27 minute read
GARDEN PARTY GLAMOUR
BRIGHT IDEAS Garden Party Glamour
Caroline Ply Events sets the scene for an intimate gathering inspired by the Edgemont House’s Mediterranean charm
WRITER STEPHANIE MAXWELL NEWTON PHOTOGRAPHER ERIN WILSON PHOTOGRAPHY AND FILMS
An envelope liner depicting an orange tree ties the invitation suite to the venue and overall palette.
BLUE WAVES Dinner plates with a blue painterly pattern were the starting point for this colorful scene. From there, Caroline drew ideas from the venue itself; for example, large potted fruit trees in the courtyard inspired the introduction of orange to the color palette. Ghost chairs and wicker placemats bring both modern and natural elements to the mix.
GrowinG up in a larGe family—she’s the second younGest of eiGht—caroline ply experienced
her fair share of weddinGs early in life. “I have six sisters, and my first wedding was one of my older sister’s when I was 12,” she says, noting how much she loved being a part of every little detail of the festivities. “As we’ve gotten older, I’ve loved watching each of them make the day their own.”
Caroline pursued an interior design degree before dipping her toe professionally into the wedding industry as an assistant for several planners in Northwest Arkansas. “I loved it so much, I would count down the days until the next wedding,” the planner recalls. When she and her husband relocated to Little Rock in 2020, she had several friends ask her to help plan and style their weddings. This led her to officially launch Caroline Ply Events, where she utilizes her design background to help brides visualize color palettes, room layouts, and tablescapes as well as perfect all the logistics leading up to “I do.”
For this inspirational shoot, Caroline played off the architecture of Chris H. Olsen’s Edgemont House in North Little Rock. “I toured this venue and felt like it was truly timeless and intimate,” she says. Read on to see how she combined a summery palette with modern details for an al fresco celebration that’s tailored and chic.
—Caroline Ply, wedding designer
Varying tier sizes and a sculptural bow (in edible ribbon!) give the traditional wedding cake a contemporary twist.
STYLE FORWARD “I wanted the wedding party’s style to be where some of the modern feel came into this look,” Caroline says. The bride’s sophisticated chignon bun and sleek sheath-style gown speak to a laid-back elegance that suits the venue and theme. Gray suits for the groom and groomsmen and light blue bridesmaids’ dresses keep everything airy and fresh.
IN FULL BLOOM An organic display of dahlias, delphiniums, veronica, campanulas, roses, snapdragons, antique carnations, olive branches, and blueberry foliage in the table arrangements coordinates with floral elements of the bridal and bridesmaids’ bouquets.
Resources BRIDE’S GOWN Unveiled Bridal Collection BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES Bella Bridesmaids CAKE Sweet Love Bakery FLORAL DESIGN Magnolia Belle Floral GROOM’S AND GROOMSMEN’S SUITS A Step Above HAIR AND MAKEUP Pout PAPER GOODS Paper Supply Co. PHOTOGRAPHER AND VIDEOGRAPHER Erin Wilson Photography and Films RENTALS Eventology RINGS Sissy’s Log Cabin VENUE The Edgemont House WEDDING DESIGN Caroline Ply Events
STYLE Oh, Happy Day!
Celebrate your big day in feminine silhouettes and eyecatching jewels perfectly suited to your style
ART DIRECTOR LAUREN CERRATO PRODUCER STEPHANIE MAXWELL NEWTON PHOTOGRAPHER RETT PEEK MODE L BRITTNY WYRICK, SCULP AGENCY HAIR AND MAKEUP ARTIST LAVONNE ANTHONY
Shot on location at Loft 1023 in Little Rock. Special thanks to Just Peachy for all balloon installations, backdrops, and rentals pictured.
“Mansfield” gown by Pronovias from Tesori. Jewelry provided by Romance Diamond Co.
Stack of rings include a tiara-style diamond band, milgrain diamond band, and semi-mount halo engagement ring with round-cut diamond center stone, all by Fana. Delicate diamond pendant necklace features a .25 carat center stone, and earrings are a 18K white gold and diamond “climber” style, both by ALink. Romance Diamond Co., Fayetteville, romancediamond.com
Dress and veil provided by Low’s Bridal.
