Intimate wedding inspiration at Swan House

Exquisite details highlight this timeless wedding inspiration combining the loveliest florals from Gertie Mae’s Floral Design and a palette of muted pastels with the splendid architecture of Swan House in Atlanta for a look that is refined and romantic. The cake, artfully designed and crafted by the great Melissa’s Fine Pastries, mirrored the old-world charm of the intimate setting, while the flowing Shop Gossamer dress gave off an ethereal feeling as early morning rolled into a fresh Spring day.

Valerie Gernhauser teamed up once again with Archetype Studio for another destination wedding inspiration project. We met up in Atlanta, Georgia, at the historic Swan House for a vintage-inspired intimate wedding design. Taking in the history of the home, the rolling hills on the property, and the intricate details of the architecture, we sought out to set the stage for what we imagined to be a stunning intimate ceremony and small wedding reception on the vast grounds of this beautiful historic property.

I love incorporating colors into the design of an event wherever possible, and for this inspiration we used soft peach hues for the table linens, as well as pink and blush tones for depth. Because the gardens on the property are so verdant and decadent, I wanted the celebration to feel appropriate for the location. Competing against the landscape and architecture wouldn’t feel right, so I made an effort to incorporating the natural beauty of the courtyards and gardens into each design vignette.

Ceremonies at Swan House often take place on the large back lawn, featuring the massive dual stone staircase as a structural backdrop for the ceremony location. Considering this inspiration contemplated an event on a much smaller scale, I wanted to play off of this area of the House where the light is so soft and beautiful, by draping a delicate garland of loose and organic greenery at the top of the stairs, setting of a simple and understated elegant ceremony location.

Together with the team at Archetype, we brought the models (a real married couple, whose chemistry was simply perfect) through the courtyard on the side of the home where the trees and deckled light made for a beautiful setting for a newlywed photo session. The Gossamer gown – a vintage find – accented with a long tail ribbon at each shoulder was the perfect attire for the setting.

We found the architectural details around every corner at Swan House too good to pass up. Setting up a sweetheart table for an intimate wedding reception near the archways on the north lawn was a great vista – overlooking the rolling hills at the front of the property, and tucked away amidst the stone archways and green vines. What I love most about Swan House as a wedding venue is that there are so many opportunities for beautiful, intimate moments for couples and their guests to take advantage of!