Cold Creek Farm

Six Moments to Capture on Your Wedding Day

2023-12-08

After months—or even years—of anticipation and planning, it’s almost here: your wedding day. In the excitement and touch of nerves, the day goes by so quickly; how can you capture the most beautiful moments, and how do you know when those moments will happen?

To give you a headstart, we’ve put together six moments we love seeing from our brides and grooms at Cold Creek Farm. From intimate to funny to quiet, these are the photos that will help you remember every facet of the joy and sweetness of your wedding day for years to come.

Six Moments You MUST Capture on Your Wedding Day

The Intimate Moment

After a night and morning apart, a moment of being reunited before the wedding ceremony is so special and intimate. Having a first touch (holding hands and talking with a door or wall between the bride and groom, but not seeing each other) or a first look (the bride and groom seeing each other in their wedding grab privately before the ceremony) is an intimate moment you’ll want to capture. This gives you and your partner privacy to reconnect before coming together as one during your vows.

The Funny Moment

If you’ve got eclectic or unique tastes, you’ve already considered how to add a funny moment to your wedding day. Whether it’s goofy socks, mismatched suit jacket liners, or bedazzled sneakers for the bride, these touches add humor and originality to your big day and create funny memories you’ll want to capture.

The Romantic Moment

Above everything else, your wedding day should be deeply romantic. Committing your life and love to someone is beautiful. Capture these romantic moments of intimacy between you and your partner as you stare into each other's eyes, kiss, or simply hug. These are the moments when you get to pause and savor your love for each other.

The Awed Moment

Whether you had a first touch or a first look, the moment you see each other across the aisle will be filled with awe. You’ll notice your partner’s beauty and feel the deep love that has brought you to this place where you’ll commit your lives to each other. Capture that awed feeling and the look in your eyes, a moment you’ll want to reflect on and treasure for your entire married life.

The Quiet Moment

After the hustle and bustle of getting ready, having the ceremony, taking family photos, and attending the reception, you and your partner need a quiet moment at the end of the night. That’s why we recommend that all of our couples have a last dance. We ask all the wedding guests to line up for send-off, giving the couple a moment of quiet and privacy in their empty reception space. This allows them to stop for a moment and savor their special day while reflecting on the joy of being newlyweds.

The Excited Moment

At the very end of the night, after all is said and done, your send-off is a moment of excitement as your family and friends celebrate with you and your new spouse. Whether you choose sparklers, bubbles, or flowers, capture the excitement on everyone’s face as they send you off joyfully after your special day.

Our Favorite Wedding Photographers to Capture Your Special Day

Partner with Cold Creek Farm to Make Your Moments Count

If you’re still at the beginning of your wedding planning process and need a venue to help you make all of these beautiful moments count, Cold Creek Farm would love to partner with you. We are an all-inclusive barn wedding venue in North Georgia, and we’ve been helping couples create their perfect day for over a decade. From photographers to caterers to flowers, we have the best local vendors to ensure your wedding day is everything you’re dreaming of.

If you’d like to learn more, download our information pamphlet or contact us to book your venue tour. We would love to make all of your wedding dreams come true.

4 Tips for a Rainy Wedding Day

2023-04-26

After months of planning, the week of your wedding has finally arrived…only to show a forecast of rain on your wedding day. A rainy wedding day may feel like the worst-case scenario, but did you know it is actually a sign of good luck? Rain doesn’t have to ruin your special day, especially if you’re prepared. Check out our tips for making the most of your rainy wedding day!

4 Tips for a Rainy Wedding Day

Take a Deep Breath and Go with Plan B

Although your ideal wedding plan may have involved an outdoor ceremony, bonfire, or food trucks, don’t let the rain ruin your special day. Take a deep breath and go with Plan B.

That’s why having a secondary wedding plan in place in case of rain is so important. Work with your wedding venue and coordinator before your wedding to explore options for an indoor ceremony or tents so you can still have your dream wedding – just with a slightly different setting.

