Wedding Guide - February 2019

WEDDING GUIDE

Before You Say “I do” Congratulations, you’re getting married! But wait a minute.

There’s so much to plan before you say “I do,” isn’t there?

The ring! The venue! The photographer! How to wear your hair! And that’s just the start. It can seem overwhelming.

Take a breath.

Feel better?

Wonderful, because we’ve got you covered. Do South ® has gathered experts to make your dream day even dreamier. Plus, using trusted, local professionals should

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take the pressure off so that you can soak up all this joy.

Congratulations, you’re getting married!

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WEDDING GUIDE

The

Bonneville House Anne Marie Photo and Video annemariesstudio.com 479.650.7667

318 North 7th Street, Fort Smith bonnevillehouse.com Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/bonnevillehouse 479.782.7854 Whether you’ve dreamed of this day your entire life and planned every detail or you decided to keep it simple, skip

Your wedding day is one of the biggest days of your life and

all the fuss and say “I Do” with a few loved ones around,

choosing someone to capture your adventure is not a decision

we’ve got you covered! The Bonneville House is a full-

taken lightly. We would love to sit down with you and learn

service wedding and events venue. Our events manager

about your dreams for your wedding. We would be honored

and preferred vendors work together to help you plan your

to capture the first moments of your new family history! We

dream ceremony and reception. Our beautifully decorated

believe photography and video are something we were born

historic venue offers an elegant setting. We have 6 rooms, 2

to do, and we are fortunate to do what we love, side-by-side,

restrooms, a commercial kitchen, a spacious courtyard with

every day. Find us at annemariesstudio.com or drop us a line at

gazebo and a beautifully landscaped front lawn with endless

annemariesstudio@gmail.com. We can't wait to meet you!

possibilities. Call 479.782.7854 and mention Do South ® for your free tour and consultation.

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We are Annie and Shane Gray, a husband and wife creative duo!

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WEDDING GUIDE

WEDDING GUIDE BONNEVILLE HOUSE PREFERRED VENDORS

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WEDDING GUIDE

Hannah Wackerly was not officially engaged to Christopher (Chris) Davis until two days before their wedding at Chateau on the Greens in Greenwood, Arkansas. You might wonder how they were able to pull off a wedding with 100 guests in fortyeight hours.

WEDDING GUIDE

words Marla Cantrell Image courtesy Christopher and Hannah Davis via Special Moments Photography

The answer lies in the engagement ring, those few ounces of gold and gemstones that set the heart aflutter. Chris wanted to Christopher and Hannah Davis

The Two-Day Engagement

offer her a ring when he proposed. But when they first talked about getting married, he couldn’t afford the one he wanted.

They made plans without it, and when Chris, who’d been serving in the Marine Corps in Spain, flew home for the wedding, he popped the question in front of the entire airport. That was on December 20, 2018. The wedding, which they’d been organizing for seven months, took place on December 22.

Hannah describes their wedding as “laid-back formal.” Their colors were white, hunter green, red, and gold, a nod to the holiday season. The couple’s best moment was as Hannah was just about to walk down the aisle and Chris saw her in her gown for the first time.

That day would never have happened if Chris, who was serving in the Marine Corps, hadn’t visited Lakeside High School in Hot Springs, as part of a recruitment program. Hannah, a senior, had lingered in the hallway hoping to strike up a conversation but never got up the nerve, although later she learned that he had, in fact, spoken to her, but she was in such a rush to get to class she didn’t hear him.

After he’d deployed to Cuba, he messaged her on Instagram, and the romance began. Hannah says they couldn’t get enough of each other, even though they were more than twelve hundred miles apart. Two months later, Chris came home, and Hannah was at the airport, standing beside his mom and sister. “When he was finally in plain sight, we locked eyes. I don’t think the two was with a big hug, and I felt like I was so at home. Ever since that day, I knew I was going to marry this man.”

When the wedding took place, Hannah and Chris said ‘I do’ surrounded by family and friends. And every day since, Hannah says she’s been surprised by just how much you can love and cherish another person.

