RETRO REIMAGINED

from Weddings in Arkansas | Fall/Winter 2021

by Root Publishing Inc.

JEN SPORE + BO BRISTER

BOLDLY BEAUTIFUL

Rona Luong takes cues from one of her favorite time periods to design a magical and memorable wedding scene

WRITER STEPHANIE MAXWELL NEWTON PHOTOGRAPHER SHALAE BYRD PHOTOGRAPHY

“EvEry timE i do a stylEd shoot, i always want to do somEthing diffErEnt,” says EvEnt dEsignEr

and coordinator rona luong. As one of the owners of Mint + Mix Events & Design, she has the responsibility of tailoring each wedding day to a bride’s vision. However, when she sets out to style an editorial shoot, the possibilities are endless. “I love being able to have ideas with no limitations and to do something people might not dare to do,” she says. “I ask myself, What’s different? What hasn’t been done yet?”

For one of her recent styled shoots, Rona dreamed up a midcentury modern-inspired scheme that played vintage décor against the contemporary backdrop of Heroncrest Event Center in Northwest Arkansas. “I love all modern things, but I wanted to take it back a bit and bring in some older items so it didn’t all feel too new,” she says. “I had so much fun going to vintage stores and finding the typewriters, suitcases, vinyl records, old cameras, and things like that.” To complete the scene, Rona invited local vendors to incorporate their own takes on the theme, creating a bright and beautiful setting unlike any other.

FLOWER POWER The warm autumn palette of orange, red, and yellow was inspired by the antique Chevrolet that made an appearance in this cheerful wedding scene. Stems by Em drew from these hues to create a bouquet and coordinating table arrangements, as well as a showstopping installation of greenery, fall foliage, and blooms that spill out of the truck.

“I love being able to have ideas with no limitations and to do something people might not dare to do.”

—Rona Luong

DELICIOUS DETAILS Rona called on Carmelita Catering Co. to create a menu of appetizers to be served alongside cocktails provided by Mint 2 Mix, the bar service arm of Mint + Mix’s business. “I’m a sucker for cocktail hour and little bites, and I’m very passionate about the bartending side,” Rona says, noting Mint 2 Mix makes all cocktails to order from scratch. Sips and Sweets NWA provided a chocolate wedding cake with praline filling, while Tap Truck Ozarks was on hand for mobile draft beer service.

Resources BAR SERVICE Mint 2 Mix BRIDE’S GOWN Tesori CAKE Sips and Sweets NWA CATERING Carmelita Catering Co. and Tap Truck Ozarks FLORAL DESIGN Stems by Em GROOM’S SUIT Mr. Tux NWA HAIR AND MAKEUP Amanda Owens PAPER GOODS Dayflower Designs PHOTOGRAPHY Shalae Byrd Photography RENTALS Mint + Mix Events VENUE Heroncrest Event Center WEDDING DESIGN AND COORDINATION Rona Luong, Mint + Mix Events WE’RE TAKING IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL. MEET