June 24, 2016 Georgian Club Wedding

Earlier last month I got a phone call requesting a wedding to be planned and coordinated in three weeks.

The couple Rongxiang and Margie had chosen the wedding date because it was the only time both sets of parents were available to fly half way around the world from China to Atlanta so they wanted to wed in front of their parents.

To be honest, I felt like Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt's character in the Mission Impossible movie series when I first heard the request. However, I gladly accepted the mission and began a 21 day wedding planning journey (a record even for me!) with this sweet couple!

Before the mission began, I did told Rongxiang and Margie that in order for us to pull it off, I would need them to be decisive and they definitely were one of the most decisive couples I had ever worked with! I was particularly impressed that it only took Margie one weekend afternoon to get her gorgeous gown (after I gave her some pointers on where to shop for off the rack wedding dress in Atlanta.)!

The summer wedding with 30 of their closest friends and both set of parents was held at the Georgian Club.

Here are more portraits of the beautiful couple:

The first look was taken at the garden area next to the Georgian Club:

The ceremony was held in the ceremony room up on the 17th floor venue:

Reception room was immediately adjacent to the ceremony room:

The centerpieces and bouquet:

The cake:

A big thank you to all the vendors who made this mission impossible became mission possible:

Photographer: Atlanta Artistic Weddings Photography
Baker: Artisan Cakes by Julie
Florist: May Kuo
Officiant: Rev. John Keenan
Venue: Georgian Club
Pianist: Bob Cardon
Makeup/Hair Stylist: Nana 

Finally, I want to wish the couple a happy marriage! I truly enjoyed working with you two during the 21 day wedding planning journey!

November 7, 2015 Central Presbyterian Church and Georgia Freight Depot Wedding in Downtown Atlanta

I got to know Grace and Ben about 2 months before their November 7 wedding in Downtown Atlanta. They were in the final stretch of their wedding planning and I was hired as their wedding coordinator.

They told me they wanted someone who is bilingual in Mandarin Chinese and English and that happens to be my cultural background. We met once so that I could understand the details and draft the wedding day timeline for the bridal party and vendors. I also went to the final site visit with them to meet with the venue manager and the caterer. In between the meetings, we had many email exchanges and a few phone calls to clarify things. Before we knew it, November 7, 2015 was here!

The ceremony was held at Central Presbyterian Church in Downtown Atlanta. It was a very beautiful historic church.

Grace and Ben had their first look inside the church:

The ceremony was attended by more than 300 friends and family members:

After the ceremony, the guests went straight to Georgia Freight Depot for the reception. I love this photo of the couple coming to Georgia Freight Depot after the ceremony:

The couple did their first dance right after the grand entrance:

Dinner was a 10 course traditional Chinese banquet (lobster dish photographed below):

The tables all had simple centerpieces so that there will be enough space for all the food:

After the first few courses were served, Grace changed into her Qi Pao (traditional Chinese dress):

Here is Grace and her Dad during the Father and Daughter Dance:

And here is Ben with his Mother for the Mother and Son Dance:

After the formal dances, the Matrons of Honor planned a surprise flash mob that involved a lot of the guests, including the Parents of the Bride:

I had to keep the plan of the surprise flash mob from Grace and Ben while coordinating with the Matrons of Honor and the DJ but I think their reaction was worth it:

The couple and their guests had a blast on the dance floor throughout the night:

At the end of the reception, we had a magical sparklers send off in the rain:

Congratulations to Grace and Ben! May God bless you in your new marriage!

Vendor Team:

Caterer: Happy Valley
Ceremony Venue: Central Presbyterian Church
Cinematography:  Cinema Weddings
DJ: AAA DJ Services
Florist: May Tsai
Photo Booth: Robot Booth
Photographer: Anna and Spencer Photography
Reception Venue: Georgia Freight Depot

Sardis United Methodist Church and Georgian Terrace Wedding

I am honored to work with Ada and Alan for their wedding on July 25, 2015.

For the ceremony, we chose Sardis United Methodist Church. The historic church on top of a small hill in Buckhead area is a hidden treasure. We visited several churches while hunting for a ceremony venue but once I took Ada and Alan to visit Sardis United Methodist Church, the decision to book it was easily made.

The church size (maximum capacity: 250 guests) is perfect for their 100 person guest list. Because of the intricate stained glass windows, we chose minimal decoration on the aisle:

Prewedding photos were done outside of church before the 11am ceremony in order to avoid the hot summer heat of Georgia (but honestly it is better to have sun than rain on wedding days):

Here is a close up look at the bridal bouquet:

The traditional church ceremony took place inside the historic sanctuary:

A great tradition at Sardis United Methodist Church is for the couple to ring the church bells after they walked down the aisle as newlywed so Alan gave it a try:

The send off from church as the couple exited:

The bridal car was Alan's own ride which we put to good use:

For reception, Ada and Alan chose the gorgeous Georgian Terrace Hotel:

Head table was decorated with the bridal bouquet and the bridesmaids bouquets:

We chose centerpieces with fluffy Hydrangea (Ada's favorite flowers):

The favor boxes were bought by Alan's Mother and brought all the way from Taiwan. The boxes were made to represent miniatures "Chinese Carriage" used in ancient times by the brides and filled with candies.

The wedding cake kept to the theme of the bride's simple and elegant style:

For the grand entrance to the reception, Ada chose to honor her Chinese heritage by wearing the traditional Chinese QiPao:

The couple did their first dance immediately upon entry (which Ada told me was one of her favorite wedding moments):

Later on during the reception, Alan also took his Mother out on the dance floor for a spin for the Mother and Son dance which was a super sweet moment (and I will encourage all grooms to do so if possible):

The happy couple and their bridal party also took photos all around the hotel:

I wish the couple many years of happiness!!!

All Photos are by Christopher Helm Photography

Vendor Team:

Reception Venue/Catering: Georgian Terrace Hotel
Florist: Lauren's Floral Art
DJ: Ted Crowder from Atlanta Wedding DJs
Photography: Chrtstopher Helm Photography
Wedding Cake: Frosted Pumpkins