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of us had ever smiled so big. Our first interaction with each other

WEDDING GUIDE

Jade Graves Photography 4000 Rogers Ave., Fort Smith Find us on Facebook 479.782.9463

jadegravesphotography.com 479.996.5199

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I'm a River Valley-based photographer specializing in wedding Cheers Liquor strives to be a unique liquor store catering to

photography and lifestyle portraits. I love clean, timeless styles,

its customers. Since reopening in 2010, we have created the

and while I appreciate a flattering pose, I cherish moments

perfect bar for numerous weddings, parties, fundraisers and

captured when everyone forgets the camera is near. My

other special occasions. The bar should vary with every event

favorite wedding moment is just after the first kiss, when

and needs to represent the crowd or special couple. We know

the bride and groom turn to face their guests. Seeing their

how to help you with amounts, offer special pricing and love

joy and love gets me every time! A bride and groom promise

nothing more than finding the perfect signature drink. Contact

much to one another, and I promise to value your family, your

Cheers and ask for Emillie. She will gladly set up an appointment

memories and your time. I’ve captured hundreds of weddings

at your convenience to go over details and discover what your

and thousands of lifestyle portraits, and I can’t wait to talk

party should pour for their toasting. Cheers!

about capturing yours!

WEDDING GUIDE

5622 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith johnmaysjewelers.com 479.452.2140 Valentine’s Day is upon us, and that means love is in the

4400 Midland Blvd., Fort Smith kayrodgerspark.com 479.783.6176

air! Engagement season is gearing up, and so are we. Let Kay Rodgers Park Expo Center, located in the heart of Fort

stylist when you are preparing to “Pop the Question.” Our

Smith, is the perfect place for you and your future spouse to

experienced and knowledgeable staff can make this a fun

exchange vows and celebrate with your family and friends.

and memorable experience as you start this new and exciting

With more than 29,000 square feet of indoor space, and 9

chapter of your life. We carry the full line of Hearts on Fire

acres of parking, we can easily accommodate up to 1,500

engagement rings that are set with Idea Cut American Gem

guests. Tables, chairs, and a service kitchen are available for

Society principal Diamonds, and we can also design a ring with

all your catering and bar needs. Contact us today and let us

your influences to make it your own custom piece!

help you bring your wedding venue vision to life!

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our on-site Gemologists and Jewelers be your personal ring

WEDDING GUIDE

words Marla Cantrell Image courtesy Logan and Sara Elizabeth Howard via Anne Marie’s Photo and Video

On December 22, 2018, at the Enchanted Wedding Chapel in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Sara Elizabeth Chavis married Logan Howard in front of 125 guests. The two had met while students at the University of Central Arkansas. The following year, they started dating.

Sara remembers the moment Logan first told her he loved her.

“We were hugging, and his heart was pounding so hard before he said it, and it was the sweetest thing because I knew how

The Ultimate Proposal

much he meant it.”

The two went through all the rituals of dating, including meeting the parents. “I knew Sara was the one whenever she met my family for the first time a few months into dating,” Logan says.

“It was a Super Bowl party at my parents’ house with all my siblings. They loved her, and I knew I didn’t want to bring anyone else home to them.”

On January 20, 2018, Logan proposed. “I showed up at his apartment, and when I opened the door, there were rose petals and pictures of us lined up the staircase. I walked upstairs and heard our song playing (“Tenerife Sea” by Ed Sheeran) and turned the corner and there were hundreds of candles lit around the room. He was standing in the middle of the living room on a blanket that he had gotten made with our names on it. It was a complete surprise, and I loved how sweet and intimate it was.

Just the two of us!”

Their wedding was planned in less than a year, with so much care. Their colors for this holiday wedding were burgundy, black, gold, ivory, and lots of greenery. Sara carried a handkerchief from Logan’s mother’s side of the family that is nearly 120

Logan and Sara Howard

years old and has been carried by all the women in the family on their wedding day. For her something blue, Sara wore her grandmother’s ring (Sara is named after her grandmother), and

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all the granddaughters have worn on their wedding day.

The two decided to have a First Look, where couples see each other and take photos before the ceremony. “We were having a winter wedding, the daylight hours were limited,” Sara said.

“We didn’t want to have to rush taking pictures afterwards.

Reading letters to each other made the moment special before Logan turned around to see me.”

It was a perfect day and the start to a perfect life.

WEDDING GUIDE

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WEDDING GUIDE

2717 South 74th Street, Fort Smith passmoreplasticsurgery.com 479.274.6600

314 Lexington Ave., Fort Smith salonelements.com 479.649.3435

Weddings involve a lot of planning and preparation. If you

Love is in the Hair! On your wedding day, you'll have plenty

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are a mother of the bride, you may also want to plan for products and procedures to improve your appearance and maximize your confidence for your walk down the aisle.

