Georgia Weddings

When I think about getting married barefoot on the beach my mind tends to veer towards the carefree and casual.  For a bride who loves the outdoors and always imagined sand between her toes on her wedding day she is certainly more princess than backpacker.  The entire day, captured by Sara D. Harper, is such a dazzling display of elegance. Catch all the chic details in the full gallery!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride.. .I always knew at a young age that I wanted to get married barefoot on the beach … so that’s what I did!  We got married on Jekyll Island which is a small quiet beach off the coast of Georgia.  I grew up going to this beach and have always admired the huge plantation style mansions that make up the historic Jekyll Island Club Hotel.  My husband and I both love the outdoors, so, initially, the ceremony and reception were planned to take place outside.  That all changed the day before the wedding when there was 90% chance of thunderstorms on the “big day.”  It sprinkled the morning of, but no rain in sight for the time of the ceremony!  YAY!

The ceremony took place on the beach in front of the Jekyll Island Club Beach Pavilion.  It was very windy, but I think God just wanted to let us know that he was there (since we weren’t in church).  The reception was moved from the Riverfront Front Lawn to the J.P. Morgan Tennis Courts at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel.  The courts, which were built in 1929, were newly renovated and had just opened for events the week before!  The Grapevine from Macon, GA were absolutely wonderful at entertaining our guest all night long.  All the catering and cake was done by the Jekyll Island Club Hotel.  J and D Designs out of Douglas, GA decorated the ceremony and reception site.  Our beautiful pictures were done by Sara D Harper.  She did an amazing job at capturing all the of details throughout the whole day.

Wedding Photography: Sara D. Harper / Hair: Jekyll Island Club Salon / Florals: J and D Designs / Wedding Dress: Eve of Milady / Bride’s Shoes: Converse / Groom’s Attire: Savvi Formalwear / Venue, Catering + Wedding Cake: Jekyll Island Club

There is a whole lot of pretty coming your way this lovely Tuesday morning, all courtesy of this gorgeous Kennesaw affair by Scobey Photography.  Filled to the brim with one amazing detail after another, the more time I spend drooling over all of the beautiful images, the more I fall desperately in love with each and every one.  (And trust me, I’ve spent a lot of time drooling.)  From those stunning bouquets by Aesthetic Floral & Event Artistry to that amazing Priscilla of Boston wedding gown to one of the cutest flower girls you ever did see (she’ll melt your heart), this is one fabulous Southern soiree… And I haven’t stopped swooning yet.  Join me for every last detail here!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Scobey Photography… They were friends first; for a long, long time. Their chemistry was obvious, and their friends kept asking them why they weren’t dating. The answer was always the same: they were friends first, and they didn’t want to risk ruining that. Then, one day, they looked at each other and realized that maybe it wouldn’t ruin anything. Maybe it would make everything even better than it already was. They were friends first; and that has made every difference in the world.

Wedding Photography: Scobey Photography / Floral Design: Aesthetic Floral & Event Artistry / Wedding Location: Marietta Country Club / Bride’s Shoes: Grazia / Wedding Dress: Priscilla of Boston / Bridesmaid Dresses: Priscilla of Boston / Band: Loose Chain / Wedding Cake: Gabriel’s Desserts / Wedding Videography: Jeff Dinges

Happy Monday lovelies! We on the east coast had a lovely guest named Miss Irene visit over the weekend, and many of us here at team SMP are powerless or dealing with the mess she left. Let’s just say Irene was not a good house guest. However, it does allow those of you who haven’t entered the Inspire Me Pretty Georgia contest another day to enter! Just head on over to our Inspiration Board Builder, tag your pretty Georgia-inspired board with Inspire Me Pretty GEORGIA, and we’ll announce a winner tomorrow! xoxo, A. Blaire

I have to confess that when I first viewed this magnificent film by Anna and Spencer Photography I got a wee bit chocked up.  The moments that were chosen, the music, the sweet bride and groom and their vows all create a heart-wrenching, touching and lovely glimpse into what must have been a phenomenal wedding.  I dare you to finish the whole video without getting a little misty-eyed.

From Anna and Spencer Photography… Devin and Fayoce’s wedding was a wedding full of meaning and emotion.  We absolutely loved their personal vows to each other, and the time  they spent with their friends and family on the day. The wedding took  place in downtown Atlanta at the Druid Hills Baptist Church and then  the reception was at Ventanas downtown. Personally, we just love the  emotion of the day.

Alrighty my pretty Georgia Peaches – it’s your turn to inspire the socks off all of us at SMP! I cannot tell you how much I love y’alls style down there, so I just can’t even wait to see what you have up your southern sleeves! Here’s how Inspire Me Pretty works – you whip up a pretty as can be inspiration board using our oh-so-handy Inspiration Board Builder, tag it with Inspire Me Pretty GEORGIA and we’ll pick a winner to put up in lights! When Georgia’s on my mind I think peaches, so I created a board based around that fabulous fruit your state is so famous for. What do you think? Well now it’s YOUR turn to show me what inspires you about your gorgeous state of Georgia! Remember to TAG your board Inspire Me Pretty GEORGIA. The winner will be announced on Monday!

