Georgia Weddings

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.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

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

If this lovely Southern fête by Scobey Photography isn’t the perfect way to wrap up the week here on Style Me Pretty Georgia, then I don’t know what is.  Literally overflowing with the sweetest of DIY details, beautiful blooms by Southern Stems and gorgeous purple hues, I could get lost in this charming affair for hours.  Not to mention one very fabulous wedding gown, which just now has me picking my jaw up off the floor.  LOVE.  All flawlessly planned by Simply Charming Events, I do believe this is what happens when traditional meets modern with just a dash of vintage style… complete and utter perfection.  Click here for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride… The thing that made our wedding most beautiful are the people. Having all of our family and friends there with so much love, support and encouragement is something we are truly thankful for. It was the most beautiful day…to walk down the aisle, and for the first time that day, seeing the man I love, my better half, with tears of joy and a smile of an angel. Everything was just perfect from that moment on.

Nate and I wanted a cozy little wedding away from the city (he’s from NY and I’m from CA). We wanted a venue that would allow us do a lot of our own decorations and personalization. Naturally the Huntcliff River Club in Sandy Springs, GA was a perfect pick for us. Beautifully situated next to the Chattanooga River, the ceremony playground was tucked away under four large 100-year-old Oak trees. Just the perfect amount of shade for a warm September day in Georgia. The reception was nested on the second floor inside the club house, overlooking the ceremony site and the river. It was so peaceful and serene, it was our little tree house.

The best part in planning our wedding was getting the opportunity to bond and learn about each other. We DIY’d (Do-It-Yourself) everything we could because we want all the personal touches for our wedding. I also really enjoy making things, and Nate, believe it or not, enjoys helping. We made a perfect team!

Although we had a year to plan, boy did time fly! It started from finding a perfect venue and narrowing down all of our vendors (Google became our best friend), to creating all the little details such as our save the dates, the invitations, our cupcake tower, our CD favors, our moss covered initials, candy buffet accessories, ceremony programs, dinner menus, escort cards, table numbers, and arranging the ceremony and reception flowers. I must admit at times, it was overwhelming and it’s definitely not easy planning from across the country (California –> Georgia). However, it was well worth all of the time and efforts, because when we look back, we know we put a lot of our love into what we will call the “best day of our lives!”

Wedding Photography: Scobey Photography / Wedding Ceremony + Reception Location: Huntcliff River Club / Event Planner: Danielle Copeland of Simply Charming Events / Wedding Cinematography: Siegel Films / Caterer: Sun in My Belly / Flowers: Southern Stems / Wedding Cake: Pink Cupcake Dreams / DJ: DJ Triple M / Transportation: Special Day Limos / Hair: Elecia Mitchell / Make-up: Paula Xiong / Wedding Dress: Saison Blanche Couture / Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Groom’s Tuxedo: Men’s Wearhouse

If you are in the mood for a traditional fête with a whole lot of Southern charm this lovely Wednesday morning, then you most certainly came to the right place.  This gorgeous Atlanta affair by HNM Photography is boasting all of the above and then some, including a darling purple and green color palette, a gorgeous cake, one stunning location and an uber-adorable bride and groom.  Plus, I am loving those simple, yet elegant bridesmaid gowns!  Signature Weddings by Candice planned each and every fabulous moment and trust me, you don’t want to miss a one.  Join me in the gallery for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

Jason & Anna met in 2008 and were engaged in early 2010.  They were married at the beautiful historic home in Atlanta, Georgia called the Swan House which is located on the Atlanta History Center properties. The flowers included roses, hydrangeas, and orchids.  Guests enjoyed hors devours & dinner consisting of lobster and creamed corn shooters, filet mignon, Georgia pecan chicken, and a DIY macaroni buffet. Guests danced to a band managed by Lee Howard.

Wedding Photography: Heidi Migalla of HNM Photography / Floral Design: Katie Loyd of Boukates Floral Design / Event Planning: Candice Gurr of Signature Weddings by Candice / Band: Lee Howard / Catering: Affairs to Remember / Ceremony + Reception Location: Atlanta History Center / Bride’s Shoes: Nina / Wedding Programs + Water Bottles: Print Your Party / Wedding Dress: Alfred Sung / Bride’s Reception Dress: Alfred Angelo / Bridesmaid Dresses: After Six / Accommodations: St. Regis / Hair + Make-up: Heather Solomon of My World of Makeup

I love, love, love Fall weddings… there’s just something about the combination of my favorite season and a bundle of wedding goodness that sends my heart into a pitter-patter every.single.time.  So, it should come as no surprise that these charming Fort Valley nuptials by Jess Fouts Photography have me completely smitten… and in a big way.  How could I not be madly in love with the sweet as can be venue, natural color palette, stunning lace gown and gorgeous florals by Sandra Morgan?  Not to mention that every last detail of this charming affair was a labor of love by the bride and groom, plus friends and family.  If that doesn’t just warm your heart with happy, I don’t know what will.  Click here for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

