OUR BLOG

Wedding at 550 Trackside by Atlanta Wedding Photographers Viridian Images Photography | Grace and Michael

June 9, 2020 0 Weddings
black and white wedding portrait with flare

Meeting our couple

When we last spent time with Michael and Grace it was during their spectacular engagement session at Ponce City Market and the Atlanta Beltline. It was there where we quickly came to appreciate their unique energy as a couple. Not to mention the fact that they love to travel the world as much as we do. So immediately we hit it off. Fast forward several months and here we are. Ready to document their big wedding day and we couldn’t be more thrilled to do so.

The wedding venue

Historic 550 Trackside was the scene of this memorable day. 550 began as a cotton warehouse in 1904 but across its storied existence it has also been known as The Langley General Store, The Mercantile Exchange, the Grinder and the Goldkist Building.

Made from granite pulled directly from Stone Mountain and 100-year-old wood it provides an elegant space perfect for occasions like this.

Tell me about the vibe

Really the word that best sums up the feeling for this wedding is relaxed. From the moment we arrived at the venue both the bride and groom were totally calm and enjoying the company of their closest friends. Not the usual nerves you see with so many other weddings. Since 550 Trackside has ample room, everyone was able to get ready at the venue. Guests arrived on time and even participated in helping put together the final touches on the decorations.

Nonetheless, a visual storyline will communicate the feel and beauty of the couple better than we can with our words. So please sit back and enjoy a few favorites from this fantastic wedding. Also, be sure to check us out on Facebook and Instagram for updates on the latest with Viridian Images Photography, Atlanta’s premier wedding photographers. 

guest seating chart chicken wire miniature clothespins
details of wedding reception set up at venue
tablescape details
wedding cake photo
groom with groomsmen getting ready
groom putting on cufflinks getting ready
groom putting on tie getting ready
detail of monogram embroidered on groom cuff
groom, groomsmen walking on street
bride helping mother makeup
bridesmaids helping bride wedding dress
bride putting on earing
bridesmaids surround bride with dress
bride and flower girl with paster praying
last minute bride prep bridesmaids
groom emotional reading bride letter
bride arrives for first look outside
groom sees bride first look
bride twirl during first look
bride portrait and couple portrait
bridal portrait
creative bridal portraits closeup
bride and groom kiss close up black and white
bride eyes portrait black and white
bride and groom and shadow portrait
backlit portraits inside wedding venue
groom walking during wedding ceremony
father and daughter ceremony processional
ceremony groom sees bride with father
bride during ceremony
tea ceremony
ceremony tears from family
bride and groom recessional after ceremony
couple's first dance
couple kiss after dance
couple arrive to reception
bride and groom first dance
emotional mother son dance
funny toasts reception
family giving toasts during wedding reception
couple cutting wedding cake
photobooth fun
girl caught bridal bouquet
creative bridal portrait backlit and light flare
couple send off with sparkler, final kiss

The team that made this wedding the fabulous event it was:

Awesome venue: 550 Trackside

Photographer: Viridian Images Photography

Caterer: Rico’s World Kitchen

Amazing hair and makeup: Nia Hair and Makeup

Wedding gown design by Essence of Australia purchased at: Suite Bridal

Brides maids gowns (various styles): JJsHouse in dusty rose

The dapper groom and groomsmen tuxedos: Savvi Formalwear

Flowers purchased from: FiftyFlowers

Drapes: Drapery by Geri Sims

Dinnerware rentals: We Rent Atlanta

Cake so good you have to have a second piece by: Carol Baking

Making it all legal: Pastor David Lee

Rocking the hits with: Core Elite Entertainment

Photo Booth fun: Stop the Time Photobooths

Atlanta, GA — Ponce City Market/Beltline Engagement | Michael & Grace

May 31, 2018 0 Engagements
couple back to back stain glass window

Weather in Georgia for an engagement session can be…

By Georgia standards Atlanta had a very strong winter. Temperatures stayed unusually low throughout the spring and rain seemed like a constant fixture almost every other day. Then out of nowhere we get a day in the low 90’s with scorching sun for Michael and Grace’s Ponce City Market and Beltline engagement session. That’s okay since this couple has all the warmth to match the setting.

A chance meeting

Grace and Michael met through their church. She had recently moved to Atlanta and really didn’t know many people. Thankfully her sister-in-law arranged a big lunch with many friends and invited her to come along. That’s where Michael came into the picture. They bonded immediately over the terrible Chinese buffet food they just had and how much they loved talking trash about each other’s favorite NBA teams. The rest is history as they say.

The details on their proposal

So, when the time came, how did he propose?

“He proposed at the Garden Lights, Holiday Lights show at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens in front of the lighted trees that changed colors according to the musical arrangement. It was magical and I was shocked (had no idea it was coming)!”