Did I do Georgia justice? What does your dream Georgia gala look like? Be sure to use the new board builder and TAG your board Inspire Me Pretty GEORGIA so we can easily find your gorgeousness.  I’ll announce the winner on Monday!

I am 100% without a doubt in love with Savannah. So it’s no surprise that my eyes light up when a Savannah soirée falls in my lap – particularly when it’s from W Scott Chester Photography. And when you put fancy shoes on a cake stand (scroll down, it’s a must see) ultimately combining two of my favorite things EVER – well, my heart knows no bounds. It doesn’t stop there – oh no – there is even more fabulous in the full gallery of images!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…Kent & I live in San Francisco, but our families and friends are all over the country. When we started the wedding planning process, we were clear on only one concept:  we wanted our wedding to be a weekend event where we were surrounded by our closest family and friends. From there, the vision and priorities for our wedding weekend fell into place. After some Internet research, we decided that Savannah would likely fit the bill. It’s a small city with a lot of charm, lots to do, plenty of good food, and a fantastic art school. If we were going to ask all our friends and family to travel, we wanted it to be somewhere they were going to be excited to go!

The look and vision for our wedding came about organically. We had vague notions of what we wanted: classy, casual, great food, music, and DIY projects. And some very specific ideas of what we didn’t want: a wedding cake, too much white, calligraphy, or formality. Thank god for wedding blogs because I spent hours looking for inspiration, and learned guiding principle 4: hire an amazing photographer! Working with W. Scott Chester for our engagement and wedding photos was super special, and we are so glad to have these photos to re-live our wedding day. The MG Events team were fantastic at helping translate my flower and decor ideas into specifics and pairing us with the best vendors. Our vague notions of classy and casual turned into those amazing flower-filled bottles hanging from trees at a our floral meeting. Our desire for great music turned into custom-made CDs for all our guests.

We had many talented friends and family to help with the DIY elements. I made the place seating cards, assembled a family photo project and made playlists for dinner. Kent made the CDs. My dad made the table numbers by drilling house numbers on hardback books. My mom made the cupcake stand. All of the women (and the best man) staying at home base covered 60+ books with fabric I bought and craft paper for the table decorations. One of the groomsman made us an amazing dance party mix to play at the wedding. Etsy and second-hand sellers provided the rest of the items we loved.
Kent and I enjoyed every second of our wedding but some of our favorite memories was:  our first look, reading our handwritten vows to each other while our good friend married us,  my dance with my Dad, Kent’s dance with his Mom,  and the late-night living room dance party at home base.

Our wedding weekend would not have been half the day it was without Morgan and Alysse and the rest of our vendors!  I’ve read it on this blog (SMP) a million times and it’s worth repeating: Hire great vendors and then trust them to do their best work. Every vendor we worked with fantastic, and it all came together better than I could have hoped!

Wedding Planning + Design: Morgan Gallo Events / Floral Design: Kiwi Fleur / Venue: Harper Fowlkes House / Wedding Photography: W Scott Chester Photography / Linens: BBJ Linens / Hair + Make-up: Atmospheres Salon / Wedding Dress: Jenny Lee Bridal / Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale / Bridal Hair Piece: Powder Blue Bijoux / Lighting: Stage Front / Cupcakes: Cupcake Emporium / Programs: Jennifer Borkowski Designs

I swear if I put down this laptop and picked up the dictionary to look up the word elegance these stunning images by Jen Huang Photography and enchanting film by Three Ring Media would be right next to the definition.  The light, that bouquet, the classic black-tie attire all work harmoniously to create one breathtaking Savannah soiree.  Make sure you head down to the sensational showpiece below and check out the details in the full gallery!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

And now for the main attraction!  A gorgeous, romantic film by Three Ring Media…

From the Bride…I’m a special events planner. My background is events within magazine publishing. I never envisioned anyone planning my wedding aside from me. I know what I like and I trust my taste. Mitch was an extremely helpful groom. Even though he was juggling a demanding job, he still made time to travel for food tastings, venue searches, floral demos etc. Also, he used his way above average excel skills to keep everything meticulously organized, once a guest confirmed, he had a million sheets that automatically populated other line items involving budget and all that madness. He was also right by me picking up wedding stationery and the like. He addressed all the save the dates and wedding invitations. His handwriting is pretty perfect. Lol! I asked for his opinions a lot so he won’t feel like an outsider (and I value his taste) – it was a collaborative effort but with me mainly steering the ship.

Our ceremony took place in a tiny church on Tybee Island (St. Michael Catholic Church). It was the perfect small church where we were surrounded by close family and friends. We had a cocktail reception and a spectacular dinner at the Mansion on Forsyth Park in Savannah GA. The renovation Victorian mansion is glamorous, charming, and comfortable.