“Sonnett” cap-sleeved gown by Dany Tabet with illusion neckline and floral appliqués. Unveiled, Little Rock, unveiledlittlerock.com
Bouquet of white ‘Mondial’ roses, anemones, and snapdragons with silver dollar eucalyptus and salal provided by Tanarah Luxe Floral.
Laine Berry “Dreamland” gown with tiered skirt and plunging neckline. Inverness Bridal Couture, Conway, invernessbridal.com
Jewelry provided by Sissy’s Log Cabin.
“Day” mikado silk gown by Pronovias. Tesori Bridal, Fayetteville, tesoribridalformal.com
Bouquet of peach-colored stock, ‘Faith’ garden roses, and dusty miller with silver dollar eucalyptus and salal provided by Tanarah Luxe Floral. Earrings provided by Romance Diamond Co.
“Rubina” strapless gown by Morilee featuring a sweetheart neckline and crystal, embroidery, and appliqué embellishments. Low’s Bridal, Brinkley, lowsbridal.com
A gold link necklace, fine freshwater pearls, and a baroque pearl necklace with diamond toggle clasp shown with 18K yellow gold, pearl, and diamond drop earrings. Rings are (from top) gold and diamond dome ring, triple-flower pavé diamond ring, and yellow and white gold leaf-inlay diamond band. Sissy’s Log Cabin, Conway, Jonesboro, Little Rock, Memphis, and Pine Bluff, sissyslogcabin.com
Dress provided by Tesori.
M c KENZIE +MATT
LITTLE ROCK 10.13.19
Musicians played “Jesus Paid It All,” one of McKenzie and Matt’s favorite hymns, while the couple took communion during the ceremony.
while ouachita Baptist university is what BrouGht
mcKenzie Gosser and matt savaGe toGether, the two began dating before they even stepped foot into class. They met through a group text of the university’s incoming freshmen and hit it off, even going to McKenzie’s senior prom together before officially beginning to date that summer.
Fast forward three-and-a-half years, and the couple became engaged in Matt’s parents’ yard where he had created a beautiful setup with lights, flowers, and photos of the two. Afterward, they celebrated with friends and family at a private party at Mugs Cafe in McKenzie’s hometown, North Little Rock. The theme of the coffeehouse gathering was “Matt + McKenzie: A Perfect Blend.”
After planning for close to a year, the two exchanged vows in an outdoor ceremony at Grandeur House. “Our officiant and pastor, Chris Ochterbeck with New Life Church, tailored the message just for us. He shared funny stories of our dating relationship and prayed sweet blessings over us,” McKenzie says. Following, guests dined on homestyle fare before enjoying treats from the coffee and s’mores bar. The pair celebrated the night away on the dance floor and then made their exit in McKenzie’s dad’s restored 1972 red Chevelle. After a honeymoon in the Dominican Republic, they are now at home in Little Rock.
MEANINGFUL ACCENTS McKenzie’s bouquet was wrapped with a bonnet she wore home from the hospital as a newborn as well as a special family locket engraved with a “G” for Gosser and the phrase “Once you are in, there is no way out.” The locket also holds photos of McKenzie’s grandparents and has been incorporated in all the Gosser grandchildren’s weddings.
CUSTOM CREATION McKenzie’s dad built an arbor she designed to use as the centerpiece of the ceremony. Fabric, greenery, and flowers were added to coordinate with the wedding’s overall scheme.
SWEET TREATS Confections abounded at the reception. A s’mores bar allowed guests to customize their own melted delicacy, while the groom’s table held a cake and cupcakes in Reese’s and carrot cake flavors. The bride chose to alternate layers of strawberry and classic almond for her five-tier cake that was decorated with a cascade of flowers.
BRINGING THE OUTSIDE IN The reception was held indoors, but Tanarah Luxe Floral brought nature inside with true-to-size amberlit cherry trees placed in a square around the dance floor. The effect was a forest-like setting for an evening of dancing and dining.
