The Chair Factory

Five Best Places to Take Engagement Photos near Gainesville GA

2023-12-08

Are you recently engaged? Congratulations! Now, you’re on the hunt for the perfect place to take engagement photos near Gainesville, GA. There are so many incredible locations to take engagement photos from industrial to natural to historic. To make the search easier for you, we’ve listed some of our favorite places to take photos near Gainesville, GA.

Check out our list of the top five places below!

Most Recommended Places to Take Engagement Photos Near Gainesville, GA

Atlanta Botanical Gardens Gainesville

You’ve probably heard of the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, but did you know they also have a location in Gainesville, GA? This sprawling garden has limitless photo opportunities, including woodland trails, ponds, waterfalls, manicured gardens, and more. The Gainesville Botanical Gardens make a gorgeous backdrop for summer, spring, and fall engagement photo sessions. You can learn more about booking an engagement photo session here.

The Chair Factory

If you are looking for a gorgeous historic backdrop for your engagement photos, you will love The Chair Factory. This historic chair factory turned wedding venue has original wood floors, exposed brick walls, and vaulted ceilings. The dark antique fixtures create a moody, elegant aesthetic while the many windows bring plenty of natural light into the space. Outside the building, you can also take photos near the historic industrial park with more exposed brick and metal backdrops, capturing amazing photos of you and your future spouse. Learn more about The Chair Factory here.

Engine 209 Park

Are you looking for the best of outdoor scenery and historical background for your engagement photos? You’re going to want to check out Engine 209 Park. Set along the Midland Greenery just minutes from Downtown Gainesville, it is the home of the antique train Engine 209 (which operated from 1930-1959) and its caboose. The open-air park creates amazing photo opportunities with the train engine and caboose, but the fun doesn’t end there. You’ll also want photos with the public art installations and along the lush greenway. Check out more about Engine 209 Park here.

Downtown Gainesville

Even with modern boutiques and restaurants, Downtown Gainesville maintains a historic charm that creates an excellent backdrop for engagement photos. Start with the tree-shaded lanes, brick pathways, and eclectic buildings. Then, venture into the center of the square where an antique monument stands, or head across the green to an industrial pedestrian bridge for some unique backdrops. Learn more about the unique offerings of Downtown Gainesville here.

Lanier Point Park

Lanier Point Park is a great option if you want the great outdoors without the manicured look of gardens. Gorgeous lake views, a covered bridge, and hiking trails create dozens of different backgrounds for your engagement photos. And, if you and your fiance are sports fans, you can take some photos on one of the four baseball diamonds, either in gorgeous daylight or at night under the field lighting for some unique photos. You can learn more about Lanier Point Park here.

Looking for a Wedding Venue?

After taking your stunning engagement photos, you’ll be looking for a North Georgia wedding venue for your special day. We would love for you to consider The Chair Factory. We are a historic wedding venue in Gainesville, GA that has helped many couples celebrate their love in style.

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. No matter your tastes, we have an eclectic list of wedding vendors to select the best ones to make your day everything you’re dreaming of. Contact us to learn more about our unique industrial wedding venue and view our Venue Features to see details!

Wedding Spotlight: Sadie + Joseph

2023-04-28

Come along to historic Gainesville, GA to enjoy a bright summer wedding at The Chair Factory. Sadie and Joseph’s wedding featured a colorful floral palette, light blue details, and all the warmth and elegance you could want for a June wedding. From the sweet ceremony to the lively reception and send-off, this couple and their guests created a beautiful experience to remember for many years to come.

Let’s talk about the details!

Table Decor

Because Sadie and Joseph had a lengthy guest list, we used a combination of long rectangular and circular tables to comfortably accommodate all the guests. Leaning into the light and breezy summer feeling, the table decor featured wildflowers, white candles with crystal votives, and stunning tableware.

For the long tables – which included the bride and groom, wedding party, and close family – the floral design featured mini glass bottles with wildflowers, creating a simple yet stunning look. The pops of pink, purple, blue, and red added cherry brightness to this lovely reception. To finish off the table decor, they chose a combination of tall and short glass candlesticks and votives with white candles. For the tableware, we stacked a clear, gold-rimmed charger with white china plates. We then completed the design with a light blue cloth napkin, gold utensils, and crystal glasses.

For the circular tables, we used a variety of arrangements for added visual interest. This included small box arrangements, more mini glass bottles, and small floral arrangements in vases. We then completed each look with more candles and votives, white china, napkins, and crystal glasses.

Each element of the reception table decor complemented Sadie and Joseph’s amazing wedding color palette while incorporating the brightness of summer.

