East Coast Inspiration Meets Southern Charm at Inn at Carnall Hall

Lauren Megerdichian
February 12, 2025
Categories: The Blog

[section title=”The Planning”]

[field title=”Wedding Colors”]White, green & Blue[/field]

[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]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.[/field]

[field title=”Proposal Story”]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.[/field]

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[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]

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[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]

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[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]

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[section title=”The Fashion”]

[field title=”Wedding Gown”]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.[/field]

[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]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.[/field]

[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]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.[/field]

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[board_carousel title=”Wedding Party”]

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[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]

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[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]

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[section title=”The Details”]

[field title=”Food & Drink”]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.

[/field]

[field title=”Florals & Decor”]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.[/field]

[field title=”Wedding Cake”]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![/field]

[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]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.[/field]

[field title=”Special Detail #1″]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.

[/field]

[field title=”Special Detail #2″]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.

[/field]

[field title=”Special Detail #3″]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![/field]

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[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]

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[board_carousel title=”Reception”]

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