Tate House, a mansion wedding venue in the Atlanta area, was recently featured in a Huffington Post Weddings article that offered tips on feminine, yet fiancé-friendly wedding details. As brides typically complete a majority of the wedding planning, it’s often easy to get so wrapped up in the frills and fun that the groom’s wishes are innocently overlooked. To assist in pulling off a wedding that is both everything the bride has dreamed of, as well as caters to the groom’s style and personality, the article offers four tips. And Tate House takes the cake for the following example:

“If when you present your Pinterest board of wedding inspiration to your fiancé, he freaks and says it looks like a little girl’s tea party, you may need to be more respectful in your color choices. Keep the feminine hues and even patterns, but don’t make them the focus. If pink is your color, for example, tie it into your bridesmaids dresses, bouquet or the venue itself, but don’t overwhelm. You want your wedding brand to be noticeable, not overkill. Try balancing your color palette with tasteful browns, grays and shades that are more gender-neutral. This will allow for a look that is soft, yet groom approved.”

Here are some additional tips for creating a fiancé-friendly wedding, inspired by Tate House newlyweds and our North Georgia Special Events Venue team.

Allowing your groom to have control over his attire, or at least some of his accessories, lets his personality shine through. Plus, he’ll get to have a little fun with his groomsmen. Cufflinks, dress socks and ties and bowties are a great way to showcase his personal style while still adhearing to the look you’re going for.

During your consultation with your DJ or wedding band, pick songs that you will both enjoy. Your guests will ultimately have a good time if you’re having a good time, and giving him free rein over the playlist will encourage him to let loose and enjoy the party of your lives.

Have fun with photos! Here, a groom is attempting to “escape” the gates of our Georgia estate wedding venue. Don’t worry, he didn’t get far! Often, wedding pictures prior to the ceremony are very thoughtful and focused on the bride getting ready. And while we don’t want to miss getting these sweet shots, consider also capturing your soon-to-be husband in the moments before saying “I do.” He will be excited, giddy and you won’t want to miss making this a cherished moment. Splitting that allotted photography time allows for capturing memories maybe a little sillier than your pre-wedding photos, but the results will be priceless.

Our North Georgia special events venue was just a piece of property with immense possibilities in 1834 when Samuel Tate purchased the land. The construction of what is now a North Georgia wedding venue began in 1920, as Tate grew inspired by the rare Etowah pink marble that came from the quarry just behind the property. By 1926, Tate and his brother and sister resided at the mansion. It was this era that F. Schott Fitzgerald’s beloved novel, The Great Gatsby, and the subsequent film editions made us fall in love with Gatsby themed weddings. From “swinging twenties” tunes to flapper fashion and art deco décor – here’s our favorite Great Gatsby wedding inspiration for our pink Atlanta mansion wedding venue.

Gatsby Wedding Invitations by Etsy extraordinaire, YellowDoorCreative. These gold scallop and soft pink handmade wedding invitations are glamorously sweet.

In celebration of White Label, a wedding planning service, Rue Magazine gathered San Francisco tastemakers for a lunch party preview, and this was their tablescape. These pink and black art deco centerpieces and gold and black china and silverware create a sophisticated table setting. Jay Gatsby would be proud!

This Style Me Pretty inspiration shoot took shape from Erin Connelly Events’ design expertise when she saw the location of the shoot – an estate built in 1929 that reminded her of a bygone era. The glassware and barware by The Festive Frog made for a beautiful pink champagne tower that is (almost) too pretty to drink.

100 Layer Cake shared this wedding cake with an art deco flair in anticipation over the latest Great Gatsby movie premier. The hard lines of the cake contrasting with soft pink and gold touches create a cake that is so artistically fitting with the Gatsby theme that it can also be used as an accent piece to your wedding décor.

In our bridal showroom, we have the latest wedding décor trends available for our brides – specialty linens, centerpieces, china, glassware, silverware, accessories, up lighting and more. Our wedding specialist can assist you in choosing from the many items offered to create the wedding you envision. For more information on the Georgia wedding venue, please explore our wedding packages.

The newlyweds said their vows on May 17. Andrew’s love of the mountains and Amanda’s of the grandeur of the grounds, estate and ballroom made the Tate House the perfect North Georgia wedding venue. Our bride said, “I felt that the venue and the staff would be able to bring to life what I had always envisioned.”

Amanda had been looking at wedding inspiration since she was little. “I knew I wanted something grand and pink – of course. I picked out all of my colors and the basic look of the wedding long before I picked the venue, but when we toured the Tate House I knew I wasn’t going to hold back on anything!”

She loved the wedding color palette of blush pink, cream and gold and carried this theme through – all the way down to their chic gold flatware. “I wanted our wedding to be elegant, but I also wanted to incorporate Andrew and I in the decor as well, so we had pictures of us around the venue.” Undoubtedly, the Eklind wedding was beautiful! But despite the beauty in the décor, the most beautiful aspect was the couple’s thoughts on the highlight of their wedding. “All the amazing decor wouldn’t have mattered if we couldn’t have shared it with anyone. The most special component was definitely having all our family and friends attend.”

