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Wedding at In the Woods Rockmart, GA | Casi & Kyle

July 23, 2019 0 Weddings
couple portrait in the woods

How the day began

It was a blistering hot start to this beautiful sunny day in June. Summer had arrived as evidenced by the beads of sweat forming on our foreheads as we take inventory of our gear in the car. Yet the moment we arrive to the setting of today’s wedding you totally forget the high temps.

After all, today we get to work in Rockmart’s dreamy In the Woods wedding venue! A 250 acre of lush woodlands surround a modern-rustic ceremony pavilion and a peaceful lake. A total gem in Georgia’s vast northwestern landscape.

The only thing better than shooting at this location is spending time with Casi and Kyle themselves. Such incredibly friendly people; it’s easy to lose track of time just hanging out with them. You may remember their lovely fall engagement session at Piedmont Park. If not, now might be a good time to check out their engagement blog post to get a better feel for how they met and who they are.

After several hellos and hugs, we split up to begin our getting ready coverage for the day. The groom and his buddies have their own private spot by the pool near the entrance of the venue. While Casi and the girls enjoy the bridal suite cabin overlooking the lake and the chapel.

Kyle, a pilot, enjoys a very relaxed but animated conversation with his groomsmen on a fluffy couch over drinks. Some are in the same industry and others are just close friends. A varying array of topics are on display with most sentences beginning with “remember when”. Then ending with side-splitting laughs.  

Meanwhile Casi is having her own fun with the girls as they finish up their hair and makeup. With all the ladies in colorful matching robes moving swiftly around the suite; it’s almost like watching a painting in motion. They enjoy a little champagne as we breeze through some quick group portraits. Finally, the time comes to get dressed. Casi’s dress arrives hand delivered by mom and her maid of honor. A beautiful strapless ball gown from Stella York Design purchased at Suite Bridal. It’s perfect! She’s in the dress and ready to go in almost record time. By now the guys are almost done getting dressed. Their last hurdle is getting those tie knots perfect. This is one of our favorite parts of the day to shoot. There’s nothing like watching several guys cramming over a mirror as they flip long silky pieces of fabric around as if it were a synchronized event at the Olympics.  Success! Kyle looks like a million bucks. So, we quickly take some group shots with his groomsmen outside by the pool and on the way the way back to the cabin. In about 10 minutes we return to their room, so they can enjoy the comfort of some air conditioning on this very hot day.

The first look

Just about that time the phone rings and we get word from the coordinator that Casi is ready for the first look. So, Kyle is quickly shuttled to the dock on the lake and we get him set up for her approach. What a trooper. The sun is beating down on him as his bride makes her way from the cabin. Nonetheless he patiently waits.  Something made much easier when your view includes a glass-like lake, blue skies and trees that wrap this scene up in a million shades of green.

At last! She taps him on the shoulder and he gets to see his beauty. A very tender moment; so, we give them a little time alone as we photograph from a distance.

Now we can have some fun with portraits. This venue provides so many great photography spots it’s almost hard to decide where to begin. But we quickly make use of the dock, a dry creek bridge and the neighboring woods before heading into the honeymoon suite to cool down again and freshen up.

Time to get married

Next up is the ceremony. The chapel is already buzzing with guests and the groomsmen are doing their job. No, they’re not just welcoming friends and ushering folks to their seats under the cool breeze of the chapel’s monstrous airplane propeller ceiling fans. No, they are ribbing and making the groom laugh as he waits. Basically, making him feel relaxed and at ease.

Meanwhile the bride is on her way to the back entrance of the chapel with her father. A large wooden gate and a stone pathway provides a grand entrance for Casi. There’s a quiet moment before the music begins and those large doors slowly open. We’re off! The bride and groom connect eyes immediately as she makes her way to the front and the ceremony begins. The bridal party flanks the couple on either side of the stage as the audience follow the proceedings. About 30 minutes later it’s official. They’re married, and a kiss seals the deal.

After a quick session of family photos, we sneak in a few more bridal portraits before packing up our gear to head to the reception.

Time to get this party started

The reception hall is so warm and inviting! 5200 square feet of space designed with an elegant-rustic flair, befitting the natural setting of the country side. Exceptional landscaping surrounds the stone courtyard and the outdoor bar used for cocktail hour. Another highlight; the massive bar doors that lead guests into the building.  Casi’s style is evident both with the details chosen to decorate this large space.

