A Spiritual, Woodsy Wedding in Blairsville, Georgia

Ashley and Justin

Ashley, the regional manager of bridal store The White Magnolia Bridal Collection, and Justin, a wedding photographer, first met in November 2013 at a holiday party hosted by a wedding vendor. Entranced by her beauty, Justin decided to do some "networking" and introduce himself, with a friend in tow for support. After the "hello's," Justin learned that Ashley had just moved to Tampa, Florida, to open another store and offered to send her a list of business contacts. One week later, the pair reunited at another industry holiday party, where Justin's infatuation only grew. Justin and his friend decided to pay Ashley a visit at the new shop—for "networking" purposes, of course. At the end, Justin turned to his friend and asked, "Do you think Ashley is out of my league? Because she is marriage material." Justin slowly pursued Ashley over the next few months, and they became a couple in 2014. Little did these two Tampa-based professionals know that they'd be planning their own ceremony one day.

A year and a half later, Justin and Ashley were in Jacksonville, Florida, for a friend's birthday party. On the morning of the supposed celebration, Justin woke Ashley up and asked if she wanted to watch the sunrise with him on the beach. When the couple arrived, Ashley was met with candles lining the walkway to the shore. As they approached the water, Justin gave Ashley a journal stamped with their favorite Bible verse, with a year's worth of entries about how he was preparing to make her his wife inside. As they rounded the corner, Ashley noticed a small picnic, with blankets, candles, and lanterns. But what she didn't notice was a photographer, ready to capture the moment when Justin popped the question.

But the surprises weren't over yet. After saying "yes," the couple pulled up to Maple Street Biscuit Company, Ashley's favorite breakfast spot. Usually closed on Sundays, Justin had rented out the entire restaurant and invited all of their friends and family to celebrate the happy occasion. Even Ashley's parents were there, though they live seven hours away.

When deciding a venue, the couple wanted a location that offered guest lodging, mountain views, no time restrictions, and the freedom to have a multi-day occasion. They found all of that in Sugarboo Farms, and, on September 17, 2016—exactly one year after their engagement—held an intimate celebration surrounded by 79 of their closest friends and family in Blairsville, Georgia.

Watch Ashley and Justin's wedding video by Voila Cinematic.

The Invites

Their stationery suite by Paper Daisies Stationery featured printed invites and a watercolor map of Sugarboo Farms housed in folded paper with laser-cut wooden trees. "They were truly the most amazing invites I have ever seen," the bride says. "I am still floored with how great they turned out!"

The couple wanted something tangible and unique for their save-the-dates, so Paper Daisies Stationery stamped it onto a circular slice of wood that doubled as a magnet.

Welcome to Camp

The Thursday before the wedding, the couple hosted an adult summer camp called Camp DeMutiis. The groom's friend Ian played counselor and led five different teams—40 people in total—in group activities throughout the day. The final task? Produce a short film describing a memorable moment in the couple's relationship. "Since there were 11 photographers in attendance and several videographers, the videos were incredible and absolutely hilarious!" Justin says. "We didn't expect to love them so much, and we will treasure them forever."

The First Look

Justin's favorite moment of the day was seeing his bride for the first time in her ceremony dress.

The Accessories

Ashley was determined to find the perfect pair of shoes to match the occasion's dusty blue-and-burgundy color scheme. After a grueling hunt online, she found what she was looking for with these suede maroon pointy-toe pumps. She accessorized with a bejeweled headband and earrings from Haute Bride.

The Rings

Ashley and Justin bought their gold wedding bands (left and center) from Summit Diamond Corporation. Hers was embedded with diamonds, while his featured a woodgrain pattern.

Creative Cuff Links

As an homage to his job as a wedding photographer, Justin donned camera cuff links from ABellaGift.

The Attire

Justin donned a navy suit from Bespoke & Co. and paired it with a knit burgundy tie and paisley pocket square from Suitsupply.

Ashley wore a Beatrice Couture Designs veil and a dusty blush Modern Trousseau lace dress—picked out by the owner of The White Magnolia Bridal Collection, where Ashley is the regional manager. "The second I put it on, I said, 'this is it,'" she says.

A Bold Bundle

The bride's colorful bouquet, arranged by Jade Lee Events, featured a mix of blush roses, dahlias, anemones, chocolate cosmos, delphinium, and assorted greenery.

