We’re in love with the Valentine’s Day tones of Rachel and Mat Crispell’s real wedding! While the two were married on New Year’s Eve, the red and pink palette of their wedding day florals and the soft blush gowns donned by the bridal party are perfect for this time of year. Read on to learn how Rachel and Mat incorporated an air of romance and meaningful military traditions into their big day.
“The military has always been an integral part of Mat’s and mine relationship as we met and fell in love at the United States Naval Academy,” Rachel says. Mat is currently a First Lieutenant serving as an infantry officer in the Marine Corps, and Rachel is an Ensign in the Navy attending the military’s medical school, Uniformed Services University. Because of this shared history and career, military traditions—such as cutting the cake with a saber and having Mat and his groomsmen wear their military uniforms—was a natural choice for the couple. “Mat’s parents also met at the Naval Academy and had a military wedding less than a week after they graduated. We have followed in their footsteps in many ways so far, and we were happy to continue the family traditions in our wedding,” Rachel says.
The couple worked with Meredith Corning of Meredith Events and Silks A Bloom to plan a celebration with friends and family at Grandeur House in Little Rock that was “romantic, fun, traditional, and elegant,” Rachel says. “I just wanted it to be fun and a good celebration of our love. ”
Rachel’s advice to engaged couples: “In today’s world, planning a wedding is almost a full-time job. It is easy to become stressed about food, flowers, invitations, dresses … the list goes on and on! Our advice is to focus on the love between you and the person you chose to marry. Even if everything imaginable goes wrong on your wedding day, it is still the start of a new and beautiful life together. Now, a year into our marriage, we wish you all of the happiness we have experienced and more!”
“The saber arch is an old military wedding tradition meant to salute the bride and groom and to welcome the civilian spouse into the military,” Rachel says. “I first heard about the tradition from my aunt and uncle who had one at their wedding, and my Aunt Dena impressed upon me how moving the tradition was for her. The saber arch has been a special moment at all of the military weddings Mat and I have attended.”
Rachel and Mat cut the cake with a sword, which is another common tradition for military weddings.
Wedding Resources
Cake Mickey’s Cakes & Sweets
Catering and bar Vibrant Occasions
Dance floor (custom) The Dance Floor Man
Floral design Silks A Bloom
Entertainment (ceremony) Arkansas Capital String Quartet
Entertainment (reception) Central Arkansas Entertainment
Hair Juli Waits, Red Beauty Lounge
Makeup Belle and Blush and Jessica Humerick
Photographer and videographer Erin Wilson Photography & Films
Rentals Eventology
Transportation Arkansas Destinations and Vintage Motorcars
Venue Grandeur House
Wedding planning and coordination Meredith Corning, Meredith Events