Wedding Coordinator: Jeannie Green of Exceptional Events / Ceremony Venue: St. Michael Catholic Church / Reception Venue: Mansion at Forsyth Park / Wedding Photography: Jen Huang Photography / Wedding Videographer: Three Ring Media / Floral Design: Chuck Haynes / Event Design + Planner: Nkechi Olisemeka of NK Events / Invitation Design: Friend of the Bride / Wedding Cake + Desserts: Art Cake Co. / Wedding Gown: Monique Lhuillier / Bridesmaid Dress: Miranda Bennett / Earrings: Alexis Bittar / Engagement Ring: Designed by the Groom / Film Work: Richard Photo

I haven’t spent much time in Georgia, although I absolutely adored my short but sweet stay in the Peach state. So when I saw this photo shoot captured and designed by Buffy Dekmar Photography, I was immediately taken back in my mind to the sweetness that is Georgia. The peaches, the orchards, the beautiful trees, they’re all here. I love all the details of this shoot and my fav has got to be the cute little whiskey recipe. Totally adorable. Click here for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Buffy Dekmar Photography…What better place for an authentic Georgia elopement than in a peach orchard on a hot summer night when the peaches are ripe and the beer is cold? We loved putting together this inspiration session!

Photography: Buffy Dekmar Photography / Event Design: Buffy Dekmar Photography + Molly Ferguson (sister) / Ceremony Location: Hudson Farms / Groom’s Shoes: Earnhardt

We have a whole lot of pretty coming your way this lovely Monday morning here on Style Me Pretty Georgia, courtesy of the oh-so-fabulous Morgan Gallo Events.  A soft purple color palette, a stunning gown and an amazing location are just the beginning of all the gorgeous that is this Ford Plantation stunner.  And when I say I want to live in that breathtaking ceremony space, trust me, I am not kidding… I would literally move in tomorrow, if I could.  Love.  Yes, with one beautiful image after another by Jade and Matthew Take Pictures, this sweet, Southern soiree is just the way I like to start my week.  See all of the pretty here!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Morgan Gallo Events… Roger and Naomi got married at one of our favorite locations the low country has to offer…The Ford Plantation! The couple did one of my all time favorite non-traditional things—a first look and you can really see the excitement and anticipation in both Roger and Naomi’s eyes thanks to the amazing photographers Jade and Matthew of “Jade and Matthew Take Pictures”. The couple chose to stray from the popular location of the front lawn/gates of the Ford Plantation to behind the house where the beautiful majestic oaks alongside the marsh front served as their ceremony location backdrop. We love that Roger and Naomi decided to hold their reception at the Marina (although we still love the ambiance of the main house and majestic oaks) but this was a pleasant twist and suited them perfectly. The unique and interested twist of the day—guests indulged in a oyster roast while pictures were finishing up of the bridal party and newlyweds. By the end of the night, there wasn’t a soul left sitting down. The dance floor was packed, guests were full from an incredible feast and wedding cake was cut! Roger and Naomi truly enjoyed each and every minute of their wedding and we were honored to share in their day!

Wedding Planner: Morgan Gallo Events / Ceremony + Reception Venue: The Ford Plantation / Wedding Photography: Jade and Matthew Take Pictures / Wedding Cake: Kerry O’Conner Cakes / Flowers: A to Zinnias / Linens: BBJ Linens / Rentals: SSE Rentals

If you haven’t had the joy of experiencing one of Three Ring Media‘s cinematic wedding trailers yet, you picked a good one to start with. I don’t know if its the adorable and obvious love between the couple, or the fantastic decor of the beautiful downtown Atlanta venue, or the fact that the bride is beyond gorgeous, but whatever it is, this wedding is totally making my Saturday. Click here to see the full image gallery!

Fabulous photography by Sarah Esther Photography.

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Ian and Fanta’s Cinematic Trailer from Three Ring Media on Vimeo.

Fanta and Ian met during their sophomore year at Spelman College and Morehouse College, respectively, at a weekly block party on Spelman College’s campus.  Although Fanta was in a relationship at the time, the two took note of one another during that first meeting.  Due to mutual friends, the two of them began to run into one another at various social gatherings and events and a friendship ensued.  During their senior year, when they returned to their campuses after summer break, they realized that they were ready to be more than just friends and soon began a romantic relationship.

After disguising a vacation to Napa Valley as a joint 30th birthday trip, Ian took Fanta on a surprise private tour of several vineyards.  At the last stop on their tour, atop Springer Mountain which overlooked the valley, Ian gave Fanta a gift he made especially for her – a personal rendition of the popular “Five Love Languages” book, which she had been urging him to read.  His book included five separate pages of events, activities and snippets of intimate phrases they had shared throughout their relationship that exemplied each of the five love languages- Acts of Service, Physical Touch, Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, and Gifts. Fanta read through each page and when she got to the the last love language, “Gifts”, Ian presented her with a wonderful gift- a proposal to spend the rest of their lives together.

When they got back from Napa, they started the planning process and the first item on the list was to pick a venue.  Fanta walked into The Grand Atrium at 200 Peachtree and was immediately taken by the chandeliers. She loved that it was an elegant and lofty space, while still remaining understated. The Grand Atrium at 200 Peachtree captured perfectly the ambiance of urban sophistication. For the wedding, the venue was beautifully decorated in coral, gold and champagne accents. As a personal touch, there were excerpts from various letters Fanta and Ian wrote one another over the years displayed during the cocktail hour, a subtle nod to the fact that much of their relationship after college had been spent in separate cities.

