Classic Georgia Wedding Archives - The Corner District

How To Ensure You Get The Wedding Photos of Your Dreams | Carrie Reagan Photography

September 20, 2017 · Leave a Comment

At our vintage industrial + parlor venue, we know that every bride wants gorgeous wedding photos! And we want them to love every single photo! After the wedding, all the couple is left with (beyond wonderful memories) are their amazing wedding photos. Our dear vendor friend Carrie, of Carrie Reagan Photography, is sharing a few tips to ensure you get the wedding photos of your dreams!

Communicate with your photographer.

While every photographer has their own style, the ultimate goal is to beautifully capture your wedding day and get all the shots that you envisioned! Don’t be afraid to tell your photographer if there’s a special shot or idea that you want. After all, this is all for you to remember your special day! If you’re on Pinterest (and who isn’t?), share your wedding board with your photographer. Even if you don’t have a “must take” photo list of images, this will help give your photographer insight into your wedding style!

Details, Details, Details.

You’ve spent months planning and preparing every little detail of this day. You put thought into every little decision, from your shoes to the invitation. So why not have beautiful photos of these details? Finishing touches like writing your vows on pretty card stock instead of on crumpled notebook paper really makes a difference. Another quick tip, make sure simple things like clothing and shoe boxes aren’t scattered over the dressing room for the getting ready photos.

First look photos.

Whether you are a traditional or modern bride, first look photos are always a great idea. It’s no longer considered bad luck to see each other before you walk down the aisle, and there are pretty big perks that go with it. It gives you a chance to have a private moment before the ceremony that can ease your nerves. Plus, it gives you more time for your wedding photos, allowing you to enjoy your ceremony and reception and ensuring you get all the photos you want!

Pre-ceremony photos.

If you decide to not do first look photos, know that the bulk of your styled photos can be taken before the ceremony. Aside from the getting ready photos, it’s nice to get as many photos as time allows before your ceremony. You will be thankful you did! Taking photos of bridesmaids, groomsmen, and any family portraits before the ceremony leave you more time to actually enjoy the day you’ve spent so much time planning for. Make sure to plan your time accordingly. Leave yourself some time for touch-ups before the ceremony.

Short on time?

If your photography contract doesn’t include coverage for your entire day, make sure you make the most of it. Chances are your photographer will be there for at least a portion of your reception. Speak to your coordinator or DJ and have all the main events of your reception scheduled within the first hour. While most couples go into the first dance after they are announced at the reception, you can follow this with special dances, toasts and cake cutting. This way you + your guests are free to party the night away without strict timelines. It’s also not uncommon to do a photo send-off well before the night is over. It’s a great way to get the most out of your wedding photographer and capture all the big moments from your day.

As a North Georgia venue, the beautiful scenery always makes for some amazing photo opportunities. We cannot get enough of gorgeous wedding photos, and we love to see couples swooning over the photos from their special day! Photographers, do you have any tips for getting the wedding photos of your dreams?

All photos by Carrie Reagan Photography

Why Brides love The Corner District’s Charming Parlor

August 30, 2017 · Leave a Comment

At our North Georgia wedding venue, we love all things unique + beautiful! We cannot get enough of creative + elegant wedding details that capture the unique personalities of the bride and groom. That’s why The Corner District has two event spaces, our parlor + warehouse, that serve as blank canvases so that couples can bring their wedding vision to life with the help of their Georgia wedding vendors.

Photography: Sara Bush

Our Charming Vintage Parlor

One of the bonuses of booking your wedding at The Corner District is the obvious charm + character of our vintage parlor! Our parlor is 100+ years old with a charming speakeasy feel! Between the two-story ceilings and original wood floors, the parlor is transformed into a magical space with any decor. Our crystal chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling draping set the mood for a romantic, upscale reception at our Atlanta venue.

Brides love The Corner District’s parlor because of how easy it is to make it your own! A tip we share for making your event unique would be to add your small touches to our wide assortment of vintage lounge furniture, antique mantle, buffets + original wood bar area. These pieces offer exceptional spaces for you to fulfill your vision. Some of our favorite examples include hydration stations + food stations or gift tables.

