Including your beloved pet in your wedding can make your special day even more meaningful. For Atlanta brides, finding a pet-friendly wedding venue in Atlanta ensures that your furry friend can be part of your celebration. From outdoor gardens to elegant estates, there are several stunning pet-friendly wedding venues in Atlanta that welcome pets.
Why Include Your Pet in Your Wedding?
Your pet is a cherished member of your family, so it makes sense to have them by your side on your wedding day. Whether walking down the aisle with you, posing for adorable photos, or simply being present during the ceremony, having your pet involved creates unforgettable memories. Choosing a pet-friendly wedding venue in Atlanta allows you to celebrate without worrying about restrictions on your furry companion.
Best Pet-Friendly Wedding Venues in Atlanta
Piedmont Park Conservancy
Located in the heart of Atlanta, Piedmont Park offers breathtaking skyline views and ample outdoor space for a pet-friendly wedding venue in Atlanta. Leashed pets are welcome, making it a great option for couples who want an iconic city backdrop.
Park Tavern
Nestled within Piedmont Park, Park Tavern is a picturesque wedding venue that allows pets to be part of outdoor ceremonies. With a blend of nature and city views, it’s a top pick for pet-loving couples.
This charming historic venue in Marietta is perfect for couples who want a classic Southern wedding with their pet in attendance. The lush gardens provide a beautiful setting for ceremonies and pet-friendly photos.
Located in Roswell, this venue features scenic gardens and a welcoming atmosphere for pets. The beautiful outdoor space allows for breathtaking wedding portraits with your furry friend.
Shiloh Gardens
Located in Cumming, Shiloh Gardens welcomes pets and even supports animal rescue organizations. This venue is ideal for couples who want their wedding to reflect their love for animals.
Tips for Including Your Pet in Your Wedding
Assign a Pet Handler
Designate a trusted friend or professional pet sitter to look after your pet throughout the day, so you can focus on your wedding.
Prepare Your Pet
Practice their role in advance to ensure they’re comfortable in the venue and around guests.
Dress Comfortably
If dressing your pet, ensure they wear something comfortable and non-restrictive.
Plan for Breaks
Weddings can be overwhelming, so have a quiet area with water and treats where your pet can relax.
Other Ways to Include Your Pet at your Wedding
If bringing your pet to the venue isn’t possible, consider these creative alternatives:
Feature your pet in your wedding invitations or décor.
Name a signature cocktail after them.
Include a figurine of your pet on your wedding cake.
Display framed photos of them at the venue.
Having your pet as part of your pet-friendly wedding venue in Atlanta adds a personal and heartfelt touch. Whether they’re walking down the aisle or being honored in creative ways, their presence will make your day even more special.
Looking for more tips from a seasoned wedding professional? I work hands-on with my clients to ensure every part of their vision is beautifully captured in their wedding photos. Inquire with me about your wedding date.
When Taylor reached out about having me photograph her Hilton Head Island wedding, I could hardly believe it. Since marrying my husband, I’ve enjoyed annual trips to Hilton Head with my in-laws, who have been visiting for years. I’m not much of a beach person (love my lake life!) but the beauty of the low country made this a top bucket list place for photographing a future wedding. Kolby & Taylor made that a dream come true, as they lived their own dream day! On September 14 at the Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort, Kolby & Taylor tied the knot – and I got to be a Hilton Head Island wedding photographer.
A Hilton Head Island Engagement
Kolby and Taylor met while they were in their respective professional programs. Kolby was attending Duke University for Physical Therapy. Taylor was attending law school at UNC Chapel Hill. They connected pre-Covid, stayed in contact all throughout, and finally met in person when they each returned to campus in August of 2020.
As a couple, they made a habit of exercising together every morning, taking walks and runs to talk about life and their goals. They also love visiting Hilton Head Island, where Taylor’s family lives. The beach is their happy place, where they both enjoy the sunshine and relaxation time. Kolby will listen to a podcast, and Taylor will read her books. They also like to play Spikeball, chat about life, and enjoy the water.
Fast forward a couple years. Kolby and Taylor would travel to spend a lot of time in Hilton Head, where Taylor’s family lives. After what Taylor thought was just a normal weekend visit, they went out to dinner, and her whole family decided to take a walk through a nice park on the water. While posing for pictures, Kolby got down on one knee! That park has now become a special place on the island for the two of them.
Their Hilton Head Island Wedding Day
Their wedding day was a source of some slight anxiety that week. Kevin and I decided to take a week to visit Hilton Head. We celebrated our second anniversary on the island. But the entire week, the weather was not kind to us. It was rainy, chilly, humid, and very few hours of actual sun the entire week. The forecast threatened much of the same miserable wedding for Kolby and Taylor’s big day.
To be clear: RAIN ON A WEDDING DAY IS OK. It’s unavoidable, and you can still get GORGEOUS images on a rainy day. I have plenty of proof of that from Zach & Camille’s wedding, Mary & Joey’s wedding, Kevin & Emma’s wedding, and so many more! My own wedding day still stands as the rainiest wedding I have ever attended, and I LOVE my wedding photos.
But I knew rain would add certain challenges based on their chosen Hilton Head Island wedding venues. Their ceremony was set for the beach at the Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort. I selfishly wished, for the sake of my photos (and for Kolby & Taylor’s experience), that the sun would peek out even if just for the ceremony.