Photographer: Sarah Esther Photography / Videographer: Three Ring Media / Venue: 200 Peachtree / Floral Designer: Randi Lawrence Moore | Design / Event Designer/Planner: Randi Lawrence Moore | Design / Stationery Designers: Lucky & Lovely & Sandi Spells Designs / Make-up Artists: Shawna Elizabeth Enterprise & Love Over Logic / Cake: Couture Cakes / Wedding Gown Designer: Modern Trousseau / Bridesmaid’s Dress Designer: Ava Collection by Mori Lee

It’s another wonderful Friday morning here on Style Me Pretty Georgia and we have just the wedding to fill your entire weekend with pretty.  With beautiful pink blooms by Flowers by Joanne, cute-as-can be bridesmaid dresses (Love the pockets!), a gorgeous bride and groom and stunning images by Light Love Laughter Photography, my day is getting brighter by the minute.  Trust me, you don’t want to miss a single gorgeous moment.  See all of the pretty here!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Light Love Laughter Photography… Charisa and Ryan met at a friend’s pool party but Charisa left before Ryan could get her number. His backup plan? Facebook. He “friended” her and they began to chat. It wasn’t long before they’d scheduled a date for lunch at Longhorns and realized they had even better conversations in person than they did online. Consecutive dates were requested by Ryan but it took extra diligence and work on his part to convince Charisa’s father that “the guy she met online” was good enough for his daughter. Eventually the family grew to love him and he was welcomed with open arms- these two families saw this coming long ago and the day was long awaited and anticipated by many. Charisa did an amazing job planning all the details of her wedding day and remained carefree and focused on enjoying and savoring every last minute of her wedding day. She’d heard it’d go fast and quickly realized just how true those words were- just as quickly as the day had started the dance floor had to be cleared and it was time to head into the night and onto their honeymoon!

Preparations: Spring Hill Suites / Wedding Ceremony Location: Alpharetta Presbyterian Church / Wedding Reception Location: DeVore House / Wedding Dress: Wedding Angels / Bride’s Shoes: DSW / DJ: JJ of Fonix Entertainment / Wedding Cake: Once Upon A Cake / Catering: A Delightful Bitefull Catering, LLC. / Bridesmaid Dresses: Wedding Angels / Wedding Invitations: Hallmark / Programs, Garter, Flower Girl Gifts: La Vita Allegra Invitation and Accessory Boutique / Bubbles: Hobby Lobby / Bridesmaid Gifts: Coach / Groomsmen Gifts: Things Remembered / Flowers: Flowers by Joanne / Wedding Photography: Light Love Laughter Photography

Oh if this isn’t the sweetest video of the cutest couple then I don’t know what is! You can really feel the love between these two on both their wedding day and in their “behind the scenes” moments with the camera. Lots of love to Three Ring Media for sharing this film with us. We love it!

From the Bride…In the summer of 2009, we went to see the Disney/Pixar film Up; Dave was instantly inspired. He called my family to inquire about an heirloom aquamarine that I had mentioned to him, but refused to divulge his proposal plans. Once he acquired the family stone, he met with a jeweler to create a custom setting. Then, he called a local hot air balloon company. Flying in a hot air balloon was a bucket list item of mine. Once I learned that Dave had planned a ballooning outing for us, I was too excited to even begin to question what he was up to! When our balloon approached Lake Lanier, a beautiful area north of Atlanta, Dave awkwardly positioned himself on one knee in the little balloon basket. My face lit up when I saw the aquamarine that I’d had my heart set on since I was a little girl. I flung my arms around him and said yes. We were greeted on the ground with champagne.

The vintage and whimsical nature of our proposal inspired the style of our wedding. We chose an antebellum home as our wedding venue and incorporated many “Old South” details into our decor, right down to the fresh cotton blooms in the bouquets. I went for a very vintage look with a lace trumpet gown with a puddle train, complete with birdcage veil. We incorporated a subtle balloon motif throughout our DIY stationary suite to convey the whimsy of our proposal. In fact, our Save the Dates were actual balloons with our wedding date printed on them!

These meaningful quirks our loved ones brought to our wedding day are our greatest memories. Our guests got creative with our “fauxtobooth” props, released the inner child upon raiding the candy buffet, and broke out some never-before-seen salsa dancing skills on the dance floor! Dave and I could not stop beaming throughout the entire day; it was incredible to share such an incredible day with each other and with so many people we love!

Wedding Videography: Three Ring Media / Wedding Photography: H. Photography / Floral Design: Birch Blooms / Wedding Cake: Miss Mamie’s Cupcakes / Wedding Gown: Watters / Bridesmaid Dresses: Alfred Angelo / Veil + Fascinators: Fine + Fleurie

There’s nothing I love more than a vineyard wedding and this one is simply drop dead gorgeous. Captured by Alea Moore Photography, this wedding has got it all. From the gorgeous dress and lace veil to the sweetly understated flower girl dresses and crowns to the bright pops of florals to the gorgeous cake with blue detailing, this wedding has seriously not missed a beat. Click here for even more.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…My favorite part of the day was the ceremony when we were overlooking the vineyards and our 9-year relationship, the memories and trials, all paid off.  What a beautiful ceremony and location in the Dahlonega mountains!  All I can say about the wedding was that we had some amazing people around us that helped us make the most special day of our lives possible.  You see, we have had many hard times in 9 years, and our spectacular wedding day, made all the hard times a bit easier knowing all the people we truly loved and cherished were there.  What a truly unforgettable experience!

