Admin, Author at Wedding Photographers in Atlanta | Viridian Images Photography

Wedding at 103 West Atlanta, GA | Wesley + Chelsea

July 5, 2017 0 Weddings

Well, what else can we say about our couples? We have the best couples any photographer could ever ask for and Wesley and Chelsea will not be the exception. What an amazing couple these two are. You saw them earlier when we photographed their engagement session. Would you like to know a little more? I’m sure you would and that’s why we interviewed Chelsea for you so you can get to know them better.

So tell me, how did you two meet?

We met on my first day of work when I first moved to Atlanta in 2012. Wesley worked for a non-profit that was based in Peachtree Presbyterian when I was working, and my boss introduced me to him on my first day of work. It took us a while to actually start dating though.

Why was that?

We were just acquaintances for a while, and eventually began showing more interest in one another. Wesley would go out of his way to visit me at work, claiming he was just stopping by to say hi to everyone. It was on a Memorial Day weekend beach trip with our church that Wesley took me sailing, and we finally decided to start dating. The rest is history!

How did he “pop” the question?

Wesley proposed while we were hiking on Arabia Mountain. He had been acting a little strange all day and wouldn’t let me look in his backpack. We walked up the mountain and as we were going, he kept stopping to tell me how much he loved me. When we got to the top of the mountain, Wesley handed me an envelope containing a haiku he had written for me (Wesley has written several haikus for me throughout our relationship). When I got to the end of the poem, he got down on one knee, pulled out the ring box, and asked me to marry him.

Rachel Rozanski from Brushworx doing what she does best.

Bride seeing her reflection during bridal prep

Chelsea admiring Rachel’s work with her hair.

Tell us about your dress. Where did you find it, how did you choose it, how did you know it was the one?

My sisters and mom came to Atlanta to help me shop for my wedding dress, along with my mother-in-law. We had several appointments set up for the weekend, but we ended up finding my dress at the very first store, Bride Beautiful. I had a general idea of what I wanted, and tried on several dresses. The first few weren’t quite right, they were too much lace or not enough poof, I didn’t love any of them. After I tried a few on and consultant had a better idea of what I was/wasn’t looking for, she went out and grabbed a few more dresses. When I tried on my dress, I knew it was the silhouette I was looking for, but I wasn’t completely sold. Then I walked out of the dressing room to show everyone, they loved it! The train was gorgeous, it had 3 tiers of lace. It was just the right balance of lace and tulle that I was looking for. It had the perfect silhouette I was looking for. I tried a couple more on after that, but none of them compared to the one I chose. My dress had everything I was looking for, it made me feel great, and it was perfect for dancing!

This Allure wedding dress from Bride Beautiful looked so elegant in her mother in law’s bedroom.

Beautiful Allure bridal dress from Bride Beautiful.

Beautiful bridesmaids in their Bill Levkoff dress in black from Bride Beautiful

Did you see each other before the wedding?

Yes we did, and I’m really glad we did! It gave us some time to be together and prepare for what was about to happen together. I would have been a lot more nervous for the ceremony if the first time we saw each other was in front of all our guests.

What were you most anxious, nervous or fearful about regarding your wedding day and what was the outcome?

I was most nervous about standing in front of everyone saying our vows. I was also nervous about anyone in the wedding party fainting! It all went off without a hitch, though. It was nerve racking standing up there with everyone looking at us, but everything went smoothly while we were up there.

What was the first song you danced to as husband and wife?

We danced to The Way You Look Tonight played by The Retreat/Sam Hill Entertainment

What was your favorite moment from the wedding?

All the dancing! And having all of our friends and family together in one place.

How would you describe your overall wedding experience?

We tried to keep our wedding experience as simple and stress free as possible. Wesley’s mom offered a tong of help with the planning process and took on a lot of the little tasks along the way. The day of the wedding we both tried to stay relaxed and be present and in the moment. We both spent the morning with our wedding parties – me and my bridesmaids getting ready and watching wedding movies at Wesley’s parents’ house, Wesley and his groomsmen eating lunch and hanging out at Cherokee Town Club to get ready. Once we arrived at the church, things moved pretty quickly, and everything pretty much fell into place! Peachtree had a wedding guild that made sure the ceremony went smoothly, and then our day of coordinator made sure everything for the reception was in place at 103 West. The ceremony was such a special time for us, sharing our vows with all of our closest friends and family there to watch. Once we got through the ceremony, we felt a bit more relaxed and excited to party the night away with everyone. It was fun getting to chat with our friends and family at the reception, eat the delicious food and dance! When it was time to leave, we didn’t want to leave. There’s nothing like having all of your loved ones together to celebrate you!

