This week’s blog is a fun one! Mara and Chris are a bubbly couple who know how to enjoy themselves. 

 They both have a passion for video games and breweries.  As soon as Mara met Chris she knew he was honest and did not put on any airs. They met each other right before the pandemic and hunkered down together.  During the pandemic they spent a lot of time together and fell in love.  After about 2 years Chris asked Mara to marry him and she enthusiastically said yes!

The wedding took place at Big Canoe Country Club located about 45 minutes north of Atlanta,  nestled in the North Georgia Mountains at the Club house next to Lake Sconti.   The outdoor stone patio lined by Chinese cherry trees makes for a perfect backdrop to the outdoor wedding.  The reception area is spacious and overlooks the lake and golf course.  The area is accented with rich woodwork and a large rustic fireplace to give it a cozy feel.  

When the big day came Mara got ready downstairs at the club with her bridesmaids. Chris was getting ready at his father’s place at the Big Canoe community area.  Chris’s stepmom was a planner and was doing her magic outside getting the ceremony area ready.  You couldn't have asked for better weather.  It was cool but not cold with a soft breeze filling the air with a fall crispness.  Tara and I started doing the detail shots.  Like the couple, the wedding had very unique details, from the doggy treats they had for their guests' pets to the custom ring for Chris made from wood and white gold. 

Once everyone was dressed they were ready for their first look.  We did it outside below the clubhouse.  Mara was overwhelmed with emotion.  They laughed, kissed and hugged each other passionately before the ceremony.  They even included their pet dog for the first look.  It was truly a family affair.  They then gathered themselves and got ready for the ceremony.

It was a small wedding with about 50 of their best friends and family.  The guests sat facing Lake Sconti and the bridal party came down the stone steps and lined up in front of the guests.  The ceremony was very short and sweet.  My favorite part was the way Chris and Mara would glance at each other and giggle with excitement.  With an almost blink of an eye the officiant announced that they are husband and wife and said you can kiss your bride!

After the ceremony we did the usual family photos while the guests went inside the reception area for hors d'oeuvres and drinks.  We go through the formal photos very quickly.  I took the couple down the path near the 9th hole on the golf course at Big Canoe where there was a small stone bridge.  The leaves there were beautiful.  Mara and Chris were very chill and we had a very quick autumn photoshoot. 

The reception was catered and was a sit down dinner.  The guests enjoyed meals by candle light inside the reception area with a view of the sun going down behind the Georgia mountains.  There were toasts and anecdotes of adventures and loyalty.  Each time the guests would raise a glass to the newlyweds.  They did their first dance by the reception area entrance then everyone joined in and danced in celebration.

Like all good things they have to come to an end and the DJ announced that there would be a sparkler exit.  The guests lined up outside with their sparklers.  Chris and Mara came outside and were surrounded with the glow of sparklers and the friends and family that loved them so.  It was a perfect ending to a day of celebration of love and two families coming together as one.

Thanks for checking out this Atlanta wedding photographers blog! I hope you enjoyed the read and found it interesting and helpful! Make sure you keep coming back to our blog to see what the Atlanta wedding photographers at Atlanta Artistic Weddings get up to! If you’d like to contact me go to the contact page and drop me a line at https://www.atlantaartisticweddings.com/contact-atlanta-wedding-photographer. I would love to hear from you!

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