Wedding Photography: Alea Moore Photography / Flowers: Mimi Walden / Event Design: Mimi Walden +  Monteluce Winery and Estates / Event Planning: Marissa Frasso / Ceremony + Reception Location: Monteluce Winery and Estates / Wedding Cake: Frosted Pumpkin Gourmet, Inc. / Wedding Dress: Wedding Angels / Make-up: Inger Ardston

This coastal Georgia engagement party is so rustic-chic, charming, eclectic and down right cute, I totally wish I could live in it. You heard me. Jump right into my computer screen and live my life surrounded by beautiful, warm florals, sweet little ponies, delicious food and wine, and the coziest home I’ve ever seen. Pineapple Productions sent this charming party our way, and I so can’t wait to see the wedding to follow this fantastic affair. Any couple that can dream this soiree up is full of style and is bound to have a killer wedding. Click here for the full image gallery!

The entire affair was captured brilliantly by Laura Ciociola.

From Pineapple Productions … The party began with cocktails under a grand live oak tree.  Spanish moss and lanterns made from vines hung from the trees as guests sipped bourbon punch served in silver trophy julep cups collected by Jamie.  Award winning artisan cheeses from Thomasville, Georgia’s own Sweet Grass Dairy were served on a collection of rustic wood platters.

Meanwhile, young children of guests fed carrots to a miniature pony and had their own picnic on a colorful quilt.  Paper pom poms hung from the tree over their quilt and were also placed whimsically on the grass.  Each child received their own picnic basket with wax paper wrapped peanut butter sandwiches, Late July cheese crackers, Zapp’s chips and organic apples.  Homemade spring strawberry punch was their drink of choice — as well as for some of the adults!

For the adults, two dinner tables were set with china collected from the cabinets of friends and family members.  The result was an eclectic but elegant mix of old and new finery that balanced well with the rustic and natural setting of the plantation.  Lauren used the natural surroundings as inspiration for her table designs.  For the dining room table, she created a breathtaking runner of moss and then accented it with vines, mushrooms and lichens she gathered from the property.  Jamie interspersed the narrowest of pillar candles with bendy parrot tulips for an effortless look.  A rustic wood chandelier draped with more vines hung from above.

The table on the screened in porch was set with an entirely different look.  A more styled arrangement  of gorgeous golden orange calla lilies mixed well with vintage table chandeliers and grass green goblets.  On the nearby coffee table, Lauren placed a precious hornet’s nest and around it artfully arranged touches of moss, cotton, lichens and vines.  It became the conversation piece of the night!

Dinner began with curried zucchini soup with lemon creme fraiche, followed by a salad with mixed baby greens and fried heirloom green tomatoes.  For the entree, caterer Jeanie Bracey served local quail stuffed with jalapeno over white cheddar grits.  Dessert was the ever popular s’mores around a nightime campfire.  This dressed up version involved artisan dark and milk chocolate “daisies” as well as tiny glasses of port and flutes of Strawberry Kir Royale.

During the party, guests were invited to write messages to the future bride and groom and to attach their words with clothespins to an oldfashioned birdcage that became a gift to the couple.  As guests departed, they were sent off with luxurious herbal and floral bath soaps, chocolate covered pecans and potted succulents.

Event Planning and Styling: Lauren Lanigan Davis and Jamie West, Pineapple Productions / Photography: Laura Ciociola / Catering: Jeanie Bracey, Thomasville, GA / Artisan Cheeses: Sweet Grass Dairy / Specialty Chocolates: Relish / Attire: Kevin’s of Thomasville / Decor: Nest / Soap Favors: Lavish / Accessories: Mimi’s / Florals: Ram Singletary, Singletary’s / Tabletop China: My Favorite Things / Invitations and Creative Paper: Polly Parker, Baker & Lu

Garden party glam might be a new favorite wedding theme of mine, and this alfresco Atlanta affair by TOAST Events is a fabulous example why. With fluffy florals around every turn (including in the pool), pretty pink maids lined up in a row, and a full gospel choir to serenade guests – it’s pretty easy to see why I am ga ga over this garden soiree. And you can see even more reasons why my heart is all a flutter in the full gallery of images thanks to Melissa Schollaert!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…We met on Memorial Day in 2007.  I was having a cookout for my daughters and there were several other mothers who also joined the party.  They were friends with Paul and called and asked him to join them,  they had been trying to get together for several weeks.  He arrived, stayed for dinner and then stayed a little longer after they left.

As we became acquainted with one another, we discovered that there were many things that we had in common.  Both of us married for 21 years, both had only girls and our children were our priority.  I am from North Carolina,  which is where he immigrated to from South Africa, and finally, his aunt in Johannesburg founded the company that Avon acquired and I knew her from some of our international conferences.

After that, we never spent a weekend apart and our entire families were overjoyed when we decided to tie the knot.  Paul planned the perfect proposal in San Marco square in Venice last June.