Make Sure You Have the Right Supplies

If you see a high chance of rain or storms leading up to your wedding day, go ahead and get the right supplies in place. Purchase umbrellas, towels, blankets, and even rainboots for you and your wedding party to help you stay dry. It’s always a good idea to be prepared ahead of time instead of scrambling the morning of your wedding to get everything you need.

Protect Your Dress

To prevent a muddy or wet hem, make sure you take steps to protect your wedding dress. You can buy a bridal petticoat (even available for mermaid and trumpet-style wedding dresses) that will lift your hem slightly off the ground. You can also bustle the back of your dress to make sure the train doesn’t get wet. If you don’t have either of these options available, have someone ready to carry the back of your dress whenever you have to walk outside.

Embrace Unique Photo Opportunities

Maybe you can’t take the sunny or golden hour wedding photos you envisioned, but that just means you get to be creative! Embrace unique photo opportunities with umbrellas and rainboots while letting the rain create a glittering backdrop. Or, if you have a warm summer shower, just lean into it! Take photos of you and your partner dancing or strolling in the rain to create photos you will treasure forever.

How We Make the Most of Rainy Wedding Days

Cold Creek Farm, our North Georgia barn wedding venue, has indoor and outdoor spaces so we are always prepared in the event of rain. Our primary ceremony space is outdoors with a flagstone walkway and pew seating, and we have a roomy indoor barn space for the reception.

On rainy wedding days, we transform the barn into a dual ceremony and reception space. For the ceremony, we arrange the wedding altar of the couple’s choice in front of our beautiful white barn wood doors. This creates a stunning backdrop with plenty of natural light. Then we arrange guest seating in front of the altar with a roomy aisle for the couple and wedding party.

Following the ceremony, we direct guests to the opposite side of the barn for cocktail hour while we flip the space for the reception. Our staff works quickly to rearrange tables and chairs so guests can start comfortably finding their seats. That way, everything is in place for the couples’ grand entrance as the reception starts.

Our numerous indoor and outdoor locations also create plenty of photo opportunities even in the rain. Our covered porch, garden area, draping willow tree, and more create stunning backdrops for wedding photos.

Learn More About Our Indoor/Outdoor Wedding Venue

With the right wedding venue and secondary plan in place, your rainy wedding day just becomes a fun story to tell! That’s why it’s always a good idea to be prepared for whatever Mother Nature has in mind for your wedding day.

If you’re looking for an indoor/outdoor wedding venue in North Georgia that can help you create a beautiful wedding day regardless of the weather, check out Cold Creek Farm. We’ve helped hundreds of couples celebrate their special day, and we’d love to partner with you too. Learn more about our venue by seeing Venue Features or contact us for more information!

How To Choose Your Bridal Bouquet

2023-04-06

The bride’s bouquet is a beautiful focal point to highlight the beauty of the dress and symbolize life and newness as the couple enters into marriage. It is also a key accessory that completes the bride’s outfit and ties together the wedding colors and theme.

So how does a bride decide on the best design and colors for this statement piece? We’re here to walk you through four tips for choosing the best bridal bouquet as well as recommend our favorite North Georgia florists that can make your vision a reality.

4 Tips for Choosing Your Bridal Bouquet

1. Decide on the Best Shape

When choosing the shape of your bouquet, you want to consider the shape of your wedding dress. This is because you want your wedding bouquet to complement the silhouette and details of your dress – not attract attention away from it.

For example, if you have a mermaid or form-fitting silhouette, then a narrow bouquet may complement your form and highlight the dress’s shape. On the other hand, if you have a ball gown or Cinderella-style dress, then a fuller, more dramatic bouquet would look beautiful alongside it.

When speaking to your florist about your bouquet, bring along a picture of your dress and ask what bouquet shape would best complement it.

Most Common Bouquet Shapes

Hand-Tied
Cascading
Round
Posy
Nosegay
Asymmetrical
Pomander

2. Incorporate In-Season Flowers

Unfortunately, all flower varieties aren’t available year-round – or are very expensive to import from overseas. If you have a favorite flower that you want incorporated into your wedding, it’s a good idea to consider this when picking your date.

