Real Wedding: Angie & Michael

Joyful and calm wedding in the Southern comfort of Savannah

Jasmine petals, fresh citruses, vibrant colors, southern warmth and hospitality — just a few words that perfectly describe Angie and Michael's intimate and cheerful wedding. Every detail from the bridal gown to the song of the evening's big dance was infused with love, amazing twists of fate, awe and happiness. We had the exciting opportunity to hear in detail from the bride herself about the process of organizing her wedding, and to gather valuable advice on how to add a touch of sincerity and uniqueness to your special day. Keep scrolling to feel the spring Savannah vibe, the radiance and love in the air.

Tell us a little about yourselves. How did you meet? What do you do for a living? What are your hobbies?

Michael and I met in school at the Savannah College of Art and Design. We went on the most jittery coffee date during the summer of 2015 and have been together since. I’m on the creative team at lululemon and Michael is a sound designer for animated television shows. When we’re not working, we love going on walks, watching reality shows, and playing tennis.

Where was your wedding? Why did you choose this venue?

We were wed at Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum in Savannah, Georgia. We’d been to events there over the years and always loved the open air design and the thoughtful spaces within the venue — there are several distinct locations within the gardens that when used in a particular order differentiate the evening’s events in their own beautiful way. Savannah is where Michael grew up and where we met and fell in love, so it was the natural choice for our day.

What was the concept behind your wedding and how did you find your inspiration?

We wanted our wedding to feel as warm and welcoming as Savannah. We did our best to bottle that feeling with authentic food, an array of organic yet lively colors, and by leaning on all the natural givens of Savannah in May. For color, I pulled from paintings and florals that I love, and I used Instagram for garden party inspiration to fill in the gaps.

How long did it take to plan your wedding? Did you encounter any challenges during the planning process?

We were engaged for just under two years. It gave us ample time to spread out big decisions and to secure the vendors we wanted to work with. Our biggest challenge was the nature of planning a Georgia wedding all the way from California. It’s tricky from so far away, but we found ourselves in the best hands with our friend Sophie, owner of Dapper Events. She gave us all the ease we could’ve ever hoped for and we cannot recommend her enough.

How many guests did you have? And what was the seating arrangement at the wedding like?

We had about 100 guests. Michael and I sat at a sweetheart table between two rectangular head tables for our wedding parties and their dates, and then peppered 9 round tables around the checkered dance floor. All the tables had loose citrus, whimsical flowers, and pale blue linens. We were so happy with the flow and look of it all.

Tell us about your outfits. How many different styles have you tried?

For our rehearsal dinner, I wore a hand embroidered backless dress by Agua by Agua Bendita and a pair of LOQ shoes, with Michael in Billy Reid from head to toe.

For the ceremony, I’d had my eyes on Danielle Frankel’s Rosalie dress before we were even engaged, but it was out of my budget. I went to a Loho Bride sample sale in Los Angeles in hopes of finding it, but it’d been sold just before I arrived. I filed it away for a while, but went to the same boutique’s sample sale a few months later and ended up bumping into the bride who had bought it. We chatted a bit, and she sold it to me! It felt like fate, and I love that the dress has several love stories to tell. Nanaz Hatami at Tailor Here altered the dress to absolute perfection. I chose baby blue Loeffler Randall heels as my “something blue”, and wore Michael’s grandmother’s opals as my “something old”. Michael wore a Hugo Boss tuxedo and Ferragamo shoes, both gifts from his dad.

What was your first dance song? Did you choreograph or improvise?

Our first dance was to “Coming Home” by Leon Bridges. His album came out when we first started dating in 2015, so it’s always reminded us of the early days of our relationship. It was improvised (which was very apparent).

What was the most memorable moment from your wedding day?

Seconds after our ceremony with golden hour light streaming into the back of the venue and tears streaming down our faces, our wedding party followed us for a spell of hugs and tears before entering cocktail hour. We had never felt so much love all at once! It was something we’ll never forget.

Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?

All of our vendors were incredible! Our photographer Kayla Snell was a perfect match for us. As a photographer and creative myself, it was important for our wedding photographer to share an ethos around capturing the day in an authentic way. Similarly, our videographer Rachel Monteagudo was wonderful to work with. She shot on a Super 8 film and really captured the love and energy of the day. Sophie and her team at Dapper Events made our day run flawlessly, we didn’t have to worry about a thing. My hair and makeup artist, Arbana Dollani, created a bridal look that felt like an elevated version of myself, and she even gave Michael an impromptu haircut minutes before our first look. Madeline Read Florals made my colorful daydream a reality with local and seasonal blooms intertwined with tiny citrus scattered on the tables. DJ Will Smith kept the dance floor packed all night. Our delicious cake was made by Wicked Cakes, our favorite bakery in Savannah. The food from Erica Davis Lowcountry was exactly what we wanted our wedding to convey to our guests — Southern comfort.

What advice would you give to couples who are currently planning their wedding?

The energy of the couple sets the tone for what the day will be. Before the wedding, choose 3 words for how you want to feel on your day, and make every planning decision an extension of that intention. Ours were joyful, calm, and present.

Did you have any pre-wedding events, like a rehearsal dinner or bridal shower?

We hosted our rehearsal dinner at Zunzibar in downtown Savannah. We had our second date at its sister restaurant that has since been closed, and we love their South African food and sweet tea so it felt like the perfect fit. It was a casual outdoor dinner with lots of laughter, hugs, and polaroids.

Did you have any special or unique elements at your wedding?

One of our favorite special touches were the table numbers and place cards done by Little Tiger Studios, a printmaking artist in Savannah. We worked together to pick motifs for each table, and I love how they added an element of whimsy. I hand wrote each chartreuse name card and layered it on top of the place card, so guests could take the art prints home.

My wedding fragrance was Orange Blossom by Jo Malone. It smells like springtime in Savannah — it's the most delicate, jasmine forward, bright scent. Our flower girls and ring bearer spread a mix of dried jasmine and petals from bouquets Michael had given me over the years down the aisle.

What gift from guests do you remember the most?

We’re the most grateful for the amount of time and effort that people put into celebrating us. We came away from that weekend feeling a level of love and support that’s hard to put into words. To look into the crowd during the ceremony and see smiling faces from all stages of our life all in the same place is a feeling we will never, ever forget.