Written by JENNY ENDERLIN
While COVID-19 caused many couples to postpone their weddings last year, others took the pandemic plunge by exchanging vows in 2020.
Whether the nuptials took place in a local venue or a faraway destination, couples managed to plan and have weddings in a year of countless canceled events. And in the process, some new wedding trends emerged.
Newlyweds Melyza and Aaron Anderson greet their guests. Photo by Ravina Kumar
Ashley Keeley, owner of Lillian Gardens, an event venue in Newnan, says that half of her wedding clientele comes from metro Atlanta and beyond.
“They are enticed by the authentic Southern charm, convenient airport access for out-of-town guests and affordable amenities,” says Keeley. “The historic downtown is very attractive. It’s an experience in itself.”
“Couples are prioritizing personalization over tradition.”
With a dozen event venues in Coweta County to accommodate the influx of weddings, Keeley recently expanded her own location to include Honey Boutique, Coweta’s first bridal shop.
After working with hundreds of couples through the years, Keeley has observed several evolving trends: Because of its cooler weather, October has emerged as the most popular month to get married in Georgia.
One tradition that’s losing appeal is the garter toss, which Keeley says only occurs at about half of the receptions she facilitates. Though still popular, the bouquet toss is also no longer a staple. Instead, more brides are opting for the anniversary dance in which the longest married couple is asked to pass on a piece of wisdom to the newlyweds, and then the bride presents her bouquet to the matron.
Ultimately, Keeley says the biggest shift is the avoidance of anything resembling cookie-cutter weddings. Instead, it’s all about customization.
“Couples are prioritizing personalization over tradition,” says Keeley, who delights in adapting ceremonies and receptions to fit each couple’s culture, orientation and personality. From tailored menus to live entertainment incorporating stilt walkers, samba dancers and fire performers, Keeley says there’s no end to the creative lengths couples are willing to go.
Read on to learn how three couples recently chose to make their nuptials unique.
Melyza Daniel + Aaron Anderson
August 8, 2020
The reception spread for the couple's big day is warm and welcoming.
Though Melyza and Aaron Anderson’s original plan of a 300-person Fourth of July destination wedding in Puerto Rico was interrupted by the pandemic, the couple were nevertheless pleased with how their wedding turned out.
“Be flexible,” Melyza advises bridal couples. “Your wedding will come out the way it needs to be.”
The Atlanta-based couple instantly fell in love with the antebellum Lillian Gardens, viewing it as the perfect way to give their out-of-state families a taste of Southern hospitality with a modern twist.
“We don’t have anything like that in Miami,” says Melyza who was born and raised there. “It definitely says ‘Georgia’ to me.”
Originally from Chicago, Aaron is the owner of Merit Hospitality Services consulting firm in Atlanta. With the hospitality industry in his DNA, he was particular about the venue but ultimately impressed by Lillian Gardens owner Keeley’s willingness to provide the “Wow” factor he and his bride sought.
“I don’t think there was a single thing she said no on,” says Melyza.
The couple envisioned an over-the-top interactive experience for their 50 guests, and it included everything from a photo booth to fire performers, a nod to the bride’s father who grew up in a circus family in Cuba.
However, it was the youngest members of the bridal party who stole the show. Rather than traditional ring bearers, Aaron came up with the idea to have their nephew and family friend serve as “ring security.” The boys wore matching sunglasses and earpieces while “guarding” the rings in secure boxes.
Not to be outdone, the couple’s 7-year-old daughter Savannah, who served as flower girl, spontaneously broke out into a series of balletic twirls as she sauntered down the aisle, much to the enjoyment of guests.
The Details
Rings: Obtained from Gold Tech Inc. in Atlanta, the bride’s ring is a delicate yellow gold band with a diamond solitaire. The groom’s ring is black titanium coated with yellow gold on the inside.
Flowers: The couple selected white hydrangeas and blush-colored roses from Roswell’s Flowers 4 Us.
Cake: Netflix’s “Sugar Rush” winners Not Your Nana’s Bakery, in Atlanta, created the four-tiered cake containing three flavors: key lime with coconut icing, chocolate with Dutch chocolate icing, and white velvet with strawberry and cream icing.
Food and Drink: Knife & Stone, in Newnan, catered the meal, which consisted of duck-fat fried Brussels sprouts, smoked chicken, Angus beef meatloaf and aged cheddar macaroni and cheese.
Venue: Lillian Gardens was chosen for its amenities and indoor/outdoor charm.
Photographer: Ravina Kumar of Wild Shoots was secured through theknot.com.
Honeymoon: The couple honeymooned at Sanctuary Luxury Resort in Paradise Valley, Ariz.
TOP LEFT: Not to be mistaken for ring bearers, L.J. and Nicholas sport sunglasses and sealed cases while serving as ring security at the Anderson wedding.
TOP RIGHT: Melyza and Aaron Anderson share the love of the day with their daughter Savannah.
CENTER RIGHT: Wedding decor at Lillian Gardens includes a decorated chandelier.