What advice would you offer to other couples planning a wedding?

Don’t let the little details and decision get in the way of enjoying the celebration.

How was your experience taking photos/working with us on your wedding day?

We had a great experience working with you on our wedding day. You were prompt and professional throughout the day. You gave easy and clear instructions to everyone and got some really great shots!

What photography-related advice would you offer to a couple?

Make sure you find a photographer you feel comfortable with and who matches your style.

What’s the one piece of advice you would give to other couples planning their wedding?

I would advise them to remember that their wedding is about them as a couple, and to make sure the decisions and plans you make reflect that. I would also advise them to stay within arms reach of each other during the reception. It is so easy to get separated when everyone wants a chance to talk to you! You don’t want to get to the end of the night and realize you didn’t spend enough time with your new husband/wife!

Introduce us to your team:

Day of Coordinator: Holly Parks
Ceremony/Reception Location: Peachtree Presbyterian Church / 103 West
Hair/Make up: Rachel Rozanski – Brushworx
Bride’s Dress: Allure – Bride Beautiful
Bridesmaid Dress: Bride Beautiful – Bill Levkoff
Groom and Groomsmen attire: Jos A Banks
Florist: K&Co Floral Design
Cake Artist: 103 West
Videographer: Timepiece Media
Band: The Retreat/Sam Hill Entertainment

You want to see more do you? Take a look at their wedding day video slideshow below:

Piedmont Park Atlanta GA Engagement | Kyrone + Chinyere

June 15, 2017 0 Engagements

It started…

In the Fall of 2007 Kyrone and Chinyere met through a mutual friend. Chinyere was not impressed after their introduction since their first conversation involved one of sarcasm and attitude. So with a shaky start, the two eventually started a friendship with their mutual involvement in African Student Union and seeing each other around campus. Two years would pass before they began dating and really know each other. The two became inseparable from that point on. They were engaged in 2015 at the Georgia Aquarium Since they both love the outdoors, Piedmont Park felt like the best place to showcase their engagement session and we couldn’t agree more.

Kyrone and Chinyere share both Nigerian and American heritage and chose to celebrate their marriage honoring both cultures. Their traditional Nigerian wedding was held on July 2, 2016 and in 2017 they will celebrate their US nuptials with a wedding at Twelve Atlantic Station. Congratulations! We can’t wait to document your US wedding.

They have so much fun together. It shows.

Take a look at more from their session below:

Rhodes Hall, Atlanta GA Wedding | Mark and Sabrina

June 13, 2017 0 Weddings

We were so happy to meet Sabrina, Mark and their respective family and friends. And we were doubly excited to capture their wedding at Rhodes Hall in downtown Atlanta. We met them earlier when we photographed their camping themed engagement session. Both Mark and Sabrina are so very kind and hospitable to everyone they meet that it wasn’t questioned when the call came out to help Sabrina make her fairytale wedding one that will always be remembered. So, without a doubt in their minds, everyone pitched in to make this wedding happen for them which included her friends singing their first dance song “Thinking Out loud” by Ed Sheeran a cappella. This group of friends can sing. We are so thankful to have been a part of your US wedding day festivities. I’m sure your destination wedding in Goa, India in November was just as exciting.

Everyone working together.

The beautiful Romanesque style Rhodes Hall was the backdrop to their third day reception. This “Castle on Peachtree” was built in 1904 using granite from Stone Mountain and was once home to the Rhodes family from Rhodes Furniture and is currently the headquarters for the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. It is absolutely a beautiful and unique venue for any event.

