Mallory + Gray

Photography: The Brothers Martens  |  

Mallory + Gray
Little Rock // 5.8.21

Mallory O’Quinn and Gray Millsap ran in the same circles throughout their time at Little Rock’s Central High; however, it wasn’t until years later that the two fell for one another. During the holiday season, they were both in town visiting family and hit it off on a bowling night with friends. A year and a half later, Gray proposed to Mallory on their back porch over margaritas.

Although the couple live in Texas, they wanted to be married in their hometown, and Mallory knew the perfect location: the backyard of Gray’s family home. “We pictured our wedding to be intimate in such a meaningful space and to feel at home,” the bride says. They also wanted their guests to “feel immersed in the celebration.”

Mallory worked with her best friend (and bridesmaid), Macy Pulliam of Dallas-based Social Llama Events, to put a signature spin on the big day. One of the biggest undertakings came in transforming the backyard into a true destination. A tent was a must-have on the couple’s list to make this happen. “We built a special structure with Gray’s childhood home and street on one side and lush forest on the other. Once in the tent, you were truly present,” Mallory says.

Following the garden ceremony, guests dined on a trifecta of culinary favorites, including barbecue to represent their Arkansas upbringings, Tex Mex, and Asian stir-fry, before taking to the dance floor. “We knew we had to have a big band and made a caveat for no break—no time to stop the party!” Mallory says. At the end of the evening the newlyweds shared a final dance while guests did a second line exit to the front of the house. Guests called the Hogs and cool sparklers exploded as they made their way to a baby blue Cadillac that took them to the Capital Hotel for the evening. After a honeymoon in St. Lucia, the Millsaps are now at home in Dallas.

Mallory carried a bouquet of peach French tulips, a favorite for both her and her mother.

“Everything about the weekend was special and intentional as an ode to our Arkansas roots.”
—Mallory O’Quinn Millsap

Love Strikes
As a nod to their meeting place—and the site of their first kiss—a custom booth was created to mimic a bowling alley, complete with cubbies holding iconic leather shoes. The booth also held a three-tiered wedding cake, a champagne tower, and a fun fact sheet designed to look like a bowling scorecard with details about the couple.

Cocktail napkins depicted the venue as well as the couple’s dogs.

Mallory and Gray shared their first dance to “Nobody But You” by Charles Bradley.

Resources
Accommodations The Capital Hotel Cake Blue Cake Co. Entertainment (Ceremony) Jack Dawson and Patrick O’Brien Entertainment (Reception) The Party Jammers (Memphis, TN) Floral Design Tanarah Luxe Floral Hair Heather Copeland, The Fix Salon Lighting Central Arkansas Entertainment Live Artist Steve Griffith Photography and Videography The Brothers Martens (Dallas, TX) Rentals Central Arkansas Entertainment, Eventology and Social Llama Rentals (Dallas, TX) Transportation Vintage Motor Cars Wedding Coordination and Design Social Llama Events (Dallas, TX)