Photography: Kelly Anne Photography

Since we have so many unique pieces included in our venue rental, there’s no need to rent props or furniture! Furthermore, we provide floor length ivory linens that match the pads on our mahogany Chevalier chairs. This is just another special touch that brides love + sets The Corner District apart from other venues.

Photography: Blume PhotographyPhotography: Ruzin Cunningham

Brides especially love the parlor because it’s a space brimming with personality. Elegant crystal chandeliers and draping make this a more formal area for your cocktail hour, reception dining and dancing. From the beautiful interior to the small town charm of Main Street just outside the doors, every occasion is unique!

Photography: Katey Penton PhotographyPhotography: Carrie Reagan Photography

Your Rehearsal Dinner at The Corner District

July 26, 2017 · Leave a Comment

At our vintage warehouse + parlor venue, we love rehearsal dinners and what they represent! We realize that for a lot of couples, this might be the first time your extended families are meeting. After all, rehearsal dinners are a time of coming together as you + your significant other begin this new journey.

Our oversized venue spaces lend themselves to casual elegance in a comfortable, relaxed setting. Just like at restaurants and banquet facilities, our venue is a place to come in, eat and leave. We offer the venue for a 4-hour event with early arrival to decorate and help make it your own! Reserve just one space, the parlor or warehouse, or you can reserve the entire venue for an all-day soiree!

Make It an All-day Soiree

We’ve had the warehouse set up for a guys day with cornhole, a growler station and other activities that allows them a place to hang out the for the day while the girls are busy with nail appointments and bridal luncheons. In the meantime, we are preparing the parlor for the dinner that evening.

For one rehearsal dinner, large grills were brought in to prepare a steak and baked potato feast, which was this groom’s favorite meal. While the grilling was going on, the guys were hanging out entertaining themselves with cornhole, passing a football and enjoying the growler station.

Get Creative

At our blank canvas venue, we love seeing our couples get creative with how they celebrate! We’ve had low-country boils, caterers that bring large grills for steak dinners, food trucks, traditional buffets and plated dinners. The sky’s the limit. Slide shows, bands, DJ’s, bartenders and other surprises can be arranged to help make your party everything you want it to be! After all, the night is all about celebrating the bride + groom’s love story and unique style as a couple.

Some of Our Favorites

Some of our favorite parties have revolved around the groom and his family. After all, this is his family’s opportunity to contribute to the wedding festivities. Often, rehearsals will have a special meaning that centers around him. We have had a Mardi Gras themed dinner to reflect the groom’s origins, which was complete with a second line parade thru the streets of town. Dinner included a low country boil and traditional Mardi Gras decor.

One of the sweetest rehearsal dinners we’ve hosted involved the mother-of-the-groom’s gift to her new daughter-in-law. She knew the bride wanted an elegant wedding, but she gave in to the groom’s wishes to have a rustic barn wedding. To the bride’s delight, the rehearsal dinner was all about the glam!

We were able to create a beautifully styled Gatsby gala, complete with gold chargers, custom linens + feather plumed centerpieces, custom decor that would rival any party Daisy could throw! The bride was able to have her vision incorporated into the wedding weekend!

At the end of it all, we appreciate to opportunity to help kick off your wedding festivities! We would love to discuss how we can make it a sensational beginning to your happily ever after. Click here for more information and inquiries.

To the Mother of the Bride | Cherishing Each Step

June 28, 2017 · Leave a Comment

Mother of Bride. It isn’t a coincidence that the acronym for these three words is MOB.

I think it is safe to assume that at least one time during your daughter’s wedding planning, a MOB scene will develop. That’s where you, your “bride,” and possibly the bridesmaids will come to tears over certain details. Planning a wedding is time consuming and can be stressful. Here at The Corner District, we understand that there will be differences in opinions on various wedding details. But even moreso, we believe that a wedding should be a time where a mother + daughter are able to cherish a sweet and exciting journey.