Andrew proposed in Cancun the previous May. Amanda said that from the beginning of the trip, she had a feeling something was up. “A couple of days into the trip, we decided we were going to venture out of the resort to eat. The whole time at dinner, Andrew was acting strange and I kept asking, ‘Is everything ok?’ to which he would always reply, ‘Yeah, yeah everything’s fine.’”

After dinner, he wanted to walk back to the resort by the water. As they walked, they found a romantic restaurant called Elephanta. The ambiance was amazing, lit only by lantern – an ideal spot. Andrew insisted they grab a bite to eat and some wine (even though they were already stuffed). She gave in. They sat down and enjoyed the moment. Their waiter saw her camera and asked if they wanted a picture. As she started to stand, Andrew began walking towards her. “I sat down, confused, and watched as Andrew got on one knee. I will never forget the sweet words he said in that perfect moment. Of course I said yes!”

“I later found out that not only did the waiter have no clue that Andrew was going to propose there, Andrew didn’t either. He told me he was waiting for the most perfect moment, with the most perfect setting. The waiter got some great photos and I am forever grateful for that. It was the most romantic moment and I could have never dreamed it to be more perfect.”

Although Amanda had been planning this wedding since she was little and knew exactly what she wanted, she also wanted her fiancé’s input. He insisted that he wanted everything to be the way she dreamed it, but she wanted him to feel a part of the wedding planning as well. Amanda said, “He actually designed and made our ‘Guest Libs’ for our guests to fill out.” And their sweet three-year-old son held a “Here Comes Mommy” sign as he walked down the aisle ahead of her.

A final note from the newlyweds: “We had an amazing wedding; we still hear great comments about our special day. Everyone at the Tate House was fun to work with and the food was great! Whenever we think about our wedding, we can’t help but smile. It was such a special day to us and we cherish the memories we made.”

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Correa on their “I do!” The couple tied the knot at the Tate House on September 13th at their romantic vintage wedding.

The newlyweds met through a mutual friend. Here’s how he popped the question: “He called my manager so I could have a Saturday off. That day my friends invited me to go to Botanical Gardens (which he planned). We enjoyed seeing all of the beautiful flowers and the whole time I had no idea that my whole family (some friends) and Andy were waiting in a hidden area. Once we got to where he was I could hear a violin playing “Thousand Years,” but I just thought it was some performing that worked there but when I turned around I saw him standing there with my family behind him. My two friends, Cristy who is a photographer and Fred who is a videographer took footage of the whole thing. Well we met in the middle of a heart of flower pedals and asked to marry me!”

Their wedding ceremony was beautifully traditional with a unique twist – a three-cord ceremony where they braided strings together, representing the bride, groom and God becoming one. We also love that Rebecca said the most special component of their wedding was seeing Andy’s face as she was walking down the aisle.

According to our bride, her groom was actually quite involved in the wedding planning process. She said, “It was great to work as a team.” Their colors were navy, gray and metallic gold and silver.

When we asked why the couple chose to have their wedding at the Tate House, she said, “It was definitely what we were looking for because it had a vintage look. Everything was in house, so we really didn’t have to search outside of the Tate House for anything!” We were happy to host such a sweet and loving couple on their most special day. Congratulations again to the Correas! We wish you a lifetime of happiness.

Photos by Cristina Elena Photography

Justin and Kathryn became Mr. and Mrs. Burmeister at their Tate House estate wedding on October 11, 2014. The newlyweds met when our bride was in high school and her groom was home for the summer after his first year of college. “I had been friends with one of my bridesmaids since second grade and had grown up with her and her family. I invited my bridesmaid’s oldest brother and his friends over to play video games as a group and Justin ended up showing up. I thought he was cute and insisted that the brother give me his AIM screen name (yes, it was back in 2002). Despite the brother thinking Justin was too old for me, I convinced him to give me the information and sent Justin a message.”

Justin popped the question in Piedmont Park, where Kathryn thought they were going to simply relax as she had been stressing about her law school assignment. “We walked around the park, near the dock and around to the path that runs past a tiny secluded deck that overlooks the pond. I had an idea of what was coming as we had over the past year talked about rings and looked at designs but when he got down on one knee, I instantly started ugly crying.”

After being engaged for over two years while Kathryn finished law school, the couple chose an October wedding date at the Georgia historic wedding venue, the perfect feel of not being too warm or too cool. Their vision combined the style of a French country garden affair and a classic hint of Italy. “I used shades of pink, coral, green and gold. I wanted everything to feel garden-esque with a touch of royalty and class. I saw pictures in magazines that gave me inspiration and even watched movies set in Europe where royalty would sit in a garden surrounded by soft colors. I loved the feel of soft and relaxed but still having the finer details.”

With this dream wedding in mind, the feel of the North Georgia Special Events Venue was perfect. “There was a garden and the house is grand, giving that classy and slightly royal feel to everything. The exquisite scenery outside and furniture and décor inside made everything exactly what I wanted.”

“The most special part was Justin and I sharing our first look before the ceremony. It was personal and gave us a moment to share with each other.”

