Summer is coming to an end and we are sharing one very special wedding on the blog! The groom might look familiar because YES that is the one and only Jay Page, owner of One Night Entertainment! It was such an honor to be a part of Rachel and Jay’s wedding day, not only because Jay works in the industry but also, because these two have become our friends. After spending some time together during our planning meetings, it is easy to see why Jay fell so madly in love with Rachel. She is one of those people you feel like you have known your entire life, yet just met.
Their Atlanta wedding, held at The Carlyle, gives us all the modern yet classic vibes. Using a palette of evergreen, black, and white, they created a classy affair that was as cozy as it was elegant. The cherry on top to this modern celebration? The reception featured cold sparks during the couple’s first dance, a champagne tower to kick off the toasts and an array of lighting effects to make this celebration One Night to Remember!
Thank you Rachel and Jay for sharing your wedding day with us! Scroll on to see the lovely photos!
Ceremony & Reception Venue- The Carlyle, Officiant - Alex Lewis, Dessert - Nothing Bundt Cakes, Photographer - The Tinsley Co., Videographer - A. Lewis Films, Florist - Rittenhouse Design & Events, Hair - Style on Site, Makeup - Makeup by Kristin, Wedding Dress - Suite Bridal, Bridesmaid Dresses - Davids Bridal, Groomsmen Suits - Black Tux, Invitations - Magnet Street, Ceremony & Reception Music, Lighting & Photo Booth - One Night Entertainment
What was your favorite part of wedding day? By far my favorite part of the wedding day was our entrance into the reception room. My now husband is a wedding DJ and demanded we do a Kanye West Sunday Service song. I was sort of against it because it was so powerful and different. I didn’t want to look silly or uncomfortable next to him. However, he didn’t “demand” much in the planning process and this is one thing he wasn’t budging on. So we did it. Now we both like attention, so know that also, but it was just so fun to see our family and friends standing up, hype, twirling napkins, and cheering for us. Then we got to the dance floor and our bridal party was hyping us up and dancing….it was a true moment I will never forget.
Tell us about the proposal. Jay and I both have big personalities and don’t shy away from attention. He proposed on the Beltline in Old Fourth Ward Park. He had giant letters spelling out “Marry Me” and a picnic table. He also invited probably 50 of our closest friends and families to watch him propose. My girlfriends pretended we were doing girls' night to get me near the park, then walked me past it so it would be a surprise. It was magical. Of course because it is a public place, hundreds of strangers stayed in the park to watch him propose also. Because he’s extra, he hired a photographer and videographer too. We have the most amazing video of the proposal, our families that came, and our friends. We wanted to include this at the wedding somehow. We designed a seating chart for a TV screen that showed the tables and names, but also had a running loop of the proposal in the background. So when people were at cocktail hour, they were able to see the proposal video as well. We both felt it was important to incorporate such a big event that got us to the wedding day and was monumental in its own way.
Any wedding advice you would like to give future couples? My honest wedding advice is hire a planner. I loved planning our wedding and enjoyed making decisions for most of the year we were engaged. However, the last month before the wedding I had serious decision making fatigue. I was tired. I was just so ready to get married and see everything come together, that my decision making skills were spent. One of my vendors called it “bride brain” and that is so true. Having a planner helped alleviate so many decisions. Our planner also could sense when I was done with something and would just step in to finalize it or give me advice. I needed this.
The other reason I say hire a planner is for the wedding day. Every event, no matter the size, needs a “leader”. If it isn’t the planner or day of coordinator, who is it? Vendors went to her for final decisions and questions, not me. I can’t express enough how easy having a planner made my wedding day. She solved any of the small problems that popped up without me. I told her staying on time was making me anxious, so she made sure everyone was staying on schedule. She made sure the getaway car was packed so we could just exit and not worry about it. I could keep listing things, but you get it! Absolutely invaluable. Thanks Karen!
