Lee and Smaragda

The love story of Lee and Smaragda began simply at a dance, with a glance and a coy smile. But love at this time almost passed them by, for only a sweet sideways glance was exchanged; neither made the first move. But what seemed a chance meeting at a dance, was now fate when both attended the same party 4 months later. Having the courage this time to ask for her number, the pair began a friendship that over time became a beautiful courtship and a great love.

In a majestic Greek Orthodox Church, the pair sealed their promise amongst close family and friends on a blessed rainy day; a symbol of good luck in Greek culture. Smaragda, draped in ivory satin with layers of organza sweeping the floor, was every bit the beautiful bride. Her long dark locks, radiantly striking against her Rivini gown, held a blue pin, tucked inside her dress, and accented with "something old", her mother's pearls. Sparkling earrings, a nod to "something new" pulled the entire ensemble together as Smaragda looked on lovingly at her groom at the altar. Crowns, traditionally called Stefana in the Greek Orthodox church, were placed on both of their heads symbolizing God's blessing upon the new bride and groom. A "ceremonial walk" three times around the altar, a symbol of their first steps as a married couple, followed by the removal of the crowns and a blessing by the priest, all reflected the eternal union the pair had made within their hearts. Sealed with a kiss, the pair married to the applause of the loving eyes surrounding them.

A celebration to remember, a reception followed at 103 West, where the pair danced the night away with family and friends. The party didn't stop until the wee hours of the morning, where the bride traded high heels for gold Sketchers. Music filling the night air, the guests formed a circle around the bride and groom; a traditional Greek "circle dance" where money is thrown into the air for good luck. Draped in the magic of love and music, the pair continued to dance, just as they had when they first met at that "dance of destiny" so many moons ago.

The newlyweds were soon off to Tanavo Bay, Fiji where they delighted in the sights and each other, under a sun-kissed sky. Here are some of our favorites from that special day:

Mr. and Mrs. Nolan Peevy

Eyes for each other from the day they met, the love story of Ashley Hansen and Nolan Peevy is a testament of the bonds of friendship......

Freshmen in high school, Ashley and Nolan were just that, friends. After years of friendship, flirting, and other boyfriends/girlfriends along the way, true love could no longer be denied. Finally, the Senior Prom sealed their fate and love grew from the planted seeds of friendship. Soon to follow was college, long distance, and late night phone calls, but through all the miles, their commitment to each other remained. A 7 year courtship held not only by the bonds of love, but by the genuine friendship they had formed so many years ago. Out of love grew a promise and soon a ring was presented. It was time for a magnificent wedding to be planned!

On a crisp fall day in November, the pair were married at Christ the King Lutheran Church; the childhood church of Nolan and his family. Against the bright colors of the perfect autumn day, Ashley stood elegant, angelic in her strapless satin gown by SanPatrick, paired with sassy high heel pumps inscribed with blue marker on the bottom, Mrs. Peevy 11/7/09. Every bit the beautiful bride, she adorned her attire with a handkerchief from her Great-Great Grandmother, an antique brooch from her Great Grandmother, and a smile of knowingness that she was about to marry her high school love. A promise sealed with a kiss, the two fell in love all over again to the witness of family, friends and the angels above.

The reception was held at the Winfield Hall, Duluth, Ga and held all the grace and elegance of a night to remember. Florals and decor by Florals by Melody kissed the grand ballroom with the serene earth tones of the autumn day. A celebration with friends and family, the pair danced the night away filling every corner of the room with smiles. The cake by For Goodness Cakes, towered over the scene begging to be sliced accompanied by the groom's cake, a tiger paw print; a wink to his alma mater, Clemson University Tigers. And with the unpredictable up her sleeve, Ashley playfully smashed that ceremonial piece of cake into her new husband's face. A sweet surrender to the fun adventure of a new life the two were now about to embark on together.

And with love and adventure on their minds, the new Mr. and Mrs. Nolan Peevy jetted away to the island of St. Lucia for a grand beach honeymoon. Sea, sand, and sun-kissed, the Sandals Grande Resort was the perfect place to reminisce about the past, dream of the future, and fall in love all over again with a best friend.

