The Conservatory at Blackberry Ridge Wedding | Ella & Andrew

From the very first phone call, it was clear, Ella, Andrew, and their families, were the kind of people you want to be around. Every interaction held warmth and intention, whether it was a laugh, a thoughtful question, or simply sharing how much their faith meant to them. Their vision for their wedding day was clear, a celebration that felt classy and timeless, with an elegant black‐tie flair. This was brought to life with a color palette of black, white, and gold that would serve as the perfect blueprint for their wedding day.

Stationery

The invitation suite set the tone from the start. Created by Ashley of Details and Flourishes, the show-stopping suite featured a custom monogram for Ella and Andrew, a beautifully illustrated rendering of the venue as the envelope liner, and a gatefold wrap. It was fun, yet elevated, a perfect preview of their black-tie affair.

Photographer: Hunter Hennes

Venue

Nestled in the mountains of North Georgia, The Conservatory at Blackberry Ridge perfectly blends modern architecture with timeless French elegance. The glass hall, complete with crystal chandeliers and iron details, fills every celebration with natural light and charm. With indoor and outdoor ceremony spaces, beautiful getting-ready suites, and a grand ballroom, this venue was the perfect setting for Ella and Andrew’s timeless black-tie celebration.

Photographer: Hunter Hennes

Getting Ready

The morning of the wedding, Ella and her fourteen bridesmaids, which consisted of her younger sister, Andrew’s older sister, and twelve of her closest UGA friends, slipped into matching blue floral print PJs. The mood was calm and joyful. Mimosas were sipped, favorite songs were played, and laughter echoed through the suite. It truly felt like the epitome of girlhood, just before the elegant evening ahead. Meanwhile, Andrew and his twelve groomsmen prepared just down the hall, setting the tone for the milestone they were about to celebrate.

Photographer: Hunter Hennes

First Look

During our first meeting, Ella and Andrew were on the fence on whether to do a first look or not. They ended up doing it and it was one of their favorite parts of the day. After the first look they read personal vows privately to each other. This private moment, filled with laughter, tears, and raw emotion, is a memory they will cherish forever.

Photographer: Hunter Hennes

Wedding Party

With fourteen bridesmaids and twelve groomsmen, this was one of our largest wedding parties to date, and wow, did they bring the good vibes! A blend of family and friends, each person was someone who had influenced Ella or Andrew’s life in a positive way. They showed up with energy, support, and enthusiasm for their important roles they got to play.

Photographer: Hunter Hennes

Ceremony

Faith plays an important role in Ella and Andrew’s life together, and their ceremony reflected that beautifully. Scripture readings and communion were woven into the service, and the officiant? None other than Andrew’s dad, Alex. Having a parent lead the ceremony added a depth of meaning that touched everyone in attendance.

The ceremony decor featured lush white florals and greenery cascading over the dome and lining the aisle. To help guests beat the summer heat, we handed out paper parasols and fans as they arrived. The result was an outdoor summer ceremony that felt intentional, elegant, and welcoming.

Photographer: Hunter Hennes

Cocktail Hour

As the ceremony concluded, guests moved to the patio just off the glass hall for a tented cocktail hour. Lounges, cocktail tables, and a stunning round bar in the center created a stylish, relaxed environment for mingling. Signature cocktails, playfully named after Ella and Andrew’s time at UGA. Yes, there was an “Old Dawg” on the menu! This added a fun, personal touch to their wedding day. Passed drinks and appetizers helped make bar lines shorter so guests were able to mix and mingle with ease.

Photographer: Hunter Hennes

Reception Details

When it came to the reception, entertainment mattered to the couple and their families. We brought in one of our favorite bands Young Hearts to keep the energy high. The wedding design revolved around a black-and-white checkered dance floor and a stage with a sleek white facade that perfectly matched the reception bar. Table settings featured colors of black, white and gold. Menus with tiny black bows, gold-edged rippled cake tiers, and custom table numbers held in place by little Georgia bulldogs, helped elevate the overall design. Floral arrangements of varying height mixed in with crystal candelabras created layers of elegance and warmth.

Photographer: Hunter Hennes

Dinner and Dances

For dinner, three interactive food stations served the guests, adding movement, variety, and flavor to the evening. Ella and Andrew took the floor for a choreographed dance that felt straight out of a fairytale. Then tender parent dances followed, Ella with her father, Andrew with his mother, emotional moments that left not a dry eye in the room. Before moving fully into party mode, Ella dedicated her bridal bouquet to her mother, Amy, who had been with her every step of the planning process, offering endless support and love.

Photographer: Hunter Hennes

Golden Hour

One of the highlights of the day was when Ella and Andrew slipped away from the reception to enjoy golden hour together. The sunsets at The Conservatory are truly unmatched, the soft light, glowing sky, and peaceful gardens created the perfect backdrop for a few quiet moments between the two of them. As they wandered the property, the joy and calm of the evening shone through, capturing photos that will forever feel luminous, romantic, and undeniably them.

Photographer: Hunter Hennes

Dance Floor

When Young Hearts hit the first note, we knew the party was going to be nonstop. The dance floor was packed all night with guests of all ages dancing to crowd favorite tunes. Towards the end of the night, Ella surprised Andrew with his favorite Coldplay song, and the crowd roared. It was the high note this celebration deserved.

Photographer: Hunter Hennes

Send Off

Instead of a traditional sparkler exit, Ella and Andrew opted for UGA pom poms as they ran through the tunnel of love. Their getaway car was a white vintage Porsche with a “Just Married” banner trailing behind.

Photographer: Hunter Hennes

It was an incredible honor to guide Ella and Andrew through such a sweet season of life. Working with them, their families, and their friends was a joyful experience we will remember for years to come. Their wedding was a reminder of why we do what we do, to create timeless, intentional, beautiful celebrations that reflect the soul of each couple. Here’s to the new Correas  and to many years of laughter, faith, love and UGA football.

If you’re dreaming of a wedding at The Conservatory at Blackberry Ridge, we would love to help bring your vision to life. As seasoned wedding planners, our team specializes in creating elegant, personalized celebrations that are seamless from start to finish. Reach out today to start planning your unforgettable day at one of North Georgia’s most stunning venues.

Vendors

A huge thank you to all of the amazing vendors who made Ella & Andrew’s wedding day so special!

The Conservatory at Blackberry Ridge | Before the Vows | Hunter Hennes | Claudia Goodwin Films | Young Hearts Band | Marigo Flowers | Chattanooga Tent | Events with Taste | Riverside Event Planning | Summerhouse Bakery | Luma Designs | Eagle Christian Tours | Luxe and Lumi | White Table Specialty Linens | JC Rental Collective | Details and Flourishes | Lookout Limo | Memorable Events