I will never underestimate the value that Daria offered us throughout the planning process. She managed to remind us of every little detail and to help us to accomplish our goals without adding any stress to it. She completely relaxed us even though at times we were a bit behind in our responsibilities. She assured us that everything would be fine and it turned out beautifully. Daria works so smoothly with the other vendors and takes so much of the tedious and complicated aspects off of your plate. I cannot imagine what she had to deal with behind the scenes. I suppose that’s part of the beauty of having such a fantastic planner. We were completely oblivious to any complications or anything less than perfect that came up (and things always come up). We are so grateful that we met Daria!!” ~ Rachel and Nick
2011 Events
Haley & Carlo, married March 5, 2011 at First Baptist Church Decatur and Ventanas in Atlanta, Georgia. Carlo is musically inclined, and had been wanting a piano, so Haley surprised him by presenting one to him as his wedding gift right before their first dance. The twist? The reception musician actually played this piano during the reception. Carlo loved it, and after a special request from his boss, he played a traditional Filipino piece for the guests.
Vicki & Mike, married March 26, 2011 at The 173 Carlyle House in Norcross, Georgia. I adore how Vicki named the guest tables with the word “Love” in many different languages!
Kelly & Dan, married April 2, 2011, at Christ the King Church and Greystone at Piedmont Park in Atlanta, Georgia. This couple hired me just three weeks out from the wedding, and my first task was to throw out the five completely different event schedules that each vendor had created and start fresh!
Laura & Ben, married April 8, 2011 at King Plow Event Gallery in Atlanta, Georgia. My favorite memory: Driving Laura to the wedding myself when her ride “accidentally” left her at the hotel. Just part of the service!
Andi & David, married April 29, 2011 at Cator Woolford Gardens in Atlanta, Georgia. Atlanta’s very own “royal wedding” (as we called it, since it took place on the same day as the actual Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton)!
Jessica & Barrett, married April 30, 2011 at Jessica’s parents’ private residence in Marietta, Georgia. The evening began with the wedding ceremony in front of two weeping willows, which had been decorated with string lights and orchid blooms. Guests then enjoyed cocktails poolside, and later moved to the beautifully lit and decorated tent for dinner and dancing.
Claire & Tom, married May 7, 2011 at their private residence in Norcross, Georgia. The floral designer (Claire’s interior decorator) combined the indoors and outdoors beautifully, with lanterns, seating arrangements with pillows, and the event’s centerpiece: a long tent with fabric details and plenty of candles. The setting was simply magical.
Jamila & Dennis, married May 29, 2011 at Fernbank Museum in Atlanta, Georgia. Jamila’s dad had put together a slide show of photos of Jamila as a little girl and of her and Dennis, which he introduced with one of the most heartfelt, sweet speeches I have ever heard.
Amanda & Brandon, married June 11, 2011 at First Presbyterian Church and the Georgian Terrace Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. Honoring family history, they married in the same church that Amanda’s parents and grandparents did. While guests dined and danced, Amanda and Brandon slipped up to the rooftop for a photo against the nighttime skyline.Rachel & Jonathan, married June 25, 2011 at St. John Neumann Catholic Church and Summerour Studio in Atlanta, Georgia. As the happy couple departed at the end of the evening, guests tossed freshly cut grass – a nod to Jonathan’s job as a greenskeeper with the Atlanta Braves. What a creative, personal touch!
Lauren & Mark, married July 2, 2011 at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia. My husband is friends with Mark, and as long as he has know him, Mark has always said that when he got married, it would be at the Aquarium. I particularly loved the funny, yet touching ceremony officiated by Rabbi Lebow. Also getting the opportunity to teach a crowd of Jewish guests how to do the horah!
Erin & Matt, married July 9, 2011 at Galleria Park and the Georgian Club in Atlanta, Georgia. Erin is a teacher, so summer was the best time for her and Matt to get married. Since she still wanted an outdoor wedding, the venue they chose worked out perfectly. They got married in front of the fountain at Galleria Park, and then all the guests went up to the Georgian Club to enjoy the fantastic view while dining and dancing.
Shari & Chris, married July 16, 2011 at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The beautiful ceremony took place in the Great Hall, enabling Shari to use the grand staircase for her entrance. On this unseasonably cool evening, guests gathered outside on the terrace for cocktails, and then returned indoors to find a beautifully decorated ballroom done in yellow and gray, as well as a fun lounge area.
Kaye & Todd, married July 17, 2011 at Summerour Studio in Atlanta, Georgia. Another music-filled brunch wedding! Todd’s son is a musician, and he performed a mini concert for the guests – which started with a duet with Todd, who sang a surprise song for Kaye that he had composed.
Tara & Martin, married August 20, 2011 at the Old Courthouse on the Square in Decatur, Georgia. The cool marble space was much appreciated on this hot summer day! My favorite detail: the bouquet toss song, You Can Leave Your Hat On, complete with a black fedora hat. Tara and Martin made this ritual fun and interesting!
Alycia & George, married August 27, 2011 at Greystone at Piedmont Park in Atlanta, Georgia. Alycia thought of every detail, from the walkie-talkies for a fun cocktail hour game, to flip-flops for dancing. Her pink and navy blue palette was a gorgeous foil to the (what else?) greys of Greystone.