To the mother of the bride,

Be there for your daughter in this process. Help her when she needs it and love + support her unconditionally. But remember, this is her and her fiancee’s wedding. Even when you have differing ideas or opinions, make sure to cherish each step, making this sweet time as memorable as possible.

It’s important to remember that even if you are paying for the dress, it is still her dress. Your daughter will fall in love with her dream dress once in a lifetime, and having your support behind her will mean the world to her.

It doesn’t matter if you are paying for the food, it is their food. The couple works hard to make decisions that will fulfill their wedding vision. Little details from signature drinks to unique food stations like popcorn bars, your daughter will be making decisions to help her dream day come alive.

Sure, your saged advice is seasoned with experience and can be helpful, but that doesn’t mean it’s timeless. Mothers, things have changed since we planned our weddings. Let your daughter take the reins and just enjoy getting to be a part of the her day. Be supportive and helpful, but let things happen on her timeline. When she needs your help, you will know it.

Although you might be anxious to run out and buy your MOB dress, let the bride pick her venue and her dress first. Colors, flowers and overall decor will change several times throughout the process. Part of the fun of planning a wedding is taking each of these steps one at a time and cherishing the journey.

It will be over way too fast, so make sure it is a pleasant experience and include only those that will make it so. No need to invite the entire wedding party and groom’s family to join in wedding dress shopping. They aren’t buying or wearing the gown so do we really care what they think? Maybe, but try to include them in something less stressful, like a reveal after the purchase of the gown.

So many “traditional” aspects of the planning process are now passe and for a good reason. Each task, when checked off the list, should be done with a smile and a sense of one step closer to an amazing day that isn’t about the “show” but about the love and commitment that is signified with the wedding. After all, that is what we are here for.

Sincerely,

A 2x mother-of-the-bride + wedding professional

Mothers of the bride, what was your favorite part about helping with your daughter’s wedding? What tips do you have for a new MOB? We’d love to hear!

Carley + Brannon: An Intimate Fall Celebration at Our Vintage Venue

March 29, 2017 · Leave a Comment

What a sweet + special celebration of love a wedding is, especially when the couples’ families are involved! Working with Carley + Brannon and their charming families reminds us just how much we love our jobs here at The Corner District. One of our favorite parts has to be that the wedding cake bakers also made Carley’s first birthday cake and her parent’s wedding cake! We’re thankful to have Carley share with us just what made her and Brannon’s day with their family + friends so special! And a big thanks to Barefoot Blonde Photography for capturing the sweet moments from their fall wedding!

Photo: Barefoot Blonde Photography | Florals: Ivy Marie Weddings

The Story

How did you meet your fiancé?

Our families have known each other for a while, but I met Brannon out on Lake Lanier. We were both fishing with our families that night, and I couldn’t quit thinking about him after I saw him!

Tell us the story of how he popped the question:

He took me on my first cruise and popped the question one night on the deck after dinner. We happened to be on the deck completely alone, although we were on a boat with thousands of other people. I’ll always cherish having that moment be just between us!

What is your wedding date and why did you choose it?

We really wanted a fall wedding, and October seemed like the perfect weather! My grandparents and his parents both were married in October, so it seemed like a good fit for a fall wedding.

The Fall Wedding Vision

What was your overall vision for your wedding?

We wanted something simple, yet exciting for all of our friends and family. We were really hoping that everyone would come and mingle and have a great time.

What do you feel was the most important component of your wedding?

Family! Brannon’s dad married us, and it was such a moving moment. We both are really close with our families, so having that in our wedding is something that we will always remember.

How involved is your groom in the wedding planning process?

Brannon and I both were fairly relaxed when it came to wedding planning. I would have been lost without the help of Ivy (our in house wedding planner) in planning everything!

Are you writing your own vows?

We stuck with the traditional “repeat after me” vows. I thought I would have been disappointed with not writing our own, but even the traditional vows were romantic in the moment.