—MCKENZIE
Resources BRIDE’S GOWN Low’s Bridal CAKE PattiCakes Bakery CATERING Gina’s Catering CUSTOM PRODUCTS Kanga Studio ENTERTAINMENT (CEREMONY) Alisa Coffey ENTERTAINMENT (RECEPTION) Crown Entertainment FLOWERS Tanarah Luxe Floral GRAPHIC DESIGN (WEDDING LOGO) Paper Supply Co. GROOM AND GROOMSMEN’S SUITS Jos. A. Bank HAIR Ronnie Weatherly MAKEUP Melody McJunkins PHOTOGRAPHER Molly Anne Sandefur, Molly Anne Photo RENTALS Eventology VENUE Grandeur House VIDEOGRAPHER Forestland Films WEDDING COORDINATION AND DESIGN Jessika McCuin, Jessika McCuin Weddings
LAURA BETH +NATE
CONWAY 7.25.20
SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW While Laura Beth’s gown was purchased new for the big day, she had pieces of her mother’s, grandmother’s, and aunt’s wedding dresses sewn along its interior. “All three of these women have played a huge role in my life and in my raising. Years from now, I will always be reminded of them when I look at my wedding dress,” she says.
After meeting through A mutuAl friend while Attending A golf tournAment in StuttgArt, lAurA Beth wortmAn And nAte Smith
dAted for nine monthS Before he popped the queStion. On that special day, Nate told Laura Beth they were headed to the horse races in Hot Springs. While en route, his dad called and asked if they could stop by their farm to help him with a stalled truck. The story turned out to be a hoax, and Nate proposed on a beautiful bridge on the property on the spring day. “The proposal was magical,” Laura Beth recalls. Immediately following, the couple celebrated with a party at the bride-to-be’s parents’ home.
Laura Beth had always wanted either a spring or a summer wedding, and while touring venues with her mom, Missy, she fell in love with the charm and classic setting at Conway’s Legacy Acres. Upon learning July 25, 2020, was the only date available in the coming year, they decided to go for it.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, they had to make a few adjustments to their day; namely, reducing their guest list, transitioning from a buffet line to individual food stations, and rebooking their honeymoon to a domestic location. However, these changes could not put a damper on their day, which they describe as “classic, elegant, and romantic.” The couple exchanged vows amidst a garden-like backdrop of floral aisle runners bursting with seasonal blooms. They celebrated with guests by dancing and dining on a menu of Southern comfort food before leaving through a tunnel of sparklers for a getaway in Naples, Florida.
Due to the July heat, Laura Beth and Nate opted for a faux cake with one layer they could cut into as a couple. Guests were given the option of strawberry, chocolate, or white sheet cake to please every palate.
DREAMY FLORALS A summer garden came to life in both the Smiths’ ceremony and reception. The aisles of the ceremony setting were lined with a mix of white and blush hydrangeas, garden roses, delphiniums, spray roses, and lush greenery. Inside the reception, floralwrapped columns gave way to a cascade over the entry, while guest tables were in bloom with the same floral selections.
“Enjoy the moment! Don’t rush through the engagement process to get to ‘the big day.’
That day will come but there are special moments throughout the engagement process that you will never get back.”
—LAURA BETH
BRIDE’S GOWN, GROOM’S SUIT, AND GROOMSMEN’S ATTIRE She Said Yes Bridal BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES Bella Bridesmaid CAKES Mickey’s Cakes & Sweets CATERING Heritage Catering CATERING (SIGNATURE COCKTAIL POPSICLES) LePops Gourmet Ice Lollies ENTERTAINMENT Central Arkansas Entertainment, Chinatown Band, and Jordan Kahn Music Group FLORAL DESIGN Silks A Bloom HAIR Belle Cheveux MAKEUP Belle & Blush PHOTOGRAPHER Jo Johnson Photography RENTALS (EQUIPMENT) Sunbelt Rentals RENTALS (TABLETOP AND DÉCOR) Eventology RINGS Sage Fine Jewelry (Waco, Texas) PAPER GOODS Paper Supply Co. TRANSPORTATION Arkansas Destinations VENUE (CEREMONY AND RECEPTION) Legacy Acres VIDEOGRAPHER Britney Logan Photo + Video WEDDING COORDINATION AND DESIGN Anne-Claire Allen Owens, Anne-Claire Allen Planning & Design
ALISA +RICHARD
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS 11.16.19
“We just wanted a fun, lovefilled day.”