Photography: Anna and Spencer Photography
Flowers: Kelly Eubanks
Hair & Makeup: Brushworx
DJ: Amp’d Entertainment
Transportation: Action Limousines
Atlanta Mansion Wedding Venue: Tate House

Spring brings beautiful Georgia historic home weddings, as well as new beginnings for the Tate House. We are delighted to announce a new Tate House service and the creation of the Tate House Design Group, our in-house floral and decor company that will now assist brides with designing their dream wedding. Led by Tate House’s Wedding Event Specialist, Kelly Eubanks, we are able to better serve our brides’ needs by eliminating the added stress of finding the right florist, moreover offering an expert with unmatched familiarity of the North Georgia wedding venue.

Photo by Kelly Anne Photography

As a product of her mother and self-taught florist, Kelly has an awe-inspiring way of making all things beautiful. Growing up, she would go with her mom to the floral warehouse and then watch her craft arrangements for hours. Kelly remembers hearing her mom calling out the names of different flowers as her love for floristry grew. It’s not classical training that inspires her floral work, but rather a true adoration and sense of nostalgia. Even today as she’s designing arrangements, she still asks herself, “What else would my mom put in this?”

Photo by Anna and Spencer Photography

Kelly’s extensive experience at the Tate House and knowledge of the Design Center Showroom inventory puts her at an advantage over other floral vendors. The Tate House Design Group has the “inside Information” on new décor as it’s being added to our collection. What’s currently new? Our elegant mercury glass trumpet vases! Within our showroom, brides get to select their decor from a vast array of linens, crystal, vases, candelabras and much more to enhance the look of their most memorable day at our Georgia wedding venue.

Photo by Kelly Anne Photography

Although the Atlanta mansion wedding venue is known to lend itself to many different designs, to achieve the signature Tate House look, Kelly recommends vintage chic décor. Blush hues are not only extremely trendy, but pair beautifully with the North Georgia special events venue’s pink marble.

Photo by Cristina Elena Photography

Kelly knows that this signature Tate House look is achieved with just the right blend of vintage décor along with the perfect color palette, so she is always researching flowers that work well with blush, as well as linens and napkins to help complete the look. For more information on the Tate House Design Group, or to book your floral decor appointment, please call or email Kelly at 770-380-3443 or events@tatehouse.com.

When asked what the most special component of their wedding was, the couple said, “We loved having our friends and family around to dance and celebrate with us during our reception. Our DJ made the event lively and eventful!” Congratulations to these newlyweds as they start their beautiful journey of marriage.

Photography by Hillary Leah Photography

These sweet Tate House newlyweds said “I do” on May 23rd, a date reminiscent of good luck and happy memories. Chelsea’s parents also got married on the 23rd, her lucky number is 23, and Marc was 23 when they met. “We always talked about getting married in the Spring and it so happened that May 23 fell on a Saturday in Spring of 2015. It was fate. Now, we can add our wedding anniversary to the long lucky #23 list.”

Our bride and groom got engaged at the Daffodil Festival, an event that had been on their date list for some time. Arriving just 5 minutes before the gates closed, Marc surprised his bride with a proposal that had other festival attendees cheering and a yes from Chelsea that literally echoed through the park!

We loved that their inspiration for their wedding was Pride and Prejudice, a romantic English wedding feel. With a color palette composed of lilac, blush and silver, their vision was brought to life through the decor details and the ambiance of the estate wedding venue. “I always envisioned a romantic setting for our wedding, and the Tate House fit every angle of my vision. It was love at first sight.”

Aside from saying their vows surrounded by their family and closest friends, Chelsea and Marc felt one of the most special moments of their day was being marred by Marc’s grandfather, who has also married Marc’s parents, his brother, sister, and best friend.

An additional note from our bride: “We had our rehearsal dinner at the Tate House and it was truly beautiful and totally worth it! I recommend everyone who gets married there have a rehearsal dinner as well. You get TWO memorable days at the Tate House, what could be better? Also, the staff at the Tate House is AMAZING!”

Photography by Kelly Anne Photography. View Kelly’s blog post on their wedding and more photos here.

We have all heard the saying April showers bring May flowers. They also bring brides some unwanted wedding day worries. We can recall one particular wedding season in which it rained four consecutive weekends, and you would think this might put a damper (literally and figuratively) on our couples’ weddings, but luckily we had a rain plan – our newly enclosed garden terrace.

As seen on Bespoke Bride

We now have the pleasure of working with brides, rain or shine, who don’t let the chance of inclement weather ruin their wedding day. Rainy weddings don’t have to be unlucky, contrary to popular belief. On this Wedding Wednesday, we’re sharing a few ways rain can make your wedding that much more memorable. So if the forecast is predicting rain on your wedding day, here are some tips on how to take advantage of the weather and still have a beautiful wedding:

First and foremost, rain on your wedding day is not as unlucky as you think. According to The Knot, the Hindu tradition believes that rain on your wedding day is actually lucky. As rain contributes to plant growth and prosperity, rain is a sign of fertility in some cultures. Many couples often hope for rain on their wedding day because its meaning is tied to the blessing of many children. According to this source, there is an Italian wedding saying, “Sposa bagnata, sposa fortunata,” which means “Wet bride, lucky bride.”

Chancey Charm wedding shot by Teale Photography, as seen on Ruffled

If the weatherman is calling for rain on your wedding day, invest in a clear umbrella or one that meshes with your color scheme. This way you can still be photographed outdoors and even use the umbrella as a prop. There are actually quite a few beautiful shots your photographer can capture using umbrellas as props, such as the shot above. Use Pinterest to find other ideas and inspiration.