How did you choose your wedding theme or color pallet?

We wanted fall colors, but I didn’t want the typical ones. I absolutely love the color green and the gold just seemed to compliment it. I wanted our wedding to be romantic and quaint. These colors and our flowers seemed to fit that role!

How important were the typical wedding traditions?

We kept our wedding fairly traditional. We wanted to keep the ceremony as Christian as possible, since Brannon’s dad is a preacher. It was important for us to have the ceremony between us and God!

Why did you choose The Corner District for your wedding venue?

This venue was the perfect combination of romantic and vintage. I could just picture all of my family and friends gathering there. I’m also not very creative or artistic, so it was important to me that I have a venue that could stand on its own without having to decorate too much.

Spencer + Cara | A Dreamy, Rustic Fairytale Georgia Wedding

January 11, 2017 · 1 Comment

Cara + Spencer’s dreamy, rustic Georgia wedding had us swooning over such a beautiful celebration for this adorable couple. As a dog-friendly wedding venue, our favorite part had to be that the couple’s dogs were not only involved in the proposal, but the wedding as well. Of course, we also loved that Nerd Dawgs, a delicious + fun food truck, catered a late night bite at the reception! From dogs to dawgs, the wedding was full of personal details that made this wedding so much fun to host!

Heather Lynthlin Photography did an incredible of capturing the sweetest moments from Cara + Spencer’s rustic Georgia wedding at our vintage venue! We’re thankful to have our bride share with us about the magic behind their fairytale wedding + love story.

How did you meet your fiancé?

My fiancé and I met in 6th grade although we were very different in middle school. He won biggest flirt and I won most likely to succeed in the superlative awards. We went to different high schools and then officially connected over social media when we were in our 3rd year of college. Spencer attended the University of Hawaii on a football scholarship and I went to Kennesaw State University and participated on the competitive cheerleading squad. We shared similar interests but the time difference between Hawaii and Georgia was just too much. We ended up going our separate ways. We rekindled our love on January 9, 2014. Ever since that day, we cannot imagine life without each other.

Tell us the story of how he popped the question:

On July 24, 2015 Spencer was persistent about going to downtown Woodstock to get coffee at the Copper Coin Café. I had just woken up from a nap and I really was not in the mood to get ready, load up the dogs in the car, and go to Woodstock. I took my time getting ready. We arrived in downtown Woodstock and Spencer said he would hold the dogs while I went in and ordered. I thought nothing about it. I ordered two coffees and came back outside. As I walked outside I was very confused. Spencer’s mother took the coffees from me. The entire moment felt like a blur. I was trying to piece together what was happening. I looked around and saw my mom, dad, step-mother, sister, brother-in-law, niece, Spencer’s mom and dad, and some friends. I did not know what to think or what was going on.

I looked down and noticed that Simba and Brutus (our German Sheppard and English Bulldog) were wearing signs around their neck. The signs read “If you asked me how many times you crossed my mind I would say once, because you never really left” and “Spencer wants to know will you marry him?” The next thing I know, Spencer is down on one knee and asking me to marry him. I burst out in tears from all the emotions running through me, there is no way I could resist this man. Of course I said yes! I had no idea he was even planning on getting engaged. He had kept it a secret for weeks. I cannot believe he pulled off such an unbelievable and memorable moment.

What was your wedding date and why did you choose it? Does this date have any significance?

Our wedding date was October 1, 2016. I chose to get married in October because I love the fall time. I knew The Corner District would look beautiful surrounded by the fall foliage on the trees. I also knew we would be able to utilize the outside area of the venue (the courtyard) during our reception because of the cooler weather.

What was your overall vision for your wedding?

My overall vision for the wedding was finding a venue that was unique to me. I wanted a venue where I was able to make it my own. I also wanted something with a rustic look and a laid back atmosphere. I did not want a place that told you exactly how the wedding would look and how the set up would be. I wanted something that resembled a big party that I could have with all our friends and family.

What do you feel was the most important component of your wedding?