But everyone is hungry and ready to party. So, we roll right into the start of the reception with the introductions of the bridal party and the couple. This is quickly followed by the first dances and the toasts. As dinner begins we utilize this down time for additional scouting and gear prep to set ourselves up for some creative night time portraits. All the time we’re keeping and eye on sunset and twilight times, so we can make the most of a colorful sky.

As we make our way back in, the dance floor is ready to open. No shy folks here. With the first song there are 5 or 6 couples getting down. Covering the dance floor is another one of our favorite times at a wedding because we can document so many special moments as people let loose. Casi is right in the middle of it all with her bridesmaids. A little further along into the festivities we move to the cake cutting. A beautiful cake produced by Gabriel’s Desserts.

We peek outside and it’s just about the right time to take advantage of the changing light as we approach sunset. So, we rush over to the couple and ask for just 20 minutes of their time, so we can create some very special images for them. By now we’ve also spoken to the coordinator and they have a golf cart ready to zip us over to our pre-scouted locations. So off we go. We head back to the water and the dock to get some romantic portraits using some creative off camera flash work to highlight the couple in this setting. The orange string lights add to the mood and feel of the moment. Then we rush over to find the tallest hill on the property, so we can tower the couple over the tree line against the colorful evening sky.

Before you know it we’re back at the party and we’re feeling stoked about having such a productive portrait session. Now it’s just about having fun and boy did they all have fun. The reception continued for a couple of hours before it was time for their sparkler-limo exit. What a spectacular day working with Kyle and Casi while meeting so many new folks. We highly recommend In the Woods as one of the top venues in Georgia to have your wedding unfold. Need more firsthand details about how to plan your photography for this venue? Contact us and we’ll be happy to assist!

The team that made this wedding the fabulous event it was:

Planning and coordination by the spectacular: Kathie Shramm — In the Woods

Magnificent venue: In the Woods Events

Officiant: Jason Young

Amazing hair artist: Alyson Taylor

Fabulous make up artist: Stephanie Lee

Wedding gown design by: Stella York

Bridesmaids Gowns: Watters Linden Dress

The dapper groom and groomsmen tuxedos: The Black Tux

Flower arrangements by: A Perfect Wedding Floral Design

Drapery: sourced through Geri Sims

Cake so good you have to have a second piece by: Gabriels Desserts

Rocking the house down with: The TC Show

Limousine: ATL Car Service & Limousines

Videographer: Enjoy New Media

overall view of wedding ceremony site pavilion
wedding dress hanging in front of bridal cabin
sign found in pool house
groom and best man relaxing before ceremony
groom and groomsmen tying ties
groomsmen tying ties
groom portrait and brides letter to groom
bride getting hair done with her bridesmaids looking on
bride drinking champagne with bridesmaids in floral robes laughing
happy bride to be admiring dress hanging
bride and mother with bridesmaids fit bride to dress
bridesmaids preparing dress for departure to ceremony
emotional father first look of daughter in wedding dress
bride leaving bridal cabin heading to wedding ceremony
groomsmen portrait at pool house
groomsmen having drinks while walking to wedding
bride approaching groom on dock
bride approaching groom on dock full view
bride portrait on dock ramp lower angle
view of bride coming towards groom
groom turns around for first look
bride and groom portrait on dock
wedding couple portrait on dock lower angle
bride portrait on dry creek bridge near lake and dock
romantic bridal portraits in the woods
bride and bridesmaids walking on lawn near lake
cute ring bearers ready with cute signs for groom about bride
wedding party gathering ready for ceremony to begin
bride collecting herself before ceremony begins
father and bride open barn doors
father and bride processional
groom sees bride down aisle
wedding ceremony vows groom
wedding ceremony vows bride
bridal party photo during ceremony
first kiss during ceremony
portraits of bride after wedding
unique wedding portraits at sunset
funny father/daughter dance and wedding toasts
cake cutting
romantic portrait of bride and groom on dock at dusk
dusk photos with bride and groom on dock
sunset portraits with bride and groom
wedding reception in full swing
couple exiting reception with sparklers

Atlanta, GA — Lake Lanier Islands Engagement Photos | Charlie & Isabelle

January 4, 2019 0 Engagements
romantic couple by lake

Introducing Charlie and Isabelle

We first met Isabelle and her mom as they begun their search for all things wedding related at our local bridal show. Isabelle knew exactly what she wanted regarding her wedding and engagement photography. After an extensive conversation discussing her vision for the wedding, we agreed to set up a second meeting to include Charlie, her fiancée. Coffee and tea at Café Intermezzo is always a good choice on a cool afternoon. So after getting a cozy table off to the corner we had our first chance to meet Charlie. What a delight it was to spend some time with him; very relaxed and laid back. A perfect compliment to Isabelle’s personality.  

