Ceremony Backdrop Inspiration | Wedding Planning Tips

Over the last few years we have worked at almost every sanctuary in the Augusta area, we have also worked at every event venue! So making each of our ceremonies special and unique takes time and consideration. The ceremonies are a place that sometimes feels overlooked from an event design standpoint but as the reason why we are all gathered together, it is important to make it feel special!

Below we have gathered a few of our favorite images of the different ways we have decorated sanctuaries, as well as how we have decorated outdoor ceremonies!

Sanctuaries

When working within a church, we usually have some parameters to work around. However this does not mean that every ceremony looks the same! We obviously like to pull the florals that we are utilizing throughout the rest of the wedding into the floral focals of a ceremony, but there can be so much more than just that! We love using candelabras, greenery, pew markers, or different kinds of containers to personalize our sanctuary ceremonies.

Outside Ceremonies

We love outdoor ceremonies because they allow us to get a bit more creative when it comes to creating a backdrop for our clients’ ceremonies. As you can see below, one of our favorite things to create are large floral arches for a bit of wow-factor. However we also have done garlands hung in trees with swaths of soft fabric, peony garlands hung from a simple frame, and even modern, sleek white plinths topped with botanicals that were used throughout the event design.

Images by: Ashley Seawell Photography, Lauren Carnes Photography, Mark Williams Studio, Amy J Owen Photography, Andrew Donnan Photography, Amy Noon Free Photography, Robin Gerrard Photography,

2018: A Year in Reflection

2018 has been such a wonderful year! We have been lucky enough to have had the most wonderful clients, worked at some beautiful venues, and have been a part of some truly exceptional days. We thought it would be fun to have a little retrospective on our 2018 weddings, so without further ado…

Ansley + Richard

We started 2018 off with a gorgeous winter wedding for Ansley & Richard. The ceremony took place at Trinity on the Hill followed by a reception at Sacred Heart Cultural Center. The scale and grandeur of Sacred Heart is the most impressive venue in Augusta, it was a dream transforming it. The large bow tie bar (guests could select their Southern Proper tie of choice while ordering their beverages) was our favorite feature. Images below by Amy Noon Free.

Mary Hull + Patrick

Our next wedding was a stunning seated dinner held at the Augusta Country Club. Guests enjoyed a three-course meal among the candlelight of taper candles and towering flowering branches. This wedding was filled with incredible detail, not one thing was not thoughtfully considered. We loved creating an art lounge for guests to hang out in post-dinner with art loaned for the evening’s festivities by the bride’s talented friends. Images by Ashley Seawell Photography.

Lynnette + Dylan

Our spring wedding season kicked off with a Puerto-Rican infused celebration. Our bride and her family included many of their family’s traditions throughout the day including a Latin DJ and brandy soaked wedding cake. We loved the simplicity of the green, white, & black color palate. We especially loved the way the ceremony backdrop came together on the greens of West Lake Country Club. However the true scene-stealer was the sweet father of the bride, who’s tearful toast left not a dry eye in the house. Images by Ashley Seawell Photography.

Jesslynn + Scott

Jesslynn and Scott knew that they would want a brunch reception following their full mass ceremony at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Keeping that in mind we recommended the light-filled River Room at St. Paul’s. With a brunch-inspired menu by Tastefully Yours, and a DIY mimosa and bloody mary bar outside with a view of the river, guests were treated to a beautiful afternoon celebrating the couple. Images by Ashley Seawell Photography.

Sarah + James

Our next wedding took place at a new-to-us venue, the Reserve Club at Woodside in Aiken, SC. The bride’s family has close ties to Woodside and had all of their family and friends fly in from all over the world to celebrate with them! We loved the all-peony garland for the ceremony on the croquet lawn, the seated dinner in the gorgeous ballroom, and the dance party to the incredible Party on the Moon out on the event lawn. Truly a little slice of heaven right in our backyard. Images by Lauren Carnes.

Ellie + Brian

One of the best venues in the area is Champions Retreat out in Evans, GA. We always enjoy working out there and were so excited when Ellie and Brian came to us for florals for their May wedding! Even with rain in the forecast, that didn’t stop the party! Guests danced the night away in the party barn all night! Images by Rachel Tesch Photography.

Charlotte + Carson

Greg has been a part of several wedding out in Wadley, GA in the past, which is how Charlotte and Carson came to us for their May wedding out on Charlotte’s family’s property. It was a beautiful wedding dayA gorgeous pole tent set out on the green lawn with a ceremony taking place beneath a magnificent walnut tree, it was truly a picturesque setting! The weather was touch and go the whole week leading up to the big day and while there were some rain sprinkles throughout the day, they were all perfectly timed. The groom turned to us after the ceremony with a big grin on his face and said “I told you, I’ve got some good juju!” Images by Mark Williams Studio.

Taylor + Peyton

Our next wedding was for one of our own! Taylor and Peyton got married at St. Augustine’s, followed by a reception held at the Augusta Country Club. We loved Taylor’s love for french blue, so we incorporated it into much of the wedding design! The wedding took place a few days before the 4th of July, so we just had to have some star shaped sunglasses & American flags for guests while they danced the night away. A highlight was the vintage Land Cruiser that the bride and groom made their getaway in for sure! Images by Ashley Seawell Photography.

Elizabeth + Drew

Our first fall wedding of the season took place at the Old Medical College for Elizabeth & Drew’s wedding. While we only supplied the florals, we thoroughly enjoyed working with Elizabeth on her vision of a gathered, wild, textural look. Our favorite element was the large hanging wreath we hung in the rotunda. It was a showstopper, especially once the cake was placed beneath it. Images by Gately Williams.

Jamie + Adam

One of our favorite things about working in Augusta, GA are the number of garden weddings that our clients host at their homes. Jamie and Adam’s fall wedding took place at Jamie’s parents home and it was the perfect fall gathering. The gorgeous color palate and natural surroundings of the garden created such a magical backdrop to celebrate the couple. We loved the vintage car that the bride & groom took to get from their ceremony at Church of the Good Shepherd to the reception, it was so fun to see guests greeting them as they pulled up. A full blog post featuring this wedding will come in the new year! Images by Laura Fulmer. Detail Shots by Amy Owen.

To all of our brides, grooms, and their families, thank you for entrusting us with your big day. It is such an honor getting to be a part of each of them. We truly love getting to know our clients and miss them when it’s all over! We wish you many, many of years of happiness and love! Have a wonderful 2019!