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CONLEY + JUSTIN

July 9, 2019 by Stephanie Maxwell Newton Leave a Comment

Conley + Justin
Little Rock // June 23, 2018

Surprises were in store for Conley Harrison when her now- husband, Justin Wortman, invited her to what she thought was a charity event at his parents’ home. When she arrived, his mom told her a news crew was there to do a story on the event, and she and Justin went to the pool area to check it out. Here, with Pinnacle Mountain in the background, Justin proposed, and their friends and family (who were all gathered for the “event”) rushed in to celebrate with the couple….

MINA + JAMES

July 9, 2019 by Stephanie Maxwell Newton Leave a Comment

Mina + James
Little Rock // October 20, 2018

The couple exchanged vows at James’s dad and stepmother’s home amidst a natural fall backdrop.

A chance meeting via phone led to romance for Mina Pham and James Greenhaw. “James worked for Hewlett-Packard in Conway, and I worked for a company that was a partner of HP in Washington, D.C.,” Mina says. “We got to know each other when he visited D.C. later in the year, and the rest is history.” …

MARY DANIEL + JOHN

July 9, 2019 by Stephanie Maxwell Newton Leave a Comment

Mary Daniel + John
Little Rock // September 1, 2018

Two worlds collided when Mary Daniel Simpson and John Morgan met in law school at the University of Virginia. “From our first date on, I knew I wanted to marry him,” Mary Daniel says. “Although we are both attorneys, and seemingly quite similar (we joke that we began finishing each other’s sentences on our first date and have never stopped!), I view him as my perfect complement rather than my twin. I wanted our wedding to reflect exactly that—our similarities and differences.”

Notably, Mary Daniel wanted the day to show the in influence of the couple’s hometowns. She is from Little Rock, while John grew up in Texas but is originally from the mountains of Panama. Working with Anne-Claire Allen Owens of Anne-Claire Allen Planning & Design, they set out to combine these destinations into what Mary Daniel calls “one large party.”

The couple exchanged vows at Little Rock’s First Presbyterian Church, which was adorned with a bevy of bright pink orals to reflect Panama’s tropical atmosphere. For the reception, a change of venue (moving to the Clinton Presidential Center) signaled a start to the party. Here, guests were greeted with a glass of Panama sangria before dining on Arkansas favorites, including fried chicken and macaroni and cheese. Later in the evening Tex-Mex sliders and quesadillas (a nod to where the newlyweds would make their home in Texas) were delivered to the dance floor to keep the party going.

The décor included Mary Daniel’s family’s large collection of blue-and-white Chinoiserie vases, vivid floral arrangements and table garlands, a custom monogram (that embellished everything from the dance floor to drink stirrers), and a milk-and-cookies bar in lieu of a groom’s cake. “I would advise brides to plan around the moments and details that are most important to them. And, find someone—a planner, a friend, or family member—who will champion your ideas,” Mary Daniel says.

A WARM WELCOME
Out-of-town guests were greeted with boxes of Arkansas favorites, including a Lux candle from Des Arc and marshmallow treats from The Crispery, which has its bakery in Pine Bluff. Gardenias, seen on the printed items in the welcome box as well as the invitation’s envelope liner, were incorporated as a tribute to the bride’s late paternal grandmother’s love of the flower.

PALETTE THAT POPS
Sky blue shantung silk bridesmaids dresses and warm pink and white blooms set the tone for the wedding’s palette. “Anne-Claire was a magician at incorporating blue, white, and pink throughout the wedding weekend,” Mary Daniel says.

Artist Deborah Allen of Little Rock created the monogram painting on display at the bar.
Mary Daniel’s family’s collection of blue-and-white vases originated with her maternal grandmother. The use of the vases throughout the decor as well as the fans given out at the reception are reflective of her influence on the bride’s life.
ABOVE IT ALL
Prior to the ceremony, a balloon release paid tribute to deceased family and friends. “When I was young, my brother passed away, and my grandmother helped me understand the concept of death by sending balloons up to heaven for my brother,” Mary Daniel says. “This was an incredibly important part of the day for me.”

