I have talked to a lot of Atlanta wedding photographers.  We chat about all the beautiful venues in our city and how we love the diverse choices brides and grooms have.  Since my background is in historic preservation I tend to like historic venues.  The most popular historic church in Atlanta is Christ the King and to me the best historic home is Naylor Hall. This week’s couple Katherine and Forest are people after my own heart.  They chose both of those venues.  

Katherine and Forest were recommended to me by Abbey from Naylor Hall.  I have shot numerous weddings at Naylor Hall and everytime is so much fun.  I feel like I find a new photo location each time I am there.  As the light changes at Naylor Hall it reveals new ways to present itself and shine like the beauty it is.  

Katherine and Forest’s wedding day started at Christ the King, the ceremony location.  Katherine got there first with her mom and sister.  They got dressed in the newly renovated bridal room.  It is a large room located on the second floor at the street level entrance.  Inside the room there is everything a bride would need.  This includes several large full length mirrors,  a few makeup stations with mirrors for the bridesmaids, two large couches, chairs and plenty of outlets for whatever the brides team may need.  There is even a large chandelier in the middle of the room for a touch of grandeur.  

The guys arrived a little later and came dressed.  They put on their boutonnieres in the conference room down the hall from the ladies.  The groom’s dad had picked the flowers for the boutonnieres from a flower farm near their mountain cabin in North Carolina. They were a nice heartfelt touch from the dad for the guys.  

While the ladies were still getting ready I took the guys outside to the garden area to the east of the church. Where there is a quiet little sanctuary for guests.  It has a brick patio, benches and many beautiful flowers for a perfect photo backdrop.  The guys were awesome and we knocked their photos out quickly.  Once done I tucked them away so they would not see the bride.  

Once they were safely away I brought out Katherine.  Her mom and sister were doting on her as she was getting ready to leave the bridal room. Her hair and dress were perfect and complemented the bride.  We went outside to the garden again and took some photos with the bride and her family.  We only had a few minutes so we went back inside and got ready for the wedding.  While everyone was lining up for the wedding I snuck off with the bride and her sister and took a few more photos in the large hall next to the sanctuary.  It is a grand room with large stained glass, marble columns and an arched ceiling.  Once we were finished there it was show time!

The guests were escorted to the front of the church where they filled up the pews.  Once they were seated the family entered and filled in the front two pews.  The priest and the two accolades came in after the guests were seated and then the parents and close family members came after.  While they trickled in Katherine and her dad were nervously chatting and getting ready for their entrance. Once the groom was in place the music changed, the guests rose to their feet and turned to see the beautiful bride escorted by her father to the altar. The ceremony was rather quick since they did not have a full mass.  The priest shared some very thoughtful advice for life and marriage.  After a few more words and a brief blessing they were pronounced husband and wife.  They then had their first married kiss in front of god and guests. 

I wanted to say a few things about Christ the King.  It is not only a beautiful church and Atlanta landmark but the staff are consummate professionals.  I have shot at Christ the King several times and this particular wedding coordinator was outstanding!  She ran everything so smoothly with precision and ease.

Once we were through at the church we went to Naylor Hall.  We were greeted by one of my favorite people in the world, Abbey.  She made sure everyone was taken care of and that Naylor Hall was the perfect setting for a  welcoming reception for the bride and groom’s guests. 

Once the guests started to arrive Katherine and Forrest were tucked away so no one would see them.  The guests went to the side of the front porch at Naylor where they enjoyed cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. After about a few minutes or so the DJ announced the bridal party.  The groomsmen and bridesmaids came on to the porch then went down the steps.  Once that was done the bride and groom were announced and they shared their first dance on the porch in front of their guests.  You could feel the love in the air. They finished the dance and walked down the steps and enjoyed their guests in the front yard.  The weather was perfect.  The couple caught up with everyone then the party went inside for dinner.

Before the dinner was served though there was the father daughter dance and the son and mother dance.  Everyone applauded the families then enjoyed a wonderful dinner and band.  The band kept the crowd going until the exit where the remaining guest cheered on the couple and their new adventure as husband and wife.

Thanks for checking out this Atlanta wedding photographers blog! I hope you enjoyed the read and found it interesting! Make sure you keep coming back to our blog to see what the Atlanta wedding photographers at Atlanta Artistic Weddings get up to! If you’d like to contact me go to the contact page and drop me a line at https://www.atlantaartisticweddings.com/contact-atlanta-wedding-photographer. I would love to hear from you!

Thanks again!

Source: https://www.atlantaartisticweddings.com/

Source: https://www.atlantaartisticweddings.com/