Location: Swan House at Atlanta History Center
Setting: Ceremony was outdoors on the property of an enchanting, historic mansion surrounded by gardens. Reception was inside the Grand Overlook Ballroom
Wedding season: Fall
How long did the couple plan the event: 18 months
The number of guests: 130
Wedding theme/style: Romantic, timeless, and whimsical.
Victoria and Hunter are in their mid-20s and have lived in Atlanta for almost five years, sharing a deep love for their fur child, their French bulldog Theo. Victoria is an entrepreneur, running and launching various startup ventures. At the same time, Hunter hustles at his corporate job with AT&T. Together, they both enjoy spending time with their friends, exploring new places in Atlanta, and spending time outdoors with their dog.
Eight years ago, Victoria & Hunter were introduced over social media through a mutual friend. Victoria lived in Orlando, attending the University of Central Florida, and Hunter resided in Tampa, where he attended college. What started as a distant crush became much more when they finally met in person during a University of Central Florida football tailgate. The rest is history.
During the transformative years of their early twenties, Hunter and Victoria navigated the challenging terrain of self-discovery and personal growth, supporting one another every step of the way. Their commitment to each other’s dreams and aspirations formed the cornerstone of their relationship, which led them to pursue new career opportunities in Atlanta, GA.
They’ve now lived in Atlanta, GA, for almost five years and focus on pursuing their personal and professional passions, nurturing their relationship, and immersing themselves in all that Atlanta offers.
In October 2020, for their fifth anniversary, Victoria and Hunter were supposed to travel to Paris, where Hunter had planned to propose, but fate had other plans as their flights were canceled due to the pandemic. Once they could travel again, they booked a trip to Sedona, AZ, but faced a new obstacle as Victoria tested positive for COVID, causing them to cancel their journey again.
Determined to make their proposal a reality, Hunter coordinated a trip with Victoria’s family to Vail, Colorado, in February 2021, where he orchestrated a grand proposal in the middle of an ice skating rink in Vail’s village. The proposal was beautifully documented and coordinated with the help of their families and was a night to remember forever.
Before finding the wedding venue, Victoria did not have much of a vision for her “dream wedding” and found that inspiration on Pinterest only created more confusion for her as there were so many different visions she could choose. However, she knew she wanted a fairytale feel and loved the idea of a dramatic, European-style venue.
The exceptional and talented team at LUXE Atlanta Events was dedicated to fulfilling the couple’s needs, including addressing the location aspect with precision and a touch of grandeur.
The chosen location was a historic 1928 mansion adorned with majestic boxwood gardens and a captivating cascading fountain. This picturesque landscape served as both inspiration and backdrop, setting the stage for a romantic, elegant, regal celebration. The carefully curated luscious florals by Bold in soft pastel tones perfectly complemented the venue, enhancing the enchanting atmosphere. Once their venue was solidified, the couple’s vision for their fairytale wedding became much clearer.
The venue’s significance went beyond mere aesthetics; it shaped an unforgettable and unparalleled wedding experience. Known as the Swan House, this timeless gem exuded an undeniable beauty that transported everyone to a realm of sophistication and grace. Its rich history, architectural allure, and surrounding picturesque gardens made it a cherished landmark for the couple. The memories created there will forever hold a special place in their hearts, serving as a cherished destination to revisit and relive their magical day. The color palette included blush, champagne, gold, and white with greenery accents, harmoniously matching the ambiance of the Swan House property.
One of Victoria’s best friends worked as a bridal consultant at a bridal store in Boca Raton, Florida. She helped plan a dress shopping day, surrounded by Victoria’s closest girlfriends, mother, and soon-to-be mother-in-law.
During this appointment, Victoria surprised all her friends with bridesmaid proposal boxes, asking them to stand by her side on her wedding day. Even better, Victoria found her dream dress by Martina Liana, sold to her by one of her best friends and purchased by her mother as an extremely generous wedding gift.