The most important component of our wedding was being able to have our dogs as part of the ceremony. They are an important part of our lives and we were fortunate enough that The Corner District is dog friendly.

How involved was your groom in the wedding planning process?

For the most part, I planned the wedding since I am the planner in the couple. I love that Spencer is laid back and was supportive during the planning process. I would ask him for his opinion on some of the things and he would say, “As long as you’re happy and having a great time, that is all that matters to me.” I would ask his opinion on a couple of things such as: our first dance song, the suits, and he was allowed to pick the music for cocktail hour. Spencer was supportive and loved all the ideas I had, so that helped a lot.

Did you write your own vows?

In the beginning we were not planning on writing our own vows. As the wedding day approached, I decided that I wanted our wedding ceremony to be more personable and add some of our own ideas to the ceremony, so we added them in last minute. I am glad we decided to do that because his words were so sincere and loving and I will remember them forever.

What was your wedding theme or color pallet?

We did not have a theme for our wedding, but we chose the sky blue color because I thought it would go great with our rustic + vintage look we were going for. The sky blue also reminded me of Cinderella and a fairy tale, which is how I picture our relationship, being a love story. When people would ask what colors I was using for the wedding I would reply, “White, grey, and Cinderella blue.”

How important were the typical wedding traditions?

We wanted to keep the wedding as traditional as we could, yet still make it our own. We refrained from doing a first look because we wanted to save the moment for the aisle. An Italian tradition in our family is to make lots of cookies to serve at the wedding. We had multiple people working on hundreds of cookies for the wedding. I loved having that as a family tradition. I loved that we were able to put up old wedding pictures from our families in the frames provided in the venue. That meant so much to me to be able to add our own touch and decorations to the venue. It really felt like we were able to make it our own. I think we had a traditional wedding for the most part, but we definitely made it our own at the same time. The Corner District was the perfect venue to be able to display our own personality and I am so glad we chose it for our special day.

Leading up to the big day I was beyond stressed out about the whole process. Debbie (The Corner District Owner) was able to meet up with me multiple times to reassure me that everything would be okay. I must admit that I had my doubts. In the end EVERYTHING went according to plan. There is nothing I would have changed about our wedding day and I cannot think of many people that could say that.

Debbie, Elizabeth, Ivy, and all the other wedding coordinators did a phenomenal job making our wedding the exact vision I was going for. All of our guests had an amazing time and loved the venue. I hope to be able to utilize this venue again in the future for another event I may have. Our wedding day was truly the best day of my life and I thank The Corner District for making our dreams come true.

Why did you choose this wedding venue?

When I was looking for a wedding venue, I was looking for something that I can make my own. As I searched around for the perfect venue, a lot of the places I looked at told you exactly how your wedding will look with a couple of choices on colors. I am a unique person so I really wanted something that was perfect for me. I love that the venue is an old historical building with a lot of character. My mom and I drove up that day to check it out. I loved everything about it as soon as I arrived. I love the feeling I got when I peeked in the windows, I knew this place was the one.

I envisioned myself walking down the aisle and Spencer being at the end with a huge smile on his face. I called Debbie when we were looking in the windows and she was so friendly and accommodating. She was able to meet up right then so I could get a better look at the inside of the venue. Spencer and I also love that our dogs will be able to celebrate with us at the ceremony since they are a huge part of our family. The three buildings are amazing. I have nothing but great things to say about The Corner District and our wedding.

4 Creative Catering Ideas for your North Georgia Wedding

July 1, 2016 · 3 Comments

We love when brides come to our blank canvas North Georgia wedding venue with a wedding vision in mind that captures their unique style! So much goes into bringing a wedding vision to life, so it’s beautiful when each element of the wedding truly celebrates the bride + groom’s personalities! That even includes the food and how it’s displayed at the wedding reception. Today we’re sharing some of our favorite ways that brides have used unique dishes + displays to complement their wedding vision and make their wedding stand out!