—ALISA
The couple’s Boston terriers, Harlow and Everley, hung out with the girls while they got ready and even shared in a few special family photos before Alisa and Richard departed for their ceremony.
After five yeArS of dAting, richArd horgAn couldn’t wAit A minute longer to propoSe to hiS Bride, AliSA
mAy. The couple, who met in Los Angeles while working in the fashion industry, enjoy taking their dogs for a walk every day after work, and Richard had planned to propose during one such walk. However, on this particular day, Alisa was tired from a long day at the office and just wanted to relax. “Needless to say, I was already so nervous and excited...I just couldn’t stop myself from getting down on one knee right in our kitchen to propose,” Richard says.
The couple, who dated for five years, took a year to plan their dream day, which they describe as moody and modern with a hint of rocker. They opted for a smaller, private ceremony at Mildred B. Cooper Chapel in Bella Vista but invited close to 200 friends to celebrate afterward at Fayetteville’s ThreatreSquared. Throughout the process, Alisa and Richard credit their planner, Maddie Ward of Sonnet Weddings, with helping them stay focused on their priorities of creating a memorable and fun day for them and their guests, complete with an open bar, a band, and transportation. They also stayed true to their style, making their wedding a reflection of their personalities. “We aren’t light, bright, and airy type of people, so we had really saturated colors in our flowers and everything else was pretty much black,” Alisa says of the palette. The same personal philosophy was applied to the menu. Alisa is a vegetarian, and working with friends who own local Mexican restaurants, they created a menu with plenty of fresh, flavorful selections. Last but not least, they hired their favorite band, Dial Up, to entertain guests throughout the evening. “We knew we wanted them as our wedding band; it’s always a party!” Alisa says. Now at home in Fayetteville, the pair are planning a delayed honeymoon to continue the celebration.
BEAUTIFUL CANVAS Having worked in the apparel industry, Alisa’s gown was a key element of the wedding. “I had no idea what kind of dress I would end up with when I first started looking. I even played around with the idea of designing my own gown. Then I found this dress at Joon, and it felt so great I couldn’t stop thinking about it! It was kind of like a blank canvas for me to accessorize and personalize,” she says.
On their wedding day, Richard gifted Alisa a pair of earrings by her favorite jewelry designer, Jade Trau, while she gave him a Rolex watch.
DANCE-FLOOR READY For the reception, Alisa opted to change into a dress more suited to dancing. She worked with Ashley Little at Fayetteville’s Material Concepts to design the short, spaghetti-strap gown that features feathers handsewn on its hem.
The wedding cake was a three-tiered confection with layers of chocolate, strawberry, and seasonal pumpkin covered in black icing and topped with a feather-and-floral design by Hannah Taylor of Fleurish Floral Studio.
Resources BRIDE’S GOWN (CEREMONY) Joon Bridal BRIDE’S DRESS (RECEPTION) Material Concepts CAKE The Cake Occasion CATERING La Huerta ENTERTAINMENT (RECEPTION) Dial Up 90s Band FLORAL DESIGN Fleurish Floral Studio GROOM’S SUIT Walker Brothers HAIR Meghan Foster and Brooke Holt, Blonde Salon MANICURES AND PEDICURES Gloss Nail Lounge PHOTOGRAPHER Laura Powers Photography RENTALS Randal Events and Victory and Co. RINGS Blakeman’s Fine Jewelry VENUE (CEREMONY) Mildred B. Cooper Chapel VENUE (RECEPTION) TheatreSquared WEDDING DESIGN AND COORDINATION Maddie Ward, Sonnet Weddings
SHELBY +GRANT
LITTLE ROCK 6.6.20
in 2020, even the BeSt-lAid plAnS
were SuBject to chAnge. However, Little Rock natives Shelby Snider and Grant Pickle didn’t let a pandemic postpone their plans to say “I do.” Instead, they considered what mattered most and adapted their big day to the circumstances at hand. Due to COVID-19, the wedding was put on hold until a couple of weeks before it was scheduled to take place. Thankfully, restrictions were lifted just in time, and they were able to pull together an intimate backyard ceremony and reception on the original date they had set.
