A Sophisticated Ethereal Wedding at Georgian Terrace in Atlanta, Georgia

After their courthouse marriage in May 2014, Rachel Lewis (32 and a US Air Force command post controller) and Rob Edwards (39 and a US Air Force firefighter) celebrated their nuptials with a getaway at the stately Georgian Terrace in Atlanta, Georgia. “We fell in love with the hotel’s charm, history and sophisticated decor, and the staff was just amazing,” Rachel says. “It was the obvious choice.” Two years after their weekend rendezvous, the couple renewed their vows and celebrated their love surrounded by family and friends at the posh hotel. “Since we were having friends and family from all over the world, we wanted to give them a taste of the sophistication that can be found in the South,” Rachel says. “What better way to do that than being married at one of Georgia’s most iconic locations.” The bride drew her inspiration from the "Lord of the Rings" and a dream she had where she was walking in a moonlit enchanted forest. The ceremony altar was inspired by a painting of the White Tree of Gondor from "Lord of the Rings." A white tree with glowing lights provided their ceremony space with a magical backdrop, while plants and flowers lined the aisle, adding to the room’s mystical forest feel. A serene color scheme of gray, blue gray and lilac along with opulent florals and greenery made Rachel’s dream a reality. Since the bride and groom both come from large Southern families, food was important. During cocktail hour, they served mini fried green tomatoes, crab cakes and waffle-batter chicken bites. An array of specialty food stations and a chicken and petit filet dinner kept guests well fed. For favors, the couple gave guests boxes of Krispy Kreme doughnuts to take home. “It was perfect since Krispy Kreme doughnuts are from North Carolina, like Rob,” Rachel says. “They're his favorite!” —Marissa Hermanson