Weddings In Arkansas
What a gorgeous group of images we have for today’s post. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and these images inspire you as much as they inspired us.
{1-Courtney & Shawn, An Enchanted Evening, Captured by Nicki Photography | 2-Lindsey Turner Photography | 3-Photo Love Photography | 4-Kayleigh Ross Photography}
Thanks for sending in your beautiful images. Keep them coming each week – we love getting them. Happy Friday!
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We are so happy it’s Friday, so let’s get on with our post! Enjoy these beautiful images by these talented Arkansas wedding photographers. Just click on the links below to see more of their work. Have a great weekend!
{1-Zoe Weddings by Kim Boyd | 2-Bryan Striegler Photography | 3-MGB Photo}
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A gorgeous bridal, a wedding kiss, fashion & colorful florals are included in this week’s Photo Friday. Enjoy!
{1-Heartstrings Photography | 2-Laura Fickett Studios, Dreamin’ N Details | 3-Taylor Howard Photography | 4-Kayleigh Ross Photography}
We hope you enjoy this beautiful weather. What a perfect weekend to get married! Who’s going to the chapel tomorrow? Let us know!
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We are so happy to share this beautiful spring wedding photographed by Christopher Nolan Photography. Celeste & Mitchell tied the knot at the Clinton Library in Little Rock. We love their soft color palette used from the bridesmaids’ dresses to the flowers…those bouquets are gorgeous!! This wedding will definitely leave you wishing for spring. Enjoy!
You can find Christopher Nolan Photography on facebook here or call them at (501) 765-9572.
Other vendors:
Ceremony & Reception – Clinton Library
Florist – Buttercup Farm Events
DJ – Central Arkansas Entertainment
Cakes – Sweet Love Bakery
Dress – Proposals in Little Rock
Jewelry – Kate Spade
Thanks, Christopher, for letting us share your beautiful images. And, of course a big congrats to Celeste & Mitchell. We wish you the best!
Now, hurry up spring!
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I always tell my clients the most important thing about their wedding is to throw all the so-called “trends” out the door and set their own trend.
One of the biggest “trends” right now in the wedding industry is DIY (do it yourself), but what if you’re not crafty? What if you love a traditional, elegant wedding with no trace of a glue gun ever being used?
No matter what is on trend, at the end of your wedding, you want your guests to say, “that was so them!”
Your wedding should really reflect who you are as a couple. The best weddings I’ve attended have been the ones that looked and felt like the couple. Here are a few examples:
I am currently working with a client who met her fiancé when they both worked as camp counselors. They are still very involved in the camp today. After meeting with the couple I learned the groom doesn’t like cake. I suggested he not have a groom’s cake. Why serve cake if you don’t like it? I came up with the idea to do a really elegant play on a concession stand to reflect their love of camp. With a beautifully draped tent, personalized napkins, snacks like candy bars (something the groom loves) and mozzarella sticks (something the bride loves), coca cola in a glass bottle – this will be a super unique and fun way to reflect who they are as a couple. Plus, as a guest, who wouldn’t love a little personalized bag of mozzarella sticks?
One of my very dear friend’s wedding was one of my all-time favorites. The man she married is Irish – the wedding and the reception was such a beautiful blend of the two of them. While it was elegant and sophisticated in decor, Irish music played in the background, guests wore fancy hats and Guiness was the beverage of choice.
Another client I am currently working with is putting all of her emphasis on fun! She wants her wedding to be a festive, relaxed, outdoor event. I presented the idea of an upscale carnival wedding complete with games, corn dogs, pop corn bar, photo booth and decor with lots of bright colors. She loved it and we are in the beginning stages of planning what I’m sure will be such a memorable evening for the couple and their guests.
I had a client appointment this past weekend who is all about elegance! All the inspiration photos she pulled for me were images from Princess Diana’s wedding. I expect we will produce a wedding full of decadent fabrics, lace details, cascading bouquets, complete with a very formal reception.
{all images via Pinterest}
Rather than following the trends that may not reflect you as a couple, I hope this inspires you to look at your interests, hobbies and passions as your guide when planning your wedding. And if you need a little help – you can always call me!
A Southern Tradition: 501.336.0326
We spotted this real wedding sneak peek photographed by Danielle Davis Art/Photography and we just had to share with y’all. What a gorgeous couple!! Paige and Jonathan Edwards were married at Chimney Rock Farms in Concord, Arkansas, which is a really gorgeous venue. And, that dress…oh my!! Lots of pretty details to share…thanks, Danielle!
Thanks again, Danielle, for letting us share these amazing images of their big day. And, congrats to the happy couple!!
