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Bride Annie shares her magnolia-filled wedding!

Please meet today’s bride, Annie! Her wedding to David is filled with some of my favorite things: magnolia leaves, a historic Southern home, and a fabulous, fashion-forward gown that’s classic with a twist! Of course, these details are made lovelier because of their history! Take their venue. Annie and David’s celebrated their wedding day at her parents’ Georgia farm with the most gorgeous historic home but in 1835. I love this sweet nod to Annie’s family and heritage! Annie and David also honored their family through their wedding rings. Annie said, “We also designed our wedding rings, taking a ring from each side of our families, melting them down and blending them to create our own. Truly, two becoming one!” Keep reading for more sweet details.

Thanks for sharing, Carrie Joy!

Tell us the highlights of finding your wedding dress. When I first started shopping, I was going for a whole different look. While at the Dress Theory in Seattle, I pulled a dress off the rack and exclaimed to my Mom, “How gorgeous is this! But it would never work.” My mom convinced me to try it on and I instantly fell in love – it was so comfortable, beautiful, and classic, but with a twist – very me.

What made you choose your ceremony and reception venues? The ceremony and reception were at my parents’ farm in Madison, Georgia. It’s a gorgeous southern home built in 1835. Also special: the groom spent a week helping out around the farm when he asked my parents for my hand in marriage!

What were some of the most meaningful or special parts of your ceremony? We wrote our own vows which we exchanged in the form of a letter the day of the wedding. However, during the ceremony we just recited traditional vows to keep our own vows more personal.

What was Southern about your wedding? We buried a bottle of bourbon (Maker’s Mark) to keep the rain away, we incorporated leaves from the magnolia tree into the decorations, and we ate grits and creamed corn at the meal. There was also a basket of fresh chicken eggs (from the farm!) for the guests to take home!

What was your favorite detail from your wedding? Incorporating the magnolia leaves into the decorations and into the stationery – everything tied together perfectly! We also designed our wedding rings, taking a ring from each side of our families, melting them down and blending them to create our own. Truly, two becoming one!

What did you serve for your wedding cake or dessert? Why did you choose it? We served cheesecake for the wedding, as David doesn’t particularly like cake but we both love cheesecake!

Tell us your love story in one sentence. Two people from opposite sides of the country met through chance, became fast friends, went on countless trips and adventures together, and fell in love along the way.
Tell us all about the proposal! David planned a weekend camping in the shadow of Mount Rainier. After a ten-mile hike into the campsite we sat down, opened a bottle of champagne, and then he got down on one knee. I said “yes”!
When did y’all get married? April 21, 2018
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 2004
Did you decide to do a first look? Why or why not? No, we didn’t do one. We wanted leave it for the ceremony and share that special moment then – we thought it was a bit more romantic and traditional.
What was the hardest part about planning your wedding? Planning from across the country. We made only three trips home before the week of the wedding, so working out details with vendors (and working around the time difference) was challenging.
What was one way you saved money or cut costs at your wedding? My cousin played piano for the ceremony music, and we did not have programs at the ceremony.
What was your most memorable moment from your wedding day? Annie walking down the aisle!
What advice would you give to someone currently planning a wedding? Talk about the number of guests that you would like at the wedding early and often. The wedding list can grow easily, so it is paramount to draw a line in the sand early.

Photographer: Carrie Joy Photography | Second photographer: Noi Tran | Film lab: Richard Photo Lab | Planner: Nancy Nolan-Kuperberg of No Regrets Events | Venue: The Oaks in Madison, GA | Florist: Amanda Jewel Floral and Design | Wedding Cake or Dessert Baker: Classic Cheesecakes and Cakes | Caterer: Hallie Jane’s Catering | Rentals: Goodwin Rentals | Band: Cashmere via ECE | Paper Products: Chez La Mariee | Bride’s Gown: “Isra” by Bo and Luca | Dress shop: The Dress Theory | Bride’s Hair Pin: Twigs & Honey | Hair Stylist: Christine Verikas of Ambrosia Salon | Makeup Artist: Lauren Crossman of Ambrosia Salon | Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaid Dresses: Bill Levkoff in Shell Pink | Groom’s Attire: Custom

marissa Written with love by Marissa
3 Comments
  1. avatar BG Bridal Gallery US reply

    This is a beautiful wedding! The bride looks darling in her dress!