It’s hard enough to walk in heels all day long. To gracefully walk, stand and dance in stilettos on a slippery surface is an accident waiting to happen. Some brides sport brightly colored rain boots along with their girls to wear during the reception. Weddington Boots even customizes wedding wellies!

RainyDay BridalWear has designed a raincoat that is barely there, keeping the bride dry while not ruining or covering up her wedding day look. The WetKnot is the perfect bridal shower gift (no pun intended) as it’s great to have in your wedding day emergency kit – even if you just wear it in between photo sessions while it’s drizzling to avoid soaking your gown. The raincoat is also designed to wrap under the wedding gown, gathering up the bottom to avoid wet grass and walkways damaging the bottom of the dress. Practical, yet somewhat stylish with satin cording and rhinestone snaps.

Stay tuned for yet another rain plan option, coming to the Tate House by the end of the year!

Jewelia and Perry said “I do” on September 12th. It was a beautiful day for a fall wedding – breezy, sunny and cool. But undoubtably, the most beautiful part of their wedding day was that they achieved their vision of a God glorifying wedding that truly reflected their love and relationship.

“Our ceremony included a time where both of our parents came up to the alter to pray over us. It was so special and important to us!”

The newlyweds met at a KSU baseball game through mutual friends. And to pop the question, Perry pulled some strings and got the baseball stadium opened on a Friday night to honor the day they met.

“He had my best friend trick me into thinking we were going to a movie. Next thing I know my best friend and I were running by KSU to pick up something from a friend before we headed to the movie. As I walked into the stadium Perry had a video playing with pictures from the last 2 years of our relationship. Then he took me back to his house where our family and friends were gathered for a surprise engagement party. It was perfect!”

“Planning a wedding was Perry was so much fun. He attended the first planning meeting to help me with the big decisions. From there I handled all of the small details and he took care of coordinating with our photographer/videographer and DJ. Throughout the whole process we always kept each other informed with what we were choosing. Our teamwork made for a wonderful wedding planning experience!”

We loved their color palette, made up of rose red and navy with an extra pop of color supplied from their florals.

“The gorgeous mountain scenery and the elegance of the historic mansion blew us away when we visited. We enjoy hiking and it has always been where we have our deep talks. Also, Perry is a history teacher and really enjoyed all the history throughout the Tate House. The combination of mountains and history made us sure that this was the place for us!”

Photos: AKL Photography

“To get down to the dock from the house, you have to walk down what seems like never ending stairs, and on my way down, I spotted him.” We have a soft spot for love at first stories, especially when they also include brides falling in love with the Tate House at first site. When Brittany made plans with a friend to go to the lake one summer day, she never thought she would find the one.

“In all honesty, for me, it certainly seemed like love at first sight. I immediately turned to my friends and called ‘dibs’ on whoever this man was.” After spending that day together and swapping numbers later on, Brittany and Travis quickly fell for each other, talking endlessly on the phone and spending time together until finally on September 6, 2009, Travis asked Brittany to be his girlfriend.

Flash forward to May 25, 2014 when he asked the question that would change the rest of their lives. Brittany and Travis choose September 6, 2015 as their Atlanta wedding date as it was the six-year anniversary from the day Travis asked Brittany to be his.

Our bride always dreamed of a chic, elegant and romantic Georgia wedding. “In my mind, I could see perfectly symmetrical flower arrangements with pops of color throughout. I could see sheers, lights and diamonds all over the place. I wanted flashy, but not too gaudy. I wanted what, to me, seemed like a ‘princess’ wedding, one I had dreamed of since I was a little girl, and that’s what I got.” As for Travis, “he came to the Tate House to view the wedding venue initially, where he fell in just as much love as I did.”

Brittany’s picture perfect vision came to life through a color palette of coral and pink hues combined with dark gray and pops of silver, which inspired her bridesmaids’ dresses, the tuxes and lush florals.

When it came to choosing their North Georgia wedding venue, our bride said, “As soon as I saw the pictures online, I just knew. When I saw it in person, it was instantly confirmed that this was the place. The historic part of it is interesting in itself, but the décor in the house and on the property was to die for. The ceremony site overlooking the mountains was breathtaking, but not rustic, which is what I wanted to avoid.”

“The ballroom was everything, it had the chandeliers with crystals I had envisioned, the old piano bar, the up-lights, and the spacious dance floor. It offered everything I had envisioned in my dream wedding. The décor was onsite and there was plenty to choose from, all of which I wanted in my wedding. It was all very elegant and classy, I loved it all.”

Brittany recalls the most special component of their wedding day – family. While her family lived close, most of Travis’ family lived in Florida. He hadn’t seen his dad’s side in over a decade and he rarely gets to see his mom’s side, so the newlyweds were elated that so many of them were able to make it. “Here we were, two love birds, getting to share our love with the family he had not been able to see in years. I know it meant a lot to him, and it meant a lot to me that they were able to be part of it, and to feel like one big happy family.”

Photography: Cindy Harter Photography

We wish our Tate House newlyweds a lifetime of love and happiness! Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Sanders.

These Tate House newlyweds, Cody and Sarah, met through a mutual friend at a New years Eve party nearly four years ago. She became his bride-to-be when he popped the question in New York!