We’ve got the perfect Valentine’s Day inspiration for you. A lovely styled photo shoot at The Barn at Twin Oaks Ranch photographed by Melissa McCrotty Photography. Y’all have to check out this wonderful Arkansas wedding venue and all these wonderful people involved in this shoot. They did an amazing job mixing the rustic atmosphere of the barn with bright pops of color. From the flowers and the cake to the pink calligraphy and cigars for the boys, they didn’t miss a single detail. We love it all! Hope you love it as much as we do!!
Oh my goodness, is that sweet or what??!! Thanks for sharing with us, Lesleigh!
Hair/Makeup: Erica Bragg of Bliss Salon (Russellville)
Photography: Melissa McCrotty Photography
Cakes: Sweet Sensations Weddings & Special Occasion Cakes
Gown & Suit: Formal Affairs (Russellville)
Calligraphy: Anchor Port Calligraphy
Florals: Ginger Keones, Floral Designer of The Barn at Twin Oaks Ranch
Design/Styling: Lesleigh Smith of The Barn at Twin Oaks Ranch
Happy Valentine’s Day!!
If you would like to submit your wedding for consideration to be featured in our spring/summer 2013 issue, please click here for all the info. Deadline is tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 15th!
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Hello lovely Arkansas brides to be! I am so excited to be sharing a few tidbits with you here on the Weddings in Arkansas blog (which I love by the way – what a great source of inspiration for you!).
Right now, we are in the middle of ‘engagement season’ which means you might have just been proposed to (YAY!). Once you’ve been able to tear yourself away from staring lovingly at your ring, it is time to get to work. I’m here to get you started on the right path.
Once you get engaged there are several things that need to happen.
1. Spend some time relaxing with your fiance and family. Celebrate and truly enjoy this special time together.
2. Come up with a time frame for when you want to get married. This can mean a specific date or a selection of 2-3 dates. If you are wanting to get married within 6-9 months (or less!) of your engagement, or if you are wanting to get married during peak season (think June), I would encourage you to be open to several dates in order to ensure you get the venue and vendors you want.
3. Set a budget. I know this isn’t the fun part, but it drives everything. You can’t begin selecting a venue or vendors if you don’t know who is in your price range. Having a range versus a set budget is fine, your wedding planner can help you solidify the budget once they know more about your event.
4. Contact a planner. To get the most bang for your buck, bring in your planner at the very beginning, they can give you tips on every vendor selection and might know of venues you’ve never thought of. I like to say we planners are like your general contractors in building your wedding so it’s important they are involved in as many aspects as possible.
5. Once you have chosen a planner, ask them to provide suggestions on the most ‘in demand’ vendors (meaning vendors who will only take 1-2 weddings per day). This will include your photographer, videographer, band/DJ and sometimes florist.
6. While you are browsing all of these amazing vendor website, get pinning! Pinterest is an amazing resource for both brides and their planners/designers. The more decor looks you can pin, the better your planner and florist can get a feel for what you want your wedding to feel like.
Once the 6 steps above have been accomplished, you will be well on your way to having a fabulous wedding, maybe even one Weddings in Arkansas will be publishing in their pretty pages! I’ll be giving you specific tips on selecting your vendors and what questions to ask them later on in the blog series. Happy Planning!
Amy
Find me!
Website : http://weddingsbydetails.com/
Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/DetailsWeddings
Pinterest : http://pinterest.com/amychardin/
When all is said and done, it’s the photos of your big day you’ll cherish. We asked photographer Karen Segrave of Photography by KES Weddings to share the ten can’t-miss moments you want to document forever in our latest issue. Every bride-to-be definitely needs to read these!
1. Engagement Portraits
An engagement session is a great time to see how well you and your photographer work together. Spending a few hours taking engagement portraits is the perfect way to really get to know one another.
2. Bridal Portraits
Your wedding day is not the time to experiment with hair and makeup! Bridal portraits are an excellent opportunity to try on your dress, break in your shoes and see if a certain hairstyle or makeup trend will work for you.
3. Getting Ready
The fun, candid and casual photos of brides and grooms hanging out and getting ready are some of my favorites of the day. It really sets the tone for the day and gives you a chance to get to know the bridesmaids and groomsmen.
4. The First Look
In all my years as a wedding photographer, I’ve never had one client regret doing the first look, but I have had a few that didn’t and wish they had. First look photos can really help you relax if you’re nervous about walking down the aisle and seeing your spouse-to-be for the first time with 200 pairs of eyes on you.
5. Family and Bridal Party Formals
My style of wedding photography doesn’t focus too much on formally posed images, but everyone needs and wants at least one traditionally posed photo of themselves as a couple, their families and the bridal party.
6. Bride with Father
In the moment before she walks down the aisle, it’s often just the bride and her dad. Their body language often shifts, and you can tell by his looks and expressions that he is looking at his daughter as a little girl once again. I like to stand back, use a long lens and just wait for the emotions.