  2. avatar Kim reply

    It looks georgeous! But I think the number of guests can’t be right?

  3. avatar Carrie Joy reply

    This was such a stunning day! Thank you SO much for featuring Annie & David’s joyful day on the blog! We love you guys! XO

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I remember the first time we saw Carrie and Grant’s West Texas wedding–from the fabulous cowboy boots, to the miniature donkeys handing out programs (!!), to Carrie’s darling pink reception dress, every last detail had us smiling! Carrie and Grant’s 175 guests made up a big portion of the population of tiny Marathon, Texas during the wedding weekend, perfectly setting the scene for a laid back, family-focused celebration. My favorite thing about this sweet couple is the fact that they weren’t afraid to think outside the box when it came to planning a day that truly reflected their relationship and personalities. As a result, I’m sure I’m not the only one who wishes I could’ve celebrated with them and enjoyed strawberry shortcake and a two-step under the Texas stars in person!

Thank you so much to Helen Byrd for sharing this joyful day with us in V8!

When planning our wedding, we knew we wanted to incorporate our love of the outdoors and our Texas roots by being surrounded by nature and our closest loved ones. For our venue, we chose a remote and historic hotel, The Gage, located in Marathon, Texas. Everything in Marathon is within walking distance and, with most of our guests making up the population of the small town, there was always a friendly face around every corner! We chose summer because we wanted all of our friends and family to be able to make a vacation out of the weekend.

Tell us about finding your wedding dress. What was your favorite thing about it? I loved that I had the honor of wearing my mother’s wedding dress she wore in 1983. My whole life, I grew up seeing photos of her in it and it felt like a dream to have my own special day in the same dress. I worked with a wonderful designer to remake the dress while still maintaining its original charm. We took her long sleeves off, used the lace on the bodice, and put a sweet layer of blush organza over the skirt. I also had the honor of wearing Grant’s mother’s veil that she wore on her wedding day in 1979.
Describe your bridesmaids’ dresses. How did you choose them? My sister and maid of honor, Wheatley, helped me choose the dresses. We wanted something that would be light and airy, but still glamorous. The color reminded us of the desert cactus flowers that bloom all across West Texas. We chose several different styles so that each girl could choose the style she felt most comfortable in.

What was the design inspiration for your wedding? Why was this design special to you as a couple? My mother is an artist, and with my background in graphic design, she and I had a blast teaming up on the designs for the wedding. We were inspired by Grant and I’s Texas roots, as well as the Mexican influences in West Texas. For our save the dates, we hand painted a miniature donkey amongst West Texas cacti and florals. My grandparents raise donkeys and even brought them to our wedding–they were a huge hit with guests! The donkeys were always a large part of my childhood, as we were taught that the miniature donkey symbolizes selfless love and loyalty. Therefore, Grant and I thought it would make the perfect emblem for our upcoming nuptials! I wanted the invitations to be fun, romantic, and embody our Texas roots. I had them printed on a cactus-flower pink paper with gold foil printing. One of Grant and I’s favorite things to do together is look at the stars, so it was fun to play off a “Stars at Night are Big and Bright” theme.

My grandparents have raised miniature donkeys all of my life, and surprised us last minute by bringing them to the wedding! My mother made cute little baskets for them to hold the programs as our guests walked in to the ceremony. It also was a great way to tie back to our emblem of the miniature donkey used on our save the dates.