The Lord heard our prayers, because the entire day was fantastic weather!! Our only challenge was the intense wind on the beach, but even that couldn’t affect how beautiful the ceremony was. I shot quickly and took many photos of each shot to ensure we had at least one good option despite windswept hair and dresses.
Between the glorious, glowy sunlight and the wind, their portraits on the beach turned out to be so epic! Taylor’s dress flew dramatically in many of the shots. And her hair and makeup artist deserves a round of applause. Her updo survived and looked gorgeous even as the wind took the wispy pieces left out.
Highlights of the Day
There was so much to love about this wedding. On a personal note, it was my first wedding back in the saddle after giving birth to my daughter! (Birth story soon to come!) Despite worries of feeling a little rusty with postpartum brain fog, I’m feeling bold enough to say this was my favorite/best work yet! Here are some highlights you’ll want to seek out as you scroll:
A Dreamy Tower
Shoutout to Taylor’s friend and bridesmaid Jordan for showing me the tower room at Gull Island Manor, a short-term rental house in Sea Pines! I never would’ve known to wander up there, but it ended up being the dreamiest spot for details and Taylor’s getting ready photos! That light – *chef’s kiss*!
Lean Supplies And A Broken Ring Dish
For the couple’s wedding day details, I really didn’t bring a ton with me from my usually packed styling kit. We had to travel light to fit the essentials. What’s more, my favorite ring dish snapped in half when I dropped it going up the stone steps to the manor!
It was time to get creative. I actually ended up loving the look of my broken ring dish and decided to use it! I also found some dead palm foliage on the outer landscaping to feature in the flat lay of details. Paired with a wisp of Spanish moss, what once was a lean styling kit soon became true-to-location details that made the photos sing “Hilton Head Island wedding.” This just goes to show: Less is more. The less I have to work with in preparation for styling details has sometimes led to my most creative work!
A Touching Island Wedding Ceremony at the Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort
Despite the crazy wind, we were all so grateful for beautiful sunlight during Kolby & Taylor’s wedding ceremony at the Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort. Kolby & Taylor opted out of having a First Look, so I was dead set on getting Kolby’s reaction to seeing his beautiful bride. What I captured was one of the sweetest Groom reactions – instant happy tears as she came down from the dunes.
Another standout moment from their ceremony happened toward the end. Kolby’s dad officiated the ceremony. After a beautiful exchanging of the rings, and just before inviting the first kiss, he began choking up as he pronounced them husband and wife. It was so profound coming from a father (and now father-in-law). You could hear the soft “aww” reactions from the guests. That was such an emotional, happy moment!
Experience > Tradition
Kolby & Taylor planned a truly personal and intimate wedding reception at Gull Island Manor. It more so mimicked a dinner party than wedding reception. They hosted a warm cocktail hour with an open bar featuring their signature cocktails. Guests could explore the grounds while enjoying appetizers and getting their photo taken by the live painter commissioned to watercolor their portrait for a unique take-home gift.
When dinner was ready to start, guests descended to the lower tier of the garden overlooking the marsh. There, a long singular table was set with cheesecloth, candle sticks, place settings, and customized name plates made out of oyster shells.
The couple came down last, but there was no planned fanfare. They decided to forego the traditional dances and simply welcome guests to a laid back dinner serenaded by live musicians. This allowed the couple plenty of time to mingle with each guest and create special memories with the entire party, including a surprise visit from Keebler their dog. I absolutely loved this approach to a wedding celebration – and I could tell everyone else did too!
Final Thoughts From Kolby & Taylor’s Hilton Head Island Wedding
I’m so honored to have served as Kolby & Taylor’s wedding photographer. The entire experience was a dream for me – one that I hope opens the opportunity for even more chances to expand as an HHI wedding photographer. Their warmth and friendship was extended to me from the start, and their guests and family were a true delight to spend the day with.
I’ve begun asking couples to share what they love most about one another, and what excites them for marriage. Here’s how they answered.
What Taylor Loves Most About Kolby
“I love how devoted Kolby is to our little family. He is the most selfless person I know and would do anything to make things easier on others. He supports me emotionally and has the utmost patience when it comes to helping me navigate stressful situations, and he would do literally anything for our dog Keebler. Keebler gets to go to the dog park, walks, gets bones, pup cups, everything! He’s so spoiled because Kolby likes to take such good care of him.”
What Kolby Loves Most About Taylor
“I love how much Taylor guides and anchors me in our life. I am a very good-with-the-flow person which helps me stay optimistic and positive. However, I struggle sometimes with direction and focus because of this. Taylor has given me so much purpose in life and given me the direction for how I want my life to go. She is so ambitious and helps me make goals for ourselves that I would’ve never thought possible. Even in the few years I’ve known her, she’s helped me achieve goals and see a future I would’ve never thought possible for myself and for us.”
The Most Beautiful Thing About Marriage: According to Kolby & Taylor
“The most beautiful thing about marriage in my eyes is the commitment to stand by your partner no matter what life brings. My parents have had a long marriage and I admire the way that they’ve stuck by each other through every challenge. It’s easy to walk away from something when things become difficult but marriage is the commitment to another person to instead engage with them and work through the issues instead of walking away. In my eyes, marriage is beautiful because its permanent.”
K&T, I wish you both so much happiness in your marriage. Enjoy your honeymoon in Europe!!
If you love my work and you’re considering getting married in Hilton Head Island, or another destination in the southern East Coast, I would love to chat! I am based in the DC area but travel often for weddings. Contact me for more information!
Vendor Shoutouts
I was honored to work alongside a vendor dream team, consisting of the following talent:
