From sacred religious customs to charming old wives tales, wedding day traditions exist throughout the world. In Germany, the newlyweds clean up porcelain dishes thrown by wedding guests—a ritual to ward off evil spirits—to signify their ability to work together and face future challenges. In the Republic of Congo, the bride and groom aren’t allowed to smile on their wedding day. This demonstrates their understanding and commitment to the seriousness of marriage. In the Philippines, the couple releases two white doves—one female, one male—to represent a life filled with harmony. And the list goes on. The same can be said for the States.

One of the most well-known American wedding day traditions originates from an Old English rhyme: “Something Olde, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, A Sixpence in your Shoe.” This catchy rhyme refers to five different good-luck charms a bride should incorporate into her outfit or carry with her on her wedding day. While some brides forgo tradition, others embrace it, especially by including family heirlooms and keepsakes on their big day—a popular and quite stylish trend.

Back in late October of last year, Atlanta Artistic Weddings photographed Jennifer and Jonathan’s lovely fairytale wedding at the Emory Conference Center Hotel. Rather than selecting a customary wedding gown, Jennifer preferred “something old.” She chose a different approach to bridal fashion by altering and wearing her grandmother’s—and later, mother’s—vintage A-line skirt. She coordinated the timeless garment with a contemporary top for a stunning bridal look. 

Last week, AAW photographed more photos of Jennifer in her grandmother’s elegant wedding gown at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. This premier Atlanta venue is an extraordinary place dripping with natural, architectural and historic beauty. To give a brief history, Callanwolde was built between 1917 and 1921, and is considered a simple, yet more modern approach to late Gothic Revival-style architecture. It has served as Charles Howard Candler’s family home, the First Christian Church of Atlanta’s educational program, an artist studio and currently, a non-profit community fine arts center. It has become a popular locale for many Atlanta wedding affairs, including several photographed by AAW.

For some dramatic photos with a touch of artistic flare, romance and beauty, Jennifer was positioned on Callanwolde’s grand staircase, which showcased her gorgeous wedding dress. The way in which the fabric and lines of the room matched were simply superb. Jennifer’s mother, Lynn, even joined in on the fun. Between the natural light and the incredible architecture, AAW was able to capture some beautiful bridal shots.