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Wedding at In the Woods Rockmart, GA | Casi & Kyle

July 23, 2019 0 Weddings
couple portrait in the woods

How the day began

It was a blistering hot start to this beautiful sunny day in June. Summer had arrived as evidenced by the beads of sweat forming on our foreheads as we take inventory of our gear in the car. Yet the moment we arrive to the setting of today’s wedding you totally forget the high temps.

After all, today we get to work in Rockmart’s dreamy In the Woods wedding venue! A 250 acre of lush woodlands surround a modern-rustic ceremony pavilion and a peaceful lake. A total gem in Georgia’s vast northwestern landscape.

The only thing better than shooting at this location is spending time with Casi and Kyle themselves. Such incredibly friendly people; it’s easy to lose track of time just hanging out with them. You may remember their lovely fall engagement session at Piedmont Park. If not, now might be a good time to check out their engagement blog post to get a better feel for how they met and who they are.

After several hellos and hugs, we split up to begin our getting ready coverage for the day. The groom and his buddies have their own private spot by the pool near the entrance of the venue. While Casi and the girls enjoy the bridal suite cabin overlooking the lake and the chapel.

Kyle, a pilot, enjoys a very relaxed but animated conversation with his groomsmen on a fluffy couch over drinks. Some are in the same industry and others are just close friends. A varying array of topics are on display with most sentences beginning with “remember when”. Then ending with side-splitting laughs.  

Meanwhile Casi is having her own fun with the girls as they finish up their hair and makeup. With all the ladies in colorful matching robes moving swiftly around the suite; it’s almost like watching a painting in motion. They enjoy a little champagne as we breeze through some quick group portraits. Finally, the time comes to get dressed. Casi’s dress arrives hand delivered by mom and her maid of honor. A beautiful strapless ball gown from Stella York Design purchased at Suite Bridal. It’s perfect! She’s in the dress and ready to go in almost record time. By now the guys are almost done getting dressed. Their last hurdle is getting those tie knots perfect. This is one of our favorite parts of the day to shoot. There’s nothing like watching several guys cramming over a mirror as they flip long silky pieces of fabric around as if it were a synchronized event at the Olympics.  Success! Kyle looks like a million bucks. So, we quickly take some group shots with his groomsmen outside by the pool and on the way the way back to the cabin. In about 10 minutes we return to their room, so they can enjoy the comfort of some air conditioning on this very hot day.

The first look

Just about that time the phone rings and we get word from the coordinator that Casi is ready for the first look. So, Kyle is quickly shuttled to the dock on the lake and we get him set up for her approach. What a trooper. The sun is beating down on him as his bride makes her way from the cabin. Nonetheless he patiently waits.  Something made much easier when your view includes a glass-like lake, blue skies and trees that wrap this scene up in a million shades of green.

At last! She taps him on the shoulder and he gets to see his beauty. A very tender moment; so, we give them a little time alone as we photograph from a distance.

Now we can have some fun with portraits. This venue provides so many great photography spots it’s almost hard to decide where to begin. But we quickly make use of the dock, a dry creek bridge and the neighboring woods before heading into the honeymoon suite to cool down again and freshen up.

Time to get married

Next up is the ceremony. The chapel is already buzzing with guests and the groomsmen are doing their job. No, they’re not just welcoming friends and ushering folks to their seats under the cool breeze of the chapel’s monstrous airplane propeller ceiling fans. No, they are ribbing and making the groom laugh as he waits. Basically, making him feel relaxed and at ease.

Meanwhile the bride is on her way to the back entrance of the chapel with her father. A large wooden gate and a stone pathway provides a grand entrance for Casi. There’s a quiet moment before the music begins and those large doors slowly open. We’re off! The bride and groom connect eyes immediately as she makes her way to the front and the ceremony begins. The bridal party flanks the couple on either side of the stage as the audience follow the proceedings. About 30 minutes later it’s official. They’re married, and a kiss seals the deal.

After a quick session of family photos, we sneak in a few more bridal portraits before packing up our gear to head to the reception.

Time to get this party started

The reception hall is so warm and inviting! 5200 square feet of space designed with an elegant-rustic flair, befitting the natural setting of the country side. Exceptional landscaping surrounds the stone courtyard and the outdoor bar used for cocktail hour. Another highlight; the massive bar doors that lead guests into the building.  Casi’s style is evident both with the details chosen to decorate this large space.

