Atlanta Contemporary Art Center Wedding – Will + Claire Got Married!
The show must go on. Or something like that. Even when it rains. It was drizzly on and off throughout this wedding day, which forced the ceremony and reception inside of the Atlanta Contemporary Art Center. The locals in the art center already embraced the rain. This was a fun reminder to stumble upon during Claire + Will’s wedding day.
This is the courtyard behind the art center with doors leading into different artists’ studios.
There may or may not have been a last minute crisis with a stain on a wedding dress. Which was worked out with hand soap and hovering underneath commercial grade hand dryers.
While I was with the girls, my trusted second shooter Tabitha was with the guys.
I loved the constant interaction and support within this group. Guys and girls. They’ve all known each other since college and it was clear how incredibly happy they were for part of their crew to be getting married on this day.
THE most perfect exhibition was on display inside of the Art Center for pulling off a fun First Look and having Claire + Will blend into this particular installation.
When they lowered the posters, they stood out nicely as the only beings with upper bodies and heads.
I notice that a lot of the nervous jitters tend to subside during this time before the ceremony. When my couple can hold hands and talk to each other in person.
Reminding each other that they’re in this together, no matter how many people will be looking at them in less than an hour.
And then we stepped back to give them a little more privacy.
Meanwhile, a fierce game of ping pong was continuing in the back room of the art center.
And then we squeezed in a few portraits. In a way, this day was scattered and photographs and portraits were pieced together throughout. Here and there. Which was a good thing. It was less overwhelming to pull family in and then step away with just Claire + Will. Back off and give time for chit chat without a camera in faces. And then create a few more portraits in different spots.
I love that this is Claire’s Grandma’s pin that she is wearing on the sleeve of her wedding dress. Something old. Something blue. And also one of their favorite photographs, which they now have on a canvas gallery wrap.
I love these two humans. I love that they hired me to do my thing. To use my own creativity. But mostly, to photograph them authentically. As themselves. And not into an overdone Pinterest pose.
Before we knew it, the time had arrived to walk down the interior aisles of the art center for the matrimonial ceremony. Complete with candles along the aisle, a request for no cell phones or cameras during the ceremony, a couple of readings, and of course…laughter.
With it already being October, the days were shorter and darkness came early. We made the most of it and pulled the entire bridal party outside for an evening shot.
And then we moved inside the art gallery and everyone blended in with the exhibit. These guys were fabulous!
They were all willing to play along, have fun, and ensure Claire + Will’s wedding party portraits would be nothing short of stellar.
We made a few more portraits of just our bride and groom before they were released and everyone sat down to eat THE most delicious food catered by Sun In My Belly.
And then it was time for toasts AND dancing!
Remember how I mentioned that portraits and photographs were scattered throughout the day? I love having the flexibility with my couples and a timeline that allows for being pulled away from the dance floor for a minute and a half to work in a couple more creatives.
Oh. My. Gosh. Wedding pies. By Sun In My Belly. Amazing.
And just like that. The night was over. It was time to wave LED sparklers and watch these two head off in the first Uber car that arrived.
Apparently some of those LEDs give a fierce smack to the buttocks. Future brides and grooms. You should take the danger and/or pain factor into consideration when choosing your party and send-off favors and how your friends/family will use/abuse them.
Claire + Will? I’m wishing you mucho happiness in your married life together.
Atlanta Contemporary Art Center – The Outstanding Wedding Venue
Sun In My Belly – The Most Fantastic Wedding Coordinator + Caterer
Spectrum Entertainment – The Ever Fabulous DJ and Lighting Guys for Special Events
Flowerbuds – The Gorgeous Floral Arrangements
Finery – The Fabulous Wedding Gown Boutique
If you’ve made it this far, click over to Claire + Will’s wedding day slideshow.
You might just feel like you shared this excellent day with them.