Mountain & Lake Weddings - Spring/Summer 2026 - 5.2
Welcome to the Spring Edition of Mountain & Lake Weddings. This special magazine invites you to plan your special day in the beautiful communities of North Georgia, Western North Carolina, and surrounding areas. We will feature many articles to inspire and help you plan a spectacular and unique event. We invite you to explore our community of professionals in the pages of Mountain & Lake Weddings of planners, venues, photographers, florists, jewelers, and accessories in helping you plan your special day. Be sure to look throughout the magazine for articles and in the back of the book for checklists in preparing for your event. Visit our website www.MtnLakeWeddings.com or follow us on social media, for inspiring ideas, tips, and more about our wonderful area.
Many thanks to the most talented group of advertisers, this would not have been possible without all of your gracious help and enthusiasm. You are all brilliant inspiration in helping couples fulfill their dreams of the perfect day!!
Please be sure to inform each wedding professional you contact that you found them in the Mountain & Lake Weddings.
Blessings & Best Wishes for a Happy Life!! Kathleen Painter Publisher
Wedding! LIGHTS, CAMERA,
Nothing sets the mood more than lighting, and no one seems to know this more than the wedding industry this season. Gone are the days of a few floating tea candles and fairy lights; now, brides and grooms want layered, immersive experiences created through dramatic lighting. This season, statement chandeliers and unique lamps are lighting up the aisles and halls of wedding celebrations, along with bold-colored uplighting, a sculptural LED installation, or even projected images guaranteed to create a truly immersive and intimate experience for wedding guests.
She said yes... LET THE PLANNING BEGIN
Bachelorette Checklist
3+ MONTHS OUT
o Choose party dates
o Finalize party location
o Invite all party guests
o Decide travel logistics
o Book your flight
o Remind your guests to book travel
3 MONTHS OUT
o Finalize your guest list
o Start your group chat
o Agree on a budget
o Customize your itinerary
o Vote on the party hashtag
o Reserve & share accommodations
o Create expenses plan
2 MONTHS OUT
o Book your group activity
o Order your custom swag
o Choose bachelorette games
o Create a packing list including any gifts or party needs
Unique and unconventional bridal bouquets are always a specials treat for guests, attendants, and photographers alike.
Exotic flowers, bold color combinations, and dramatic, cascading elements make any Floral arrangement a fun feature!
Wearable bouquets styled as bags or clutches is a new trend for 2026. Flowers looped around wrists or shoulders with cascading and dripping flora and fauna, are making their way down the aisle.
Customized, sculptural bouquet are also making a come back. Ribbons, bows, and metal floral sculptures, or vintage and antique costume jewelry bouquets are bringing a long-lasting option to bridal bliss.
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Events@MtnLakesResort.com
Details THE DEVOTION’S IN THE
Authenticity and intimacy are at the forefront of spring and summer weddings this year. Brides and grooms are coming up with some truly unique ways to make their events the most heartfelt and memorable occasion, not just of this year, but for years to come, by including unique experiences that truly highlight who they are as a couple. This is done by focusing on telling the couple’s story through details such as tailored decor that expresses their journey, a custom scent that captures a shared memory, monogrammed bar fronts, or even specialty cocktail menus that reflect their shared interests.
Deer Crossing Lodge Weddings
Less than 4 miles from Helen, GA Accommodates 200+ guests
Wedding registries are always a hard compilation if you’ve been together a while, if you’ve lived on your own for and accumulated your household wants and needs. Even if you’ve just been treating yourself– as you should!
If you’re struggling with creating your registry and wondering what you might want and/or need that you haven’t thought of, here’s a 2026 most-loved gift guide for you.
LE CREUSET DUTCH OVENS & BRAISERS
A registry and kitchen staple, useful & durable.
NESPRESSO VERTUO NEXT PREMIUM
High-end coffee at home is only a click away.
COZY EARTH BEDDING
Sleep cozy on luxurious linen and bamboo bed sheets.
PERSONALIZED DECOR
Upload your favorite photos and request canvas prints, photo books, and maps of your favorite locations.
OUTDOOR UPGRADES
High-entertaining with outdoor furniture, inground fire pits, and pizza ovens.
Wedding catering is part art, part entertainment, and part mouth-watering satisfaction. From fun food stations, unique bar services, and build-your-own plate reception concepts, the wedding catering game is always one-upping itself. Now, open-fire cooking has taken wedding catering to a whole new level of fully immersive, sensory heightening, and taste exploding experiences.
