I've always loved the idea of a wedding at night.

A candle-filled ceremony, adorned in twinkling lights (à la Ross & Emily!), a romantic atmosphere, and a magical feel.

And that's exactly what Whitney & Neko went for in their enchanting warehouse wedding venue in Atlanta. With photography by Brittany Rae Photography and coordination by Chancey Charm Weddings, we're so excited to share their beautiful winter wedding.

This wedding is filled with so many special details. From a first look that instantly made us smile and a unity candle moment with a difference, to the dazzling decor and a wish lantern send-off, there are so many thoughtful touches that make this wedding one to remember.

Whitney was a stunning bride in her customised gown (love those sheer sleeves, just perfect for winter), alongside her gilded mix and match bridesmaids. While Neko and his guys were looking sharp, yet modern, in matching navy tuxedos.

With so many elegant ideas to borrow for your own big day, whether you're getting married in winter, at night, or in a cool warehouse setting, you're going to want to scroll right to the end.

Wedding Day Snapshot

Our Love Story

We met working in 2007, as servers in a 100 year old building on the corner of 10th and Peachtree, formerly Jock's and Jill's - it's where the magic all happened. We became fast friends and though we didn't see it right away our friends picked up on what what was going on well before we did. From the the early days, back when Neko still had dreadlocks and Whitney was platinum blond...our "framily" (as we call them- friends and family) watched our love unfold. From Braves games at the Ted and picnics in Piedmont Park, to birthdays and holiday parties - we have grown up together in the truest sense of the phrase. We even shared a cross-country move to Colorado and spent a year exploring, adventuring, snowboarding and of course, live-musicing (all of our favorite things) and it really was a dream year for us. But as all good things must come to an end we decided that "Home is where the heart is" and came back to ATL to plant roots. Fast forward a year and when we were settled back into the city where we first met, Neko popped the question. The one everyone had been waiting for for over a decade. (3,271 days if we're being exact. ha!) In true Jones fashion, we got engaged during winter, Whitney's favorite season, right across from the corner where it all started on 10th and Peachtree - it's where we first kissed and it's somewhere we can always return to when we want to remember it all. It was all so symbolic - so us.

The Inspiration

We wanted our wedding to be classic, timeless and elegant (black tie). Our colours were winter whites and neutrals, with pops of gold and touches of navy. We were also inspired by glass and fire. We choose our venue for it's location and natural ambience. It's a converted industrial space located on the rail line in the heart of the city. I'm an interior designer and lover of all things architectural, and this place has bones and history. Our wedding in three words? Timeless, Understated, Romantic.

The Attire

The wedding dress was from Demetrios Bridal. An ivory, silk-satin, fit and flare dress with an illusion sleeve and open back, (sleeve custom constructed by Gloria), gold bar waistline accent and polished square gold buttons at the wrist. The shoes were Jimmy Choo, gold glitter Alana sandals, and the jNeko wore a tux from Savi Formalwear, Ike Behar, Navy Sebastian, Slim Fit Collection, two button suit, with a navy vest and bowtie, and white shirt and pocket square. His shoes were Gucci brown leather lace-ups. The groomsmen wore matching navy tuxedos. For the bridesmaids, each girl purchased individual dresses in gold and neutrals that complimented one another's but did not match. Some of the designers we Adrianna Papell and Joanna August. All other family members coordinated in blues, golds, and neutrals. It really set the tone of the space repeating the understated colors. ewlery was Kate Spade semiprecious square studs. We had a loose textural bouquet in shades of green, cream, and white. Florals included dianthus, spray roses, balsa wood flowers, succulents and seeded eucalyptus.

The Flowers

Brittany has such a great spirit about her. She is there to capture your day but she isn't just a spectator, she's right there with you in the moment and and participates in every way. She is talented and fun and a fantastic choice for this line of work!

The Photography

Our venue required little decor, emphasizing the simplistic effortless feeling we were after, as the exposed materials provided a beautiful surrounding as they were. Painted concrete floors, exposed wood and metal beams, brick both natural and painted white (white in the cocktail hour space) paired with high-end artwork hung gallery style, greenhouse glass and chandeliers. We used Edison bulbs and farmhouse tables covered in moss as backdrop for the altar. Varied cylindrical height vases containing white candles we scattered down the aisle and then reused around the room and on the tables during the reception. White and champagne silk table linens surrounded by acrylic Louis ghost chairs and accented with navy linen napkins. Loose and randomized tablescapes including shades of green, cream, and white. Florals included dianthus, spray roses, balsa wood flowers, succulents and seeded eucalyptus and mosses. Arrangements were placed within glass and zinc containers surrounded by an abundance of scattered candle creating a natural and relaxed collection.