7. Walking Down the Aisle
I position myself where I can capture the look on her face, and then swing around and capture the look on his face. I’ll continue this until the moment when the bride, groom and father are at the end of the aisle. Often, her father turns to shake the groom’s hand and then turns back to kiss his daughter. Sometimes it’s a simple kiss; sometimes it’s a big hug; sometimes there’s a high five involved. Whatever the case, you want that shot.
8. The Ceremony
My must-haves in the ceremony are at least one prayer, the ring exchange, the kiss and the recessional. However, lighting the unity candle can pose a few challenges because often, the couple has their backs turned. I always suggest you walk around back and light the candle facing forward so you can see your guests. That way, you’ll also have a great photo of a beautiful moment.
9. Leaving the Ceremony
I always prefer the grand departure to be done at the end of the ceremony rather than the end of the evening. Choosing this option, you’ll have lots of light and lots of guests throwing rose petals, blowing bubbles or waving pom-poms. Waiting until the end of the evening can leave you with poor lighting and few guests.
10. First Dances
Whomever you choose to dance with—be it husband, father, stepfather, grandfather or brother—make sure your photographer captures this at every angle. First dances are often some of the most emotional photos at a wedding. The same goes for the groom—he and his mother deserve just as much attention.
Photography by KES Weddings, Little Rock, (501) 607-0090, kesweddings.com
Thanks for sharing these great tips! Karen also has a wedding featured in this issue on page 30, so don’t forget to flip thru our digital edition.
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Our berry-inspired color palette included in our new issue is inspired by bordeaux and burgundy, two of fall’s hottest trends. We included shades of nature’s candy: blueberries, raspberries and blackberries to complete this palette. There is a lot of inspiration in this feature including cakes, desserts, invitations, flowers and more. See something you like? Let us know. A big thank you to the fabulous Arkansas vendors sourced below and also seen in our expanded digital edition. They are all amazing! Enjoy!
{Miniature fruit tarts with raspberries and blackberries; Sweet Love, Little Rock, (501) 613-7780, sweetlovebakes.com. Letterpress invitation with traditional script and French fleur-de-lis motif in Prussian blue and Fuchsia Shine; A Southern Tradition, Conway, (501) 336-0326, asoutherntradition.com}
{Three-tier wedding cake with purple and white stripes and bows; TracyCakes, Little Rock, (501) 227-4243, seasonsoflovecakes.com}
{Smock black and white striped invitation sleeve and Dawson letterpress calligraphy invitation in raspberry, thank you tag with raspberry accent; By Invitation Only, Little Rock, (501) 975-8902, byinvitationonlylr.com}
{Mr. & Mrs. wooden signs; Haus Werk, Little Rock, (501) 663-5251, shophauswerk.com}
{Hand-tied bouquet with red celosia, Freedom roses, eggplant calla lilies, equinox, Hot Princess roses, kale and hot pink ranunculous finished with eggplant purple ribbon accented with ivory pinstripe ribbon; Shirley’s Flowers, Inc., Rogers and Bentonville, (800) 624-7225, shirleysflowersinc.com}
{Strawberry-peach jam; Sweet Love, Little Rock, (501) 613-7780, sweetlovebakes.com. Rifle Paper Co. thank you cards; Molly’s Paperie, Little Rock, (501) 661-9929, mollyspaperie.com}
{Stacy Claire Boyd wedding invitation with festive woodcut detail; The Crown Shop, Little Rock, (501) 227-8442, thecrownshop.com. Sachet with dried roses; White Goat, Little Rock, (501) 603-9460}
{Tatra by Smock coaster with foil stamping in gold matte; By Invitation Only, Little Rock, (501) 975-8902, byinvitationonlylr.com. Red velvet French macarons; Sweet Love, Little Rock, (501) 613-7780, sweetlovebakes.com}
{Green calligraphy save-the-date by Page Stationery; Shindig Paperie, Fayetteville, (479) 521-1778, shindigpaperie.com. Dauphine Press wedding invitation with blueberry branches; Molly’s Paperie, Little Rock, (501) 661-9929, mollyspaperie.com}
{Three-tier wedding cake with floral and berry accents; Mickey’s Special Affairs, Little Rock, (501) 321-1989, mickeysevents.com}
{Hand-tied bouquet filled with phalaenopsis orchids, eryngium, cottage yarrow, black baccara roses, lotus pods, light pink lisianthus, cherry brandy roses, Hot Princess roses, and alliums finished off with a burlap ribbon accented with twisted twine. Shirley’s Flowers, Inc., Rogers and Bentonville, (800) 624-7225, shirleysflowersinc.com}
all photography by Nancy Nolan
We’ll be sharing real weddings and fashion images soon, so we can give these pretty pictures a place to call home. Stay tuned! Check out the expanded digital edition online here.
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