Alex & Jay’s 21st Night of September Wedding at Atlanta Botanic Garden
On the last official day of summer, Alex and Jay celebrated with an elevated garden party to remember. Balancing the ease of summer with the warmth of fall, their wedding beautifully mirrored both the change in seasons and the couple’s own shift from fiancés to newlyweds.
Alex and Jay met at the University of Georgia in pharmacy school — in a rather unconventional way: they were roommates! After a few Facebook messages and a signed lease, Alex, Jay, and another roommate, Alexa, agreed to live together without ever meeting in person. With all three pursuing the same degree and shared goal of graduating, the trio became fast friends — but Alex and Jay were especially close. It wasn’t until Alex moved to Augusta for the final half of pharmacy school that she and Jay realized how special their connection was. Distance brought clarity, and they decided to take a chance on something more.
When it came time to plan their wedding, Atlanta Botanical Garden was an easy choice. Beyond its natural beauty, the venue holds decades of meaning for Jay’s family. The Gardens have long been a favorite spot for family outings, and two areas — the John Imlay Bridge and the Mary Ellen Imlay Channel Gardens — are named in honor of Jay’s grandparents. Fittingly, Alex and Jay shared their first look on the John Imlay Bridge, a moment that paid tribute to Jay’s late grandfather.
Their ceremony took place in the Rose Garden, officiated by one of Jay’s high school friends. At first, the couple admitted that the ceremony felt like something to simply get through — until they invited their friend Michael to officiate. Together, they turned the process into something meaningful and fun. “It was a perfect blend of personal and spiritual,” shared the bride. “What started out as a formality ended up being our favorite and most special part of the day, as it really should be!”
The couple’s personalities shone through in every detail of the reception. A self-proclaimed foodie, Jay is passionate about cooking and the stories behind cuisine — so having exceptional food was a must. Proof of the Pudding delivered a standout menu that reflected that passion. Meanwhile, Alex, a lifelong dancer, made sure the entertainment hit every note. After spending over a year curating their “must-play” list, she created a lineup that kept guests dancing all night.
From the yacht rock playlist to the dusty sunset color palette, every element of Alex and Jay’s celebration glowed with romance and seasonal charm. And since their wedding date fell on the 21st night of September, it was only fitting that Earth, Wind & Fire’s iconic hit was the first song played — instantly filling the dance floor.
As a final nod to their college football rivalry — Alex, a proud Georgia Bulldog, and Jay, a loyal Auburn Tiger — the newlyweds made their grand exit through a sea of waving pom-poms in red, white, orange, and blue, perfectly symbolizing the merging of their worlds into one.
Vendors
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY Aurora Adeleigh
VENUE Atlanta Botanical Gardens
FLORAL On Occasions of Atlanta
PLANNER Southern Gates Wedding and Events
HAIR & MAKEUP Beauty Babes ATL
BRIDE’S GOWN Bel Fiore Bridal
GROOM’S FORMALWEAR Men’s Wearhouse
CATERING & CAKE Proof of the Pudding
ENTERTAINMENT & LIGHTING Sifi Entertainment
GUEST ACCOMMODATIONS Loews Hotel Atlanta
