Best of 2021 | Weddings

We’re wrapping up the end of 2021 in great fashion by celebrating the beauty THAT DID happen this year before we move on to 2022.

P.S. – Before you start digging into all the wedding goodness that awaits you don’t forget to see the Best of 2021 Engagements first!

Now onto…the Best of 2021 Wedding Edition!

Best of 2021 | Weddings

Kait & Eric

Destination | Crane Cottage on Jekyll Island, Georgia

Design and overview of the day | On the coast of Georgia, Kait and Eric threw a European-style affair, with twists of modern elements blended in for an experience filled with old and new traditions. Crane Cottage, built in 1919, is a location rich in history with touches of renaissance architecture in the heart of a low country setting. When a New Jersey bride marries her groom from the South, a location that blended their roots felt like a beautiful metaphor to celebrate their new unity. As old souls, the couple wanted their day to be infused with their families’ stories. Kait and her grandfather bonded over Audrey Hepburn movies and fell in love with Breakfast at Tiffany’s. To honor her grandfather’s memory she walked down the aisle to Audrey Hepburn’s “Moon River” – which in turn became the bride and groom’s song.

During their ceremony, they paid tribute to their Scottish and Celtic heritage by participating in a hand-fasting ceremony – binding their hands together to symbolize the binding of two lives. Their families collected materials & keepsakes – pieces of her mother’s wedding dress, grandfather’s tie, a ballet shoe – and individually tied them together to create the unity chord from their ceremony. After a meaningful ceremony – Kait and Eric celebrated the night away in the renaissance courtyard of Crane Cottage watching the sunset and cozying up in their furs to keep warm on their January night. The whole event was a classic film-worthy experience never to forget. From carefully curated moments to Kait’s special take on the design of the day- it was an event filled with intention.

Featured on | The White Wren

You can read more about Kait and Eric’s day here!

Jayne & Thomas

Destination | Hawk Ridge Ranch in Carbondale, Colorado

Design and overview of the day (from the bride) | Hawk Ridge Ranch holds a special place in Thomas’s heart so it was the perfect place for Thomas and I to say “I Do”! Thomas’s family has owned the ranch since the 90s, so Thomas grew up almost living there in the summers. It was a place for his family who lives all around the U.S. to spend time together as a whole. Unfortunately, after his paternal grandfather passed, the family decided to sell the ranch. So, hosting our ceremony at the ranch was the perfect way to say goodbye to the property.

Family is the most important thing with us. Thomas is originally from Florence, Alabama and I am from Atlanta, Georgia. We started dating towards the end of college and then moved away from both of our hometowns, so our families actually have never met prior to our wedding. When we were planning our wedding, we decided it would be most special to Thomas and me to have a weekend devoted to the joining of our families. We have had and will have multiple weddings this year that most likely will have the same layout in terms of how the day goes and we wanted to step away from that. We wanted to step away from the production aspects of weddings and truly just celebrate our union with each other and our closest friends and family in an intentional and beautiful way.

Featured on | The Anti-Bride

You can read more about Jayne and Thomas’s day here!

Hannah & Grant

Destination | Private Estate in Greensboro, Georgia

Design and overview of the day | The bride and groom decorated the lake house with modern furniture and elements topped with vibrant florals and elements to invite guests into their wedding day. From the lush soft seating arrangements to the dinnerware to the floral touches surrounding the property – the lakeside home was transformed into an inclusive space inviting to all guests of this intimate affair. The bride wore a classic gown with a custom bow that trailed into a lovely train. The bride’s hibiscus pink sandals were a statement of their own. Before walking down the aisle the bride put in a pearl beaded veil that added a sheer element of texture to her overall look. The bridesmaids’ wore compatible beautiful gray lavender dresses while they carried the most bright and vibrant bouquets. The groom and groomsmen sported khaki suits and sharp white tennis and sunglasses ready for the bright lakeside ceremony. 

More from Hannah and Grant’s day COMING SOON!

Mekina & Nick

Destination | Colleton River Club in Bluffton, South Carolina

Design and overview of the day (from the bride) |  From the beginning, I knew I wanted to look out during the ceremony and see a “sea of blue.” I had envisioned all the guests wearing all different shades of blue. As the day approached, I had no idea it would happen, but it did. It was a stunning sea of blue! When it came to our wedding party, I wanted it to look like anyone could be a bridesmaid or groomsman. Nick had one official best man. I had one official matron of honor. Then, we had nine children at the wedding, so, very royal wedding-Esq. It was beautiful and so cool to see that everyone pretty much coordinated with one another and the decor of the day.

