Lauren Bodenheimer & Joseph Hill
May 12, 2018 • Hot Springs
Anthony Chapel at Garvan Woodland Gardens
It should come as no surprise that someone who has been a ballerina for most of her life would dream up a wedding day anything less than whimsical. That’s certainly the case for Lauren Bodenheimer and Joseph Hill’s May wedding at Garvan Woodland Gardens.
Lauren, a ballerina in her sixth season with Ballet Arkansas, met Joe when a mutual friend said he thought they’d be perfect together. The two had their first date at a black-tie event for the UAMS Cancer Institute and that mutual friend was right — they hit it off right away. Joe proposed to Lauren at Wildwood Park next to Swan Lake (the perfect spot for his ballerina). “To me, Joe is perfect,” Lauren says. “I love everything about him. He is kind, brilliant, self-effacing, and hilarious. He makes me laugh all of the time and makes my life la vie en rose.”
THE INSPIRATION
Sofia Coppola’s 2006 movie “Marie Antoinette” was the inspiration for Lauren’s dreamy color palette. Just like in the film, fashion plays an integral part of Lauren’s big day. She found the perfect shade of evening mist blue in silk satin for the bridesmaids’ gowns at The Bridal Cottage. “This hue was the perfect backdrop to enhance the beauty of the Marie Antoinette palette,” Lauren says.
• • •
She took a trip to Low’s Bridal & Formal with her mom and mother-in-law in search of the perfect dress. Lauren fell in love with “the one” immediately. “I have an almost instantaneous response to fashion and this dress was everything I wanted,” she says. “The dress is a couture Ysa Makino ball gown of ivory duchess silk with handwork crystal stones and lace.”
To complete the look, she chose a cathedral-length silk net veil with a blusher and hand-stitched crystal and beaded edging. Her wedding shoes were shantung silk in ballet peach with heavy beadwork — a very Marie Antoinette touch.
HOW THEY CUSTOMIZED
Because of Anthony Chapel’s natural beauty, Lauren kept the décor at the ceremony simple. She had candelabras flanking the altar table bearing the symbol of a cross. The guest table held a registry book and a beautiful arrangement by Tanarah Luxe Floral.
For the reception, Lauren wanted a vintage garden party feel. The couple set the mood with plenty of classics from Louis Armstrong, Edith Piaf, Billie Holiday and Nat King Cole. They served an incredible four-layer cake of almond, strawberry, Italian cream and lemon covered with almond buttercream and accented with fresh flowers. The adorable cake toppers were perfect replicas of the couple.
Thinking back on the day, Lauren remembers her fondest memory being the first look. “We weren’t sure about breaking the age-old tradition of seeing each other before the ceremony,” she says. “But we decided with our photographer, Benjamin Martin, to do a ‘first look.’ I loved that moment we shared before the wedding.”
VIDEO
MUSIC TO OUR EARS
BRIDE'S ENTRANCE
"Sous Le dôme épais"
Delibes
RECESSIONAL
"Arrival of the Queen of Sheba"
Handel
THE DETAILS
| WEDDING VENDORS WE LOVE | |
|---|---|
| Photography | Benjamin Martin Photography |
| Venue and rentals | Garvan Woodland Gardens, Hot Springs |
| Floral design | Tanarah Luxe Floral, Little Rock |
| Wedding dress and veil | Low's Bridal & Formal, Brinkley |
| Bridesmaids dresses | The Bridal Cottage, North Little Rock |
| MORE VENDORS | |
|---|---|
| Event planner | DYV Events, Little Rock |
| Wedding cakes | Blue Cake Company, Little Rock |
| Caterer and drinks service | Vibrant Occasions Catering, Benton |
| DJ | Xavier Riley, Little Rock |
| Videographer | Fluid Frame Productions, Cabot |
| Wedding stationery | Minted.com |
| Groom/groomsmen attire | Men's Wearhouse, statewide |
| Jeweler | Jonathan Montgomery, Fayetteville |
| Hair | Deanna Gerde |
| Rehearsal dinner venue | Ozark Bathhouse, Hot Springs |
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