In downtown Atlanta there are a plethora of wonderful venues that make it so interesting for an Atlanta wedding photographer. They each have their own personality and are so much fun!
The first one that comes to mind is Ventanas which screams Atlanta! It has the best view of the skyline of Atlanta. They have a wraparound terrace where you can have your ceremony or cocktail hour for your guests. In the interior there are two stories of floor to ceiling windows that overlook Olympic Park, Mercedes Benz stadium, the Ferris Wheel, and Georgia Aquarium. The crown jewel of the venue is the helicopter landing pad on the roof. It gives you a 360 panoramic view of the city that is unobscured. As well as a dramatic backdrop to memorable wedding photos.
One of the grandest of all venues downtown is the Biltmore Ballrooms. It was built in 1924 as part of the Biltmore hotel and was the premier hotel at the time, billed as the “the South’s supreme Hotel.” The hotel was restored to its original glory in 1999 with the renovation of the Georgian and Imperial Ballrooms and it is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The large columns and terrace are just the beginning of the grand historic details. Inside the ballrooms are tall painted ceilings reminiscent of the great European palaces.
My favorite venue by far is the Fox Theatre. It is an Atlanta landmark known throughout the south. It is famous for concerts and the mosque style architecture of the middle east. The ornate designed interior has gold leaf details and sumptuous handmade fabric. There is even exquisite trompe l’oeil art (an art technique that uses realistic imagery to create optical illusions) inside. There are two reception rooms and an outside terrace. The biggest room is the Egyptian Ballroom where there are large columns accenting the room and in the back there is a large balcony to overlook the festivities. The staff at the Fox are some of the better out there.
The Fox Theatre is one of Atlanta’s premiere venues for live entertainment, and the photographers at Atlanta Artistic Weddings have been honored to shoot at this venue multiple times. This venue has an extraordinarily rich history in Atlanta, starting when it was bought by William Fox, who opened this “movie palace” on Christmas Day in 1925 with the premiere of Disney’s popular cartoon Steamboat Willie. The Fox quickly became a favorite venue of the Atlanta community and expanded over time to include performances by acclaimed opera and theatre companies, concerts from pop music legends, and community dances at the peak of Swing and Big Band music.
Rhodes Hall is a high-profile historic house in the heart of downtown known as the “Castle on Peachtree.” Built in 1904, Rhodes Hall has been an Atlanta landmark for generations. While it was originally the residence of Rhodes Furniture founder Amos Rhodes, today it is a house museum and one of the most unique venues in Atlanta for social and corporate events. The upper floors of the “Castle on Peachtree” are also headquarters for The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. Rhodes Hall is a wonderful place to host your wedding. There is a wraparound porch for your guests at cocktail hour. For the bride there is a large bridal suite for changing. In the main room there is a grand staircase and wood paneling that makes a statement.
999 Peachtree Street Center is the home of the Peachtree Club. The Peachtree Club is located on the 28th floor. The club's high-rise terrace is the primary feature of the venue. It is a large open terrace 28 floors up and has one of the best views of the city. You are level with the top of some of Atlanta's landmark buildings. Maggie is a wedding planner there and she is a consummate professional.
The next venue worth putting on your radar is Terminus 330 located in the heart of downtown. The upstairs of the venue is the epitome of industrial chic with an impressive wrought iron entrance that welcomes guests into a large open space with original hardwoods, exposed brick, vaulted ceiling, and warm natural light. The downstairs is a 1920’s inspired space that reminds me of the prohibition days, with original stonework and vintage lighting. There is even a rooftop terrace where you get a panoramic view of the Atlanta skyline.