New Year’s Eve Wedding

This couple met on orientation day at Georgia Tech, and hit it off as friends because of the many interests they had in common. Soon, they were doing pretty much everything together, and had become much more than just friends! They are now alumni, and it made sense that Georgia Tech was a recurring theme throughout their wedding day, in everything from the bridal party colors to the Ramblin’ Wreck as their getaway car. The sparkle and elegance of all that gold and black was also a perfect fit for an elegant New Year’s Eve wedding!

The bride and bridesmaids got ready at Douglas & Co Salon, where the girls kept Margaret company and showed off the adorable gold shoes they would be wearing with short black dresses in the wedding. Each of the girls had a different dress and different shoes; I love the individuality that allows!

The bride joked that while she was spending all this time getting ready, her groom was probably somewhere playing frisbee; when we met up with him later, we found out that was exactly what he really was doing! Here he’s making an extra copy of his personalized vows — just in case something happened to one of them.

The bride’s sisters served as maid and matron of honor, and made all the floral arrangements and bouquets.

The other bridesmaids are all long-time friends. They were fabulous, stylish — and gorgeous, all while helping Margaret get into her dress, do her make-up, and keep calm!

The couple’s “stomping grounds” are in midtown Atlanta, so they chose the beautiful and historic Peachtree Christian Church for their ceremony. The sanctuary is simply breathtaking, with amazing stained glass windows and huge organ pipes.

The ceremony was sweet and meaningful, and included the lighting of a unity candle, the exchange of rings and personalized vows, and taking communion as their first act as husband and wife.

It’s official!

We took time for a few photos of the newly minted Mr. and Mrs…

Then, onto the reception!!!
The couple chose another beautiful historic midtown Atlanta location, Magnolia Hall in Piedmont Park.

After toasts and quite a bit of dancing, the couple cut their cake — which was topped by “Just Married” mountain hikers; hiking is one of the couple’s favorite things to do, and they have hiked some pretty amazing places!   (The groom’s cake was stacked Oreo cookies! Fun!)

Besides being their wedding day AND New Year’s Eve, this was also the father of the bride’s 60th birthday! The bride and her sisters surprised their dad with a cake, and everyone at the reception sang “Happy Birthday” to him.