georgiawedding – Jess Jones Photos Blog

Ashley + John Wade | River Mill Event Center | Columbus, GA

Ashley and John Wade Ginn shared a fabulous wedding celebration at the one and only River Mill Event Center in Columbus, GA.

This whole celebration was laid back and The Ginn’s just wanted to have a good time and I think they nailed it! Ashley had two dresses for her celebration. The one she wore to her actual wedding in Las Vegas and her awesome comfy hi-lo party dress that she danced the night away in. This bride was stunning in both dresses.

Ashley’s beautiful sister and mother helped the bride get laced up into her formal dress and placed her veil perfectly.

The huge industrial style windows at the River Mill are always the perfect backdrop with the gorgeous light that they provide. I’m a such a huge fan of the old historic look and love when I can mix the old and new elements in one photo.

John Wade and Ashley met me in the garden for their portraits under the setting sun and the ethereal spanish moss that hangs from the trees in the River Mill Garden. They laughed and danced while I photographed. They both were totally chill and ready to party. Ashley’s gorgeous jewel toned bouquet was created by the talented B. Anderson Florals who never seems to disappoint us with her talents.

The whole family joined us in the garden for portraits and the beauty queen grandmother’s showed us all how to pose to create those flattering curves!

The time had come to get the party started. The ballroom was beautifully decorated with string lights over head and flowing white fabric. B. Anderson floral designs were on every table. She chose some really beautiful evergreen foilage paired with deep magenta toned flowers. The tables had some awesome brass candelabras and vases that lended a cool antique vintage vibe.

The Carson Hand Band totally killed it with their music and had the whole guest list on the dance floor.

The newly-weds shared an anniversary dance with all the couples in attendance and were left dancing with longest married couple in the room, John Wades’ Grandparents, with over 60+ years of marriage! How amazing is that?! Something to be celebrated for sure!

Guest mingled and snacked on the delicious food that was prepared by Jamie Keating. It all looked amazing! Oh and they had a deconstructed smore’s bar! #dead

I totally loved photographing this celebration of marriage and loved seeing tons of familiar faces. It was definitely a Harris County reunion!

Here’s to The Ginn’s! Wishing you guys many many happy years!

DILLY DILLY! 😉

The Fab Vendors:

Venue: River Mill Event Center
Florals: B. Anderson Florals
Band: Carson Hand

Lance + Kristi | Flint River home | Thomaston, GA

Kristi and Lance shared a fairy tale wedding at a secluded home of a family friend along the Flint River in Thomaston, GA. It was one of those places deep in the Georgia woods where you’re not sure if you’re at the right place. The wood cabin was nestled in the trees on the bank of the Flint River.

The yard was beautifully decorated with big light strands that criss crossed over the farm house style tables that were decorated with beautiful green garland and long wooden candle holders. The decor created the perfect forest wedding vibe.

The bride, her mother, sister and daughter, Talley and friend Dayna were upstairs getting their hair and make-up ready for the day. Family and friends gathered at the home helping with final prepping of food and finishing touches on the ceremony area.

Lance, his father, and Lance’s two sons, Rhett and Wyatt, were getting dressed down stairs. Lance and his dad helped the boys get their little suits and ties on. And upstairs, Lance showed me a couple of his best tips for fabulous wedding day hair. I believe the key is “low and slow” ie. Low heat, slow power. I could be wrong. Ask Lance. He has great hair.

The first look was approaching. I took the groom out to the river bank to wait for his bride to come down. I could see his nervous excitement waiting to see Kristi for the first time in her beautiful lace wedding gown. Kristi walked down the hill towards Lance who was facing the river. She tapped him on the shoulder and the look on their faces was pure joy. It was so sweet to see how happy they make each other.

Then the fire ants happened! We had a little WTF moment when Kristi had stepped into some ants. But her groom helped her dust them off and no brides were harmed during the photoshoot. We continued to take the rest of their wedding portraits as the rain clouds started rolling in. We all sprinted back up to the house at the first sign of rain drops.

It was still raining as guests were arriving. The bride was visibly bummed. I was so hoping the rain would let up in time for the ceremony. Miraculously, about ten minutes before the ceremony was supposed to start, the clouds started parting. This is not the first time this has happened at a wedding I’ve photographed, and it always seems like a miracle to me. It gives me chills thinking about the perfect timing and the perfect lighting that followed.

There was still fog hanging in the air throughout the trees. When the clouds parted this amazing warm glow enveloped the ceremony. Lance walked down the aisle with Rhett and Wyatt in each hand. The flower girl, Talley, left a trail of petals for her mother. They all waited for the beautiful bride to make her way down to the ceremony escorted by both her step-father from the house and then father who walked her the rest of the way down the aisle to meet her groom.

The short and sweet ceremony was officiated by a family friend. The couple read each other their vows through tears and laughs. They exchanged rings and shared that sweet first kiss after being pronounced man and wife.

The guests gathered round the homemade beer taps, cheese and charcuterie table. The string lights overhead made the wedding seem like a magical forest wedding. Guests mingled and chatted over dinner. The bride’s sister, gave a really sweet toast to the newlyweds and then read their father’s speech as he looked on. A couple of the groom’s friends said a few words and cracked some jokes to the new couple. Everyone could agree on how happy the two of them were together and were all thrilled to have them together.

Kristi and Lance shared their first dance as husband and wife to Chris Stapleton’s “More of You”. Then both shared a special dance with each other’s children. The band played to get the party kicked off and everyone was on the dance floor having a blast. The new siblings had run off to play some music of their own as they hijacked the drums from the band during their break.

It was time to cut the cake and as all the kids gathered round trying to get the first piece. The couple exchanges bites…nicely.

One of the bride’s friends, Katilynn, had a little fun on stage as she sang an amazing version of “Me and Bobby Mcghee” while everyone danced and sang along.

