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winter /spring 2015

SensationalGOWNS & INSPIRATIONS

DiscoverDESTINATIONS

for Weddings& Romance

Photographer

Two Halves Two HoldWEDDING PLANNER

A Divine Event

L E A H L E O N A R D A N D R O G E R B A L D O W S K I

C L O V E R L E A F F A R M

A T H E N S , G E O R G I A M A Y 3 , 2 0 1 4

Love i� �l�m

THE FIRST ENCOUNTER Roger and I met freshman year of college at The University of Georgia, but didn’t become good friends until a few years later. After college we both lived in Atlanta until I got a job offer in New York City. We thought a long distance relationship was in store for us, but with a stroke of luck Roger got the opportunity to transfer with his job. After three amazing years together in New York, we were engaged.

IN PREPARATION As we started planning, we wanted our wedding to incorporate some traditional southern components, as well as unique, modern elements. As New Yorkers, who grew up in Georgia, we took inspiration from the creative ways Southern food and culture are cel-ebrated throughout New York City. We chose Cloverleaf Farm as our venue, a thoughtfully restored antebellum farmhouse just outside Athens, Georgia. Cloverleaf was the perfect blend of new and old, an ideal setting to host both our ceremony and reception. During the planning process, we worked closely with Teresa Day of A Divine Event - she was instrumental in bringing our vision to life. It was fun collaborating with Teresa, watching the transformation from the idea stage to execution. Above all, it was really important to us that our guests have a great time at our wedding.

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THE BIG DAY The night before the wedding, Roger’s parents hosted a “share the mic night” at a local music venue. Roger, being a musician himself, organized all of our family and friends who play music to take the stage during the evening and entertain. Dinner was served from local favorite, Pulaski Heights Barbecue. The next day turned out to be a picture perfect spring day for our wedding. We loved having everything at the same venue, because it was an easy transition from each part of the event. We had a blue-grass band play from guest arrival, through the ceremony and dinner where our guests were seated at tables on the lawn. Antique lamps were used to create gorgeous floral centerpieces for the tables. They were unique because the flowers in each arrangement were hand picked to match each lamp’s color palette. The most memorable mo-ment was as the sun was setting, Roger and I grabbed our photogra-phers and ran through the pasture behind the barn, capturing the perfect light for some incredible photos. After dinner, we switched to a DJ to kick off the reception and the barn was opened up to reveal a custom built bar, dance floor, and even a gourmet popcorn station. Our favorite personal touch was the light-ed L and R marquee letters over the bar that my dad made for us as a special surprise.

THE RETREAT We honeymooned in Belize at Matachica Resort, located on Ambergis Caye. It was the perfect island get-away. We stayed in a casita right on the beach; steps from the crys-tal clear Caribbean Sea. All of our activities were easily booked through the friendly resort staff and included a jungle river tour to see Mayan Ruins, a self-guided golf cart tour around the capital city of San Pedro, and spectacular snorkeling at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. There was so much to explore in Belize but our favorite past time was swinging in the hammock on our private porch.

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A C K N O W L E D G E M E N T S

Photographers Christine Jones and Jamie Fender of Two Halves Two Hold, twohalvestwohold.com

WEDDING PLANNER, venue, catering & flowers A Divine Event, adivineevent.comWedding Cake Cecilia’s Cakes, ceciliascakes.com

Invitations Eberle Invitations, eberleinvitations.comWedding Gown Nicole Miller, nicolemiller.com

videographer Kevin Hursh Films, hurshfilms.comtransportation Daniels Charters, danielscharters.commake up artist Jennifer Duvall, jennysuemakeup.com

hair stylist Republic Salon, republicsalon.comguest accommodations Hotel Indigo - Athens, hotelindigo.com/athens

entertainment Blue Billy Grit Band, bluebillygritmusic.comDJ Mahogany, djmahogany.wordpress.com

honeymoon location Matachica Resort, Belize, matachica.com

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