We wanted an intimate wedding that felt like a house party so we commissioned the Pink Palace, an estate in buckhead that provided the perfect backdrop. Our biggest focus was on the ceremony that included two vocalists, a full gospel choir, a violinist, a pianist and their 5 daughters as attendants.  The reception was held in the pool courtyard, with outdoor tables topped with blush linens and floral sprays and candles.  Guests were treated to multiple food stations inside the  opulent mansion, featuring a Mediterranean food station and a traditional Southern food station featuring fried green tomatoes and other Southern cuisine.  The night was capped off with dancing under the stars, followed by a bagpiper serenade from the rooftop that sent the couple off on their honeymoon.

Venue: The Pink Palace by Lease Luxury Properties / Wedding Dress: Romona Keveza via Joan Pillow / Wedding Planning + Production: TOAST Events, Lindsay Pitt / Wedding Photography: Melissa Schollaert Photography / Catering: Bold American / Stationery: Hi Note / Décor, Florals + Lighting: Andy Beach / Wedding Cake: Frosted Pumpkin Gourmet / Rentals: Classic Party Rentals / DJ + Bagpiper: Event Performance / Gospel Choir: Faith Temple Choir / Transportation: Atlantic Limo / Valet: Georgia Valet

There is a whole lot of pretty coming your way this lovely Monday morning and I, for one, could not be happier.  With all of the charming details wrapped up in this gorgeous Athens affair by Caroline Fontenot Photographer, you can’t help but smile.  From the amazing bouquets by Ginger Lily Events, wrapped in lace and filled with an abundance of colorful blooms, to those super adorable J.Crew bridesmaid dresses in just the perfect shade of teal blue, it’s just one beautiful moment after another. I can’t think of a better way to start the week here on Style Me Pretty Georgia than with all of these stunning images.  Join me in the gallery for every last one!

Click here to see the entire image gallery!

From the Bride… We had a blast collecting, designing and crafting décor for the reception. The wrought iron candelabras and wooden boxes were borrowed from a family friend. The burlap, lanterns and Mason jars were borrowed from my boss. I designed all of the signage for the bar, guest book table, donation tables, etc. to match the overall “brand” of the wedding. And yes, I did just use the word “brand” in reference to our wedding. I work for a graphic design agency… I can’t help it ? The signage for the bar was a beer list that included a humorous description of why we chose each beer to be served at the wedding. We hung family wedding photos from a clothesline and made a board for guests to give marriage advice. We also spray painted wooden arrows (From Michael’s!) with chalkboard paint for our guests to personalize in the photobooth.

Beau came up with the awesome idea to give out donations as our wedding “favors.”  We chose 3 organizations that had a major impact on us during our time at the University of Georgia. The first was Relay for Life, an organization devoted to raising funds and awareness for the fight against cancer. Both of our families have been touched by cancer, and Beau served on the executive board for UGA Relay for three years. The second organization we chose was ugaMiracle, a student-run organization at UGA that benefits Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. I served on the executive board during her senior year, and Beau hopes to pursue a medical career in the field of pediatrics. The last organization we chose was the UGA Foundation Fellows program. Beau was awarded the Foundation Fellows Scholarship during his time at UGA, which offered him a multitude of international and local opportunities including service projects, academic conferences and discussion groups.

Our wonderful friends from Charlottesville helped us compile bags of homemade cookies (by the talented Whitney Roper) and our two favorite candies (Sour Patch Kids for me, and Reeses Pieces for Beau!). We tied tags to each bag that told of the donations, and also designed larger signs for the tables that described why each of the organizations were important to us.

Wedding Photography: Caroline Fontenot Photographer / Floral Design: Ginger Bradshaw of Ginger Lily Events / Wedding Ceremony Location: Athens First Presbyterian Church / Wedding Reception Location: Foundry Park Inn & Spa / Wedding Invitations & Programs: Designed by the Bride / Bride’s Shoes: J.Crew / Wedding Dress: Christina Wu / Bride’s Necklace: J.Crew / Men’s Attire: JoS. A. Bank / Men’s Ties: Tie Obsessed / Band: A-Town A-List

We are sending you off to your weekend in style with this gorgeous St. Simons Island wedding by Light Love Laughter Photography. To say that these beautiful nuptials have captured my Georgia loving heart would be an understatement.  I am more than smitten with the vibrant color scheme, the hydrangea-filled mason jars by English Gardens and the travel-inspired table numbers.  Not to mention that I now have a slight obsession with the bride’s stunning gown.  Seriously, how gorgeous can one gown be?  It’s a whole lot of amazing details and it all makes for one pretty fabulous Friday.  Join me in the gallery for even more!

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From Light Love Laughter Photography… Kimberly is the most easy going, considerate and loving bride I’ve ever met. Ben is her perfect match, a true gentleman and her constant support. It’s in little glances and the way he speaks to her that make it clear he not only loves Kimberly but he treasures her.

Kimberly dreamed of a small intimate wedding celebrating with her closest family and friends so through her first year of law school she used any free minutes she could find in planning her dream wedding. She loves buttons but then realized that they both love traveling and it’s something they plan to do a lot of together so she took the maps of countries they’d visited together and those they plan to visit soon and created picture frames with them. They also served as the backdrop for the escort cards.

Kimberly is a brave woman and there’s not much that can shake her. Just weeks before the wedding her mom was told her remission from cancer was over and she’d be going through Chemo just weeks before the wedding. Although this meant some of the final details and decor would have to be left behind Kimberly was not only there to support her mom but to pull the final details of her destination wedding together. St. Simons was the perfect location for their intimate wedding celebration and I was honored to share the beautiful day with such a sweet couple.