Were there any family traditions you included in the ceremony? My mother and father built a cross to stand behind Grant and I at the altar out of Colorado pine trees found near our family cabin in Creede, Colorado. It stood in remembrance of our loved ones who had passed away and could not be with us. My “something old” was a lucky sixpence that had been worn in the wedding shoes of my mother, aunt, and five other women in our family. Two beautiful brooches belonging to my great-grandmothers lovingly adorned my bouquet. We also decided to use an old Irish tradition of using bells during the ceremony. We passed little bells to our guests to ring as Grant and I were announced husband and wife. Now, every time we hear bells chime, we are reminded of our vows to each other.
What was the most memorable or touching moment of your wedding day? I will always remember looking into Grant’s eyes during our ceremony and thinking I had never seen him so happy. I will never forget our pastor turning Grant and I toward our guests during the ceremony and seeing all of the love and joy radiating from them. My heart will forever be filled with joy when I remember that perfect moment in time.

Describe some of the decorations or décor elements you used: Instead of a guest book, my mother painted our miniature donkey emblem on some old barn wood. We had all of our guests sign it. I love that we can now see it every day hanging in our home, reminding us of our first day as husband and wife!
Did you have a cocktail hour? If so, what was it like? For our cocktail hour, we had passed appetizers of Texas quail and corn salsa quesadillas, served alongside our signature drink, “Ranch Water,” a delicious twist on a margarita. All of the drinks were served with blush and white bandanas as the cocktail napkins.

What was your reception like? For our reception, we wanted great music and a party under the Texas stars to celebrate the wonderful weekend! We had lights strung above the dance floor, glowing cotton candy served to guests, and I even changed into a pink party dress to dance the night away!
What was the design inspiration for your reception? Our design inspiration came from the West Texas theme of the historic hotel and the native plants in the area. We used succulents and cacti as centerpieces, and had twinkling lights to light up the dance floor. The best décor we could have asked for were the bright Texas stars sparkling above us!

Our cakes were inspired by our favorite desserts. Grant has always loved chocolate chip cookies. For his cake, we surprised him by having dozens of cookies piled up on top of each other. For my birthday, my mom always bakes my favorite strawberry shortcake. The Gage Hotel beautifully recreated it into a wedding cake.

