Georgia Weddings

This adorable couple didn’t let the threat of rain or a chill in the air ruin their beautiful, outdoor wedding. The pops of bright yellow flowers courtesy of Le Bonne Fleur certainly brightened their already happy and upbeat day. The Studio B Photography captured all the pretty DIY details and there’s so much more in the full gallery. Click here to see it all!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From The Studio B Photography…Every now and then a weather miracle occurs on a wedding day. Such was the case for Shannon and Eric’s big day, which was held entirely outdoors at the stunning Cator Woolford Gardens in Atlanta. As long as the extended forecast had been available for the wedding day, it called for rain. There was a backup option in case of rain, but the beautiful grounds of the garden were precisely what made Shannon fall in love with the venue, and it would be sad to give that up. Enter the miracle.

It rained the day before the wedding, and then the clouds disappeared. They left behind a slight chill in the air, the perfect weather for an autumn wedding which was highlighted by the lovely changing colors on the trees. Shannon and Eric opted to see each other before the ceremony, allowing them to have some time together to share their excitement, as well as have time for portraits of just the two of them.

The ceremony was lovely, and on their way back up the aisle after getting married, Eric scooped up his new wife and carried her across the lawn. Shannon is a graduate of The University of Florida and showed her team spirit with her blue and orange garter and his and her coozies. The chilly weather made the reception atmosphere cozier, with guests snuggled up in blankets that the bride and groom had provided for them. The couple surprised their friends and family with a choreographed first dance that the whole bridal party participated in. The happy couple exited through a line of guests blowing bubbles.

Wedding Photography: The Studio B Photography / Venue: The Cator Woolford Gardens / Wedding Coordinator: Occasions by Charlotte / Floral Design: Le Bonne Fleur / Catering: Bold American / Wedding Dress: Lis Simon via LaRaine’s Bridal Boutique / Bridesmaid Dresses: Jasmine via J. Andrew’s Bridal Salon / Stationery Graphic Design: Stephanie Gomez / Stationery Printing: Paper Affair

Happy Weekend, LBBers! I hope you’re fully enjoying your weekend – but I need your attention for a few minutes. We have a seriously cute couple to share with you today. And a seriously grand wedding. Gorgeous, classic, and chic – just like the blushing bride. A cinematic trailer from the oh so talented team at Three Ring Media to start your day off right – but before we get there, Altmix Photography is on a mission to prove to you just how cute this couple is. Click here for more!

Seriously. A button. As in, cute as. Now get ready to fall in love just a little more with these two, thanks to this beautiful cinematic trailer from Three Ring Media – which gives us a peak into their fabulous day.

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Nick and I, unbeknownst to each other, both made similar career changes at the same time.  I decided to pursue a Master’s degree and stop teaching high school, while Nick decided to go back to school for electrical engineering after working as a mechanical engineer.  In the meantime (which turned out to be a recession), we both found jobs as bartenders.

I hired Nick as a bartender in the fine dining restaurant I managed in 2007.  We immediately began working together nightly in a small space, only to find we didn’t get along too well at first.  Nick was used to being the bar manager himself and taking orders from no one.  My cute teasing and boisterous personality made him a bit uncomfortable.  He couldn’t tell if I liked him or not.  I was not quite sure what to make of Nick, either.  His southern accent and snotty personality made me think he was conceited.  I couldn’t tell if he liked me or not.  It was very much like the meeting of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice.

Finally, one night after going out for a drink after work, I mentioned my interest in astronomy.  Nick was currently reading a book titled The Elegant Universe and mentioned the subject of the book: M Theory.  I had been looking for someone to talk with about M Theory for years and couldn’t help from engaging in a twenty-minute conversation as we sat in my car outside the restaurant’s parking lot.  After that, we figured things out; we had both been uncomfortable not knowing what the other thought about us because each of us desperately wanted the other person to like them.  I hired Nick as my boyfriend not long after.  Even though the restaurant went out of business, we know how lucky we have been to be an unemployed literature teacher and an unemployed engineer who met at a restaurant that no longer exists.  And the story is still a bit like Pride and Prejudice although now we have come to the marriage!

Our main goal for our wedding was always to create a family-centered, vintage-inspired, and eclectic wedding, which would still be filled with tradition and southern charm.  We drew inspiration from ourselves as a couple.  We bond over literature and philosophy, shared our first kiss in a gazebo—where Nick proposed to me two years later—and we value our family.  As only children, we shared the importance of having friends and family travel to our wedding only to feel important and peaceful.  So, we decided to incorporate a writing theme where books took the place of table numbers, a vintage typewriter stood in for the guestbook, and the beautiful Wimbish House in midtown Atlanta became our own Victorian garden party location. Of course the bridal table was titled Pride and Prejudice.

My mother & I made the Wimbish House feel like our home, which is one of the charming appeals, to me, of having your wedding in a historic home.  We selected pictures, not just of Nick & I, but also of our family and our parents, grandparents, & great-grandparents on their wedding days to remind us of the heritage and tradition to which we belong.  I also carried Nick’s grandmother’s rosary with my bouquet; however, the most personal touch was the groom’s cake.  Nick’s grandfather, Papa Dude, passed away the winter before our wedding, and I wanted to find a surprising way to include his memory.  Our baker, Sweet Sensations, made a groom’s cake featuring Papa Dude’s boat and we placed traditional cake toppers (from Etsy) in the boat instead of on the bride’s cake.  Our fabulous planner, Nicole Fantz, in addition to placing all our handmade objects and pictures, made sure Nick & his father had private time to view the cake before the ceremony.

