This wedding was captured by the fantastic Georgia photographers Jeff and Julie of {Gandy Photographers}. We are quite lucky to showcase this wedding of Atlanta fabulousness. Kimberly and Kenneth hired {Wedding Soiree} to plan this wedding that took place at {Twelve Atlantic Station Ballroom}. With help from the following vendors: {Endive World}, {Event Design Group}, {The Perfect Stem}, {Peachtree Tents & Events} and the {Production People Inc.}, this event was quite extraordinary! We loved the invitations and the awesome event lighting. And then there was Kimberly’s dress by {Christina Wu} with shoes by {Grace Footwear}. Can you say amazing? Check out all the shots on Gandy Photographers photo {Blog}.
How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story. We met in college while taking an elective course in Bowling 102. For four months we only exchanged small talk. Then on the last day of class I thought for sure that he would ask for my number but he didn’t. And heaven knows I surely I wasn’t going to ask for his. Therefore, I came up with a plan for our “group” to exchange numbers to keep in touch over the summer. This way he would have my number and I would have his without any pressure or awkwardness. Needless to say we only kept in touch with each other! We became really good friends who were inseparable and after two years of courting we eventually became official. Even though we fell in love we both felt we were too young to think about marriage or settling down. Yet we both knew that when marriage became an option, the two of us would be together. Months later Kenny graduated and moved to Minneapolis. We decided not to have a long distance relationship but we stayed in touch and stayed emotionally connected throughout the years. No one could understand the unique situation we put ourselves in. Loving someone from a distance, not being in a relationship and saying this is the person you are going to marry. Years later when Kenny moved to Savannah, GA, he asked for me to come be with him. So I quit my job, took a leap of faith, left my friends and family behind and followed my heart to Savannah.
Describe the proposal: It was the perfect proposal, especially for a man who has difficulty experiencing his feelings. We had dinner at this really great Italian restaurant followed by drinks at the Mansion. He told me we were going to stop and say hello to one of his friends from Minneapolis who was here on business and staying at the Mansion. When he opened the door there were candles and rose petals everywhere and our song from college was playing in the back room. Not to mention that this room was gorgeous! I simply thought he was giving the romance bug a try and I was going to show much gratitude. He asked for me to sit down so he could read a letter to me. While reading this letter I could tell he was holding back emotions which made me slightly nervous. At the end of the letter he said he had a really important question to ask me. He then pointed to the ground and that’s when I noticed that some of the candles were in the formation of a question mark. I began to shake. He pulled out this box, got on one knee, said “Kimberly…” and I lost it. I didn’t hear anything after that except for the sound of my whimpers. It was the happiest day of my life.
What attracted me to my husband was: I was attracted to Kenny’s confidence, smile and his laugh. He is far from being boastful, but when he walks into a room, the energy changes and it gives me butterflies. And his smile; when Kenny smiles I cannot help but smile back. His smile and his laugh are so infectious. He truly makes me feel that there is no one else funnier than me.
What attracted me to my wife was: Aside from being the most beautiful woman I had ever laid my eyes on, my wife is very self-assured. I love and admire this quality about her. When she sets her mind to something, she is unstoppable. She is also a very caring, nurturing and sweet person. These attributes will make her a phenomenal mother someday.
A date we went on that we’ll always remember: We will always remember our 1st road trip together. It was Spring Break March 1998. A group of us had planned on driving over to Chicago, IL from East Lansing, MI to see a show, hang out, eat at some good restaurants and do some site seeing. Unfortunately, Chicago was hit by a record-breaking ice storm. The city advised people to stay indoors and off the street. They even went as far as cancelling one of the scheduled March Madness college basketball games and closed the expressways. Needless to say the group bailed. Kenny and I decided last minute that we were still going to go. We booked a cheap room on the internet, loaded our luggage into my Ford Aspire (one of the smallest cars on the planet, well, maybe next to the Smart Car) and slid in laughter and fear all the way to Chicago. Once we arrived, we had the time of our lives. We sat in the audience of the Jenny Jones Show, we ate at Michael Jordan’s restaurant (it had just opened), I overcame my fear of heights atop the Sears Tower, we mimicked the sculptures at the Field Museum, and we enjoyed St. Patrick’s Day Chicago style. This is the moment we knew we could always make the most out of any situation and have fun doing it together.
