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Jess & Matt // The Boathouse Wedding in Atlanta, GA

By March 21, 2022April 20th, 2022No Comments

The Boathouse Wedding in Atlanta, GA // Jess & Matt

Jess & Matt’s wedding was an intimate event where every single moment felt deliberate and full of meaning. Their first look was back at their home, the apartments in Atlanta where we did their engagement session. We explored what used to be the hotel lobby {back when the building was a hotel}. It was fun playing with reflections and tons of ornate details. The weather was chilly and overcast… So, we had perfect excuses for these two to cuddle and some fantastic even lighting. 

Getting Ready and First Look

Three silver wedding bands rest on corner of table in Atlanta Georgia Raven Shutley StudiosBride leaves car for Boathouse wedding on a rainy day in Atlanta Georgia Raven Shutley StudiosBride stands behind the groom whose looking away outside The Boathouse in Atlanta GA Raven ShutleyBride and groom reach out to embrace for their first look in Atlanta GA Raven Shutley StudiosFuture spouses hug for their first look on the steps of The Boathouse in ATL Raven Shutley StudiosGroom admires the back of bride's dress outside The Boathouse in Atlanta GA Raven Shutley StudiosFuture spouses laughs together at The Boathouse in Atlanta Georgia Raven Shutley Studios

Wedding Portraits

Bride holds a bouquet of white & pink flowers for ATL wedding at the Boathouse Raven Shutley Studiosbride and groom smile together among columns outside at The Boathouse in ATL Raven Shutley StudiosGroom adjusts necklace the brides necklace outside The Boathouse in Atlanta GA Raven Shutley StudiosBride and groom lean in to kiss by the architecture of the Boathouse in ATL Raven Shutley StudiosWedding guests walk up the stairs to a wedding at The Boathouse in Atlanta Raven Shutley StudiosFamily guests walk up the stairs to the bride and groom at the Boathouse ATL Raven Shutley StudiosNewlyweds smile together under grand chandeliers at The Boathouse in Atlanta Raven Shutley StudiosBride and groom sharing a private moment in mirror reflections at The Boathouse in ATL Raven ShutleyFriend helps the bride move wedding dress during portraits in the Boathouse Raven Shutley StudiosThe Bridal bouquet of flowers and the newlyweds dancing at The Boathouse ATL Raven Shutley StudiosMother helps bride adjust the gown during portraits at the Boathouse Atlanta Raven Shutley StudiosBride smiling over her shoulder in a white low cut wedding dress in Atlanta GA Raven Shutley StudiosGroom looks at the gown before twirling the bride at The Boathouse in Atlanta Raven Shutley StudiosBride reaching up to touch the groom's face in The Boathouse in Atlanta Georgia Raven Shutley StudiosBride with bouquet and a detail of the floral hair piece at the Boathouse in ATL Raven ShutleyBridal bouquet with soft pink and white flowers and lush greenery in Atlanta GA Raven Shutley StudiosThe Grooms wedding attire and detail of the brides delicate necklace in Atlanta Raven Shutley StudiosDetail of the brides diamond earrings and floral hair piece in Atlanta GA Raven Shutley StudiosHappy newlyweds smiling together with a bridal portrait at The Boathouse Atlanta Raven ShutleyIntimate Ceremony

Their wedding, held with family-only to keep things small, was at the Boathouse in Atlanta. If you’ve never been there, it’s an art gallery/AirBnb/really neat event space that everyone should check out. The ceremony was kept short and sweet: rings, a short vow exchange, and a kiss, so that they could exchange more personal vows privately on the balcony of a room upstairs.

Groom standing with the officiant before the wedding ceremony at the Boathouse ATL Raven ShutleyBride escorted to the ceremony by a man in a suit at the Boathouse in Atlanta Raven Shutley StudiosFuture spouses with the officiant by a large abstract painting at the Boathouse ATL Raven ShutleyFuture spouses holding hands with engagement ring at the ceremony in Atlanta Raven Shutley StudiosFuture spouses getting married under a painting at the Boathouse in Atlanta Raven Shutley StudiosDetail of the back of the brides dress and the spouses marrying at the Boathouse ATL Raven ShutleyFuture spouses exchange vows before guests at The Boathouse in Atlanta Raven Shutley Studios

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

The ceremony. My husband and I are both extremely anxious people and were not looking forward to doing something so personal in front of so many people. Honestly, it was exactly what I expected. I was so nervous, it felt like an out of body experience. But it was over quickly and obviously a big moment for us as a couple so I am glad we faced it together.

