Our Story

AtlantaBridal is the ultimate go-to guide for Georgia couples tying the knot! With 25 years of matchmaking magic under its belt, this website is a wedding planning legend, bringing local lovebirds together with the best wedding vendors in the state. At the helm of this bridal bliss is a dynamic mother-daughter team, Lei and Elizabeth Lydle, both proud Georgia peaches. And they're not stopping there! These two are always adding the latest and greatest features to make wedding planning a breeze, like their mobile app - a hit with couples who love its social media vibe. So get ready to plan the wedding of your dreams with AtlantaBridal!

Mother / Daughter Team: Lei and Elizabeth at the Atlanta Wedding Extravaganza August 2021

About Lei

Founder, Lei Lydle

Meet the lady boss behind AtlantaBridal: Lei Lydle! This savvy entrepreneur started her Internet consulting business way back in 1997 as a side hustle while working full-time at the big-time firm Ernst & Young. But in '98, she said goodbye to the corporate world and hello to her true passion.

Lei launched AtlantaBridal, the first-ever comprehensive online wedding planning site for Atlanta, while planning her own nuptials. She was ahead of the game, providing brides with her own wedding planning experience and research on local vendors. Plus, she was a blogging pro before the term even existed!

Lei's expertise in web development and online marketing skyrocketed while working as a consultant for big names like BellSouth, Delta Air Lines, and WebMD. Her baby, AtlantaBridal, gained popularity faster than you can say "bride-to-be" - brides were loving it and businesses were raving about all the new business they were getting from the site.

Fast forward 20+ years and AtlantaBridal is still the go-to for Georgia brides, receiving an average of 15K visitors a month. Lei has launched and sold other wedding planning platforms, but she couldn't bear to part with her first love, AtlantaBridal.

Lei's expertise has earned her national recognition as a boss entrepreneur and wedding industry pro. So, if you're getting hitched in Georgia or you own a wedding business in Georgia, you better believe Lei's got your back.

In March 2023, Lei had the privilege of being featured in an article in Shoutout Atlanta titled, "Meet Lei Lydle | UX Designer & Entrepreneur." The article delves into the inspiration behind her creation, AtlantaBridal, and what makes it stand out from other platforms in the industry.

In January of 2023, Lei was invited to share her story and business expertise on the fun and informative Beer and Business podcast.

In the Fall of 2015, Lei was invited to share her wedding expertise on the live national CNN Headline News’ show called The Daily Share.

In 2014, Lei was interviewed by Marie Grace Berg for the popular podcast, “Today’s Leading Women”. You can hear that interview here.

In 2013, Lei was asked to speak at the Wedding Market Expo in Atlanta. Lei taught a lunch and learn on mobile and was a panel expert during the event.

In 2011, Lei represented Slim-Fast and AtlantaBridal at the 2011 Filene's Running of the Brides. Lei conducted video interviews of brides, their friends, etc. at the sale which were posted to the Slim-Fast Facebook page. Lei was also the Bridal Advisor on the Slim-Fast Facebook Wedding Ready page.

Also in 2011, Lei was a panel expert at the Inspire Smart Success Experience Seminar in Atlanta hosted by Stacie Francombe, best known as the founder of Get Married.

In 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 Founder Lei Lydle served as Chairman of the Brides Against Breast Cancer Charity Wedding Gown sale in Atlanta. The efforts of her staff and her team of volunteers along with the Making Memories Foundation has resulted in over 600 gown donations from bridal stores and individuals in Atlanta and close to $300,000 from the sale of previously donated gowns.

In November 2004, Lei spoke at the Association of Bridal Consultants National Convention on the topic of marketing through the Internet to today's technologically savvy brides. Her breakout course was extremely popular and, since then, Lei has been asked to speak at numerous wedding industry events and educational seminars throughout the Southeast.

In February 2004, Lei was nominated for the Wedding Visionary of the Year award by the Professional Wedding Guild of Atlanta. In addition, AtlantaBridal.com, Lei Lydle and her breast cancer gown sales have been featured in the following news media: Kiss The Bride TV (2010), CBS TV's Better Mornings (January 2010, January 2008), LaGrange Daily News Wedding Supplement (January 2008), 11Alive TV's "Atlanta & Company" (March 2007), Star 94's Steve and Vicky Show: Alisa's Deals (March 2007), LaGrange Daily News (March 2007), 11Alive TV's "Atlanta & Company" (September 2006), 11Alive TV's "Atlanta & Company" (April 2006), Atlanta Journal-Constitution (April 2006), LaGrange Daily News (April 2006), WBTV12's "Living Life with Style" (March 2006), Georgia Trend Magazine (February 2006 Online Edition), Star 94's Cindy & Ray Show (July 2005), Atlanta Journal-Constitution (March 2005), Georgia's Good Life Magazine (January 2004), Atlanta Journal-Constitution "My Favorite Web Sites" Column (November 2003), CNN Budget Wedding Feature (September 2002), LaGrange Daily News (May 2002), Atlanta Journal-Constitution "Atlanta Tech" Column (January 2002), Atlanta Journal-Constitution Wedding Supplement (February 2001).

Lei has been a member of the Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC), the National Association of Catering Executives (NACE), the International Special Events Society (ISES), the Professional Wedding Guild of Atlanta, the Alabama Wedding & Event Professionals group and the Athens Wedding Professionals group.

Lei is a current active member of the Rotary Club of Peachtree City and was recently awarded the 2020-2021 "Rookie of the Year Award".

About Elizabeth

Growing up in the Atlanta wedding scene, Elizabeth was a familiar face at bridal shows, charming audiences as a model for the Perfect Wedding Guide and Bridal Extravaganza of Atlanta.

Fast forward to today and Elizabeth is now a proud graduate of Grady High School and a business major at Georgia State University. But her passion for weddings never left her. With years of experience under her belt, Elizabeth has become a vital part of the AtlantaBridal team, helping to keep the company on top with her fresh insights and tech-savvy approach. She consults on our ever evolving technologies, connects with couples at the bridal shows, creates many of our social media posts and helps us to keep our platform data up-to-date!