Sarah Stone and Sam Hicks' love story began at Arkansas State University. Sarah was a freshman in the fall of 2014 and Sam was a sophomore. The two ran into each other during welcome week festivities and the two fell head over heels for each other.
Sam graduated a year before Sarah, so the two had to make long-distance work for a year. At the end of the year, Sarah was busy studying for finals so she hadn't made plans to see Sam.
"As I was studying in my apartment, I heard a knock on the door and went to answer it (mind you, I looked like I had taken 30 finals at that point) and he was there on one knee," Sarah says. "I was confused and concerned, thinking he tripped because Sam is super clumsy. I asked him what he was doing and if he was hurt and he said 'Nope, just wanna ask you if you’d marry me?' and he pulled a box out of his pocket. You know I said yes!"
Read on for more of the lovely photos of Sam and Sarah's October 13 wedding in Hot Springs!
On the dress: "I picked my wedding dress out because it was flattering and it came in blush (which is perfect for my Irish skin tone). It had lace detailing and a scalloped hem and made me feel beautiful."
On the rest of her bridal fashion: "My shoes were my 'something blue' —velvet block heels that were super comfortable! I wore Tiffany’s pearl earrings I received as a college graduation present from my parents and wore a pearl necklace Sam got me for my birthday several years ago, and a pearl bracelet a dear family friend gave me as a high school graduation gift."
On the groom's look: "Sam wore a navy suit like the grooms and wine tie. My wedding present to Sam was dinosaur cuff links — he loves dinosaurs!"
On Sarah's wedding style: "I love Italian Ruscus and definitely wanted it in my florals. Sam and I are very outdoorsy and it's part of the reason why we chose our venue since you can see nature out of the many windows in the chapel."
On ceremony decor: "We kept ceremony decor very simple since the chapel radiates elegance and we didn’t want to overdo it! We had pew markers made up of eucalyptus and Ruscus signifying the family rows and sprays hanging from the candelabras that framed the stage. At the guest book, a bouquet similar to reception flowers was present."
On the reception style: "We wanted everyone to feel welcome and ready to celebrate! We had a sweetheart table instead of a long table with the whole wedding party because we wanted guests to be able to find us easily and come say hi! Instead of having separate father/daughter and mother/son dances, towards the end of our first dance, we had our parents join us on the dance floor and had a couple’s dance!"
Sarah's wedding advice to any bride-to-be: "Plan the wedding you want — don’t listen to anyone else’s advice because only you really know what you and your future spouse want."
On the feeling of being pronounced husband and wife: "Joyus, relieved, and excited. All the painstaking planning had been completed and we were married and it was time to party!"
The Details
Photography: Jessica Brown Photography
Venue: Anthony Chapel at Garvan Woodland Gardens, Hot Springs
Florist: Johnson Floral Company, Hot Springs
Furniture and other rentals: The Warehouse, Hot Springs
Cake and groom's cake: Ambrosia Bakery, Hot Springs
Caterer: Catering Temptations, Hot Springs
DJ: Bill Remow
Invitations: Democrat Printing and Lithographing, Little Rock
Wedding dress: David’s Bridal
Bridesmaid dresses: David’s Bridal
Groom/groomsmen attire: JCPenney
Engagement ring & wedding band: Blue Nile
Groom’s wedding band: Kay Jewelers
Hair: Haley Morton
Makeup: Ashton Hill
Rehearsal dinner venue: Brick House Grill, Hot Springs
