabilities. This was very near and dear to our hearts since I have a sister with disabilities. The other 20% goes to maintaining the gardens throughout the year.

We had a pre-ceremony cocktail hour with signature cocktails, and we made tons of flower stirrers out of tissue paper and floral tape for everyone’s drinks. I wanted the day to have a romantic and charming feel along with a very whimsical theme … almost fairy tale-like. I had some help from my friends at Bold American with the florals and the backdrop for the ceremony, which was so creative! We chose 4 different colors which blended so well together- heather gray, coral, Tiffany blue and a pear green. How I came up with these colors, I have no idea! I just could not decide — so I decided to use them all.

With help from my amazing and creative mom and mother-in-law, we made from the flowers in the bridesmaid’s hair to the cone-shaped lights over the candy table — and everything in between (even my hubby’s wedding present — 52 reasons why I love you on a deck of cards). We had the best time making all the things for the wedding, and most of all, watching people’s reaction to the details. It really was the best day of our lives… Of course none of this could have been done without the help of my family and Daria, our wedding planner. Daria and her assistant put together everything and kept it all in order. They also put together the beautiful candy table! I also ordered a few things from Etsy, such as the table numbers, but just added my personal touch to them by sewing on the fabric numbers. I also ordered a fabulous wooden keepsake box and had it painted and our names engraved on it. A sewing machine, fabric, ribbon, candle lit staircase, mossy branches, orchids, and great company all came together to make our special day so magical! I had a vision before we even started planning that I wanted everything to be very personal. We used one type of fabric and sewed — yes, I said SEWED — the invites, programs, seating cards, candle covers, and used tons of ribbon! I tried to incorporate the fabric we used for the invites into everything we made for the wedding. It all came out beautifully!

Wedding Photography + Cinematography: Twin Hearts Photography / Wedding Venue: Cator Woolford Gardens in Atlanta, Georgia / Flowers + Event Design: Bold American Events / Event Planning + Candy Table: Daria MacGregor of Circle of Love Weddings / Wedding Invitations: DIY + Bumblebee Press / Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero / Shoes: MIA / Wedding Cake: Mark Lotti of Classic Cheesecakes & Cakes / Catering: Endive Catering / Bridesmaids’ Hair Flowers, Candy Table Lights, Invitations, Programs, Seating Cards + Candle Covers: DIY

We are going to end the week with some seriously show-stopping Savannah wedding inspiration.  With an all-star cast of Georgia’s finest vendors, like Scott Hopkins Photography, Urban Poppy, and Posh Petals and Pearls, this photo shoot is bound to make its way into your inspiration folder and into your heart.  We are loving the peppy spring colors, rich patterns and luxurious textures all mixed together to create an elegant al fresco affair.  See it all in the full gallery!

Click here for the FULL photo shoot!

From Melissa of Scott Hopkins Photography… We teamed together with Posh Petals and Pearls, Bleubelle Bridal and Urban Poppy Flowers to create a lemon yellow and robin’s egg blue inspired table scape and candy bar. The dresses included an Oscar de la Renta dress and a Romona Keveza lace gown from Bleubelle Bridal Boutique. This shoot displays the beautiful landscapes that are found in Savannah, Georgia. From the oak trees with the Spanish moss to the coastal waterways and marshlands, Savannah is an amazing backdrop for this shoot.

Photography: Scott Hopkins Photography / Location: Savannah, Georgia / Flowers: Urban Poppy / Event Design: Posh Petals and Pearls + Urban Poppy / Wedding Dresses: Oscar de la Renta + Romona Keveza via Bleubelle Bridal

When both your and your groom’s families have been dreaming of your wedding day since you were children then there is bound to be a stellar celebration when that day finally arrives.  This Piedmont Park wedding by Scobey Photography is certainly one of those weddings and it’s bound to tug at your heart strings as it did mine.  Full of emotion and not lacking at all in the gorgeous details department it is a modern day fairy tale for the ages.  Click here to see it all!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Ashley and Graham of Scobey Photography… Their moms had been planning their wedding for years. Long before Nicole and Daniel were even engaged, it was their families who knew what they had to look forward to: a beautiful union and a celebration of forever. Everything was just so right, and so their moms, armed with an abundant love for their children, began praying for the day Nicole and Daniel would say “I do.” The planning and the prayer and the love all showed through in every gorgeous detail and moment of their emotional wedding day, and we were incredibly blessed to get to document it all.

Wedding Photography: Scobey Photography / Wedding Venue: Greystone at Piedmont Park Conservancy in Atlanta, Georgia / Wedding Planning: Courtney Surber Paz / Floral Design: Gramma B’s Home & Garden / Wedding Cake: Nothing Bundt Cake / Catering: Affairs to Remember / Ketubah: Louise Baum / Wedding Dress: Romona Keveza / Bride’s Shoes: Cole Haan / Bride’s Hair: Zizi and Julie of Variations / Bride’s Makeup: Cheryl Rodriguez / Groom’s Suit: Brooks Brothers / Band: U.S. Beat / Accommodations: The Westin Peachtree Plaza