An Elegant Wedding at Southern Exchange Ballrooms – Brianna & Ralph’s Unforgettable Day

Aug 12

Brianna and Ralph’s wedding at Southern Exchange Ballrooms was a breathtaking celebration of love, elegance, and intentional design—right in the heart of Atlanta. Their ceremony and reception both took place in the iconic Whitehall Ballroom, a space that truly stuns with its historic charm and dramatic details.

Maggie-Karanja-Photography Southern Exchange Ballroom Wedding Setup

With soaring 30-foot ceilings and 18,000 square feet of timeless grandeur, the Whitehall Ballroom sets the stage for a celebration that feels straight out of a storybook. From the intricate architectural touches and wraparound mezzanine to the gleaming marble floors and original 14-foot crystal chandeliers, every inch of the space radiates Old Atlanta luxury.

While Whitehall offers a versatile blank canvas to bring your dream wedding to life, it’s far from a barebones venue. The elegance is already built in, giving you a sophisticated head start on creating the style and ambiance you envision—whether that's modern glam, classic romance, or a blend of both.

Maggie-Karanja-Photography Bride and Groom Exit Ceremony

For Brianna and Ralph, that vision was pure timeless elegance with a personal touch. After a heartfelt ceremony, the room was flipped during cocktail hour to welcome guests into a warm and inviting reception space. And standing proudly on the stage at the front of the room was their custom wedding cake—a true centerpiece of the evening.

Maggie-Karanja-Photography Bride and Groom at Reception

I had the honor of designing their cake, which featured layers of vanilla almond cake with buttercream frosting, all covered in smooth white fondant. Ivory fondant detailing added subtle texture and depth, while handmade ivory gum paste flowers were placed with care to finish the design with soft, romantic dimension. Once set against the backdrop of the Whitehall stage, the cake truly came to life as a statement piece that reflected the couple’s timeless style.

Maggie-Karanja-Photography Wedding Cake by Artful Cakery by Julie

From the ceremony details to the curated reception design, every moment of Brianna and Ralph’s day was filled with intention and heart. It was a joy to be part of their love story and to work alongside such a talented team of vendors who made the magic happen: