Greensboro, Georgia Wedding at Lake Oconee by Taun Henderson Photography
Jet skis, volleyball, zip lines and sunbathing. Krysta and Aaron’s wedding weekend at Lake Oconee held no shortage of fun activities for their fifty guests, nor was there a lack of sunshine for most of the celebration! The one, dark day clouds veiled the sky and showered Greensboro with rain? The day of the wedding. Was the outdoor ceremony canceled? Not a chance! Guests gathered by the waterside gazebo with umbrellas in hand, the dreary weather unable to drown their excitement at finally seeing Krysta and Aaron say “I do.” The bride looked just like a movie star with her lace gown, 20s hairstyle, and beaming smile as her grandfather escorted her down the aisle, and family and friends roared with laughter as the couple exchanged their playful, self-written vows. Following an array of mouthwatering cuisine from Hallie Jane’s, the newlyweds shared a first dance in the drizzle before posing for a few more photos by the lake, the cloudy skies presenting a glorious sunset. This romantic, rain-soaked affaire is brought to you by Atlanta wedding photographer Taun Henderson Photography!
Please give us an overview of the event.
My husband and I hosted our weekend wedding in Greensboro, Georgia at a beautiful cottage style home on Lake Oconee. We spent the whole weekend celebrating with close friends and family in a small, intimate setting. Our rehearsal dinner meal consisted of a true Southern style, low-country boil which was very laid back and low key.
Did you DIY any of the details?
YES, I did, and almost too much! My mother and I chose all of the flowers (at a budget… flowers are expensive) and my family helped make all of the bouquets. I worked for many months with my mother, bridesmaids and friends on all of our decorations including table arrangements, photobooth, flowers, aisle runners, gift table decor, guest gifts and table decor, lighting, bride and groom specialty cocktail table, outdoor decorations all around the property which helped direct guests to the wedding house and offered appropriate marks for parking, as well as scattered props and decor through out. My family prepared and catered all of the meals for the weekend including the rehearsal dinner but excluding the wedding. My husband and I own a hair salon, so we brought in our very own Salon Modello team to do all hair and makeup for the event. We also made paper flowers mixed in with the real flowers to save money even made our guest gifts. What didn’t we do ourselves! It was a lot of work, very stressful but It was worth it in the end and really helped keep us within budget.
Tell us how you met. Was it love at first sight, blind date, friends forever?
We met years before we became a couple. We both worked for the same employer and always had an attraction for one another — a curiosity, you could say, of what I would describe as a crush day dream. You know, the kind where you wonder what it would be like to be with the person but know the possibility of it ever happening is impossible? We were both in our own complicated relationships but still, the energy we had when we were around each other was undeniable. I left that job and moved on to bigger things (California). After California, I think over the course of 3-4 years Aaron and I would run into each other randomly and quite often in the city. Each time was never convenient to our situations. Either he was with somebody or I was with somebody or both but the lingering curiosity was always there. One time as fate would have it we ran into each other in a gas station parking lot (random as always) and rather than making small talk I cut right to the chase asking, “Do you have a girlfriend?” Answer: “No.” I thought “Score” and responded with “This will be the last time I offer you my phone number and your last chance to call me.” To my surprise he called me 3 days later and we were inseparable from that moment on! Life lesson: “Timing is everything.”
What was the most memorable moment?
I would say my most memorable moment was the wedding ceremony itself. It was fun and light and filled with smiles and laugher. I loved every moment of our weekend wedding and every bit is memorable. I wish I could do it all over every anniversary… without paying for it of course!
What were your playful twists that made the event unique?
My husband and I wrote our own wedding vows and at short notice, too. We both decided one day before that we wanted to write our vows ourselves. So quite hurriedly we wrote our vows in less than 24 hours and they turned out to be a hit. They were very playful and silly which not only had us laughing from joy but our guests and wedding party were having a good laugh, as well. Our vows were perfectly us and so much fun… one of my most memorable parts of the wedding!
Tell us about your wedding gown and what your wedding party wore.
I had two wedding gowns, one to get married in and one to after-party in. The wedding gown was a Justin Alexander ivory colored Queen Anne Venice lace and organza mermaid gown. High illusion back with buttons as the closure, and buttons to cover the back zipper. Had a chapel length train and a sequined, diamond and pearl studded, ivory silk belt hand-made by my mother, an item that can be passed down from generation to generation. The reception/after-party gown was a white David Tuter by Fraviana Olivia Chiffon gown with jeweled capped sleeves, belt, and neckline, and a beaded sheer illusion back with crystal button closures. The bridesmaids were able to choose their own style of dress to reflect their personalities and allow for comfort and they all choose clover colored Bill Levkoff chiffon, floor length dresses! The groomsmen all purchased 3 piece suits but only the groom wore the jacket while the groomsmen wore vests. They all wore their own style of Chuck Taylors with color choices of grey and green. I wanted my wedding party to feel comfortable and not uptight so I gave them lots of freedom in their attire.
If there was one thing you could change, what would it be?
The rain… we chose September to be married in Georgia cause it is the lowest month for rain and whereas it did not rain a single day in September it down poured on my day. Every day was stunning before and after September 21 (wedding date) this was very upsetting for me and a major disappointment. But to be honest there were moments about the rain that I did not mind, like the first dance which was also a disaster but the rain made it silly and romantic.
What was the best wedding advice you received?
To savor and cherish every single moment, good, bad, ugly, whatever it may be, because it’s over so quickly. And all who said this, which is most brides, were absolutely right. It seemed like it was over before I could even catch up to its beginning. It’s a whirlwind of being needed, and pulled every which way! Do I feel like I savored and cherished every moment? Yes, of course but there is always the feeling that it was never enough. You miss things sometimes and you’ll hear stories about things that you wish you could have been there for, or there is that moment you remember losing it over the rain and wish you could have rolled with it better. But I made some of the most important and best memories of my life those 4 days of our wedding and I love and appreciate every single moment.
Wedding Professionals
Photography: Taun Henderson Photography | Catering: Hallie Jane’s | Rentals: Goodwin Events | Hair & Makeup: Salon Modello