Meetings like these are always essential to our storytelling style of photography. Getting to know our couple’s back-story, how they met and what makes their relationship so unique really shapes the types of images we create down the road. So off we go.

Isabelle is originally from Quebec, Canada but moved to the United States with her family at the age of 12. After briefly “visiting” Denver, they settled in Seattle where she later earned her International Studies degree at the University of Washington. Shortly after, she decided to leave the Seattle rain for sunny San Francisco with her furry best friend. Little did she know, this is where her life would really begin when she met Charlie.

Charlie’s story began in China where he is from and where he grew up. His parents decided to sacrifice their careers and everything they had to bring him to the United States. They wanted to give him the chance to fulfill the “American Dream“. At age 11, they first settled in “Hotlanta” where he completed secondary education and received his degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology. After graduation, he had a few setbacks. So he decided to move the “Golden City” for a fresh start.

So, how did they actually meet?

Well, it’s interesting to hear each one describe how this all came about.

Isabelle:

I had seen and talked to him before – casually. But I really saw him that day at the Venetian Expo. He looked good in his relaxed boot cut jeans and fitting white t-shirt – a welcome sight to the throng of solution architects, engineers and sales guys swarming the convention center floor. There ensued burgers, shakes, long walk and long talks. For me, it really was a combination of his raw confidence, his honesty, his unwavering loyalty, and the dimples when he smiled.

Charlie:

I had noticed her before. This young, beautiful, exotic and yet unassuming and down to earth woman with big eyes and luscious, thick brown hair. I was drawn to her mannerisms and way of speaking that was not quite American… but not quite European either.  After spending some time to get to know her, I was amazed at how much we had in common, from our immigrant experiences growing up, to our sense of humor.

How did their relationship bloom?

Isabelle:

We got to know each other in the Golden City, through hikes on the cliffs by the sea and strolls and picnics in the wine country.

Charlie:

Our relationship blossomed in the city by the bay; our frequent trips hiking across the austere and majestic mountains by the pacific coast, the peaceful and often chilly Muir Woods (then again Izzie is always cold), and our relaxing drives through the wine country affirmed that our bond would be eternal. Through our times together, I also learned about her strong family values. Those same values led us and our little furry pup (not so little at 70lbs) to trek across the country and settle back in the peach state.

And then…?

Charlie:

For a frequent traveler with over three million miles, it seemed only appropriate that I make our engagement official at 39,000 feet.

Isabelle:

Yeah, it was a few months before we moved into our home on our way home from exploring the Christmas markets of Munich, in the middle of the Atlantic on a long flight, he asked me to marry him. It was probably the easiest question I ever had to answer.

The engagement session

They both knew they wanted to do something extra special for their engagement session. So they made arrangements at Lake Lanier to get access to PineIsle Pointe. This is one of the most popular wedding venues on the lake; but we had it all to ourselves! All week long we had torrential rains and the forecast was threatening more rain for the day of the session. However, miraculously the sun broke through and we had one of the most magnificent afternoons of the year.

Having a couple that loves the outdoors just lends to having a great photo shoot. The entire session was simply a delight to shoot. Running through the fields and jumping in the water for the sake of photography? No problem! Hey even their labradoodle Boomer got into the mix. Thanks Charlie and Isabelle for a super esession! We can’t wait to share their wedding next!

pineisle romantic happy couple
pineisle romantic intimate couple
pineisle romantic groom kissing bride
pineisle pavilion overview
fun bride spinning
pineisle couple under pergola
pineisle artistic portrait couple
pineisle artistic couple portrait ring
pineisle walking down path
pineisle couple walking by water
pineisle walking couple by lake
pineisle lake walking details
pineisle lake creative portraits
pineisle ga romance couple portrait
pineisle center lake romantic portrait
pineisle ga lake whimsical portrait
playful couple on water edge
reflective photo bride sunset
tall grass portrait pineisle
Romantic Couple Photos of Charlie & Isabelle by Virimages
pineisle lake walking field
pineisle resort walking dog
sunset black and white silhouette
gone with the wind inspired portrait by lake

Catch a glimpse from their video slideshow below.

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