Jennifer Bantilan & Philip Williamson
November 15, 2020 / Royal
JENNIFER AND PHILIP connected on Tinder and met in person at Riverfest in 2016. After the Juicy J concert, they went about their separate ways until Philip realized later that night that he left his sunglasses with Jennifer. They later met up again so she could give Philip his sunglasses and then they kept making up excuses to see each other over and over again.
Philip proposed at Old Bank in Russellville on New Year's Eve 2019. After the ball dropped, they "drew names" and Jennifer was called to the stage. After getting on stage to claim the prize, she asked the announcer what she won. Then she looked behind her and Philip was on one knee asking her to marry him.
PLANNING DURING A PANDEMIC
Not only were they planning a wedding, they were also buying a house, starting new jobs and were in two of their friend's weddings, while also helping with Philip's older sister’s wedding in 2020. The pandemic started two and a half months into their engagement; they had only picked the venue and the wedding dress at that point. They immediately had to put all the planning on pause and leave home for two months to help with a COVID relief mission with the National Guard. Once they were back in planning mode, they had to make most decisions through virtual meetings. About five days before the wedding, they were notified that the bartender and crew they had originally hired came down with COVID. Thankfully their day-of coordinator got them a replacement that same day.
HOW THEY CUSTOMIZED
They chose to get married at The Royal Ridge Barns because of the beautiful mountain view from the balcony. They also loved that the venue decor was all customizable and provided by the venue. They wanted the wedding to be very classic and modern when they first started planning. After finding their venue, Jennifer wanted to tie in some of the fall/rustic elements by adding some boho details.
Jennifer wanted simple and timeless jewelry. Philip got her an oval-cut gem for the engagement ring with a rose gold band from Joshua's Fine Jewelry in Russellville. Philip's ring is a black tungsten band with rose gold in the middle that matches Jennifer’s ring set. Jennifer found a simple, fitted gown with a plunging neckline at Low’s Bridal. She fell in love with the fitted ivory crepe, and it’s cut-out sides and embellished belt.
She had two different veils. One had a blusher and the other was a single layer. Jennifer wore the veil with the blusher during the first look so that Philip could do the traditional "unveiling" and wore the single layer for all of the other events. Her earrings were studs with clustered marquise gems that matched the gems on her champagne colored heels.
Jennifer’s bridal beauty style was modern and chic. Her goal was to be able to look back at their pictures in 20 years and still love all the detailed decisions that were made. Dried bouquets added a bohemian vibe to the reception space and were neutral with lots of pampas grass, bunny tails and dried palm leaves with pops of the burnt orange color and some dried eucalyptus. Invitations were printed on white half-arched shape cards with burnt orange text and sent in black envelopes; they continued the half-arched shape to their bar menu, welcome signs, seating chart and order of events sign.
They brought their guests to the venue via the Hot Springs Trolley. Guests were greeted by a welcome sign made of overlapping half arches (made by the groom and his dad) that were painted in their wedding colors. The ceremony space was on the balcony that overlooked the mountain side. There were two large asymmetrical deconstructed arches that were placed behind where Philip and Jennifer would stand; the arches had large floral arrangements that had lots of pampas grass and other florals that matched their colors.
The reception space was centered around the mesmerizing fairy lights that hung above the checkered dance floor. To keep the mixing of the modern and boho theme, tables were lined with mixed textures of satin ivory fabric and velvet ivory fabric. The table's center pieces were alternated with tall and short floral/pampas grass arrangements and glass hurricane tubes with black candlesticks.
They served signature cocktails and opted for tiramisu instead of wedding cake.
THE DETAILS
| WEDDING VENDORS WE LOVE | |
|---|---|
| Photography | Benjamin Martin Photography |
| Wedding dress | Low's Bridal & Formal, Brinkley |
| Rehearsal dinner venue | Crystal Ridge Distillery, Hot Springs |
| MORE VENDORS | |
|---|---|
| Venue, rentals | Royal Ridge Barn, Royal |
| Day-of coordinator | Kaitie Gill of Sailboat Weddings |
| Flowers | Fern + Sunpalm |
| Lighting, band | Bryant Cuevas |
| Cake, catering | Mama's Little Italy, Hot Springs |
| Drink service | Mary Pitre |
| Invitations | Minted, mayaandlove and BroussArt |
| Bridesmaid dresses | Danielle's Bridal in Clarksville, David's Bridal and ASOS |
| Groom's attire | Black Tux |
| Jeweler | Joshua's Fine Jewelry, Russellville |
| Hair, makeup | Whiplash Beauty, Hot Springs |
| Transportation | Hot Springs Trolley |
| Guest accommodations | Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hot Springs Hotel & Spa |
| Napkins/coozies | GB Design House |
| Neon sign | Neon Studio |
See this Real Wedding as it appeared in the 2021 digital edition of Arkansas Bride. Discover more inspiration in Arkansas Bride's Real Weddings section.
