Margaret & Tom's Wedding Highlight from Wages Films on Vimeo.

Margaret and Tom began their ceremony outdoors in front of the Swan House at the Atlanta History Center before a sudden downpour, but the rain did little to put a damper on the ceremony that they continued indoors, or Margaret’s gorgeous off-the-shoulder lace gown.

Their reception stunned with elaborate floral arrangements, and the newlyweds were greeting with cheers and applause when they entered the reception hall that set the stage for a night of great entertainment with a full band and dancing.

Even though their wedding day took an unprepared turn with the stormy weather, Margaret and Tom admitted that neither of them would have changed anything about it.

Marie & Edward's Wedding Highlight from Wages Films on Vimeo.

Marie and Edward began their day at the bride’s family farm in Harpersville, Alabama before their reception at Marie’s father’s Birmingham restaurant, Bogetta Favorita, for an evening of delicious food and celebration. The ceremony was intimate and personalized for the couple, highlighted by the breathtaking outdoor view and Marie’s one-of-a-kind bouquet of white lilies and greenery. After the two exchanged vows, a bluegrass band entertained guests while the newlyweds were escorted in a sleek, vintage Mercedes to the reception.

The venue couldn’t have been more meaningful for the families, and the enjoyment of the brick oven pizza and dancing made it undeniable—including Edward’s crowdsurfing. Flowers inside and surrounding the reception mirrored those from the ceremonial arch and Marie’s bouquet, making for an elegant theme planned by friend Christopher Confero. Long rows of friends and family excitedly lit up the path for Marie and Edward with sparklers and warm congratulations.

Sarah & Luke's Wedding Highlight from Wages Films on Vimeo.

Barnsley Gardens in Adairsville, Georgia was the stunning backdrop of Sarah and Luke’s autumn wedding—almost twelve years to the day of their first kiss. Before the wedding, the high school sweethearts sent their gifts to each other, an engraved money clip for Luke and a beautiful wooden container for Sarah that was used to hold the rings.

Sarah wore a tulle wedding dress with elegant beading for the ceremony and changed into a flattering lace gown for the end of the reception, complemented by her bridesmaids in taupe. As the two stood under the rustic gazebo for their outdoor ceremony, they shared memories of their early relationship as teenagers, making each other laugh while they exchanged vows.

Sarah’s father enthusiastically introduced the married couple onto the dance floor inside a magnificent tent adorned with lighting and color. Sarah’s sister, as well as her father, wrote and performed an original song for the special occasion. Alongside the band, members of Sarah’s family shared the stage in performing for the newly married couple with guitar and song. The couple’s friend Amy Osaba coordinated the event along with the breathtaking candlelit tables, seating, lighting and decor.

Jared & Kelley's Wedding Highlight from Wages Films on Vimeo.

Jared and Kelley (affectionately known as Kel), exchanged vows in front of an intimate gathering of family and close friends at their Palmetto, Georgia home they’ve named Muscadine Manor. Kelley joked during his vow that he couldn’t wait to keep collecting cats and eating Kraft mac ‘n cheese with Jared. After they were pronounced spouses, the two held hands as they jumped the ceremonial broom at the bottom of their front steps.

The reception, along with the ceremony, was rustic and elegant with white and black attire that served to accentuate their silvery Armadillo cake, a loving replica of the one in Steel Magnolias. The outdoor soiree was organized and created by the couple’s close friend, Christopher Confero, and featured a buffet of delicious Southern fare. After the sunset, a stage lit up the night with colorful strobes and string lights, designed by Unique Element Events. Party favors were charming jars of honey provided by the local Little Bee Project.

The dance party began with an unforgettable song with the duo and their mothers before the floor opened up and Jared showed his skills with his tumbling dance skills. At the end of the night, guests lit the way for the couple with sparklers as Jared and Kelley hopped into a longtime family heirloom, a vintage black Volkswagen Beetle, and drove off to the sound of cheers from their friends and family.

Ruby & Alex's Wedding Highlight from Wages Films on Vimeo.

I was thrilled when my friend Ruby Velle, and lead singer of The Soulphonics, expressed interest in me filming her wedding.