Venue: Rhodes Hall
Caterer: Cafe Bombay
DJ: Arijit Chowdhury
Videographer: Picture This Media
Cake: Ruhina Harris
Makeup Artist: Ruhina Harris
Saris: from India

For more from this amazing three day event, see the recap below:

Athens GA Engagement | Andrew + Danielle

June 13, 2017 0 Engagements

Puppy Love

Andrew and Danielle first met their junior year of college. A few of their common interests include raising puppies for the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, marching in the University of Georgia‘s Redcoat Marching Band, and were both science majors.

They started attending monthly puppy training classes together and arranged play dates for their dogs before classes. Once the new semester began, they started spending more and more time together. They arranged to take the same classes and attend the same social events. They continued together after graduation. In 2015, Danielle and Andrew moved to Florida where Andrew began training service dogs for veterans and Danielle entered her Master’s program at Jacksonville University.

While deciding on where they wanted to have their engagement photos taken, they realized there really wasn’t any better place than where it all began. We visited the Georgia Botanical Garden in Athens, passed by a very special park by the lake where they spent most of their free time, then traveled back to their beloved UGA to bring it all back. Congratulations Andrew and Danielle. We can’t wait to photograph your wedding in the North Georgia mountains in the fall.

They are just so cute together.

They had so much fun going back to campus and visiting a few of their special spots.

Even after so many years, they were still nervous crossing the arch.

Roswell GA Engagement | Marc + Meghan

May 26, 2017 0 Engagements

They met…

Marc and Meghan first met in a Marketing class at Georgia College. Meghan was sitting in the front row, and when Marc walked into the classroom, he proceeded to sit down right next to her. Marc then introduced himself with a wide grin and let her know he doesn’t normally like to sit in the front row. That class sparked their friendship that grew into something very special.

After about a year of very close friendship, Marc had been wanting to take Meghan to dinner, so he asked her on a few dates. Not wanting to lose the close friendship they loved so much, she politely declined. However, that didn’t stop Marc from asking her out again. In May of 2013, Marc asked again and she finally agreed to dinner. Marc took her to Piccolo’s Italian Steakhouse. After that date Meghan was just kicking herself for not saying yes sooner, since she realized then how much she cared for Marc and was really falling in LOVE with him. Many more dates followed, and have been more madly in love with each other ever since!

Aren’t they the cutest?

Marc and Meghan are just naturals in front of the camera.

The Proposal

After almost three years of dating Marc knew he found the girl he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. It hit him while he was golfing with some friends after they jokingly asked when he was going to “pop the question.” He laughed it off, but then thought, he was really going to marry this girl! A couple weeks later he went to pick out the perfect wedding ring. Meghan loves surprises, so he had to pick out the perfect ring without any help so she wouldn’t find out.

For the next few weeks Marc planned the perfect rooftop proposal at a downtown club in Atlanta. Everything was on schedule until the day of the proposal…Marc received a call at 10 am that he could no longer use their roof.

On April 8th, 2016 while Meghan thought he was at the gym, Marc was frantically driving all over Atlanta to find the perfect spot. Around 1 pm that day Marc remembered another Midtown club with a rooftop terrace! He called the manager and told him his situation and they agreed to keep the club open for an extra hour for Marc to propose. Upon arrival, there was only a bartender, manager and one or two other people at the club. Meghan thought it was strange how empty it was for a Friday, but the bartender played it off casually and told her their table was being prepared in the other room. They were asked to wait out on the terrace. It was an extremely windy day and Meghan had asked if they should go inside to wait. Marc convinced her to stay outside and they got some champagne.

A few minutes later the manager came out and set a cake on their table while they were enjoying the beautiful Atlanta skyline. Meghan tried to let him know that they didn’t order any food, and suddenly looked down and saw “Will you Marry Me”…by the time she turned back around and Marc was on one knee asking her to marry him.

I know you want to see more. Click below for a video slideshow from their Roswell Mill engagement session.

We are so excited to see you two again in a few months along with your closest family and friends as you dedicate your lives to each other. Congratulations!

Iceland Engagement | An American Girl and Her Viking

February 16, 2017 0 Destination, Engagements, International, Portraits, Travels

Kaelene met H (Helgi) in 2011 while studying abroad in Australia. Meeting someone special was not part of the plan at that time. Her focus was centered on two things, her internship and traveling as much as possible. Nonetheless she found herself falling hard for the guy from Iceland. Their journey to this very moment in time is quite interesting. So if you want to learn more about their love story, visit Kaeleen’s blog Unlocking Kiki.

