Setting the Tone

I have always loved to dress up, so I was totally psyched to start shopping around for a wedding gown. I didn’t have any specific ideas about what I wanted; my only stipulations were that it had to be flattering, not too blingy and easy to move around in. Shiny satin and heavy taffeta were not preferred, but not out of the question.

Gowns and hair and puppies, oh my!

OH. My.  This was a bit of a process.  Finding my dress was literally the easiest part of the wedding planning for me.  My MOM finding a dress is a different story entirely.  

Most of my life has been heavily influenced by my love for children.  I’ve been a babysitter as long as I can remember and a full time nanny for quite some time.  Since this has been my life, I have “accumulated” quite a few little ones in my life.  Five girls to be exact.  I had to stop myself at 5-or I would have had more flower girls than our entire wedding party.  We have my two nieces, a young cousin, and two other little ones that I’ve been taking care of for a long time. 

Let me start off by saying (if you haven’t already gathered) I am not a traditional girl.  I don’t like to do things the “normal” way most of the time.

Today’s post is all about getting pretty!  After spending the morning of the vow renewal at Vis-a-Vis Salon in Buckhead getting our hair done, it was back to the hotel to get ready.

Atlanta’s stately Swan House is the backdrop for this elegant shoot designed by Heather Benge Events. Selecting a deep and rich color palette of royal blue and purple mixed with pastel blooms and lush swaths of greenery, Heather set out to showcase the beauty of the venue with a beautiful outdoor king’s table reception. Thorne + Thistle incorporated fall fauna and lots of texture into the arrangements and showstopping bouquet. A. Joy Cakes created three cakes for the occasion, the centerpiece cake even echoing the pillars, chandelier and grand entrance of the venue! Each detail is thought out to perfection and beautifully captured by Heather K Cook Photography!

Meredith and Brinson’s vision for their wedding day was classic, elegant, and timeless. Meredith says “I wanted to be able to look back on our wedding 30 years from now and still love every detail,” and the moment they set eyes upon The Biltmore Ballrooms they knew it was the perfect venue for their Atlanta wedding. Working with Britain Lamon Events and Lindsay Coletta and a neutral color palette with pops of greenery, they designed their ceremony and reception to highlight the Ballrooms’ gorgeous interiors. The ceremony was special for many reasons, not the least of which was their officiant, “Dr. Bob”, 99 years young, a professor at UGA and one of Brinson’s close friends. Guests then enjoyed a spectacular evening noshing on dishes from Bold Catering & Design such as grilled peaches and dancing the night away to the tunes of Emerald Empire Band. We love every moment and know you will be smitten with the images from Rustic White Photography!

The leaves are turning, temps are getting a smidge cooler, and autumn is set to make its grand entrance soon, so what better way to celebrate than with a stunning early fall wedding from one of our favorites, Amy Arrington Photography! Vinewood Plantation, a historical plantation home just outside of Atlanta, played host to Melissa and Zach’s whimsical celebration. J. Elliot Style designed an event that’s a mix of rustic and sophisticated, with elegant lanterns and greenery adorning the tree serving as the backdrop for the outdoor ceremony, and swaths of greenery and vivid blooms from Virtu Floral and Event Design gracing the wooden tables for the barn reception. We’re crushing hard on Melissa’s eclectic bouquet – a mix of anemones, ranunculus, dahlia, rose, and even kumquats in early autumn shades make for a stunning addition to her lace gown. Head over heels for this beautiful event and all of Amy’s images captured on film!

There is absolutely nothing in the world more perfect than spending time with your BFFs, and the deep bond that is shared between bride and bridesmaids is celebrated in today’s fabulous bridesmaids brunch inspiration shoot designed by Lemiga Events! What better way to show your ladies some love than to create a thoughtfully-styled celebration in the days leading up to your wedding? We love the idea of spending some quality time together trying on your gowns, laughing and reminiscing, and of course, eating some yummy food. Even better? Schedule your hair and makeup trial for the same time, so that you really get a great idea of how everyone’s look will come together on the big day! For this shoot, Michelle of Lemiga Events chose Atlanta’s Legacy Test Kitchen as the setting, and the spread included a waffle station, quiche display, and even mini cakes for each bridesmaid (dying) created by Confection Perfection. The table featured laser-cut stationery and a stunning floral display by Ginger Rose with the most beautiful pink and peach blooms, perfectly echoing the mix of blush and metallic bridesmaids dresses from Fabulous Frocks of Atlanta. Head over heels for this chic and fun shoot and all of the details captured on film by Noi Tran Photography!

Nestled approximately 30 minutes, but a world away, from downtown Atlanta is Foxhall Resort, and the tranquil setting provided a perfect backdrop for this classic and romantic inspiration shoot designed by Evermore Weddings & Events. A palette of slate blue, blush, peach, and green created a soft but elegant ambiance, and a blush Hayley Paige gown stole the show! Hacman Floral created a showstopping pastel bouquet to accompany the bridal look, which featured soft, modern hair and makeup from Elizabeth Sloan Beauty. The result is an absolute fairy tale! Beautiful details such as a rounded ceremony altar, elevated greenery centerpiece, and a custom peach cocktail by Lyght House Cocktails complete the scene. We are completely spellbound, as always, by the images from the incredibly talented Brandi of Alexis June Weddings!

