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National Wedding Month: Ideas for the Ultimate Locally Sourced Wedding

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Romance is in the Air




Not only is February the month to celebrate Valentine’s Day, but according to the National Association of Bridal Consultants, February is National Wedding Month, as well.

February is National Wedding Month!?


If you think February seems like an odd time to celebrate weddings, you're not alone.  After all, most weddings take place in June, August or September. However, it likely won’t surprise you to learn that New Year’s Day is one of the biggest dates for wedding proposals, and February 14th is a close second. With so many newly engaged couples, February brings a surge of wedding planning.  This bustle of activity – reaching out to venues, dress shopping, and designing flower arrangements – is what makes February National Wedding Month.

Plan A Local Wedding




For those of you who are planning a wedding, we know it can seem a bit overwhelming.  There are so many decisions to make, starting with when and where?  There are a number of benefits to having a local wedding.  In our backyard, both Madison and Athens have some of the most beautiful wedding venues and are great places to host out of town friends and family.  Other benefits include the fact that you can visit the venue firsthand and do a full walk-through to be sure it has everything you want.  A convenient location comes in handy while sorting out specific details such as seating and décor. Local vendors can meet with brides and grooms more readily throughout the planning process. Getting married nearby also makes it easier to drop off deposits, attend meetings, or make fitting appointments.

A terrific resource is the Madison Convention and Visitors Bureau website, which has an entire section dedicated to local venues.

Selecting the right venue and event professionals will have a big impact on ensuring that your special day is everything you envisioned. Check out some of our favorites to help you plan the local wedding of your dreams.

Farmview Market Loves…



Flowers




Your wedding flowers may be a large part of your wedding budget. To find centerpieces and bouquets that you love, try creating Pinterest boards for ideas.  Take your ideas to a local florist to help you pull it off on your big day. For example, we recommend checking out the beautiful creations from Zeb Grant Design.

Catering


Caterers have an important role to play—making sure the food and drink are top notch on your big day! Whether you'd prefer a casual buffet-style meal or a formal plated dinner, Hallie Jane's Catering in Madison or home.made in Athens will create a delicious menu your guests won’t soon forget.

Venues




Full of charm and southern hospitality, each of these spots provide an ideal setting for loved ones to gather and celebrate your special day.  Whether you’re looking for rustic elegance, a funky indoor spot or the romance of an outdoor garden, you can find it at one of these local spots. Our favorites include Empire Mills, Farmhouse Inn at Hundred Acre Farm, the State Botanical Garden, and The Georgia Theatre. Charming locations right down the road in Athens include Georgian Hall and Athens Cotton Press.

Wedding Cakes




A wedding cake should be beautiful and delicious.  Local bakeries, Crumbs Cakery and Bee's Knees Bakery are both!

Photography




You’ll want to capture each enchanting moment of your special day with beautiful photos from Jesse Walker Photo & Cinema or Sara Wise Photography.

One of our favorite nearby places for a photo shoot is the Historic District/Town Park area.

Rentals


If your venue doesn't provide wedding rentals like tables, chairs, linens, and china, you’ll want to work with a trusted vendor with a wide selection.  Goodwin Events, Oconee Events, and Madison Rentals have all the essentials and more.

For Out of Town Guests


Historic Madison has been recognized by Southern Living Magazine as one of the best small towns in Georgia for several years running.  Share the charm of the city with your out of town guests by recommending they stay at one of Madison’s charming and picturesque B&Bs such as the James Madison Inn, Kirby House, and Brady Inn. Stop by The Welcome Center to get information packets and lodging/food recommendations to share.

For guests staying in Athens, we suggest  Hotel Indigo or the Graduate Hotel.

Need more help planning? Check out sites like The Knot and Wedding Wire for budget planning, checklists, and more.