It was good old-fashioned music that brought Jessica Noggle and Ryan Taylor together. By day, she’s a scientist, and he’s an engineer; by night, she plays the fiddle, and he sings his heart out, strums the guitar, or puts pen to paper as a songwriter. The two are in a folk band together, and music, Jessica said, has always been a central part of their relationship. The pair first bonded over their shared love of an obscure Floridian music festival, where Ryan opted to pop the question four years after they met.
Although the couple currently resides in Boston, they call Atlanta home, and it was here where they decided to tie the knot. Captured by Sean & Amanda Photography, their wedding was relaxed in nature, vintage in style, and musical at its core. The duo even wrote and performed songs for one another in lieu of exchanging traditional vows.
“The one moment that made me cry was when Ryan played me his song, a guitar lullaby,” Jessica said. “The rest of the time I couldn’t hold back a gigantic smile that threatened to crack my face!”
Real Weddings
Jessica purchased a simple 1930s-inspired bias-cut gown from J. Crew and worked with a dress designer to customize it. Carrie Sew Fancy added lace sleeves, an overskirt, and a detachable train using lace that Jessica found at a fabric store and had dyed gray by Intimate Dyeing.
Designed by Southern Stems, the bridal bouquet consisted of pink peonies—Jessica’s favorite—and green hydrangeas tied together with a length of lace.
A day before the wedding, the couple was forced to change venues. They credit their wedding planner, Vinewood Events, with keeping things running smoothly in the face of what could have been disaster. “The snafu also reminded us of what was most important: being with our guests,” Jessica said.
Guests were asked to wear vintage-inspired attire and to consider sporting vintage headwear. “Many guests got really into it,” Jessica said.
The ceremony was officiated by Jessica’s yoga teaching mentor, Kim Alford. “About halfway through the ceremony, she asked everyone to reach under their chair and find a stone placed there,” Jessica said. “The momentary chaos that ensured was delightful! Once our guests retrieved their stones, Kim asked them to close their eyes and spend a few moments silently blessing our marriage. It was precious to see the flower girl completely into it, even holding one hand over her heart.”
The stones were later collected and placed into a clear vase along with some sand. The filled vase is now displayed on a coffee table that Jessica’s father presented to her and Ryan as a wedding gift. “We see the blessings of our friends and family every single day,” Jessica said.
For centerpieces, planter boxes were filled with brightly colored gerbera daisies, grass, and sheet-music flowers made by the couple’s friends and family members.
Jessica’s advice to other brides? “Before speaking to anyone in the wedding industry, determine what best represents the essence of your relationship and allow these things to drive the planning. When things get stressful, it really helps to have clear reminders of what brings you joy together.”