East Coast Inspiration Meets Southern Charm at Inn at Carnall Hall

Our wedding vision was a seamless combination of East Coast Elegance and Southern Charm, inspired by our time at the University of Arkansas. The design captured the essence of our favorite places, creating an atmosphere that was uniquely us. We chose a classic color palette of white and soft blue, with touches of blue stripes and floral greenery to bring the vision to life. The venue was adorned with silver urns and classic patterns that added a timeless, yet unique feel to the setting. From the elegant tablescapes to the lush floral arrangements, each detail was carefully curated to reflect our personal style and the cherished memories of our alma mater. Our wedding was not just an event, but a timeless celebration of love, family, and the places that have shaped us.

Our proposal was nothing short of a dream come true. It happened during a family vacation in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, in late September of 2023—a place already filled with cherished memories. I woke up that Saturday with excitement, sensing that something special was in the air. We spent the day laying in the sun, and the late afternoon was spent getting ready for dinner. Before heading to dinner, we decided to walk around Watercolor, which happens to be our favorite beach town along the entire highway of 30A. As we got to Cerulean Park, surrounded by lush gardens, water fountains, and the most vibrant green grass, I saw a puddle of white rose petals a few yards in front of us, and a boy with a big grin and flushed red cheeks beside me. Bradley got down on one knee in our favorite place to be together, and I said "yes" to marrying my best friend. Tears welled up, joy radiated through every fiber of my being, and an overwhelming feeling of peace enveloped us both. We celebrated with family, many toasts, phone calls to our friends, and a delicious dinner at our favorite restaurant.

When I walked down the aisle, I wore a gown that truly embodied everything I had envisioned for my special day. The "Valentina" by House of Flora is a chic, strapless masterpiece featuring a beautiful basque waist and timeless elegance. To complete the look, I wore sheer fingerless gloves, pearl drop earrings, the comfiest white slingback heels I could find, and a ballet tulle neck veil—an essential bridal item I knew I couldn't do without. It was chic, timeless, and made me feel more "me" than ever before. I found my dream gown at The Dress Theory in Nashville, Tennessee, where the moment I tried on the "Valentina," I knew it was the one. It's true what they say—when you know, you know. Just like when I met my husband, finding this gown was a special moment for me.

When deciding on what I wanted my bridesmaids to wear, I was inspired by the coastal colors, elegant touches, and timeless feel of our wedding day. I gave them a color palette, blue, green, and yellow, and included a few photos as an example of the shades I had in mind. From here, they each sent me a few dresses that they were eyeing and it was so fun helping them decide which one was perfect for each of them. I emphasized that I wanted them to purchase a dress unique to them, and one they will look forward to wearing again. I gifted them matching pearl drop earrings, which was the perfect touch to tie in their mismatched dresses.

Bradley wore a timeless, black peak lapel tuxedo from Tre Vero. Underneath, he wore a classic fit, french cuff, poplin dress shirt, which paired perfectly with a traditional black bow tie. Completing his look, Bradley opted for silver cuff links and polished black shoes, each piece chosen to reflect his classic style and our special day. He was truly the groom I always imagined I’d stand beside.

We wanted our guests to start the evening with a burst of flavor and a touch of elegance. During the cocktail hour, we served a delectable selection of hors d'oeuvres, including bacon wrapped dates, jalapeno cornbread, and mini charcuterie bites. For dinner, our guests enjoyed a hearty and comforting meal featuring herb roasted chicken, haricot verts, and garlic potatoes. To add a unique touch to our celebration, we created a signature drink called "Cherry on Top” served in our custom monogrammed cocktail cups. This refreshing cocktail featured Tanqueray gin, cherry soda, and lime – a family vacation staple.