The full moon emerged from the trees and it was time to take their final exit of the night. Instead of sparklers the guests tossed lavender as they ran through the hall of people. And it smelled ahhh-mazing!

Kristi and Lance dance the night away with their closest friends and family. I’m so happy to have shared the day with these two. Wishing them a lifetime of happiness!

Here’s a peek inside their special day!

The fabulous vendors:
Venue: Family friend’s home
Hair and Make up: Katherine Benson
Dress: BHLDN
Bridesmaids dresses: David’s Bridal
Cake: Sent From Heaven Sweets
Florist: Branches
Band: Loose Change

Ansley + Stuart | Dunaway Gardens | Newnan, GA

Ansley and Stuart’s Scottish wedding at Dunaway Gardens was to die for! The details of this wedding were like nothing I’ve ever photographed! The bride wore a rose gold lace gown, the groom and groomsmen dressed in kilts, the ladies wore beautiful crimson, and the venue looked like a secret garden. They even had a drummer and a bagpiper.

I first met Ansley years ago when she modeled for a fun T-shirt shoot. She’s sassy, quirky and so cute! We had a lot of fun that day. We lost touch a bit between there, so I was thrilled when she asked me to photograph her wedding!

Arriving at the venue, I was blown away by the beauty of Dunaway Gardens. It was a lush estate covered in moss and ivy. It was established by stage star, Hetty James Dunaway. The gardens were an oasis for the performing arts and a favorite retreat for celebrities of the time including Walt Disney! To read more about the history of Dunaway find their history here.

Ansley and Stuart got ready at a nearby hotel in Newnan. The guys had a chill morning sipping on scotch whisky. The girls sipped champagne across the hall as they prepped hair and make-up.

Ansley, alters wedding dresses for a living, so she made some final touches to her dress on the beautiful porch of the bridal cabin at Dunaway. Her mother helped her into her gorgeous dress. The brides added some final touches. Before the ceremony, the bride pinned on her mother and grandmother’s tartans.

The ceremony was held in a beautiful outdoor stone amphitheater. The steps are carpeted with green moss and its surrounded by trees. It was an unbelievable spot and the overcast day made it even more Scottish.

As the ceremony started, the couples’ friends sang a beautiful Scottish song to precede the ceremony. Stuart entered with his groomsmen in tow dressed their kilts. He held back tears, as he watched Ansley make her way down the large stone steps, escorted by her father. Her mother joined them at the bottom of the steps and the both gave her away to her groom.

The ceremony itself was full of wonderful Scottish traditions. Instead of a candle or sand jar they had a hand fasting ceremony to signify their union. Their long-time theater friend officiated the ceremony. He wrapped their hands and gave a blessing for their new marriage. To close the ceremony, the groom pinned his family tartan on the bride’s dress. They shared a sweet kiss and then invited the whole family for a group picture before leaving the ceremony. And when I say the whole family, I mean the WHOLE family! It was super cool to see everyone together in one picture.

After the ceremony concluded the bagpiper and his drummer wife, lead the guests in a traditional processional to the reception to begin the party!

While the guests were making their way to the reception area, I photographed the fabulous wedding party. They are pretty much all thespians, which made for some very awesome pictures. Personality was shining through for sure!

I took the bride and groom down to the lower garden for their portraits. They wandered around the stunning lower garden at Dunaway. So, in love and ready to celebrate! There was a wishing well in the garden, so the two of them made a wish and tossed the penny into the water.

I can’t get over how Stuart looks at Ansley. Ladies, find you someone who looks at you the way that Stuart looks at Ansley. Talk about Prince Charming.

We made our way to the reception and quickly cut the poor cake that was starting to melt in the unseasonably late Georgia heat and humidity. Figures! The simple white cake was adorned with gorgeous fall flowers.

The reception kicked off with the first dance between husband and wife to Sweet Annie by the Zac Brown band. (Fun fact: Anything by Zac Brown makes me cry like a baby!) They were beautiful to watch as they twirled around the dance floor in each other’s arms. Ansley danced with her father to a special song that was actually written by her dad’s great aunt. Stuart shared a sweet dance with his mother who looked gorgeous in her long blue dress.

The rest of the guests kicked off the party and seriously danced the night away. I loved that Ansley and Stuart let loose and really enjoyed their night. The Dj was awesome and kept the party pumping. There was one special song dedicated to Ansley from her childhood girlfriends that also speaks to my heart. If you a female who grew up performing with your friends in the living room, I’m sure you’re going to know this one! Its called Lady Marmalade from the movie Moulin Rouge. That song takes me back to sleep overs and sing-a-longs with my best friends!

The wedding was so much fun! I had a blast photographing it.

PS: Since photographing this wedding, I have some special news, Ansley and Stuart are already expecting their first little one! Yayy!! Can’t wait to see those precious pictures!

Wishing the Spears, a long & happy marriage!

#notafullpickle #onlyaspears

The fabulous vendors:
Venue: Dunaway Gardens
Event Coordinator: Elizabeth Stephenson with Table 6 Productions
Dress: Oleg Cassini for David’s Bridal
Bridesmaids dresses: David’s Bridal
Kilts/Tuxes: Men’s Wearhouse and Atlanta Kilt Rental
Cake: Kathryn Spears
Bag Piper/ Drummer: Tom Crawford
Videographer: http://www.lensheadmedia.com/

Gina + Bryan (sneak peek)

I had the pleasure of photographing Gina and Bryan’s beautiful wedding this past Sunday at the beautiful Standing Boy Creek Farms. It was a chill, early Sunday wedding with a mimosa bar! Here’s a few shots of the happy couple enjoying a few moments together before the reception entrance. Full post coming soon!

Jess

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