GRETCHEN WOOD & MATTHEW LARKAN
October 3, 2020 / Legacy Acres, Conway
Gretchen and Matt met on a blind date coordinated by their bosses. What Gretchen thought was a family photoshoot for Matt’s mom's 60th birthday at Wildwood Park of the Arts, turned into a surprise proposal. The photographer wanted to “test the lighting” in the gazebo on them and the next thing she knew, Matt was down on one knee. Both of their families were hiding and surprised her.
THE INSPIRATION
Gretchen wanted her wedding to be bohemian glam. She used mauve, rust, burgundy and blush tones to allude to the bohemian aspect, but the elegant space of Legacy Acres for the glam. They had custom arch signs floating in gold stands with asymmetrical florals, including king protea, amnesia roses, amaranthus, dried palm and lagurus. Purple rose petals decorated the aisle, as did a large asymmetrical floral display on the wooden cross.
HOW THEY CUSTOMIZED
Gretchen chose a wedding gown with a champagne, sweetheart neckline and mesh sleeves from the Unveiled Bridal Collection. She paired that with a solid tulle veil, sunburst drop earrings to match her bridesmaids and Seychelles Neve Heels for the ceremony.
Matt and Gretchen chose her engagement ring together. She wanted a solitaire, plain gold band for the engagement ring and for his ring to match. Gretchen’s wedding bands are made from her mother’s diamonds by a jeweler in her hometown. She wore iridescent swoosh Nike Air Force Ones to the reception. Their nieces wore matching mauve tulle dresses from Alex + Nova with floral crowns from Tanarah Luxe Floral.
Gretchen and her dad built the large custom-colored arches in their garage as the main backdrop of the reception. Paper Supply Co. created stationary to match the ceremony signs. At the entrance to the ballroom, there were black shelves filled with glasses of champagne to welcome guests into the reception. An acrylic bar cart held the cake on the dance floor, and acrylic blocks held the table numbers. For their cake, they had a five-tier strawberry and butter pecan cake with cream cheese icing.
VIDEO
WEDDING VENDORS WE LOVE
Venue, rehearsal dinner
Legacy Acres, Conway
Florist
Tanarah Luxe Floral, Little Rock
Wedding dress, veil
Unveiled Bridal Collection, Little Rock
Day-of coordinator
Justin Hoadley with TLF Event, Little Rock
Furniture rentals
Eventology, Little Rock
Caterer, drink services
Heritage Catering, Little Rock
Linens
Party Time Rental & Events, Little Rock
MORE VENDORS
Photography: Max Grubb of Miles Witt Boyer Photographic Collective; Videography: Dave and a Camera, North Little Rock; Planning: Gretchen Larkan Events, Little Rock; Lighting: Central Arkansas Entertainment, Little Rock; Cake: Two Sisters Catering, Sherwood; Groom’s cake: The Pantry West, Little Rock; Other desserts: Sweet Crumb Bake Shop, Little Rock; DJ: DJ Jellybean, Little Rock; Invitations: Paper Supply Co., Little Rock; Bridesmaid dresses: BHLDN by Anthropologie, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Groom/groomsmen attire: Stitch & Tie, Anaheim, California; Jeweler: Jones & Son Diamond & Bridal Fine Jewelry, Little Rock; Pagan’s Jewelry, Jonesboro; Hair: VANSTONE Salon + Med Spa, Jonesboro; Makeup: Chrsiti Musial, Fayetteville; Katie Wells, Conway
See this Real Wedding as it appeared in the print edition of ARKANSAS BRIDE.
Discover more inspiration in Arkansas Bride's Real Weddings section.