We met up with Kaelene and H at Heiðmork. It’s the largest and most popular recreational park near Reykjavík. A location where millions of visitors enjoy nature and Iceland’s national pastime, hiking. It’s one of the only areas where you might be able to say there’s a forest. Well, maybe. You see Iceland is more about volcanic formations and hot springs than about tall trees. In jest some Icelanders will say “if you ever get lost in an Icelandic forest, just stand up”. However this country is spectacular in so many unexpected ways and a constant feast for the eyes.

Their chemistry is undeniable. This Viking loves his American girl.

Adorable Icelandic horses greet our couple as they make their way back down from the mountain. They are the only breed of horse in Iceland and are typically used for traditional sheepherding, showing and riding. Incredibly friendly and approachable at all times. They will take all the attention you can give them.

They even serve as great models. Next up, the beautiful black sand beach of Þorlákshöfn where a long shoreline meets volcanic rock clusters of basalt.

The one thing you can always count on in Iceland; the unpredictable weather. Constant wind gusts, intermittent sun and rolling clouds which seem to change intensity from one minute to the next. However unlike anywhere else, it feels perfect.

While shooting by rocks we stumbled across Minke Whales swimming just a few yards away. Normally one has to spend a good chunk of change to purchase excursions to see these amazing animals but we were blessed by their presence for a few brief minutes.

Authentic Icelandic sweaters made by H’s mother are perfect for the cool wind gusts coming from the ocean.

It was a blast to hang out with this beautiful couple for a few hours. We sincerely want to thank Kaelene for providing suggestions on where to go, what to eat and what to see. A great portion of our stay in Iceland was practically mapped out on her recommendations. Be sure to check out Kaelene’s blog Unlocking Kiki for further details on how to get the most of your time in Iceland.

This was undoubtedly a memorable trip. We enjoyed it so much that we’re already planning our next trip back so we can check out the west side of this magnificent island. If you’re interested in planning a destination wedding in Iceland or simply looking to elope; we’d love to speak with you about your photography needs. With special elopement packages and wedding collections, we can provide comprehensive coverage anywhere your love takes you.

A trip through Italy | A few days on the Lake

November 1, 2016 0 Gardens, Personal, Photography, Travels

Lake Como, that is…

So this post is so behind it’s not even funny, right? Come on now, 2015 and we’re now closing out 2016. This goes to show how one can get sidetracked with amazing weddings we’ve had the pleasure photographing during the last few months. But now I would like to get back to revisiting the beautiful setting that is Italy. In this case one of my all time favorite areas, if not the favorite area in the world, Lake Como, Italy.

Yes, the first thing that comes to mind for most people when mentioning Lake Como is George Clooney. In fact, I remember the first time visiting Lake Como back in 2006. The locals would ask where we are from and I would reply, “America”. Their first comment was for the most part, “George Clooney”. They would always point out where his villa is and give us directions on how to get there from where we were. But to be honest with you, I was never interested in seeing George’s villa. I’m sure it’s nice and all, but it couldn’t be as amazing as what was surrounding us, all you can see and feel while traveling these beautiful, lazy lakeside towns and enjoying its natural beauty is all I wanted to experience. No offense George.

Where is Lake Como?

Lake Como is in Northern Italy’s Lombardy region. It’s an upscale area known for its dramatic scenery. And let me tell you, it IS dramatic. It’s set against the foothills of the Alps if that gives you a better visual. The lake is shaped like an upside-down Y. The three slender branches meet at the well-known and popular resort town of Bellagio.

Below are but a few of the photographs we captured during our few days on the lake.

How to get around the lake

Ferries are the main mode of transportation between the towns, especially if you need to get to the other side of the lake. We would get up early, enjoy the crisp morning air, grab a cappuccino and head out on an adventure. Don’t you just love the view? The Italian Alps right behind Orlando.

Below is me getting a little frisky after a wonderful lunch. This area of Italy makes you do weird things in public. It’s so romantic. It helps when you have crazy friends encouraging you too.