But everyone is hungry and ready to party. So, we roll right into the start of the reception with the introductions of the bridal party and the couple. This is quickly followed by the first dances and the toasts. As dinner begins we utilize this down time for additional scouting and gear prep to set ourselves up for some creative night time portraits. All the time we’re keeping and eye on sunset and twilight times, so we can make the most of a colorful sky.

As we make our way back in, the dance floor is ready to open. No shy folks here. With the first song there are 5 or 6 couples getting down. Covering the dance floor is another one of our favorite times at a wedding because we can document so many special moments as people let loose. Casi is right in the middle of it all with her bridesmaids. A little further along into the festivities we move to the cake cutting. A beautiful cake produced by Gabriel’s Desserts.

We peek outside and it’s just about the right time to take advantage of the changing light as we approach sunset. So, we rush over to the couple and ask for just 20 minutes of their time, so we can create some very special images for them. By now we’ve also spoken to the coordinator and they have a golf cart ready to zip us over to our pre-scouted locations. So off we go. We head back to the water and the dock to get some romantic portraits using some creative off camera flash work to highlight the couple in this setting. The orange string lights add to the mood and feel of the moment. Then we rush over to find the tallest hill on the property, so we can tower the couple over the tree line against the colorful evening sky.

Before you know it we’re back at the party and we’re feeling stoked about having such a productive portrait session. Now it’s just about having fun and boy did they all have fun. The reception continued for a couple of hours before it was time for their sparkler-limo exit. What a spectacular day working with Kyle and Casi while meeting so many new folks. We highly recommend In the Woods as one of the top venues in Georgia to have your wedding unfold. Need more firsthand details about how to plan your photography for this venue? Contact us and we’ll be happy to assist!

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

Planning and coordination by the spectacular: Kathie Shramm — In the Woods

Magnificent venue: In the Woods Events

Officiant: Jason Young

Amazing hair artist: Alyson Taylor

Fabulous make up artist: Stephanie Lee

Wedding gown design by: Stella York

Bridesmaids Gowns: Watters Linden Dress

The dapper groom and groomsmen tuxedos: The Black Tux

Flower arrangements by: A Perfect Wedding Floral Design

Drapery: sourced through Geri Sims

Cake so good you have to have a second piece by: Gabriels Desserts

Rocking the house down with: The TC Show

Limousine: ATL Car Service & Limousines

Videographer: Enjoy New Media

overall view of wedding ceremony site pavilion
wedding dress hanging in front of bridal cabin
sign found in pool house
groom and best man relaxing before ceremony
groom and groomsmen tying ties
groomsmen tying ties
groom portrait and brides letter to groom
bride getting hair done with her bridesmaids looking on
bride drinking champagne with bridesmaids in floral robes laughing
happy bride to be admiring dress hanging
bride and mother with bridesmaids fit bride to dress
bridesmaids preparing dress for departure to ceremony
emotional father first look of daughter in wedding dress
bride leaving bridal cabin heading to wedding ceremony
groomsmen portrait at pool house
groomsmen having drinks while walking to wedding
bride approaching groom on dock
bride approaching groom on dock full view
bride portrait on dock ramp lower angle
view of bride coming towards groom
groom turns around for first look
bride and groom portrait on dock
wedding couple portrait on dock lower angle
bride portrait on dry creek bridge near lake and dock
romantic bridal portraits in the woods
bride and bridesmaids walking on lawn near lake
cute ring bearers ready with cute signs for groom about bride
wedding party gathering ready for ceremony to begin
bride collecting herself before ceremony begins
father and bride open barn doors
father and bride processional
groom sees bride down aisle
wedding ceremony vows groom
wedding ceremony vows bride
bridal party photo during ceremony
first kiss during ceremony
portraits of bride after wedding
unique wedding portraits at sunset
funny father/daughter dance and wedding toasts
cake cutting
romantic portrait of bride and groom on dock at dusk
dusk photos with bride and groom on dock
sunset portraits with bride and groom
wedding reception in full swing
couple exiting reception with sparklers

Walnut Hill Farm Wedding Dalton, GA | Andrew & Danielle

November 22, 2018 0 Weddings

It’s Wedding Day at Walnut Hill Farm!

It was a cool November morning when we drove up to Walnut Hill Farm to begin our coverage of Andrew and Danielle’s wedding. Located in Dalton, Georgia this venue provides a tranquil setting around some of the state’s most scenic rolling hills. Everywhere you look shades of red, orange and yellow. Fall had officially begun making a statement. Just in time for this special day.

