Some love stories are quiet and simple. Others unfold like a layered fairytale: bold, textured, and full of magic. Kanya and Nixon’s wedding was the latter. Over the course of 18 months, we had the privilege of designing a day that reflected not just one vision, but two: a whimsical fairytale and a lush tropical escape — all in one celebration.
Not Your Typical Fairytale
When I first met Kanya and Nixon, they were already working with Hinesmark Affairs to plan their wedding day. What they had in mind wasn’t your traditional Cinderella ball gown moment. Instead, they envisioned something organic and magical — like a fairytale forest brought to life. Picture lanterns, tree stumps, lush moss, and twinkling lights that felt like fireflies dancing in the air.
But then… the vision evolved.
Kanya started dreaming of tropical florals; big, bold, sculptural blooms that brought a sense of vibrancy and color to her day. A lot of designers might try to blend both visions together, but I felt strongly that each deserved its own moment. That decision became the key to unlocking this wedding’s design.
Two Worlds, One Celebration
We decided to split the design concept between the ceremony and the reception, allowing each space to have its own identity while still feeling cohesive and intentional.
For the wedding ceremony, held in the atrium of Château Élan, we leaned all the way into a tropical garden fantasy. We used the venue’s oversized palms, added potted plants around the central fountain, and framed the couple with a stunning circular arch filled with Birds of Paradise, proteas, phalaenopsis orchids, and rich greenery. The mirror aisle reflected the light and created the illusion of water — a subtle nod to paradise and reflection.
The circle arch was intentional — a symbol of wholeness, unity, and eternity. We repeated that shape later in the reception, tying both spaces together with visual and emotional meaning.
Design is Vision + Science
One of the biggest challenges on wedding day was scale. It is something that’s easy to underestimate and tricky to correct in real time. Initially, the aisle setup left a break between the steps and the start of the mirror aisle. That disrupted the visual flow leading to the arch. It wasn’t going to work.
So we adjusted.
We pulled the aisle back, measured everything again, and ensured that every guest — and every photo — would see a continuous, seamless design from start to finish. That’s the part of event design no one talks about enough: how much math it takes to make magic look effortless.
The Moment That Made Me Tear Up
I knew we nailed it the moment I saw the ceremony space fully set. There’s a feeling you get…a deep exhale… when the vision finally becomes reality. And it’s not just about the flowers or the drapes or the timeline. It’s about understanding the couple, interpreting their dream, and crafting something that feels true to them and breathtaking to everyone else. The photographer, Andre Brown, captured the ceremony setup just before guests arrived, and seeing it through his lens gave me chills.
Using the Venue to Tell Their Story
The atrium is a public space, so we used extra-large palms to create privacy and intimacy. It felt like we created a secret garden inside a glasshouse — quiet, sacred, and protected. Those natural architectural features gave us the structure we needed to make the space feel like a true ceremony sanctuary.
The Afterglow
After the wedding, Kanya sent us a note I’ll always remember:
I truly loved the decor — it was certainly a highlight of the wedding and our guests are still talking about your arrangements to this day!
That’s the kind of feedback we live for — not because it flatters us, but because it means we hit the mark. We created something that felt memorable.
Designing with Intention
If you’re a couple dreaming up your own vision — whether it’s a fairytale, a tropical escape, or something all your own — I’ll leave you with this:
Trust the process.
Creating a design that reflects your love, family, and values takes collaboration, conversation, and sometimes a few detours. At CM Production, we start with a vision board to dream it out, then we meet in person to talk through linens, flowers, and finishes. We provide a sample table so you can see it come to life. We even walk the space together to double check every detail.
Because we don’t just want it to be pretty — we want it to be perfectly you.
Let’s Bring Your Dream to Life
If you’re planning a wedding and want an Atlanta wedding designer who can translate your vision into reality — whether it’s lush and tropical, whimsical and woodsy, or something in between — we’d love to connect.
Book a consultation today and let’s start designing your dream celebration: inquire here
