Every wedding vendor team is created a little differently. In this series we explore how and why each couple selected the right wedding vendor team for their wedding day.
In November 2020, Laini was visiting her sister in Los Angeles. Reese made plans to join Laini in California so they could celebrate Laini’s birthday together—but the trip would entail much more than a birthday celebration, as a wedding proposal was in the works. Reese had already received Laini’s parents’ blessing to pop the question, and Laini’s sister was on board to assist with the proposal.
Laini, known for her restaurant expertise, had already made a reservation for her birthday dinner, so Reese suggested they have lunch on the beach in Malibu. Reese also had the foresight to encourage her soon-to-be-fiancée to wear something other than jeans or sweats.
Reese wanted music to be part of the proposal, and knew she wanted this special moment documented. With that vision in mind, she researched violinists and photographers in the area and found the perfect duo (violinist Janel Strachan and photographer Alexis Hunley) and an ideal spot on the sand for the big moment. To keep the moment a surprise, Reese arranged for Janel to play songs that were special to the couple while pretending to pose for a photoshoot with Alexis until the big moment.
As the music played, Reese asked Laini to dance with her—a big ask for a shy person who doesn’t like dancing in public, and one who didn’t want to interfere with what she thought was a photoshoot. But Reese insisted she trust her and assured her that the musician wouldn’t mind. As they danced, Reese suggested Laini turn to look at the dolphins in the ocean, and as she turned back around to tell her there weren’t any, Reese was already on bended knee,engagement ring in hand, asking her for “a couple of forevers.”
Three months later, it was Laini’s turn to be the one making plans.
The New York City-based couple originally considered a Hamptons wedding at a friend’s house. But as they discovered logistics for their guests would be too demanding, they shifted to the possibility of tying the knot at a modern library in the city. But the fast-paced city wedding didn’t fit their vision.
An initial offer from Laini’s best friend (who has a house in Atlanta) was then revisited. The vast acreage lent privacy, and the size of the home meant there was enough space to move inside in the case of bad weather. Plus, the location fused nature and modern architecture, which was a draw to the couple. They set the date for July 16, 2022—a fitting time of year, as the women had met in July. And living up north, they made plans to hire a wedding planner local to Atlanta to give them peace of mind throughout the process.
To provide the foundation for the vendor team, the first move was hiring Your Big Day ATL. Specifically, the couple worked with senior wedding and event planner Deianna Hamilton, who guided them every step of the way and made recommendations for every vendor. Laini and Reese’s organic and majestic celebration, with layers of intimacy and warmth, wouldn’t have happened without her.
“Laini and Reese were adamant about feeling a connection with every single vendor, which is amazing. We had video calls with everyone (since they were in NYC) before booking. If they didn’t feel it, even if the vendor was talented, they would go a different direction. It’s non-negotiables like that that really show what’s important to the couple and how big it is that their day feels true to them.” —Deianna Hamilton, planner
“We wanted something that spoke to our culture, our tastes, and where we are in life at this point. At the same time, we didn’t want any elements so eclectic that they couldn’t stand the test of time. I was completely against anything too formal, too royal feeling, or anything so fancy it spoke of a life that we don’t actually live. I’m into organic design and honest communication. I wanted the feel of my favorite restaurants or vacation spots. Meaning, nothing we’d hate after a year and a half of planning, or reflecting back decades later. We wanted everything from the seating to the program to be welcoming and touching, especially after years of isolation.” —Laini, bride
And from the start, the couple knew who would take on the role of officiant: Laini’s mother. The culturally infused ceremony was not only a reflection of the brides’ roots, but also their chosen family. Friends shared poems, and a ceremony from Laini’s baby naming was also recreated, in which the couple took a taste of bitter (lemon) and sweet (honey) to signify and acknowledge the ups and downs of life.
“I wanted everything said during our ceremony to reflect everything I learned about love after meeting Reese. I wanted it to feel intentional, considered, and honest. I wanted to express through our choices and my vows that I knew I didn’t have to wear a mask of precise, beautiful, perfection to be loved. That we knew there would be sour and sweet in our marriage, that our union was purposeful and supported, and that it wasn’t my day, it was OUR day. ‘Our’ can mean me and Reese, or it can mean us with the community we choose to commemorate our union with. I wasn’t looking to be celebrated, but I was looking to celebrate what I’d found and what I’d learned.” —Laini, bride
The next step for the brides was to consider wedding photographers. They wanted to ensure the photos felt authentic and not too posed, so Deianna only shared options based on those credentials. The couple also wanted to be sure they personally vibed with the photographer, knowing they’d be together for so much of the wedding day. Zach Barron of Zach Barron Co. checked all the boxes.
“From the second Laini and Reese started describing their plans on our initial call, I was so excited to work together. They were looking for imagery that focused more on genuine moments rather than posed photo ops and it felt like we were a perfect fit for each other. We ditched a shot list and I did my best to fade into the background so that they could be present and enjoy their celebration. They wanted their photos to represent who they are as a couple while also highlighting their friends and family.” —Zach Barron, photographer
Deianna knew who to pitch when it came to the flowers: Taran Findling Floral Design. Taran prioritized locally grown vines, bamboo, and a sprinkling of colorful florals that accented the natural greenery and garden feel of the venue. Taran’s focus was on adding to the scene, not detracting from it.
