Just Married: Gregory Cohen and Lauren Turner

Just Married: Gregory Thomas Frank Cohen and Lauren Rae Turner

Bride’s parents: James and Karen Turner
Groom’s parents: Richard and Joelle Cohen

How the couple met
Gregory Thomas Frank Cohen and Lauren Rae Turner met in 2011 during a weekend getaway with friends to celebrate the Fourth of July.

The proposal
Lauren’s parents extended an invitation to Greg’s entire family to join them at their lake house on Lake Rabun for a weekend. He also knew that Lauren’s parents would be arriving at the lake the weekend before and figured the opportunity would be an ideal time to pop the question since the lake is a special place for the Turner family.

Greg got Lauren to agree to drive up a night early before her parents arrived to get everything settled (the couple resides in Atlanta). He wanted to make sure to propose before Lauren’s parents arrived. During previous visits to the lake, Greg noticed that most of the boathouses flew flags on their docks and there were a few that flew the “Lake Rabun” flag.

Greg had a blue flag with pink writing made that read, “Will You Marry Me?” Before Lauren woke up on Aug. 16, Greg took the ring out of his bag and put it in his pocket. While having coffee on the porch, Greg told Lauren he wanted her to see the flag before he wrapped it — since he previously told her he had a custom flag made for her parents as a thank you gift. He left her to open the gift while positioning himself down on one knee inside the house.

The wedding
Greg and Lauren were married March 29, at First Presbyterian Church. Lauren’s minister, The Rev. Jennifer Fouse Sheorn from Vanderbilt’s Presbyterian Student Fellowship, performed the ceremony. The reception followed the ceremony at The Field Club. Lauren’s grandparents, Latimer and Velda Turner, were part of the founding group of members of the club in 1962, so she grew up spending time there. Her grandfather was the 16th Commodore of the club, and her father followed as the 46th Commodore.

The theme of the reception was Downton Abbey meets Great Gatsby — including a lot of English garden charm with touches of glam. The Flavor Band, an eight-piece big band from Atlanta, performed. The couple arrived to the reception by yacht and spent their first night as husband and wife on there as well.

Honeymoon
The newlyweds traveled to Barbardos for their honeymoon and enjoyed riding horses on the beach, deep-sea fishing, snorkeling with giant sea turtles and a catamaran tour around the island.

THE DETAILS

First dance: “You’re the Inspiration” by Chicago

Photography: Barbara Banks Photography

Floral design: Tiger Lily

Invitations: Write-On Sarasota

Cake: Cakes by Ron

Dress: Amsale