Elegant Wedding Photos at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center

by Jaimie Dee | Sep 5, 2016 | Atlanta Wedding Photographers, Atlanta Wedding Venues, Mansion Wedding Venues in Georgia, Outdoor Wedding Venues in Georgia

Eun & Cris’ wedding yesterday was nothing short of spectacular.  If you’re looking for Callanwolde wedding photos, look no further!  Providing Atlanta wedding photography to couples throughout the city, we LOVE working at venues as amazing as Callanwolde.  Even though this wedding took place in what was technically fall weather, it definitely still felt like summer time in Georgia!  We started off the day with getting ready photos in the groom & bridal suites at the venue.  There were pre-wedding beers, an exchanging of bride and groom letters, and nervous giggles all around.  After the first look, we got to create some AMAZING imagery around Callanwolde, taking full advantage of the stained glass window at the top of the grand staircase.  We then proceeded to the outdoors ceremony area for family photos.  They had simple, yet elegant outdoor ceremony decor and a gorgeous summer time color palette!  We even had a chance to run around the gardens behind the venue for some more romantic outdoor pictures.  We love it whenever we have the opportunity to capture greenery in any Atlanta wedding photography wedding.  At the indoor ballroom reception, we witnessed perhaps one of the best wedding brass bands we have ever come across!  Cannot say enough good things about how much positive energy this band radiated.  Interactive, high energy, and got the whole reception hall on their feet!  Overall, Cris & Eun had an amazing time surrounded by great friends, loving family, and an awesome team to put it all together.  By far the best Callanwolde wedding photos we’ve done to date. 😉  Below we’ve included some highlights of the day and an interview with the bride!

Getting Ready Photos at Callanwolde

How did the two of you meet? What were your first impressions? Was it love at first sight?
We met in college (my freshmen year and Cris was in his junior year). We met through mutual friends and social club that we both joined. I didn’t have a great impression of Cris–I thought he was a jerk although cute. But then after the social club initiation was over, I got to know Cris better and started to like him more and more.

Bride Getting Ready Portraits at Callanwolde

What attracted you most to each other? How long before you started dating? Where was your first date? Were you nervous?
Cris’s eyes and smiles attracted me to him. And I loved his leadership skills–how he stood out amongst our group of friends. We were friends for about a year and a half before we started dating. I went up to him my sophomore year (end of 1st semester) and told him that I liked him. I made the first move because I was tired of waiting for him to make a move. 🙂 Our first date was at a shopping mall–Stonecrest mall–and a restaurant called Arizona’s. I was SOOOOO nervous. I am a HUGE foodie and love to eat and I couldn’t eat a BITE at dinner. Cris was like “are you ok? what is wrong with you?” He thought I was being a snob with the food.

Bride & Groom Portraits at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center

What made this person different from anyone else you’d ever encountered? Were you nervous about one another meeting your family? Why? Who said I love you first? How did you feel after these words were said?

I didn’t have to put up a front with him from the first day. I think that’s what made my relationship with him different. I could be honest–make lame jokes with each other and laugh our butts off until we cry. To this day, we can argue about something but then a few minutes later, be laughing with each other about anything.

I met Cris’s parents unexpectedly after winter break. Cris picked me up from the airport and told me on the spot that we were heading to his parent’s home to meet them. I was flabbergasted–I was nervous for 30 minutes until I met his parents. His parents are the SWEETEST. After a year, I invited him to my parents’ house during Christmas break. I don’t know if he was too nervous or not because he didn’t look it. I wasn’t too nervous about him meeting my parents and brothers. I knew they would like him immediately as I did.

Hmm. If my memory serves me right, I believe Cris said I love you first. I was kind of floored after he said the words. He was really the first guy that floored me with the phrase “I love you.” It was such a warm feeling of pure happiness (lame I KNOW. Don’t gag at this)

Callanwolde Stained Glass Window Staircase

Callanwolde Atrium Reception Room Decor

Wedding Ceremony at Callanwolde under the Big Oak Tree

When did you know this person was the one? Was it a slow realization that crept up on you, or did it hit you like a bus? How did you feel when you had that “this is it” moment? 
I think I knew when I saw him interacting with my family and his family. It was the way he would treat them-respond and interact. Family is very important to me and seeing how he respects everyone was very meaningful to me. When I experienced the “this is it” moment, the first thought in my head was “oh shit. this is real now.”

How/ when did the engagement happen? Did everything go as planned? Who was the first person you told about your engagement? Leading up to and when the question was asked, were there butterflies? Was there any suspicion?