“We booked a trip to NYC to see Billy Joel perform at Madison Square Garden. Right outside of the Toys “R: Us in Times Square are several caricature artists. We always get a caricature when we go somewhere. One of the caricature artists was already waiting on us to come to his area. We sat down to have what I thought was a normal caricature drawing done. When the artist turned the final picture around it was of Cody proposing. I laughed thinking he was just being funny. Much to my surprise Cody was then getting on one knee and proposing to me right in the middle of Times Square. I was completely surprised and overjoyed. It was perfect for us!”

The two said “I do” at our Georgia wedding venue on October 10, 2015. “I knew I wanted an October wedding. It is the perfect weather. Not to hot and not cold. Fall is our favorite time of year with the leaves changing and the air getting cool and crisp. The farmers almanac said the second weekend is always the best for weather. It was perfect weather at our ceremony!”

With an elegant fall wedding in mind, Sarah envisioned rich colors at the Atlanta mansion wedding venue – shades of dark purple and gold throughout the wedding accompanied by florals in reds, oranges, yellows and green. To bring this color palette full circle, the bridesmaids wore plum colored dresses with red, orange and green bouquets. The groomsmen and groom were in charcoal tuxes with purple boutonnieres.

“The Tate House is stunning. Both inside and outside it is a show stopper. We loved the idea of being able to have the ceremony outside with the mountain backdrop and the reception in the ballroom. I also loved the idea of all inclusive. The planning team and everyone involved with the Tate House was truly a pleasure to work with and made our day perfect.”

“I would definitely recommend the tate house to anyone looking for an elegant southern wedding. Our day was perfect.” On behalf of our entire staff at our North Georgia Special Events venue, we were honored to host this sweet couple’s wedding day!

Photography: Paris Mountain Photography

These Tate House newlyweds said “I do” on January 2, 2016. They met at Abilene Chrisitian University in Abilene, Texas on the second day of freshman year in English. “We were friends throughout first semester, but second semester was when we really started to hit things off,” our bride told us.

“When we were first dating, Mason took me out to the lake after Spring break. That night, he told me that he didn’t want to get married if it wasn’t going to be me. That’s the night that I knew he loved me and that I loved him. So, two years later Mason picked me up from the airport after Spring break and took me out to the lake. He had set out a bench that we had up-cycled, surrounded by candles in mason jars. He eventually asked me to stand up as he got down on one knee and proposed. I could hear slight shutter noises because he had two of our best friends hiding in the background taking pictures.”

Nicole and Mason chose January 2nd largely because they are still in school and wanted to get married over Christmas break, but their date now holds even more significance. “I absolutely love our wedding date because we get to celebrate our marriage and what God has done at the beginning of every new year for the rest of our lives together.”

As they began to look at venues, it was important that there was a great indoor space for a ceremony and reception due to the wedding being in January. “It was also important to my Dad that our wedding be at a venue that was very special and unique. My Dad had remembered driving by the Tate House years ago on the way to a basketball tournament, and so he did his research. When Mason and I came into Georgia over Spring break, we scheduled visits to look at different venues including the Tate Mansion. The Tate House was absolutely our first choice. We were completely blown away by the house itself, the surrounding area, and how easy it was to get to the house.”

After they chose to host their wedding at our North Georgia wedding venue, our bride was inspired by the glitz and glam of New Years, and chose a color palette of silver, gold and their neutral hues of beige and grey. “I also incorporated a little bit of cranberry in my flowers and nails because I just love the pop of color.”

Aside from the design details, Nicole and Mason’s wanted their wedding day to reflect their love of God, family and fun. Looking back, our bride reflected on the most special component of the day – their ceremony. “My Dad was officiating, our best friends and siblings were standing next to us, our family and friends were in the audience, we had written our own vows, and God was there. Everything about the ceremony was intimate and special. The most special part of our wedding was all the relationships that surrounded us throughout our relationship and when we became one at the altar.”

This was so apparent throughout their entire day. We loved that in addition to the traditional Father/Daughter dance and the Mother/Son dance, they added a “generation dance,” which including their grandparents, parents and the newlyweds on the dance floor. “It was also very important to us that we did not see each other until the actual ceremony. I really wanted to have that ‘first look’ when we were surrounded by our loved ones and to make our ceremony more special to us.”

“Our wedding day was a huge gift and blessing to us as we begin this new adventure. We are so beyond grateful for all the family and friends that have blessed us throughout our relationship but especially on our wedding day. We are so grateful for all the vendors that helped make this day so special. We are amazed at all the love we have received and so excited to begin this new chapter together as Mr. and Mrs. Thom.”

Photos: Mike Moon Studio | View more photos on Mike Moon Studio’s blog

A popular, yet controversial, wedding trend you may or may not be considering is the first look. On one hand, you might love the idea of a romantic and intimate moment with your fiancé before exchanging your vows to take in all the excitement, and maybe even calm some pre-wedding jitters. On the other hand, especially if you’re a more traditional bride, it might be hard to pass up that wow factor of seeing each other for the first time as you are walking down the aisle.

