A Marriage Celebration

I have a special real wedding in store for you today! It always such a treat to feature a wedding from my hometown especially when the reception took place at one of my favorite restaurants in all of Atlanta, JCT Kitchen. Below is a little bit more from Rachel and Michael about their lovely wedding…

As the art director of Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, Rachel Cardina captivates the reader with fresh content in each issue, marrying photography, typography and illustration. But when it came to planning her own wedding to Michael Adkins, that kind of vision proved to be both a blessing and a curse. Having complete creative freedom might seem like a designer’s dream but-with so many options at her disposal-it was a challenge for this bride to narrow down her this-will-happen-once-in-a-lifetime choices.

At the same time, these young professionals had to walk a virtual tightrope, balancing their wish for a memorable wedding with a relatively tight budget. But, in the end, that challenge proved to be the impetus for a ceremony that was, at once, surprising and inspirational. Given their budget-and the current economy-the couple opted to forego anything superfluous while not sacrificing style, celebrating minimalism and the artisan, instead. And once photographer Jose Villa had been secured, their ingenuity knew no bounds. They bartered the cake, bought flowers wholesale and Rachel designed the invitations. The bride even bought her dress right off the rack, having the size 10 altered down to a size 0!

Each detail was incredibly resourceful, none more so than the site of the wedding itself. The ceremony took place in Atlanta’s artsy and industrial Westside neighborhood, in a courtyard overlooking a stretch of working railroad tracks and facing the downtown skyline. The reception that followed was at next-door JCT Kitchen, which serves up “Southern Farmstead Cooking” in a casually elegant casual atmosphere. And the requisite wedding photos?  They were taken right before the ceremony at a 19th-century Edwin Lutyens-style barn located in the heart of Buckhead.

Call it simple but sophisticated, romantic yet modern. The “expect-the-unexpected” approach to this wedding is precisely what Rachel and Michael-as well as their guests-will remember for years to come.

Photography: Jose Villa

Venue: JCT Kitchen

Invitations/Bouquets/Flowers/Event Design: Rachel Lasserre

Boutonnieres/Succulent Plantings: Mark and Scott

Groom’s Suit: Sid Mashburn

Wedding Dress: Claire Pettibone

Bridesmaid Dresses: Anthropologie

Calligraphy: Betsy Dunlap

Chandelier: Illuminati Antiques

Stay tuned for a beautiful tablescape designed by Rachel and Michael coming up next!

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