Fernbank Museum Wedding // Kaela & Hannah

Oh what a dream this wedding was! You’ll remember these two from their farmer’s-market-brunch-engagement session, of course. If you loved that, get ready for the next level. Kaela & Hannah’s wedding was so incredibly full of love and community; it was such a joyful day to be a part of! I got to spend the day at two of my favorite places in Atlanta: The Hotel Clermont and Fernbank Museum. And I got to do it all with two people I absolutely adore, Kaela & Hannah, as they tied the knot!

Getting Ready at The Hotel Clermont

The day began at the Hotel Clermont with the two of them getting ready together with their nearest and dearest. They even helped each other with their details, which is one of my all-time favorite aspects of getting reach together! Kaela & Hannah even made time for breakfast in bed {which I am HERE for!}. After they were ready, we explored inside the hotel playing with some of the vibrant details around us. It was the best way to start their wedding day.

Any tips for future couples on how to prepare for their wedding photos?

H: If possible, coordinate an engagement shoot with your wedding photographer before your big day. A great photographer will take the chance to get to know you under less stressful circumstances, so when the day comes, they can make suggestions that they know you will like that you wouldn’t have thought of in the moment.

K: Try to have fun, and don’t worry about the camera. Also don’t be afraid to go outside of the box and make sure you’re really showing your personalities. You don’t have to do something just because it’s “traditional”.

Wedding Portraits at Fernbank Museum

After playing around in the Clermont lobby, we headed to the ceremony & reception venue, Fernbank Museum, a personal favorite of mine. We explored the main room with the huge skeletons and the back Wildwoods with the paths and mushrooms before tucking back inside for their Star Gallery ceremony. As you can see from these portraits, Kaela & Hannah are just wonderful to work with. We didn’t have fun at all {ha!}.

What did you love about your venue/wedding location?

Besides the dope dinosaur skeletons and romantic star gallery??? We love the sentimental feeling of partying in the museum that most people in Atlanta visited on field trips or with their grandparents when they were little (like Kaela). And our out of town guests got to see one of our favorite Atlanta nonprofit institutions! Plus, it was a practical choice to have the natural setting we wanted without being outside in the Georgia heat/possible rain.

If you could do it all over, would you change anything?

More carefully scope out the area we would be taking pictures in and make a list. In the moment, it’s hard to remember all the shots you want!

Wedding Ceremony

The Star Gallery is such a gorgeous space, with the ceiling made out to imitate different moments of twilight with starlight sprinkled across. It’s an intimate space that somehow still feels expansive, and it was perfect for these two and their ceremony. The sheer joy that was felt when Kaela & Hannah were announced as married was incredible. I love how excited everyone is for them!

Most memorable moment from your wedding day?

H: The end of our ceremony, when our officiant pronounced us, “married… at last!” The room exploded in applause, the recessional music started, and we were married!

K: After we each gave our vows, our officiant asked the attendees to also give vows to us. She read them and asked the room to respond, “We do.” When prompted, our friends and family all shouted, “WE DO!” at the top of their lungs. It was a beautiful moment that reinforces to us how strong our village is.

Wedding Reception at Fernbank Museum

Kaela & Hannah’s reception was a lively one out in front of the giant dinosaurs watching over everyone. The dance floor was full all night – everyone had a blast together. Kaela & Hannah were waved off at the end of the night, which felt like such a sweet way to end their incredible night.

What advice would you give to other couples planning their wedding?

H: Put your money where your heart is. Hire friends, people in your community, local artists. It’s so satisfying to know that even though weddings are expensive, you’re doing a lot to give back to your community at the same time.

K: Don’t forget that you’re doing this because you and your partner want to get married. Planning is stressful, but if you keep the goal in mind, you can let so much of the stress roll off your back. If the day ends and you’re married, you did it!

What were you most anxious or nervous about regarding your wedding day and how did it turn out?

H: Not being able to say my vows because I was crying too much. I cry at weddings on TV — I expected to have to hand my vows to the officiant to read. But somehow on the big day, I made it through. And everyone in attendance were the ones tearing up instead!

K: Making sure we had enough time to dance! We wanted to make sure our reception was a proper party. And thankfully, our friends and family tore up the dance floor all night.

Kaela & Hannah, thank you for asking em to document your beautiful love story. I’m so honored I could witness this joyful day with you and wish you so much love and happiness together!

Atlanta Wedding Vendors

• Planner/Coordinator: Jessi Searing
• Getting Ready, Ceremony, & Reception Venues: Hotel Clermont & Fernbank Museum
• Caterer: Dennis Dean
• Cakes/Desserts: Little Tart & Publix
• DJ/Band/Musicians: DJ Pippe 
• Hair Stylist & Make-Up: Frankie Edwards 
• Attire/Clothing: Sharpe Suiting 
• Accessories/Jewelry: Wanderlust + Co., Olivia Burton, Ana Luisa, Maison Miru and Breda Studio
• Rings: Sofia Zakia

Get In Touch to Plan Your Wedding Day

Raven is an Atlanta Wedding Photographer who captures real people on their totally unique and awesome wedding day, specializing in people who feel awkward in front of the camera. She travels throughout Georgia, including Athens, North Georgia, and beyond.

Get in touch!