Cake and Desserts

For their wedding desserts, Sadie and Joseph chose a combination of traditional and non-traditional selections. Their wedding cake was a beautiful, two-tiered white cake with gorgeous real flower decorations. Then they upgraded their dessert offerings with chocolate mousse cups and strawberry cupcakes.

For another twist on wedding desserts, they had King of Pops cater. Although King of Pops has dozens of unique flavor combinations, Sadie and Joseph chose Verry Berry, Pink Lemonade, Peach, Key Lime Pie, and Chocolate Sea Salt. This brought a fun and summery twist to their cocktail hour and reception.

Flowers

One of the most stunning elements of this beautiful wedding was the bouquets and boutonnieres arranged by The Floral Hen. The bouquets featured a variety of colorful wildflowers, mini roses, carnations, and bright greenery. The bridesmaids’ bouquets included a similar design to complement their light blue dresses.

For the boutonnieres, The Floral Hen crafted another cheery design with mini roses in tangerine and red with springs of wildflowers. This pop of color was the perfect addition to the navy suits and light blue ties.

Summer Wedding Trends

Bright Colors

One major summer wedding trend – that Sadie and Joseph beautifully embraced – is a bright color palette. Beyond just colorful flowers, though, many couples are also using patterned fabrics, illustrations, and unique floral concepts for their invitations, attire, and wedding decor.

Charcuterie Boards

Charcuterie boards have been trending for several years – and they are not going anywhere. This is a great choice for cocktail hour that allows guests to snack on their favorite meats, cheeses, nuts, and fruits while you complete your pictures. Plus, it’s a wonderful light food option so guests don’t get bogged down in the summer heat.

Private Last Dance

After a hectic wedding day, a private last dance is the perfect respite to allow you and your groom to savor the day with a moment alone. As your guests line up outside for the send-off, have the DJ play your favorite song and enjoy the intimacy of your quiet reception space.

Specialty Vendors

Gone are the days of basic wedding cakes and entertainment. Now specialty vendors are the way to go to create a memorable wedding for you and your guests. Food trucks, ice cream or pretzel stations, and caricature artists are just a few of the options available!

Vendor Credits

Photos: Darian Reilly

Flowers: The Floral Hen

Venue: The Chair Factory

Want to Host Your Wedding at The Chair Factory?

Did our wedding spotlight for Sadie + Joseph wow you? Are you ready to learn more about hosting your wedding at The Chair Factory? Download our Wedding Pricing Pamphlet or book your venue tour today! We would love to help all of your wedding dreams come true.

12 Unique Wedding Day Photos

2023-04-14

With so many photo opportunities available on your wedding day, how do you choose the most important moments to capture? Here is our guide to twelve unique wedding day photos. Trust us, these are beautiful photos you’ll enjoy for decades to come!

12 Unique Wedding Day Photos

Bride’s Shoes

Photography: https://darianreilly.com/

While your wedding dress is the star of the show for your wedding day wardrobe, you still want to capture all the accessories that adorn you on your special day. Capturing a photo of your bridal shoes – and any other accessories like necklaces, earrings, or hair barrettes – also helps you remember all the unique decisions and beautiful moments that shaped your wedding.

Veiled Bride

Photography: www.ckelleyphoto.com

Individual bridal portraits are so important to capture the beauty and joy you feel on your wedding day. One picture you should be sure to take is as a veiled bride. Pull your veil over your face and have your photographer take some elegant and soft but still perfectly moody glamour shots. You will love the way these turn out!

First Look with Bridesmaids

Photography: https://darianreilly.com/

Your bridesmaids – the wonderful women who support you in planning your wedding and stand beside you on your big day. Although your wedding day may feel busy and hectic, stop to capture moments with these special women – like when they see you in your dress for the first time. You will love looking back at these photos to see the excitement and joy in their eyes as they watch you walk out in your dress.

Groom’s Socks

Photography: www.ckelleyphoto.com

While most of the attention tends to focus on the bride’s appearance on her wedding day, you can’t forget to capture the unique accessories the groom selects for his wardrobe. For example, many grooms like to add a touch of humor to their ensemble with a funny or whimsical pair of socks. You can even get all the groomsmen involved for some great photos.

Details

Photography: https://www.ashlyncathey.com/

There are so many large decisions that go into planning your wedding – flowers, decor, desserts – but don’t forget to take photos of the small details as well. Capturing a photo of your invitations and rings while highlighting your wedding color palette is a great way to remember the small decisions that made your wedding so beautiful.

First Touch

Photography: https://colleenelisephotography.com/

If you don’t want to do a first look but still want to connect with your groom before the ceremony, then a first touch makes for heart-melting photos. Reach around a doorway or wall so you can touch but not see each other, then hold hands with your groom and talk with him before your walk down the aisle. This gives you and him an intimate moment to connect while also creating a photo opportunity that you will love looking back on for decades to come.

Venue Exterior

Photography: www.ckelleyphoto.com

You want to remember every aspect of your wedding day, not just the important parts. Capturing photos of your entire venue – interior and exterior – will help you remember why you chose to get married there and all the beautiful details that made it the perfect setting for your special day.

The Groom Waiting at the Altar

Photography: https://darianreilly.com/

While all the guests turn to look at the bride, have your photographer turn toward the groom. Get a photo of that special moment when the groom sees his bride for the first time as she makes her way down the aisle, capturing the love and joy in his eyes.

Dessert Table

Photography: https://darianreilly.com/

The dessert table is another important feature of your wedding day selections that may get lost in the hustle and bustle. To remember the beauty of your wedding cake – or unique treats like cupcakes, bars, or puddings – be sure to get your photographer to snap a picture of your dessert table and close-ups of your wedding cake.

Sunset

Photography: https://colleenelisephotography.com/

If you have an afternoon or evening wedding, you do not want to miss out on taking sunset wedding photos. This golden hour creates intimate, dreamy photos that will likely be the first ones framed and hanging in your home.

Last Dance

Photography: https://colleenelisephotography.com/

With so many family members and friends around you throughout your wedding day, it is difficult to capture those quiet moments with just you and your groom. That’s why saving time for a last dance in your empty reception hall and capturing photos of this lovely moment is so important. Have the DJ play your favorite slow song and take a moment to savor the beauty of your wedding day.

Send-Off

Photography: https://darianreilly.com/

Contact Information

678-725-3224
hello@caitcarrphoto.com

www.caitcarrphoto.com

Taylor Haff

Contact Information

770-540-4083
taylorhaffphoto@gmail.com
www.taylorhaff.com

Mike Moon Studio

Contact Information

678-928-3919
Sales@mikemoonstudio.com
www.mikemoonstudio.com

How We’ll Help You Capture All the Beautiful Moments

Making the most of your wedding day is so important. After months – or even years – of planning, you want your special day to be as picture-perfect as you’ve dreamed. This is where The Chair Factory comes in as your ideal setting. We are a historic wedding venue in North Georgia offering all-inclusive wedding packages.

From photographers to caterers to DJs – and every wedding vendor in between – we have the resources you need to create an unforgettable wedding day. All while making sure you capture all of these unique and beautiful moments on camera. Contact us or view our Wedding Pamphlet to learn more!

8 Amazing Wedding Cake Alternatives

2023-03-24

Yes, tall, white wedding cakes are a beautiful thing, but are you looking for a unique twist for your special day? Wedding cake alternatives like cupcakes, brownies, and cookies are a great way to add modern flair to your wedding and wow your guests with an unexpected treat.

Check out these top eight wedding cake alternatives! Then explore some local North Georgia bakeries that can make all your wedding dessert dreams come true.

8 Wedding Cake Alternatives

Cupcakes

If you love cake but want added convenience for your guests, cupcakes are the most popular wedding cake alternative. Keep to the classics like vanilla, chocolate, and red velvet, or wow your guests with some unique flavors like caramel, tres leches, or coconut. Or get a dozen of each and let your guests decide!

Mini Pies

An unconventional choice, mini pies add Southern charm to your wedding with delicious flavors like apple, pecan, or strawberry rhubarb. Baked in mini tins and complete with a tiny pie crust but a generous filling, mini pies are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Popsicles

Are you looking for a unique way to cool down your summer wedding? Serve popsicles! Your guests will love this unique wedding cake alternative; they won’t even miss the cake! Plus, with boutique popsicle makers, you can experience a wide range of incredible flavors like orange cream, strawberry lemonade, and cookies ‘n cream.

Pretzels

Salted or cinnamon sugar, mustard-dipped or plain, you would be hard-pressed to find someone that doesn’t enjoy pretzels. So why not feature them as the main treat for your wedding? A pretzel wall or food truck serving them fresh is sure to wow your guests and have them leaving full and happy at the end of the night.

Brownies and Bars

Another affordable – and adorable – wedding cake alternative is brownies or bars (like blondies, pecan pie, and so much more). These treats are easy for guests to grab and enjoy as they party through your reception. You can even wrap these up for a delicious wedding favor at the end of the night.

Cookies

If you’re like us, nothing tastes quite as good as a cookie. So why not serve your favorite cookies at your wedding? Chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, sugar… Need we say more? You can even have a milk and cookies bar to create a fun and relaxed atmosphere for your reception.

