[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]
I’ve always loved the classic elegance of blue and white, so starting with royal and light blue felt natural. The chinoiserie vases and ginger jars from my mother’s home inspired the palette — they remind me of timeless beauty and meaningful details. Growing up in the South, I’ve always admired how color and tradition come togetherjoyfullyy, so we wove in cheerful spring hues through the florals to make everything feel fresh and full of life. It was important to us that the colors reflected both our Southern roots and a sense of timeless joy.
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[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]
From the very beginning, we knew we wanted a springtime wedding in the South. Both Drew and I were born and raised in Arkansas, so honoring our Southern roots in every detail felt natural and important. I’ve always been enchanted by those classic Southern weddings — the ones held at a family home, tucked into a front or back yard, where every corner feels personal, warm, and full of heart. We loved the idea of our guests gathering outdoors, surrounded by nature, and we wanted the day to feel full of the meaningful, personalized touches that make Southern weddings so special. There’s something about a Southern spring that always feels so fresh and full of life — the soft, playful breezes, flowers popping up everywhere, and golden sunlight that just makes everything sparkle. Drew and I wanted our wedding to capture that same feeling: timeless and elegant, but with a little bit of whimsy that made it feel personal and joyful. We wanted it to be unmistakably “us” — a day that felt warm, intimate, and full of life, just like the season we love so much.
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[field title=”Proposal Story”]
Drew popped the question on April 26th, 2024, at Chapel on the Creeks in Rogers, Arkansas, right under the charming gazebo by the pond. The weekend started with one of my best friends coming into town, and we had plans to grab drinks and catch up. Originally, we were headed to Theos for happy hour, but she suggested stopping by Ozark Natural Brewery first since our table wasn’t ready yet—and honestly, that little detour set the whole surprise in motion. I’m notoriously hard to surprise, so I had a hunch something was up as we walked the path by the pond. And sure enough, there was Drew, standing under the gazebo, looking nervous but excited. The afternoon had been rainy, but magically, the skies cleared just in time. The gazebo was decorated beautifully with fresh florals, framed photos, a cozy blanket, and a customized champagne bottle with our initials—it was intimate and personal in the sweetest way. After the most heartfelt words, Drew got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Of course, I said yes! And then I heard cheers in the distance—our families had been secretly watching nearby, ready to celebrate the moment with us. The surprises didn’t stop there. Drew had also planned an engagement party at The Springdale Country Club for all our closest family and friends. That night was full of laughter, love, and unforgettable memories—a joyful start to the next chapter of our lives together.
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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”]My wedding dress was an Amsale strapless ballgown, specifically the Nouvelle Amsale
“Marcelina” gown, lined with delicate hand-stitched lace in a floral motif. It featured a soft sweetheart
neckline and a dramatic bow at the back. I had always dreamed of a wedding day look that was both
traditional and timeless, favoring a clean, classic style with minimal jewelry, a sleek bun, and just the
right hint of drama. I wanted my dress to speak for itself, and the intricate lace detailing added the
perfect bit of personality while keeping the overall look effortlessly elegant and timeless.[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]
For the bridesmaids’ dresses, I wanted to highlight the lighter blue from our main color palette. I selected six different styles from Stacees and let each of my girls choose the one in which they felt most comfortable and confident. The options were simple and elegant, perfectly complementing the timeless and sophisticated vibe of our wedding.
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[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]For the groomsmen, we chose navy blue tuxedos from Generation Tux, which
complemented the other shades of blue and the bridesmaids’ dresses perfectly. We matched their
ties to the girls’ dresses to create a cohesive, polished look. We felt like everyone looked amazing in
tones of blue, and it was so much fun seeing all of our closest friends dressed up for the day.[/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”]
Drew and I wanted our food and drinks to reflect who we are—things we love that truly scream “Liz & Drew.” While we initially considered a classic dinner, once we explored our options, it only made sense to go with Mexican cuisine for our wedding. Our caterer, Elite Catering in Fayetteville, Arkansas, did an incredible job bringing our vision to life. For cocktail hour, we passed around mini chips and salsa for our guests to enjoy before dinner. Mexican food is so versatile, and we loved giving guests options so they could customize their meals. We served chicken fajitas and beef tacos with cilantro lime rice, black pinto beans, and of course, plenty of queso and salsa, along with a variety of toppings. Everyone raved about the food, and it was such a fun, flavorful reflection of us. Our bartending team was provided by Fig and Foundry out of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and they were phenomenal. They helped us create the perfect signature drinks, dialing in the ideal sweetness and texture for each one. While we had an open bar for our guests, we also wanted drinks that reflected Drew, me, and even our yellow Labrador, Heidi. As a margarita lover, it was only natural for my signature drink to be a classic margarita—with the option to make it spicy with jalapeño and a Tajín rim. Drew’s favorite, of course, was an Old Fashioned. And for an extra personalized touch, we added a third drink called “The Heidi,” a Strawberry Lychee Mojito that the team had created. Light, flavorful, and perfect for a spring wedding in May, it was a fun way to make our celebration truly ours.
