Once upon a time, Kristy and Neil got engaged and asked us to do their engagement shoot. Now, here we are photographing their beautiful Catholic-Jewish combination wedding at the Atlanta Biltmore! The Atlanta Biltmore Hotel is a type of “apartment hotel” popular during the 1920s, and was described as the “city’s point of contact with the world beyond its own borders.” The Atlanta Biltmore, once known as the South’s supreme hotel, staged galas, tea dances, debutante balls, and recitals by visiting Metropolitan Opera stars. It hosted celebrities such as Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Mary Pickford, Bette Davis, and Charles Lindbergh. It was the initial home of the Atlanta Historical Society and the meeting place for many of the city’s civic organizations. For more than 30 years, WSB, the South’s first radio station, broadcasted from its studios within the hotel and the radio tower on the hotel roof became a landmark on the city skyline. At Kristy and Neil’s Catholic-Jewish combination wedding, the history could surely be felt within the walls of the elaborate hotel.

Kristy and Neil got ready at the Loews Hotel next to Piedmont Park. Kristy got ready in a huge suite with all of her bridesmaids, flower girls, her and the groom’s mom, and her dog, Daisy. They drank champagne and listened to music and had a blast as they all got dressed up. At the end of it, Kristy’s hair and makeup were flawless, no thanks to her hair and makeup artist.  Tiffany took some detail shots in the girl’s suite, and then after went with the girls and took first look pics in the beautiful front garden of the Biltmore with Kristy’s parents overlooking.

Meanwhile, Corey and I went to groom’s room with Neil and the guys and Neil’s big Rottweiler. We got some detail shots of all the guys, and then headed over to the Biltmore to get a few more shots before meeting up with the bridal party for first look pictures. We took some beautiful first look pictures with Kristy’s parents watching over. Next, we went into one of the elegant ballrooms and shot the couple practicing their first dance, and captured some preview pictures of the ceremony room before the guests arrived.

In Jewish culture, a Ketuvah signing is traditional for a bride and groom to sign. It is considered an integral part of a traditional Jewish marriage, and outlines the rights and responsibilities of the groom, in relation to the bride. Kristy and Neil mixed it up a bit, and mixed Kristy’s Catholic traditions with Neil’s Jewish ones by having a priest pray over the signing of the Ketuvah. He even signed the Ketuvah as one of the witnesses, which was so cool! Kristy and Neil both signed as Dr. Linder, as Kristy wanted to wait to be married until she had received her doctorate so they could be announced as Dr. and Dr. Linder – how romantic!

After the Ketuvah, which is only for blood relatives, they then had the real ceremony. Kristy and Neil both had 13 bridesmaids/groomsmen, so the service was lengthy but sweet. They both had their dogs walk down the isle too, with Neil’s Rottweiler in a handsome tuxedo, and Kristy’s little white fluffy dog in an adorable wedding dress. The ceremony was a cool blend of Catholic and Jewish culture, making it unique and special.

After the ceremony, everyone headed to cocktail hour so the ceremony room could be flipped into the reception room by the wonderful Atlanta Biltmore Ballrooms staff. During this, Kristy did a dress swap into a different wedding dress for the reception. The cocktail hour was really fun. It had all sorts of interesting feature, including a cigar bar, a pink, gold and mirrors theme, a remembrance table of people couldn’t come, a full bar, hors d’oeuvres, custom koozies and napkins, and wine glass player! At the end of the night, Kristy and Neil left in a really cool vintage car, and drove off into the night.

We had so much fun shooting Kristy and Neil’s unique Catholic-Jewish combination wedding at the fabulous Atlanta Biltmore Ballrooms. We are so grateful for the opportunity to photograph such a beautiful and special wedding. We also want to thank all the vendors we worked with for the amazing work they did. We hope to be working with them again soon!

Vendors:

Planner | Marie King
Venue | The Biltmore Ballrooms
Officiant 1 |Rabbi Ronald Gerson
Officiant 2 | Minister Jeremiah O’Keefe-West
Catering | Soiree
Hair and Makeup | Blend Beauty Group
Photographer | Mike Moreland
Videographer | Leone Productions

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