More than just availability, though, in-season flowers beautifully complement the time period of your wedding. For example, bright, pastel-colored flowers make an April or May wedding pop while honoring the softness and new life of springtime. Or, for a winter wedding, dark greenery, red roses, and white flowers create an intimate, cozy feeling.

Best Flowers for Each Season

Spring

Peonies
Tulips
Calla Lilies
Hydrangeas
Sweet Pea
Ranunculus

Summer

Gardenias
Freesias
Orchids
Irises
Dahlias
Delphiniums

Fall

Amaranthus
Pampas Grass
Chrysanthemums
Roses
Mums
Asters

Winter

Anemone
Holly
Poinsettias
Roses
Carnations
Waxflower

3. Consider Your Wedding Colors

Picking your wedding flowers will also depend on your wedding colors and the exact shade of your dress.

In terms of your wedding colors, you want your bouquet to mimic the rest of your wedding. Are you using soft blues, white, and pink? Consider a bouquet with blue delphinium, white hydrangea, and blush roses. The possibilities are endless to suit your unique tastes, but it’s always a good idea to choose your wedding colors and coordinate all your decor along that theme.

Is your wedding dress true white, off-white, cream, or ivory? The specific shade will determine which flowers will best complement it. This is another time when you want to present your florist with photos or even a fabric swatch so she can recommend what will look best.

4. Add a Personal Touch

You’ve heard it before, “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” Incorporating a personal touch into your bridal bouquet is the perfect way to pay homage to this wedding tradition. Attach a family heirloom like lace or a pendant to your bouquet to honor “something old.” Or, use blue ribbon or lace to tie off your bouquet, complementing your wedding colors and adding beautiful detail for “something blue.”

Our Favorite Florists in North Georgia

The Floral Hen

Contact Information

Phone: (706)-429-5241

Email: thefloralhen2020@gmail.com

Website: www.thefloralhen.com

Posh Petals of Gainesville

Contact Information

Phone: (404)-274-1472

Email: poshpetals@live.com

Website: www.poshpetals.net

La Petite Fleur

Contact Information

Phone: (404)-434-0389

Email: corrinesiegel@bellsouth.net

Website: www.lapetitefleur.me

We’ll Help You Design the Perfect Wedding Bouquet

Choosing your perfect bridal bouquet is just one of the many decisions you make in creating your wedding day. When you need help planning all of these details, come to Cold Creek Farm. We are an all-inclusive wedding venue in North Georgia, equipped with the resources and expertise to ensure an unforgettable experience for your special day. Contact us today to learn more about our Wedding Vendors or download our Pricing Pamphlet to learn more.

Best Months for an Outdoor Wedding in Georgia

2023-03-16

The mild climate through most months of the year makes Georgia an ideal place to host your outdoor wedding. But what month should you choose to avoid rainy or humid days? Here is our guide to choosing the best month for your outdoor wedding in Georgia.

Spring

Spring weddings are a classic choice. Fresh blooming flowers, mild weather, and lovely pastel colors create a soft, fresh atmosphere for your wedding. When it comes to springtime in Georgia, we recommend setting your wedding date for April or May.

See Spring Weddings!

April

Although April is known for rainy days, it is still a great month for an outdoor wedding. As winter turns to spring, your outdoor wedding ceremony will be surrounded by freshly blooming tulips, gardenias, peonies, and more. Average April temperatures in Georgia are between 51°F and 71°F, ensuring a comfortable environment for you and your guests. This mild weather also gives you and your bridesmaids the flexibility to choose light and airy fabrics like chiffon, satin, or crepe.

May

Many couples tend to neglect May in favor of a June wedding, but it is one of the most beautiful months of the year in Georgia. The spring showers of March and April are moving out with sunny days taking their place. The average temperature of most May days is between 59°F and 80°F, giving you plenty of warmth without the heavy heat and humidity of Georgia summers. You’ll love watching the lilacs, irises, and magnolias bloom around your outdoor ceremony.

Summer

Because Georgia is known for southern humidity, it can be tricky to pick the best summer month for your outdoor wedding. With July and August temperatures regularly rising to 90+°F with high humidity, we recommend June as the perfect summer month for a Georgia wedding.

See Summer Weddings!