I always knew I wanted banquet tables at my reception and our food to be served family style.  After going to many wedding with rounds, I felt, and still feel, that banquet table allow more conversation and remove any hard feeling which may surface regarding table seating.  Also, family style service promotes conversation, adds a rustic (perhaps southern) touch, and saves money!  Our caterer, Endive, was only too happy to accommodate this preference, which allowed us to serve two proteins instead of one!  Our love of wine, my love of sparkling water, and my, now maiden, name (Mason) prompted us to create deconstructed arrangements scattered around the tables housed in wine bottles, San Pellegrino and Perrier bottles, and mason jars.  We collected all the glasses and bottles ourselves and our florist, Melanie Pink, filled them with beautiful, delicate, and rustic florals to add to our theme.  The florals helped frame the vignettes of our tables, pictures, and this lovely home.

The most popular place at our wedding was the patio, where we placed a cigar bar and piped out Sinatra tunes. Even during August heat, the guests crowded the patio and we saw the mingling of our two families. Our elderly male guests can’t stop talking about all the girls smoking cigars!  Nick’s father supplied some very nice cigars for the occasion, and after-dinner drinks, like sherry and liqeuers, accompanied the cigar bar.  As bartenders, we felt we needed to invest in a full bar, and since the Wimbish House let’s you bring in your own liquors, we saved hundreds!

My favorite parts of our wedding were the hand-binding during our ceremony, a private stroll for pictures with our photographers Matt & Kate Altmix, a private delivery of appetizers from our planner, laughing with my husband, listening to my father’s speech, dancing with my mother, and leaving our reception in a horse-drawn carriage, which became a special private trip for us to rejoice in our day together amongst the streets of our city, which always seem more quiet and beautiful out of a car, even with congratulatory shouts!

Our day went by so fast and our memories were quite scattered, so we were so pleased to receive our wedding video from our videographers, Three Ring Media.  Now, we will never forget our memories and how much we would have enjoyed being guests at out own wedding!

Photography: Altmix Photography / Cinematography: Three Ring Media / Floral Designer: Le Bonne Fleur / Planning & Event Design: Nicole Fantz of Peachtree Weddings & Events / Invitations & Favors: Delphine Press / Cake: Sweet Sensations / Caterer: Endive / Wedding Gown Designer: Rivini / Bridesmaids Dresses: J.Crew / Venue: The Wimbish House

Another wonderful week has come and gone here on SMP Georgia, but we aren’t quite ready to say goodbye just yet.  Nope, we have one very stunning Atlanta soiree and a bundle of breathtaking images by Light Love Laughter Photography to help us bid adieu… and this gorgeous fête is not only boasting a plethora of sweet details (including lovely purple hues and an uber-fabulous cake), but a beautiful Piedmont Park location that has seriously taken my breath away.  That ceremony is just wow.  Click here for even more!

Click here for the entire image gallery!

From Light Love Laughter Photography… Ashley and Josh were merely nursing school friends who enjoyed studying together but before long what began as a friendship grew into something much larger. Josh grew up in the Philippines and even had a pet monkey as a kid. He’s as sweet as sincere as any groom I’ve ever known and is the perfect match for Ashley. She’s driven, loves being a nurse, she’s beautiful, and loves to stay running (she’s dedicated enough she completed a workout bright and early the morning of her wedding) and absolutely loves sharing the adventures of life with Josh.

Ashley also really loves the color purple. They exchanged their vows in a beautiful late afternoon ceremony on the lawn at Piedmont Park. With the support and love from their family and friends they said “I do” as the very last sun rays of light broke through the trees they were pronounced husband and wife.

Their reception was elegant and beautiful and they shared their favorite pictures from their engagement session with their guests as they served as the anchors for the table numbers. Ashley and her father shared the most touching first dance I’ve ever witnessed and it was a party of celebration and excitement for the union of these two with all their friends until they very end.

Wedding Photography: Light Love Laughter Photography / Wedding Venue: Magnolia Hall at Piedmont Park / Wedding Dress: Jim Hjelm via J. Andrew’s Bridals / “Mrs. Myers” Dress Hanger: deliziare / Bride & Groom Chair Signs: Sweetest Moments / Wedding Guest Book Tree: Say Anything Design / Bridesmaid Robes & Parents Gifts: Chrissy’s Creations / Wedding Rings: The Shane Company / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Bridesmaid Dresses: Bill Levkoff via J. Andrew’s Bridals / Bridesmaid Shoes: Nine West + Their Choice / Men’s Tuxes: Savvi Formalwear / Floral Design & Reception Decor: Flowers From Us / Hair: Ben White of Bob Steele Salon / Makeup: Leslie Roberts / Catering: Avante Catering / DJ: To The Rescue Entertainment / Honeymoon: Excellence Playa Mujeres / Wedding Coordinator: Surber Paz, Weddings & Events

Get ready to fall in love with this sage-infused Savannah soiree by Nate Henderson Photography. Ready? Ok – because you’ll need to brace yourself for the prettiness that is this wedding and the cuteness that is the ring bearer making his way down the aisle in his own little car. Have you ever seen a cuter entrance by a dapper young man? I think not, but that is just the beginning of all the pretty – there is so much more to love in the full gallery!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Nate Henderson Photography…Morgan and Brian are both active in the military and were married over Memorial Day weekend at the modern Avia Hotel, a nice contrast against the historic beauty of downtown Savannah. The terrace at Avia provided the perfect urban setting for their intimate ceremony. Afterwards, a trolley took the wedding party on a short tour of Savannah. Their last name, Root, provided a theme for the day: a guest fingerprint tree, root beer floats, and root tree cake among others.