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[field title=”Florals & Decor”]When it came to choosing our wedding florals, we wanted everything to reflect our overall
vision — a Southern garden party filled with charm and color. Since our main palette featured
shades of blue, we decided to bring in pops of color through the flowers. We chose cabbage roses (a
Southern classic), along with hydrangeas, peonies, delphiniums, and a mix of other seasonal
blooms. One flower I knew we had to include was the bicolor Bavarian hydrangea. I had seen our
florist use it once before and instantly fell in love — the soft blue petals with hints of white tied our
chinoiserie-inspired colors together perfectly.
Our ceremony and cocktail hour took place in the venue’s courtyard, which was the perfect
setting for our garden-inspired vision. For the ceremony, our florist created a lush hydrangea arch as
the focal point at the end of the aisle. I loved the idea of a whimsical, overgrown garden, so we kept
our outdoor florals natural and romantic, using shades of blue, green, and white. To continue that
lush, garden feel, we placed arrangements in chinoiserie planters and stone urns at the back of the
aisle. During cocktail hour, we added a floral bar moment, which brought such a fun, colorful touch to
the outdoor space.
Inside the reception space, we brought even more color in through the table arrangements,
which completely transformed the room. Each table was overflowing with lush, garden-inspired
blooms in shades of pink, peach, coral, sunny yellow, fresh green, and hints of blue, creating the
dreamiest mix of cheerful, romantic tones. Some tables featured arrangements in chinoiserie vases
and ginger jars, while others showcased floral compotes, adding variety and depth to the overall
design. The mix of vessels created such a beautiful, collected look — it felt elegant yet effortless, like
each piece had its own story. For the head table, we designed a long centerpiece filled with lush
greenery, white hydrangeas, and delicate blue delphiniums. The inspiration came from a Pinterest
photo I had found of a garden table lined with delphiniums — I immediately fell in love and knew I
wanted to recreate that look. It became such a beautiful focal point for the room and truly brought
our garden party vision to life. On the cake table, we added a whimsical and colorful cake meadow,
which helped elevate our simple three-tiered wedding cake and made it a stunning focal point in the
space.
For our personalized flowers — including my bouquet, the boutonnieres, and the mothers’
nosegays — I wanted to carry through the same playful pops of color we incorporated into the
reception space. My bouquet was truly jaw-dropping, overflowing with cabbage roses, peonies, and
delicate touches of blue from Dutch hydrangeas and delphiniums. It perfectly captured the romantic,
garden-inspired vibe of our day. The mothers’ nosegays were lush peony posies, offering just the
right splash of pink to complement the overall color palette, while the boutonnieres tied in the softer
shades and greenery. Each piece felt personal, intentional, and thoughtful.
The flowers tied everything together perfectly, bringing warmth and vibrancy to the room
while still feeling timeless and refined. It truly felt like the garden had come indoors — the perfect
continuation of our Southern garden party celebration. We couldn’t have picked a better florist for our
wedding day. The Flowerslinger took our inspiration and requests and created pieces of art that
exceeded all our expectations. We truly couldn’t imagine our wedding day without them and their
incredible team.
Stephanie with Stephanie Benton Events was an absolute dream to work with — she and
her team truly helped us bring everything together for our wedding day, and we couldn’t have done it
without them. When it came to our wedding decor, so much of the inspiration came from my mom’s
collection of chinoiserie vases and ginger jars, which became the foundation for our entire design. I
created a plan that incorporated various vases and jars on each guest table — all featuring different
patterns, shapes, and shades of blue — perfectly capturing our vision of a Southern garden party
with a timeless, elegant twist.
For the table linens, I wanted to play with patterns and textures to add depth and interest to
the space. We used three different styles of tablecloths from Nuage Designs and BBJ La Tavola:
one featuring a playful blue-and-white pattern, another in crisp white with a whimsical textured
design, and a classic solid navy. To tie everything together, we paired the white and navy tables with
scalloped blue and white patterned napkins, and the patterned tables with solid navy napkins. The
mix felt cohesive yet playful.
To bring in a natural, garden-inspired element, we used light wooden chairs that added
warmth and texture to the room. Rattan trays and baskets held personalized koozies and dance floor
accessories, tying in perfectly with our Southern theme. We added touches of gold and white
through the plates, chargers, and silverware, giving the tables a subtle, elegant shimmer. One of my
favorite details was our vinyl dance floor, featuring the cabbage rose design from our invitation liner.
Seeing that pattern come to life was so special — it tied the entire design together beautifully and
became a stunning focal point of the reception space.
Another fun decor element we incorporated was our citron green outdoor bar. While scrolling
through Pinterest one day, I came across a photo of a green bar and instantly knew we had to
include something similar in our day. I loved how the bright green would pop against our royal blue
and white color palette, and it turned out even better than I imagined. The bar became such a big hit
with our guests and added a playful, unexpected touch that really made our wedding day feel fun
and memorable.