The weather on our wedding day was: Perfect.
What was the design inspiration for your wedding? Simplistic-chic with a touch of modern, earthy elegance
Favorite design element of your big day: Everything at the reception – the wall of candles, the floor to ceiling drapes, the center pieces made up of white hydrangeas and curly willows, the square tables with brown Cortina tablecloths, our names in lights on the drapes and the dance floor, the plush white rug and the white lounge furniture accented with different shades of purple pillows and of course the lighting throughout the room.
Tell us about finding your wedding dress: Originally I thought I was going to have this luxe designer gown. However while in Michigan visiting my family some friends and I went to this local bridal salon and the dress literally picked me. It was a simple, old Hollywood classic a-line dress with a sweetheart neckline and exquisite details. It made me feel really pretty without the big name!
Our favorite detail of the wedding was: The food: We decided to have family style tapas for dinner. Guests were presented with platters of food that they could enjoy, pass and share. All menu items were some of our favorite’s e.g. empanadas, crab cakes, rosemary lamb chops and Savannah style shrimp and grits.
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? The biggest challenge I had to overcome while planning my wedding was conquering my control issues. I had Wedding Soiree as my coordinators and let me tell you this team is amazing, but I still wanted control of everything. Fortunately for me they had experienced border-line “bridezilla” before and they took it all in stride. I also wanted to control the ideas of my very opinionated soon- to-be husband. Unlike the stories of other grooms that would say, “what ever you want, dear”, he had something to say about everything. I had to keep reminding myself that this was somewhat of his wedding too.
Were there any special family traditions you included in the wedding? There wasn’t a particular family tradition that was incorporated into the wedding. We simply wanted everyone to feel the family closeness.
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? Seeing Kenny standing at the altar. I was literally living out my dream. Every since I was a little girl I would have this re-occurring dream of my wedding day. My groom never had a face or he was always out of focus. However while Kenny and I were in the “just friends” stage I had that dream again, but he was there. He was my groom. Initially it freaked me out, but I later understood that God was speaking to me in my dreams. He presented me with the man I was to marry. So seeing Kenny standing at the altar solidified that dreams really do come true!
Funniest moment? When Kenny had trouble taking the vow, “for richer or poorer”. Bless his heart! He has a slight phobia of being poor!
The most unexpected event on
our wedding day was: Atlanta’s annual marathon. All of the streets to get us to the Atlanta Botanical Garden for pictures were blocked off so it took us 45 minutes to drive 5 blocks. It was a nightmare!
Three adjectives that describe the day are: Modern. Fun. Memorable.
Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase/verse/or line? We did not write our own vows. I honestly don’t think I would have been able to get the words out, especially since I got choked up saying the phrase, “with this ring I thee wed”. That was a defining moment. The moment I married the man of my dreams.
What advice would you give to someone planning their wedding? Relax, have fun, and expect to go over budget!
Best advice or most memorable comment someone made to you during the wedding celebration. The time goes by so fast so take a moment, look around and take it all in. You’re surrounded by love.
Who was your most honored guest at the wedding? We feel like everyone was a honored guest since 95% of our guest had to travel more than 4 hours to get there. It really was more of a destination wedding.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you looking forward to in the future? The next thing we’re doing as a couple is moving to the Big Apple. This is a great opportunity for Kenny to further his career. In the future we’re looking forward to continue treating each other as boyfriend/ girlfriend; learning to cope with our idiosyncrasies and travelling a bit more before taking on the next challenge….parenthood.
Any DIY items? Invitations. Dinner Menu. Wedding programs.
Congratulations Kimberly and Kenneth! We hope that your relocation to New York City goes fabulously!
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