LOVE STORY

In honor of Valentine's week, it seems only fitting that perhaps I write my own love story, me, that is....Kira Mesi, the "ghost blog writer" behind all these Lori Suzanne love stories. It has been a true pleasure for me over this past year, to be a part of one of the most special days of your lives; having a hand in writing about you and how your love came to be. My own love story began like so many of you, with a twist of fate, a stroke of luck, and a sprinkling of destiny. What a blessing it has been to have met my husband at the tender age of 16, and here we are, 19 years later, (6 years married) with a beautiful son, and a place to call home together. So with that, here is my take on those events of that most fateful day in 1992....
(followed by some sweet pixs our son took of us on our Anniversary)

How can one not be, “in love with love”? The concept, the passion, the new, the lost, the enduring, the old, the found, the reckless; in all its stages, love brings a dynamic between two people, that for better or for worse, somehow keeps you together in your own special bond. Fascinating, how when you’re not looking for it, love will find you. And that is where we will begin My Love Story……….

The setting, Spring 1992, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. A young girl, just 16, on a family vacation; little did she know that she was about to meet her husband on the beach. She stood there watching, this handsome boy of 18 playing volleyball. He later would admit, it was he who perhaps noticed her first. And it was there that they met, they talked, they flirted, they walked. They spent the next 7 days staring into each other’s eyes, holding hands, both wondering, “Will I ever see you again?” And as all wonderful vacations do come to an end, phone numbers were exchanged, but their hearts stood honestly open wondering if the other would really call.

Back to their lives….....the girl in New Jersey and her future husband, 7 hours away in Upstate NY. Within hours of leaving each other, the first phone call was made (both parties would like to say the other called first, but doesn’t every couple have their own cute version of who said “I LOVE YOU” first?) And what began on the beach, continued night after night on the phone, getting to know each other, flirting, giggling, and longing to be near one another. Phone call after phone call led to plane rides, car trips, and any other means to see each other. Years went by, they grew up, but never apart. They went to college, moved to other states, but still stayed together; yes a long distance relationship like you’ve never seen before! But through it all, love endured and in time, they made their way to the same state, the same house, and the same dream they had dreamed 10 years before as teenagers on that little white, sandy beach. Soon to follow was a question, a ring, a yes, and a forever after; a union blessed with sweet cries of joy, followed by a bouncing baby boy.

So can this tale be called fate? Is destiny only played out in the movies? Do you wonder perhaps, if we all are just dancing in time trying to make millions of plans happen only to find that our real destiny was always just written in the stars? Perhaps if we just look up every once in awhile those answers would be clear because really, all you need is LOVE.~~Kira Mesi
Love you babe! oxoxo

Best of Atlanta Bridal 2010!

What an incredible past year it has been, and the New Year just keeps on getting better! It is with much enthusiasm that we announce our latest recognition award, Best of Atlanta Bridal 2010! All of us here at Lori Suzanne couldn't be more thrilled with this incredible honor! Thanks again to all of you for your continued enthusiasm and support! Cheers to making more memories in 2011~

http://www.atlantabridal.com/

Mr. and Mrs. Thiago Araujo

A chance meeting at a YMCA pool, so many moons ago, to the forever after of a wedding to remember, the love story of Ryan and Thiago Araujo was a love written in the stars at a young age.

At 17 Ryan was reluctantly running an errand for her mom, picking up her little brother at swim lessons. Little did she know that the handsome Brazilian substitute swim teacher that day, Thiago, might just be the love of her life. A few pleasantries were exchanged (and a little giggle over his sweet and endearing accent) and the pair went their separate ways. But a week later, a smitten Thiago, asked a mutual friend to relay a message to Ryan, "You are cute! Let's go on a date!" And the rest is history......

Well not quite, see Ryan was only 17 at the time, and Thiago 21, so college and distance drove a small wedge between this happy couple, including a breakup. As luck would have it, though, Ryan soon found herself back in Georgia finishing up her schooling and sparks flew once again. Fate could not be denied and destiny has its way of turning things around. After a 4 year courtship, destiny finally had its day with a romantic proposal on the beach with one special Tiffany's blue box. The stars aligned and the two were engaged to be married.


With the love of all things Christmas, it only seemed perfect that the two marry in December. Such a delightful month of the year when the world seems at peace. The ceremony was an intimate and lovely affair amongst only close family and friends at the majestic cathedral, St Benedict's Catholic Church. The bride, radiant in her satin gown by Bridals by Lori, with a wink to her glamorous side with glitzy stilleto heels, walked down the aisle and met the eyes of her handsome groom. A match made in heaven, the pair took their vows under the watchful eyes of the angels above; blessing their every word with forever.

