The Kentucky Derby is the epitome of celebrating springtime, classic preppy fashion, and The South. Since Kirsten and Andrew love all three, a Kentucky Derby inspired wedding at a horse park in Atlanta was exactly their cup of (sweet) tea! With mint juleps in hand and Vineyard Vines bow ties abound, the Chastain House Park celebration was delightfully Southern and irresistibly chic. Tessa Marie Weddings beautifully captured the day, and we can’t stop looking at her images of Kirsten and Andrew’s first look by the babbling brook.
The Couple:
Kirsten and Andrew
The Wedding:
Chastain Horse Park, Atlanta, Georgia
The Inspiration:
We were married at the Chastain Horse Park, which is a very unique wedding venue in Buckhead. We had been engaged the previous year over Kentucky Derby wedding, and we both love horse racing, whiskey cocktails, wide brimmed hats, and all things southern. A “Kentuky Derby- inspired Southern wedding” seemed like the perfect fit for us and our venue. The boys wore Vineyard Vines bow ties with mint julep cups and horseshoes, we served mint juleps as our signature cocktail, our highboy tables had arrangements in mint julep cups, our koozies had a racehorse with the tagline “…and they’re off,” I put out collectible mint julep cups from the Derby for each year we’d been together, etc.
The Moments:
Our first look. I was so excited for Andrew to see me in my dress and to see how handsome he looked in his suit and bowtie. It was a special time because it was really the only time we got alone before the wedding and we were able to reflect on the gravity of the day and what it meant to be getting married.
The Couple Recommends:
Of course Tessa Marie – she is incredibly sweet, accommodating, professional, and talented. I also loved working with Katie Lloyd from Boukates. I changed my vision a few times, and she was very quick to help draft up a new plan. The flowers were fresh, fit within my budget, and were more beautiful than I’d anticipated.
The Wedding Team:
Photography – Tessa Marie Weddings
Venue – Chastain Horse Park
Floral Design – Boukates
Catering – Avenue Catering
Cake – Confection Perfection
Live Music – Empire Empire Band
Invitations – Simply Gorgeous Gifts
Makeup Artist – Grace Armas
Wedding Dress – Birnbaum & Bullock via La Raine’s Bridal Boutique
Bridal Accessories – Badgley Mischka
Bridesmaids’ Apparel – Alfred Sung via Bella Bridesmaids
Groom’s Apparel – Men’s Warehouse, Vineyard Vines
Transportation – Atlantic Limousine and Transportation Service
Favors – Cherish by Noel
A special thanks to Tessa Marie Weddings for sharing Kirsten and Andrew’s Derby-inspired wedding with Junebug! For more preppy wedding inspiration, check out Mollie and Matt’s navy and pink wedding at the Waverley Country Club.
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