Callanwolde Fine Arts Center

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

Reception

Our Wedding

Our Story!

We met Monday, September 2nd, 2024 (Labor Day), in Piedmont Park. Austin came prepared with a blanket, plenty of snacks, and even his own personal mosquito zapper. It took a few tries to get it to work, but we did not go home with any mosquito bites. Abigrace brought her favorite game, Bananagrams, and a few silly words later, we were laughing, joking, and getting to know each other. It wasn’t long before Elton (the most wonderful pug in this world) was brought into the conversation. We sat talking for hours as we lost track of the time. Before long, the sun was setting and we had to part ways. We walked back to our cars, hugged, and to our relief, we both said we wanted to see each other again.

At the time, Abigrace was ramping up for her first Dracula performances of the ballet season while also teaching ballet in the evenings, and Austin was in the thick of training for his first Ironman. Weekdays were packed and Saturdays were spent training, so the only day we both had free was Sunday. And so, Sunday became our day to see each other, and quickly the best day of our week. Within a month, things were official.

We both prayed for many years that we would find each other, and we established early on that we were both looking to get married and start a family. This made our relationship stronger because we had the same goals and future in mind. We became best friends over the next 15 months until Austin popped the question just before Christmas last year! We are pinching ourselves daily, and are so thankful to the Lord for bringing us together.

Our Story

Photos

Michael Noland

Hope Diprima

Jason Downey

Kendra Diprima

Jordan Downey

Kyra Laubaucher

Gabriel Downey

Sterling Manka

Jonathan Paredes

Aerys Merrill

Evan Diprima

Bianca Melidor

Wedding Party

Dress Code

Where to Stay

For our guests traveling from out of town, we've included a few nearby hotels that are conveniently located to Callanwolde Fine Arts Center and some of our favorite areas of Atlanta.

A&nbsp;fun,&nbsp;distinctly&nbsp;Atlanta&nbsp;stay&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;heart&nbsp;of&nbsp;Poncey-Highland.&nbsp;Hotel&nbsp;Clermont&nbsp;is&nbsp;a&nbsp;historic&nbsp;boutique&nbsp;hotel&nbsp;with&nbsp;tons&nbsp;of&nbsp;personality,&nbsp;a&nbsp;rooftop&nbsp;with&nbsp;great&nbsp;city&nbsp;views,&nbsp;and&nbsp;easy&nbsp;access&nbsp;to&nbsp;Ponce&nbsp;City&nbsp;Market,&nbsp;the&nbsp;BeltLine,&nbsp;and&nbsp;some&nbsp;of&nbsp;Atlanta’s&nbsp;best&nbsp;neighborhoods&nbsp;for&nbsp;dining&nbsp;and&nbsp;exploring.&nbsp;A&nbsp;great&nbsp;choice&nbsp;if&nbsp;you&nbsp;want&nbsp;your&nbsp;wedding&nbsp;weekend&nbsp;to&nbsp;double&nbsp;as&nbsp;a&nbsp;little&nbsp;Atlanta&nbsp;getaway.

Hotel Clermont Atlanta, by Oliver

A&nbsp;peaceful&nbsp;stay&nbsp;tucked&nbsp;into&nbsp;one&nbsp;of&nbsp;Atlanta’s&nbsp;greener&nbsp;corners.&nbsp;Surrounded&nbsp;by&nbsp;wooded&nbsp;grounds&nbsp;near&nbsp;Emory&nbsp;University,&nbsp;the&nbsp;Emory&nbsp;Conference&nbsp;Center&nbsp;Hotel&nbsp;offers&nbsp;a&nbsp;quieter,&nbsp;more&nbsp;relaxed&nbsp;experience&nbsp;while&nbsp;still&nbsp;being&nbsp;just&nbsp;a&nbsp;short&nbsp;drive&nbsp;from&nbsp;Callanwolde.&nbsp;It’s&nbsp;a&nbsp;great&nbsp;option&nbsp;for&nbsp;guests&nbsp;who&nbsp;value&nbsp;comfort,&nbsp;convenience,&nbsp;and&nbsp;a&nbsp;little&nbsp;breathing&nbsp;room&nbsp;away&nbsp;from&nbsp;the&nbsp;busier&nbsp;parts&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;city.

Emory Conference Center Hotel

A&nbsp;colorful,&nbsp;modern&nbsp;stay&nbsp;with&nbsp;plenty&nbsp;of&nbsp;Atlanta&nbsp;right&nbsp;outside&nbsp;your&nbsp;door.&nbsp;The&nbsp;Darwin&nbsp;is&nbsp;a&nbsp;boutique&nbsp;hotel&nbsp;with&nbsp;a&nbsp;playful,&nbsp;locally&nbsp;inspired&nbsp;atmosphere&nbsp;near&nbsp;Midtown&nbsp;and&nbsp;Old&nbsp;Fourth&nbsp;Ward.&nbsp;Its&nbsp;central&nbsp;location&nbsp;makes&nbsp;it&nbsp;easy&nbsp;to&nbsp;explore&nbsp;restaurants,&nbsp;nightlife,&nbsp;the&nbsp;BeltLine,&nbsp;Ponce&nbsp;City&nbsp;Market,&nbsp;and&nbsp;other&nbsp;Atlanta&nbsp;favorites&nbsp;while&nbsp;staying&nbsp;conveniently&nbsp;close&nbsp;to&nbsp;the&nbsp;wedding&nbsp;venue.

voco the Darwin - Atlanta Midtown by IHG

There are also plenty of hotels and vacation rentals throughout Midtown, Virginia-Highland, Poncey-Highland, and the Emory area.