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story. During college, Grant and I were set up by our friends to go to a football game together. Whether our team won or lost, we will never remember, but it ended up being a day we will never forget! After that date, I cannot remember a day we have gone without seeing or talking with each other.
Describe the proposal: We both love the outdoors, and many of our favorite times together are hiking, camping, and spending the day in the sunshine. Grant and I were dating long distance at the time and decided to meet for a weekend in the small town of Fredericksburg, Texas. We woke up Saturday morning to hike one of our favorite trails, aptly named “Enchanted Rock,” overlooking the Texas Hill Country. Once we reached the top of the mountain, Grant dropped to one knee and asked the question that forever changed our lives for the better. Grant had snuck some mini champagne bottles in his hiking pack and we toasted to the happiest day of our lives. The whole hike down, I could not stop smiling. We enjoyed the rest of the day visiting vineyards in the area and celebrating. I had no idea the weekend could get any better till I drove home the next day and all of our friends and family were waiting at my house to surprise us and celebrate the good news!
How did you prepare for marriage while planning your wedding? Our wedding was officiated by a wonderful Scottish man, the chaplain at the elementary school I had attended. He took us through a series of questions and topics to initiate conversations. Writing our vows together and planning out our ceremony really encouraged us to discuss what marriage meant to us and how we could better serve each other as husband and wife.
Three adjectives that describe the day are: Loving, joyful, and fun
What was the weather like on your big day? Everyone thought we were crazy for planning an outdoor wedding in Texas in the middle of the summer heat, but Mother Nature was on our side! The day was overcast and we enjoyed a light sprinkle during our reception, but the dancing never slowed! One of the sweetest gifts we received was from Grant’s brother and his wife. They caught the rain from our wedding day in a mason jar for us to baptize our future children with!
How many guests attended your wedding? 175
Bride’s favorite detail of the wedding: My favorite detail was having our dog, Luna, by Grant and I’s side as we said our vows. She has been with me since we started dating and is truly one of my very best friends!
How did you spend the morning or afternoon before your ceremony? My family is full of girls, and it has been a tradition that every year, my cousins and I all get together, wear pink, and proclaim the day “Pink Day!” In the morning before our ceremony, my aunts put together the biggest pink party we’ve ever had. The party consisted of pink drinks, pink food, and pink boas everywhere! Imagine 50 women decked out in their best pink outfits, from the cutest two-year-old little girls to my 90-year-old grandmother. It was so much fun for everyone! Also, I loved having my mother and sister do my hair before the ceremony. It gave us a chance to enjoy the day together in an intimate setting.
Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase, verse or line? Grant and I sat down and wrote our vows together. This was such a wonderful process and helped us both to learn what we really found important in our marriage. My favorite line is short, but it sums up so much: “I promise to love you with a faithful, patient, and unselfish love.”
What songs did you use for your ceremony? I walked down the aisle to the music from “La Vie en Rose.” We wanted something unique that would always remind us of this perfect moment of seeing each other for the first time on our wedding day.
Who was one of the most special guests at your wedding? Looking back now, the answer is easy. My dad was definitely one of the most special guests. He unexpectedly passed away two months after our wedding. We are so grateful to have gotten to share those memories with him and will never forget the joy on his face walking down the aisle as a proud father giving his daughter to a man he would consider one of his “best buds.”
Tell us a bit about your first dance. Our first dance was to “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head” by Frank Sinatra. It was an apt choice for a song, since we found ourselves slipping every which way from a light rain shower that had sprinkled the dance floor.
What was Southern about your wedding? We centered our wedding around family, so many of the special memories of our wedding were not just from the day-of, but also from the preparation for our big day. I loved getting to go to my dress fittings with my mother and grandmother and to see their faces light up when they saw me. I will never forget when my mom, grandmother, and Grant’s mom took a road trip to do a site visit and taste wedding cake with me. It was such a fun day together! There was also the time my whole family, including all of my cousins and grandparents, got together to make 100 paper flowers to line the aisle Grant and I would walk down. Those are the memories that I will never forget.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you looking forward to in the future? We look forward to traveling, late nights of board games, and growing gray-haired together!
What advice would you give to someone currently planning his or her wedding? Have fun! Celebrate what makes the two of you…you! Do not worry about wedding trends or what may be hip at the time. The whole day should be about the love you share for each other, the love for people around you, and the love that brought you together.

Photographer: Helen Byrd Photography | Paper Goods: Pearly Gates Designs | Calligraphy: Tara Jones | Venue, Caterer, and Cake Baker: The Gage Historic Hotel | Florals: Eve’s Garden | Bride’s Gown and Party Dress: Angelina Mata | Bridesmaid Dresses: Various Styles in Ginger by Dessy | Bridesmaid Robes: Sunset to Sunrise | Flower Girl Dresses: Yucu Ninu | Groomsmen Suspenders: El Rey Apparel | Band: Memphis Soul Band

lisa Written with love by Lisa
5 Comments
  1. avatar Carrie reply

    Thank you so much for sharing! Such an honor to have our wedding be a part of one of my favorite publications! Love y’all!

  2. avatar Nicole Schwalge reply

    LOVE that donkey thing and her boots are way too adorable!!

  3. avatar Emily reply

    Who makes these bridesmaid dresses? I love all the different styles available!

  4. avatar 15 Pasteles de Boda Desnudos que te encantarán | El Blog de una Novia reply

    […] The Gage Historic Hotel | Helen Byrd Photography | Southern Weddings […]

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    […] Photo by Helen Byrd Photography via Southern Weddings […]

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Sara and Lee’s Georgia wedding is pure and simple Southern goodness that will have me swooning for quite a few days! While I love bright colors just as much as the next girl, there is something so refreshing and romantic about their muted palette and classically styled reception under the twinkle light-draped tent at The Taylor Grady House. Let’s not even get started on Sara’s dreamy Hayley Paige ballgown–that tulle skirt! All the heart eyes, y’all! Of course, the beauty of their wedding day cannot overshadow the sweet nods to their family they incorporated throughout their day, like the pecan brittle favors in honor of Lee’s late father.

