Happy Tuesday! I have a beautiful beyond beautiful wedding to share with you today from ZoomWorks Photography! The prettiest of pretty details include to-die-for rustic florals, gorgeous Jimmy Choo shoes, and get this, a mash potato martini bar that looks absolutely divine! But before we dive headfirst into the details that make my heart flutter, let’s learn more about what they represent – Erica and Michael’s love story.

Michael and Erica met at a company sales meeting in October 2004. A sales contest for a new iPod soon found the two competing head-to-head. Both Erica and Michael are very competitive. So when Michael won, Erica was more than a little annoyed. In 2005, Michael took a new role in the company that required him to work out of the Atlanta office 10-12 days a month. During that time, something between Michael and Erica clicked and they became fast friends.

For their first date, Michael asked Erica to join him at the Super Bowl in Miami. The Chicago Bears were playing and attending was a must for him. Although not a big sports fan, Erica went along with him and sat through the worst weather for a Super Bowl ever – pouring rain, unbelievable wind, and freezing temps. They were soaked to the bone early on, but because she knew the game was important to him, Erica sat through the entire game with him. She didn’t complain once, in fact the smile never left her face. Not once. (What a trooper, huh? I can totally relate having once sat through a Red Sox game in very similar conditions. All done in the name of love.)

Alike in so many ways, Erica and Michael are also very different in others, yet they are the perfect pair. They were coworkers who became friends and ultimately recognized that there could be something much more between them. Michael says that he knew first that they were meant to be and that Erica eventually came around. He says that they just fell in love. (They just fell in love. I love that. So much.) Erica loves that their relationship has such a strong foundation in friendship. She says that Michael is her best friend and that she is lucky to also be in love with him. (So. Sweet.)

Sometime later in their relationship, many things happened all at once. Michael was preparing to start a new job. Erica had sold her house so they could buy a new house together. And the week they moved in, Michael insisted they take a trip to the mountains in North Carolina to escape the Georgia heat and just get away from it all.

The weather was cool and crisp. The outdoor fireplace roared to life, tea lights created an air of romance, steaks were about to go on the grill, the sun was setting, and the red wine was flowing. It was the perfect moment. They stood together, wine in hand, watching the sun go down, their dog, Cooper, sitting beside them. In the next instant, Michael pulled Erica close and asked her to marry him. She immediately said yes, and Cooper, enthusiastically barked his approval beside them. (Love. It.)

{From the Bride} The day started off very cool but then morphed into a perfect 70-degree, sunny day with not a single cloud in the sky. All of our family and friends were in town for the wedding. The Farm at the Old Edwards Inn was the perfect venue which completely fit our style. We did an incredible amount of planning to make sure our wedding would be an experience for all of our guests. And it was absolutely perfect.

We wanted a comfortable yet elegant wedding and reception without ever forgetting the sense of place; the Blue Ridge Mountains and waterfalls. We did not want huge “florist-like” arrangements, but deconstructed small and large pots of flowers and lit candles everywhere. We even threw in some DIY elements with the escort cards and table names that I made, and the programs that our friend Melissa did.

{From the Groom} To break the ice, we met shortly before the wedding in the garden. The anticipation was incredible and my heart was pounding. Erica looked so beautiful. That moment was so special and private and will last in my heart forever.

Pretty romantic groom, wouldn’t you say? And how gorgeous are those floral arrangements? And the venue? Just beautiful and so, so cozy. And how could I forget the mash potato martini bar? Ingenious, I tell you! Makes me want a big bowl of them right now! :)

Congratulations Erica and Michael! Two times – as these two are expecting their first baby girl in October!! We wish all three of you (and Cooper too) so much love, luck, and laughter in the years to come! And thank you Shannah and Marisu of ZoomWorks Photography for sharing with us their incredible talent for capturing love in their lens!

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Photography: ZoomWorks Photography – Reception Venue: Old Edwards Inn and Spa

Invitations: Paper Source – Flowers: Oakleaf Flower and Garden

Hair Stylist: Andrea Love Minter of Mint Salon as referred by ZoomWorks – Makeup: Akenya as referred by ZoomWorks

Shoes: Jimmy Choo - Band: Shimmer Band

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Happy Tuesday!

xoxo