Set amongst the rolling vineyards and Tuscan-inspired architecture of MONTALUCE WINERY in the North Georgia mountains, Lillian and Justin’s wedding brought together timeless design, warm hospitality and an unexpected touch of magic. ANNA J. RAY PHOTOGRAPHY’S documented the celebration with an elegant, romantic eye, while THEN COMES MARRIAGE coordinated the day and BANTAM & BLOOM filled the spaces with abundant white and nude-toned florals.
The couple envisioned something timeless, romantic and feminine, choosing a classic palette of champagne, black and white. Candlelight and layers of soft florals brought warmth to the refined setting, creating an atmosphere that felt elevated without losing the intimacy Lillian and Justin wanted for their closest family and friends.
FROM SPAIN TO THE GEORGIA MOUNTAINS
The couple first met while at college, where, rather wonderfully, they happened to be next-door neighbours. Years later, Justin proposed thousands of miles from home in one of Spain’s most extraordinary settings. After touring the Alhambra in Granada, Justin suggested they continue exploring its gardens. There, with a photographer secretly waiting to document the moment, he asked Lillian to marry him. They celebrated over dinner overlooking the Alhambra before spending the evening FaceTiming family and friends with their news.
For their wedding, another beautiful landscape beckoned. As keen winery visitors, Lillian and Justin knew MONTALUCE was right for them almost immediately. Its vineyards, mountain setting and European-inspired architecture offered the feeling of a destination wedding while remaining within driving distance for many of their Florida-based guests. The Tuscan-style villas on the property allowed their wedding party and closest family to stay together throughout the weekend, turning the celebration into a true getaway.
Candlelight and layers of soft florals brought warmth to the refined setting.
A MODERN TAKE ON TIMELESS FASHION
Lillian chose a sculptural corseted ballgown by MARTINA LIANA, its modern structure balanced by an undeniably romantic and feminine silhouette. Her bridesmaids wore individual champagne-hued gowns from a mix of designers, creating a softly coordinated look rather than matching exactly. Justin and his groomsmen kept things beautifully classic in traditional black suits, providing a timeless contrast against the warm neutrals and organic landscape.
The morning itself unfolded in one of Montaluce’s Tuscan villas overlooking the vineyards. Before the ceremony, Lillian and Justin met for a first look on the venue’s sweeping indoor staircase. For Lillian, seeing Justin immediately settled her nerves and allowed them a private moment together before the celebrations began.
WHEN THE RAIN PLAN BECOMES THE PLAN
Lillian had always pictured exchanging vows outdoors beneath a large oak tree, with rolling vineyards stretching into the distance behind them. On the morning of the wedding, however, the weather forced a difficult decision: the ceremony would need to move inside. It proved to be the right call. Just as the ceremony was beginning, the skies opened.
What initially felt disappointing soon became one of the most memorable parts of the entire day. The wine production room was transformed with hundreds of glowing candles, scattered flower petals and romantic floral arrangements, creating an intimate and atmospheric setting that could hardly have felt more appropriate.
As Lillian’s father came to collect her, the emotion of the moment hit. “I could barely hold it together when my dad came to get me,” she recalls. “But the second I started walking down the aisle, I was washed over with peace. It felt like a scene from a movie.” Walking towards Justin to an instrumental version of Hallelujah, surrounded by the faces of those they loved most, the ceremony she hadn’t originally imagined became one she wouldn’t have changed.
The couple’s faith was also thoughtfully incorporated into the ceremony, including a reading inspired by the biblical story of Jesus turning water into wine.
FLOWERS, CANDLELIGHT AND SOFT NEUTRALS
BANTAM & BLOOM worked almost entirely in white, introducing subtle touches of nude through the floral arrangements to add dimension and warmth. Against the champagne tones woven throughout the design, the result felt soft and romantic without becoming overly formal. Lillian took the lead on the stationery herself, designing the pieces using inspiration she had gathered while planning the wedding. These personal details sat naturally alongside the more polished elements of the celebration, helping the day feel distinctly their own.
The couple’s faith was also thoughtfully incorporated into the ceremony, including a reading inspired by the biblical story of Jesus turning water into wine. Given their unexpected ceremony setting inside the winery’s production room, it became an especially fitting detail.
For Lillian, seeing Justin immediately settled her nerves and allowed them a private moment together before the celebrations began.
DINNER OVERLOOKING THE VINEYARDS
With the rain having passed, guests moved outside for cocktail hour on the terrace overlooking the vineyards before gathering for the evening reception. Steak and salmon were served for dinner alongside tableside wine service, while Hugo Spritzes and Old Fashioned’s offered two classic signature cocktails. Speeches began the evening before the celebration shifted firmly towards the dance floor.
A DJ was joined by a live saxophonist, while fog-filled bubbles floated across the dancing later in the night, adding a playful, atmospheric element to both the party and ANNA J. RAY PHOTOGRAPHY’S imagery.
From a proposal amongst the gardens of Granada to an unexpectedly candlelit ceremony in the heart of a Georgia winery, Lillian and Justin’s story seems to have a way of finding beautiful settings. Their wedding was proof, too, that sometimes the moment you hadn’t planned for becomes the one you remember most.
Their wedding was proof, too, that sometimes the moment you hadn’t planned for becomes the one you remember most.