Photo: Kelly Anne Photography | Styling: Twigs and Lace Event Design | As seen on The Celebration Society

Dessert stations: Dessert stations allow for a variety of choices and flavors that your guests are sure to love! Although we absolutely love wedding cakes, not limiting yourself to just one dessert allows you to choose several individual desserts that combine the personalities and style of the bride and groom. Every dessert chosen – from macaroons to cake pops to donuts, helps celebrate the couple! Not only does everyone love a variety of desserts to indulge in, but dessert stations can be decorated to fully encompass your wedding vision. The table itself acts as another décor piece of your wedding!

Photo: Sarah Bush Designs | Styling: Twigs and Lace Event Design

Popcorn bar: Popcorn bars are the perfect way to add salty snacks into the wedding mix at our charming vintage Georgia wedding venue! Your guests will love getting to personalize their food as they add toppings + seasonings to make it just right for them. You can even add chocolate and candy toppings to please your sweet-tooth guests. Popcorn bars are a cute way to get your guests involved with this simple, fun activity!

Photo: Kelly Anne Photography | Food Truck: Scott Boys BBQ

Food trucks: Food trucks are a fun, unique and currently super trendy way to have your wedding food fit your theme! From Mexican to Italian to American, there’s a food truck for every type of cuisine that your guests are sure to devour. They are especially great for brides going for a more casual, laid back party feel! Plus, the variety of food trucks offer meal options that might not be offered by the traditional wedding caterer. Another benefit of food trucks is that they can also be budget friendly for the savings conscious bride.

Photo: Kelly Anne Photography | Styling: Twigs and Lace Event Design | As seen on The Celebration Society

Pie bar: At our rustic + eclectic Atlanta area wedding venue, we love to see pie bars that mix a variety of flavors in such an elegant way! The different types of pies chosen can be used to complement a variety of wedding visions, from a warm traditional feel to an elegant, chic vision. Pie bars are especially good for helping capture wedding visions at holiday weddings! From pumpkin pie to eggnog pie, your guests will love your desserts that will complete your holiday wedding style.

Our favorite part about each of these food displays is that no two will be the same! At our eclectic venue, we value creativity + uniqueness. We think it’s so important that each couple feels that every aspect of their wedding, including the food, helped celebrate them as a one-of-a-kind couple! Weddings are personal and will differ from couple to couple, and that’s what we love about them. We hope these food displays will give you some creative inspiration as you consider how you want to capture your own style for the big day!

Ivy + John | Classic North Georgia Winter Wedding

May 6, 2016 · Leave a Comment

For those of you who don’t know, Ivy is a Corner District bride turned venue manager! See their Wedding Gallery for more real wedding photos. Enjoy!

-The Corner District

Bride and groom’s names:

Ivy + John Ferguson

How did you meet your husband?

I was living in Athens, GA at the time with two of my girlfriends. One spring weekend in 2010, my roommates and I were at the apartment complex pool getting some sun and relaxing. We decided to invite some people to come hangout with us. One of my high school friends showed up with two of his friends. One of the guys caught my eye right off the bat, he was so handsome! We were introduced and I immediately knew there was something about him that was different than most.

At the end of the day after my roommate and I made it back to the apartment, I told her, “I am going to marry that guy one day.” Over the next couple of months, we were just friends – even though I had a huge crush on him. At the beginning of the summer he and a friend decided they wanted to move to Destin, Florida. I thought we were going to lose touch and I didn’t want that to happen. A few weeks after he moved, my friend and I decided to go to the beach. My aunt just so happens to own a beach house about 20 min from Destin. John and I spent the entire week together, it was perfect and I didn’t want it to end.

We texted and called constantly over the next few weeks. One day, he called me and told me he was moving back! I was so excited. Once he was back in Georgia, we were inseparable and falling for each other fast. He told me he loved me after only four months of dating, although we both knew it was love way before then.