June

Did you know June is traditionally the most popular month to get married? This is mostly due to the ideal weather conditions as spring turns to summer. In Georgia, June still holds the mostly mild weather of spring with temperatures averaging between 70°F and 85°F without too much humidity. Spring flowers remain in full bloom with new summer flowers like roses, poppies, and lilies popping up. Summer weddings also give you the flexibility to choose bright colors for decor and light fabrics for dresses and suits.

Fall

When it comes to the most popular month to get married in Georgia, fall always wins! The turning colors of the leaves, mild and breezy weather, and golden evenings make an incredible backdrop for any wedding. Plus, every month of fall from September-November boasts great reasons to set a wedding date!

See Fall Weddings!

September

September is perfect for warm days and cool evenings with temperatures ranging between 65°F and 84°F. Many brides choose a late afternoon September wedding to take advantage of the golden hour for incredible photos. Most summer flowers continue to be in bloom and greenery remains bright and green as cold temperatures haven’t set in yet. Overall, September is a great month for an outdoor wedding in Georgia!

October

Out of every month of the year, October is the most popular choice for Georgia weddings. You’ve probably noticed this if you’ve tried to book your wedding date for any day in October! October is the most popular month for outdoor Georgia weddings because the cooler temperatures are causing the leaves to turn colors, creating a stunning backdrop for photos. The drier weather also means there is a much lower chance of a rainy wedding day. Once the sun goes down, you and your guest will remain comfortable with average temperatures ranging between 55°F and 74°F.

November

The last month of fall, November, remains a popular choice for outdoor weddings as the temperatures are cold but not too cold, typically ranging from 47°F to 60°F. Fall foliage is still on beautiful display, and the cool weather lets you take advantage of fall traditions like bonfires, warm decor colors like burgundy and olive green, and cozy treats like cider and hot chocolate.

Winter

Although Georgia winters aren’t as bad as many other places in the United States, January and February temperatures can still drop below freezing on many nights. That’s why December is the best winter month to get married in Georgia.

See Winter Weddings!

December

December is a popular month for couples that want to get into the holiday spirit or have a New Year’s Eve wedding. December wedding decor features evergreen tree boughs, velvet, and warm candlelight to create a warm, intimate atmosphere even in the cold. Yet the weather remains comfortable for a daytime outdoor ceremony with temperatures ranging between 34°F to 50°F.

Looking for the Best Outdoor Wedding Venue in Georgia?

No matter what time of the year you want to get married, Cold Creek Farm is the best farm wedding venue in Georgia to create a beautiful, memorable backdrop for your special day. Our outdoor ceremony space features pew seating, a flagstone walkway, and gorgeous greenery throughout the year. Then, for your reception, you can move into our temperature-controlled barn so you and your guests will be comfortable regardless of outdoor temperatures.

Learn more by viewing our Venue Features, Pricing, or Booking a Tour! We would love to show what makes our venue the perfect place for an outdoor wedding in Georgia.

How To Bury the Bourbon for a Sunny Wedding Day

2023-02-17

In the South, the possibility of rain for your spring or summer outdoor wedding is a persistent worry. So what do we Southerns do to welcome sunny rays and ward off those storm clouds? We bury the bourdon!

No one quite knows where the tradition comes from, but we stand by it! Burying the bourdon is a long-standing Southern tradition that, if done correctly, should ensure a bright, sunny day for your wedding. Get your tips on the when, where, what, and how of burying the bourdon below!

How Does Burying the Bourdon Work?

To follow the Southern tradition of burying the bourbon, you and your fiance must visit your venue exactly a month before your wedding day and bury a full bottle of bourbon upside down on the property.

When?

Exactly to the day and time a month before your wedding. That means if you’re getting married at 6 pm. on May 3rd, you need to bury the bourdon at 6 pm. on April 3rd.

Where?

The bottle of bourdon should be buried at your venue near the ceremony space where you will trade vows. If you can’t bury the bourdon in the ceremony space, anywhere in the surrounding area will work. Just remember to mark where you buried it!

What?

You should bury a full bottle of real bourdon, not whiskey. That means made in the United States, 51% corn mash, oak-charred barrel aged, and no less than 80 proof. It’s okay to splurge!

