An Elegant Backyard Wedding at Private Residence in Savannah, Georgia

When it came to planning their late November wedding, Jordan Fuqua (28 and a recruiter) and Brian Jaffee (29 and a private equity investor) couldn’t think of a more perfect location to say their “I dos” than Jordan’s childhood home in Savannah, Ga. “Being able to get ready in my home, be married on the bluff where I grew up, and share our home with our guests during the reception made our wedding so personal and special,” says Jordan.

The quaint historic home, spacious and beautifully manicured grounds and majestic oak trees providing the ultimate backdrop for the affair from start to finish. For the ceremony, a lush, garden-inspired wedding arch draped in romantic pink roses and vines framed the couple as they exchanged vows beneath an impressive century-old oak tree sprinkled with Spanish moss.

The reception was truly a scene to behold, with the swinging soiree unfolding under a clear open-air tent in Jordan’s backyard, which offered guests breathtaking views of the water. Wildly romantic arrangements of roses, hydrangeas, dahlias, ferns and more brought a pop of fresh color to a sea of sophisticated neutral hues, while elegant lounges, complete with wing-backed chairs, cushy love seats and luxe decorative accents provided a chic place for guests to mix, mingle and relax.

A menu featuring Southern, Low Country fare was non-negotiable (and rightfully so!), and Susan Mason Catering knocked it out of the park with dishes like fried oysters, lamb chops, crab cakes and a to-die-for biscuit bar. But if you ask Jessie and Brian, it was live band Jessie’s Girls that was the wedding’s piece de resistance. “The dance floor was packed from the second Jessie’s Girls started, all the way through the end of the night,” says Jordan. “They played such a fun mix of music and kept the energy high all night!”