Walnut Hill Farm Ceremony Setting

As usual we immediately split up to begin documenting the getting ready portion of the day. Danielle and the bridesmaids enjoyed the suite above the Hilltop Farm while Andrew and the boys were clear across the property at the Carriage house.

Let’s get ready

Where nerves can sometimes set in for couples the day of the wedding, both Andrew and Danielle had a very calm and relaxed approached to each step leading up to the ceremony. The guys enjoyed a drink and some old childhood stories before swapping comfortable jeans for some sharp suits. The ladies enjoyed their own drinks while getting their hair and makeup completed.

Wedding Dress Detail Walnut Hill Farms

Bride Getting Ready Makeup Hair Walnut Hill Farm

Bride Getting Makeup Walnut Hill Farm

Bride and Bridesmaids Flower Robes Walnut Hill Farm

Bride with wedding dress Walnut Hill Farm

Bride first look with bridesmaids Walnut Hill Farm

Bride with veil Walnut Hill Farm

Walnut Hill Farm bride with bridesmaids portrait

Groomsmen enjoying beer Walnut Hill Farms

Groom relaxing with groomsmen Walnut Hill Farm

Groom putting on vest Walnut Hill Farm

Creative angle of groom getting ready Walnut Hill Farm

Groomsmen putting boutonniere on groom

Groomsmen putting boutonniere on Groom Walnut Hill Farm

Funny portrait of groom with groomsmen Walnut Hill Farm

Before it seemed possible, the time had come for the first look. We took the couple outside and under a long extended trellis surrounded by roses. They took turns reading personal notes before turning around to see each other. After giving them a few private minutes together we were ready to begin shooting bridal portraits.

Groom with groomsmen walking Walnut Hill Farm

First look couple ready letter to each other Walnut Hill Farm

Couple first look Climbing rose trellis Walnut Hill Farm

Wedding portraits in this setting…ahhhhhh

What a spectacular day for photographing a couple outside. The sun was shining, the temperatures were comfortable and the property had a beautiful garden around the Carriage House. Nonetheless what made their portraits so fantastic was the chemistry they obviously have with each other. To know Andrew and Danielle is to know they are incredibly good-natured, selfless and always positive. That’s not an exaggeration. It’s truly how they are. But above all else, their love is evident at every turn.

Bride and Groom first look Walnut Hill Farm

Bride with bridesmaids walking Walnut Hill Farm

Bridal portrait Walnut Hill Farm Dalton GA

Bridal portrait gate Walnut Hill Farm Dalton GA

Creative shadow portrait couple Walnut Hill Farm Dalton GA

It’s show time

Finally the time had come to begin the ceremony. Overlooking the valley they united for their vows. Surrounded by family and friends and one of their service dogs too; they made it official. A big sweeping kiss and several family photos later, it was now time to party!

Groom before ceremony Walnut Hill Farm Dalton GA

Bride and father walking down aisle Walnut Hill Farm Dalton GA

Wedding Ceremony with service dog Walnut Hill Farm Dalton GA

wedding ring and first kiss ceremony Walnut Hill Farm Dalton GA

recessional walnut hill farm dalton ga

reception entrance with flower girl ring bearer walnut hill farm dalton ga

first dance with father daughter mother son walnut hill farm ga

party dancing service dog walnut hill farm dalton ga

garter toss reception walnut hill farm dalton ga

couple dancing wedding reception walnut hill farm dalton ga

creative portrait wedding sunset walnut hill farm dalton ga

sparkler exit walnut hill farm dalton ga

And in the end…

We are so grateful we met Andrew and Danielle. It was truly a pleasure to cover their entire journey from engagement to the moment they said: “I do”!

We couldn’t have done it without the talents of the following:

Wonderful venue: Walnut Hill Farm

Hair artist: Katey Guffey – The Retreat Salon and Spa

Make up artist: Ellen

Wedding gown: Martina Liana at Formally Yours

Brides maids Gowns: David’s Bridal – shades of Guava and Bellini

The dapper groom and groomsmen tuxedos: Men’s Warehouse

Flower arrangements by: Amanda Williams – Devine Designs by Amanda

Catering:  Jasa Joseph

Cake(s): Jennifer White

Dancing courtesy of: John Cox

Click below to see their day as it unfolds:

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