Garden Wedding Near Atlanta, GA // Casey & Tiyona
Meet the Couple
Casey & Tiyona are one of my couples who had to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic in the middle of their wedding planning. They had originally planned on getting everyone together at the end of May for their wedding at Little Gardens near Atlanta. But, 2020 had a different plan in mind. Instead, these two awesome humans rolled with the changes and adapted their garden wedding near Atlanta. They moved everything to September, cutting their guest list drastically, and following the CDC guidelines for masks, distancing, and hand sanitizer.
They’ve been completely cool cats throughout the process, making changes as needed and outwardly appearing nonplussed. Although as we all know, planning a wedding is definitely stressful! But, planning a wedding during a pandemic is even more so.
Their wedding at Little Gardens was a gorgeous day. With a mix of overcast skies and sun peeking through, and everything was still in full bloom in the gardens, it was perfect! The ceremony was beautiful and touching. Their excitement of becoming married was beaming from them as they walked back down the aisle after the ceremony.
Their wedding reception was a blast! Casey and Tiyoana kept everyone fed with great food and entertained with mingling and a popular reception game called “The Shoe Game”! This is such a great alternative to a huge dance party! Whether your crew isn’t the dancing or partying type, or if you’re planning a wedding in a pandemic and need something to do that keeps everyone a little further apart, give it a try.
Photos from Their Garden Wedding near Atlanta, GA
Getting Ready
Their Wedding Ceremony
The Wedding Reception
Their Couple Portraits
Most memorable moment from your wedding day?
The bride, Tiyona, shared with me that the most memorable moment from their wedding day was when she was walking down the aisle to Casey. Honestly, the looks on both their faces as I watched her approach him for the wedding ceremony spoke to their complete love for each other and excitement to be married. The groom, Casey, shared with me that the most memorable moment for him was their personal vows, which can be such a special moment for people who write their own. Many of my couples write their own vows for their wedding ceremony, and it adds a personal touch as well as often bringing some levity and extra personality to the moment.
Funniest moment on your wedding day?
Tiyona & Casey said the funniest moments for them on the day included during the wedding reception when they played a popular reception game called “The Shoe Game,”. It starts with the couple each holding a shoe of their own and a shoe from the other person. Then they’re asked questions like “who of you two is the better driver,” or “who is more adventurous” and each answer is giving by holding up the corresponding shoe of the person they think is the person who fits that description best. It was so funny watching them agree on some answers and completely disagree on others!
One of their other funniest moments was when the flower girl came down the aisle without throwing any of the flower petals in her basket.
What were you most anxious or nervous about regarding your wedding day and how did it turn out?
The couple was most worried about the weather on their wedding day, hoping that it wouldn’t rain, which is a legitimate concern at any time for an outdoor ceremony! But, especially since this season of 2020 {in a year of so many things going on}, we were smack dab in the middle of seven tropical storms at once! Luckily we had amazing weather and the ceremony went off without a hitch.
What advice would you give to other couples planning their wedding?
The couple would advise that you should be prepared to pay for what you want. I think is some great advice! Budgeting and researching are two huge parts of the wedding planning process, so going in with an understanding and knowledge base is so helpful.
If you could do it all over, would you change anything?
The couple said they wouldn’t change anything at all! That’s one of my favorite things to hear from a couple of mine. Being able to live in the moment, roll with the punches, and just enjoy the day is so important.
Any tips for future couples on how to prepare for their wedding photos?
Finally, this couple recommends keeping in contact and communicating in order to best prepare for your wedding photos! And, I couldn’t agree more! I keep a number of communication points in my process. These include an in-depth conversation before booking, a catch-up before wedding day, and a number of correspondences and questionnaires in the middle to help me prepare. This allows me to really make sure I’m capturing all of the pieces and moments that are important to you!
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Raven is an Atlanta Wedding Photographer who captures real people on their totally unique and awesome wedding day, specializing in people who feel awkward in front of the camera. She travels throughout Georgia, including Athens, North Georgia, and beyond.