Off to our next stop. The idyllic town of Tremezzo.

Even on a break from shooting, we find moments to photograph couples. This majestic place…it inspires us.

Back on the ferry again. Off to the pearl of the lake, Bellagio.

Amazing view on the lake, right?

Below is the view from our friend’s house where we stayed in Varenna, a small fishing village with picturesque streets and alleyways. We met the Gala family 10 years ago while visiting this part of the country and still keep in touch. What a spectacular view.

…and amazing sunsets. This was our view while enjoying some wine and spirits out on the terrace.

The next morning, and we’re off again.

This time to the town of Como.

The view from the ferry as we approach Villa Balbianero in the village of Lenno. The location where many, many well known films have been shot as well as an amazing venue for weddings. We would absolutely be in heaven if we have an opportunity to photograph a wedding at this property, wink, wink. We got inspired and wanted to capture some photographs of us. I still would like to be behind the camera.

Next and final leg on our tour of Italy is Venice and its surroundings.

Stone Mountain Park, GA Engagement | Eddy and Diandra

October 15, 2016 0 Engagements

We love when our previous couples refer us to their friends. Eddy was a best man at Alex and Yaqui’s wedding we photographed back in 2015. When it was time for him to take the leap into marriage he remembered us and how great we were with his best friend that he had to quickly find out if we were available. We’re so happy to hear that. We want every one of our couples to feel like we are friends and always have their best interest in mind. Thank you Eddy and Diandra for trusting us. Can’t wait for your wedding in April. In the meantime, enjoy their engagement session taking place at Stone Mountain Park.

Aren’t they just adorable? They loved playing with each other. No complaints here.

They look adorable and felt so comfortable with each other.

A lovely end to a beautiful fall afternoon at Stone Mountain.

Check out our video slideshow from this session.

Atlanta, GA Engagement | Wesley and Chelsea

July 27, 2016 0 Engagements

Chelsea and Wesley are so adorable together. They met back in 2012 on Chelsea’s first day working at Peachtree Presbyterian Church. The two have been inseparable since. Take a look at their engagement session that took place at the historic Old Fourth Ward district of Atlanta over the summer. A local cat came by to check up on things during the session. How adorable and so very friendly.

Take a look at more from their session.

Alpharetta, GA Wedding | Ryan and Tara

July 22, 2016 0 Weddings

Ryan met Tara when she was a sophomore in college and he was a freshman. Tara let a Bible study for freshman at a campus ministry and Ryan came. He was quiet and seemingly stanoffish, but everyone was a little fascinated by his intelligence and quiet nature. At first Tara was annoyed that he didn’t talk more, but thought he was interesting and wanted to be his friend. Over the next three years, they became friends and spent time together in groups since they were both dating other people at the time. After they started dating and soon realized and admitted that they would’ve been interested in each other had they known the other was interested in them.

Ryan proposed after 10 months of dating. It happened one weekend in August when Tara went to visit him in his hometown. He told her his parents had planned to take her out to dinner. They arrived early and stopped at the town square. He walked her to the gazebo, and there was a note with her name on it. By the time she finished reading it, he was on one knee. He surprised her by inviting her parents to dinner that night and they all celebrated together.

Tara wore a beautiful ballgown from Atlanta Bridal Couture.

Ryan and Tara are amazing, inside and out. The flowers were gorgeous too. Flowers from Us.

The Metropolitan Club in Alpharetta was an amazing venue to host Ryan and Tara’s wedding reception. The cake by Cakes by Darcy was just as delicious.

The Gentlemen of Swing had the crowd up on their feet the entire night.

Wedding Coordinator: Emily Crawford / emily@emilycrawford.com
Ceremony/Reception Location: Alpharetta First United Methodist Church / The Metropolitan Club
Hair/Make up: Aryana and Leslie – Borelli’s Salon
Bride’s Dress: Atlanta Bridal Couture
Bridesmaid Dress: weddingtonway.com
Groom and Groomsmen attire: Jos A Banks
Florist: Flowers from Us
Cake Artist: Cakes by Darcy
Band: Gentlemen of Swing

Wanting more? Take a look at the video slideshow here.

OUR BLOG