Katherine & Austin’s Industrial and Whimsical Wedding
Photos by Sterling Graves
Beaming smiles and joyful tears defined Katherine and Austin’s Georgia industrial-chic wedding. The couple’s emotional celebration of their love took place in February 2022 at The Engine Room in Monroe (just under an hour’s drive from Atlanta). The venue was once part of the Monroe Cotton Mills, and the best historic elements from 1895 were kept intact, like exposed brick walls, weathered paint, heart pine columns, original sliding fire doors and stunning hardwood floors. With added modern amenities this old-meets-new venue was the perfect spot to begin a lasting union.
The couple added texture and personality to the factory venue by incorporating fabric signage, vintage-colored glassware, whimsical florals and simple gold accents. No detail was unintentional, even Katherine’s 89th & Autumn bouquet was bound with lace from her mother and grandmother’s wedding gown.
Greeted with champagne upon entry, guests knew they were in for a treat as they walked into the ceremony. Since hospitality is a core value to the bride and groom, they wanted this demonstrated to their guests from the moment of their arrival.
“Garden” by NEEDTOBREATHE played as the bride walked down the aisle. The couple heard this song performed in concert, and at this show, they knew in their hearts they would be married to each other. In the ceremony, the couple shared communion, a moment of prayer and exchanged vows together.
Following the heartfelt ceremony, cocktail hour in the venue’s beautiful brick courtyard kicked off the social part of the evening. Illuminated by overhead string lights, guests sipped cosmopolitans and old fashioneds as they enjoyed live music and passed hors d’oeuvres.
Dinner and dancing followed as entertainment from Emerald Empire Band stole the show. When guests needed a break from dancing, they refueled from the Frothy Coffee + Goods darling 1974 Piaggio Ape coffee cart.
A unique touch came with seven custom cakes by Cecilia’s Cake Shop. Why have one cake when you can spread the love to multiple flavors. The couple created custom cake toppers that represented their favorite activities and memories together, including Georgia football, golfing and their beloved dog, Molly. The bride’s mom thought seven cakes was too many, but every slice was eaten by the end of the night!
To wrap the night up, the couple enjoyed a private last dance and sparkler exit before riding in their 1964 Rolls Royce getaway car. Katherine and Austin enjoyed their honeymoon in Tulum the following week.
NUMBER OF WEDDING GUESTS: 225
VENDORS
PHOTOGRAPHER: Sterling Graves
VENUE: The Engine Room
OFFICIANT: Andy Lowry, Pastor at Athens Church
FLORAL & DECOR: 89th & Autumn
PLANNER: Audrey Wunderlich, Fete + Figs
HAIR: Bangs Salon Watkinsville
MAKEUP: Mary Ashley Baker
BRIDE’S ATTIRE: BHLDN
BRIDE’S JEWELRY: Anthropologie, Cheeky Peach
GROOM’S FORMALWEAR: Jos. A Bank
STATIONERY: Minted
CATERING, BARTENDING & LINENS:: Mama’s Boy Athens
COFFEE CART: Frothy Coffee + Goods
CAKES: Cecilia’s Cake Shop
ENTERTAINMENT: Emerald Empire Band
GLASSWARE: Atlanta Vintage Glassware
