Kelly Nefzger & Matthew Richardson
November 21, 2020 / Blessings Golf Club in Fayetteville
KELLY AND MATT met in the third grade but didn’t become close friends until high school. They found and re-found each other for years until they finally became official as seniors at the University of Arkansas.
Matt was taking Kelly to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art for a date when he mentioned wanting to visit the Tulip Shelter on one of the museum’s outdoor trails. The sky was threatening rain, however, so he was racing up the freeway. This began to tip Kelly off to what his intentions were. It began to rain as they pulled into the parking lot, and he rushed them to a beautiful spot among the trees. He pulled a letter from his pocket, read it to her, got down on one knee and asked her to marry him.
PLANNING DURING A PANDEMIC
Kelly and Matt were engaged in May 2019 and hired Natasha Gates as their event planner within two weeks of the proposal.
When the pandemic caused everything to shut down in mid-March 2020, Natasha raced to make it possible for the couple to still get married on their original date (March 21, 2020). They were married at Artist Point and called their officiant on FaceTime. Kelly wore her rehearsal dinner dress, and Matt wore a suit.
From that point, they focused on the things that mattered most, like creating the best possible experience for their closest friends and family and making sure that they could spend quality time with their guests.
HOW THEY CUSTOMIZED
Kelly and Matt wanted it to be classic, cozy, soft, romantic and meaningful. They chose to host it at the Blessings Golf Club in Fayetteville, where they spend a lot of time with their families.
The weather was beautiful. Kelly and Matt were able to enjoy the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception outdoors in a tent and in the breezeway. They decorated with shades of pink and with a watercolor design created by a friend. They also commissioned a crest for their paper suite.
The ceremony tent was completely transformed with dreamy drapery, dim lighting, a floral arch, floral tiebacks and greenery suspended from the ceiling. Flickering candles lined the aisle, adding to the intimate vibe of their sundown nuptials.
For the reception, Kelly and Matt hosted an elegant, plated sit-down dinner with a live jazz trio performing as guests dined. After the meal, planner Natasha Gates staged a space for guests to talk, drink, mingle and play games—Jenga, cards, s’mores, cornhole and fire pits delighted their friends and family. Kelly’s beautiful cake was inspired by her wedding dress and incorporated edible 3D floral appliqués as accents on the cake.
VIDEO
THE DETAILS
| WEDDING VENDORS WE LOVE | |
|---|---|
| Wedding planner |
Natasha Gates Events |
| Flowers | Silks-A-Bloom, Little Rock |
| Earrings | Tesori, Fayetteville |
| Rehearsal dinner venue |
Inn at Carnall Hall, Fayetteville |
| MORE VENDORS | |
|---|---|
| Venue, caterer and drinks | Blessings Golf Club, Fayetteville |
| Photography | Jo Johnson Photography |
| Videography | Dave and a Camera |
| Furniture | Eventology, North Little Rock |
| Other rentals | Intents, Fayetteville and BBJ Linen |
| Lighting | Lightworks Events, Fayetteville |
| Cakes | Shelby Lynn's Cake Shoppe, Springdale |
| DJ and ceremony music | Brock Entertainment |
| Band | William Reyes Jazz Trio |
| Invitations | Paper Supply Co., Little Rock |
| Wedding dress | Stanley Korshak, Dallas |
| Bridesmaid dresses | Dessy |
| Groom's attire | Black Tux |
| Jeweler | Tom Weishaar of Acorn Jewelry |
| Beauty | Olivia Yeager |
| Honeymoon | Blue Sun Vacations, Fayetteville |
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.
