Article Categories Real Weddings

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!” …

Alicia & Luke

January 9, 2019 by Stephanie Maxwell Newton

Alicia + Luke
Pangburn // April 28, 2018

Alicia Hamilton and Luke Moore had dated for close to four years when they began to talk about marriage. “Luke and I had talked about getting engaged for about six months prior to him proposing. I am very difficult to surprise, so I believed I would know when he was proposing,” Alicia says….

Hailey & Daniel

January 9, 2019 by Stephanie Maxwell Newton Leave a Comment

Hailey + Daniel
Greenwood // June 2, 2018

You could say that Hailey Flatte and Daniel Wilkinson have had chemistry from the start. The two first met in a high school chemistry class in their hometown of Greenwood. They hit it off while working on several group projects and began dating a few months later….

Stephanie & Patrick

January 9, 2019 by Stephanie Maxwell Newton

Stephanie + Patrick
Little Rock // November 4, 2017

Stephanie Maxwell and Patrick Newton have their mutual friend, Colleen, to thank for their introduction. “I was living in London when Patrick moved to Little Rock for a job,” Stephanie says. “Colleen had kind of taken Patrick under her wing to introduce him to friends around town, and she emailed me to say I needed to meet him when I moved back.” Once Stephanie was back in her hometown, the two met at Colleen’s birthday/Sugar Bowl party. They hit it off, began hanging out, and eventually started dating several months later….

Jenni & Aaron

January 9, 2019 by Stephanie Maxwell Newton

Jenni + Aaron
Rogers // February 24, 2018

It’s rare that dads of the bride and groom serve as matchmakers, but Jenni Goodwin and Aaron Owen initially crossed paths because of their fathers. “We met at a scholarship day at a college that neither of us ended up going to. Our dads recognized each other from their time together at the University of Arkansas, where they lived next door in the dorms,” Jenni recalls. The couple, who both chose to attend the University of Central Arkansas, ended up in the same group of friends and began dating during their sophomore year….

CONLEY + JUSTIN

MINA + JAMES

MARY DANIEL + JOHN

AMBER + JOSH

NATALIE + KEVIN

CAROLINE + BLAKE

Alicia & Luke

Hailey & Daniel

Stephanie & Patrick

Jenni & Aaron

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