“Taran does an incredible job of intentionally picking each bloom for her clients. Her love of craft shows from start to finish. And she easily understood what we were asking for and definitely didn’t disappoint.” —Deianna Hamilton, planner
“Laini's bouquet was incredibly fun to make, as we really got to pull everything into one handheld cloud of color. I actually harvested the zinnias that same morning from my neighbor's garden—he had been saving the best ones for us. As for the centerpieces, we incorporated plenty of natural greenery and color, all placed in pin frogs attached to low clay dishes. Using the clay dishes felt much like using clay pots, which fell in line with the garden vibe. There was a small garden directly next to where the tables were set up, so I also incorporated some purple kale in several of the arrangements.” —Taran Findling, florist
Decor also came in non-flower form. With the summer heat in Atlanta a concern, keeping guests comfortable was a necessity, but also an opportunity. Laini and Reese have woven Bolga fans displayed on their walls at home, and thought they would not only cool their 90 guests, but also serve a beautiful way to integrate African art and design into the day’s aesthetic. A few weeks prior to the wedding, Laini went to an African market in Brooklyn to pick up fans and bone necklaces that were woven into the table decor (and later gifted to some special women who supported the brides as they planned their authentic modern wedding).
But there was one more crucial element to the big day that was not only significant to the couple, but a treat for guests as well: Copies of the latest book written by Laini's father, a poet. The book is a collection of poetry dedicated to the women that influenced, supported, and taught him through his life, and was gifted to each guest.
Proof of the Pudding essentially served as a one-stop-shop when it came to catering. They not only offered a variety of cuisines, but also handled rentals.
”Reese is vegetarian and my dad is vegan, so I wanted to make sure we had good vegan options, and the caterer worked with us to make that happen. I wanted to make sure everything was fresh, healthy, and prepared and plated well because we had a few chefs at the wedding, and I wanted everyone to feel good.” —Laini, bride
Drinks were also important and brought New York to Atlanta in liquid form. Laini’s signature cocktail included an aperitif made in Brooklyn, and Reese’s was based on a beverage she loves drinking at home with her friends, which combines tequila, ginger simple syrup, and lemon juice.
At the same time, additional rentals (namely the tent and chairs) were secured through EventWorks. It was key that they booked these items when they did, as the summer months get busy with weddings and events and inventory drops.
“The DJ experience is definitely an important one and having a DJ that understands your goal of the day, from a musical standpoint, is vital. The DJ really sets the vibe of the reception, so One for the Books ENT has experience doing just that and is the reason we decided to move forward.” —Deianna Hamilton, planner
During the ceremony, songs that were both artistically and lyrically intentional were played. A trio of Aretha Franklin songs were selected for pivotal moments: family and the bridal party entered to “Today I Love Ev’rybody,” Reese walked out to “Impossible,” and Laini processed to “United Together.” During the reception, the DJ spun R&B, reggae, hip hop, afro soul, old school classics, rap, and pop, with John Legend’s “Shelter” playing for the newlyweds’ first dance.
Deianna turned to her go-to lighting provider for Laini and Reese’s authentic modern wedding. SimplyLit did a walkthrough of the residence and it was clear from the start they’d really deliver on what was wanted for the space. Immediately after that first meeting, they were secured.
The couple wanted to make sure they looked like themselves on their wedding day, and as such, sought a makeup artist with experience with clients of assorted nationalities. Deianna had worked with Makeup by Kimaris many times before and knew this was something she excelled at.
When it came to the couple’s specific vision for their big-day looks, the eyes had it. While Reese wanted “no makeup” makeup, she did request dramatic lashes. And Laini wanted the drama to mainly come from her strong brows and bold-yet-natural-looking lashes.
Laini wrestled with her hairstyle. At the time, her hair was natural and long, and she wanted to wear her hair out, but the heat and humidity made that a gamble she wasn’t willing to take. Typically wearing thick, long braids, she wanted something subtle that day. Plus, at the last minute she decided to wear a pleated veil. So she opted for tiny braids that were flat on her head, so the hairstyle didn’t compete, but instead was off her face and fanned around her shoulders.
As the couple continued building their vendor team, a stationer was added. Open Air Paper, who is based on Etsy, was easy to work with for all things signage and day-of materials.
“We wanted simple calligraphy and coloring that matched the florals. Laura [ Eckert] was super accommodating and made the process easy—especially since we were working on this a couple months before the wedding.” —Deianna Hamilton, planner
The final decision was about the sweet way to end the night. A few cake makers were considered, and it was a big deal to Reese that the cake looked good and tasted even better. Cakes by Anna is a staple in the Atlanta market and made both of those things happen, in the form of a lemon cake with buttercream frosting.
“My main priorities were Laini having everything she wanted, as she wanted it, and a wedding cake so delicious that it would make me want to get married all over again.” —Reese, bride