Pudding

Another unique wedding cake alternative is pudding cups in mini glasses. Chocolate mousse, banana pudding, tiramisu, let your imagination go wild! These light and delicious treats are a great option for summer weddings or to finish off a hearty reception meal.

Donuts

A new favorite for wedding cake alternatives is a donut wall or tower. You can even elevate these humble treats into a donut wedding cake for a special twist on a classic favorite. Stack them high – mini or regular-sized, jelly-filled or glazed – and let your guests enjoy!

Our Favorite Local Bakeries

Dulce Designs by Suli

A crowd favorite at The Chair Factory, Dulce Design by Suli consistently delivers the most delicious wedding treats for all of our couples. From mini pies to cupcakes to puddings and bars, they have so many options – and you’ll want to try them all.

Contact: 678-438-2332

Visit Their Website: www.sabrosaatl.com

Baked and Caked

Offering incredible cakes and cupcakes along with custom-designed cookies, Baked and Caked is a delicious, classic choice to delight your wedding guests. You’ll love their amazing flavors like strawberry shortcake, s’mores, carrot, and over a dozen more.

Contact: 678-943-9589

Visit Their Website: www.bakedandcakedllc.net

Jamie Bakes

You’ll be hard-pressed to find another bakery that offers custom cupcake options like Jamie Bakes. With nine incredible standard flavors and endless new combinations she’s dreaming up all the time, you will absolutely love your wedding cupcakes from this great local shop.

Contact: 770-744-0155

Visit Their Website: www.jamiebakes.net

Zell’s Cottage Bakery

Puddings, cookies, chocolate-dipped strawberries, macaroons… Zell’s Cottage Bakery has even more unique wedding cake alternatives than our list even had time to mention! Plus the amazing typical choices for cakes and cupcakes. You’ll love exploring their delicious treat options for your special day.

Contact: 470-729-CAKE (2253)

Visit Their Website: www.zellscottagebakery.com

King of Pops

If you want to make the most of a unique wedding cake alternative like popsicles, then King of Pops is the local spot for you. With their mini popsicle carts, they’ll set up shop at your reception and serve your guests cold and delicious frozen treats in the flavors of your choice.

Contact: 470-621-1200

Visit Their Website: www.kingofpops.com

DaVinci Donuts

If you love donuts, then you’ll love exploring DaVinci Donuts’ incredible range of flavors. Top flavors include french toast, maple bacon, salted caramel, and classic sprinkles. Plus, with the donut’s mini size, you can choose plenty of flavors and let everyone choose their favorites!

Contact: 706-974-8562

Visit Their Website: www.davincisdonuts.com

Explore Wedding Cake Alternatives with The Chair Factory!

Do you love these ideas for wedding cake alternatives? Then you’ll love all the incredible options The Chair Factory has to offer with our all-inclusive wedding packages. Located near Downtown Gainesville, GA, The Chair Factory is a spacious historic wedding venue with an intimate yet industrial atmosphere.

We love helping couples find the best vendors for their special day from bakeries to photographers to DJs and so much more. Learn more about how we can curate your perfect day by contacting us to book a tour!

Who To Tip and How To Tip for Your Wedding

2023-02-10

With dozens of tasks on your pre-wedding checklist, it is easy to forget to include wedding vendor tipping in your budget. You want to express gratitude towards the people who contribute to making your special day incredible, but how do you determine who gets a tip, how much they get, and when to deliver the white envelopes?

Read below for a quick and easy guide on who tip and how to tip for your wedding!

Our Tips Before You Tip

Read Through Vendor Contracts to See if Gratuity is Included

One important question you should ask before reading any guidelines below: Is gratuity included in any of your wedding vendor contracts? Leading up to your big day, read through each contract to see if gratuity is included in the price. It’s common for venues, catering, and transportation to include gratuity so this is an important consideration.

Prep Your Tips in Advance

Always prep your tips in advance! You don’t want to be left scrambling or calling family members on your wedding day to coordinate tips. Instead, have the money set aside and labeled in envelopes so it is good to go on the big day. Or, have the online payment method (Venmo, CashApp, Velle) available for all your vendors.

Factor Tips into Your Wedding Budget

With weddings having 10+ vendors, tips can add up more quickly than you think. Make sure to factor in who you want to tip and how much you want to give as you plan your wedding budget. This also helps you reduce stress from added expenses as your wedding day approaches.

Transportation drivers should receive their tip when they pick you up or after they complete the final drive after your reception.

DJs or Musicians

Do I have to tip?

Although optional, tipping DJs or live musicians is always a good choice, especially to thank them for a job well done.

How much should I tip?