Wedding Cake: Betty Zeigler Cakes / Flowers: English Gardens / Venue + Catering: The King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort / Groom’s Pies + Catering for Bridal Party: Cafe’ Frederica / Hair: Bienvenue Salon / Make-up: Catherine Taylor / Guest Book: Cookbook from Barbara Jean’s / Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal / Wedding Photography: Light Love Laughter Photography

The neutral color palette of this Atlanta art gallery totally hits the spot today. It’s classic and beautiful and it lets the happy couple shine through their big day together. You can completely tell from the images Artstar by Laura Stone sent our way that the day was so special. It’s so great to see a traditional wedding with a twist, centered around the most important aspects of the day – the couple, the love they share for each other, and the love they have for a few of their favorite things (Krispy Kream doughnuts, anyone?). I’ve fallen head over heels for this timeless affair, and I am positive you will love it too. Click here for more of this chic couple over at Artstar’s blog!

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Ken and  I met through a coworker of mine who was dating a coworker of his (they are now happily married). My coworker had been trying to set us up for a year but we were both dating other people. We both ended our relationships in May and we met on a blind date on July 7th. As soon as I saw him walk across the set of windows at the restaurant, I knew this could be something good!

After nearly four months of dating, Ken proposed to me at my parents’ mountain home in Cashiers, NC. Ken is a Georgia Bulldog and I’m a Florida Gator so naturally we were engaged on the Florida vs. Georgia game day! Ken had a bag of game day goodies and stopped me at a bench by the pond on the way to breakfast at the house.  He said we was worried some of his game swag might be over the top, especially in front of my parents, and wanted me to take a peek at the silly items he had bought. The first thing was a fortune cookie that I opened and said “Go Dawgs!” He apologized, saying he gave me the wrong one. As I opened the next fortune cookie, he got down on his knee – I thought it was to keep rummaging through the bag…but then the fortune read “I love you Jadideah. Will you Marry Me?”

I had been to multiple charity cocktail events at Mason Murer Art Gallery and they were able to completely redesign the gallery to cater to each event. Every party was amazing and so much fun. I loved the spaces and how uniquely the art complemented the social atmosphere. Ken and I went to a charity event that had multiple food tastings from popular Atlanta restaurants. I remember sitting with him at a small table and thinking how great would it be to have a wedding reception here!  I asked him what he thought of this place and he loved it.

The inspiration for the wedding was from a line I had written somebody about what I was looking for in a man – “I want a champagne-drinking, caviar-eating man with style, class and taste, who can also drink beer out of a can wearing shorts and flip flops while watching football at a barbeque.” So my theme was a black tie event with champagne and fine wines, tenderloin and an antipasti table combined with chili dogs, chili burgers, fries and onion rings from Atlanta’s famous Drive-In, The Varsity and Burritos from Moe’s.  A surprise visit around 10:30pm with hot doughnuts from Krispy Kreme, milk shakes and sliders.

The colors were all about me. I don’t like much color so white, cream and beige were pretty much it. Perfect in a white art gallery! The color was in the artwork. It was fabulous!

My most vivid memory was of course the actual ceremony and being so excited to be married to this man. But the next one was Ken on stage playing guitar and singing with the band. So amazing!

Photographer: Artstar by Laura Stone / Cinematography: Adam Siegel / Floral Designer: Eva Behrendt / Event Planner: The Whole Shebang / Event Designer: GraysonHarris /Invitation Designer: Bride, Jadideah Duckham Yarbrough / Cake: Eileen Carter / Wedding Gown Designer: Romona Keveza / Ceremony Location: Peachtree Christian Church / Reception Location: Mason Murer Art Gallery

Today’s wedding is definitely a near and dear. In a way, I’ve kind of watched the bride grow up. And turn into one of the sweetest, most beautiful girls I know. You see, I met Leonora 10 years ago when her sister (dark hair, bridesmaid below and the queen of all things fab) when we became besties at Vanderbilt. Leonora was a baby back then. A holy cow beautiful baby, but a little girl none the less. Over the years, we watched her graduate from high school, head off to college, move her super smarty pants to NYC and fall in love with a very cute boy. And now we get to see the day that she become a Mrs. So without further ado…here is our Leonora’s perfect Savannah wedding. And PS…there is so much more in the galleries. And PPS…her sister Court (my bestie) is the owner of Glow MedSpa and Beauty Boutique in Savannah who just happens to be a LBB member and does THE best wedding day beauty on the planet. Shameless plug, but totally true. xoxo, Abby

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…Brian went to UNC and is a huge “Tarheel” fan, so we decided to have a blue and white color scheme! Our wedding coordinator was helpful in directing us to vendors but in terms of styling the wedding, my mother and I did all the planning. We wanted everything about our wedding to be very personal so we used friends as vendors as much as possible. We had my high school English teacher design our wedding invitations. They were hand-written calligraphy and engraved. We chose our family friend, John Davis, to design our flowers. Our good friend Mollie Stone made our delicious wedding cake.The wedding ceremony was at St. John’s Episcopal Church, the church I have attended all my life. The reception was held at the Savannah Golf Club which is almost home away from home for my family, as they are all golfers and my mom recently helped with the interior design of the new clubhouse.