This was when I was working and living in NYC and Cris was working for LL Bean in Portland, Maine. My birthday is on May 21 so Cris invited me up to Portland to celebrate my birthday weekend (Memorial Day wknd). So I flew up Thursday May 22nd evening after work.
The next morning (Friday May 23rd) was the day that he proposed. We woke up and got ready. We went to a breakfast place and had a good time. We came back to the apartment and I was just hanging out and Cris was getting ready. He told me that he was taking me to a really good lunch place where we had reservations. We were going to Fort Williams Park first and then going to the restaurant. I asked him if we could bring Cooper since we were going to the park–and we could leave him in the car since it was a cool, cloudy day. He said no. (My feelings were a tiny bit hurt by this.) Once Cris said no and then asked me which type of shirt he should wear so that he could steam it, I began to get suspicious–but still had no clue about the proposal. (continued below)

Afterwards, we went to the Fort Williams Park and then he lead me to a trail and a cliff area–that oversaw the harbour. It’s a really pretty sight. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a guy sitting on a bench wearing a really familiar looking green jacket. I thought it was weird that someone was just sitting there in a not-so-nice weather. Hardly anyone was around the park because of the weather (and it was Friday too). (continued below)

Anyway, I turned my back to the guy and Cris and looked out to the harbour. As soon as I turned around, Cris was standing in front of me and had his hands in his pockets. When he started with “Soooooooo…..” And that’s when I knew for sure and my mind went blank. “Sooo, we have been together for a really long time now and I love you. And I appreciate everything that you do for me so I was wondering if you would do me the honor of becoming my wife.” And he dropped down to one knee and my hands went up to my mouth in shock/joy/excitement. During this whole time, the guy in green jacket was our friend, Aaron, and he was taking photos the entire time Cris was talking. I immediately said yes and we kissed. I started crying and Aaron came running up to us congratulating us and taking more photos. That’s when I pointed out to Cris that I saw a familiar jacket sitting in the cold and thought that was super weird. We laughed and took a few more photos. Aaron left after taking a few more photos and then Cris and I headed to this food truck that specializes in lobster rolls. We shared one together before I started calling my parents/friends. We decided to head back to the apartment so that I can reach out to people. But the weird thing was that no one was picking up my phone calls! I called my parents; no response. Cris’s parents; no response. Ivory (my best friend and maid of honor); no response. I texted my friend, Jun, who responded back quickly. He was the first one congratulating me. I was a little upset that no one from our families were picking up the phone calls. I decided to call everyone back later. (continued below)

Bride & Groom Portraits Outdoors at Sunset

We came back to the apartment and hung out/celebrating with Cooper. Around 3:30pm or 4pm (can’t remember for sure), Cris told me to bundle up so that we can go to a restaurant for dinner. I thought it was weird again that we were going to an early dinner. We walked to the old historical area and walked to a port area. I knew there was no restaurant near the port and asked him where we were going. He told me that he white-lied to me and that we were going on a boat. There was this historical/old sailboat tied to the dock but with no one on board. We just walked up to the sailboat and there were 3 men on the boat. There was the captain and two deck mates. The captain welcomed Cris and I and told us that there was no one on board yet. In the meantime, head downstairs to check out the boat as it is 100 years old and is warmer downstairs. Oh and when heading down the 6 step ladder, the captain told us to walk down backwards as the steps were wet and slippery. I went down first and turned to my left and saw a mini-kitchen. It was super cute. And then when I turned some more to my left, the first thing I heard was a roar of “SURPRISE. CONGRATULATIONS!” My mother-in-law, Susan, ran and hugged me first. I was in shock and disbelief that my entire family was down below deck. As soon as I saw my mom, I started crying. Can’t tell you the reason why but I did. I cried a lot that day. Make up was a hot mess. Anyway, my entire family–mom, dad, Jonathan, Nathan, grandma, and cousin from Korea; Cris’s family-mom, dad, brother: Carl; oh and Aaron was there taking pictures yet again. Aaron’s girlfriend, Jaime, was also there to surprise us. This was when I learned the truth about my grandma traveling to the US early that month. My grandma lives in Korea full time and decided to travel to the US for Jonathan’s college graduation. I was told that this was the main reason and I totally ate it. I had no clue that she had traveled to the US for my engagement to Cris. Cris had planned all of this with my family way before time and had requested for my grandma to come because he knew I wanted my grandma to be a part of it somehow. Of course, this led to more tears. Anyway, we all went back up and sailed around the harbor for 1-2 hours. Cris had chartered the sailboat privately so that the entire families could celebrate together. We celebrated for the entire Memorial day weekend. It was amazing.

Last Questions!
What’s the one thing about each other you couldn’t live without?
His humor

Callanwolde Wedding Reception in the Ballroom

Atlanta Wedding Photographers: Jaimie Dee Photography with Jaimie Dee, Calvin Cummings, & Kyle Holmes
Wedding Planning: Kecia Wilson with 3 Little Birds Weddings
Ceremony & Reception Venue: Caitlin King with Callanwolde Fine Arts Center
Band: Cindy Medus & Contagious
Dress Boutique: Demetrios at Macy’s Herald Square
Florist: Kerry Keisler
Catering: Saffold Smith with Affairs to Remember
Makeup Artist: Grace Sim
Hair Stylist: Sacha & Tymeka with Beauty Blend Group