Photo: Anna and Spencer Photography

The first look is simply a matter of personal preference! However, more photographers and wedding coordinators are now recommending their couples partake in a first look as wedding timelines can be complex and time alone is often hard to come by. We happen to love first looks at our Georgia wedding venue, and this Tate House newlywed agrees, saying:

“We did a first look, figuring A) it would calm our nerves seeing one another and being reminded of how truly special this day was, B) we would have more time to take some amazing photos being as though the Tate House has so many places on the property to capture a beautiful photo, and C) we did not want to keep our wedding guests waiting too long after the ceremony before getting the chance to celebrate. To this day, I do not regret that decision.” – Brittany Self & Travis Sanders (see more in their Wedding Wednesday post)

If you are in fact planning a first look, here are our tips to pull it off beautifully at the Tate House for your Georgia historic home wedding:

Ask your coordinator and photographer to set aside time specifically for your first look. You’ll want time to enjoy the moment, as well as have it captured. So in order to ensure you don’t have to rush through it, incorporate this as an item on your wedding timeline.

Top: Paris Mountain Photography, Bottom Left: Kelly Anne Photography, Bottom Right: Cindy Harter Photography

Choose a first look location prior to your wedding day. As our bride Brittany mentioned, our North Georgia special event venue has numerous areas on the property that would make for a perfect first look location – in front of one of the many fountains, the stairwell, in the garden or in front of the mansion. Picking a spot prior to your wedding will enable your planner to make sure guests and wedding party attendants steer clear of that area so you do in fact get to have a private moment to yourselves.

Talk to your makeup artist if you’re planning on doing a first look. If you think you might cry, definitely opt for waterproof mascara and come prepared with some tissues and lip gloss to touch yourself up before your ceremony.

If you love the idea of a first look, but still don’t know if you want your groom to see you before walking down the aisle, consider doing a first look with your dad or even your bridesmaids. Of course, they’ll see you while getting your hair and makeup done, but save putting on your dress for just you and your mom so that you can reveal your final look for your girls. Their reaction will be priceless!

Your wedding is a true celebration of two becoming one, but it’s also about two families joining together. It’s only natural that your family members want to partake in helping you plan for this most special day! The Tate House is sharing wedding planning tips on how to incorporate your family members into your wedding!

The Groom

Brides, we know you will likely plan a majority of your wedding yourself, but ensure your groom’s wishes aren’t innocently overlooked. An easy fiancé-friendly task that will allow his personality to shine through is having him pick out some accessories for himself and the groomsmen. Some examples include custom cufflinks, playful dress socks and ties, bowties or pocket squares. For more ideas, see our post “Wedding Ideas Your Fiance Will Love Too”

Mother of the Bride & Mother of the Groom

We love this Perfect Wedding Guide post, offering tips to make both the mother of the bride and groom feel included in the wedding planning process. Aside from shopping with your mom(s) for their dresses, Kristen Ley Green of Something New for I Do shares ideas on customizing the mother-son dance song and our favorite – giving mom your bouquet instead of tossing it. We can only imaging how sweet this moment would be: surprising your mom by presenting her your bouquet. The gesture is truly a nod to her for all she has done and a symbol of your appreciation for her.

Father of the Bride 

The “first look,” where the bride is debuted to her groom prior to the ceremony for an intimate moment and some beautiful photos, has taken a new twist. Some brides are now having first looks with their dads before walking down the aisle. We love this idea! Your dad will appreciate those precious moments with his little girl, before he has to give her away.

Your Siblings 

The most common way to include siblings in your wedding is to have them in the bridal party. But if for whatever reason they aren’t bridesmaids or groomsmen – they have small children to attend to, you have too many to choose from, etc. – there are some great alternatives to make them feel special and included. Some of our favorite ideas include having them along for the cake tasting, helping you craft DIY details or dedicating your “something borrowed” to them.

Brothers also make great ushers, escorting guests to their seats, while sisters make great greeters, welcoming guests and handing out ceremony programs. To further include them in the ceremony, consider appointing your siblings to be readers. This is a popular new wedding tradition and sweet way to include others in the most important part of the day. Have them choose and share a favorite verse that is reminiscent of your relationship.

Brunch at the Tate House is sure to awaken your taste buds! Think brightly colored flowers and mimosas in an English garden setting as you share the first meal of the day with family and friends. A delightful day will be had by all! We’re sharing 4 reasons to love a Tate House brunch wedding to inspire brides to consider this lovely wedding trend.

1. A delicious menu. Who doesn’t love brunch? Included with our Southern Brunch is a hors d’oeuvre course, bountiful fruit and cheese display, savory/sweet artisan bread basket, 2 buffet side items, 1 buffet main entrée, and a Tate House wedding cake!
2. Brunch is more wedding budget-friendly. Because brunch weddings pair best with mimosas, a full bar is not needed, which saves money! At Tate House, beer, wine, champagne and sparkling cider are sold separately so couples can control what is served while controlling their spirits budget.
3. Extra photo opportunities. Natural light photography is so beautiful, but with a traditionally timed wedding, you only have so many hours of daylight to capture this look and feel. A brunch wedding allows for capturing beautiful pictures when the lighting is best!
4. After parties or an early honeymoon arrival. A brunch wedding is the perfect option for a couple seeking an intimate wedding day with friends and family. But the celebration doesn’t have to end there! Couples who say “I do” during the day have the opportunity to continue their celebrations into the evening, or (we love this idea) head straight into your honeymoon celebration! There are many places you can get to in only a few hours, allowing you to reach your destination just in time for a romantic dinner for two!

Our Tate House Southern Brunch package (100 guest minimum) includes a 1 hour rehearsal for the wedding party, arrival at the wedding venue 2 hours before the wedding, use of the bridal cottage for hair and makeup, and a 4 hour ceremony and reception. Inquire here for more details and pricing information.

These adorable newlyweds, Erin and Adam Jarrett, met in downtown Atlanta at the Peachtree Center food court, which was close the where they both worked. Adam impressed Erin from the start – from the first moment he saw her, he was determined to get her number. Luckily he discovered that on the fateful day he saw her, she was eating lunch with a friend of a friend of his brother. Before Erin even made it back to her office from lunch, with the help of his brother and the friend of a friend, he was able to get her email address. Two weeks later, they met for a lunch date and the rest was history!

He popped the question on Columbus Day of 2015 on a hike to Jack’s River Falls in the Cohutta Wilderness. Erin fills us in on all the details of their engagement! “It was an 8 mile hike round trip – I was tired, sweaty, hungry, dirty – you name it – by the time we got to the falls. Adam wasn’t talking very much on the hike in or eating very much food at lunch… now I know why! He proposed at the bottom of the falls – in the brilliant sunlight, with a rainbow in the background – it really was a magical moment!! When the box opened with the ring in it we were almost blinded by the way the sun hit the diamond! We were both over the moon and the hike back to the truck flew by – and gave us time to absorb it all without being connected to the outside world since our cell phones didn’t have service, which was very nice! Adam was just glad the boy scout troop hiked out from the falls area before he proposed – he’s not big on an audience. It was a total surprise to me!”

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

May 15, 2016. We chose it because of the promise of good weather and the fact that it was just over 6 months from when he proposed since we didn’t want to wait a full year. We avoided family birthdays and mother’s day. Also, Sundays at the Tate House are offered at a discounted price, so that was a no brainer since we wanted an afternoon wedding!

What was your overall vision for your wedding?

I wanted a sparkly, glamorous, vibrant wedding. Shiny is my favorite color and I love things that pop! My colors were bright purples and pinks and if we had a bling option, I went with it – including broaches for the chair ties, cake jewelry, rhinestone accents on the tables, etc.!

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

I was able to incorporate so many facets of my life into the ceremony and reception – the Tate House agreed to have a beautiful white washed cross made for us to use in the outside space. I initially wanted a church wedding since our faith is so important to us and was hesitant to go outdoors – but with the cross it felt like I was able to have the best of both worlds and it was absolutely beautiful!!

Cinderella was always my favorite – so we did favors that were candy kisses in little glass slippers with a happily ever after tag attached. I also had napkins printed with the saying, “Sometimes in the middle of ordinary life, love gives us a fairytale” to incorporate the princess idea. Also, I competed for years in the Miss Georgia pageant – so we used the Miss Georgia Overture to introduce the wedding party. By working with the Tate House, we were able to weave everything from Jesus to pageantry throughout the ceremony and reception and it all came together nicely!

Also – the  bridal cottage amazed my bridesmaids. They said out of all the weddings they had been in – this was the nicest place for the bride and her girls to get dressed – food was provided so no need to leave!! The bridal cottage was a great way to start my big day!!

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 went pretty traditional – our faith was the central cornerstone of our selections for the ceremony and reception. And we also stuck with the traditional events – cake cutting, garter toss, etc. The only thing that was a little different was the braiding of the unity cord instead of the unity candle – I thought this really illustrated how we wanted our home to be – with Christ binding us together. It really spoke to me more than the candle or the sand or other more typical traditions.

Why did you choose our North Georgia Special Events venue as your wedding venue?

My first pageant coaching session was held at the Tate House when I was about 20 years old. From that point on, it’s always seemed like a magical place to me. My mom also always had a vision of an outdoor wedding near a beautiful home – so she fell in love with it. Also, Adam was looking for something stately and elegant. The three of us knew from the moment we stepped on the property that it was the perfect fit! Also, the fact that they do everything in house – meaning no need to find vendors, caterers, etc. allowed us to hit the easy button and do some one stop shopping!! I can’t imagine how crazy my life would have been if we had had to rent tables, find a cake, etc. A cake is included in the package! We also chose a Sunday date which was a money saver – and the Tate House compared to other locations was a great value for the price!

Other favorite memories of your wedding at our Georgia wedding venue?

We left in a helicopter – need I say more!! The Tate House had a landing pad which made it possible – it’s what our guests talked about the most!! And really it was the same price as a limo!! We love unique endings.

Photography: Mike Moon Studio // See their beautiful Georgia historic home wedding video here!

At our North Georgia Special Events Venue, we love that our couples’ weddings are always beautiful celebrations of two becoming one, so it’s only fitting that the bride and groom make a unique declaration of their promises to each other as they become one. For couples looking to personalize their wedding, writing your own vows is the perfect way to incorporate your own style while still writing from the heart. Here are 6 tips from our Georgia wedding venue on writing your own vows that will be sure to make them a hit at your wedding.

Photo: Laura Catherine Organic Photographs, Florals: Amy Osaba Events, As Seen in Flutter Magazine

Look for inspiration. Writing your own vows is becoming more and more popular. Examples can be found online nowadays and are even categorized by specific themes. As you sit down to brainstorm for your vows, take some time to look at inspiration from other vows. Reading these can remind you of something specific in your own relationship, give you direction or inspire an idea you hadn’t thought of yet.

Make it personal. While it’s always smart to look at other examples, don’t just copy another couple’s vows you found online. Use the inspiration from these examples, but make your own vows personal. Think about your significant other and what makes your relationship unique. Furthermore, stay away from clichés. Your significant other, and your audience, will appreciate the thought you put into your vows.

Make sure to include a vow. Your vows are a perfect time to express your love for each other, and the audience will swoon over hearing the sentimental words you exchange at your Georgia historic home wedding. However, don’t forget to include a promise (or a few), since that’s what vows are all about. Make sure to include a statement of what you vow or promise to do as the two of you become one.

Write for your significant other. As you’re standing in front of all your family and friends, you might feel as if your vows have to please them. It’s easy to write your vows with your audience in mind when you know they’re going to be listening. However, write for your significant other – not your audience. It’s ok if you include a joke or sentiment that might go over the audience’s head – your significant other will cherish it.

Keep it short and sweet. To keep your audience actively listening, make sure your vows are not too long. At the Tate House, we recommend keeping your vows between one and two minutes or under 350 words. Your audience will love hearing you exchange your vows and will enjoy them even more if they don’t get impatient during your North Georgia wedding ceremony.

Keep a copy as a keepsake. There are only so many things that you are able to keep from your wedding – of course, you’ll always have your memories and photos. Having a copy of your vows as a keepsake is a perfect way to remember the promises you made to each other on your special day. Not only is rereading your vows later romantic, but they can be used for vow renewals, anniversaries and sharing with your children.

Brides and grooms, do you have any other tips to share or perhaps memories from your own Atlanta outdoor wedding? We would love to hear!

This incredibly sweet and fun couple, Taylor + Russell Sloss, met when they were 17 at a scout reservation called Bert Adams. After Russell dropped some “cheesy” pick-up lines to get Taylor’s attention, the two quickly became friends. A few months later, on a warm summer night when they were out walking and stopped on a dock to look at the moonlit lake, Russell asked Taylor to be his girlfriend. “He even got down on one knee to ask me out and had acquired my father’s permission to date me. He is quite a romantic!” 

Six years later, Russell proposed in front of “their dock.” Russell got Taylor’s family involved in the proposal. Taylor’s dad, in on the secret, told Taylor that Bert Adams had called and asked her to be in a video that demonstrated how the leadership skills they taught helped her in her college experience. “I picked out a cute, video-worthy outfit and headed down to the camp. It was raining, and my mom dropped me off at a pavilion that led to the same dock Russell asked me to be his girlfriend on, nearly six years prior. I had an umbrella pointed down so I didn’t see what was happening. I got to the pavilion, put the umbrella down, ready to answer questions (it was an entirely different question I would answer!) and Russell was there, attempting to light about 100 candles. Sadly, the wind was blowing and they didn’t stay lit, but it was so sweet! He got down on one knee in front of ‘our’ dock and gave me the most romantic proposal and the most truly GORGEOUS ring I’d ever seen!” explained Taylor.

The park rangers at the camp gave the couple matching shirts saying “Your Adventure Begins at Bert Adams” as a congratulatory gift. Taylor + Russell even used those shirts during their engagement photos as a special touch. “That slogan stuck with us for the rest of the wedding process—from our cake topper, to decorative chalkboard, to the wedding programs,” explained our bride. She’s sharing more details about her dream wedding day at the Tate House below!

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

Our wedding date was May 22, 2016. It was a Sunday and we chose it because it fit perfectly with his career. He graduated in early May and was starting work full-time in mid-June. This gave us a long honeymoon and some extra time to settle in before work without using any vacation days. That date is also my older sister’s birthday (my matron of honor). We joked about how she was getting a brother-in-law for her birthday. I didn’t want to make her feel like we forgot her birthday, so I had the DJ surprise her with the birthday song during the reception.

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

The most special component was that my family was involved. My sisters were both maid and matron-of-honor, two brothers were groomsmen, two were ushers, and one played the violin for the ceremony (I have seven siblings).

How involved was your groom in the wedding planning process?

I would say not very, but as much involved as he was needed. He is very laid-back, and he would reassure me that he would love anything I picked. He was my support throughout the entire planning process.

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

Our colors were gold, emerald and peach. I chose emerald because it represented my last name (Green). Gold and peach were colors I had always imagined for a spring wedding, not to mention they look so good together. It was serendipitous that the Tate House is also known as the Pink Palace!

How important are the typical wedding traditions?

I am very traditional and we happily kept with them. Our officiant did do something special for us. He was the minister that baptized me years ago, before his retirement. He is a singer and sang the Lord’s Prayer acapella for us during the ceremony, which was touching.

Why did you choose Tate House as your wedding venue?

Oh my goodness, it is just magnificent. The gardens, the details, the food… everything! If I had to choose my first reason, it’s because it’s a gorgeous, pink, marble mansion in the mountains that is decorated from head to toe.

Photography: Photos by Hailey