It’s a full show of preparation, fire-starting, slow roasting, and juicy carving. Whether you’re vegetarian, carnivorous, or vegan – an open-fire catering extravaganza is sure to titilate the taste buds and keep your guests asking for more.
Towers RETHINK WEDDING
Champagne towers are a classic wedding feature. Over the years, they we’ve seen numerous types of drink towers emerge- from martini towers, espresso towers, soda towers, and even water towers.
Drink towers will always be a wedding guest favorite, but the drink tower is evolving. It’s not just about the sips anymore. The bites are in.
Appetizers and desserts have taken there place amongst the tower tour- not unlike the cheese or chocolate fountain, it’s time for food towers to soar.
Shrimp cocktails, olives, oysters on the half shell, cherries, mousse, and mug cakes... these are not your parent’s champagne towers!
BRIDAL
Registry
DINNERWARE:
o Butter Dish
o Cake Plate
o Dinner Plates
o Salad Plates
o Bread Plates
o Soup Bowls
o Cereal Bowls
o Cup & Saucers
o Coffee Mugs
o Platters
o Serving Bowls
o Salt & Pepper
o Cream & Sugar
o Teapot
GLASSWARE:
o Water Goblets
o Red Wine Goblets
o White Wine Goblets
o Champagne Flutes
o HighBalls
o Cordials
o Ice Bucket/ Tongs
o Punch Bowl
FLATWARE:
o Knives
o Dinner Forks
o Salad Forks
o Soup Spoons
o Spoons
o Tea Spoons
CRYSTAL:
o Pitcher
o Bowl
o Candlesticks
o Vase
COOKWARE:
o Cookware Set
o Casserole
o Double Boiler
o Dutch Oven
o Fry/Omelet Pan
o 10” Skillet
o 12” Skillet
o Roasting Pan
o Saute Pan
o Stock Pot
o Tea Kettle
BAKEWARE:
o Angel Food Cake Pan
o Bowl Set
o Bundt Pan
o Casserole Dish
o Cookie Sheet
o Loaf Pans
o Open Roaster
o Measuring Cups
o Measuring Spoons
o Muffin Pan
o Pie Plate
o Pizza Pan
o Quiche Dish
o Spring Form Pan
o Tart Pan
CUTLERY:
o Boning Knife
o Bread Knife
o Butcher Knife
o Cleaver Knife
o Kitchen Shears
o Paring Knife
o Potato Peeler
o Steak Knife Set
KITCHEN APPLIANCES:
o Blender
o Bread Machine
o Can Opener
o Coffee Maker
o Coffee Mill
o Deep Fryer
o Food Processor
o Fondue
o Hand Mixer
o Iced Tea
o Microwave
o Popcorn Popper
o Rice Cooker
o Stand Mixer
o Toaster
o Toaster Oven
o Waffle Iron
KITCHEN EXTRAS:
o Bottle Opener
o Canister Set
o Can Opener
o Coasters
o Collander
o Cutting Board
o Flour Sifter
o Grater
o Meat Thermometer
o Pastry Brush
o Pizza Cutter
o Rolling Pin
o Spatulas
o Tongs
o Trivets
o Whisks
LAUNDRY:
o Iron & roning Board
o Laundry Basket
o Steamer
Honeymoon CHECKLIST
ROMANTIC EXTRAS
o Tealight candles (if the hotel/resort permits them)
o Massage oils/essential oils
o Lingerie
o A honeymoon playlist with special songs
o Small gifts for each other
o A journal to write down your memories
CARRY-ON
o Passport/driver’s license
o Credit cards: Did you call your bank to say you’ll be traveling overseas?