MODERN MEETS TRADITIONAL
The contemporary architecture of the Clinton Presidential Center spoke to John’s preference for clean-lined design, while classic blue-and-white porcelain pieces and linens reflect Mary Daniel’s love of traditional accessories.

We joke that we began finishing each other’s sentences on our first date and have never stopped! – Mary Daniel

Resources
ACCESSORIES (HANDKERCHIEFS) Fresh i.d. ACCOMMODATIONS The Capital Hotel BRIDE’S GOWN (CEREMONY) Inverness Bridal BRIDE’S GOWN (RECEPTION) She Said Yes Bridal BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES Bella Bridesmaids CAKES Mickey’s Cakes & Sweets CATERING AND VENUE (RECEPTION) Clinton Presidential Center FAVORS Lux Fragrances and The Crispery FLORAL DESIGN Silks A Bloom HAIR Aubrey Smith Munsey, Lox Hair Lounge MAKEUP Megan Irwin MONOGRAM Deborah Allen Art MUSIC (RECEPTION) Funky Town, RAM Entertainment (Memphis, Tennessee) PHOTOGRAPHER Kati Mallory Photo & Design PLANNING AND DESIGN Anne-Claire Allen Planning & Design PRINTING AND SIGNAGE Hobart Print Studio RENTALS Hank’s Event Rentals TRANSPORTATION Arkansas Destinations VENUE (CEREMONY) First Presbyterian Church VIDEOGRAPHY Nathan Willis Wedding Films

AMBER + JOSH

July 9, 2019 by Stephanie Maxwell Newton Leave a Comment

Amber + Josh
Paron // October 27, 2018

“I have always been in love with the weather and the foliage of fall, and I was set on having a fall wedding,” Amber says.

For Amber Smith and Josh Cissell, love seemed to come out of nowhere. The pair, who both grew up in Little Rock but didn’t meet until their freshman year at the University of Arkansas, had mutual friends but had never of offcially crossed paths. That is, until Josh stopped Amber one day on her way to class and asked her out. “It was so out of the blue; we hardly knew each other,” Amber says. “I was hesitant at first but decided to give him a chance, and we have been together ever since!” …

NATALIE + KEVIN

July 9, 2019 by Stephanie Maxwell Newton Leave a Comment

Natalie + Kevin
Leachville // May 5, 2018

For Natalie Lipsky and Kevin Hulett, what started as a junior high crush between two friends ending up leading to a lifetime of togetherness. Natalie and Kevin met in eighth grade at Brookland Junior High and became instant friends, often writing and reading notes to one another, then began dating junior year. After five years of dating, Kevin knocked on Natalie’s door, flowers in hand, with an extra special note to read. “He told me different qualities he wanted in a wife and how I met all of those qualities. He shared what the Bible says about marriage and read a few verses to me, and then got down on one knee,” Natalie says. After accepting his proposal, the couple celebrated their joy with their families, and the planning began. …

CAROLINE + BLAKE

July 9, 2019 by Stephanie Maxwell Newton Leave a Comment

Caroline + Blake
Tontitown // June 30, 2018

Caroline Franco and Blake Ceola both grew up in Tontitown. Their sisters were close friends, and they even remember playing together on weekends. However, sometimes fate takes its time. “There was just enough of an age gap between Blake and I that we didn’t become friends until our mothers played matchmaker in the spring of 2016,” Caroline says. “We both pocketed this crazy idea for a while since we thought it was super weird, but, to our surprise, it was actually perfect!” …

Natural Beauty

July 9, 2019 by Stephanie Maxwell Newton Leave a Comment

Local vendors craft a folk-inspired wedding scene against the landscape of Osage House

When photographer Olivia Fryer was looking for a venue for this styled shoot in Northwest Arkansas, it didn’t take her long to land on a location. “Osage House is being built on this really gorgeous property that is pretty vast and private,” Olivia says. “It’s such a great example of how beautiful the outdoors are in Arkansas.” The 54-acre property in Cave Springs is home to a chapel, reception hall, and covered outdoor area, all of which are set to open this summer.

