So many times, weddings get all the glory and rehearsal dinners are a mere afterthought.  Not today.  Lindsay Pitt, orchestrator of weddings and social celebrations at Toast Signature Celebrations, cornered me at one of our recent events and said I just had to see one of her recent rehearsal dinners shot by Melissa Schollaert Photography.  Her bride and groom, Lindsey and Tyler’s rehearsal dinner (thrown by mother-and-father-of-the-groom extraordinaires, Lynda and Thom) was a masterful example of what fine details, plus southern hospitality can equal…a well planned party for out of town guests.  I’m thrilled to share it with you today!

Together, Lindsay and Lynda, chose The Wimbish House because its sparkling chandeliers, high arched doorways, and carved fireplaces set the stage for an elegant rehearsal dinner and its uniquely Southern beauty and historical significance to Atlanta were appropriate seeing as though the bride and groom are both natives and current residents of the city.

On the decor, Lynda explains “I used white hydrangeas in julep cups, along with candles in square frosted votives, to adorn the mantels and tabletops in the beautiful, historic rooms.  The fireplace hearths featured candles in tall vellum-wrapped candle holders, and a jazz pianist at one of the venue’s grand pianos added the perfect musical accompaniment to the evening.

For the three-course dinner presented by Affairs to Remember in the Wimbish ballroom, we added gold to the black and white color theme.  I chose black and white linens, gold chargers, and black and white china, topped off with tiny gold boxes of chocolates tied with black and white striped ribbons. Dinner table centerpieces featured more white hydrangeas in black square vases and candles in several sizes.  We did not want any guests to feel they were seated in the back of the room, so we put the bride and groom’s table the middle of the ballroom and highlighted it with a tall vase of white hydrangeas and black willow.  As a different twist on place cards, I created folded welcome and menu cards, each individualized with the guest’s name. “

To cool down the guests our MOG and party planner duo served Mint Juleps.  Lynda says  “To honor the bride and groom’s Southern heritage and to give their guests from other parts of the country a taste of traditional Southern style, we chose mint juleps served in traditional silver cups as the signature drink for the cocktail hour.  Silver frames on the bar displayed a history of the revered Southern drink.”

And if this rehearsal dinner couldn’t get any cuter, they even customized the entertainment for guests.  Lynda tell us “Following toasts by family and by friends of the bride and groom from college and law school, the guests were treated to a rousing performance by members of the groom’s college a cappella singing group, The Baker’s Dozen of Yale, conducted by the groom.”

Photography:  Melissa Schollaert Photography |  Venue:  The Wimbish House |  Planner:  Lindsay Pitt of Toast Signature Celebrations |  Caterer:  Affairs to Remember |  Invitations and Escort cards:  All For You Invitations |  Videographer:  One Chance Wedding Videography |  Rentals:   Andrew Tent Company |  Linens:  Tabletoppers Inc.

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