How?

The bottle of bourdon should be completely full – no taste testing – and buried upside down in a hole deep enough for the bottle to be completely covered.

How To Dig Up the Bourdon on Your Wedding Day

Following your ceremony – which hopefully saw clear, sunny skies – dig up your bottle of bourdon and toast a new beginning. Whether the tradition worked its magic or not, you will enjoy the fruits of tasting your favorite bourdon on this special day.

More Unique Southern Wedding Traditions

Groom’s Cake

A groom’s cake is a way to celebrate the groom on a day that can put a lot of emphasis on the bride. This small cake is a fun way to celebrate the groom’s interests or personality, usually decorated around a sports team, hobby, or favorite tv show. It is also a great way to create more dessert options for guests alongside the primary wedding cake.

Cake Pull

Another unique Southern wedding tradition is a cake pull. Each bridesmaid will pull a ribbon out of a cake or cupcake at the bridal shower or luncheon. On the end of each ribbon is a charm that represents a different fortune. Perhaps a ring for a future engagement, a four-leaf clover for good luck, or a hot air balloon for adventure. Your bridesmaids will love seeing their unique fortune and saving the charm as a keepsake of your special day.

Pounding Party

A pounding party is a Southern wedding tradition tied to housewarming. It involves gifting pantry staples like flour, sugar, eggs, or coffee by the pound. Originally used as a way to welcome a new minister to a church, pounding parties have now been adopted as a thoughtful celebration of newlyweds.

Host Your Southern Wedding at Cold Creek Farm

Tucked in the beautiful North Georgia mountains, Cold Creek Farm is the Southern barn wedding venue of dreams. We love helping our couples celebrate unique Southern wedding traditions like burying the bourdon, groom’s cakes, and more.

Interesting in learning more about how Cold Creek Farm can create a gorgeous wedding day for you? Explore our Gallery, Pricing, and Contact Us with any questions!

Best Places To Take Engagement Photos in North Georgia

2023-01-04

Recently engaged? Congratulations! Now, you’re looking for the best places to take engagement photos near you. In beautiful North Georgia, there are so many incredible places to take engagement photos. To make the search easier for you, we’ve listed some of our favorite outdoor photoshoot locations below.

Top 5 Places to Take Engagement Photos in North Georgia

Amicalola Falls

If you want a gorgeous outdoor photoshoot location and are willing to commit to a small hike, Amicalola Falls is an incredible place to take engagement photos. Nestled on the cusp of the North Georgia mountains and only 8 miles from the Appalachian Trail, this state park offers breathtaking vistas, incredible sunsets, and a connection with nature. But the jewel of this area is Amicalola Falls, a 729-foot waterfall that creates a stunning backdrop for any photoshoot. From the changing colors of fall to the fresh green growth of spring and summer, this state park offers beautiful and versatile scenery all year long. You and your partner will love remembering your engagement framed by the gorgeous views of Amicalola Falls.

Downtown Dahlonega

Downtown Dahlonega maintains a historic charm and small-town comfort with tree-shaded brick pathways, vintage buildings, and mountain scenery. Take engagement photos in front of historic buildings and doorways, along the sun-dappled pathways, or in the shadow of North Georgia mountain vistas. Downtown Dahlonega offers unique and beautiful outdoor photoshoot locations to celebrate your engagement and create incredible memories. Plus, with the numerous art galleries, local shops and restaurants, and frequent live music, you’ll want to make a day trip of taking your engagement photos in Downtown Dahlonega.

P.S. If you want holiday engagement photos, Downtown Dahlonega offers incredible trees, lights, and holiday celebrations to create a stunning, festive backdrop.

Gibbs Gardens

Looking for beautifully curated gardens and gorgeous in-season flowers to set the scene for your engagement photos in North Georgia? Then Gibbs Gardens is a must-see. Located in Ball Ground, GA, Gibbs Gardens boasts 300+ acres of carefully maintained gardens which include ferns, native azaleas, dogwoods, mountain laurels, and so much more. The area also includes 24 ponds, 32 bridge crossings, and 19 waterfalls, creating numerous versatile spaces to take incredible outdoor engagement photos.