If you’re at all like me, your day doesn’t really start until you’ve had your first sip of coffee, and our trusty Keurig® brewer is my first stop as I head into the office. So when the Aisle Society ladies worked with Keurig Green Mountain® to create a series of coffee-inspired wedding inspiration shoots, I just knew I had to share!

Josie and Whit’s sophisticated Atlanta wedding is equal parts elegant and fun! The stunning Biltmore Ballrooms, with its lofty ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and Palladian windows, set the stage for a formal but not at all stuffy soiree. Invision Events designed a  reception with a classic feel that focused on the beauty of the location and romantic rose and hydrangea centerpieces by Tulip. Josie is a vision in a timeless Anne Barge lace gown from The White Room with an off-the-shoulder neckline and a perfect sideswept ponytail. Josie describes their wedding as “the best party I’ve ever been to” and we know guests adored dancing the night away to tunes from the Fountain City Players. We’re in love with this gorgeous couple and their beautiful wedding captured by Kelli + Daniel Taylor Photography!

We couldn’t think of a better start to the week than this ridiculously gorgeous inspiration shoot set at Atlanta’s picturesque Swan Coach House! Lindsay Coletta outdid herself designing florals loaded with luscious blooms and greenery in a mix of blush, mauve, buttery yellow, and apricot, and the result is a perfect mix of elegance and romance. Simone Gebsattel complemented the natural beauty of the estate with exquisite details such as upholstered seating from Crush Event Rentals, a charcuterie spread from Sun in My Belly, and delicate calligraphy details by Rachel Anne. Prepare to feast your eyes on the absolutely exquisite imagery from Alexis June Weddings!

We just returned from a fabulous week in NYC for Bridal Fashion Week, where we were introduced to new collections and offerings from the best of the best in wedding fashion. One of our favorite new lines? Lillian Wild‘s “Create” Collection- a customizable collection that is the epitome of modern, classic simplicity. With a set of gowns each named after peonies (swoon), the Lillian Wild lookbook showcases separates, underlays and overlays, and dresses, designed to flatter every bride. Select from five laces, three linings, and multiple cuts and styles, to create a bridal look as unique as you are! The collection is expected to arrive at retailers all over North America in the new year, and is now available in the Lillian Wild Bridal boutique in Kelowna, BC. See the entire lookbook here!

Ansley and Cory dreamed of a whimsical garden wedding, and their hopes were realized with the selection of Newnan, Georgia’s spectacular Dunaway Gardens as their venue. The ivy-covered amphitheater provides the most unique ceremony locale—the perfect pairing of a secret garden nestled amongst the trees and a tiered ceremony in the round! The couple worked with Chancey Charm to design their late summer soiree, with a warm color palette of gray, yellow, maroon, and pops of vivid red. Logan Woods created colorful bouquets of protea, chrysanthemum, tulips, and garden roses and decorated the reception tent with whimsical basket chandeliers and loose garden-style arrangements. Ansley is the epitome of the classic bride in a Lian Carlo gown from Kelly’s Closet, while her maids donned the Aiden dress by Jenny Yoo. We’re transported to a whimsical wonderland with these images from Amy Arrington Photography!

We have the prettiest way to start the week! Valentina and Frederick’s Atlanta wedding at Biltmore Ballrooms is soft and gorgeous, the lofty ceilings and mint walls of the venue are the most lovely setting for their summer soiree. Jade Lee Events designed a mix of high and low centerpieces, playing off of the chandeliers and columns of the ballroom. At the apex of the reception, a fabulous confection from Couture Cakes set atop gold sequin linens, adding a final bit of sparkle! We’re swooning over every beautiful image from Justin DeMutiis Photography!

We have such a gloriously elegant wedding for you to start off the week! Sarah and David’s Four Seasons Atlanta soiree is full-on Southern glam and we are in love. Designed and planned by Toast Events, their inter-faith ceremony and stunning reception incorporated gold, ivory, and navy with touches of lace and metallics. Andy Beach & Co. created pillowy-soft arrangements of roses, peonies, and hydrangea which set atop mirrored tabletops. A mix of high and low florals with accents of pearls and mercury glass brought drama to the ballroom. We are dazzled by each and every detail—especially Sarah’s demure Carolina Herrera gown—in the beautiful images by Melissa Schollaert Photography!

It’s safe to say that we are completely smitten by Allure Bridals. Featuring impeccable design and craftsmanship, their gowns are the epitome of the romantic, elegant style that we love (EAD brides love them too, check out all of the amazing real weddings featuring Allure gowns!). Their Spring 2015 collection is all that and more, showcasing modern silhouettes with exquisite detailing like stunning lace, embroidery and beading. These gowns are a fresh take on classic bridal design, pairing dramatic backs and floral appliques with on-trend features like illusion necklines and pretty cap sleeves. If you’re looking for a truly remarkable gown that will look as fashionable today as it does in photos decades from now, Allure Bridals will have you feeling like the belle of the ball on your wedding day!

A former Falcons cheerleader, Jonna wanted the quintessential Atlanta wedding, and selected the quintessential Atlanta venue, the stately Georgian Terrace Hotel, an institution since 1911. Jonna and Chip worked with Rittenhouse Designs & Events to create their elegant ceremony and reception, featuring centerpieces of fluffy white hydrangea and blush roses and a centerpiece monogrammed cake from Frosted Pumpkin. This wedding is truly a fairytale event, complete with a Cinderella carriage from Fantasy Carriages. We adore each and every image from Melinda Humphries Photography!