Foundry at Puritan Mill Wedding | Claire + Jon | Atlanta

From the moment I heard about the story of their love beginning in Africa, I knew that Claire and Jon’s wedding was going to be a day to remember.

While planning the wedding Claire was unsure of where to have the ceremony because the church that she and Jon belonged to wasn’t large enough to hold all of the guests they planned on having.

One day, while looking at possible churches with friends, she came across Druid Hills Baptist, a historic building that was simply magnificent on the outside.  She went inside and was thrilled to discover that the inside was just as gorgeous and had plenty of room.

Claire booked the church on the spot and later called her mom excitedly to share the news.  Once her mom realized which church it was she told Claire that coincidentally, the church was the same one that her grandfather had been baptized in, her great aunt had been married in, and where her grandparents had gone on their first date!

Finally the day of the wedding finally arrived, a crisp and perfect autumn afternoon.

Claire and her bridesmaids bustled around in the parlor room at the church, laughing and talking to each other as they steamed dresses and applied makeup.  Many of her bridesmaids were her sorority sisters from Georgia Tech, and at one point they broke into their sorority song.  It turns out that it was actually practice, because they would later surprise Claire with the same song at the reception along with all of her other sisters who were there.

A little while later Jon and the boys arrived, and they got ready with just as much excitement, but a little less singing.

Claire had been keeping a journal since she and Jon had gotten engaged, and I went with her bridesmaids to deliver it to Jon as his wedding day gift.  He was instructed only to read the last entry and as he did so, I saw a smile come across his face and happy tears form in the corner of his eyes as he read the words from his bride to be.

As the guests started to file in, they were treated to wonderful worship music which continued until it was time for the wedding party to come down the aisle.  After the bridesmaids and groomsmen were perfectly positioned on the altar, it was time for Claire to make her entrance.

Although I may be slightly prone to exaggeration at times, let me tell you that I honestly have NEVER seen a groom react to seeing his bride for the first time the way that Jon did when he first saw Claire.

It was the most beautiful and sweet thing I’ve ever seen, and by the time Claire had walked all the way down the aisle I was fighting back my own tears.  It was definitely one of those “I love my job” moments and I felt so honored to be there for it.

After such an emotionally charged entrance, there was a bit of comic relief when Claire’s dad accidentally snagged her veil after giving her away.  To his horror, the veil lifted right out of her hair, but her maid of honor quickly came to the rescue and put it back in its place.

From that point on the ceremony continued on smoothly and after their first kiss we were off to do portraits!

Claire and Jon were such good sports, braving the chilly breeze that was blowing as we took them up to roof of the church that overlooked the Atlanta skyline.

The reception was held at The Foundry at Puritan Mill, a gorgeous industrial inspired event space in Atlanta.  Guests enjoyed multiple food stations with southern comfort food courtesy of Bold American and packed the dance floor to the sounds of 3rd Generation Band.

The two amazing cakes were from the talented folks over at Frosted Pumpkin.

We are very grateful to Kate Byars who shot alongside us at the reception and got some awesome pictures.

The magical evening concluded with a sparkler lit exit as the bride and groom left in the awesome Ramblin’ Wreck, which was very appropriate for two Georgia Tech alums!

Congratulations Claire and Jon!  We wish you all the best!

XOXO,

B