Lanier Islands Resort held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, Sept. 22, at the Chapel on Lanier in Buford.

President of Lanier Islands, Mathew Bolling, said the new development will start a new chapter for the resort.

“We are constantly growing, and this is the newest way in which we are growing and continuing to expand our wedding business, which is a big business for us, and something that we really enjoy being a part of,” Bolling said. “You know that special ‘I do’ day for friends and families all over the southeast, and it means just continuing to develop this island here, we have 1200 acres and a lot a lot of undeveloped ideas, and so it's always fun when we get to bring one to life.”

The chapel was dedicated to Bolling's grandmother, Sara D. Williams, and the Garden was dedicated to his mother, Mendy Williams Bolling.

“It is really special to me and my family, because it means that the legacy of both of those two amazing women are going to be remembered for a long time, and it's just such a special way to remember them,” Bolling said. “Because they were so proud that our family was in the wedding business and in the business of making things look really beautiful, like this chapel. So it's important to me because it's cementing their legacy.”