Savannah has got to be the most gorgeous and romantic place on earth to get married. I mean seriously, just look at those amazing Spanish Moss trees. Each and every little nook of this pretty wedding is a tribute to this amazing southern city. We’re loving the straw fans and paper flowers that adorned all the place settings and of course, the bride’s gorgeous gown and perfectly coordinated bouquet. The colors are the perfect compliment to the gorgeous Savannah landscape. Project Duo Photography captured all the pretty details designed and planned by First City Events and as always, there’s so much more in the full gallery!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From First City Events…Lori & Julian treated their guests to Savannah’s magic, from the wedding facing the famous Moon River with lemonade under the Spanish Moss trees, to a brunch on the Savannah River Boat. At every turn, guests interacted with Savannah’s natural beauty. At Vic’s on the River, a local artist provided hundreds of straw flowers for the place settings and Kiwi Fleur provided the perfect flowers, ranging from Aussie greenery, billy bobs, kale, and wheat grasses to hydrangeas, wax flowers and spray roses. Vic’s on the River served an amazing southern elegance buffet.  Leopold’s Ice Cream Cart was a perfect cooling late night treat filled with Dutch utopia, lemon custard, red raspberry, and vanilla ice creams. A first dance to “Everlasting Light” by The Black Keys seemed to quickly turn into a Pedi Cab exit. Before we knew it the couple was back in Arizona.

Ceremony Location: Bethesda Home for Boys / Reception Location: Vic’s on the River / Rentals: Classic Party Rentals / Floral Design: Kiwi Fleur / Wedding Cake: Two Cakes / Wedding Photography: Project Duo Photography / Wedding Videography: AB Productions Inc. / Transportation: Old Savannah Tours / Beauty: Park West Salon / Straw Flowers: Anton Myers / Ice Cream Cart: Leopold’s Ice Cream / Limousine: Get You There Limos / Post Wedding Brunch: Savannah Riverboat / Bridesmaid Luncheon: 700 Drayton / Rehearsal Dinner: Moon River Brewery / Restrooms: Royal Restrooms / Event Planning: First City Events

We love seeing all your amazing wedding films because they really make us feel like we were right there with you on your big day! And this super sweet film is no exception. We’re totally loving all the rustic and pretty details of the day including their cute as can be invitations, their super cool saloon style photo booth and the way the happy bride skipped her way back down the aisle! D&R Films captured all the goodness and we know you’ll wanna watch it more than once, but don’t worry, your secret is safe with us!

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/26556446?title=0&byline=0&color=70349e” 600 338]

From D&R Films…We shot the film for Justin + Alexa Owens on a beautiful spring day in Rome, GA. The wedding was a very country/western theme outdoors and in a barn.

Wedding Photography: Carrie Jo Pinckard of Texture Photographics / Wedding Cinematography: D&R Films / Flowers, Event Design + Planning: DIY / Ceremony + Reception Location: Proctor Farm

Doesn’t this look like just the sweetest way to celebrate a one year anniversary?  After a year of marital bliss the glow of love is still shining bright but perhaps a little love session in front of a camera is the perfect way to remember all those warm and fuzzies of your wedding day. Especially when that camera belongs to Minutes of Love Photography.  These vintage-inspired, forest photos are so dreamy and romantic!  Click here to see them all!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Minutes of Love Photography…This lovely couple came from Alabama to celebrate their one-year anniversary in Atlanta. At the end of their stay, they had me photograph their celebration. The newlyweds (Brandi and Seth) brought a vintage getup to wear. She was featured in a peach lace sheath and he was in his grandfather’s suit. The opted to go barefoot in the park, which played hand-in-hand with the vintage props I supplied. They were a great couple to photograph and clearly so in love. I think these images commemorate their love to a tee.

Photography: Minutes of Love Photography / Location: Chastain Park / Props: Minutes of Love Photography / Dress: Vintage / Suit: Seth’s Grandfather’s

We all know it’s not the little details that make a wedding special.  It is, of course, the loving couple who are celebrating their new life together.   But the little details can add a lot of character and joy to a wedding especially when all those pretty pieces are created by the bride and groom themselves.  I adore a silhouette motif especially one that is used as the main design thread like in this Atlanta wedding by ellyB Events.   Starting with the invitations and leaving no detail untouched, even the candles, this celebration is a fun, fusion of tradition and personality.  Check out all the details in the full gallery!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From ellyB Events…The wedding of Sheila and Jeff was nothing short of fun!  Sheila and Jeff did an amazing job at their fusion wedding of both Philippine and Italian cultures. Guests were exposed to a traditional Catholic ceremony with a mix of the Philippine traditions such as the veil and cord and the arras.  The guests then moved to the Marriott Marquis where they were entertained with a bridal party entrance complete with the WHOOP!

Sheila is a graphic designer and did a great job of carrying through their silhouette monogram throughout all of their paper goods and DIY projects. The escort cards were little tags with each guests name and vintage keys. No detail was left out of this fabulous day.