Tell us the story of how he popped the question:

It was right before Christmas in 2014 and we had been dating for over 4 years. I had asked him a few times about what we should get each other for Christmas and he kept saying, “Oh I am just getting you something small.” I was kind of suspicious that he was going to pop the question, but I didn’t want to get my hopes up. One Saturday while I was at work, John texted and asked if I had any ideas of something fun to do that night. Since it was Christmas, I thought it would be really neat to go to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens and see the Christmas lights. He loved the idea and we headed there as soon as I got off work.

The place was packed when we got there, we had to park a mile away. The walk to the front gate was exhausting because the terrain was mostly uphill. When we finally made it to the front gate, I reached into my purse to get the tickets and realized I had forgotten them in the car. We had to walk all the way back to the car, get the tickets, and then go all the way back to the front gates. Needless to say, we did a lot of walking that night.

We finally made it into the gardens, grabbed a drink, and started the tour. John and I walked the entire exhibit hand in hand, it was more romantic than I had expected it to be. It sounds cliché, but the love was in the air that night. We were getting close to the end when John asked me what my favorite light display was. It was the main garden area, they had giant globes on the lawn that glowed and danced along with the Christmas music that was playing. We walked back to the main lawn area, took a seat on a bench, and listened to the music for awhile. It was getting really late and after all the walking we had done, I was ready to head home. As we got up to leave, John tugged on my arm and said, “Wait just a second.” I turn around to see the man of my dreams down on his knee! I was so excited that I literally picked him up off the ground to give him a kiss. After we kissed, I said “Yes! Yes! Yes!” Later that night, we realized the date was 12/13/14, which we thought was pretty cool. Best day ever!

What was your wedding date and why did you choose it?

We wanted to be engaged for at least a year so we could have plenty of time to plan the wedding. We noticed that one of the Saturdays in January was 1/16/16, which is pretty easy to remember.

What was your overall vision for your wedding?

We wanted a romantic, yet rustic feel. I love all things girly, but John on the other hand isn’t a fan. We needed a wedding that incorporated both styles.

What do you feel was the most special component of your wedding?

The most special thing to the both of us was being able to celebrate with all of our friends and family. We had a lot of wedding guests travel from all over the country to be with the us on our very special day.

How involved was your groom in the wedding planning process?

I ran all of my ideas by John but, like most men, he was pretty much only interested in the cake and food. He also enjoyed picking out his and the groomsmen’s outfits.

Did you have a wedding theme or color pallet, and if so how or why did you choose it?

We had a very neutral color pallet, charcoal grey, cream, and a lot of greenery. We also had antique brass candle sticks along all the tables, they added extra flair.

How important are the typical wedding traditions? Did you plan on doing something outside of the norm to make your wedding more of your own?

We stuck with most of the normal wedding traditions except for one, the first look. I was nervous about walking down the aisle and having all those people stare at me. We decided to do the first look to ease our nerves. It was the best idea ever! Seeing him beforehand made the ceremony that much more enjoyable. I was able to relax and be “in the moment” with all our guests.

Why did you choose your wedding venue?

As soon as we walked into The Corner District, we knew it was the venue for us. It was the perfect mix of romantic and rustic, perfect for both our styles. The original hardwood floors, exposed brick walls, and antique chandeliers give TCD such a unique and warm atmosphere. We love the venue!

hillary leah photography

Abby + Tate | Classic Blush and Navy Georgia Wedding

April 1, 2016 · Leave a Comment

This sweet couple’s Classic Blush and Navy Georgia Wedding is on the blog today! View their Wedding Gallery for more beautiful wedding photographs. And check out their Real Wedding feature on Something Turquoise. Cheers!

-The Corner District

Bride and groom’s names:

Abby (Erickson) & Tate Smith

How did you meet your husband?

Tate and I met at a small gym in Athens, GA. I was a trainer and he was a gym member. Tate introduced himself to me in March of 2014 and we would make small talk whenever he came in. In July of 2014, Tate came in to cancel his membership as he took a job with Chick-Fil-A corporate that requires 51 weeks/year of travel. And as he cancelled his membership, he asked me on a date! I guess he thought, “If she says no, I never have to see her again, what have I got to lose?!” I eagerly agreed and we had the best first date.

