This is one of my favorite weddings to share this time of year. It’s been 7 years since we traveled to Arkansas to do the December wedding for this couple. While the groom was running for public office, the bride was in her second year of law school and planning her wedding! She was graceful under pressure and both she and her family were a joy to work with. We planned this grand fete in under 6 months and with only one site visit. This dress still shines as a favorite. We were with her when she tried it on for the first time and you could just see how it was truly the one for her- a perfectly pleated silk faille Carolina Herrera masterpiece, paired with a vintage fur wrap for the chillier moments.
Influenced by classic blue and white china, complimentary patterns were paired together throughout the printed pieces. Lettered Olive designed a custom monogram featuring a lion head door knocker, that the bride wanted to incorporate throughout. We had custom velvet shoe bags made to use as the guest welcome bags. Full of champagne, local sparkling water, and snacks, guests had everything they would need for a pre wedding celebration.
Pieces of the perfect blue and white fabric we found to use throughout the wedding decor, made the perfect bouquet wrap. The bride’s dress had a row of covered buttons, so we added that little detail for her on her flowers. Simple all white flowers (peonies and roses) were just the thing for this winter wedding.
The reception took place at Marlsgate Plantation just outside of Little Rock. The couple did do a “first sight” at the plantation house before the ceremony. This worked so well for this event, since the sun sets a bit earlier this time of year. Liz Banfield was also able to steal the couple away to capture some amazing private moments before the sunset.
We scored a vintage lion’s head door knocker while out sourcing that we knew we had to snag to use somewhere- like the fabric covered escort card and “sign in” board.
Shades of blue in the ceiling upped the look of the all white dining room. Antique wrought iron chandeliers with pillar candles became amazing statement pieces.
Special little touches like golden pillar candles, white velvet linens lined with thick blue piping, and lush white carpeting made for a warm, glowing, and breathtaking dining room. the letterpressed menus by Lettered Olive mimicked the fold out cards from the save the dates. Noted with the lions head monogram and calligraphied with each guest’s name at the place setting, the pull out menu pieces had guests keeping them all as take homes!
The 5 tier cake was hand painted with each different pattern used throughout the wedding printing and decor and was the centerpiece of the dining room.
A 40 foot bar covered in the blue and white damask fabric anchored the lounge tent with shelving to create a focal point for the blue votives.
To give guests a different feel for dancing, we darkened up the lounge with navy blue and gold tones.
Rice produced by the bride’s family’s business was packaged in custom stamped muslin pouches to toss during the couple’s getaway…Wishing our bride and groom the happiest of anniversaries.
My kids love pears, so we always have them around the house. So, we took pears, and the extra tree trimmings and spray painted them gold. Of course, Copper (our new favorite metallic), rose gold, or silver would all be lovely as well. I took the color inspiration from the plates I wanted to use, so if you’re stuck making that decision, look there for an idea (or a napkin, table linen, or whatnot).
For today’s wedding Wednesday post, I’m sharing a special wedding that while small in size, it packed a pretty punch. Martha worked for me for years- first as my planner and cohort at Soiree, and then at Lettered Olive. She married her love, Jon whom she met through the event world, as he is a manager at Snyder Event Rentals. They married on a winter afternoon at the French Huguenot Church. Guests joined them for dinner at one of my all time favorite Charleston restaurants, La Fourchette (now closed). 
Individual calligraphied invitations were sent to every guest. Simple welcome boxes welcomed each guest to their hotel room. Miniature programs detailed the ceremony.
The bride wore a simple tea length dress as a nod to Audrey Hepburn, her favorite style icon. A simple all white bunch of gardenias, tulips, and ranunculus provided a delicate bouquet, and a red satin clutch brought in the pop of red seen in the wedding palette. 
The bride and groom saw each other for photos before the ceremony, so were able to walk together to their ceremony at the French Huguenot Church.
The intimate ceremony was accented with a gospel choir, and a stunning alter of blooming pear blossoms, and tall tulips en masse glowing by candlelight.
Guests enjoyed a perfectly Parisian dinner at La Fourchette restaurant. The simplicity of the white dinner linens and exposed brick provided a perfect backdrop for the glowing red florals and candles. Calligraphed names added to the menu cards doubled as place cards. Take home treats hand tied with red silk ribbon thanked guests for attending.
Individual miniature cakes by Jim Smeal were served to each guest for dessert. 
Our sweet Martha and Jon departed at the end of a lovely evening via rickshaw… sometimes the smallest and most simple weddings can be the most memorable.
