Photography: Eugene Grace Weddings |
Caroline McCombs + Joshua Motes
May 28, 2016 | Fayetteville, AR
Photography Courtesy: Eugene Grace Weddings
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
Caroline and Joshua were set up by a mutual friend who knew the pair would be perfect for each other. The friend, Charles, called Caroline and Joshua independently and invited them to dinner. He told them they must come because their future spouse would be in attendance.
The Trip of a Lifetime
After a year of dating, Caroline and Joshua took a quick trip to Dallas. They drove down from Fayetteville early on a Saturday morning. Caroline said she didn’t know any of the day’s details but had a few suspicions. Joshua took his soon-to-be-bride to his grandfather’s land north of Dallas—a place he grew up visiting as a child. Caroline recalls looking out at the view and then turning around to see Joshua on his knee. Since Joshua is from Los Angeles, it made sense for the couple to celebrate at In-N-Out Burger, which originated in L.A.
Ceremony Sweetness
Caroline and Joshua wanted the ceremony to be not just about them but also praising and glorifying Jesus for what marriage symbolizes. To incorporate this idea, they asked their families to come to the altar and place their hands on them to pray after communion. “It was such a sweet moment before we said, ‘I do,’” Caroline says.
World’s Fare
A portion of Caroline’s childhood was spent living abroad in the Netherlands. To pay tribute to this, she asked the chef at Ella’s (the restaurant within Inn at Carnall Hall) to recreate her favorite Dutch miniature pancakes, known as Poffertjes, for a late-night snack. The pancakes are served with butter and powdered sugar, adding to their delectableness.
Art Inspiration
Art is one of Caroline’s passions, and the Rococo movement is a favorite period for her. She used this as the vision for the couple’s wedding day. She notes that “Rococo Art was characterized by asymmetrical values, pastel color palettes, and an overall whimsical garden theme. It is very similar to what the garden looked like in the 1993 movie The Secret Garden. So, I asked for floral arrangements that looked whimsical and organic in design. We had ranunculus, garden roses, succulents, lavender, willow branches, and more.”
Let It Glow
As the night began to wind down, glow sticks were handed out to all the guests. The pair ran through a tunnel of neon light to make their grand exit.
Honeymoon Destination
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Caroline’s Advice for Newly Engaged Couples
“Remember to have fun and have lots of grace for one another! Engagements are a weird time because in a sense, you have one foot in and one foot out. There can be a lot of stress and anxiety leading up to the big day; just take it one day at a time and be in the moment! You have forever to be married.”
Resources
Bride’s gown: Low’s Bridal & Formal, Brinkley
Cake: Shelby Lynn’s Cake Shoppe, Springdale
Catering: Ella’s Restaurant, Inn at Carnall Hall, Fayetteville
Floral design: Tanarah Luxe Floral, Little Rock
Groom’s and groomsmens’ attire: Jos. A. Bank, locations statewide
Hair: Claire Williams, Shag Salon, Fayetteville
Lighting: Lightworks Events, Fayetteville
Makeup: Sarah Spoon, Sarah Ellen Makeup, Fayetteville
Music—ceremony: Maestro Quartet, Fayetteville
Photographer: Eugene Grace Weddings, Fayetteville
Paper goods: Shindig Paperie, Fayetteville
Venue—ceremony: Old Main Lawn, Fayetteville
Venue—reception: Inn at Carnall Hall, Fayetteville
Wedding coordination: Amanda Reed, Bates-Reed Brides, Fayetteville
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