SQUEE! Sorry, we tried to play it cool, but… EEEE LOOK! Some weddings just ooze effortless chic – and Rachael and Ryan’s Jewish wedding day was definitely one of those weddings! Their industrial-boho theme was so perfectly executed that it looks lifted from the pages of Pinterest. In fact, that’s exactly where it belongs (you know what to do, folks).
The blank-canvas Atlanta venue, Ambient + Studio, was the perfect setting for the succulent-laden dà©cor, with its white exposed brick walls and gorgeous natural light.
The happy couple clearly have an eye for design, because every detail was just perfect, from the hanging terrariums (so on trend) to the beautiful color gradient of bridesmaids’ gowns, the mouth-watering naked cake to the show-stopping wooden chuppah from Annie’s Creek. Let’s not forget that the couple planned this wedding themselves, with a little help from their friends!
Bride Rachael looked like a boho woodland princess in her lush lace Dreamers and Lovers dress and fashion-forward half-up, half-down ‘do – she absolutely stole the show.
Photographer, Simply Violet Photography, created a sensational spread of images that really tell the story of the day – we’re totally in love. The couple also enlisted a dear friend, Jarell P. Wall, to provide the oh-so-sweet wedding video below.
There’s so much to love about this big day: the surprise serenade, the sparkler-lit exit, but we’ll let Rachael tell you all about it in her own words. Take it away, Rachael!
A blank-canvas industrial venue
Rachael, the bride: We got married in Ambient + Studio in Atlanta, Georgia. This is a 10,000 sq^2 foot blank canvas with high ceiling and wooden floor.
It has a unique industrial setting to it, with old blueprints of machinery and pieces of equipment, such as a scale, in the building. Also The Walking Dead was filmed around the area! Jason from Ambient + Studio was very helpful, along with the whole team.
An industrial-boho aesthetic
We wanted our wedding to be simple and modern fused with some industrial and bohemian vibes. Strange combo but it worked. We had a lot of greenery in general. We included succulent-type plants and air plants, which are some of my favorites, as well had unique terrariums.
We also had 13 bridesmaids (including a bridesman) and groomsmen and wanted to have as many friends and family as possible to celebrate with us. We planned the wedding ourselves, with some help from some friends on the day. The groomsmen and friends helped set up all the details the day of and the chuppah!
We handmade our table numbers and wedding seating plan. Our friends helped set everything up with that. We also had tiny envelopes and note cards for people to drop their advice into for us. My best friend, Katie, was our day-of wedding planner.
Geometric invitations
We bought our invitation design off Etsy and had it customized. It was simple and had a succulent on it. We really liked the geometric pattern on it that went with the theme.
I get glam with a little help from my friends
Madeline Hall, owner Pink Dagger Studio, did my hair. She started doing a hairstyle the day of that I liked and we went with it. We were trying to figure out what would look best with my flower piece that sat on the back of my head. I went for a half-up, half-down look.
One of my best friends, Ann Warren, did my makeup as a gift to me. She is incredibly talented and does makeup as a hobby. One of my best friends, Emma Llyod, did everyone’s hair! She is amazing!
A tailor-made Dreamers and Lovers dress
My dress was from Dreamers and Lovers. They were the best. I had an ‘Alice’ sample dress sent to me and decided it was the one! I tried it on alone in our office room with no full-length mirror. It just felt right and I liked the bohemian style to it. I wanted something simple and elegant for a reasonable price.
I sent them my custom measurements and they tailor made the dress for me. They were absolutely amazing!
Heirloom accessories
I had a really neat flower head piece (half way only placed on back of head) It was designed by Jenna at Gold & Bloom.
I also wore two of my late grandmother’s rings that were given to me as a gift the night before the wedding by my aunt Rita.
Rose gold sandals
I wore some rose gold block-heel sandals. I wanted to be comfortable and I love rose gold! Both my wedding and engagement ring are rose gold.
The handsome groom
Ryan and his groomsmen wore a navy blue suit with brown leather shoes and a belt to match. They all had greenery in their corsages and Ryan had a succulent. Ryan gave them each some colorful socks to rock the day of the wedding.
Bridesmaids and bridesmen
I had nine bridesmaids, one bridesman and three maids of honor. We went with a sage green infinity dress from Etsy for the bridesmaids.
My bridesman, Travis, picked out an awesome sage green suit and cool elegant silver accessories to match. The maids of honor wore a light grey/silver infinity dress.