A Pine Poster

A wooden board by Paper Daisies Stationery outlined the ceremony's readings and songs.

The Processional

Ashley's father walked her down the aisle to a cover of Christina Perri's "A Thousand Years" by The Piano Guys.

At the Altar

The ceremony took place on a secluded field at Sugarboo Farms amidst the trees and open air, and was officiated by Scott Patterson, a close friend and fellow photographer. The cross at the altar symbolized the couple's deep religious ties.

A Communion to Remember

During the ceremony, the couple took communion with wine, grapes, and bread while their friend Renee played "Like an Avalanche" by Hillsong United—one of the couple's favorite songs. A ring warming also took place, with their wedding bands getting passed around for guests to pray over.

Valuable Vows

During the traditional ceremony, the couple read their own vows, which was the bride's favorite part of the day.

The Recessional

The couple made their first steps officially as husband and wife to "Best Day of My Life" by American Authors, and paused for a sweet embrace after walking back up the aisle.

The Reception

After moving to a different part of the expansive field for cocktail hour, guests traveled to yet another section for the reception, where they sat under strings of bulb lights hung by friends and family the morning of. Candle jars handmade by the mother of the bride were hung from the trees.

Guests dined on comfort food classics like barbecue chicken, macaroni and cheese, Southern-style green beans, and broccoli salad—all prepared by Catering by Cindy. Ashley is not a fan of cake, so pies from Southern Sweets Bakery were served for dessert instead.

Turning Tables

Gauzy fabric ran from each end of the white wooden tables, set by Jade Lee Events, which were then adorned with candles and colorful flower arrangements.

The Center of Attention

For the centerpieces, Jade Lee Events placed bundles of roses, delphinium, dahlias, and foliage in gold vases from Botanica International Design & Décor Studio. Bottles of wine with custom labels by Paper Daisies Stationery, blue taper candles in gold holders, and tea light candles in textured glass votive holders also graced the scene.

Put in Place

Each place setting featured a round placemat topped with a dusty blue napkin and menu—all tied together with a matching ribbon. The menu was printed on white textured paper with a blue watercolor background.

Change of A Dress

"I had no idea what I wanted to wear, and actually put off dress shopping until the last possible minute because I was so nervous," the bride says of her search to find her dream wedding dress. After trying on patterned ball gowns, Ashley put on this Willowby by Watters "Lanikai" crop top and "Amora" skirt on a whim and fell head-over-heels for it. However, she wanted something more classic for the ceremony, so she chose to wear the separate set to the reception. "I never expected to love this cropped look, but the second I had it on I just knew," she says. "It felt timeless but still fun."

Life of the Party

The couple did not have a formal wedding party, but still took group pictures with their closest friends. The bride's confidants—nicknamed "The Wolf Pack"— wore varying floral print dresses and jumpsuits in lieu of matching gowns.

Let the Music Play

The couple led guests through the long and dark woods to the dance floor with a boom box playing "Walk This Way" by Aerosmith. "It was the perfect start to an incredibly fun evening," Justin says of the dancing, which lasted until midnight. "I don't remember leaving the dance floor once." Once there, the bride and groom danced to "Orange Sky" by Alexi Murdoch. The rest of the party got down to mixes made by the DJ.

Post-reception, the party traveled to the pool for an unofficial after-party, where Ashley took a dive in her dress. "After our wedding, all of our friends said they haven't had that much fun since high school," Justin says.

Sources

Photography, Brett Heidebrecht

Location, Sugarboo Farms

Event Planning and Flowers, Jade Lee Events

Catering, Catering by Cindy

Videography, Voila Cinematic

Officiant, Scott Patterson

Stationery, Paper Daisies Stationery

Pies, Southern Sweets Bakery

Music, Eric Harding of Grant Hemond and Associates

Rentals, Botanica International Design & Décor Studio; Kate Ryan Linens

Bride's gown, Modern Trousseau (ceremony); Willowby by Watters (reception)

Bride's accessories, Beatrice Couture Designs veil; Haute Bride headband and jewelry

Hair and Makeup, Scoobie West & Company

Groom's suit, Bespoke & Co.

Groom's accessories, Suitsupply tie and pocket square