Kirsten & Chase

Photography: Keely Montoya, The Montoya Collective  |  

KIRSTEN + CHASE
Fayetteville // August 5, 2017

Fayetteville natives Kirsten Blowers and Chase Morman had “known of” each other for many years; however their paths had only crossed more recently. One Memorial Day weekend on Beaver Lake with friends, Chase asked Kirsten to be his date to see an upcoming Doobie Brothers concert. “To this day, he says he asked me on a boat so I couldn’t say ‘no.’ Otherwise, it would be incredibly awkward for everyone else,” Kirsten laughs.

The fateful date led the couple on an almost year-long courtship before Chase bought a ring, talked with his family and Kirsten’s dad, and proposed—all in one afternoon. With the help of planner Jessica Kersey of JLK Weddings, Kirsten and Chase planned a dreamy summer’s evening wedding that would take place three short months after their engagement. “I loved giving ourselves the challenge of planning a wedding in three months, because there was no time for second doubts about any of our decisions, and it was amazing to have Jessica help us coordinate all the details,” Kirsten says.

Today, you’ll find the couple managing Kirsten’s retail shop, Riffraff, and their newly opened joint venture, City Supply, both of which are located on the Fayetteville town square.

 

“Organic floral designs featuring mostly greenery adorned the wedding from beginning to end,” says planner Jessica Kersey. Potted greenery in oversized terracotta pots created the border of the aisle to the ceremony.

Kirsten surprised Chase at the couple’s “first look” with a visit from his beloved dog, Lucy. “We really loved getting the jitters out as just the three of us,” she says.

 
Chase’s mother often sang “Edelweiss” (from The Sound of Music) to him when he was a child. As a nod to this, the flower was incorporated in his boutonniere.

Fresh watermelon, a childhood birthday favorite of Chase’s, served as the groom’s cake.

The couple had planned to only serve watermelon rather than cake at the reception; however, Kirsten’s mother convinced her they would miss having an actual cake. She set up a tasting where they selected strawberry cake with orange cream-cheese icing. “My parents still laugh that, of course we would serve watermelon and an almost neon orange cake at our wedding, but it was delicious and very us!” the bride says.

“We’ve never heard anyone complain about eating pizza; so we knew pizza and champagne would be perfect for our guests. And easy!” Kirsten says.

Resources
Bride’s Gown Tesori Cake The Fayetteville Pastry Shop Catering (beer) Core Brewery Catering Eureka Pizza Fireworks Hog Wild Pyrotechnic Floral Design Pigmint Floral Studio Hair and makeup Bo Senesomxay Lighting Lightworks Events music (ceremony) Smoothman Music Productions Music (reception) DJ Mike Chase, Extreme Dance Machines Photo booth NWA Magic Mirror Photo Booth Photography Keely Montoya, The Montoya Collective Venue Autumns Ridge Wedding Coordination and design Jessica Kersey, JLK Weddings