Tori & Zach

Marmaros Productions

Jan 297 min read

9.21.2024 | Cator Woolford Gardens

How We Met

Tori and Zach reached out to us in July of 2023 because they had found Marmaros Productions through Instagram. They were looking for a planner for their September 2024 wedding. Since they had met in college at Georgia Tech, they picked a venue in Atlanta even though they were now living in Texas. Being out of state, it was important to them to have a planner who was familiar with their venue and local to the area. We hopped on a call with them to go over all that Marmaros does and how we could benefit their day. Shortly after that call, we had a signed contract in hand and we were off to the races to start planning Tori & Zach’s big day!

Love Story

Down to Business

With Tori & Zach living in Texas, we held virtual meetings throughout the planning process. Tori is one of the most organized brides we have ever worked with, so planning was a breeze. She always came to meetings with questions and always asked for “homework” at the end of meetings. In August of 2024, we had the pleasure of actually meeting Tori and her parents in person at our final walkthrough. In this meeting, we met with representatives from Cator Woolford Gardens, Chef Cary’s Cuisine, and Event Works. Tori picked out linens for the big day and we made sure that all of the final details were planned. The next time we got to see Tori and Zach in person was the day before wedding day at the rehearsal! Excitement was in the air during rehearsal since the big day was the following day!

The Big Day

The big day was here! The girls started their day early at their hotel, Courtyard by Marriott Decatur, with the glam team, Brushworx who was working on hair and makeup for the day. As hair and makeup was wrapping up, Tori & Zach’s photographer, Heather of Heather Dettore Photography, and videographer, Ben of Selfless Films arrived at the hotel to capture some detail shots and getting ready photos. Meanwhile, our access time to the venue was starting, so the Marmaros team headed to Cator Woolford Gardens. Once we arrived we were instantly busy at work directing the delivery of the rentals from Event Works and unloading a few cars that had decor in them. DJ Sherik from One Night Entertainment arrived with his team and started to get his ceremony and cocktail hour spaces set up. Next, everyone who was previously at the hotel was making their way to the venue. Photo and Video quickly got to work prepping for the next shots of the day while the ladies went into the bridal suite to get into their dresses from Azazie. Once all dressed, the bridesmaids made their way to the event tent while Tori stepped into her stunning gown from The Sentimentalist with her mom and maid of honor. In the midst of all the set up, Jordan from Forte Fluer Florals had arrived and was busy at work not only setting up the ceremony and cocktail hour, but also being a helping hand wherever she could be! We got the photo/video timeline really started for the day when we had Tori do a first look with her dad and brother followed by a first look with her ladies. By this time, Zach had arrived to the venue so we made sure he was tucked away until it was his turn to be called for a few solo shots which lead into his first look with his bride. You could tell that Tori and Zach were so happy to see one another and once they had their first look were just so excited to be spending the rest of their wedding day together! Heather and Ben worked on knocking out as many possible photos prior to everyone needing to be tucked away for the ceremony like couple photos, wedding party photos, and immediate family photos. Once all of those photos wrapped up, we encouraged everyone to rest a little and rehydrate (the day was much warmer than everyone anticipated!).

Guests were starting to be shuttled to the venue by Atlantic Limo and started to make way to their seats for the ceremony. Celebration String Quartet started to play the prelude songs, and Tori & Zach’s officiant, Greg, made his way to the alter to make an announcement about an unplugged ceremony before we kicked off the processional. We sent the family and wedding party down to take their places for the ceremony. Next Wildest Dreams by Taylor Swift started to play, and Tori and her dad, Hugh walked down the aisle. The garden surrounding the ceremony along with the florals that Forte Fluer Florals added made this setting an absolute dream! Greg performed a personal and intimate ceremony and before we knew it, Tori & Zach’s love was sealed with a kiss! Viva la Vida played as they exited their ceremony and all of their loved ones cheered and applauded!

Guests were invited to a cocktail hour under the tent right next to the garden which was graced by the beautiful music of Celebration String Quartet. As Tori and Zach’s families knocked out extended family photos, guests enjoyed passed hors d’oeuvres and drinks all provided by Chef Cary’s Cuisine. Tori and Zach made their way into the pavilion to watch the signing of the marriage license with their officiant, then shared a private dinner together. After their private dinner, guests were invited to find their seats in the courtyard for reception while Tori & Zach made their way to the top of the grand staircase for their grand entrance. The new Mr. & Mrs. Wiberg was introduced and guests grabbed their napkins and waved them in the air to celebrate the newlyweds. Tori’s dad, Hugh took the microphone to give a welcome speech followed by a blessing by Tori’s uncle. Guests were dismissed by table to grab the delicious food from the buffet while Tori and Zach went around and mingled with their guests. After dinner wrapped up, DJ Sherik made an announcement for guests to head to the golf cart shuttles to be taken up to the dance floor which was up the hill in the atrium.

We opened up the atrium with the wedding party being introduced followed by a reintroduction of our newlyweds! Tori and Zach went straight into cutting their cake from The Baking Grounds and of course the song playing during this moment was September by Earth, Wind, & Fire! After a taste of their delicious cake, Tori and Zach took to the dance floor for their first dance. They followed their first dance with parent dances along with dances with their siblings. At this point of the night, the formalities were concluded, so the dance floor was officially open to guests! Guests were loving the dance floor, the bar, the lounge area, and the photobooth that Tori and Zach had planned out for the atrium space! Everyone was enjoying the chance to mingle with one another while celebrating Tori & Zach’s love! To wrap up the night, Tori and Zach’s guests were directed outside for a send off. Tori & Zach ran through an aisle of waving ribbons and cheering guests before they hopped into their getaway car and drove off to their happily ever after! It was a great night!

Something Spectacular

Like we mentioned before, Tori and Zach met at Georgia Tech. To tie their meeting place into their special day, they knew they wanted to have something special! During the planning process, Tori reached out to a representative from Georgia Tech to see if the Tech mascot, Buzz, could be a part of their big day. Since their wedding was during football season, Georgia Tech couldn’t confirm right away if Buzz could join, but Tori and Zach remained hopeful. A few weeks prior to wedding day, they received confirmation that Buzz WAS going to be able to be a part of their day! Tori and Zach kept this a secret, and planned to surprise their guests with Buzz after the dance floor opened up. Tori and Zach opened the doors to the hallway and when Buzz walked out their guests were truly surprised! Buzz took to the dance floor once it was officially opened and encouraged all of the guests to join him! He invigorated the party by pulling guests on the dance floor, starting dance offs, taking selfies, and joining guests at the photobooth. This was such a fun and unique addition to Tori and Zach’s reception that both entertained guests but was a perfect nod to the place where it all began for them!

Raving Reviews

"Marmaros Productions helped our wedding day run so smoothly! Mallory was organized, professional, and responsive. She helped keep us on track during the planning process and gave great advice and recommendations for our timeline and floor plan. They handled all of the vendors on our wedding day and set up our ceremony and reception spaces exactly as imagined. I'm a very Type A person and would not have trusted my wedding coordination to anyone besides Mallory and the Marmaros team. Highly recommend!"

Happily Ever After

It was such a pleasure to help and be a part of Tori and Zach’s wedding day! We know their future is bright and wish them nothing but the best. Congratulations again to the new Mr. & Mrs. Wiberg!