1. Real Weddings

Heather & Todd: A Casual Wedding in Atlanta, GA

For any other couple, a horse park might be an odd setting for a wedding reception. But for Heather Thomas and Todd Lakes it couldn’t have been more p

For any other couple, a horse park might be an odd setting for a wedding reception. But for Heather Thomas and Todd Lakes it couldn’t have been more perfect. The Bride Heather Thomas, 28 and a consultant The Groom Todd Lakes, 31 and an operations consultant The Date April 2 Both graduates of Purdue University, Heather and Todd didn’t meet until several years after college -- at the Foxfield Races, a steeplechase in Charlottesville, Virginia. “A mutual friend introduced us during that fateful race weekend,” recalls Heather, “and our first date was a hike on the Appalachian Trail.” Nearly three years later, the couple began to plan their wedding reception at Chris and Merry Carlos Horse Park at Chastain.

The Ring Bearer and The Flower Girl
The Centerpieces
Todd and his four groomsmen also went for a relaxed vibe, wearing classic navy blazers and khaki pants. Keeping with the fresh color scheme, they wore matching apple green ties, as did the fathers of the bride and groom and the ring bearer. “As much as I would have loved to see Todd in a tux, I knew he would be more comfortable in a blazer combo,” Heather says. “Plus, I loved the navy and green together.”
The Program
The big day began with a traditional ceremony in Dobbs Chapel at Trinity Presbyterian Church.
The Exit
The Bridesmaid Bouquets
After a trolley bus whisked everyone away to the horse park, the bridal party posed for pictures while guests sipped Appletinis on a large deck overlooking a riding ring.
For her own attire, Heather went all out with a white duchesse satin drop-waist Demetrios design with a tank neckline, ball gown skirt, and Austrian-style bustle. Pearl and Swarovski crystal beading lined the neck and waist.
The Couple
Guests received silver bells at the ceremony with a poem asking them to ring it to signal the couple to kiss. Guests rang them at the end of the ceremony and brought them to the reception for toasts and kisses.
The three-tiered confection was made of white cake with real strawberry pieces, cream cheese and strawberry filling, and cream cheese frosting. Green ribbon and fresh green orchids tied the cake to the event’s color palette.