Ceremony Musicians: 15% of the fee or $15–$25 per musician
Live Band: $25–$50 per musician
DJ: 10–15% of the total bill or between $50–$150

When should I tip?

Regardless of whether your musicians or DJ are playing just the ceremony, just the reception, or both, they should receive their tips at the end of their set.

Have More Questions About Planning Your Wedding Day?

If you have questions about planning your wedding day or want to explore options for an all-inclusive wedding venue that finds the best vendors for you, contact The Chair Factory! We are a factory wedding venue in North Georgia committed to helping couples create an incredible wedding day. Explore our Gallery and Vendors to learn more!

Top 7 Industrial Wedding Decor Ideas

2023-01-05

Industrial chic wedding decor has been one of the biggest trends in the industry for several years running. More and more brides are selecting industrial wedding venues and loving the contrast between exposed brick and bright color palettes or high, raftered ceilings and intimate candlelight. Are you considering an industrial wedding venue for your big day?

Read below to learn the hallmarks of an industrial-style wedding and how to incorporate the best industrial wedding decor to make your special day stand out.

What Is an Industrial Style Wedding?

Industrial wedding venues bring new life to historic buildings like factories, warehouses, or lofts. By updating original fixtures like wood floors, exposed rafters, and brick walls, industrial venues create stunning backdrops for modern, eclectic, and classic weddings. The contrast of antique architecture with updated details is making industrial wedding venues an increasingly popular choice for couples.

But industrial wedding decor is by no means cold or detached! Creating warmth and intimacy in the large space is a trademark of capturing the beauty of an industrial chic wedding. Check out our tips for industrial wedding decor!

7 Tips for Gorgeous Industrial Wedding Decor

1. Lean into Architectural Details

Many industrial wedding venues feature exposed brick, high ceilings with rafters, and original flooring – lean into these gorgeous architectural details! With the right photographer, you’ll be able to capture the beauty and drama of your industrial venue with warmth.

2. Large Industrial Wedding Centerpieces Will Complement the Space

Dripping florals, tall arrangements, and boughs of greenery create stunning statement pieces to adorn and brighten large industrial spaces.

After all, although the space is large, you want it to feel full and intimate. Surrounding your guests with dramatic industrial wedding centerpieces creates a wow factor while bringing them together.

3. Mix Materials Like Metal, Wood, and Glass

Complement all the gorgeous historic materials and textures of your industrial wedding venue by incorporating metal, gold, copper, steel, wood, and glass into your decor.

Metal or reclaimed wood altarpieces, eclectic or antique glassware, and copper or steel lanterns are just a few of the industrial wedding decor details available to add beauty to your ceremony and reception.

4. Use Candles and String Lights to Create Intimacy

Industrial settings and factories make an incredible backdrop for weddings with exposed brick and wood beaming, but you don’t want the space to feel cold or too large.

To bring cozy intimacy into your industrial wedding decor, accent the space with candles and string lights. As natural light fades and your wedding day draws to a close, you’ll feel the warmth of sparkling votives and fairy lights illuminating your reception.

5. Add Warm Colors and Cozy Materials

If you love the look of industrial spaces but don’t want your wedding to feel cold, consider using warm colors and cozy materials in your decor. For example, use an antique carpet aisle, a velvet couch for the sweetheart table, an altar draping with rich fabrics, and a color palette based around burgundy, wine, or forest green.

Mixing and matching warm and cozy colors and materials will give you a ceremony and reception that is both elegant and intimate.

6. LED and Neon Signs Add Modern Flair

One of the biggest trends in modern industrial wedding decor is lighted signs. These LED or neon signs are eye-catching and fun.

Whether you choose to highlight your last name, initials, or a heartfelt memento, a lighted sign is great for photo ops and, later, decor in your home.

7. Consider Long, Family-Style Tables

With many industrial wedding venues having a ton of square footage, individual round tables can make guests feel disconnected. Instead, consider long, family-style tables to bring everyone together.

At the right venue, you may be able to fit 50+ guests per table, creating an intimate and fun affair for all your loved ones. This is also an opportunity to skip the table linens and utilize rustic, refinished barn wood tables to create a grounded, comfortable space.

Consider The Chair Factory for Your Industrial Wedding Venue

Considering an industrial wedding venue but haven’t found the one you love? Tour The Chair Factory! Located in Gainesville, GA, we are one of North Georgia’s leading factory wedding venues. Once the Georgia Chair Company, our historic wedding venue still features original exposed brick, refinished hardwood floors, vintage wood beams, and incredible natural light. We would love to show you our beautiful industrial venue and make your wedding dreams a reality! Contact us to learn more or book a tour.