Wedding Photography: Nate Henderson Photography / Floral Design: Garden on the Square / Event Planning: Lisa Martello of Avia Hotel / Ceremony + Reception Location: Avia Hotel / Wedding Cake: Delectable Designs

Good morning, SMPers and a happy, happy Monday to you!  The holiday weekend may be officially over, but we are still in a very festive mood here on SMP Georgia… and all because of two uber-adorable lovebirds and one cute as can be Save-the-Date video by JAMS.  Yes, this darling stop motion film will leave you grinning from ear to ear with its delightful soundtrack (which I may or may not have just downloaded) and sweeter than sweet jump roping theme.  Seriously, if this ah.ma.zing film is any indication, I can’t wait to see what these two cuties have in store for their big day.  So, prepare yourselves for a whole lot of awesome and enjoy!

From the Groom… We were about to send out Save The Date postcards and my fiancee Jamie (Savannah, GA native) asked me, “Can’t we do something more fun?  More ‘us?’” Now, as background, I happen to be a filmmaker who runs a boutique marketing and production company, JAMS.  So, when Jamie asked me if I could do something “creative” – I came up with the idea for a stop-motion music video.  Together, we came up with the story line.  I wrote a script.

The shoot took about six hours.  We edited it.  Then emailed it to our family and friends.  The response was incredibly positive.  It ignited great excitement for our big day and actually has led to couples from as far away as Dubai emailing us to help them make their Save the Date video. The interest and it being the best experience we’ve had as a couple led us to start our own Save the Date video company called Better Save The Date.

And, for me, the funniest thing about stop-motion animation is that it has the power to make a dorky Jewish guy like me actually look momentarily cool.

Cinematography: JAMS

We have a wondrously romantic woodland wedding for you on this fine day of thanks and giving.  Shaded under a large oak and surrounded by loved ones these nuptials, captured by Melissa Prosser Photography, are full of wonderment and magic.  Perfectly wild arrangements of seasonal blossoms and vintage vessels nestled into little beds of moss look darling against the woodsy backdrop.  Click here to see all the natural beauty and have a marvelous holiday!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Melissa Prosser Photography…Katherine and John hosted an absolutely beautiful wedding at Dunaway Gardens.  The only way to describe their day is fairytale.  I have never walked into a venue and felt like I was in another world!  The ceremony was hosted under a beautiful gigantic tree.  It was a simple ceremony with a few readings and personalized vows from the couple.  Katherine chose a very natural whimsical decor to go with this amazing outdoor venue.  Lots of beautiful flowers donned the tables that seemed like mother nature had put them there, the buffet was filled with candle light and vegetables. Even her dress felt like from another world.  It definitely had a vintage nod with the color and style and fit her quiet sweet personality to a tee!  The reception had an awesome jazz band that kept the atmosphere going into the evening.  Friends and family enjoyed catching up with each other, dancing, or simply enjoying the outdoor fireplace.  It was an evening to remember

Wedding Photography: Melissa Prosser Photography / Wedding Dress: Claire Pettibone / Bride’s Shoes: Seychelles / Food: Avalon Catering / Band: Moonlight Jazz Trio / Groom’s Suit: H. Stockton / Floral Design: The Perfect Poppy / Venue: Dunaway Gardens

My dreams come true every day on SMP. All the pretty inspiration that dances in my head comes alive on my computer screen even better than I could have imagine thanks to talents like Love Is a Big Deal. For example, this bridal shoot? Simply gorg. That dress by Winifred Bean? Is beyond dream worthy. It’s a perfect way to get lost on a Wednesday, and there is so much more where this came from!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Love Is a Big Deal…We all wear it everyday, but this bride has never made cotton look so good! This field was the perfect backdrop for this romantic dress by Winifred Bean and beautiful Jannie Baltzer headpiece. The dress is light and lovely and can be worn so many different ways. Cover the shoulders or let the chiffon drape for a more whimsical look. The “Bridget” headpiece was the perfect accessory. This dreamy photoshoot is the definition of a pretty southern bride.

Wedding Photography: Love Is a Big Deal / Wedding Dress: Winifred Bean / Headpieces: Jannie Baltzer / Hair + Make-up: Christi Smith

St. Simons Island is fast becoming one of my favorite destinations on Style Me Pretty Georgia… and it’s lovely affairs such as this one captured by the wonderful Allison Reisz Photography that have me so enamored with this Southern island paradise.  Held at a private estate that simply screams beautiful, these nuptials were a DIY dream come true… from the wildflower centerpieces and bouquets to the cute as can be jam favors, every moment was handcrafted with love by the bride and groom.  There’s nothing I adore more than a wedding in which the couple’s personalities really shine through… and this one will leave you smiling for days.  Click here for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Allison Reisz Photography… Patsy and Jeff’s wedding took place in St. Simons Island, Georgia. St. Simons is part of Georgia’s “Golden Isles” which make up Georgia’s coastline. Patsy and Jeff came down from Kentucky for their destination wedding.  Above all things, they wanted their wedding day to represent them and who they are as a couple.  They wanted all of their details to be personal, homemade, and everything that the two loved in life.

The feel of the day was rustic, and had an overall laid back and fun charm.  This was seen most of all at the couple’s chosen venue, a beautiful private home on the ocean named “Itylldoo.”  This enchanting home surrounded by large trees, had a spacious backyard and deck that looked directly over the rock jetties and crashing waves of the ocean.  This is were Patsy and Jeff wanted their intimate ceremony and reception to take place.

As rain was in the forecast all day, a few last minute changes were made, including putting up a full clear tent with twinkle lights to cover the reception.  No matter how much it would be raining however, Patsy and Jeff wanted their ceremony out on the deck overlooking the ocean.  The rain held out till just before the couple was declared husband and wife, and almost in celebration it started to rain! It was a beautiful and fun way to end the ceremony.

All of the details throughout the day were made or designed by Patsy and Jeff themselves. Starting with the custom designed stone necklaces that each family member and Patsy wore herself, to the flowers and boutonnieres that were chosen and picked by Patsy and arranged by family members.  Each table had wild flower centerpieces surrounded by engraved wedding glasses and homemade jams, made by Patsy, and Jeff being a wine maker, guests got to take home and enjoy wine made by Jeff himself!  As labels for the wine bottles, the couple used their Save the Date cards!

The reception details were completed with a four-piece blue grass band, a gourmet dinner, ice cream bar, and lots and lots of wine and dancing!

Wedding Photography: Allison Reisz Photography / Wedding Cinematography: Jason Avery Films / Wedding Ceremony + Reception Location: Itylldoo House

Happy weekend everyone!  Thanks for hanging out with us during another fabulous week at the SMP Georgia blog!  We’ve seen so many gorgeous Southern soiree’s lately and we’d love to give a special thanks to our advertisers who make all the pretty possible!  Today we have the fun photographers from Fixed Focal Photography who deliver incredible, light and love-filled images that are sure to steal your heart.  Please join me in giving them a big SMP Georgia welcome!  Make sure you check out their giveaway below too!

From Fixed Focal Photography… We are Ashley and Jon, best friends and soul mates, who discovered our passion together as story tellers – telling love stories through the lens of our cameras.  Our style is colorful, emotional and genuine.  We love natural light, natural laughter and are in love with all kinds of beautiful, awesome, adorable love!

To celebrate us joining the amazing Style Me Pretty family, we are offering a free engagement session to the first 5 SMP readers who book a wedding with us!  Just mention Style Me Pretty when you reserve your wedding date!

To see our latest work, more about us or to just say hi, visit our blog.

We hope you love our newest Advertisers as much as we do and make sure to stop by their sites and show them some SMP support! Welcome aboard everyone, we’re happy to have you join our Style Me Pretty Georgia family!

Can you believe the holidays are just about upon us, LBBers? We’re all in a frenzy over here at the SMP offices getting ready for our rad turkey days. Luckily, as at least I know I’m not quite ready for Thanksgiving just yet, we’ve got one weekend to get our gourds out, practice our pie baking, and warm up our stomachs for a day of feasting. Before I send you off to prep, however, I do have a feast for your eyes – this fantastic engagement shoot courtesy of Scobey Photography. So take it in for a moment of calm before the wonderful holiday festivities begin, and we’ll see you here next week! xoxo

Photography: Scobey Photography / Styling: Melanie, Lucky + Lovely / Venue: Serenbe

The week of weddings all tied up in a pretty bow:

a contemporarily purple highlight film from Atlanta with a sweet and sassy couple at the center
a fantastic fresh Oregon vineyard affair with the most adorably in love bride & groom
a Los Angeles ballroom wedding full of grandeur and love
a romantic Roman holiday intimate affair
a beyond amazing floral design in a wedding to match in Hawaii
a California winery fête fit for romancing rockstars
a modern and clean Minnesota soiree with gorgeous, gorgeous flowers
a chic Oregon soiree with the most beautiful couple
a heaven on earth affair in a lovely New Jersey garden

A few of our favorite things, courtesy of the web:

a warm & rustic bit of Thanksgiving inspiration to get you ready for next week via Design*Sponge
a sweet soiree strait from Georgia filled with simple inspiration via Once Wed
a few coppery deets perfect for any soiree, fancy pants or not via The Ritzy Bee Blog

A picturesque view from the comforts of Wolf Mountain Vineyards, enough wine to feed an army, a gorgeous Bride and Groom – we’re thinking this Georgia wedding is about as lovely as it gets. Melissa Prosser Photography sent us this beauty and it’s a perfect reminder of how awesome her photographs are. All the pretty details combined with those special moments at a wedding so often missed by a photographer. You know the ones: the Groom grabbing grapes right from the vine, the ring bearer busting out his best breakdancing moves. It’s all there and makes for one very heart-warming tale. See the FULL wedding here!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…We were married at Wolf Mountain Vineyards in Dahlonega, GA on 9/10/11.  Todd’s family is from Ohio and mine is from Alabama so we wanted a venue that allowed our families to enjoy the beautiful scenery.  We both love wine and getting married at a vineyard was a perfect fit for us!  Our guests were able to overlook the Appalachian Mountains during sunset at the reception and enjoy the local wine.

Todd and I wanted to incorporate playful twists to make our event unique.  We had guests throw paper airplanes when we left the reception instead of the traditional bubbles or sparklers.  My husband and I are both avid travelers for work and leisure and we wanted to incorporate our love for travel into the wedding.  One of our favorite things to do together is stay home and cook.  We created a website where our guests could enter their favorite recipes.  It was a yearlong effort but we walked away with a treasured and unique wedding favor.  We included family pictures into the cookbook and all of our guests seemed to enjoy them.  We also included Georgia themed items into the OOT bags for our guests including: peanuts from Plains, GA where Jimmy Carter is from, Peach preserves, Goody’s Powders because you can’t find them in the North, and personalized water bottles.