Wedding Photography: Andrew Thomas Lee Photography / Floral Design: Cordesign / Wedding Coordinator: Eliana of ellyB Events / Ceremony Location: Cathedral of Christ the King / Reception Location: Marriott Marquis / Invitations: Sheila Mari Designs / Hair + Make-up: Face of Makeup / Officiant: Deacon Ron Comeau / Wedding Cake: McEntyre’s Bakery / DJ: DJ Chuck Walls / Transportation: Top Tier Limousines and Coaches LLC

I don’t know about you but Etsy is one of my go-to places for finding anything I need whether it be a birthday gift or a wedding accessory.  Of course, there are amazing goodies from all over the world but there are so many awesome designers and vendors right in your backyard!  It’s so fun to hit up the local vendor section and see what fun finds there are near by.  I scouted out a few incredible Georgia Etsy vendors and I think, alone or together, these sweet pieces would make a sensational Southern soiree!

1. Birdcage veil by JMG Jewel Design in Atlanta

2. Thank you Wedding Favor Stamp by Native Bear in Atlanta

3. Burlap garland by I Wished For You in Monroe

4. Peach Wedding Garter by La Gartier in Atlanta

5. The Ella Invitation Suite by Sweet Peach Stationery in Atlanta

6. Wooden wedding sign by Sweet Wedding Details in Atlanta

Good morning, SMPers!  It’s another fabulous Wednesday morning here on Style Me Pretty Georgia and we have just the wedding to erase any of those mid-week blues you may be feeling.  Boasting some insanely gorgeous florals by Hannah Wells, a sweet as can be color palette, one fabulous wedding gown and the most adorable bride and groom of all time, this traditional soiree captured by Laura Barnes Photo is about as lovely as it gets… and then some.  Plus, a dessert reception!  Click here for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Laura Barnes Photo… I am so excited to share Hannah and Charles’ wedding! This was such a personal ceremony and I haven’t photographed a couple that was more excited to share and start their new story together. Hannah literally glowed from the second I met her at the church the morning of their ceremony. Charles was just as excited and seemed a bit more nervous to see Hannah. They opted not to have a first look prior to the ceremony.  All of the details of their wedding day fell into place perfect with the exception of the power going off during their ceremony due to a horrible storm! It was only off a few seconds and seemed to be a secret blessing.  Hannah’s dress was perfect and completely matched her personality.  All of the details from their wedding were small yet very elegantly planned. I especially loved the letter “G” they had for their new last name together! After a quick dessert reception and a few dances they left in an old antique car for a mystery honeymoon!

Wedding Photography: Laura Barnes Photo / Wedding Venue: First United Methodist Church / Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal / Wedding Hanger: Etsy / Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal / Hair + Make-Up: Friends / Florist: Hannah Wells / Wedding Cake: Tasty Treats Bakery / Chocolate Fountain: Atlanta Chocolate Fountain Company / DJ: Ray McKnight

We all went a little gaga over this gorgeous Atlanta wedding by Melissa Schollaert Photography that was featured on the main page last week.  I mean just look at it in all its sweet girly glory!  Glittery, metallic details glisten alongside lush and luxurious florals, classic stationery and enough romance to leave you blushing for days!  I knew it just had to be shared with the SMP Georgia crew and, just for fun, I put together a little buying guide so you can take this look and make it all your own!

Breathtakingly beautiful, am I right?  And really it just takes a few key pieces and details to recreate a stunner like this…

 

1. Dress: Nothing says glamour like being draped in layers and layers of tulle.  Watters carries such lovely, budget-friendly gowns and their Santa Rosa dress is one of the dreamiest.

2.  Shoes: Of course, the glittery shoes are a must!  If Louboutin isn’t in your budget this sparkly pair by Vince Camuto is the perfect substitute!

3.  Stationery: Classic stationery sets the tone for this grand affair.  This invitation suite at Minted is oh-so pretty and brings in the beautiful, romantic detailing that is found throughout the rest of the wedding.

4. Cake Topper: There’s no reason why the tables should have all the fun.  Add a pretty (and yummy!) touch to your wedding cake with a sugar peony that matches your wedding flowers!

5.  Bridesmaid dress: Soft, flowing bridesmaid dresses in pretty blush hues look so enchanting and dreamy.  Your ladies will be thanking you for choosing such a perfect, flattering dress!

6. Table Numbers: The shimmery details throughout this show-stopper of an event shine with all the romantic candlelight creating an ethereal wonderland.  Brighten up your table numbers with these aptly named Bling frames from Z Gallerie.

7. Monogram Wax Seal: Personalize everything from your envelopes to your favors with a custom monogram wax seal in your wedding color.  It will come in handy for all those thank you notes too!

8. Centerpiece Mirror: Show off your centerpieces even more with a round mirror on each table.  The reflected candlelight will cast the dreamiest glow over your entire reception.

