Some wedding days just have an easygoing feel from the moment you arrive, and Nellie and Mark’s wedding at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia was exactly that.

Surrounded by beautiful gardens, gorgeous natural light, and so many thoughtful details, every part of their day felt relaxed and genuine. Nothing felt rushed or overdone. Instead, it was simply a day centered around celebrating with the people they love, which always makes for some of my favorite weddings to photograph.

The State Botanical Garden of Georgia was the perfect setting for their vision. Between the lush greenery, peaceful walking paths, and beautiful ceremony spaces, it offered no shortage of incredible locations for portraits. I honestly had so much fun documenting every part of their wedding day.

---

Getting Ready in Downtown Athens

The morning began at the Hyatt Place in downtown Athens, where Nellie and her bridesmaids spent the morning getting ready together. There was such a fun, relaxed energy in the room as everyone chatted, laughed, and counted down the minutes until it was finally time to get dressed.

Classic City Makeup did an incredible job with everyone’s hair and makeup. The looks were soft, timeless, and photographed beautifully throughout the entire day. As the finishing touches came together, you could really start to feel the excitement building for everything that was about to unfold.

A little later, I met up with Mark and his groomsmen as they finished getting ready before heading to the venue. The atmosphere was relaxed, and you could tell everyone was simply excited for the day ahead. It was one of those mornings where everything just seemed to fall into place without feeling rushed.

That laid-back energy stayed with them throughout the entire wedding day, making it easy for everyone to slow down, enjoy the moment, and focus on what mattered most.

---

---

A Garden Ceremony Surrounded by Nature

One of my favorite things about the State Botanical Garden of Georgia is that it truly feels like you’re surrounded by nature in every direction. Everywhere you look, there’s lush greenery, towering trees, and beautiful garden paths, making it such a peaceful place to say “I do.”

Nellie and Mark exchanged their vows in a heartfelt ceremony officiated by someone close to them, which made the moment feel even more personal. It lasted about 30 minutes, giving everyone the chance to slow down, take it all in, and celebrate right alongside them.

The soft blue and white florals paired perfectly with the garden setting without taking away from the beauty that was already there. It was one of those ceremonies where everything worked together so naturally, creating a timeless backdrop for such a meaningful part of their wedding day.

---

Portraits Around the Gardens

One of the things I was most looking forward to was photographing Nellie and Mark together again. We had so much fun during their engagement session a few months earlier, so by the time their wedding day arrived, they already knew exactly what to expect in front of my camera.

The best part? They could simply enjoy being together.

As we wandered through the gardens and greenhouse, we took advantage of all the beautiful scenery the State Botanical Garden of Georgia has to offer. Every corner seemed to give us another beautiful backdrop, and Nellie and Mark made my job so easy by simply being themselves.

Looking back through their gallery now always makes me smile. More than anything, these photos reflect who Nellie and Mark are as a couple. They are kind, genuine, and so much fun to be around, and I feel incredibly grateful that I got to document such a special season of their lives.

---

A Light-Filled Greenhouse Reception

The reception inside the State Botanical Garden of Georgia’s greenhouse was absolutely beautiful. Natural light poured in through the glass ceiling, filling the room and making every detail feel bright and inviting. White tables, gold chairs, and soft blue, white, and peach florals came together perfectly without taking away from the beauty of the space itself.

One of my favorite details, though, had to be the table numbers. Instead of traditional table numbers, each table featured one of Mark’s own plant illustrations and was named after a different plant species. Knowing how much he loves plants made that detail feel even more meaningful, and it was such a fun surprise for their guests to discover during the reception.

I always love seeing couples find little ways to make their wedding day feel uniquely theirs, and this was the perfect example. It was thoughtful, personal, and fit the setting of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia so well. Every detail reflected Nellie and Mark’s personalities, making the reception feel just as memorable as the rest of their wedding day.

---

A Vendor Team That Truly Cared

One thing I always notice on a wedding day is how the vendors treat one another, and this team was truly wonderful to work alongside.

The venue staff and catering team went out of their way to make sure everyone was taken care of. My associate photographer and I were regularly offered water, checked on throughout the day, and genuinely made to feel appreciated. Those little acts of kindness might seem small, but during a long wedding day, they mean so much.

When everyone is working toward the same goal, you can feel the difference. The entire vendor team supported one another, communicated well, and helped create a relaxed experience not only for Nellie and Mark, but for everyone involved. It was such a pleasure being part of a team that cared so much about making their day the best it could be!

---

A Celebration Filled With Joy

As Nellie shared with me before the wedding, the part she was looking forward to most was “getting married to the love of her life, dancing with friends, hearing the toasts and vows, and having everyone together.” Looking back on their day, I’d say it was everything they had hoped for.

The reception was filled with heartfelt toasts, lots of laughter, and a dance floor that stayed busy all night long. (Seriously… don’t miss Mark’s dance moves!)

It was one of those celebrations where you could feel how loved Nellie and Mark were. Everyone was genuinely excited to celebrate them, and that joy carried through every part of the evening. Those are always my favorite kinds of weddings to photograph because the happiness is completely real, and it shows in every moment!

---

---

Vendor Team

Venue: State Botanical Garden of Georgia

Photographer: Nicole Falco Photography

Wedding Planner: Gilly Francis Events

Florals: Anastasiya Florals

Officiant: Ali Taylor

Bride’s Dress: Jenny Yoo NYC

Bridesmaid Dresses: Shop Reverly

Bride’s Ring: Worthmore Jewelers

Groom’s Ring: Elysium Black Diamond

Hair & Makeup: Classic City Makeup

DJ / Entertainment: 1800 Media Group

Catering: Epting Events

Desserts: Classic City Confections