The day was perfect and it reflected who Todd and I are as a couple.  The special touches that we incorporated were special to us and we will always look back on our day with fond memories.

Wedding Photography: Melissa Prosser Photography / Venue + Catering: Wolf Mountain Vineyards / Programs: Kasey Hamel Custom Design + Event Styling / Floral Design: Stems Atlanta / Wedding Dress: Priscilla of Boston / Flower Girl Dress: Priscilla of Boston / Bridesmaid Dresses: Ann Taylor / Wedding Labels: My Own Labels / Cakes: Classic Cheesecakes & Cake, Mark Lotti / Wedding Dress Hanger: Blackscrapcat

I love, love, love a fabulous winter wedding and this Atlanta stunner planned by Susan Graham Signature Events is exactly the reason why.  So warm and cozy and glowing with the most beautiful candlelight….  Seriously, does it get any more romantic than this?  Not to mention that when I first laid my eyes upon the exposed brick paradise that is the King Plow Arts Center, my heart took one very serious leap.  And with moment after breathtaking moment captured by Sublime Photography, this lovely soiree has me itching for December in a big way.  Who’s with me?  Click here for even more.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride… We decided to get married in January to escape the “wedding season” madness and couldn’t be happier about our decision. We wanted to create an experience that was warm and welcoming for our guests and also reflect my vintage, romantic style… all on a DIY budget. We started the planning process by choosing a turn of the century renovated warehouse, King Plow Arts Center, for our reception venue. We loved the contrast of the exposed brick walls and open ceiling against my love of vintage romantic elements.

The design of the event centered around my obsession with milk glass. I spent the entire year and a half engagement on a mission to find the best possible pieces at the lowest possible prices to add to my collection. My favorite milk glass find was a small antique/junk shop on the side of the road in the tiny town of Jefferson, GA.

Throughout the planning process I scoured the Internet looking for details that I loved and then tried to figure out how to replicate those on my small budget. I found the most amazing vendors to help me through the process and the wedding was as beautiful as I had envisioned and $1,000 under budget.

Wedding Photography: Sublime Photography / Floral Design: Holly Bryan Floral and Botanical Design / Event Planning: Susan Graham Signature Events / Wedding Ceremony Location: Sandy Springs Christian Church / Wedding Reception Location: King Plow Arts Center / Wedding Invitations: By Invitation Only / Bride’s Shoes: Steve Madden / Custom Dress: Your Fairy Tale Wedding via Etsy / Hair & Makeup: Nikole Morrow-Pettus and Rod Lawson of Van Michael Hair Salon

Good morning, SMP Georgia and a happy Monday to you!  It’s been two whole days since we last saw you, so I know you are ready for some pretty, pretty inspiration and a bundle of fabulous details to make you swoon.  Well, have no fear, lovelies, because we have you totally covered this morning, all thanks to this beyond gorgeous Kimball Hall wedding and Brenda Upton Photography.  Boasting lovely coral and gray hues, a fabulous garden ceremony, one very stunning gown and some seriously beautiful blooms by Pat Holland’s Flowers, this is what I call a perfect Southern soiree.  Plus, a menu filled to the brim with comfort foods!  How awesome is that?!?  Click here for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride… Brad and I both grew up in Georgia and wanted to portray simple, Southern style throughout our wedding.  We stumbled upon a venue just miles from our parents’ houses.  Kimball Hall is an Antebellum-style home in Roswell, GA which is owned and run by a very hands-on Julie Stephens.  We fell in love on our first visit – both with the venue and with Julie.

Our colors were a salmon-y coral with gray and pewter accents. We wanted to keep a casual, comfortable feel for the wedding where everyone could really enjoy themselves – we had a candy bar, flip flops for dancing, and koozies. We knew we wanted to have an outdoor ceremony despite our wedding being in the hot, humid month of August.  Kimball Hall has a beautiful backyard which was brightened up with beautiful florals in corals, pinks, creams, and greens.  In an effort to keep guests comfortable in the heat, I created the handmade program fans – one side the program and the other side various vintage wallpaper print cardstock.

My little 2.5 year old nephew, Finch, pulled off the ring bearer role like a pro!  Instead of a traditional guestbook which we thought we’d rarely look at, we had a large porcelain platter made with our names and the date which guests signed with special pens.  Once baked, the signatures are permanent and the platter can be used to serve food or comes with a stand for display.  We used mason jars throughout for both flowers and drinks.  Our signature cocktail was Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka with lemonade – a hit with the guests!  Our menu was Southern comfort food and included boiled peanuts served in small paper bags, mini pork sliders, short ribs, lemon chicken, squash puree, corn off the cob, grilled potato salad, and fried green tomatoes.  My side of the family is Italian and it’s tradition to have a wedding cake with the filling of an Italian pastry called a cannoli – a sweet, creamy ricotta filling with chocolate chips.  Brad is a giant tech geek so we had a chocolate, peanut butter iPad cake made for the groom’s cake.  For our exit, we got creative and my mom and I made ribbon wands with different shades of pinks, corals, and silvers for guests to wave at Brad and me as we left.  All in all, it was a great, fun night and I received what I consider to be the best compliment several times – “your wedding was SO perfectly you and Brad!”

I couldn’t have pulled it off without the help and support of my mom…and a 7 month obsession with Etsy. My advice to other brides would be to really enjoy and take it all in!  Your wedding week and especially the day will go by so fast.  Be sure to stop every so often to soak it all in!