9. Gold Monogram: Use a custom monogram cake topper in unexpected ways.  Tuck it into  a glass cylinders filled with rice and decorate your escort card or guest book tables.

After gazing at these images for a few hours now, I’m totally convinced that Savannah is THE place for a destination wedding, if of course, you’re not lucky enough to live there year round. This Ohio bride knew exactly what she envisioned for her big day and counted on the talents at First City Events to get the job done for her. And, I’m pretty sure this bride was blown away on her big day. I’m loving the gorgeous white florals, the pretty as can be chandelier hanging from that big, Southern tree and how cute are her shoes? I know! And lucky for us, there are so many more beautiful images by Lotus Blossom Photography for your viewing pleasure in the full gallery.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From First City Events…Julie and I spent just over a year planning her destination wedding. Even though they were in Ohio and much of the planning was done by phone/email, I began to connect with their family and am pleased to say we are still in touch. As the big day approached for Julie and Jamie, it also approached for her brother and his wife as they prepared for the arrival of their new baby. Throughout the day we took video of the event and send it to the expectant parents so they could be a part of the wedding. The mother of the bride, left quickly the next day as “baby was on they way” and grandma was too!

Julie & Jamie choose the lovely Davenport House Museum Garden for the ceremony. Cream roses were tucked into the natural arch and hydrangea arrangements were placed down the aisle. That morning I received a call from Julie to see if we could add one more surprise flower “girl.” We hid her sweet pouch until just before time to enter and she escorted the maid of honor down the aisle. After the ceremony, guests took Trolleys to the Harper Fowlkes House where the festivities continued.

After the ceremony, Julie & Jamie’s guests headed to the Harper Fowlkes House on Trolleys.  Guests enjoyed tours of the historic home during the cocktail hour and then made their way to the garden for the reception. The 1920’s style lights strung over the garden, the chandeliers hung in the trees, the florals,  and the wispy table cloths tucked in between the greenery and around the fountain created a romantic atmosphere. The desert table placed under the larger chandelier featured a beautiful wedding cake, lemon tartlets, cannolis, chocolate covered strawberries, and wine glass truffles.The kids had a special kid sized table and chairs (so cute!) along with their own centerpiece and activities i.e. flower pots to decorate. Place cards were rose tucked napkins with pearl accented names. It was a cool so we had baskets of soft blankets around the garden for people to “snuggle” with, but it wasn’t long after dinner that DJ Jeff warmed everyone up on the dance floor. As a special tribute, Jamie honored his late grandfather by dancing to a recording of his grandfather playing the saxophone. And by special request MC Tyson lead the crowd in Thriller-a crowd favorite!  I could go on and on about the details from the fabulous decor, to the cigars, the sign in station, the food……I was happy to see everything come together the way Julie & Jamie imagined. I will miss working with this sweet couple.

Wedding Planning: First City Events / DJ: Jeff Kaar and IXtwelve & MC Tyson of First City Events / Ceremony Location: Davenport House Museum / Reception Location: Harper Fowlkes House / Bar: Bull River Beverage Mart (912-897-7690) / Catering: Paul Kennedy Catering / Rentals: Savannah Special Events / Flowers: Harvey Designs / Cake: Art Cake Co. / Hair + Makeup: Spa Bleu / Photography: Lotus Blossom Photography / Trolleys: Old Savannah Tours

My stars!  I am a sucker for a groom in a bow tie and a great downhome, Southern soiree so you know I’m just jumping for joy over this sweet-as-can-be Georgia wedding by Chris Moncus Photography.  It has everything we cherish and adore about an outdoor, country chic celebration from mason jars filled with iced tea to cotton-filled floral arrangements.  Anyone who loves Steel Magnolias as much as I do will surely smile at the Armadillo groom’s cake!  A southern must-have!  See all the pretty as pie details in the full gallery!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

More than anything else we wanted our wedding to incorporate lots of Southern elements. For starters, the location. We got married in a small, country church at 6 pm. After the ceremony we had the guests have lemonade and peanuts on the church lawn before heading across the road to our reception. The tent was placed in the middle of a hay field right beside this old, red barn. It provided the perfect backdrop for the celebration as well as pictures. The bride’s dress was a beautiful fit and flare style dress made of raw silk. The dress originally was strapless but the wonderful team at Elegant Bridals crafted a custom made floral silk strap to give the dress a unique touch. The groom wore a oyster suit with navy pindot bowtie. The groomsmen were dressed in navy blazers and lime green seersucker bowties. The bridesmaids wore matching navy J. Crew dresses and accessorized their outfit individually with nude heels and pearl jewelery.

The menu consisted of mini fried pork chop sandwiches, Texas caviar, fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, and fruit. We had lemonade, punch, and of course sweet tea. The wedding cakes was four tiers with three flavors- Blueberry Lemonade, “Joe” Cake- chocolate cake with mocha buttercream, caramel, and Kahlua, and Pistachio. The groom’s cake was a nod to the classic film, Steel Magnolias, and was a red velvet armadillo.