Victoria wasn’t sure if she wanted to wear a veil for her wedding day, but her mom insisted it was a good idea. As Victoria approached her wedding day, she realized how much she wanted a veil but hadn’t purchased one. So one of Victoria’s bridesmaids let Victoria borrow her Galia Lahav veil she had worn to her wedding a year prior. These best friends now share an even more special bond they’ll hold onto for life.
Victoria’s look for her grand entrance was truly captivating. Her loose curls and delicate half up half down hair beautifully complemented her cathedral veil, which cascaded behind her as she descended the staircase. The intricate detailing of her wedding gown added to the enchantment, with a sweetheart neckline adorned with dainty flowers scattered across the bodice and skirt. Every element seamlessly came together to capture the essence of her fairytale-inspired wedding vision.
In capturing the beautiful moments of their special day, the couple enlisted the talented lens of wedding photographer Jenna Lindsey. Her incredible talent and attention to detail transformed a love-filled celebration into a timeless work of art.
To incorporate their French bulldog into their wedding without having him physically present, Victoria and Hunter decided to pay tribute by naming the bar after him. The bar signs displayed a playful message that read, “Put your drinks on Theo’s tab,” accompanied by a charming picture of the couple with their beloved dog. In addition, the bar napkins featured a delightful image of him to celebrate Theo further.
Victoria’s parents divorced when she was 11, and she grew up with a stepfather who grew up as her second father and best friend. These two men were never friends but always friendly for Victoria’s sake. So while she wanted to respect and honor her father by having him walk her down the aisle, it was essential for her also to incorporate a way to honor her stepfather. She did that by having a dance with her father and then having her father hand her off to her stepfather so they could dance together. It brought Victoria joy, honored her stepfather, and warmed the room, knowing that these men could put differences aside to celebrate their daughter’s wedding.
When selecting the wedding cake, the couple had a clear favorite: Carrot Cake by The Frosted Pumpkin. Despite deviating from the wedding’s overall theme, they opted to include it on the menu. This decision was influenced by several factors. Firstly, Carrot Cake perfectly complemented the season, adding a touch of seasonal flair. Secondly, it held sentimental value as the couple’s personal favorite. Lastly, it pleasantly surprised and delighted the guests, quickly becoming a crowd favorite. In addition to Carrot Cake, the couple also offered a Vanilla and Raspberry cake, ensuring that there was something to satisfy everyone’s taste buds.
Advice from the couple
“Since we’re originally from Florida, 90% of our guests were from out-of-town. We were reminded before the wedding of how unlikely it is to ever be in the same room with all of these people again. It makes you want to cherish the moment and take as many photos with your loved ones as possible. A unique thing we did to incorporate everyone was to have our DJ call everyone to the dance floor for a group photo after dinner. So we have a picture to cherish forever of our entire wedding and got everyone out of their seats and ready to dance on the dance floor.”
Advice from the couple
“From one bride to another, take care of yourself. I’d remind brides to prioritize self-care. Encourage them to take breaks and remember that with all the hard work that goes into planning, it’s more important to feel happy and healthy on your special day.“
Advice from the couple
“If you have out-of-town guests, take advantage of the hotel bags. We gave our guests custom tote bags they could reuse, but any bag with overnight essentials will go a long way. We included water bottles, hangover cures, snacks, custom postcards of Atlanta, and a weekend itinerary. We still have guests raving about how the Advil in their bag “saved them” the next day.”
VENUE Atlanta History Center | PHOTOGRAPHER Jenna Lindsey Photos | VIDEOGRAPHER Ashley Loyer Films | PLANNING LUXE Atlanta Events | FLORALS & CATERING Bold | STATIONERY Emily Mayne Studio | BRIDAL SALON Boca Raton Bridal | MUSICIANS Etude Entertainment | DJ SiFi Entertainment | CAKE The Frosted Pumpkin | GROOM & GROOMSMEN ATTIRE Men’s Warehouse