Wedding Photography: Brenda Upton Photography / Flowers: Pat Holland’s Flowers / Wedding Cake: Pretty Cakes by Meg / Wedding Ceremony + Reception Location: Kimball Hall, Julie Stephens / Wedding Invitations: The Occassional Hello Stationery / Wedding Dress: Val Stefani / Catering: Cathy of Avalon Catering

Good morning my lovely LBBers! We’ve got a little wedding film to start your week right. Every wedding I’ve seen come out of The Peachtree Club in Atlanta has been phenomenal. One part glam, one part luxe, and ten parts love, they have all been extraordinary. So when ellyB Events coordinated a wedding, that Milanes Photography photographed, and Three Ring Media captured on film, I knew we’d have something special. And when I saw the sweet and sassy couple at the center of the affair, I knew we’d have one for the books. So take in the gallery, and then spend a little time with Three Ring Media’s wedding trailer!

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Justin and I went to brother/sister colleges. He attended Morehouse and I attended Spelman.  Justin grew up in Los Angeles and my aunt also lived in LA. My aunt happened to be friends with Justin’s aunt and knew his family very well. When our aunts discovered that their niece and nephew were going to brother/sister colleges in Atlanta they arranged for us and our families to meet.  So on August 18, 1998 Justin and his entire family (mom, dad, brother) and my entire family (mom, dad, sister) met on campus.  However, I didn’t work out.  I don’t recall the exact reason but swear that I had a mandatory dorm meeting and not that I just wasn’t interested in meeting “some guy”.  Luckily we met a few days later through a mutual friend.

We didn’t start dating until December 2009 when Justin came to visit me in New York on a whim.  We have been together ever since. Justin is very laid back, has a great sense of humor, and gives me  enough room to be just me. I am sweet and sassy and likes to have a good time and knows what want. Justin calms me down.  I can be very Type A and Justin makes me slow down and enjoy life.  I mean he got me to move from New York to LA!

Justin and I live in Los Angeles so that made finding a wedding venue challenging.  Thank goodness my sister pounded the pavement and researched and checked out venues.  She found the Peachtree Club and sent us tons of pictures during her visit to check it out. We fell in love with the intimate setting and amazing views.  We booked the venue sight unseen.

I LOVE flowers and they were a huge part of the inspiration for our wedding.  We wanted to achieve an effortless beautiful and overall ease and comfort for our special day.  The majority of our guests traveled great distances to be with us so we wanted to create an intimate yet social atmosphere.   We didn’t want our wedding to be too stuffy.  We wanted our guest to get up and move around from room to room reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones.  The multiple rooms, food stations, and photo booth helped achieve the social vibe.

Our wedding date marked my parents 40th wedding anniversary and the 13th year anniversary of  the day that Justin and I moved into the dorm and were suppose to meet.   While there are were no special traditions incorporated into our ceremony, we did have gospel music played throughout the ceremony by a pianist and saxophone player.  We both are Christians and since we weren’t getting married in a church, we  still wanted to have a Christian ceremony.  Our first act after stating our wedding vows was taking communion together.  We were also married by my cousin, an ordained Minister who is also a member of Justins’ fraternity.  We also had my two little cousins run down the aisle ringing bells and screaming “the bride is coming, the bride is coming” and that was a huge hit!

Overall, we tried to incorporate close family into the ceremony. Justin is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and he and his fraternity brother surrounded me to sang the Omega hymn.  It is a fraternity tradition and very special. Later the fraternity brothers “hop” which is something that I have not seen Justin do since college!

Wedding Planner: Doriann of ellyB Events and Bride / Photographer: Milanes Photography / Cinematography: Three Ring Media / Hair: Kristie Kimble Makeup, Denise Tunnell / Floral & Lighting: The Savage Garden / Linens: Connie Duglin Specialty Linens / Venue: The Peachtree Club / Cake: Couture Cakes / DJ: William March Photobooth, Shutter Booth / Ceremony Musicians: Mike Jones Groove Centric / Invitations: Papered Wonders

From the dress that has us DYING over every inch of it’s gorgeous ruffles to an intimate backyard reception set in historic Savannah, this is one of those weddings that takes effortless to a whole new level of gorgeous. It isn’t east to go from glamorous to heart-warmingly homespun but these two pulled it off seamlessly and sealed it with a barefoot cupcake kiss on the front porch. How sweet is that? And with Lauren Kinsey Photography in charge of capturing the day, we are left with so many lovely images, it was hard not to post every single one, huge, in all its wedding glory. But I refrained so that you would have a little something to devour in the full gallery. See it all here.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Lauren Kinsey Photography…Meredith + Will were married in Savannah Georgia a couple weeks ago at Calhoun Square right in historic Savannah. All the details of the wedding were so wonderfully hand crafted by Meredith herself and her mother, even the little wands for guests to wave as they walked back down the aisle as husband and wife.

Meredith wanted a french country theme for the wedding, and the sweet bar provided for guests was a huge hit, including the cookies that a family friend made. Meredith only invited about 20 people to the wedding, most which were very close friends and immediately family.

Meredith is studying to be a pharmacist, since her father has been plagued with Parkinson’s Disease. Unfortunately, the week before the wedding, Meredith’s father fell and was very badly hurt, and Meredith was distraught that he may not be able to make it to the wedding. By God’s grace, he recovered in time, and was in the front row cheering Meredith and Will on. It was a lovely, perfect day.