The church was adorned with two magnolia leaf and cotton wreaths on the doors. The alter and rails had pillar candles of varying heights placed randomly to give a very warm and romantic feel. There were two large floral arrangements on either side of the alter consisting of hydrangeas, peonies, roses, willow, and hanging amaranthus. The path to the reception was lined by mason jars filled with black eyed peas and candles as well as low hanging crystal chandeliers in the trees. The guest tables had white table cloths with burlap runners and handmade wooden candle holders and brown vases. The vases were a DIY project of the bride and groom and were filled with flowers in whites, greens, and a pop of hot pink. The food tables were adorned with draped burlap, cotton, greenery, and more wooden candle holders. The overall feel of the decor was very lush and casual, yet elegant at the same time. Old wooden crates and boxes lent to the rustic feel. Ferns were places around the tent sitting on old tree stumps. The cake stand was made by the bride’s father from a cedar tree. The favors were a nod to a favorite of the brides- Krispy Kreme doughtnuts wrapped individually and tied with raffia and a special handmade card reading “thanks y’all.” The bride and groom and their 200+ guests enjoyed dancing to shag and beach music from Flashback underneath the tent on the wooden parquet dance floor. No one stayed seated for long once the band started playing. At the end of the evening the couple left to a sparkler exit in the groom’s vintage 1966 Mustang – the same car that he proposed in!

Location: Mitchell United Methodist Church in Mitchell, Georgia / Photography: Chris Moncus Photography / Flowers: Al Woods of Warthen Lane Interiors / Catering: Phoebe’s at the Pink House (478-232-8842) / Band: Flashback / Cake designer- Burke Perk / Wedding Dress: 2Be Bride / Wedding Dress Purchased From: Elegant Bridals / Bride’s shoes: Nina / Bridesmaids Dresses: J.Crew / Groom’s Suit: JoS. A. Bank / Ringbearer’s Bowtie: xoelle / Flowergirl’s Dress- Strasburg Children / Invitations- Minted. / Wooden Candleholders, Cake Stand, Doughnut Favors, Ringbearer Pillow: DIY by bride and groom

Oh, Georgia.  Just when I think I have your pretty, pretty ways all figured out, you up the awesome a notch with a fabulous Brasstown Valley Resort affair, complete with mason jars, vintage books, fabulous DIY details and wildflowers galore crafted by Flowers From Us.  And then you throw some camels into the mix for some post-wedding session gorgeousness and, well, there’s just no way I could love you more.  Thankfully, Kristi Odom Photography was on hand to capture every swoon-worthy moment and fill our gallery with pretty.  Join me there for even more!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… One small thing that ended up having a huge impact on our planning was a pitcher of hand-picked wildflowers from his mom the day we got engaged.  We got engaged on a yearly vacation that he has gone on with his family ever since he was born, and back then, it was already a 25 year old tradition.  This was the second year that I went with him, and a couple days in is when he asked me to go out on the boat so he could show me around the lakes and little islands he had found over the years.  Of course I agreed, not suspecting a thing, and even inviting everyone I passed on the way to the boat. I was playing with the settings on my camera to try to make it capture the trees in the vivid green I was seeing, and he said, “Take a picture of this…”  This is where the slow-motion replay feeling kicks in; I turned around, expecting a bug or bird perhaps to photograph, but instead saw him down on one knee with a picture perfect little treasure in his hands. When we got back to the dock, his whole family (28 I believe) were there to greet us with champagne and congratulations.  We went back to our cabin shortly after and found a card with our names on it and a pitcher of hand-picked wildflowers from his mom. It was just the inspiration we ended up using to put together much of our wedding.

When meeting with the florist, there weren’t many instructions; no classic rose bouquets, and think “wildflowers.” The centerpieces were all constructed of various old vases and cloth covered books I traveled far and wide to find in thrift/antique stores and we made the table numbers and place cards to give them a crafty yet dainty appearance.  Being that the venue was somewhat spread out, we needed a way to direct our guests from place to place.  So as not to do any damage to the venue, the day before our wedding, Ryan and our awesome (and helpful) wedding photographer assembled the signs using flower pots as the bases, that we then filled with rocks for support.  My dress was a sample gown that I had altered down 8 sizes to fit like a glove and it was honestly the best dress I could have found. One of my favorite details, that wasn’t even seen by our guests, were the personalized hangers I had made by two amazing ladies on etsy (Emilie and Anna) of LilaFrances.  I knew I wanted to buy one of their hangers for the legendary dress picture, but when I came up with the idea to surprise Ryan with a hanger that said “oh baby” inside his tux as he suited up to get married, they were so helpful and rushed the order to get it to me in time.