Shindig Paperie in Fayetteville, Arkansas, helped us bring all of our personalized touches to
life for our wedding day. From our invitations to our cocktail napkins, they did an amazing job helping
us incorporate meaningful and personal details. These touches truly brought everything together. We
created a traditional monogram for our wedding — a classic element in many Southern weddings —
and used it on cups, cocktail napkins, matchboxes, koozies, and more, adding a special, custom
element throughout the day. We also had a sweet portrait painted of our yellow lab, Heidi, before the
wedding, which we featured on one of our cocktail napkins so she could be included in our
celebration. Her silhouette even appeared on one of our koozie designs — it wouldn’t have been our
wedding day without her! Shindig also helped us design the perfect signage, including our seating
chart, name cards, bar menus, and personalized thank-you notes laid atop each guest’s napkin.[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]
Our wedding cake was created by Shelby Lynn’s Bakery in Springdale, Arkansas. We chose a 3-tiered white cake filled with brown butter pineapple filling and finished with a smooth vanilla buttercream icing. The design was inspired by my wedding dress — the top and bottom tiers were covered in beautifully piped southern cabbage roses, while the middle tier remained a classic white, showcasing our wedding monogram in elegant piping. Overall, we wanted a cake that felt simple, timeless, and elegant, and Shelby Lynn’s brought that vision to life perfectly.
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[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]
For our ceremony music, we wanted a fun and lighthearted vibe. We chose two instrumental songs by Sleeping at Last for the processional, “Sun” and “I’ll keep you safe” — I loved their angelic, whimsical feel as our family and wedding party walked down the aisle. Our faith is central to our lives, and the songs we selected reflected that. I walked down the aisle with my dad to “Gratitude” by Brandon Lake, a song that instantly gave me chills and brought me to tears the first time I heard it. It felt incredibly powerful and was the perfect entrance song. During the ceremony, Drew and I took communion, accompanied by “Falling in Love” by Phil Wickham, a sweet song that beautifully tied into the sacrament and the covenant of our marriage. For our exit, we chose “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” by Queen, adding a playful, celebratory touch as we walked back down the aisle as newlyweds. Our reception music was an energetic mix of genres, thanks to our incredible DJ, Mega DJ, who kept the dance floor alive all night. For the first half of the evening, we played classic and traditional jazz — think Frank Sinatra, Michael Bublé, Etta James, and Nat King Cole — creating a timeless and sophisticated atmosphere while entertaining our guests. Drew and I shared our first dance to “If I Ain’t Got You” covered by Jordan Feliz. For the mother-son dance, Drew and his mom danced to “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts, and I shared a dance with my dad to “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack. When it came time for the main dance party, we went all-in on early 2000s hits, songs that brought waves of nostalgia for our friends. Thanks to Mega DJ’s amazing energy and expertise, everyone knew the lyrics, the dance floor was packed, and the night was nothing short of magical. It was such a joyful, unforgettable celebration, and we wish we could relive it over and over again.
[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]My wedding dress ended up inspiring so many details throughout our day. The hand-stitched
lace on the top layer of my gown, adorned with cabbage roses, immediately sparked ideas for how
to carry that motif into other elements. We first incorporated it into the envelope liner of our
invitations, and then wove it into our wedding cake, dance floor, florals, and signage. Drew had no
idea, and it was so much fun to surprise him with these little, meaningful details throughout the day.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]
Drew and I both had our wedding bands engraved, and by a funny coincidence, we each chose the same phrase for the other: “To infinity and beyond.” Drew’s favorite Disney character growing up was Buzz Lightyear, and during our relationship, we would often joke, “I love you to infinity and beyond.” It’s super cheesy, but the saying stuck with us — and now it has a forever meaning. Because my wedding band was so thin, Drew had the jeweler use a combination of symbols and tiny letters: the number 2, the infinity sign, an ampersand, and the word “beyond” written delicately in miniature script. It perfectly captured how we felt about one another, and the fact that we both independently picked the same phrase made it even more special and meaningful. Blakeman’s Fine Jewelry in Rogers, Arkansas, did a fantastic job on our rings, making them truly unforgettable.
[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″]On the morning of our wedding, as part of my “Something old, something new, something
borrowed, something blue,” my mom gave me a delicate blue handkerchief that had been passed
down from my great-grandmother — a sweet nod to family and tradition. For something new, she
gifted me a beautiful gold Susan Shaw bracelet with a charm in the shape of my new last name
initial, “T”, adding a personal and meaningful touch to my wedding day look.[/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]
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[board_carousel title=”Reception”]
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Photography: Emma Farr Photography | Event Planning: Stephanie Benton Events | Floral Design: The Flowerslinger | Cake: Shelby Lynne Cake Shoppe | Invitations: Shindig Paperie | Wedding Venue: The Ballroom at I Street | Beauty: Boun Vang | Rentals: The Dancefloor Man | Rentals: Alchemy Event Rentals | Rentals: Nuage Designs
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