ELEANOR KARVOSKI & JULIA MCCOY
May 1, 2021 / Private Residence
Eleanor and Julie met at a rugby event near Lake Placid in upstate New York more than 20 years ago. They both have a passion for sports and were living in two different areas of the country—Arkansas and New Jersey. They ended up meeting again in Canada and started to fly back and forth to visit one another. Julie had a blast visiting Eleanor in New York City—she loved sightseeing, fine dining and attending Broadway plays. Eleanor was smitten with the rolling meadows, outdoor activities, fresh air, BBQ and fried chicken in Arkansas.
During a visit to Telluride, Colorado, the couple went for a drive (in somewhat treacherous terrain in their rental car) to see a mountain-top lake. They decided to take a break and enjoy the scenery when Julie proposed. The song “Reunited” by Peaches & Herb was playing from the car when Julie got down on one knee!
INSPIRATION & IDEAS
Eleanor and Julie planned a rustic and classic outdoor wedding at their riverside house in Heber Springs. They used their surroundings to emphasize the natural beauty of their home.
“We wove our natural habitat into our wedding, which is how we incorporated natural art into our wedding. Our florist (Silks-A-Bloom) did an amazing job of using the blooms of our azaleas in the floral structures on our front porch. That was one of our favorite aspects of our wedding.”
- Eleanor Karvoski
Silks-A-Bloom used a variety of flowers that included shades of white and green and wildflowers with pops of color to mirror the wildflowers growing around their home. Greenery was hung around the tent to give a natural, spring feeling.
Their wedding planner, Christa Wilkins from JLK Weddings, provided a stress-free process. “She listened to our thoughts, helped us hone in on our vision, and created the most beautiful day imagined,” Eleanor said.
Ellie and Jules’ most worth-it splurge was on a sommelier who selected fine wines and champagne to pair with their dinner and for guests to enjoy. And one of the biggest hits of the night was their champagne wall.
MOMENTS & MEMORIES
Eleanor and Julie’s wedding colors were natural and neutral colors, such as various shades of whites, greens and blush with accents of gold. They used a burst of color with wildflowers that incorporated shades of pinks and purples. The wedding party wore a light tan and blush palette, and it complimented their colors nicely.
“Understanding that you experience life from two different viewpoints, and this duality allows you to gauge the world you live in wholly. In this regard, [keep] the focus on how you complement each other and choose to act as a team.”
- Eleanor Karvoski
A trend Eleanor and Julie love right now are the various ways brides are customizing unique dinner displays and seating arrangements. There isn’t always a need for a sit-down dinner, and they love the creativity that goes into creating spaces for wedding guests to eat and also visit with family and friends.
While planning their wedding, the one thing Eleanor and Julie knew they wanted to do was to integrate the natural elements of their house into the day. They wanted to feel surrounded by their home by incorporating spring blooms from their azalea bushes and using the river bank as the backdrop of their ceremony. They felt it was really important to both of them to stay connected, present and at the moment during the day.
“We wanted our closest friends and family by our sides to share in our experiences as they were a part of our lives in so many ways already. They were our support system for the previous 17 years so it was only natural for them to be with us. ”
- Eleanor Karvoski
WEDDING VENDORS WE LOVE
Wedding day florist
Silks-A-Bloom
rehearsal dinner florist
PIGMENT Floral Studio
MORE VENDORS
Design & Planning: Christa Wilkins with JLK Weddings, Photographer: B. Matthews Photography, Lighting: CWP Productions, Rental: Mahaffey Tent, White Door Event Rentals, Eventures Party Rental, Music: Jukeboxx & William Reyes with Smoothman Productions, Caterer & Bar: Gina's Catering, Cake: Sweet Lavender Bake Shop, Stationery: Minted Weddings, Transportation: Arkansas Destinations, Bridal: Lovely Bride, HMUA: Kitty Reeves, Portable Restrooms: Arkansas Portable Toilets
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