When it came to planning our wedding, I knew the floral design would be my favorite aspect, and it truly became something we have yet to stop talking about. Our approach was all about intention and placement, ensuring that each floral arrangement made a statement of timeless romance and elegance. We focused on creating unique arrangements centered around my favorite flower—hydrangeas. These were complemented by other elegant florals, such as roses, orchids, fragrant hyacinth chains, and specialty amaranthus. To add a personal touch, we included calla lilies exclusively in my bouquet and Bradley's boutonniere. The florals were not just a part of the decor—they were the decor. Our florists, The Flower Slinger, were the best people to work with and learn from. Talented and kind doesn’t even touch the surface of who they are! To accompany the stunning florals, we chose chic table numbers adorned with ivory bows, crystal table lamps, and kept things simple with a framed seating chart. Our bar area was full of delightful touches, featuring a shell bowl with custom matches, cocktail napkins with a design of Old Main, and a large silver urn filled with six different hydrangeas. Our color palette was a blend of elegant whites and subtle greens, perfectly complementing the natural beauty of the floral arrangements. The entire design was a dream realized, and we owe so much of its success to our incredible wedding planner, Katie McIntire. Her vision and expertise helped bring our perfect day to life.

We went for a delightful fusion of flavors and timeless elegance with our wedding cake. Each of the three tiers offers a unique taste sensation—starting with a spiced carrot cake, moving to a zesty lemon cake filled with buttercream, and finally, a brown butter pineapple cake that was a hit. The design was inspired by your classic wedding cake, featuring intentional piping and delicate detailing. The cake was displayed on a polished silver stand, complemented by matching silver champagne flutes, a perfect blend of taste and style!

Sharing the music that made our wedding day unforgettable is such a joy, as so many of our cherished memories are tied to these tunes. During the ceremony, the prelude music consisted of a selection of classical and hymnal tunes, beautifully played on violin and cello. The wedding party and family processed to "Invisible String" by Taylor Swift, while I walked down the aisle to "The Goodness of God." The ceremony concluded with Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)" as the recessional. For the cocktail hour, we set the mood with classic Motown hits, creating a lively and inviting atmosphere. At the reception, our grand entrance was marked by "Jubel" by Klingade, and our first dance was to "Lifetime" by Justin Bieber. Our DJ curated an incredible party playlist that included oldies, the new stuff, and a splash of Sabrina Carpenter and Chappel Roan of course. To close the night, we had our final dance to "Beyond" by Leon Bridges, and we hugged our people goodbye to “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” by Natalie Cole.

On my wedding day, a dream I had nurtured since I was 17 came true in the most meaningful way. I handed my "Dear Future Husband" journal to my best friend and now husband. This journal, a cherished companion over the years, held my prayers, hopes, and dreams for the man I would one day marry. I filled its pages with heartfelt prayers for our future, stories from my youth, dreams about what our life together might be like, and even whimsical thoughts like baby names and dog names. On that day, before we had our first look, I bookmarked a few special pages for him to read. I wanted him to feel the depth of my emotions written through years of prayer, heartbreak, joy, and excitement—through the ups and downs of adolescence and the years of dating each other that molded me into the person he chose to marry. A bridesmaid recorded the moment he read those words for the first time, capturing his reactions to the tapestry of feelings and hopes that spanned the years leading up to our marriage. It was a tangible reminder of the love and devotion that brought us together—a testament to the beautiful gift of marriage. For every bride, this is a reminder that every prayer, every tear, every joy leads to moments of profound love and connection.

At our wedding, one of the most cherished details was a beautiful large white bow crafted with love by Bradley's grandmother. Her hands, so experienced from years of stitching and sewing, created this stunning piece that became a staple in our design. This bow first greeted our guests at the welcome table, perfectly nestled with our guest book, petal cones, and welcome cards. It then adorned the champagne tower table, adding a touch of elegance to an already perfect moment, capturing the scene in unforgettable photos. Far beyond its aesthetic appeal, the bow held deep meaning for both of us. Knowing it was made by someone who means the world to us filled our hearts with warmth and gratitude. It was more than just decor; it was a symbol of love and family, woven into the very fabric of our special day.

We wanted to include a special detail that celebrated our cutest family member, Ford. Our cocktail stir sticks featured an engraved drawing of Ford, our one-year-old golden retriever who has brought so much happiness into our lives. These unique stir sticks served as a tribute to our favorite boy, and added a heartwarming, personal touch to our celebration. This small but meaningful detail was inspired by our love for Ford, ensuring his presence was felt in every joyful toast and sip taken on our special day. Drinks were on Ford for the whole night!