There was one thing in particular that we had done about a year into dating, but sounded like even more fun now, so I pitched the idea to Ryan and hoped he’d say yes.  The idea was to have pictures taken, of us just having fun, to remember this time in our lives.  The first time around, it wasn’t really as it sounds though… it wasn’t a planned out fun-loving photo shoot, but rather a favor to me one day when I was doing modeling and needed a “fiancé/groom” to pose with.  Now that we were actually married, I really wanted to revisit that experience and have fun with it this time around.  About 2 weeks after our wedding, when I found out Kristi would be in town for another wedding, I threw out the idea and asked her what she thought about it.  Kristi did some research and found a farm with llamas, zebras, pigs, a wallaby, and best yet, Camels!  I didn’t even know there were Camels in Georgia!  I immediately called and left a message for the farm owner.  When she called me back I told her the idea we had, she was more than happy to help us bring it to life.  It was official, we had rented camels and I cannot tell you how excited I was that this was really happening.  The morning of the shoot finally came after what seemed like forever, and at just past 5am, we were on our way to go play with camels.  When we pulled up to the farm, it wasn’t some big commercial looking farm, there was no parking lot, and we were greeted by the owner’s son, who would be handling the animals for us that day.  Not 100 feet from where we parked, there was a very subdued fuzzy camel, just hanging out and watching us get everything together.  Once dressed in our wedding attire again, we started walking down the dirt road that led us to the animals, it was breathtaking.

Wedding Photography: Kristi Odom + Thu Tran + Christopher Yost of Kristi Odom Photography / Save the Dates: The Bride (Design) + Postcards.com (Printing) / Wedding Invitations: The Bride / Wedding Dress: Blu by Mori Lee via Bride Beautiful / Bridesmaid Dresses: CoralieBeatrix / Earrings: Belcanto / Bracelet: Macy’s / Hairpiece: cassandralynnestudios / Veil: Bella Bridal Veils / Bride’s Shoes: Nina / Girls’ Jewelry: elegantcostumejewelry / Personalized Hangers: LilaFrances / Tuxes: Savvi Formalwear / Ties: Macy’s / Wooden Signs: SweetWeddingDetails / Programs: The Bride / Flowers: Flowers From Us / DJ: Lou Guzzo from Spectrum Entertainment / Wedding Venue: Brasstown Valley Resort / Event Coordinator: Renee Beebe of Brasstown Valley Resort / Wedding Cake: Cakes By Darcy / Hats: eBay / Glasses: the-bestdealmarket + Shades of Fun / Sparklers: Sparkle / Table Numbers: The Bride / Guestbook: ModernShabby / Thank You Tags for Favors: Couture Cuts / Favors: Kate Aspen

A Savannah destination wedding just might be the greatest idea of all time and I’m officially appointing this charming affair by Morgan Gallo Events as the new spokes-wedding.  Simply brimming with vibrant fuchsia florals by Garden on the Square, breathtaking images by Scott Hopkins Photography and a whole heap of Southern charm, this traditional meets modern soiree is the perfect start to a sure-to-be fabulous Wednesday.  Join me in the gallery for all of the pretty details!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride & Groom… Sally is originally from Delaware & met Scott met while we were both students at Indiana University. We became fast friends during undergrad and both ended up in Chicago, Scott’s hometown. After a few years, we both realized our strong friendship had the makings of a great relationship and took the plunge. Over the next few years we lived and worked in a variety of locations around the world including New Delhi, Paris and now London where Sally works in Finance for a major software firm, and Scott works in Business Development for a major online job site. We married in June, 2011.

As we live outside of the United States, we had a huge blank slate as far as wedding locations. Savannah has always been an important place to us, and is a city we have visited without fail every year. When it came time to pick a wedding location, it was a clear winner. It offered us a modern and vibrant city with modern hotels, great restaurants (it’s not just Paula Deen, Ya’ll) and old world feel. With limited opportunities to spend time with our family and friends, being “present” during our wedding day was important. We both were so pleased that we were able to spend time catching up with our loved ones – and were able to share a laugh with those closest to us. While a few of our older relatives may have been scratching their heads when we skipped many of the reception formalities – we were both grateful to sit and share a meal with our loved ones!

In a nod to or current home city, we treated our guests to Britain’s favorite summer cocktail – Pimm’s – immediately following the ceremony. Given the modern, and largely white, reception venue carrying this bright color inside really laid the stage for the reception.  The fresh modern color scheme continued inside in the floral arrangements, paper goods, even the menu & food styling.  As the evening came, the the white walls where washed in hues of fuchsia adding to the drama (and making for killer photos).

Wedding Coordination + Design: Morgan Gallo Events / Wedding Photography: Scott Hopkins Photography / Wedding Ceremony Venue: Telfair Square / Wedding Reception Venue: Jepson Center for the Arts / Flowers: Garden on the Square / Catering: Cape Creations Catering / Wedding Cake: Addy B’s Cakes / Linens: BBJ Linens / Lighting: Stage Front / Candy Bar Paper Goods + Calligraphy: Jennifer Borkowski Designs / Wedding Invitations + Paper Goods: emma j design

Pretty little monograms, maids all in blush, timeless stationery, a cake worthy of its pedestal, sparkly Loubies – each and every turn of this gorgeous affair captured by Melissa Schollaert Photography is what dreams are made of. Big, beautiful, blush-filled ballroom dreams. And those are the best kind. Filled with gorgeous textures and layer after layer of elegant white touches, it’s the definition of pretty. It was all brought to life by the lovely Lindsey at Toast Events, and now we get to devour all of the goodness image by beautiful image. Ready for ALL of the prettiness? Then float on over to the full gallery for even more lovely!