However, the crown jewel of Gibbs Gardens is their annual Daffodil Colorfest between early March and mid-April. During this time, millions of daffodils bloom across the property – the largest collection of daffodil blooms in the nation. Talk about an incredible backdrop for your North Georgia engagement photos!

Cold Creek Farm

When it comes to farm photoshoot locations in North Georgia, you can’t beat Cold Creek Farm. This natural, scenic area features forest pathways, a gently flowing creek, and plenty of beautiful trees, flowers, and arbors to give you versatile backgrounds for your engagement photos. If you like animals, Cold Creek Farm is also a working farm with dogs, cats, chickens, horses, and donkeys. You and your partner will love exploring the farm to find the best areas to take your photos!

Red Oak Lavender Farm

If you love lavender and flowers, Red Oak Lavender Farm near Dahlonega, GA is the place to take your outdoor engagement photos in North Georgia. This gorgeous lavender farm boasts 4,000 lavender plants in 19 different varieties to fill the air with incredible scents. From spring to fall, numerous flowers also bloom around the farm including sunflowers, tulips, dahlias, zinnias, and more. Red Oak Lavender Farm is an incredible place to take elegant, gorgeous engagement photos.

Looking for a Wedding Venue? Check Out Cold Creek Farm!

After taking your stunning engagement photos, you’ll be looking for a North Georgia wedding venue for your special day. Consider Cold Creek Farm! We are a barn wedding venue in North Georgia that has helped hundreds of couples celebrate their love over the last decade.

Our all-inclusive wedding venue is also perfect to help you select the best caterer, photographer, coordinator, DJ, and more to create your best wedding day. Contact us to learn more about our unique farm wedding venue and view our Venue Features to see details!

Cold Creek Farm

Six Moments to Capture on Your Wedding Day

Six Moments You MUST Capture on Your Wedding Day

The Intimate Moment

The Funny Moment

The Romantic Moment

The Awed Moment

The Quiet Moment

The Excited Moment

Our Favorite Wedding Photographers to Capture Your Special Day

Christina Kelley Photography & Videography

Onyx and Arrow Collective

Mike Moon Studio

Cait Carr Photo

Darian Reilly

Taylor Haff Photography

Partner with Cold Creek Farm to Make Your Moments Count

4 Tips for a Rainy Wedding Day

4 Tips for a Rainy Wedding Day

Take a Deep Breath and Go with Plan B

Make Sure You Have the Right Supplies

Protect Your Dress

Embrace Unique Photo Opportunities

How We Make the Most of Rainy Wedding Days

Learn More About Our Indoor/Outdoor Wedding Venue

How To Choose Your Bridal Bouquet

4 Tips for Choosing Your Bridal Bouquet

1. Decide on the Best Shape

Most Common Bouquet Shapes

2. Incorporate In-Season Flowers

Best Flowers for Each Season

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

3. Consider Your Wedding Colors

4. Add a Personal Touch

Our Favorite Florists in North Georgia

The Floral Hen

Contact Information

Posh Petals of Gainesville

Contact Information

La Petite Fleur

Contact Information

We’ll Help You Design the Perfect Wedding Bouquet

Best Months for an Outdoor Wedding in Georgia

Spring

April

May

Summer

June

Fall

September

October

November

Winter

December

Looking for the Best Outdoor Wedding Venue in Georgia?

How To Bury the Bourbon for a Sunny Wedding Day

How Does Burying the Bourdon Work?

When?

Where?

What?

How?

How To Dig Up the Bourdon on Your Wedding Day

More Unique Southern Wedding Traditions

Groom’s Cake

Cake Pull

Pounding Party

Host Your Southern Wedding at Cold Creek Farm

Best Places To Take Engagement Photos in North Georgia

Top 5 Places to Take Engagement Photos in North Georgia

Amicalola Falls

Downtown Dahlonega

Gibbs Gardens

Cold Creek Farm

Red Oak Lavender Farm

Looking for a Wedding Venue? Check Out Cold Creek Farm!