Big SW hugs to our darling Blue Ribbon Vendor Anna K Photography for sharing Sara and Lee’s pretty day with us!

We met at work, when we happened to sit next to each other at a farewell happy hour for a coworker. We mostly talked about Georgia football. A week later, Lee sent a follow-up email reminding me of the deadline to apply for UGA season tickets, and it happened to be Valentine’s Day. I thought I was having a pretty bad Valentine’s Day so far, as I had gotten into a car accident earlier that morning. But then Lee told me that he had just returned home from a business trip and discovered that his house had been broken into and, unbeknownst to him, the thieves stole the spare key to his car and came back to steal it the night Lee returned home! After an epic email exchange that transpired over the following weeks, we went on our first date: test driving cars. Most of the salesmen during our test drives that day probably thought we had been together forever since we were “shopping” for cars together, so there was a really fun dynamic to the date. After the last dealership closed, Lee asked me to dinner and drinks at one of the most romantic restaurants in town, Canoe. Before the date was over, Lee proposed something crazy: a vacation. He told me that if I could clear three days the following week, he’d plan the rest. Next thing we knew, we were off to St. Lucia for a whirlwind of a five-day third date. It was a complete leap of faith and something neither of us had ever done before. The rest is history!

Tell us about finding your wedding dress. Oh, trying on dresses was so much fun! I tried on a variety of different styles, but kept daydreaming of the big, traditional, princess-style wedding gowns. The trick was to find one that would fit in with our tented outdoor reception in Athens, Georgia. I finally felt like a bride when I tried on a gorgeous Hayley Paige creation: a full-skirted gown with generous ruffles made of sculptural tulle with horsehair trim and a crossover sweetheart neckline with a natural-waisted silk radzimir bodice. My dad and I initially joked that the ruffles looked a little like tissues, so we affectionately dubbed the dress the “Napkin Dress!” I tried on a few more styles, but the night after I tried on the Napkin Dress, I stayed up until 4:00 a.m. staring at pictures of it. I knew it was the one!

A string quartet played at our ceremony. The soft sounds of the strings complimented our traditional choices, including Handel’s “Water Music-Air” for the seating of the mothers, Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” for the processional, Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” for the bride’s processional, and Handel’s “Water Music-Hornpipe” for the recessional. Lee fell in love with “Canon in D” early in the engagement, so using that for my processional was very special. I’ll never forget hearing the quartet playing the first few notes as I waited outside of the Chapel doors with my dad before walking down the aisle!

What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? After the ceremony, Lee and I snuck to the side of the Chapel to enjoy a few moments alone and soak in the fact that we had just become Mr. and Mrs.! It was so nice to slow down and catch up after being apart for the whole day. I also got to show Lee the engraving inside his wedding band, which I secretly had done in the weeks leading up to the wedding. I engraved his ring with our wedding date and the phrase, “Forever Your Bunny,” which is our pet name for each other. Seeing his face after showing the engraving to him is a moment I will never forget!

What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? Lee’s father passed away, so we wanted to honor him and make him a part of the day by hand-making his famous pecan brittle recipe with Georgia pecans for our wedding favors. Lee helped his dad make the pecan brittle when he was a little boy, and he continues to make it for family and friends at Christmas. We packaged the pecan brittle, labeled them “Dad’s Pecan Brittle,” and set them on a table with a photograph of Lee’s dad.

