Holly Renee Snipe &Jacob Phillip McDonald
May 31, 2025 | Fairhaven at the Vineyards in Altus | Courtney Paige Photography
Holly and Jacob met in the most modern, romantic place possible–the gym. They connected over their shared love of dogs, and had their date at, you guessed it, the gym!
“I remember thinking, this is either going to surprise me and go great, or it’s going to feel awkward and be the worst idea ever,” Holly said. “Thankfully, it turned out to be the best decision. It was so fun, and I was surprised by how natural everything felt and how easily conversation flowed between sets.”
Falling in love didn’t happen in one singular moment, but gradually and over time.
“It felt more like something that slowly grew through shared memories, contagious energy, endless laughs, and lots of singing Taylor Swift in the car together,” Holly said.
Three months into dating, they booked a cruise together, where they shared their first “I love yous,” and the rest is history!
Wedding Professionals We Love
Wedding cake and desserts: Eats by Annie
Music: Elite Beats
Bar: The Southern Sippery Mobile Bar
Signage: Accents by Ovation
More Wedding Professionals
Planning, design and stationery: KDT Brides; Photography and content creation: Courtney Paige Photography; Venue: Fairhaven at the Vineyards; Videography: The Powers Photo; Florist: Fleurish Floral Studio; Catering: Pasta Grill; Rentals and dance floor: Eventology; Linens: Love Linens; Hair stylist: Shae Samples; Makeup artist: Brittany Robbins; Photo booth: Magic Mirror; Live painter: Nicole Renee Fine Art; Wedding gown: Ellis Bridal; Wedding gown designer: Martina Liana; Wedding gown alterations: Material Concepts; Accessories and jewelry: Anthropologie; Bridal shoes: Badgley Mischka; Groom’s suit: The Total Gentleman
Q: Why did you decide to go with the vibe of your wedding?
A: “We decided on a moody, romantic Italian vineyard vibe because it felt like the perfect reflection of us — elegant, intimate and full of character,” Holly said. “The natural beauty of our venue, paired with vintage and Victorian details, inspired the overall aesthetic, while soft lighting, lush florals, and rich textures brought the vision to life. We wanted the day to feel enduringly romantic, like something you might step into from a still-life painting, while still being warm and inviting for our guests.”
Q: Was there a moment that felt sentimental to you?
A: “I wore my grandmother’s pearl necklace walking down the aisle,” Holly said. “Our ring bearer was Milo, [Jacobs] Chihuahua-pug, which was a fun nod to our shared love of dogs.”
Q: What moment of the day do you wish you could relive over and over again?
A: “Guests loved the custom cocktail napkins featuring a picture of the bride’s late dog, with the message ‘Cheers from Ganon,’ and dog-themed stirrer sticks celebrating our other pups,” Holly said. “We also had an outfit change during the reception, an audio guest book, and an espresso martini tower. One of the most unforgettable moments was the groom walking out to ‘Grove St. Party’ while popping and chugging champagne bottles.”
Q: Is there an underrated wedding vendor for the big day you recommend to all Arkansas couples?
A: “One underrated vendor we loved was our live painter, who created watercolor guest portraits that doubled as entertainment and a personalized favor for everyone to take home,” Holly said. “The vendor who truly saved the day was Kasarah, our wedding coordinator. Her attention to detail and flawless management let us fully enjoy every moment, and we honestly couldn’t have done it without her. I also want to give credit to the venue owner, Sara Milam, for assisting with everything throughout the weekend.”
Q: When you look back at your wedding, what part of the day sticks out to you the most?
A: “What sticks out the most to us is simply being surrounded by our friends and family and seeing all the hard work come together to create a truly unforgettable day,” Holly said. “We’ll also never forget the sweet, fresh scent of muscadine grapes at the vineyard as we took our post-ceremony photos — it made the moment feel even more sweet.”
Leaving in Style
“We wore matching Vans to the reception, which was a throwback to the matching pair of white, high-top Vans we bought together earlier on while dating,” Holly said. “Little personal details like these made the day feel … completely ‘us.’”
The Last Dance
Jacob’s favorite moment actually happened the day after the wedding day! “Once all of our friends and family had left and our decor and belongings were loaded onto a truck, we took a quiet moment in the empty ceremony space to play our first dance song and dance together,” Jacob said. “It was a perfect, intimate pause to reflect on the entire weekend and celebrate just the two of us.”
