You’ve Never Seen a Backyard Wedding Like This One
There really was no place like home for this Georgia couple to tie the knot. An elegant yet sentimental New Year’s wedding celebration was just what they had in mind.
When it came time for Amelia and Matt to say “I do,” the young couple couldn’t imagine tying the knot anywhere other than their beloved hometown of Dublin, GA. After all, they both grew up there and met in school, where they were just one year apart. “We knew each other for a while and were interested, but the timing never worked out,” says Amelia. “Then, it finally did in November 2014, and we started dating.” Amelia tells us she always knew that Matt was genuinely a great guy, and his kindness and sense of humor are what initially won her over. She could see that Matt, being on the quieter side, perfectly complemented her outgoing personality.
The couple continued dating at the University of Georgia, and in July 2021, Matt proposed. “He had just moved to Atlanta, and I was finishing school in Athens,” says the bride. “I went to visit him for the weekend, and he acted so weird! He said he wanted to surprise me by taking me to this new bar that had just opened. When he pulled into a neighborhood, I was so confused because I had no idea where we were going. Matt said the bar was a speakeasy to throw me off.”
PinOn January 1, 2022, Amelia and Matt tied the knot in their hometown of Dublin, GA.PinThe couple began dating in high school in 2014 and continued their relationship at the University of Georgia. Amelia says that Matt’s sense of humor and kindness won her heart.
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Instead of driving Amelia to a bar, Matt pulled into one of Atlanta’s most picturesque spots: the charming Duck Pond in Buckhead, where he and Amelia’s best friend had discreetly set up a special picnic. Matt was so nervous that he popped the champagne before he popped the question! “I was holding the champagne glasses in the photos while he was down on one knee! It was funny and quirky, like us!” laughed Amelia. “It was really cute.”
Amelia’s mom had subtly encouraged her to get a manicure before her trip, but she didn’t pick up on the hint, so her thoughtful BFF included a bottle of nail polish for her in the picnic setup. Amelia and Matt watched the sunset by the water and toasted their engagement.
Since her childhood, Amelia had dreamed of a New Year’s wedding, so with six months to plan, she hit the ground running. Fortunately, she also had the help of her wedding planner, Mindy Hendley, who conveniently doubled as her florist. Selecting a venue was a no-brainer because Amelia always knew she wanted to get married in her family home where she had grown up. “I’ve always thought it was so beautiful,” she tells us. “We held my cousin’s rehearsal dinner there; since then, I’ve known it would be the perfect venue for my wedding.”
PinThe reception took place at the bride’s family home in Dublin, GA.PinAmelia had always dreamed of a New Year’s wedding and knew her family’s home would be the perfect reception venue.
Amelia admits that choosing her dress didn’t come quite as quickly or easily as the reception venue. After shopping around and not finding anything she loved, Amelia designed her wedding gown with the help of Heidi Elnora Atelier in Birmingham, Alabama. “I originally thought I’d want a ball gown,” she tells us, “but I ended up with something really simple. It was a plain strapless dress with a sash across the shoulder, a huge bow in the back, a long train, and a simple veil.”
PinWhen she couldn’t find the perfect dress, Amelia designed her own — with the help of Birmingham’s esteemed Heidi Elnora Atelier.PinThe bride wore a simple yet elegant gown with a bow, long train, and veil for a classic look.PinWhat a stunning gown!
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Keeping with the theme of simplicity, Amelia’s florist designed elegant all-white arrangements with subtle greenery. “Since we were getting married on New Year’s, I wanted elegant flowers with lots of candles to fit the festive holiday vibe,” offers Amelia.
She also shared that her big day was exceptionally sentimental because she and her bridesmaids dressed in her childhood bedroom for the wedding. Additionally, she and Matt shared their “first look” in her family home. During this time, they exchanged heartfelt letters — one of the day’s most memorable moments.
PinAmelia and Matt’s “first look” at the bride’s childhood home.PinAmelia’s bridal party included her sister and a mix of childhood and college friends.PinAmelia’s bridesmaids selected their dress styles in classic black.
On January 1, 2022, Amelia and Matt exchanged wedding vows at Pine Forest Methodist Church at 6 p.m. in the presence of 375 special guests. For her “something old,” “something blue,” and “something borrowed,” Amelia wore her mother’s sapphire ring, a family heirloom passed down for two generations.
Following the ceremony, the party moved to Amelia’s parents’ home, where guests were greeted with champagne and hors d’oeuvres before transitioning to the back yard for dinner and dancing. Set up throughout the lovely outdoor setting, food stations offered guests a beautiful array of Southern-inspired dishes, including shrimp and grits, charcuterie, prime rib, turkey, and chicken tenders, plus traditional black-eyed peas and collard greens for good luck in the year to come! For the wedding cake, Amelia chose her favorite — a red velvet cake with classic buttercream icing from Cake Art Studio.
PinAmelia and Matt exchanged vows at Pine Forest Methodist Church in Dublin, GA.PinAmelia always dreamed of an elegant celebration in the back yard of her family’s home.PinThe space was decked out for a festive New Year’s Day celebration.PinFor the gorgeous, five-tiered cake from Cake Art Studio, Amelia went with her favorite: red velvet!PinWhat New Year’s celebration would be complete without a champagne tower?
The family pool was transformed into a dance floor for the event, and Amelia and Matt kicked off the night with their first dance to “Everything” by Michael Bublé. Amelia shared her father-daughter dance with her dad and grandfather. The latter was a lovely surprise to her grandfather, who lives next door to her parents and has played a significant role in Amelia’s life. Ready for fun, the guests danced the night away to tunes by the Az Izz band. In fact, everyone was having such a fantastic time that the band ended up playing an extra hour.
PinMatt and Amelia danced to “Everything” by Michael Bublé.PinAmelia shared her father-daughter dance with her dad and grandfather.PinThe guests danced into the night!
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To satisfy cravings near the end of the night, guests were served some of the couple’s favorite snacks, including Chick-fil-A Minis and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts with coffee and hot chocolate. Finally, Amelia and Matt finished their celebration on a festive note by exiting grandly beneath a tunnel of sparklers.
PinAmelia and Matt ended the night beneath a tunnel of sparklers.PinThe happy couple kicked off the year as newlyweds in Mexico. Now, they are living out their “happily ever after” in Atlanta, GA — not too far from the people and place they both call “home.”Thank you so much, Amelia and Matt, for recreating this special day for us. And thanks to Maggie Braucher for the fabulous photos.
Originally from Oxford, MS, Alli Bridgers moved to Nashville after graduating from The University of Mississippi. She works in marketing and brand management, and in her spare time, she enjoys trying new restaurants, getting lost in a good book, and traveling with friends and family.
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