Kelli & Michael
4-14-18

One of Kelli’s friends accidentally introduced Kelli to an ex-boyfriend, Mike, at a bar on Valentine’s Day. When Kelli ran into Mike at that same bar a couple months later they became fast friends talking and ‘people watching’ together. Their friendship moved to a new level when Kelli convinced Mike at 11 pm on a Friday night to postpone painting his new apartment that weekend and take a spur of the moment trip to New Orleans. They left at 2 am and drove straight through the night. On the way home, they joked about eloping in Alabama on the drive home. Neither of them is sure how much of a joke it really was, but the courts aren’t open on Sundays in Montgomery anyways. Three years later, they did get married.

The Proposal
In the most “them” fashion, Mike proposed at a beer festival. Kelli was there for work and after setting up and dropping their bag at the hotel, Mike said, “I think I know something you’d like.” Kelli responded, “a nap.” Mike agreed, “Well, probably. But I was thinking something else,” then held out the ring and asked,”Want to get married?”

Wedding Inspiration
“Coral flowers, watercolor paintings, gardens. Southern classic feel with texture throughout (floral arrangements, cake frosting, etc) – we didn’t want it to look “perfect”. For details we tried to make it very personal to us as a couple (beer glassware and homebrew, nods to travel).”

Favorite Wedding Detail
“Gardens being in full bloom; our homebrew blonde ale and custom cocktail; watching Mike’s uncles boogy with the bridesmaids; our photo guestbook; using beer glassware from breweries where we work(ed) instead of traditional vases; Kelli’s drop back necklace; our table “numbers” actually being cities we visited together instead of numbers so it was more personal.”

D.I.Y. Details
“We had a lot of DIY details, but our favorites were the beer we brewed together, the cocktail we developed, and the macarons we made as favors: maple for Kelli and peach for Mike. We also loved our table numbers/seating chart and stationary (invites, etc), all of which Kelli designed. Writing our own ceremony was very special and an emotional bonding experience for us. We also built our own cake stand using 2 different sized wood rounds, cabinet handles as feet, and wood stain.”

A Note About Planning
“We had a family style dinner which was a great balance, both by cost and experience, between buffet and plated dinners. There was so much food! Get a day-of-coordinator. Period. And organize and label everything as much as possible for day-of set-up.”

& a Word of Advice…
“Realize how many last minute details you can do more than a week in advance. There is always something you can be getting ahead on.”

Vendors:

Photography: Classic Photographers – Romina D.

Venue: Cator Woolford Gardens – Atlanta, GA

Coordinator: Catherine Koonce

Catering: The Party Execs – Georgia

Florist: Candler Park Flowers – Atlanta, GA

Cake: Publix

Hair & Makeup: Anna Bailey

Ceremony Music: Nicolai Taney

Reception Music: DJ LuBu (@Chef_Lu_Bu)

Car Service: Uber Black Car