Click here for the FULL ewedding!

From the photographer…Kim & Brian’s wedding was an elegant affair held at the historic Biltmore Ballrooms in Atlanta, Georgia.  Their beautiful church ceremony was followed by a trolley ride with the bridal party to the reception.  Their guests were greeted with a cocktail hour in the lobby with lounge areas, drinks and appetizers.  Before being ushered into the historic ballroom, guests passed the escort card table full of “match”-sticks with flags displaying their table numbers.  A sweet sign read, “We found our match, now you find yours!”.  The table also displayed an initial logo of “KB”, engagement photos and a display of floral arrangements and candles.  The elegant ballroom with it’s carved plasterwork ceiling doesn’t need much in the way of extra decor, but Kim & Brian kept it simple and modern.  A palette of whites including blush and ivory were the centerpiece of the reception scheme.  Beautiful white and ivory arrangements in silver vessels adorned most tables, while the head table held elegant sprays of flowers in tall, clear vases.  Candles, candles, candles were everywhere and really added to the ambiance of the room as well as the professional lighting that lit the old columns and intricately carved ceiling.  Guests were greeted at each placesetting with a favor of chocolates in a box with a wax seal displaying the logo initials of Kim & Brian.  They also received a “thank-you” note along with their menu card from the couple.  After dinner, guests partied on the dancefloor and enjoyed a late-night snack before the couple was ushered out by the Florida State fight song to their awaiting Rolls Royce getaway car.

Photography: Melissa Schollaert Photography / Event Planning: Toast Events / Caterer: Bold American / Lighting: Active Productions / Band: Daniel B. Marshall Band / Flowers: Jackson Durham / Videographer: Evolution Video / Cake: Sweet Sensations / Ceremony: Cathedral of Christ the King / Reception: Biltmore Imperial Ballroom / Rolls Royce + Guest Buses: Atlantic Limos / Bride’s Dress: Eve of Milady / Bride’s Veil: Bridals by Lori / Garter: Florrie Mitton / Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Rings: Solomon Brothers Jewelry / Bridesmaids Dresses: Amsale / Flower Girl Dress: US Angels / Bridesmaids’ Engraved Bracelets: Sarah Chloe / Bridesmaids’ Personalized Tote Bags: Wedding Chicks / Groom’s Tuxedo: Tommy Hilfiger / Groom’s Shirt & Shoes: Hugo Boss / Groomsmen’s Attire: Le Tux Shop / Mother’s Hankerchief: Embroidery by Linda / Favors: John Kelly Chocolates / Invitations: Bella Figura / Program & Menu: Hi Note / Mr. & Mrs. Signs: Family Attic / Thank You Umbrella: I Do Originals / Ring Bowl: Paloma’s Nest

This modern fête reads like a who’s who of awesome Atlanta wedding vendors from Alan Friedman Photography to the Smilebooth to (sigh) Amy Osaba.  To say that I’m a fan of Amy Osaba’s is the understatement of the year.  My crush for her perfectly unique, statement-making arrangements goes way above and beyond anything that could be considered normal.  I just think she’s the bees knees and once you see what she put together for this organically modern celebration you will surely be jumping on the love train too!  You should definitely spend some time with all the pretty details in the full gallery!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

Hold up!  Did you really think we’d leave you without sharing the fantastic film by Sterling Cinematics?  Definitely not!

From the bride… When we first started planning our wedding Rick and I made a list of all the things we would want in a venue.  We automatically knew we didn’t want a hotel ballroom, but also wanted something in the heart of Atlanta since so many of our guests were from out of town.  We also needed a space that could work for both our ceremony and reception since we weren’t having a religious ceremony.  Given it was going to be in the spring time we knew we wanted elements  of our wedding to be outside but to almost feel like we were outside even when we weren’t.  When I stumbled across Ventanas online I knew it was the perfect place.  Perched on top of a hotel in the center of downtown, it was a huge loft space with cement floors, wall to ceiling windows and even a helipad.  At first the only downfall was that it felt a bit too modern for our taste.  People laugh at me, but I wanted our wedding to feel like Anthropologie and J. Crew all wrapped up in to one party.  Clean lines with really soft, romantic flowers.  After seeing another wedding that our florist Amy Osaba created at Ventanas, I knew it was possible to have a modern space still feel like what we wanted.