Amanda & Justin, married September 3, 2011 at Cator Woolford Gardens in Atlanta, Georgia. These two started dating when they were sixteen – so sweet! I’ve never seen so many beautiful handmade details at a wedding. And when I say handmade, I mean Amanda and her mom did things like hand sew each invitation and program, and create dozens of tissue paper flower pomander balls. It was simply amazing! And it was featured on Style Me Pretty!
Rachel & Nick, married September 10, 2011 at Inman Park Methodist Church and the Trolley Barn in Atlanta, Georgia. South meets England in a beautiful pairing, complete with ceramic fox statues and favors of tea and honey.Elisa & Noah, married September 24, 2011 at Montaluce Vineyards in Dahlonega, Georgia. These two police officers wanted to escape the big city, to marry in the mountains among the grapevines. The light was stunning and resulted in some amazing photos!
Mia & Vinny, married October 1, 2011 at The Wimbish House in Atlanta, Georgia. This Georgia Tech couple had both an American ceremony AND a Korean ceremony, casino games, a super fun dance party and a private last dance in the empty ballroom – a beautiful finishing touch to a fabulous wedding!
Nancy & Sam, married October 8, 2011 at the Atlanta Botanical Garden in Atlanta, Georgia. Butterflies and blueberry pie combined to equal a magical day in the Garden… check out this post to read more about this beautiful couple’s wedding story!
Angela & Justin, married October 29, 2011 at King Plow Event Gallery in Atlanta, Georgia. As exercise enthusiasts, Angela and Justin incorporated a bicycle theme, including a tandem bike for their departure, and bike bells and horns for guests to ring and toot as they pedaled off into the sunset! Read more about it in this post.
Danielle & Kevin, married November 5, 2011 at Our Lady of the Assumption Church and The Peachtree Club in Atlanta, Georgia. The views from the high-rise Peachtree Club are incomparable!
Sherry & Andrew, married November 19, 2011 at Magnolia Hall at Piedmont Park in Atlanta, Georgia. Magnolia Hall’s dark and cozy feeling was perfect for this late fall wedding, with a gorgeous white huppah and plenty of candlelight!
Christina & Colin, married December 3, 2011 at The State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. My third wedding with this beautiful family – so much gratitude! I also loved their reception inside the greenhouse at the Garden!
Clayton & Jason, married December 4, 2011 at the Old Courthouse on the Square in Decatur, Georgia. Clayton’s vision for the decor of her winter wedding was branches and crystals, just gorgeous with the white marble of the Courthouse and navy linens!
“Best” Wardrobe near-Disaster Award
To Kelly’s bridesmaid, who arrived at the church with her dress gaping open due to a completely broken zipper. I stitched her up as quickly as I could and instructed all the girls to pray it held for the ceremony! Kudos to her for keeping a straight face when she asked what to do if it burst while she was processing and I answered, “keep walking!” (P.S. It held fine throughout the whole night!)
Coolest Departure Award
To Andi and David, who ended the evening waving goodbye from a vintage Karmann Ghia (Andi’s dream car!) decorated with fluffy paper flower garlands.
Most Unique Decor Award
To Kaye and Todd, whose chuppah poles and table centerpieces were Tiffany lamps manufactured in the factory Todd owns. Gorgeous!
Most Hanky-Worthy Meet-Cute Story Award
To Alycia and George, who met at one of my first weddings in 2007. They were both in the wedding party, and began falling in love that day on the dance floor. I confess I teared up a bit during the personalized vows that George and Alycia wrote for each other, each talking about how they felt when they met at that wedding. Alycia told me later she couldn’t imagine having anyone but me as their planner, since I was there from the beginning! #grateful #imnotcryingyourecrying
Most Creative Escort Card Display Award
Also to Alycia and George… Are you ready for this? Alycia’s dad designed and built a model of the ferris wheel at Navy Pier in Chicago, which she used to display the escort cards. In addition, he also built the arbor they used in their ceremony. What a way to show your love of your daughter!
Gratitude to all of my beautiful couples, their families, and our fabulous vendors who worked together to create unforgettable events.
Blessed Be and Namaste ❤️
Top photo courtesy of Tim Harman Photography
Gallery 1 photos courtesy of Rebecca Cipolla Photography, Alecia Lauren Photography, Melissa Schollaert Photography, Phil Allen, W. Scott Chester Photography, Andrew Thomas Lee Photography, Melissa Hamlett of Photos by Kathryn, 375 Photography
Gallery 2 photos courtesy of Alecia Lauren Photography, Jennifer Boxley Photography, Tim Harman Photography, Alecia Lauren Photography, Delaforce Photography, Kerry Kehoe, Alecia Lauren Photography, Sarah Eubanks Photography, Twin Hearts
Gallery 3 photos courtesy of Lauren Kinsey Photography, Tina Rowden Photography, Jamie Howell Photography, Janet Howard Studio, Aharon Hill Photography, Photography by Rebecca, Picture This!, Nikki Banik, The Reason