An intimate ceremony at Fort Benning followed by a stunning reception with friends and family at Rivermill Event Centre created an incredibly special Georgia wedding day for Andrea and Tim.

Andrea and Tim created a day full of intentional moments and special details that allowed for a truly personal celebration. Andrea chose to get ready at her parents’ house, and what a beautiful and sentimental setting for these two to begin their day. From the intimate moments before becoming husband and wife to the final goodbyes at the end of the night, Eliza Morrill Photography captured all of the beauty and detail from this special wedding day. You are sure to love the gorgeous design of their reception, and we were truly taken by the floral chandelier that floated over the dance floor. Make sure to catch the details of their day shared by the beautiful bride as she provided her insight into much of the heart behind this celebration.

Tell us a little a bit about your wedding (your vision, color, style, and location choices).

As most people say, we really just wanted our wedding to be FUN! A place where our friends and family could come enjoy amazing food and delicious cocktails in a beautiful venue while dancing the night away. We love the classics, so we brought in a big band and played lots of Frank Sinatra! We also wanted to pay homage to Tim’s time in the Army as well as my love for my home town of Columbus, so being married in the Infantry Chapel and having the reception at a renovated mill seemed like the perfect solution!

What was the most important to the two of you while planning? Was there anything that you chose to splurge on or skip?

The most important thing was making our guests feel welcome. Tim’s family is mostly from New York, and so many of his friends live around the country that we wanted to make Columbus feel like more than just a place to come for our wedding. We included out of town boxes in each hotel room that told people about what they could do around town, places to eat, and all about Columbus.

A videographer was not in my original plans because I thought that would be a place where cutting costs would be easy. However, I am SO GLAD that I didn’t do this! Both my photographer, Eliza Morrill, and Videographer, Lance Holloway, were incredible. They (along with their teams) made us so comfortable and relaxed. Not to mention, the quality of the product they provided is beyond measure, and something we will truly cherish for years to come!

What were your favorite parts of the day?

SO MANY TO CHOOSE FROM! I loved being able to get ready in my parents home surrounded by friends and family. Our first look was by the lake behind my parents house and was truly the most romantic moment of my life. I have never felt luckier! I also loved walking through the saber arch into our reception. It was the perfect welcome!

On a practical note, Jamie Keating with Rivermill Event Centre planned a meal for us to have before entering our reception that was a LIFE SAVER! It was in a private room and included a little bit of each item that was being served at our reception. This gave me a chance not only to eat and see what our guests were going to enjoy, but also to spend some alone time with my husband and savor the first moments of being newlyweds together. Not to mention… touch up hair and makeup! The late night mini pizza’s served in monogramed boxes were also a HUGE hit!

Did you include any family heirlooms or special traditions?

We have lots of traditions in our family, so YES! I wore my grandmother’s sapphire ring and bracelet as my “Something Blue” and “Something Borrowed.” These were also worn by my sister and cousin on their wedding days. My father also purchased a bottle of port on the day I was born. He saved it for my wedding day, so the first toast at our receptions was made with that bottle and shared between he, my mom, me, my husband, and my husband’s parents.

What did you do for favors?

In lieu of favors, Tim and I made a donation to the National Infantry Museum in Columbus, Georgia. It is a stunning facility, and one that we always visit when back in Columbus. We presented this to our guests as little American flags with personal messages announcing our donation in their honor.

What (or who) helped you most in your planning process and/or on your wedding day?

My mom honestly helped the most, which makes sense since she grew up in the floral business in New Orleans. She understood my vision. She has an eye for style, so she made it really easy for me! We also have the BEST friends who brought fun and comfort to the whole process: Jamie Keating and Beth Milner of Rivermill, Patty Hasting of P.Hasting Design, Pam Shuler of Shuler Studio, Adrianne Wallace for her crafting expertise and all our family and friends that we hold so dear. Knowing you are surrounded by so much love and desire to help makes for very smooth sailing.

What a truly incredible wedding day. So many special details and moments that send our romantic hearts into a flutter. From getting ready and pictures at the bride’s parents’ house to the special heirlooms that have been passed down through the family, to what choked us up the most, the bottle of port that the bride, groom, and their families shared for a toast, there are just so many moments that made this day so perfect.

Are there any special moments or details that you’re planning for your wedding day?

VENDORS WHO MADE IT ALL HAPPEN…

Photography: Eliza Morrill Photography // Ceremony Venue: The Infantry Chapel // Reception Venue: Rivermill Event Centre // Floral: Carmen Johnston Gardens // Stationery: Galleria Riverside // Entertainment: The Ed Barr Band // Videography: Lance Holloway Productions // Hair: Brooke McManus from Rumor Salon // Wedding Dress: Bridals by Lori // Groom’s Attire: Dress Mess Uniform // Bridesmaid Dresses: Nicole Miller