Wedding guests wipe away tears while watching the ceremony at the Boathouse ATL Raven Shutley Studiosbride and groom exchange wedding rings at the Boathouse in Atlanta Georgia Raven Shutley StudiosNewlyweds kiss under a colorful abstract painting at the Boathouse in Atlanta Raven Shutley StudiosNewlyweds embrace by a painting of musicians at The Boathouse art gallery ATL Raven Shutley StudiosPrivate Vow Exchange

This is one of my absolute favorite choices I’ve ever had a couple make, keeping this moment private and just for the two of them. I maintained my distance to keep the moment as private and the space as sacred as possible while capturing some of their emotions, and then we all joined the party!

Bride and groom exchange vows privately on balcony in Atlanta Georgia Raven Shutley Studios photosFuture spouses embrace while privately exchanging vows at the Boathouse GA Raven Shutley Studios

Most memorable moment from your wedding day?

Our vows. We decided to do them privately after the ceremony and it was a really special moment for both of us.

Bride listens to groom read vows privately on a balcony at the Boathouse GA Raven Shutley StudiosGroom holds back tears while privately reading vows on a balcony at the Boathouse ATL Raven ShutleyBride and groom embrace after a private vow exchange at the Boathouse Raven Shutley StudiosReception

The reception was full of delicious snacks and drinks, tons of mingling with some of the people the couple loves most. We closed out the evening with a few portraits with the art, and I left them to continue their festivities. It was such a perfect plan for them, full of meaningful choices and a lot of heart.

Newlyweds join their guests for the wedding reception at the Boathouse Atlanta Raven Shutley StudiosBride and groom smile with their guests at ATL wedding reception Raven Shutley Studios photographyWedding guests mingle at reception at the Boathouse art gallery in Atlanta Ga Raven Shutley Studiosbride and groom laugh in the spotlight by a colorful painting in The Boathouse Atlanta Raven ShutleyNewlyweds embrace while a goose sculpture holds the wedding rings on his head Raven Shutley StudiosGuests sit around tables at the wedding reception in Atlanta art gallery Raven Shutley StudiosWedding guests mingle with newlyweds at art gallery wedding reception in Atlanta Raven Shutley

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

If you don’t want to do something, don’t. It’s your day. You only get to do this once. Make it about you and your partner and don’t feel like you have to spend a ton of money or invite a ton of people to make it special.

Groom chats with guests around a table in Atlanta during wedding reception Raven Shutley StudiosBride listens to guests during ATL wedding reception at The Boathouse Atlanta Raven Shutley StudiosWedding guest eating a cupcake at a reception table in Atlanta Georgia Raven Shutley StudiosWedding guest gives thumbs up to the camera at reception in Atlanta GA Raven Shutley StudiosWedding guest laughs sitting at a table during ATL wedding reception Raven Shutley StudiosBride leans in to hug grandparents at the Boathouse in Atlanta Georgia Raven Shutley StudiosBride and groom stand in front of blue abstract artwork in Atlanta gallery Raven Shutley Studios

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

I wouldn’t change anything. I was always way more excited to marry Matt than I was about the wedding day, so my expectations for the day of weren’t super high to begin with but it was everything I imagined it would be. I am glad we decided to have a wedding and got to celebrate with our family.

Bride and mother cross arms while taking a drink at an Atlanta art gallery Raven Shutley StudiosBride smiles while embracing family at ATL wedding reception Raven Shutley Studios photography

Atlanta, GA Wedding Vendors

Planner/Coordinator: Aerial Adams

Getting Ready, Ceremony, & Reception Venues: The Boathouse Atlanta

Caterer: Gotta Have It Catering

Cakes/Desserts: Piece of Cake

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.

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