o Cash
o Copies of all crucial travel documents
o Travel insurance documents
o Emergency contact information
o Prescription medications and a copy of the prescription
o At least one change of clothes
o Basic toiletries (face wash, toothbrush/ toothpaste, deodorant)
o Cell phone and charger
o E-reader and charger, or books and magazines
o A quality camera
o Wedding thank-you notes
CLOTHING
For him:
o Button-down shirts
o Tie
o Blazer or sport coat
o One pair of dressy pants
o Dressy (but still comfortable) shoes
For her:
o At least one dressy outfit for dining with matching sweater/shawl
o At least one nice top
o Nice pants or capris
o One pair of heels or dressy flats
For you both:
o T-shirts
o Shorts
o 1-2 bathing suits
o Pajamas/sleepwear
o Socks
o Underwear
o At least one sweatshirt or light jacket
o Rain jacket
o Cold-weather outerwear, if needed
o One pair flip-flops or sandals
o One pair walking shoes
o Sunglasses
o Prescription or reading glasses
o Hat
GEAR,
SAFETY, TOILETRIES
o Backpack or beach bag for excursions
o Power outlet adapter, if you’re traveling abroad
o Sunblock and sunburn treatment
o SPF 15 lip balm
o Insect repellent
o Face and body lotion
o Deodorant
o Perfume
o Ear plugs
o Comb and brush
o Hair products
o Shower cap
o Toothbrush & toothpaste
o Mouthwash
o Contact lenses & solution
o Makeup
o Sanitary pads or tampons
o Floss
o Razor
o Nail file and clippers
o Tweezers
o Small first aid kit with Band-Aids and antibiotic ointment
o Baby wipes for quick cleanup
o Travel packs of tissues
o Pain reliever
o Cold medication
o Anti-diarrhea/nausea medication
o Sleep aid
o Hand sanitizer
o Travel clothesline
o Small flashlight
o Pocketknife or multi-tool (stash this in your checked luggage)
Drape ALL ABOUT THAT
Draping is BIG this year. An over-abundance of fabric flowing in the wind. Creating textures and waves as backdrops, bridal shawls, table cloths, and beyond.
Created from lace, tafita, silk, or linen, the drape creates a bold, over-sized statement only dwarfed by wedded bliss.
Giant, draped embroidered or screenprint signs announcing nuptials, gathered and glorious table dressings– and even bold, asymmetrical backdrops make draping something to be all about this season!
FlowerSUMMER OPTIONS
GARDENIAS Big in size and in scent. These flowers are perfect for boutonnières and stunning bouquets.
ORCHIDS Available in a huge range of colors and varieties. Orchids are an elegant flower for the modern bride.
DAHLIAS Gorgeous blooms with intricate textures and multiple sizes. Available in a range of colors. July-August.
ROSES The classic wedding flower. Dressed up or down for your unique wedding theme. There’s no shortage of color options, either.
CARNATIONS More than just a filler flower! Carnations are simple and perfect for any sophisticated wedding arrangement.
SUNFLOWERS What flower screams summer more than a sunflower? Bright and happy, the perfect bloom for an outdoor, rustic wedding.
GERBERA DAISIES Bright, bold colors and sturdy stalks make daisies perfect for a summer wedding. Classic and charming, full of summer vibes. n
Vintage CAKES
Gone are the days of naked wedding cakes, crumb coat minimalism, and peek-a-boo icing. This season is all about the vintage cake design.
Heavy piping in ruffles, waves, drops, scrolls, swirls, dots, drapes, and more–these cakes are a drastic departure from previous trends and a far more dramatic one at that.
Vintage-inspired cakes are suitable for all shapes and sizes of cakes. Sheet cakes, circular tiered cakes, heart shaped cakes, and even domed cakes.
Monochromatic colors are romantic and royal, add a color from your wedding for a bold surprise in the ruffles and piping motifs, or go full-pop with multiple colors for a more bold, layered effect that is sure to spark the ooh’s and aah’s of all your guests.
Bride’s Checklist
6-12 MONTHS AHEAD
o Announce your engagement
o Set the wedding date and send “Save the Date” cards
o Create a wedding budget
o Determine your wedding style - formal or informal, big or small
o Decide on the number of guests you will invite
o Have your family and the groom’s family prepare their invitation lists
o Hire a wedding consultant, if desired
o Decide who will perform the ceremony
o Choose a location for the ceremony and reception
o Choose your attendants
o Start shopping for your dress and accessories
o Start looking for a caterer, florist, DJ or band, photographer and videographer
o If you are getting married in a church or synagogue, meet with the officiant to discuss the ceremony and to arrange pre-marital counseling, if required.