…

Fully Floral

July 9, 2019 by Stephanie Maxwell Newton Leave a Comment

When it comes to incorporating blooms into your wedding-day look, don’t be afraid to get creative

A bouquet of king protea, yellow stock, blue hydrangeas, orange spray roses, ‘Pink Floyd’ roses, ‘Peach Avalanche’ roses, billy balls, ruscus, and spiral eucalyptus wrapped in satin ribbon. Silks A Bloom, Little Rock, silks-a-bloom.com

Dress provided by She Said Yes Bridal

Flower crown featuring ‘Blizzard’ roses, ‘Cool Water’ roses, cremon, ruscus, and seeded eucalyptus. Tipton & Hurst, Conway, Little Rock, North Little Rock, and Pine Bluff, tiptonhurst.com

Boutonnieres with ‘Porcelina’ spray roses, ‘Vandalia’ roses, white hypericum, blush wax ower, seeded eucalyptus, parvifolia eucalyptus, and baby spiral eucalyptus. Ye Olde Daisy Shoppe, Conway, yeoldedaisy.

A floral necklace featuring white lisianthus, white wax ower, green dianthus, bleached ruscus, succulents, and lichens. Tanarah Luxe Floral, Little Rock, tanarahluxe oral.com

Handheld hoop adorned with ‘Blizzard’ roses, ‘Cool Water’ roses, cremon, ruscus, and seeded eucalyptus. Tipton & Hurst, Conway, Little Rock, North Little Rock, and Pine Bluff, tiptonhurst.com

Dresses provided by Bella Bridesmaid

Fruits Aplenty

July 9, 2019 by Stephanie Maxwell Newton Leave a Comment

Creative confections inspired by a bounty of berries, pears, and pomegranates

Two-tier lemon cake with raspberry lling and traditional buttercream icing, garnished with sugar-dusted seasonal berries. Ambrosia Bakery Co., Hot Springs, ambrosiabakeryco.com

Strawberry cake with strawberry créme lling (bottom tier) and traditional wedding cake with lemon curd (top tier), both iced with buttercream, painted in edible gold paint, and garnished with colored dehydrated pears. PattiCakes Bakery, Conway, patticakesbakery.com

Multi-tier Italian cream cake with blood orange curd lling and a Roman-inspired design that features gray marbled fondant on bottom tiers, a barrel hexagon tier with fondant leaves, and a top tier with fondant ribbon bands. Accented with pomegranates, olive branches, and handmade sugar nectarines. Shelby Lynn’s Cake Shoppe, Springdale, shelbylynnscakeshoppe.com

Suite Life

July 9, 2019 by Stephanie Maxwell Newton Leave a Comment

Eye-catching envelope liners and foil-pressed accents make a meaningful first impression on wedding guests

1 Square invitation featuring custom gold foil and envelope with oral-motif liner.
By Invitation Only, Little Rock, byinvitationonlylr.com

2 Letterpress die-cut invitation with custom watercolored envelope liner and calling card. Jessie Russell Fuchs, Little Rock, jessierussellfuchs.com

3 “Ebbe” wedding invitation by Racheal Bumbolo for Bella Figura with coordinating reception card and envelope. The Social Type, Little Rock, facebook.com/thesocialtypelr

4 “Lucent” wedding invitation by Lindsy Talarico for Bella Figura with coordinating save-the-date card, reception card, and envelope. Shindig Paperie, Fayetteville, shindigpaperie.com

CONLEY + JUSTIN

MINA + JAMES

MARY DANIEL + JOHN

AMBER + JOSH

NATALIE + KEVIN

CAROLINE + BLAKE

Natural Beauty

Fully Floral

Fruits Aplenty

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