I adore this gorgeous destination wedding from Holly Gardner Photography and Shelby Peaden Events. Dripping in Spanish moss, this little white chapel wedding is full of romantic details. The blush and gold color palette and bridesmaid dresses are to-die-for! I can hardly believe all of the plans were completed in just four months- flawless! The gorgeous bride, Sarah, is here to share her planning insight with us:
What (or who) helped you most in your planning process and/or on your wedding day?
Our wedding planner, Shelby Peaden (Shelby Peaden Events), was the perfect choice to plan our wedding. She was calm and resourceful and just such a blessing when planning a destination wedding during a relatively short (4 1/2 month!) engagement. When we decided to get married in May after getting engaged in January, we didn’t realize how much work planning a destination wedding from two different cities while I was finishing a fellowship in Birmingham and my fiance, Joe, was starting a new job in Atlanta. I was also looking for a new job in Atlanta and we were moving during the engagement, so we were busy to say the least. Shelby was a wonderful planner and we trusted her opinions and taste. My mom was also fantastic help, especially the second half of the engagement, when we were moving and my focus shifted to job searching, she really took on a lot of the work and decision-making, which was great. For a while I doubted whether it could be done well, but it all worked out in the end and turned out perfectly. The short engagement was the best decision we made!
What was the most important thing to you when deciding who to work with for your wedding?
The most important thing was someone who had an open date in a short time frame! We did not have a lot of time to find vendors or look at endless options. We needed vendors to help us make good, quick decisions and who we trusted completely. Shelby was great about that and when my mom, Joe and I met Holly Gardner the first time, I knew she was our photographer. She has such a wonderful spirit and story and I knew I would love working with her and that proved to be the right decision.
What was your inspiration for your wedding details and/or design?
Joe and I wanted a simple celebration that was elegant and most importantly, fun. We went for a neutral palate with blush and gold accents. Celestine’s did a great job on the flowers and decor and it turned out just how we pictured it. Everyone also had a lot of fun dancing to the band, which was a big priority for us because we love to dance.
What was your favorite thing about your wedding?
Having fun dancing with our families and friends was a big highlight. Of course, the gorgeous sunset that appeared out of nowhere after a very gray, drizzly day was an incredible blessing and such a beautiful backdrop to a great day!
What is your best piece of advice for other brides?
It’s a marriage – not a wedding! :) At the end of the day you’ll be married and that is the most exciting part of the planning process. Marriage is even more fun than the wedding.
Marriage is way more fun than the wedding! Excellent, statement, Sarah. Seemingly to get on with the whole “marriage” bit, this gorgeous wedding was planned in just four months! Would you consider a super-short engagement and planning period? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
XOXO,
Carlee
Vendors who made it all happen…
Photographer: Holly Gardner Photography / Event Planner: Shelby Peaden Events / Floral Designer: Celestine’s Special Occasions / Cake Baker: Sugar Lilly Sweet Shop / Reception Venue: Bentley’s on the Bay / Musicians:Atlanta Pleasure Band / Makeup Artist: Lanna Bloodworth / Hairstylist: Salon Twist / Transportation: A Bride’s Ride, Inc.
Carlee
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LOVE the colors!! Where did you get the bridesmaid dresses or what is the brand?? Thanks!!
You’re right, the bridesmaid dresses are to die for! Where are they from?
Those bridesmaids dresses are perfection.
Wonderfully gorgeous from bridal style, most certainly including the groom and bridal party! Dying over the bridal bouquet lace goodness shot!
The bridesmaids dresses are Joanna August Ceremony :)
I LOVE your wedding gown. Who is the dress designer? What dress is this?
I love the colors! Such a pretty wedding!
I love, LOVE this wedding dress! Can you tell me where it’s from? Thank you!!! Absolutely gorgeous wedding :)
The dress is a Liancarlo Couture. It was purchased at Ivory and White in Mountain Brook, Al. Thanks for all the compliments! We were very fortunate to have Holly Gardner as our photographer. Shelby Peaden, our wedding planner, was amazing and we were blessed to have her coordinate the wedding. Celestine’s Special Occasions did a beautiful job with the flowers, linens and other special touches.
Beautiful! What is the name of the color swatch for the Joanna August bridesmaid dresses?