Tate says he knew on the first date that he would one day marry me. I knew on the second date that he would one day be my husband. Knowing he only had 3 weeks left in Athens before he hit the road with Chick-Fil-A, we went on 12 dates in those 3 weeks and had the time of our lives. After that, we relied on Skype dates to get us through. We only saw each other 4 other times in person before he popped the question.

Tell us the story of how he popped the question:

Tate flew home for the weekend in February of 2015. He wouldn’t tell me a single detail of his plans other than when to pick him up and drop him off at the airport. I knew what he was up to, but I had no idea when, where, or how he would ask. Friday night, I picked him up and we drove back to Athens and spent the evening reliving our first 3 dates. Saturday morning, we had brunch at our favorite little brunch gem in Athens and then got ready for his big evening plans.

All that he told me was to plan on dressy/causal attire and that we needed to leave Athens to head towards Atlanta by 3 p.m. When we got in the car, he told me that he needed to stop by his dad’s house on the way to pick something up really quick. I didn’t think twice about it! When we pulled into his dad’s neighborhood, his street was lined with cars, and when we parked in his driveway, I knew what was happening… I saw all of my loved ones standing in windows watching and waiting for us. Tate walked me into the front yard and explained the importance of the ring he had custom made for me using his mothers diamond, expressed his love for me and his excitement about our future. Then right there, in front of over 50 of our closet friends and family, he got down on one knee and proposed!

What was your wedding date and why did you choose it?

August 22, 2015. We choose that date because we wanted a short engagement and knew after visiting The Corner District one time that that was where we wanted our wedding to be, so we took the only available August date.

What was your overall vision for your wedding?

Simple elegance. We wanted our guests to cherish it just as much as we did. And we wanted to have a great wedding on an affordable budget!

What do you feel was the most special component of your wedding?

My cousin and bridesmaid, Heidi Hunt, designed and made my dress by hand using the skirt from my sisters wedding dress. It was also very special for us to have Dean Ropp, long time friend of the Smiths and Pastor, perform our ceremony.

How involved was your groom in the wedding planning process?

He did just as much as I did to plan! Tate handled booking everything and coordinating with the vendors while I handled the details. He did so much! I am one lucky girl!

Did you have a wedding theme or color pallet, and if so how or why did you choose it?

We chose navy, blush and gold. These colors work so well together and made for a timeless, elegant look.

How important are the typical wedding traditions? Did you plan on doing something outside of the norm to make your wedding more of your own?

It was very important for us to wait to see each other until I walked down the aisle. We wanted that moment to be a lasting memory for us and we are both so thankful we did that.

Why did you choose your wedding venue?

We chose The Corner District because we wanted a more intimate wedding. We had only 120 guests and we fit comfortably in that space. Plus, I love simple charm and antiques that speak for themselves. The Corner District had everything I wanted. The old, original hardwood floors, the plaster walls, the exposed brick, massive windows and gorgeous chandeliers. The venue speaks for itself, you don’t need excessive decorations to make it beautiful.

We also chose The Corner District because of owner, Debbie Ley. The moment I met with her, I felt at ease. She was the most helpful venue owner I had come by. She wanted to make my vision come to life and respected that we wanted to do much of it ourselves. She gave us recommendations along the way and helped in so many ways, but really let us craft the wedding that we wanted. She gave us the option make it as turn key as we wanted or to let us create it for ourselves. She truly made the whole process seamless.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Another important thing to note was the significance of my father being well enough to walk me down the aisle and dance with me at the reception. He was diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer the Thanksgiving before and we were not sure if he would still be here to give me away. He fought so hard to make sure that he was and I will forever cherish that memory.

Also, my mom made the bouquets, boutonnieres, and centerpieces. She made our dinner napkins, her dress, the ring bearers pants, and the groom and groomsmen’s ties. The day would not have been what it was without all that she did to help.

Finally, our cake was made by Tate’s cousin, Kayla Cummings, a wedding cake baker from Richmond, VA.

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