We met inside Ponce City Market which has quickly become a favorite spot for most Atlantans. Located on the Old Fourth Ward, this old Sears, Roebuck & Company building was renovated into a contemporary marketplace with a focus on food that reflects many of the flavors of this great city. The Atlanta Beltline connects right up to the market providing quick access to 45 great neighborhoods such as Virginia-Highland, Midtown and Inman park. The Beltline itself is a 22-mile loop of multi-use trails, parks and streetcars – all based on railroad corridors that formerly encircled Atlanta. It runs right through Piedmont Park (Atlanta’s version of Central Park) and it is packed with murals and sculptures from an eclectic mix of artists; becoming the largest temporary outdoor art exhibition in the south. As you can imagine, a location like this feels like a gold mine for both art-loving couples and photographers.

Our session began inside the market so we could take advantage of the backlit colored windows located throughout the Central Food Hall. Not to mention the air conditioning was cranking! A perfect way to kick off an engagement session with a couple so they could ease into the process. This couple truly has a blend of modern style with timeless elegance. Michael was rocking a navy bespoke suit with Allen Edmonds wingtips. His suit was a surprise gift from his future father-in-law during their most recent trip to Taiwan. Grace was glowing in a bohemian hunter green dress with Clarks Spiced Ava sandals. Both providing great contrast against all the backgrounds we used across the afternoon. From there we jumped directly on the Beltline so we could photograph one of their favorite murals at Paris on Ponce. A richly colored flower mural with a mini faux Eiffel Tower sculpture. The heat was starting to kick in a bit so we huddled up in a slightly shady corner of this display to catch a few silly moments with a rusty gorilla. Then we were off again, doubling back to the cartoon mural just over North avenue and a somewhat new favorite; the Tim Frank columns sculpture. Once again we scurried for some shade and managed to find some interesting green benches under an overhang adjacent to the entry back into Ponce. It was cooler there which gave us a chance to grab a few quick shots before we had to move on. Grace and Michael had some other murals they wanted to photograph with so we hopped in the car and drove a bit further down the Beltline so we could keep them nice and cool in their nice outfits. That trip brought us to two very popular pieces of art. First up their personal favorite, the Hense mural by Alex Brewer. Or as they call it, the “bubble” mural. As one can imagine, a beautiful warm day in Atlanta means there was a lot of foot traffic going through this area. So, we decided to incorporate shots of joggers and bikers coming through our shots using a slow shutter drag. Directly on the opposite side is the second point of interest. Brandon Sadler’s / Rising Red Lotus masterpiece. A large mural featuring a circular pond of brightly colored koi.

Before we knew it almost 3 hours had gone by since we first began the shoot. A testament to how much fun we had with this couple and their incredible disposition. They were willing to go along with every crazy request we threw their way to obtain the most artistic imagery we could create on the spot. Battling large crowds, long walking distances and blistering temperatures in a suit and dress, no less. Thanks Michael and Grace for allowing us to share our love of artistic photography with you. We can’t wait to continue our adventure with you this summer at your wedding, where we look to document so many friends and family coming in from various destinations from around the world to share in your special day!

couple laughing stain glass window

couple face each other laughing black and white

bashful couple in corner hugging

intimate couple close up lips black and white

shy couple against corner facing each other

editorial pose couple side by side

editorial pose girl giddy over boy black and white

From there we jumped directly on the Beltline so we could photograph one of their favorite murals at Paris on Ponce. A richly colored flower mural with a mini faux Eiffel Tower sculpture.

editorial paris at ponce couple walking hold hands

couple editorial paris at ponce hold hands

romantic kiss outside hug

The heat was starting to kick in a bit so we huddled up in a slightly shady corner of this display to catch a few silly moments with a rusty gorilla.

whimsical kiss with metal gorilla watching

couple walking on beltline bridge sunglasses

Then we were off again, doubling back to the cartoon mural just over North avenue and a somewhat new favorite; the Tim Frank columns sculpture.

couple sitting back to back graffiti pink pig

couple hug from below metal posts

couple kiss from behind metal posts artwork

Once again we scurried for some shade and managed to find some interesting green benches under an overhang adjacent to the entry back into Ponce. It was cooler there which gave us a chance to grab a few quick shots before we had to move on.

whimsical couple sitting side by side on bench

couple sitting on bench flirting

Grace and Michael had some other murals they wanted to photograph with so we hopped in the car and drove a bit further down the Beltline so we could keep them nice and cool in their nice outfits. That trip brought us to two very popular pieces of art. First up their personal favorite, the Hense mural by Alex Brewer. Or as they call it, the “bubble” mural. As one can imagine, a beautiful warm day in Atlanta means there was a lot of foot traffic going through this area. So, we decided to incorporate shots of joggers and bikers coming through our shots using a slow shutter drag. Directly on the opposite side is the second point of interest. Brandon Sadler’s / Rising Red Lotus masterpiece. A large mural featuring a circular pond of brightly colored koi.

creative mirror reflection couple and cyclist peace sign

creative mirror reflection couple bubble art mural beltline

couple bubble mural beltline

couple face each other along bubble art mural laughing

couple facing fish mural beltline with cyclist

editorial portrait front of fish mural beltline

ring shot black and white atlanta beltline

couple embrace back to chest fish mural beltline

playful couple tickling fish mural atlanta beltline

romantic couple front of ponce city market sign

fun couple hug on parking lot stairs

Pin It on Pinterest