A Winter Wedding at Chateau Elan With Deep Red Velvet Tones in Braselton, Georgia

Danelle and Gerald celebrate the unexpected. That’s why Gerald even proposed during a rare Atlanta snowstorm. Nearly a year later, the couple said “I do” at a ceremony full of unique touches, start to finish. Their first surprise was their theme, or lack thereof. “We didn’t want to stick to a particular theme,” Danelle says. Instead, she incorporated classic, romantic touches, including deep red velvet and lush roses, alongside Gerald’s love of nature-inspired greenery and terrariums into their wedding design. Though Danelle and Gerald went with soothing melodies played by a harpist for the ceremony, they spiced up their reception entrance with an extra-unexpected choice. Specifically, Lil Boosie’s “Wipe Me Down.” “Everyone was ready or a party as soon as we came in,” Danelle says. 

After a bright and airy ceremony, Danelle, Gerald and their guests sat down to dinner and drinks amid deeper shades of burgundy, velvet linens and moody candlelight. Oxblood, plum and burgundy peonies, roses and moss filled terrariums and topped tables at the reception alongside anthurium, peonies, privet berries and amaryllis in different shades of deep red. 

Danelle’s bridesmaids wore velvet gowns in a dark berry shade that matched the dark roses and peonies in their bouquets. Danelle wore red velvet sling-back kitten heels to add a pop of color to her look. “The heels incorporated the mixed textures that tie into my everyday style,” she says.

Danelle and Gerald cut into a vanilla cake with salted caramel buttercream, that was frosted with burgundy fondant and topped with different berries. “I’m still sad there were no leftovers,” Danelle says.