Some wedding locations are chosen for their beauty, while others are chosen for the memories they hold. For this wedding in the North Georgia mountains, the Sky Valley setting was chosen both for its beauty AND the memories! Nestled among the rolling peaks near Highlands, North Carolina, this special place had long been a retreat for the bride and her family after her parents made it their home a few years prior. As Dogwood Hill bride, Jordan Barrett, and husband’s dating relationship deepened, they discovered an unexpected connection to the area—one that made it feel even more meaningful as their wedding location. Continue reading for the rest of the story about Jordan and Colter’s Georgia wedding last year and for more images from this couple’s special day.
How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story.
Colter and I met in college through mutual friends. We later ended up moving to Atlanta independently and reconnected there—and the rest is history!
How did he propose?
Colter proposed during our anniversary trip to Charleston on a boardwalk overlooking the water. I thought it was going to be just the two of us, but my parents suddenly appeared, which was the sweetest surprise. After a day full of surprises, there was still one more to come—Colter had secretly planned a rooftop celebration with our closest friends and family waiting for us. It was incredibly special and a day we’ll never forget.
What was the feel that you wanted to accomplish for your wedding, and how did your Dogwood Hill paper coordinate with that?
I wanted our wedding to feel light, summery, and timeless—rooted in tradition, but with a fresh twist. Dogwood Hill’s Chalet Wedding Suite captured that vision perfectly, incorporating beautiful greens and florals throughout our stationery while maintaining an overall classic style.
What made you select your particular ceremony and reception venues?
This is an easy answer! Sky Valley and the Highlands are very special places for us. My parents moved up there over 5 years ago, and it has been the perfect retreat for me to escape the city life. Little did I know when Colter and I first started dating and I took him there to visit my parents, this area is the same place his family grew up getting their annual Christmas trees. It was a full circle moment we knew was so special, so we wanted to have our closest friends and family experience it as well.
What is your favorite element or detail from your wedding day?
Too many things to count! I loved the color palette, the venue, and the stationery! But one of my favorite elements might have been THE BAND! They were the absolute best, and Colter and I both find ourselves reminiscing on how amazing they made the night! The dance floor was full all night long!
What was your first dance song?
This will Be (An Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole — a classic 🙂
What was your favorite paper detail from your wedding?
Our save the date is easily my favorite detail – loved the green background and floral border!
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day?
My most memorable moment was probably our exit at the end of the night, being surrounded by all of our favorite people cheering us on with so much love and energy, and then walking out from the fireworks show directly to the vintage New York City taxi that served as our getaway car. Since we were living in New York at the time, it felt like such a full-circle moment and the perfect ending to an unforgettable day.
Can you tell us about finding your wedding dress?
Finding my wedding dress was one of the most fun weekends of the entire planning process! My mom, along with a few of my closest friends and bridesmaids, met in New York City for a weekend filled with bridal appointments, exploring the city, and trying new restaurants. I wasn’t even sure I would find my dress that weekend, but the moment I tried it on, we all knew it was the one. It made the whole experience feel even more special and memorable.
What was the best advice you received as a bride?
The best advice I received as a bride was to truly be present and soak in every moment of my wedding day. It’s one of the most special days of your life, but it goes by incredibly fast. Stay in the moment, enjoy it alongside your husband, and don’t spend a minute apart if you can help it. Sharing those memories together made the day even more meaningful and special for us.
Vendors:
Photographer: Emily March Payne Photography (@emilymarchpayne)
Paper: Dogwood Hill Chalet Wedding Suite
Planning & Design: Rebecca Rose Events (@rroseevents)
Videographer: Georgia Visual Professionals (@ga.visual)
Venue: Sky Valley Country Club
Florals: Floressence Flowers (@floressenceflowers)
Wedding Dress: Kyha Bride (@kyhabride)
Bridal Jewerly: SJ Bailey Co. (@sjbaileyco)
Band: Sam Hill Entertainment (@samhillentertainment)
Cake: Gateaux Cakes and Pastries (@gateauxcakesandpastries)
Tent and Rentals: Professional Party (@professionalparty)