Whether it’s injectables for treatment of frown lines and crow’s feet, Ultherapy to tighten the loose skin, PiQo4 fractional laser treatments, or surgical procedures, Passmore Plastic Surgery offers something for every budget and every mother of the bride.

to worry about other than your hair and make-up. Let the technicians at Elements Salon put your mind at ease. As one of the most established salons in NWA, we welcome local and out-of-town bridal parties for photo-ready makeup and styling. We offer massage, skin-care, make-up, and formal hair. You can relax with your bridal party for a day of relaxation and pampering. Whether it's just the bride or the whole wedding party, we invite you to enjoy your experience. We can even arrange for hors-d'oeuvres and drinks. Feel and look your best at Salon Elements!

WEDDING GUIDE

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WEDDING GUIDE

words Marla Cantrell Image courtesy Aaron and Hope Ann Harris via Virgila Dale Photography

On December 29, 2018, 250 guests gathered at The Loft at Stone Oak, in Greenwood, Arkansas, to witness the wedding of Hope Ann Durham and Aaron Harris.

The couple’s first date was in October 2016, and Aaron had shown up twenty minutes late, a fact that would not typically be endearing. But he was escorting someone home from a wedding rehearsal dinner, and Hope Ann was impressed by how kind he was. The two talked for hours, and they fell head over heels. The next evening, Aaron took Hope Ann to his best friend’s wedding,

The Message on the Pumpkin

where Aaron confessed to the groom that he’d met “the one.”

Hope Ann felt the same way. On September 24, 2017, after nearly a year of dating, Hope Ann was tending to the fifty guests she’d invited for a cookout to celebrate Aaron’s twenty-fourth birthday. The two had barely had a chance to speak.

She had hoped he’d propose that night, but her parents told her he hadn’t talked to them about it, so she didn’t think it was going to happen.

“I had thrown my hair into a ponytail and taken my heels off,” Hope Ann said. “Aaron asked me to take my hair down and put my shoes on so we could take a picture. After that, my mom insisted that I go grab pumpkins she bought for the kids to carve.”

Hope Ann didn’t see the sense in that because all the kids were swimming. But she did it anyway, and along the way, Aaron picked up a white pumpkin with the words “Will You Marry Me?” printed on it. He dropped to one knee, teary-eyed and grinning. Of course, she said yes.

Their wedding colors were navy blue, ivory, and cranberry. Hope Ann wore her grandmother Miriam Robinson’s mink fur shawl as

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Aaron and Hope Ann Harris

her something old, and a pearl necklace and bracelet, gifts from Aaron, as her something new. Before the ceremony, the two had several photos taken together, something she’s glad she did.

“Aaron and I got to have a moment to look at each other and hold one another while our photographer was taking pictures.

I loved this. It didn’t matter that I had a first look. When it was time for the ceremony, my dad, Aaron and I were crying all over again as if we hadn’t seen each other yet.”

The wedding, filled with love, was the perfect start to their life as husband and wife.

WEDDING GUIDE

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WEDDING GUIDE

sodies2you.com 479.926.2YOU

9505 Chad Colley Blvd., Fort Smith srgapts.com 479.222.6322

Sodie’s 2 You is the first mobile bartending and beverage

You’ve set the date, sent out the invitations, and now you’re

catering service in the River Valley, making it easier for you to host amazing parties anywhere! Let us know about your event, and we’ll help you arrange what you need. We pick up your prepaid liquor from the store of your choice and bring it to your event. We can even arrange for licensed bartenders to serve your guests. Our Custom Bartending Trailer is also available, featuring a dual-top margarita machine, two cocktail stations, wine refrigerator, taps for kegs, and iced beer bins.

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Contact us at 479-926-2YOU or wedeliver@sodies2you.com.

looking for a place to start your life together. The Reserve would love to be your first home. Outstanding amenities include granite countertops, laminate floor wood floors, large walk-in closets, pool with cabanas, clubhouses, theater room, tanning bed, business center, and state of the art fitness center. We even have beautifully furnished units with everything included: furniture, bedding and kitchen items, and all utilities paid. Call today at 479.222.6322 to schedule your tour and find out more at srgapts.com.