A Traditional, Whimsical Wedding at the Tate House in Tate, Georgia

Kayla McIntosh (24 and a Disney performer) and Michael Longshore’s (24 and a second-grade teacher) wedding was all about timeless elegance. Both Georgia natives, the couple decided to keep things close to home, hosting the affair at the historic Tate House in Tate, Georgia. The pink marble mansion offered ample space for their 200 guests, as well as a beautiful location in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The day started with an outdoor ceremony overlooking a vast expanse of lush forests and the mountains, followed by a lively evening filled with delicious eats and dancing in the ballroom of the stately mansion. Working with the Tate House’s refined 19th-century style, Kayla and Michael opted for a classic design aesthetic, dressing their reception space in a palette of navy, gray and dark purple. Textured linens and silver candelabras dripping with crystals decorated the reception tables, with bunches of fresh purple flowers added a bright, natural touch to room. While the day’s overall style had a traditional feel, Kayla and Michael gave the day a personal touch with playful, Disney-inspired details, like an illustrated guest book inspired by the movie “Up,” a Sleeping Beauty cake topper, Captain America and Rapunzel figurines to decorate their doughnut tower and grape soda pins worn by the groomsmen in lieu of floral boutonnieres. “Michael and I worked together in all aspects of our wedding style because it's a day that represented both of us,” Kayla says. “We included little details of our favorite things, so people would be able to tell instantly exactly who was getting married.” Another element that spoke to Kayla and Michael was the wedding cake, which was decorated with lines from the poem "I Carry Your Heart" by E.E. Cummings, a nod to the long-distance nature of their relationship. Three tips for the taking from Kayla: “Make the decisions as they come, don’t stress and enjoy it. At the end of the day, you're married to the love of your life. Invest in premarital counseling. Don’t forget to focus on the marriage ahead that will last a lifetime, not just the wedding, which will last a few hours. Also, create a separate email address specifically for wedding vendors and wedding items. You'll be thankful to not get all those emails after the wedding is over.”