My husband, Rick, came up with our theme “Mazel Tov, Y’all!”.  I’m Jewish and Rick grew up in Alabama so it ended up being perfect for the two of us. We tried to incorporate that throughout the wedding in a subtle way with the cocktail napkins and a sign on the dessert table.  I’m not the craftiest person, but was able to incorporate enough DIY touches like monogrammed pillows (just cut fabric out using the metal Anthropologie letters as a stencil and glued them on pillows I bought) and borrowing the dinner napkins from our caterer a few days before and printing stickers at kinkos and applying to the napkins with satin ribbon.

Everything truly came out perfect and the dance floor was packed the entire night. We ended up adding a Smilebooth at the very last minute and our guests absolutely loved it.  Those pictures are some of the funniest of the night…well except for the ones of us being lifted up in the chairs during the hora!

Venue: Ventanas / Photography: Alan Friedman Photography / Cinematography: Sterling Cinematics / Flowers + Event Design: Amy Osaba / Event Planning: Sashay Creative Events / Invitations: Eberle Invitations / Wedding Dress: Rivini / Photobooth: Smilebooth

It just doesn’t get any sweeter than this wedding by Brita Photography. It’s one of those pretty fêtes where you can just feeeel the love coming from the cute as can be couple. It’s a fabulous way to get your week off to the sweetest of starts, which is just how we like to kick things off here on SMP Georgia! There is oh so much more sweetness to see in the full gallery of images, so don’t forget to stop on by!

Click here for the full wedding!

From Brittany of Brita Photography…I am so thrilled to share Tyler and Joanna’s wedding with you all!  Tyler and Joanna are absolutely perfect together.  They both exude so much love for one another, friends, and family.  Spending the day with Joanna and her bridesmaids was so much fun!  Every moment I snapped captured the happiness in her eyes…literally, she smiles so big with her eyes.  It’s beautiful and heart warming.  Before the ceremony, Tyler and Joanna had their first look.  They didn’t want to see each other too much before the ceremony, so we quickly snapped a few and then parted for some fabulous bridal party shots.

The ceremony was held at the beautiful Church of the Most Holy Trinity.  It was so grand with tall stained glass windows adorned in colorful art.  Not to mention, the sound of the organ reverberating off the high arched ceilings.  <sigh>  After they were officially married, we headed to celebrate at The Marbury Center…a converted firehouse station in historic Augusta, Georgia.  They did an amazing job with the decorations!  Imagine about 75 paper pom poms hanging from the ceiling!  There was a very dreamy and romantic feel to the reception…it was just perfect, really.

Photography: Brita Photography / Ceremony:  Church of the Most Holy Trinity / Reception: The Marbury Center / Dress:  Bridals by Lori / Cake: Publix Bakery / Catering: Roux’s Catering

There’s just something so fun and sweet about a yellow wedding and I just can’t seem to get enough of their cheery, happy vibe! I’m loving the simple bridesmaids dresses with the perfect gray ribbon belt, the cute-as-can-be wishing sticks with multicolored ribbons, and the personalized RSVP cards that were used as decor for the reception. What a great idea! Buffy Dekmar Photography captured this day just brilliantly and there is so much more in the full gallery of images.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Buffy Dekmar Photography…The sweet bride, Mandie, is a first grade teacher and a modern artist. She makes her own stationery and other paper goodies, so everyone knew her wedding would be full of funky, creative, out-of-the-ordinary details. The yellow and grey color scheme looked great against the Georgia pine trees behind their charming church, and the cowboy boots added the perfect touch of southern flair. The guys balanced things out with their grey sneakers and modern suits. Mandie and Justin’s ultra relaxed bridal party had fun playing around in the shaded woods behind the church… So much fun that they almost forgot it was 100 degrees out there. No worries about the sweat, though, because Mandie’s mom had everyone covered. She came out with lots of colorful bandannas to wipe our brows! The day unfolded seamlessly from the precious bride and groom’s “first look” in the woods, to their church exit to the song “Forever Young” (The couple’s new last name is Young!) and then to their sweetly styled getaway to the reception.

Some of my favorite touches of personality from this wedding were the yellow and silver wishing sticks; sweet flower girl’s twine headband with butterflies; folk band at the church doors playing music during the guests’ entrance and exit; Model A Ford getaway car (won at a raffle); “guest libs” in the programs (fill-in-the-blank cards for guests to write notes to the bride and groom, which they dropped in a basket on the way out); personalized RSVP cards on display attached to an old box springs; and homemade white confectionaries of all types in lieu of a wedding cake. Mandie and Justin are such a sweet couple and their wedding was the perfect reflection of their lively personalities and their pure, unassuming love. What an awesome wedding day!

Wedding Photography: Buffy Dekmar Photography / Ceremony Location: Presbyterian Church of the Resurrection / Reception Location: Cherokee Run Country Club / Groom + Groomsmen Shoes: Converse / Bride’s Boots: Dan Post / Bridesmaid Boots: Steve Madden / Suits: Kenneth Cole / Wedding Gown: Unknown (from a breast cancer benefit auction) / Florist: Family Friend / Bridesmaid Dresses: JCPenney / Earrings: Etsy