Travel

We hope you’ll have some time to explore Atlanta while you’re here! Whether you’re looking for good food, a walk around the city, or one of Atlanta’s most popular attractions, here are a few of our favorite ways to spend some time around town.

One&nbsp;of&nbsp;Atlanta’s&nbsp;best-known&nbsp;green&nbsp;spaces&nbsp;and&nbsp;a&nbsp;special&nbsp;place&nbsp;to&nbsp;us!&nbsp;Take&nbsp;a&nbsp;walk&nbsp;through&nbsp;the&nbsp;park,&nbsp;enjoy&nbsp;views&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;Midtown&nbsp;skyline,&nbsp;and&nbsp;stop&nbsp;by&nbsp;the&nbsp;neighboring&nbsp;Atlanta&nbsp;Botanical&nbsp;Garden.

Piedmont Park

Grab&nbsp;a&nbsp;bite&nbsp;or&nbsp;a&nbsp;drink&nbsp;at&nbsp;Ponce&nbsp;City&nbsp;Market&nbsp;before&nbsp;heading&nbsp;out&nbsp;for&nbsp;a&nbsp;walk&nbsp;along&nbsp;the&nbsp;Atlanta&nbsp;BeltLine.&nbsp;The&nbsp;Eastside&nbsp;Trail&nbsp;connects&nbsp;several&nbsp;of&nbsp;Atlanta’s&nbsp;most&nbsp;popular&nbsp;neighborhoods&nbsp;and&nbsp;is&nbsp;lined&nbsp;with&nbsp;restaurants,&nbsp;breweries,&nbsp;shops,&nbsp;and&nbsp;places&nbsp;to&nbsp;stop&nbsp;along&nbsp;the&nbsp;way.

Ponce City Market & The Beltline

Located&nbsp;in&nbsp;Downtown&nbsp;Atlanta,&nbsp;the&nbsp;Georgia&nbsp;Aquarium&nbsp;is&nbsp;one&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;city’s&nbsp;most&nbsp;popular&nbsp;attractions&nbsp;and&nbsp;home&nbsp;to&nbsp;an&nbsp;incredible&nbsp;variety&nbsp;of&nbsp;marine&nbsp;life,&nbsp;including&nbsp;whale&nbsp;sharks,&nbsp;beluga&nbsp;whales,&nbsp;sea&nbsp;lions,&nbsp;and&nbsp;more.

Georgia Aquarium

Located&nbsp;next&nbsp;to&nbsp;Piedmont&nbsp;Park,&nbsp;the&nbsp;Atlanta&nbsp;Botanical&nbsp;Garden&nbsp;is&nbsp;a&nbsp;beautiful&nbsp;place&nbsp;to&nbsp;spend&nbsp;a&nbsp;few&nbsp;hours&nbsp;exploring&nbsp;its&nbsp;gardens,&nbsp;conservatories,&nbsp;and&nbsp;seasonal&nbsp;exhibits.

Atlanta Botanical Garden

Atlanta&nbsp;has&nbsp;no&nbsp;shortage&nbsp;of&nbsp;great&nbsp;places&nbsp;to&nbsp;eat&nbsp;and&nbsp;drink.&nbsp;Explore&nbsp;neighborhoods&nbsp;like&nbsp;Midtown,&nbsp;Inman&nbsp;Park,&nbsp;Old&nbsp;Fourth&nbsp;Ward,&nbsp;Buckhead,&nbsp;and&nbsp;Virginia-Highland&nbsp;for&nbsp;everything&nbsp;from&nbsp;casual&nbsp;Southern&nbsp;favorites&nbsp;to&nbsp;cocktails&nbsp;and&nbsp;date-night&nbsp;restaurants.

Atlanta's Food Scene

For&nbsp;those&nbsp;interested&nbsp;in&nbsp;Atlanta’s&nbsp;history,&nbsp;visit&nbsp;the&nbsp;Martin&nbsp;Luther&nbsp;King,&nbsp;Jr.&nbsp;National&nbsp;Historical&nbsp;Park&nbsp;or&nbsp;spend&nbsp;some&nbsp;time&nbsp;exploring&nbsp;the&nbsp;Atlanta&nbsp;History&nbsp;Center&nbsp;in&nbsp;Buckhead.We&nbsp;hope&nbsp;you&nbsp;enjoy&nbsp;exploring&nbsp;a&nbsp;little&nbsp;bit&nbsp;of&nbsp;Atlanta&nbsp;while&nbsp;you’re&nbsp;in&nbsp;town&nbsp;—&nbsp;and&nbsp;most&nbsp;importantly,&nbsp;we&nbsp;can’t&nbsp;wait&nbsp;to&nbsp;celebrate&nbsp;with&nbsp;you!

Abigrace & Austin

Abigrace & Austin

Wedding Party