Backyard in Atlanta, GA and The Floataway Cafe Elopement Photo Story Award

Floataway Cafe, Atlanta Wedding Venue image showing The couple making their entrance at their reception

The couple was overjoyed to have finally made their commitment to each other legally binding, and celebrated with an intimate cafe reception. As they made their entrance, the couple beamed with happiness and pride.

Heidi and Tracy make their entrance at their reception. This same-sex couple is now legally married after 16 years.

Together since 1999, Heidi and Tracy had known for years that they were the perfect match and had even made the traditional ‘through good and bad, sickness and health, richer or poorer’ commitment to each other. Despite all of this, when the SCOTUS ruling came down at the end of June, the couple was excited to turn their commitment into a legal marriage. 

Their first thought was to simply go to the Justice of the Peace in Dekalb County, Georgia, and ‘just get it done,’ then go to a nice dinner. But once they told family and closest friends their plans, everyone wanted in on it.

The couple knew they couldn’t have 18 friends and family members running amuck at the Courthouse, so they decided to host a ceremony in their backyard (where their dogs could be included.)  Once they nailed down the backyard location, things just started coming together….easily, perfectly, beautifully. Tracy asked a long-time friend, who is a pastor with the United Church of Christ, to officiate the ceremony. They booked a private room at the Floataway Cafe, a restaurant that was very special to them, and then they sent an Evite to their guests.

Since their ceremony was the third week of August in Atlanta and nothing was blooming in the yard, the couple ordered flowers for the ceremony and more flowers for the private dining room. The restaurant recommended a custom menu, which they decided was perfect for them.

Tracy wore a dress she had purchased in the spring for her nephew's wedding, and Heidi wore capris. Because the ceremony was in their backyard, the brides and the wedding party wore Havaianas flip-flops. Even though the couple never chose official wedding colors, the wedding party showed up in colors that matched the brides. 

“How perfect was that?” the brides commented.

Backyard Small Wedding image of The couple greeting each other before the outdoor, garden wedding

Intimate Backyard Wedding Photography | The couple greet each other before the wedding

Tracy and Heidi and their wedding party greet each other before the wedding.

Backyard Outdoor Wedding day image of Mom and sister laughing with family on Zoom video from Australia

Backyard Wedding Photography | Mom and sister laugh with family who zoomed in from Australia

Tracy's Mom and sister laugh with family who zoomed in from Australia.

Atlanta, GA Backyard Wedding image from The toasts with laughter inside

Atlanta, GA Photographer - A Beautiful Backyard Wedding | The toasts and laughter continue inside

The toasts and laughter continue inside Tracy and Heidi's house.

Small Backyard Wedding image showing a tiny rice crispy elopement cake made for them by a friend

Small Backyard Wedding Photography | a tiny rice crispy cake made for them by a friend

Tracy shows off a tiny rice crispy cake made for them by a friend.

Floataway Cafe, Atlanta, GA Wedding Venue photo of a smoke break with friends

Floataway Cafe - Atlanta Elopement Venue Image | a smoke break with friends

Tracy takes a smoke break with friends. The only time she smokes is on special occasions ... this one the most special occasion of all.