At St. John’s Church, I got dressed at our Parish House, the historic Green Meldrim House directly next to the church. It was very special dressing in the same room my mother did thirty years before when she married my dad. I did not want to see Brian before the wedding so we arranged to always be in opposite areas before the service. It really added to the anticipation before the ceremony. The flowers in the church were all white lilies, hydrangeas, peonies and roses. Pew markers lined the aisle and the smell of the arrangements was wonderful. There were candles in all of the windows and the church simply glowed in the afternoon light. After the service we took our photographs across the street in Madison Square. The beautiful oak trees framed the pictures with the church. Brian and I also took more photographs on the golf course at the reception.

For our flowers at the reception, we used large manzanita branches decorated with white roses and hydrangea. For the main entrance into the ballroom, our florist designed a beautiful archway using the same flowers. I think my favorite detail was the incredible eight foot ice sculpture holding another huge flower arrangement over the middle of the raw seafood bar. We had a vodka and champagne ice luge set up on the back veranda that was a popular attraction throughout the evening. Rather than a seated dinner, we passed tomato sandwiches, fried oysters, and cajun chicken salad on endives. And we had stations of our favorite foods: a raw seafood bar with shrimp and crab claws, beef tenderloin, pasta, mini-slider burgers (Brian’s favorite!), fruit and cheese, and fried chicken (a Southern staple!). Our wedding cake had seven tiers and was almond-vanilla flavored. It was decorated with a diamond pattern of ecru icing. For the groom’s cake, we had a chocolate cake in the shape of the UNC basketball court. All of Brian’s UNC friends loved it!

The whole wedding came together perfectly…It was the most fun night of our lives!

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Thank you so much to Leonora and Brian for sharing their beautiful wedding with us! We love you so very much. And a big, hearty hug to all of the Victors…Bubba, Barb, Jason, Cameron, Ellie the dog and everyone else. WE HEART YOU!!!

Wedding Coordinator: Tricia Windom / Wedding Invitations: Calligraphy by Sophia Caparisos / Wedding Dress: Melissa Sweet via Bleubelle Bridal / Bride’s Shoes: Manolo Blahnik / Bride’s Make-up: Glow MedSpa and Beauty Boutique / Bride’s Hair: Salon Eden / Bridesmaid Dresses: Lela Rose via Bleubelle Bridal / Floral Design: John Davis Florist / Wedding Photography: Nate Henderson Photography / Wedding Cake: Mollie Stone Cakes / Groom’s Cake: Kerry O’Connor Cakes / Reception Location: The Savannah Golf Club / Rentals: Savannah Special Events by Ranco + Classic Party Rentals / Photo Booth: Dreamweaver Photo Booth / Trolleys: Old Savannah Tours

Another day on Style Me Pretty Georgia means another lovely wedding for me to love.  And, oh, what a wedding it is.  These Madison nuptials by Kaylan Photography have me completely giddy from all of the gorgeousness.  It’s true, I’ve literally been swooning over every amazing detail for hours now.  From the stunning floral design by Renee Souther to those oh-so-charming “Mr.” and “Mrs.” signs, I am one enamored blogger.  And I wouldn’t dare forget to mention the cheesecake bar.  Yes.  Please.  I’ll be in the gallery getting my pretty on.  Join me there!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Kaylan Photography… Ashley and Sam’s wedding was truly amazing. The details that Ashley put into each part of the wedding made it personal and unique, defiantly a wedding no one will forget. Ashley and her bridesmaid arrived at the James Madison Spa off the beautiful square in Madison, Georgia. They all enjoyed mimosas, had their hair done by the amazing Casey Wilbanks and laughed the whole morning. The guys were able to have some fun playing football and relaxing before heading over to the venue too. As both parties arrived at the venue Sam and Ashley decided to see each other before the ceremony. The both were in “ah” of each other which was an amazing moment to be a part of while photographing their “first sight”.

Ashley and Sam’s ceremony was one the sweetest ceremony’s I have ever seen. These two wrote their own vows which made for an emotional and personal experience for them as well as their guests. I was even crying behind the camera! It was beautiful. As the guests proceeded for the cocktail hour Ashley and Sam joined them. The guests all were amazed by the beautiful decor that Ashley and Hallie Jane put into the wedding. Lanterns which were inspired by her engagement shoot were hung all around the venue, burlap and a rustic feel was presented throughout the wedding & a cigar bar that was huge hit. After a delicious meal the couple cut into probably the BEST cheesecake ever created and the band then had the all the guests dancing. One of the best bands in Atlanta I’d have to say! Sam and Ashley had just as fun as their guests on their wedding day – it was honestly one of the best weddings put together by some amazing people.

Wedding Venue: Madison Oaks Inn and Gardens / Wedding Photography: Kaylan Photography / Florist: Renee Souther / Caterer + Decor: Hallie Jane’s Catering / Ceremony Guitarist: Dusty Woodruff / Cheesecakes: Blackbird Bakery via Last Resort Grill / Reception Band: Complete Desire / Wedding Dress: Rodica Lazarian