A few months before getting engaged, I had fallen in love with a Carolina collection of chairs and loved the coastal floral vibe. I was so obsessed with the design that it was the inspiration for several accents throughout our day. My friend Jenna took the idea of the chair’s print and designed the insert of our invitation suite. It was everything I wanted and more and stayed very much on theme. My dad designed and made the arbor we were married under and was also used as the entrance to the tent. He also created the place card/ pie stand that was perfect for the space.

When Nick and I first saw the reception space, our mouths hit the floor. I had imagined it every which way and was still absolutely floored by the presentation of it all. Our florist wowed us throughout the day. Nick and I couldn’t turn our heads fast enough to take everything in and couldn’t wait to get the party started.

More from Mekina and Nick’s day COMING SOON!

Kailey & Eammon

Destination | The Orlo in Tampa, Florida

Design and overview of the day |  After multiple COVID reschedules and plans we finally had the opportunity to celebrate Kailey and Eammon this spring. Kailey and Eammon celebrated their intimate wedding day with close family and friends during a rainy spring day in Tampa, Florida. With a clean simple design – their wedding day was full of classic touches that showcased each beautiful planned moment. Between a fireside ceremony and epic dance party, Kailey and Eammon brought intention and focus to time with each and every guest.

Adrienna & Frank

Destination | The Westin in Savannah, Georgia

Design and overview of the day (from the bride) | When coming up with a design for the wedding day, I always imagined a colorful spring affair. As a former wedding planner, bridal boutique owner, and florist in Savannah, there is something special about Spring when the azaleas were in bloom. So when we pushed back the wedding to September due to COVID, I decided to keep the color palette bright and cheerful with a touch of velvet and wine. Frank added the jewel tone with his wine velvet suit.

I completely trusted my florist and friend McKenzie for the floral design. I had worked with Makenzie for many years back when I owned Ivory And Beau and knew she would create the perfect vision. I gave her an idea of the color palette and shape and let her design using her creativity! I wanted all of the flowers to feel hand-picked. When I saw the ceremony backdrop she created, I was in awe! It was absolutely incredible! When it came to the bridesmaids, I originally was thinking color. But after seeing a real wedding a client did that featured white bridesmaids’ dresses with colorful bouquets, I knew that was what I wanted. With my gown having hand-painted watercolor, I wanted the bridesmaids to wear white so that the colorful elements could stand out. Paired with the black tuxedos, it made the colorful event a little more classic.

More from Adrienna and Frank’s day COMING SOON!

Emily & Timmy

Destination | Old Edwards Inn | Highlands, North Carolina

Design and overview of the day | Surrounded by the rich architecture and changing colors of the North Carolina Highlights, Emily and Timmy invited friends and family to a fall mountain weekend getaway. Slowness filled the Old Edwards Inn and cottages throughout their event.Valuing guest experience Emily and Timmy requested specialty cocktails, incredible hors d’oeuvres, and a hearty meal to share. With relationships at the center of their wedding day, they wanted guests to have quality conversations and opportunities to connect over a meal. Surrounded by luscious fall blooms, fires crackling, and a starlit night – the day ended with sweet serenades by the groom, cool walks in the mountains, and relishing in the friendships and relationships surrounding this day.

More from Emily and Timmy’s day COMING SOON!

Emily & Colin

Destination | Montaluce Winery | Dahlonega, Georgia

Design and overview of the day | Emily and Colin were married on a clear summer day at Montaluce Winery, surrounded by their dearest loved ones. It was a perfect kick-off to the summer season in Georgia, surrounded by lush vineyards, shaded oak trees, and stunning villas. Simple elegance ran throughout the various aspects of Emily and Colin’s wedding celebration, from the soft blue hues of the invitations and bridesmaids’ dresses to the romantic taped candles sprinkled along the reception tables. Lush white and cream florals paired with minimal greenery decorating the reception tables to allow flowing conversation to create an intimate dining experience for guests.

See more of Emily and Colin’s day here.

Cameron & TJ

Destination | Cumberland Island, Georgia

Design and overview of the day | Cameron and TJ invited their closest friends and family to an intimate weekend of celebratory events on Cumberland Island to start the beginning of their marriage. Inspired by the natural elements of the island, the decor throughout the weekend contained natural touches from Cumberland along with family mementos and legacy. Cameron and TJ Saw each other for the first time at their ceremony in the one-room First African Baptist Church, an important historic landmark on this island. Their ceremony was soon followed by beautiful toasts over a slow dinner and closed with a quiet dance under a string of lights.

More of Cameron and TJ’s day COMING SOON!

Stephanie & Robert

Destination | Montaluce Winery | Dahlonega, Georgia

Design and overview of the day | After multiple postponements, Stephanie and Robert finally got to have a wedding celebration with all the family and friends just as they had imagined. In the early fall at Montaluce Winery, the bride and groom welcome guests right into cocktail hour followed by a lovely dinner and a much-awaited night of dancing and celebrating!

Cheers to all our incredible 2021 couples.