BOTTOM LEFT: Melyza and Aaron Anderson leave the ceremony under a canopy of sparklers.
BOTTOM RIGHT: A fire performer entertains guests.
Photos by Ravina Kumar.
Sarah Cemini + Tyler Sellers
September 26, 2020
Sarah and Tyler Sellers celebrate matrimony at their September wedding. Photos by Maggie Gilbert.
To reflect their rural upbringing in Coweta County, Sarah Cemini and Tyler Sellers wanted a down-home, country, rustic wedding. The entire bridal party – including the bride, bridesmaids and flower girl – wore cowboy boots. The groom wanted his groomsmen in jeans, and Sarah agreed as long as they wore matching ones with white dress shirts and vests. The couple chose autumn colors to complement their fall wedding.
Most important to the couple was the celebration of family. Sarah pinned her great-great-grandmother’s pearl starfish brooch to her bouquet as her “something old,” a necklace from her grandmother was her “something new,” her mother’s 25th anniversary ring served as her “something borrowed,” and the garter provided by her mother-in-law was “something blue.”
Sarah feels the most poignant moment of her wedding came from her mother, who is blind. Prior to the wedding, her mother was diagnosed with dementia, and the combination of that and her failed eyesight had left her unable to walk for most of the year. When her daughter became engaged, she made it her goal to walk down the aisle at the wedding. With intensive therapy and
a determined spirit, she succeeded.
The Details
Bride’s dress: The bride wore a lacey, spaghetti-strapped dress beaded with pearls. The gown, from J. Andrew’s Bridal in Peachtree City, has a sweetheart neckline and extended train.
Rings: With the aid of Morgan Jeweler’s at Thomas Crossroads, the groom custom designed a cushion-cut diamond halo ring made of white gold for his bride. She selected a gray-black tungsten metal ring for him.
Flowers: Florist Lori Strange, of the Bullsboro Drive Kroger, placed a special order for the fall floral arrangements, and wedding day coordinator Erin Walton, of Next Level Agency in Newnan, assisted with assembly.
Cake: Beth Blevins, a local baker, created a cake topper for the ceremonial cutting and an assortment of mini desserts and cupcakes for guests. Tabitha Clements of Grantville’s Fluff’s Enough Bakery made individual servings of strawberry shortcake and banana pudding served in mason jars.
Food: The groom’s family prepared homemade BBQ, Brunswick stew, potato salad, and macaroni and cheese.
Venue: The couple had their ceremony at Macedonia Hills, an event venue in Newnan, and the reception at the Tyrone Train Depot.
Photographer: Maggie Gilbert, of Thomaston, photographed the ceremony and reception.
Honeymoon: The couple honeymooned in Hilton Head, S.C
Lasandra Warner + Micaiah Raheem
June 21, 2020
A beach wedding was their dream come true for Lasandra and Micaiah Raheem. The couple are joined by her daughter Amiyah, left, and her son, Justin.
Newnan resident, artist, actress and Basketball Moms of Atlanta founder Lasandra Warner always knew after living in North Miami Beach that she wanted a beach wedding. It was her heart’s desire to return to south Florida for a laid-back destination wedding with her fiancé, rapper and entrepreneur Maicaiah “Raheem the Dream” Raheem, who she met at his mother’s recording studio
in Atlanta.
“The ambience of the beach is so pure,” says the bride.
To complement colors in the beach environment, the bride chose white, ivory and royal blue at the suggestion of her 12-year-old son and 15-year-old daughter. The wedding party opted to go barefoot in the sand.
After the beachfront ceremony in Miami, the bridal party and guests boarded a luxury yacht for a reception and water cruise view of a nearby lighthouse. During the reception, the couple played music recorded during their respective music careers. Guests were treated to the groom’s hip-hop song, “The Most Beautiful Girl In The World,” and the bride’s song, “Queen of my Castle.”
Avid card players, the couple honeymooned in Las Vegas where they participated in a poker tournament.
The Details
Bride's dress: The beach princess dress was a custom creation by MeMe More, of Paper Doll Bridal, an Atlanta designer who hand-stitched the Venetian Guipure lace, beaded organza accents, illusion bust and satin piping sourced from New York and Toronto. More also made the accompanying two-tier organza cathedral veil and the bride’s floral and rhinestone bouquet.
Rings: The couple’s white gold rings are from Belk’s His & Hers Tiffany Design Collection.
Flowers: The couple chose Miami Florist of Fort Lauderdale to supply the white rose arrangements.
Cake: Their three-tiered white cake, from Publix, was adorned with a cluster of royal blue flowers.
Food and Drink: The couple served Publix fried chicken, shrimp, salad, deviled eggs, lemonade, and macaroni and cheese.
Venue: The wedding ceremony was at Fort Lauderdale Beach in Miami, and the reception took place aboard a friend’s luxury yacht.
Photographer: Trish Maldeney of Ganasha Photo served as photographer.
Honeymoon: The couple honeymooned in Las Vegas where the bride surprised her husband with a private helicopter tour of the city.