4-6 MONTHS AHEAD
o Order the invitations, announcements, programs, and thank-you cards
o Book calligrapher for the invitations, if using one
o Select and order Bridesmaids’ dresses and shoes
o Urge your mother and future mother-in-law to shop for their dresses
o Decide what the groom and his attendants will wear
o Register for gifts
o Plan your honeymoon and make reservations
o Purchase wedding rings
o Buy stockings and special lingerie that your dress requires
o Choose reception favors
o Choose gifts for attendants and your groom
o Make a hotel reservation for your wedding night
o Make hotel reservations for your out of town guests
o Book hairstylist and makeup artist for your wedding
o Take dance lessons
2-4 MONTHS AHEAD
o Meet with caterer and decide menu
o Attend cake tasting and decide on wedding cake and groom’s cake
o Discuss service with the officiant
o Choose readings and music for ceremony
o Write your wedding vows, if you choose
o Schedule your rehearsal time and dinner
o Make arrangements for rehearsal dinner
o Have your first dress fitting
o Mail invitations
1-2 MONTHS AHEAD
o Write thank you notes as gifts arrive
o Make arrangements for transportation for the two of you from the wedding site to the reception
o Buy a guest book and select someone to preside over it at the reception
o Have programs printed
o Obtain marriage license and request certified copies
o If you intend to change your name, prepare the necessary documents
o Have trial run with hairstylist and makeup artist, with veil and accessories
o Set wedding day appointments with your stylist and manicurist
o Send change of address information to the post office, if necessary
o Have your final dress fitting with your alterations
o Send wedding announcement to the local newspaper
2-3 WEEKS AHEAD
o Have final dress fitting with accessories and lingerie
o Draw up seating plan for the reception and make card for the head table if necessary
o Notify caterer of guest count
o Write toasts for rehearsal dinner and wedding reception
o Address announcements
o Break in wedding shoes at home
o Confirm your honeymoon travel arrangements
o Designate someone to look after your home and pets while on your honeymoon
o Confirm accommodations for out of town guests.
1 WEEK AHEAD
o Confirm transportation arrangements for ceremony and reception
o Go over final details with the reception site coordinator, florist, cake baker, DJ or band, photographer and videographer
o Be sure that the attendants have everything they need for the wedding such as jewelry, shoes, and stockings
o Finalize reception seating plan, if necessary
o Pick up wedding dress
o Confirm details with caterer
o Assign specific responsibilities, such as handing out corsages and boutonnieres, to members of your wedding party
o Pack for honeymoon
o Make sure that attendants know what time to be at the rehearsal and ceremony
1 DAY AHEAD
o Write checks to all vendors, put in envelope, and give to your Maid of Honor or Best Man to pass out
o Pack everything that you will need for the ceremony
o Give announcements to an attendant for mailing after the wedding
o Make arrangements with the Best Man to return all tuxedo rentals
o Have manicure and pedicure
o Rehearse ceremony
o Hold rehearsal dinner and give gifts to attendants and parents to show your appreciation for their support, if you desire
THE WEDDING DAY
o Eat something for breakfast - this will be a long day ahead
o Give your Maid of Honor and Best Man the wedding bands
o See your hair stylist and makeup artist for final preparations
o Gather your dress and accessories and head to the ceremony
o GET MARRIED!
NOTES
Grooms Checklist
6 MONTHS
o Decide division of financial obligations
o Set budget
o Set appointment with clergyman
o Prepare your guest list
o Choose your Best Man and ushers (one per every 50 guests)
o Plan your honeymoon
o Check passports and visas, if necessary
o Make reservations for rehearsal dinner
o Take dance lessons
4 MONTHS
o Select formal wear
o Find a new place to live, if necessary
o Make reservations for honeymoon
o Shop for honeymoon clothing
2 MONTHS
o Buy wedding bands and order engraving
o Set date with your fiancé to obtain marriage license (state laws vary as to the length a license is valid)
1 MONTH
o Select your bride’s gift and gifts for your groomsmen
o Review legal, medical, and church or synagogue documents
o Reserve limousine and/or arrange special transportation for bridal couple and wedding party
o Confirm honeymoon details and reservations
2 WEEKS
o Arrange to move your belongings into your new home, if necessary
o Have bachelor party or dinner
o Schedule hair appointment
1 WEEK
o Confirm time and place of wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner with all attendants
o Provide final guest count for rehearsal dinner to caterer or restaurant
o Pick up wedding bands
o Pick up formal wear
o Give best man the clergyman’s fee in sealed envelope for delivery
o Pack for honeymoon
o Relax and get ready to enjoy the most amazing day of your life!
NOTES
Budget Planner
These are simply estimations of the cost distribution of a wedding. Decide what elements of the wedding are most important to you and start planning, beginning with the biggest expense and what is of the most importance.
NOTES
Reception Planner
Check all that apply
LOCATION:
o Indoor
o Outdoor
o Same site as ceremony
o Walking distance from ceremony
SIZE:
o Small (under 100)
o Medium (100-250)
o Large (250 or more)
USED FOR:
o Ceremony
o Reception
o Dressing
o Overnight rooms
SERVICES PROVIDED:
o Rooms
o Food
o Beverage/Alcohol
o Disabled Parking
o Adequate Parking
o Valet
o Coat Check
o On-Site Wedding Coordinator
o Staff to cut the cake
o More than one event at a time
RENTALS AVAILABLE:
o Tables
o Chairs and chair covers
o China, glassware, silverware, and serving dishes