The Decor & Details

Music is near and dear to our hearts and was extremely important to us to set the tone of our event. Our music was all covered and played live by Paul Taylor Smith. Family Seating: Avett Brothers: January Wedding Processional: White Stripes "We are Going to Be Friends" Aisle: Seven Lions "Don't Leave" Recessional: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros "Home" First Dance: Band of Horse "No One's Gonna Love You" Father/Daughter: Tom Petty "Learning to Fly" Mother/Son: Lee Ann Womack " I Hope You Dance"

The Music

Unity Candles: we mimicked a Christmas Eve Service where every person in attendance (including entire bridal party) lit and held an individual vigil candle signifying that our love began as a single spark but spread to all those that we love and have in our lives. We TOGETHER are what life's about, not just bride and groom coming together as the traditional service implies. Our musician played and sang an original cover version of Mumford and Sons "Awake My Soul" on the keys during the lighting. Paul Taylor Smith also proved original covers throughout the evening utilizing both guitar and keyboard, the most special of which was the bride's walk down the aisle to an original EDM song, "Don't Leave" by Seven Lions featuring Ellie Goulding. His rendition was magical and unique and allowed us to use a song that was so meaningful to us but in a more elegant and romantic fashion fit for the occasion. He is musically gifted beyond bounds!

The Ceremony

Unity candles during ceremony, our sWe also had a wish lantern send-off: we had each person sign tags upon arrival and then those were tied to paper lanterns that we let off at the end of the night. Each couple lit and let go a lantern into the night sky with love and laughter attached. We stood below the glow of 100 flying wishes as they floated off to the world beyond. It was magical! We Ubered away in black cars to our favorite nightclub, Tongue and Groove, for an after party where we closed it down at 3am (father of the bride included)! We stayed in a suite at the W Hotel Downtown and overlooked the beautiful city where our love story came full-circle. elf-written vows, that our fWe had two signature drinks, for the bride, an Extra Dirty Martini and for the groom, Bourbon and Ginger. For food, we had heavy passed hors d'oeuvres and dinner stations. Our wedding cake was three individual cakes with varied frosting designs but all done in an ivory buttercream. They were lemon, carrot, and German chocolate. riend Emily Booth got ordained just for us and officiated her first ceremony and the lOh the budget! This was a big one for us. We are truly fortunate that my parents basically gifted us this day or else it most likely would not have happened. It is ridiculously expensive - and I thought we were doing it "low key". I wasn't looking to cover everything in diamonds or splurge at every turn, but all the little things add us and feeding my guests and allowing them to drink a premium bar were non-negotiables. The original budget was set for $30k and though we stayed close to that, the groom and I spent out of pocket, and the final number was above even what we projected. ive music customized to our specific tastes. There will never be "enough" money but you can never get back this time - do it how you want, within reason. Relish in all the planning, don't rush. Take your time and ENJOY it! Include family. After all, while you are growing yours theirs is expanding too. SPREADSHEET!!!! Create one, steal one, just USE ONE! One place for all things wedding. Create a separate wedding email. You'll be glad you did- everything together and not bogging down your regular inbox. There'll be plenty of junk to surf through, this helps streamline. Thank those that help, often. It gets a little crazy- but they love you, that's why they are there. We went to San Francisco and Lake Tahoe The Ridge at Tahoe. It was amazing. We are both lovers of city life and snow so we combined the two. We spent the first two days wandering around beautiful SF and lounging in our suite at The Marker. Then we rented an SUV and hit the road to Tahoe. We bundled up and enjoyed all things cold for the next week. Dog Sledding, Snowmobiling, Skiing/Snowboarding, and visiting the Travertine hot springs. It was equal parts exhilarating, beautiful and romantic. We didn't think we had the budget to go but made a commitment to spend this special time together - and we are forever grateful that we did. It's a fleeting time worth celebrating! DO. IT.

Our Favourite Details

The Refreshments

The Budget

Be inspired by more very special Real Weddings.

Advice for Other Couples

The Honeymoon

Oh I just love all that light! Pretty magical, right? That's one of the most memorable and unique ceremonies we've featured. I love Whitney & Neko's advice for other couples too - SPREADSHEETS!

And how about that first look? So frickin' sweet!

Thanks so much to Brittany Rae Photography, Chancey Charm Weddings and of course the wonderful Whitney & Neko for sharing their candlelit winter wedding with us.