The pair met in middle school and dated throughout high school and college before Grant proposed on a family beach trip in 2019. They knew they wanted a summer wedding and had snagged a date at a popular local venue, Legacy Acres, shortly after their engagement. “Little did we know we’d end up having a 30-person wedding in the middle of a pandemic!” Shelby laughs. She credits her mom as well as her photographer, Kati Mallory, and wedding planner, Anne-Claire Allen Owens, for making it the day the couple had always dreamed of. “Grant and I are both very family-oriented and love the simple things in life. Of course we missed our best friends being there in person with us, but it was our day and nothing could’ve stopped the overflowing joy we felt,” Shelby says.
After family friends offered their backyard for the ceremony, they decided on an integrated dinner and reception at the same location. Here, guests dined on comfort foods like fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, and biscuits before cutting into a classic cake from Mickey’s Cakes & Sweets. At the end of the night, loved ones held sparklers and cheered for the couple as they made their exit.
—SHELBY
GRANT’S FAVORITE MEMORY OF THE DAY “My favorite memory was seeing Shelby walk down the aisle. I had been waiting eight years for that moment.”
Shelby and Grant shared their first dance as husband and wife to Ben Rector’s “You’re Still the One.” SIMPLY SWEET DECOR Timeless white roses and hydrangeas—both summer staples—were set against a backdrop of greenery and candles on the tables.
SHELBY’S FAVORITE MEMORY OF THE DAY “Grant’s sister sang ‘O Come to the Altar’ and my brother passed communion to everyone. This was something we weren’t able to do with our original guest list, but since it was so small, we could implement this intimate and special moment.”
Resources BRIDE’S GOWN Low’s Bridal BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES Bella Bridesmaids CAKES Mickey’s Cakes & Sweets CATERING Crave Catering Company FLORAL DESIGN Silks A Bloom HAIR & MAKEUP Pout PAPER GOODS Hobart Print Studio PHOTOGRAPHER Kati Mallory, Kati Mallory Fine Art Photography RENTALS Eventology RINGS Sissy’s Log Cabin WEDDING DESIGN AND COORDINATION Anne-Claire Allen Owens, Anne-Claire Allen Planning & Design
LYNZIE +COLTON
PERRYVILLE 3.21.20
—COLTON
once it’S Set on A cAlendAr, it’S rAre thAt A wedding
dAte getS moved up. However, when COVID-19 hit, Lynzie Thoman and Colton Wylie adapted plans for their April 2020 wedding not by postponing it, but instead by moving it up five weeks.
On Friday, March 20, they realized the wedding was not going to look like what they had imagined. “I still remember Colton calling me at work,” says Lynzie, who is a nurse and was in the middle of a 12-hour shift. “He said, Why don’t we just get married tomorrow?” Lynzie agreed, but the two weren’t set on a location until she thought of the place where they went on their first date: the Ouachita National Forest. With breathtaking views and natural scenery as their backdrop, the top of the hiking trail at Flatside Pinnacle couldn’t have been a more romantic venue. With 11 guests in attendance and Lynzie’s dad serving as the officiant, the couple exchanged vows, focusing on their love for one another in a time of many unknowns.
While they both say it was difficult not to be able to have all of their friends and family alongside them to share the occasion, they were overjoyed to be able to be married on that day. “The most important thing was being able to say ‘I do,’ and I felt the same amount of joy no matter where it was said,” Lynzie says.
With a number of decisions and details in a short period of time, the two relied on their family and excellent vendors to help pull the day together. They note their photographer, Allie Atkisson, went above and beyond by arranging for a bouquet and bringing champagne, speakers, and music for their first dance as husband and wife. Now, after a honeymoon in St. Lucia, the couple are at home in Maumelle.
THINK FAST Because they planned their ceremony just hours before it was set to occur, the couple’s original florist was not able to get the flowers they had selected. Their photographer, Allie Atkisson, stepped in with a beautiful bouquet from Nitzia’s Designs, while Lynzie’s sister-in-law created bridesmaids’ bouquets and boutonnieres.