Reception Venue: Mary O’Connor House / Ceremony Location: Calhoun Square / Wedding Photography: Lauren Kinsey Photography / Event Coordinator: Savannah Special Events / Officiant: Tybee Island Weddings, Stephen Palmer / Rolls Royce: Timeless Motor Coaches, Steve Smith / Floral Design: Garden on the Square, Julie Driscoll / Sweet Table: DIY, Antique Stores + River Street Sweets / Cupcakes + Catering: Indulge Catering / Paper Goods + Invitations: Jessica Massey Design / Bridal Gown: Essence of Australia via Bel Fiore / Reception Dress: Sue Wong / Bride’s Shoes: Dyeables / Shoe Clips: DIY / Suit: Hugo Boss + Macy’s / Hair + Make-up: J.W. Salon and Spa / Cellist: JL Music Service

This gorgeously casual yet elegant farm wedding is bursting from the seams with happiness and love. You can totally see it radiating from the pretty bride’s face in each and every beautiful image from Watson Studios. There are so many details to love but we especially love the vibrant purples and greens juxtaposed with the natural surroundings of the sustainable farm and those beyond gorgeous florals…to die for! Ashley Baber Weddings coordinated the pretty, pretty day and if you’re into this as much as we are, you’re definitely gonna wanna hit up the entire gallery of images!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…We chose The Inn at Serenbe for our wedding because it offers a unique and beautiful background in a very intimate setting.  While planning, we envisioned our wedding taking place outdoors, in the fall, with a rustic theme.  We loved that Serenbe has a environmentally sustainable farm along with a vibrant community of residents, in addition to the inn.  We wanted to create a weekend event in which everyone could relax and enjoy the beautiful farm and community!

We chose aubergine and acid green as our wedding colors because we wanted to complement the natural hues with a pop of bright color. The best part about planning the wedding was seeing everything that started out as just an idea come together to make a complete piece.  We worked with some wonderful vendors who made our ideas come to life in the most beautiful way. I think our wedding turned out perfectly!  We had such a wonderful time celebrating with family and friends and I feel very blessed that we were able to work with people who will help us remember our wedding as one of the best and most beautiful days of our lives.

Wedding Photography: Watson Studios / Venue: Inn at Serenbe / Day-of Wedding Coordinator: Ashley Baber Weddings / Ceremony + Reception Décor + Reception Cuisine: Gloriosa / Wedding Videography: Ty Inlow Films / DJ: Ryan Burleson of Beats and Bells / Ceremony Music: Joel Williams / Pastor: Dr. Barry McCarty

Anything that Jeremy Harwell shoots is usually gorgeous. Whether it’s a crazy beautiful tented wedding or an insanely lovely fashion shoot, Jeremy just has a way with the camera. So when he teamed up with Ashley Baber on a recent Atlanta wedding, we knew we were in for a treat. Add to that equation a bride and groom who designed a wedding that truly represented who they are now, where they came from, and where they are going…and you have a wedding that is pure magic. And even though the photographs are gorgeous, make sure to also read the bride’s words because it’s such a lesson in planning a wedding that everyone here will love. A reminder to look only to yourselves and your loves to guide your celebration. Click here to see even more.

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From the Bride…No doubt, when Ernesto’s parents and my parents fled their respective countries (Cuba and Vietnam) decades ago to come to the United States, they had no idea that leaving their homeland to start a new life in America would lead to this special day. Ernesto and I are, in essence, the first truly “American” generation in both of our families, and we wanted to have a wedding that everyone could enjoy, but one that reflected our particular tastes.

Our families came from all over the U.S., from Miami, San Diego, Dallas and Boston to name a few, and from places as far as Malaysia and Saigon to celebrate with us.  We found early on that one of the challenges in having a cross-cultural wedding was that our cultural wedding traditions differed significantly.  Instead of trying to blend our traditions, we decided to start anew and have a wedding that acknowledged the new life that Ernesto and I have created together in Atlanta.  Although it may be surprising to some, Atlanta is truly a global melting pot and an place of eclectic tastes. We found the perfect venue in Summerour Studio, which is part Tuscan villa, part urban warehouse tucked away in a quiet corner of the city, but with a great view of the city skyline.

Our wedding buffet featured some of our favorite things, like New York strip and deep fried anything (specifically, deep fried turkey breast at our wedding), but also gave our guests a taste of the South, with Georgia mountain trout in pecan butter, sweet potatoes, and coca-cola glazed pork tenderloin.  Our favorite local trumpet player, Joe Gransden, and his 9 piece band played classic, big band era tunes that inspired everyone to grab the one that they love and head to the dance floor.  Instead of a traditional wedding cake, we ended the night by cutting some wedding flan.  Flan was surprisingly appropriate because it is a dessert that is familiar to both Cuban and Vietnamese cultures, and our favorite dessert in general!

As a bride, some of my personal favorite details were the seating place cards that I hand-stamped myself in sepia colored ink with a cute little heart and arrow stamp for the table number (although I was cursing myself in those final few days for undertaking such a task).  I also loved the miniature Woodstock wind chimes that we gave away as wedding favors.  I hope that help give the blog people a better idea of where we came from.  We wanted to have a timeless, classic and romantic wedding that anyone, young, old, Asian, Latin, and “other” could enjoy.

Ceremony + Reception Location: Summerour Studio / Music: Joe Gransden / Wedding Coordination: Ashley Baber Weddings / Catering + Decor: Bold American Events / Wedding Photography: Jeremy Harwell of Harwell Photography / Wedding Dress: Bridals by Lori / Hair + Make-up: A La Mode Salon

We have a sweet, simple and perfectly Southern vineyard wedding by Edge Design Group to share with you today.  Draped elegantly in pretty green and white details with romantic baby’s breath filling the air it’s a little fluffy cloud of goodness.  I especially love the bride’s delicate bouquet of orchids, peonies, lily-of-the-valley and tulips.  Click here to see all the details!

