a fairytale at the wheeler house: last-minute magic in north georgia
The 9-Day Countdown // Early last November, I received an inquiry that was a little out of the ordinary: a mother of the groom reaching out just nine days before the wedding. Usually, Fig and Font is booked at least four to six months in advance. Between sourcing archival watercolor paper, prepping protective sleeves, and engineering custom stamps or embossers, my process usually requires a longer lead time.
However, as fate would have it, that Friday night was open. I told the mother of the groom we’d need to move quickly, and she was an absolute delight. We skipped the custom branding for a "clean and classic" look—which I actually love, as it allows the personality of the guest to truly shine on the paper without distraction.
A Bucket List Venue: The Wheeler House // The wedding of Tori and Gabe took place at The Wheeler House in Ball Ground, Georgia. Having grown up in Cartersville, this felt like a homecoming for me. The Wheeler House is a stunning historic home and barn—a perfect blend of Southern charm and elegance. With its paved brick courtyard for cocktail hour and the draped rafters of the reception barn, it has been on my "Live Painting Bucket List" for quite some time.
Pivot: When the Weather Steps In // I was all set up in the courtyard when a light North Georgia drizzle began. As a Paint Engineer, you learn to pivot quickly! We moved my table into the historic home to keep the paper dry.
Being inside the house put me slightly "off the beaten path" of the guest foot traffic moving toward the barn. I realized I’d need to be proactive. Instead of waiting for guests to find me, I began vocalizing the service—inviting bridesmaids and flower girls to stop for a quick reference photo as they headed toward the reception. Once the word got out, the house became a hub of excitement, and I spent the rest of the evening captured by the joy of the celebration.
The "In-House" Hospitality // I have to give a huge shout-out to Ashley, the in-house planner at The Wheeler House. She was so intentional, making sure I had a "to-go" box from the buffet so I could continue painting between bites without missing a beat. It’s those small details that make a venue feel like a community. Nic, the photographer, was also just lovely to work with from our very first interaction.
A Real-Life Princess // Tori was a vision, wearing a delicate crown nestled in her curls—looking every bit like a real-life princess next to her groom in his sharp blue suit. It was a night of pure magic, and it reminded me why I love "short notice" adrenaline and try to accommodate these requests when possible: it’s all about showing up for people when they need a touch of beauty the most.
I’m already looking forward to my next trip up from Marietta to celebrate another North Georgia love story.
Planning a North Georgia wedding? See if your date is available here!
Venue // the Wheeler House
Photographer // Nic Rianne
Live Guest Portraits // Jessy at Fig and Font