One of the biggest money-savers was the fact that the Taylor Grady House let us bring in our own alcohol! We were able to set up a full bar and had a separate bourbon bar comprised of bourbons from Lee’s prized collection. Not only did the freedom to bring our own alcohol bring down the cost, but it allowed us to incorporate Lee’s passion for bourbon and share some of his favorites with our friends and family!

Our favorite detail of the wedding was: Our head table was a dream come true. At 32 feet long, it seated all of our bridal party and their dates. My favorite floral detail was the lush garland that ran down the entire length of the table and had tall, white candles tucked in throughout. The head table also had beautiful place cards with Sarah Ingram’s romantic and organic calligraphy and copper wax seals with a custom logo that Sarah created for us! Sarah’s calligraphy also appeared on the menus set out at each place setting. The head table was everything I had ever dreamed of and more!

Anyone in Athens knows Cecila Villaveces’ Cakes! Our three-tier wedding cake was a vanilla cake with strawberry filling, but the real treat was the Tres Leches cake (vanilla cake soaked with special milks and fresh strawberries) that had to be served from a sheet cake, since it’s too spongy to hold up in tiers!

What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? Be intentional about the vendors you choose to surround yourself with on your wedding day. In most cases, they’ll be with you for more of the day than you’ll be with your future husband! The best vendors will immediately click with you, will know your aesthetic better than you do, and will get things done even when you didn’t think it was possible. And, no matter how stressed you get, know that it’ll all melt away by the time your rehearsal dinner starts. At that point, all of your friends and family will be there ready to celebrate you, and you’ll feel such love and support and joy the second those festivities start!

Tell us all about the proposal! We went to Washington, D.C. for the weekend to attend a party hosted by my brother and sister-in-law. The day after the party, we planned to tour some of the museums and monuments. We were moving slowly after the party, and I remember that Lee didn’t say anything when I took a little longer getting ready and curling my hair for the day. We set out to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and stared at all of the breathtaking gems in the The Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems and Minerals, including the Hope Diamond. Lee joked that I shouldn’t get any ideas from walking through the exhibit! When the museums closed, we walked through the National Mall. After walking nearly nine miles all day (me in my 4-inch booties!), we reached the Jefferson Memorial, Lee’s favorite. We walked around the Memorial, and then Lee brought me down to the tidal basin. He held both of my hands, dropped to his knee, and proposed! Mid-proposal, a middle school sports team swarmed the Jefferson Memorial and began cheering for us and taking pictures. After we soaked it all in for a few moments, Lee pulled me back to the spot where he proposed, told me to look behind me at the Jefferson Memorial, to look ahead at the Washington Monument, and to look right at the White House. He told me to remember the exact spot, because in twenty years, when we return with our family, we’ll be able to visit the exact spot where he proposed and would be able to do so for the rest of our lives.
When did y’all get married? September 12, 2015
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 135
What made you choose your ceremony and reception venues? Did they have any special significance to you? Lee and I are both Double Dawgs, having attended the University of Georgia for both undergrad and law school. We wanted to share Athens, Georgia with our family and friends, so when we found out the Chapel on North Campus was available, we jumped at the opportunity. We are season ticket holders and return to Athens every fall for football games. We love that we’ll be able to walk by the place where we got married year after year when we return to the Classic City. We chose the Taylor Grady House for our reception.
Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase, verse or line? We said traditional vows. There is something so sacred, beautiful, and romantic about speaking the same words as generations of couples who have made this commitment before us.
What readings, if any, did you have at your ceremony? We included the Prayer of St. Francis to honor my dad’s Catholic faith.
How did you plan for your marriage while planning your wedding? We met with our officiant, Reverend Jonathan Spencer, throughout our engagement for marriage prep sessions. We loved making time to be intentional about our relationship and our marriage. We always walked away from our meetings feeling more connected and grounded to the things that truly mattered!
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? The hardest thing for me to do was to know when to stop searching for inspiration. There are so many beautiful magazines, blogs, Instagram accounts, and Pinterest boards that are wonderful during the initial planning stages and can be a real help when interviewing potential vendors to communicate your vision and aesthetic. At some point, though, I began feeling overwhelmed with all of the options and let my magazines stack up…which just made me feel more stressed about not being able to check off reading the magazines from my to do list! I relied so heavily on the support of my planner, Marilisa Schachinger of Chancey Charm. She helped move me along throughout the whole planning process when I’d get bogged down by certain details. Marilisa was SUCH a blessing and helped me trust my gut and make decisions!
What is the one detail or vendor that you were so happy to have as a part of your wedding? I had an incredible team of vendors that truly became my friends throughout the engagement. I was very intentional about selecting folks who not only had the aesthetic I was looking for, but–more importantly–were good people who were enthusiastic about what they do and were excited to be a part of our wedding day. The very first decision I made was to hire my photographer, Anna Shackleford of Anna K. Photography. I found her through Southern Weddings and, as soon as I read on her Blue Ribbon Vendor profile that she “specialized in happy brides,” I knew I had to meet her. She invited me to her beautiful home for our first meeting, and even surprised me with a Christmas gift of the most recent Southern Weddings magazine and a Starbucks gift card to get a tasty treat while I perused the magazine for inspiration! Anna truly set the bar for everyone else I worked with–she was so patient, kind, supportive, and genuinely excited for us. Anna constantly surprised us with little (and some not-so-little) gifts throughout our engagement and beyond. Having Anna with me throughout our wedding day felt like having an old friend there, who happened to create beautiful images, keep things on schedule, and could corral an entire, crazy family!
What’s next for you as a couple? What memories are you looking forward to making together? We’re settling into our new home in Atlanta, Georgia! We are looking forward to having friends and family over for dinner parties, special celebrations and holidays. We’re also thrilled to spend time together without the stress of wedding planning. I can’t tell you how many nights we’ve been sitting on the couch and just look over at the other and say that we can’t believe how lucky we are to have found each other and that we’re actually married!