A beautiful wooden chuppah
I saw some chuppah design ideas I liked online and found something on Etsy at Annie’s Creek. I got the lace at a fabric store in Palm Beach, FL.
A touching ceremony
We didn’t have a ketubah. We had a beautiful wooden chuppah with lace on top.
My dad walking me down the aisle was very special. We had a few moments together alone before he walked me down. It was very exciting, and seeing him hug Ryan before handing me off was really beautiful to watch.
Our Rabbi Lebbow did an incredible job and made the whole crowd really get into it and enjoy it. I think the special parts also were our vows we wrote for one another. The rabbi said, right before Ryan crushed the glass, that “this would be the last time he would ever put his foot down.” Everyone laughed, including us!
Also just having everyone there that meant so much to us. We had Ryan’s best friends fly all the way over from England just to be there. It was so amazing to have the group all together, especially before moving out of the country.
Ceremony music classics
For the wedding party coming in to the ceremony, we played Catch and Release by Matt Simon. For my entrance, we played Quieter Is Louder by Above and Beyond (our favorite group). For the recessional, we played Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours by Stevie Wonder.
Succulents and greenery
We had a multitude of different succulents and air plants and a lot of hanging greenery in the space. We also had some awesome asymmetric floral designs on the chuppah. Gold & Bloom by Jenna brought it to life.
I really wanted some whites, greens and navy in there. I am not sure of the specific flowers that were used on my bouquet, but it had a big, beautiful air plant in the center. The bridesmaids had greenery in theirs.
We had votive candles scattered on the tables and little vases with white blooms on the three connected farm tables where the wedding party sat. There were glass bulbs filled with succulents and air plants with moss over the sweetheart table.
Our fabulous photographer and videographer
Simply Violet Photography did THE BEST JOB I could have ever imagined. They are a newlywed couple (congrats April & James) and they did our engagement photos as well. They are the best, and are absolutely lovely people to work with. They make it all fun and games and truly enjoyable.
We used our good long-time friend, Jarell P. Wall, of GQ Media, as our videographer.
Naked cake
We used Confection Perfection Cakes in Georgia.
We wanted a nake-styled cake with some layers and succulent decorations/blue thistle. Ryan’s mom’s friend, did the groomsmen’s cake and made a drum-style cake in rose gold! It was so beautiful! The overall catering was done by Gotta Have It catering. Vince and Travis are the absolute best!
A sparkler-lit exit
Entertainment was provided by our catering service too. Travis did an excellent job. It made sense to condense the amount of vendors in order to be synced.
At the end of the night, we had people line up with sparklers as we got into the car and drove away. It was really so much fun.
I think, overall, people really enjoyed themselves at the wedding and we all broke it down that night!
Photobooth favors
We had a photobooth by TNT Funtimes with lots of props and gave out photos from the night for people to take with them!
A surprise serenade
Ryan surprised me by serenading me at the wedding. He wrote a song for me for our first Valentine’s day together, while we were in Paris, and played that in front of all the people at our reception. He also played my favorite song of all time from the Wedding Singer, I Wanna Grow Old With You by Adam Sandler.
A bride’s speech
We had some amazing speeches by my mom, dad, Ryan’s mom, along with our best friends, sister and grandfather. My sister decided to roast me while she had the chance. My grandfather’s speech stood out to us. He told us the key to marriage was to love one another more than we love ourselves.
We had some awesome southern-style food that was delicious, including some chicken and waffle appetizers. I made a bride’s speech at the beginning with all my bridesmaids getting ready. I really wanted to thank them so much for everything. I also thanked all the guest for coming during the reception. I counted it and I think we had people from 53 cities and two or three countries there. It was also so special to have all of the Brits there!
Advice to couples currently planning their wedding
Things aren’t going to go as planned and it’s OK. Also the day flies by, so why stress? Instead, enjoy and soak up everything you can.
Rachael & Ryan’s little white book
Photographer – Simply Violet Photography
Venue – Ambient + Studio
Bride’s dress – purchased at Dreamers and Lovers
Bridesmaids – Etsy
Hair – Pink Dagger Studio
Flowers – Gold & Bloom
Catering and DJ – Gotta Have It
Cake – Confection Perfection Cakes
Photo Booth – TNT Funtimes
Chuppah – Annie’s Creek
Rabbi – Rabbi Lebbow