Ruby and her soon-to-be husband Alex kick-started their weekend of ceremonies with a henna party at Kirkwood’s Howard House along with Indian street food provided by Bhojanic. Later that evening, dance performances were followed by a lively dance party MC’ed by the couple’s friend DJ Mike Zarin. The traditional Sikh wedding ceremony, also Anand Karaj, was celebrated on the beautiful lawn of the Howard House the next morning, symbolizing the union between the bride and groom’s families. I was moved by the music-filled ceremony and its traditions.

The same day, bridesmaids in pretty periwinkle took their places at Greystone in Piedmont Park before Ruby walked down the aisle in a low-back lace dress with gorgeous floral patterns on the sheer sleeves. Her hair held an arc of pink roses that matched the arrangements in the reception space—and her blush-colored heels! Ruby captivated the wedding guests by reading excerpts from Kurt Vonnegut during the vows, joking how happy she was that she and Alex had gotten through the weekend together. There were loud cheers all throughout the ceremony, especially when their handsome ringbearer and dog, Rosco, made his appearance in a vest and bowtie.

The newly Mr. and Mrs. Morgan made their way to the reception to groove alongside family and friends with live dhol players, DJ Jaz and a musical hero of mine, Lee Fields. The newlyweds made their grand exit in a bike-drawn carriage, ending their wedding weekend in style!

Erin & Austin's Wedding Highlight from Wages Films on Vimeo.

A sweet distillery wedding.

Allison & Andrew's Wedding Highlight from Wages Films on Vimeo.

Allison and Andrew started off their wedding day at a charming little church, full of smiles and loving glances. It was a full house, but there was a delightful feeling of intimacy between the couple and their guests. From there, folks travelled to the gorgeous Piedmont Driving Club for the reception, where the live band (Party on the Moon) rocked everybody so good that folks stayed to shake it down ’til long after the cows came home. I was lucky to get to work next to two powerhouses in Atlanta wedding styling and photography, Amy Osaba Events, and Caroline Petters Photography, folks who make everything around them look even more beautiful than one could dare to hope for. Gina Livingston of Pretty Swell Parties helped run the show. This town is so thick with great talent, I feel pretty honored to get to create alongside these people. But ultimately, the centerpiece of everything is a charming, loving – and fun! – couple; Allison and Andrew, you were just that. I don’t know when I was last at a reception so rad – what a party! Thank you for letting me part of all the joy and celebration, and may you two always be so saturated in joy!

Sudha & Gaurab's Wedding Highlight from Wages Films on Vimeo.

Sudha and Gaurab celebrated their nuptials with a rich and beautiful weekend-long Indian wedding in Atlanta. After filming multiple events at a variety of different venues, I get to feeling like I know my couples pretty well, and this time, I felt like I had fallen in with a pair of cherished local celebrities. The love at this wedding for the couple was heavy and deep, and the adoration between Sudha and Gaurab themselves was so pure and so in sync that I couldn’t help but feel, as one of their guests so succinctly praised during the hours of tender, admiring speeches, inspired by their solid, connected love.

I was thrilled to work with this pair, as their desires for a wedding film aligned so nicely with my work: they wanted to keep the feelings and filming candid and natural, to capture the emotions of small interactions, and to reflect their personalities through the events of the day. It is always an honor when folks choose us, and we take each job very much to heart. I still want these films to feel like you had a hand in their creation; for them to be authentic ‘you’ in all the small ways that can sometimes be overshadowed by so much bigness elsewhere, and showcase not just the special aesthetics of the day, but, shining over everything, the light of the love that the two of you share. That love was brilliant this day, and it was – as it so often is – an honor just to bear witness.

Speaking of the gorgeous aesthetics of this weekend, I would be amiss to not mention the teams of talent we worked with this weekend – Ribha Events and Indaglow Productions made magic happen with their graceful coordination and musical backdrops, and Bhojanic’s incredible catering was a feast for the senses. We partied through the weekend, from the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, to the Hindu Temple of Atlanta, finishing up with a blissful celebration of a reception at Atlanta’s High Museum. The happiness escalated as the weekend went by, and I feel confident in my observation of these two that joy will continue to grow between them for the rest of their life together. Sudha and Gaurab, thank you so much for letting us be a part of your wonderful weekend. May you always be so surrounded by an ocean of love and support, and no matter what life brings, may you always keep holding each other up.