TRUE TO NATURE Not only was Flatside Pinnacle the site of their first date, it is a great reflection of Lynzie and Colton’s passions for hiking, camping, and all things outdoors. “We joked when we were originally planning that this style of wedding would be closer to our preference,” Lynzie says.
Lynzie’s grandmother made the bride’s favorite confection, a lemon cake, for the big day.
—LYNZIE
JUST HER STYLE One of Lynzie’s must-haves for the wedding day was a gown that “expressed who she is as a person.” She wanted it to be flowy and comfortable but also exquisite. “The Watters gown I picked was just my style, and I fell in love with it immediately,” she says.
Resources BRIDE’S GOWN She Said Yes Bridal FLORAL DESIGN Nitzia’s Designs HAIR AND MAKEUP Lavonne Anthony, Lavonne Beauty PHOTOGRAPHER Allie Atkisson Imaging VENUE Ouachita National Forest
NATALIE +HAYDEN
LITTLE ROCK 11.3.18
At their rehearsal, Hayden gave Natalie a diamond cross necklace to wear on their wedding day.
SWEET MEMORIES Hayden sent Natalie an arrangement of orchids on the day he asked her to be his girlfriend. “We shared this tidbit with Tipton & Hurst, and they created a cascade of white orchids for my bouquet,” Natalie says. “Now, every time I see an orchid it brings back a sense of nostalgia and reminds me of him.”
nAtAlie Byrd And hAyden hurSt BecAme An inSepArABle pAir After meeting At A mutuAl friend’S houSe Before A
rAzorBAckS gAme. The couple, who are both Little Rock natives, dated for three years before Hayden popped the question in their hometown. “We were living in New York City at the time, and Hayden knew it was important to have both of our families around us for the proposal,” Natalie says. She thought it was strange he wanted the two of them to exchange their personal gifts while back in Little Rock for the holidays, but she went along with the idea and was pleasantly surprised when his last gift to her was an engagement ring. A celebration dinner with their families followed and planning for the big day began.
Just as they wanted to become engaged in a place near their families, they also wanted to marry in their hometown, selecting First United Methodist Church as their ceremony location and the Country Club of Little Rock for their reception. They met with florist Tipton & Hurst to discuss the overall feel of the occasion. “I wanted to blend classic, Southern florals with slightly more wild and natural elements to create an ethereal garden inside the ballroom,” Natalie says of the vision. Both Hayden’s uncle, owner Howard Hurst, and lead floral designer Chris Norwood were instrumental in creating not only exquisite floral arrangements but also in helping to bring the scene to life with thoughtful suggestions in terms of color, lighting, and other elements of the day.
To set the mood at the reception, guests were greeted with cocktails and jazz when they entered. Additionally, Hayden created a personalized playlist that “sparked memories of special moments with friends and family who celebrated with us that night,” Natalie says. The Rodney Block Jazz Project brought the music to life and kept guests on the dance floor throughout the night. After a honeymoon abroad in Germany, Austria, and Hungary, the couple are at home in Greenwich, Connecticut.
—NATALIE
The fivetiered cake featured strawberry and vanilla layers.
TINY TREATS Rather than a groom’s cake, Hayden opted for miniature coconut cream, chocolate cream, and pecan pies.
SECOND LINE EXIT Musician Rodney Block started a second line on the dance floor to the tune of “When the Saints Go Marching In” for the couple’s exit. Guests showered Natalie and Hayden in petals as they made their getaway.
CATERING AND VENUE (RECEPTION) Country Club of Little Rock CAKES Mickey’s Cakes & Sweets ENTERTAINMENT (RECEPTION) Rodney Block Jazz Project EVENT COORDINATION Beth Elinksky, Country Club of Little Rock FLORAL DESIGN Tipton & Hurst HAIR Mauricio Martinez MAKEUP Augusta Andrews PAPER GOODS By Invitation Only PHOTOGRAPHER Christopher Nolan Photography RINGS Sissy’s Log Cabin VENUE (CEREMONY) United Methodist Downtown WEDDING COORDINATION Sheila Vaught
