David + Jimmy’s Wedding at the Renaissance Concourse Hotel

There is always a different level of excitement on wedding days that is felt in the air and seen in the smiles of people met throughout the day. But this was amped up even moreso as it was the first gay wedding in the Renaissance Concourse in Atlanta. And all of the employees knew it.

From check-in a couple days early to check-out the day after, I’m pretty certain that David + Jimmy felt welcomed, supported, and like THE most important guests within the hotel. As they should have for the start of their marriage.

Throughout the day, there were tears + laughter, surprises (Celine Dion tickets close to the stage and a dramatic spot light in the first dance that didn’t go quite as planned) + fancy fans, Delta jets + delicious food, but mostly love. It was was felt in every knowing look. In every hug. In every breath.

And isn’t that how it should be?

With David’s love for flying, there was really no other place than the Renaissance Concourse overlooking Hartsfield airport and the gathering of Delta jets alongside the runways to celebrate the start of their marriage. Throughout the day, we came back to this view from the penthouse balcony and on the ground closer to the fence line separating us from the tarmac and jets.

Two tuxes hanging in Atlanta Renaissance Concourse penthouse window overlooking Delta jets at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

I love when couples get ready together. The excitement level is shared while simultaneously bringing a bit of calm to the nerves that always unexpectedly pop up.

Looking up at two grooms helping each other with fastening cufflinks on their sleeves.
Two grooms laughing and helping fasten suspenders.
Excitement and surprise on groom's face as he shows his maid-of-honor Celine Dion show tickets.
Looking up at two grooms getting dressed and putting on neckties for their wedding ceremony.
Groom with four groomsmen showing off their large, fancy fans.
Two grooms holding hands and walking down Renaissance Concourse Atlanta hallway towards the light.
One groom pinning a boutonierre on his love's lapel and accidentally poking him.
Two grooms laughing inside Renaissance Concourse Atlanta lobby of mirrors.
Two grooms with their serious wedding party inside the Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Airport Hotel lobby.

When I walked through the Renaissance Concourse in the month prior with David + Jimmy, I had mentioned wanting to make photographs of them in the elevators as they went up and down. I’m so glad we were able to make that happen. AND. That I had a lighting assistant INSIDE the elevator with them on speakerphone so I could help direct them better as I stood on the other side of the atrium!

Two grooms facing each other, holding hands, and touching foreheads inside Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Airport Hotel elevator.
Wedding party throwing paper airplanes inside Renaissance Concourse Atlanta hotel conference room before wedding ceremony.
I choose you floral wall for gay wedding ceremony inside Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Airport hotel.
Groom hugging his mom after she walked him down the aisle for his marriage ceremony.
Groom's parents holding hands and smiling as they watch their son get married inside Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Airport Hotel.
Two grooms holding hands after sand ceremony in their wedding.
Grooms smiling in excitement as they're told they are officially married and can kiss each other.
Grooms kissing after getting married inside Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Airport Hotel.
Grooms first dance inside Renaissance Concourse ballroom.
Grooms feet in spotlight during first dance.
Groom hugging his mom tight during Mother-Son dance.
Groom crying during Mother Son dance.
Two grooms and one maid of honor laughing during toasts at reception inside Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Airport Hotel.
Grooms holding hands and one wiping away tears during wedding toasts.
Little girls dancing inside Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Airport Hotel ballroom for their gay uncles.
Silhouettes of two grooms on Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Airport Hotel penthouse balcony overlooking Hartsfield runways with Delta jets parked on the tarmac.
David + Jimmy's wedding logo on Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Airport Hotel lobby wall.
Groom dancing with maid of honor.
Groomsmen dancing with Matron of Honor, Maid of Honor, and children on dance floor.
Groom dancing and laughing on dance floor.

Sara Skinner and Sean Hooper from Scarlet Plan & Design were outstanding in planning and keeping this wedding day on track…wedding days are always so much smoother when a planner is involved and this was no exception.

The staff inside the Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Airport Hotel was fantastic at accommodating requests and taking care of all the guests.

It takes months of planning, hundreds of emails, dozens of conversations, and multiple walk throughs to plan an event of this magnitude to ensure family and friends have an incredible experience celebrating the start of a marriage.

David + Jimmy. You two know how to make people feel valued. It was evident throughout your wedding day and I felt privileged to document it all for you. It was an honor shooting from the floor, through my tears, on balconies, and the dance floor…being with you throughout your day.

I’m so glad you found me through a Google search and even more thankful to know you both. I’ll be looking for my invite to a game once softball season starts up!

6 Comments

  1. Lisa Cooke on July 23, 2019 at 3:39 pm

    I was at that wedding and you captured the magic beautifully! It was a wonderful evening full of love and I was grateful to have been a part of it.

    • Kelley on July 25, 2019 at 2:48 pm

      Thank you so much, Lisa! I was honored to be there for them. Their wedding day was one of my favorites!

  2. Kstahl on July 22, 2019 at 5:46 pm

    They are such an awesome couple, glad they were able to find someone like you to. Show us through your pics and sentiment how wonderful their day was…

    • Bethany on July 23, 2019 at 5:16 pm

      The whole weekend was fantastic and you did an amazing job capturing all of the feelings!

      • Kelley on July 25, 2019 at 2:48 pm

        Thanks, Bethany! I heard about other parts of the weekend and it was all so perfect for them!

    • Kelley on July 25, 2019 at 2:47 pm

      I adore these two. So much. I’m glad you enjoyed the photographs of their day!

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