Sydney + Noah

Photography: Taryn Lynn Photography  |  

Sydney + Noah
Bentonville // 9.19.20

Sydney Steele thought she was headed to a business dinner with her boyfriend of six years, Noah West, when the couple pulled into Springdale’s Sassafras Springs Vineyard. However, Noah had other plans. Upon entering the property, he drove back to the chapel area. “Before I knew it, he was getting down on one knee,” Sydney says. After she said yes, the couple, who are both from Springdale and met in high school, went back to his family’s home to celebrate and begin planning their dream day.

Wanting to be married in Northwest Arkansas in the fall, they chose a mid-September date. “I always knew I wanted to get married at The Ballroom at I Street,” Sydney says. “This venue was perfect for a garden ceremony and then an elegant reception.” Working with Buzz Events, they created a day Sydney describes as modern, elegant, and sentimental. “When we first started our planning, we wanted to make sure this day felt like us as a couple. We wanted to keep it simple but also have those special touches,” she says. For example, a family friend made blueberry wine for the event, which the couple had bottled with custom labels; and Sydney’s grandpa’s homemade chocolate chip cookies were served as a late-night treat.

After dinner and dancing, guests said their farewells with pop-out streamers before the couple exited in a 1950s convertible. Noah planned the honeymoon, surprising Sydney with a trip to St. Lucia. “Things got a bit crazy when our original destination closed one month before our honeymoon. However, Noah was still able to pull off a big surprise, and I boarded the plane with no idea where we were going,” Sydney says. Today, the couple are at home in Fayetteville.

Traditional Touches
The couple followed the something old, something new tradition by using Sydney’s great-great-grandfather’s Bible and a borrowed handkerchief from her grandmother. Additionally, the bride wore new earrings that were a gift from her groom and a sapphire bracelet from her mother for something blue.

At First Sight
“My favorite part of the day was our first look. It was important for us to get to spend time together before the ceremony,” Noah says.

SIMPLE STATEMENTS
Sydney wanted to stay within a palette of white and green for the floral selections. The bridesmaids carried white roses, while the bride’s bouquet also featured orchids.

“This venue was perfect for a garden ceremony and then an elegant reception.”
—Sydney

Details of the Day
Screens adorned with magnolias and orchids held table assignments for guests. The bridal cake featured vanilla with raspberry filling, Neapolitan, and vanilla with lemon filling layers. A family friend made blueberry wine for the occasion, which Sydney and Noah bottled with custom labels.

An installation of champagne flutes greeted guests as they entered the reception.

Dancing the Night Away
“My favorite memory of the day was our first dance. I grew up dancing so I always knew I wanted to do something special for this part,” Sydney says. “Noah was such a great sport about it, and we practiced a lot trying to get all of the lifts just right.”

Resources
Bride’s gown Low’s Bridal Cake Briar Rose Bakery Catering Catering Unlimited NWA Entertainment DJ Derrick Florals and wedding design and coordination Buzz Events Photography Taryn Lynn Photography Rings EVM Jewelers Transportation NWA High Society Venue The Ballroom at I Street Videographer Connor Callison