The ceremony was followed by a lovely winter-themed reception at Cabernet Steakhouse in Alpharetta, Ga. Sparkling accents of silver and white filled the room, with glistening "snow" covered tablecloths. Roses of red and white, by Blossoms Atlanta, decorated the room filled with only their closest family and friends. A chosen intimate gathering made by the bride and groom who wanted to make the day truly about the vow, the love, and the promise they had made with one another. And with that, the slicing of the outstanding confectionary creation by The Cake Shoppe, adorned with a snowflake topper, sealed the sweet promise of that forever after.

In keeping with their love of the Christmas season, the pair took a fabulous honeymoon vacation to the mountains of Vail, Colorado. Skiing, romantic fireside nights, and the peaceful falling of snow outside their window, made for a holiday to remember, and a lifetime of memories forever more.

Bride's Choice Award 2011!

It is with great pleasure that we announce a recent honor bestowed upon us by WeddingWire Network, as the "Bride's Choice Award" of 2011!

This highly respected award recognizes the Top 5% of local wedding professionals; a nod to the quality and service excellence in our field. A warm gratitude of thanks to all our brides, families, and fans for your support. It has been an honor and a true pleasure to have been a part of one of the most special milestones in your lives!

From all of us here at Lori Suzanne.......

Thank you and here's to capturing many more memories!

Mr. and Mrs. Jake Hand

"His sweet southern accent stole my heart"~ Nicole Hand

All the high notes of a country love song... the love story of Nicole Nassisi and Jake Hand began their junior year at Dacula High School. Flirting in the cafeteria over their lunch hour and a first "date" four-wheeling on the country roads of Georgia, the pair found a common bond of love, laughter, and friendship. As young love blossomed into high school sweethearts, the pair soon found that a promise of forever was made in their hearts.

After a 5 year courtship, a romantic proposal at the Westin Hotel in Atlanta, Ga, was the scene set for a memory with bouquets of roses, petals, and candles filling the room. A night full of surprises, the two dined overlooking the Atlanta skyline at Westin's rooftop restaurant, The Sundial, a tradition they had adopted for every anniversary celebration. Now here, on their 5th anniversary, a question, a promise, a ring, and a "yes!" It was time to set this love to music and capture this moment on print with an engagement photoshoot amongst the charming downtown architecture of Suwanee, Ga.

With a love so deeply rooted in the South, it was certain the pair be married at Flint Hill, in Historic Norcross, Ga. A Southern mansion, circa 1835 beautifully restored and intimately romantic, it was the perfect setting for a May wedding day to remember. An outdoor ceremony in the gardens of Flint Hill, the majestic gazebo was adorned with a cascade of ivory and pink flowers by Georgia Blooms; an intimate setting for a promise of forever. Nicole, a bright ray of sunshine, in a strapless ball gown with a bodice intricately embroidered with beading and wearing a promise ring from high school, smiled radiantly as she drifted down the aisle. Jake, handsome and debonair in a dark tuxedo and matching white on white tie and shirt combo, looked on lovingly as his new bride filled his heart with her incredible smile. A vow, a promise, an incredible love to last a lifetime, now blessed under the Georgia sun.

A celebration of love continued within the walls of the Flint Hill with music by DJ Joel McGuire of Avalanche Entertainment. The bridal party's introduction to "I got a feeling" by the Black Eyed Peas set the tone for a party to remember! Of course, the real stars of the evening, Nicole and Jake, took centerstage as they danced to "Look at me" by Carrie Underwood. A country melody of sentiment and true love, the two floated effortlessly around the dancefloor. The cake, a tiered, extravagant buttercream confection of goodness stood proudly in the room, not to be outdone by its cousin, the groom's cake, a nod to Jake's alma mater, Georgia State. Both sugary confections by Celso's Bakery, they embodied the fun and whimsy of the evening's celebration. A night of dancing and blessings, the smiles of love cast between Nicole and Jake filled every corner of Flint Hill and everyone's hearts.

A celebration so grand could only be followed with a most romantic honeymoon getaway to Mexico's Riveria Maya. A stay at Secrets Maroma Resort, the couple danced in the sun and kissed in the sand; the perfect ending, or should we say beginning, to a lifetime of love and laughter.