Little Rock natives Anne Marie Hastings and Joe Doramus met way back in their schooldays at St. Mark's Episcopal Day School. The couple dated for eight years and the proposal was a complete surprise for Anne Marie.
The two had plans to go fishing at Anne Marie's family farm in southeast Arkansas one Saturday afternoon. Everything was going as planned until they got a flat tire going out of town. Most guys would have been freaking out, but Joe kept his cool. Anne Marie called her dad to tell him their plans had changed and when she told them about the flat tire, he went into full-blown panic mode.
"Apparently, he and Joe had been talking about this day since February," Anne-Marie says. "However, that still did not tip me off about the engagement. Anyways, Joe and I went fishing somewhere closer to home. We had been out for about an hour when he asked me to hand him a special fishing bait out of his bag. Still clueless, I unzipped the top pocket and there was a box. I knew then what he was about to reel in."
We love Anne Marie and Joe's Country Club of Little Rock wedding just as much as their sweet proposal story. Read on for more about this dreamy blue and white May wedding.
On her gorgeous gown: "It was made by Vera Wang and I loved the simplicity of it. I actually had the front of the dress transformed from a v-neck to a high neck halter. I loved the back of this dress and the front of another one, so I ended up combining the two." — Anne Marie
On the wedding planning process: "I have to give credit to the late Todd Bagwell for this one. He was one of my dearest friends and had the vision for a beautiful, over-the-top reception. Todd was one of my mother's best friends, and in my adult life became mine, as well. Todd knew that I had very traditional taste, so he wanted to stick with that but add what he referred to as a 'jewel tone' color palate to the mix. He would get so excited talking about the different shades of green and blue and how the cake was going to be the center of attention for the decor. Unfortunately, Todd never saw his vision come to life. He passed away last September with a sudden cancer diagnosis.
I relied on Todd's opinion in so many ways. From decorating my home, to what I should pack for my study-abroad trip to Italy, he always offered honest advice. Todd was there for many significant events in my family’s life — holidays, baby showers, weddings, birthdays, and often was the first to greet me when I came home on the weekends in college (with three older brothers either getting married or having children in a span of 10 years, Todd spent A LOT of time at my parents house). He was more than a planner, he was family. I am so thankful for Shelia Vaught and Chris Norwood for carrying out Todd's vision and becoming dear friends and confidantes to me when I needed it the most. I truly couldn't have asked for anyone better to plan the best day of my life." — Anne Marie
On reception decor: "The entrance to the President's Rooms at Country Club of Little Rock was full of Magnolia, blue Hydrangeas and Playa Blanca Roses. The wedding cake was centered in front of a wall of Garden Greenery and on top of a box of Boxwood. The guest tables were a variety of bowls and vases that were blue and white porcelain filled with Magnolia, blue Hydrangeas and Playa Blanca Roses, Silver Dollar Eucalyptus, and white Delphinium. The stage was in front of a wall that went to the ceiling with Garden Greenery, Playa Blanca Roses and blue Hydrangeas." Chris Norwood, vice president of Tipton & Hurst
On the dance floor jams: "We listened to oldies and a few new ones mixed in. My personal favorite is when the band played "Man! I Feel Like a Woman" by Shania Twain. I've never seen more people break out singing and dancing all at once!" — Anne Marie
On that insane nine-tier cake: "The cake was nine-tiers and measured 6 feet tall. It was the main spotlight as you entered the reception with a greenery wall. Each one of the tiers had texturized buttercream finish giving a rustic look. The whole cake was adorned with a cascade of natural and handmade sugar flowers. The natural flowers were gardenias, light blue hydrangeas and assorted greenery and 35 white sugar roses were provided as accents throughout the arrangement." — Angela Barry, owner of A&M Cake Designs
On her favorite wedding moment: "Joe is my sidekick, partner, best friend and the love of my life. Seeing him waiting for me on the altar gave me chills." — Anne Marie
The Details
Photographer: Lyndsey Sullivan Photography, Little Rock
Videographer: Betwixt Magnolias, Searcy
Event designer: Shelia Vaught, Little Rock
Florist: Tipton & Hurst ♥
Furniture rental company: Hank's Event Rentals, Little Rock ♥
Lighting: CWP Productions, Little Rock
Cakes: A&M Cake Designs, Conway
Band: The Atlanta Allstars
Ceremony music: The Da Capo Quartet (Sandra McDonald: Violin; Leanne Day-Simpson: Violin; Katherine Reynolds: Viola; Rafael Leon: Cello)
Wedding stationery: The Social Type, Little Rock
Bridal boutique: Stanley Korshak, Dallas
Shoes: Custom made shoes by AD & Daughters
Hair: Tommy Harris
Makeup: Augusta Andrews (bride's makeup) and Megan Irwin (bridesmaids' makeup)
Honeymoon travel agent: Poe Travel, Little Rock
Rehearsal dinner venue: Capital Hotel, Little Rock ♥