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Fr0m Edge Design Group…The Vinyard wedding was a very southern elegant wedding at Chateau Elan, a winery & vineyard in Braselton, Georgia. Chateau Elan is where southern hospitality meets the gorgeous French countryside leaving you with unforgettable moments and memories. Katie and Jim Vinyard first met through their work partners. They became best of friends and turned that into a loving partnership.

They  preferred a traditional, southern ceremony with a dash of one thing that would make it unique. What made the ceremony so unique was the baby’s breath hung above the bride and groom during their vows. The baby’s breath was formed into a halo over them. Baby’s breath in the south is very traditional, but to have it transformed into a halo was what had stood out the most to the guests, the bride, and the groom. The atrium where the ceremony was held was draped with soft billowing fabric creating an intimate setting. The process of hanging drapes is unusual and rarely done at Chateau Elan. This traditional classic ceremony included plush garden florals to stick to the simplicity the bride and groom desired.

However, there was a little difference to the traditional side of the wedding; the reception. The glass centerpieces of the tables were more of a modern element to the reception and the candlelight was a perfect finish as they accentuated the table linens. The Vinyards were happily married at the perfect vineyard! Amazing how that happens.We wish them the best!

Wedding Photography: Jeff Gaines Photography / Event Design + Flowers: Edge Design Group / Event Planning: Brian Green, F & G Events / Ceremony + Reception Location: Chateau Elan / Band: The Headliners / Make-up Artist: Steve Moore, The Moore Agency

If you are a lover of fabulous florals (and I know you are), then you may want to sit down before you jump into all of the gorgeous that is this stunning Statham affair.  Boasting some of the most beautiful blooms I have ever seen by Creative Home Goods and Services, I simply can’t stop swooning over all of this pretty.  And the lovely doesn’t stop there.  Oh, no.  This soiree is filled to the brim with the sweetest of details, including a vibrant fuchsia and purple color palette, a seriously charming location and one very stunning bride and groom.  Diana Lupu Photography was on hand to capture each and every amazing moment… and not only did she fill our gallery with breathtaking images, but she penned one very touching (and tear-inducing) description, as well.  Believe me, it doesn’t get much better than this.  Click here for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Diana Lupu Photography... “She looks beautiful,” I said to Andrei as we began his groom portraits. “I can’t wait to see her,” he said with a smile revealing dimples and bright eyes. The day began with grey skies and cool temperatures and as Alice sat to get her hair done, she nervously laughed with her sisters and mom, politely refusing the snack her mother kept trying to convince her to eat.  Alice slipped into her wedding dress and assured everyone that she couldn’t eat until she saw him. There were just too many butterflies for food.  As she made her way down to Andrei, Alice paused for a moment to catch her breath. She closed her eyes and remembered to remember. The moment. The suddenly clear skies and the warm sun on her skin. The way she felt. The way she loved him. As Andrei pulled her in for an embrace, all was suddenly right in Alice’s world; because he makes her skies clear, the butterflies calm, and her world bright. With a warm touch, he assures her he will never leave her side—for the rest of the day, and for the rest of her life.

Alice & Andrei’s wedding took place in a charming country club in a quiet, secluded town in Georgia. Because I wasn’t based out of Georgia, Alice and I were in contact for much of the planning phase of her wedding. She kept me in the loop by sending me inspiration photos of her decor and once I received the photo of the breathtaking location, I knew it would all fall into place perfectly. She wanted bright, vibrant flowers and sparkling crystals to adorn bird cages and lanterns, carrying through her lovely garden vision. To place a spin on things and bring in a modern element, she spray-painted her lanterns and bird cages a glossy black and accented them with green apples and royal purple satin ribbons.

Alice and Andrei were married in a traditional, Christian ceremony which reflected their personalities, culture, and merging families, who traveled all the way from Romania to witness their marriage. The reception was moved indoors to keep people warm well into the night and the couple provided guests with an amusing, yet creative 30 minute slideshow created by one of Alice’s best friends and bridesmaid. That, along with their delicious Nutella wedding cake (yes, please!!) was a huge hit with the guests. Due to religious restraints, this wedding didn’t have dancing, but the entertainment proved to be touching and long lasting, as Alice’s father is a singer who charmed his way into people’s hearts all night. Together, Alice and Andrei planned their perfect wedding and made sure to remain true to what the day was really all about: their new life together.

Wedding Photography: Diana Lupu Photography / Wedding Cinematography: Timotei Jinar / Floral Design: Michelle Vladia of Creative Home Goods and Services / Event Planning + Location: The Georgia Club / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka

I totally think more brides should do these fun bridal sessions especially when you think about how much money we spend on our dress and accessories to only wear them for a few hours! So why not don your wedding day goods a few months early to capture that special pre-wedding glow? Laura Barnes Photo captured Maegan in her vintage dress and accessories on a hot, hot day in April, but we think she looks fabulous and shows no signs of melting in that southern heat! Click here for more.

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From Laura Barnes Photo…This bridal session was so much fun! Maegan and Brian were married in July, and Maegan’s bridal session took place in April… and it was a hot day! Maegan was a gorgeous bride and literally glowed the entire session. We had lots of fun talking about details from her upcoming wedding.  She stayed with a fun 1920’s vintage theme for her bridal session as well as the wedding. I loved all of the thought she put into the props for her session and her dress was amazing!

Photography: Laura Barnes Photo / Wedding Dress: Suzy Q’s / Hair + Make-up: Family Friend