Photographer: Anna K Photography | Videographer: Rusticus Films | Planner: Chancey Charm | Ceremony Venue: University of Georgia Chapel | Reception Venue: Taylor Grady House | Florist: Martha McIntosh Creative Consulting | Wedding Cake Baker: Cecilia Villaveces Cakes | Caterer: home.made | Rentals and Lighting: Goodwin Events | Band: The Answer Band | Custom Map: Natalie Kilgore | Paper Products: Sarah Ingram | Bride’s Gown: “Londyn” by Hayley Paige | Bridal Salon: The White Magnolia | Bride’s Veil: Sara Gabriel | Hair Stylist: Tame | Makeup Artist: Becca Whitwinghill | Bride’s Shoes: Valentino | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: “Annabelle” in Lilac by Jenny Yoo | Groom’s Attire: Hugo Boss Red Label | Groomsmen Attire: Jos. A. Bank | Ribbon: Silk and Willow | Ceremony Music: Cobalt Strings

Anna K is a delightful member of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

marissa Written with love by Marissa
6 Comments
  1. avatar Marilisa Schachinger reply

    Aw thanks for sharing SW! It was such a pleasure to work with Sara on her wedding and we so appreciate you featuring it here! Now if we could all get our hands on some pralines to snack on while reading the feature ;)

  2. avatar Emily reply

    What a gorgeous gown!!

  3. avatar Sarah Chancey reply

    Thank you so very much for featuring this stunning wedding. Marilisa did such a great job working with these clients, and we are just thrilled to have been included. Anna killed it with these iamges!

  4. avatar Sara Clayton reply

    YAY!!!! Thank you so much for the feature!!! It’s so fun to relive our special day when reading this. We wouldn’t have these stunning images if it weren’t for Southern Weddings, which is how I found Anna Shackleford. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!!!

  5. avatar Audrey Eshman reply

    It was such a gorgeous wedding, and Sara was stunning! So glad that her special day is being shared!

  6. avatar L & S – CHANGEME reply

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