OLIVIA LANGE & JOEY BURKMAN
June 4, 2022 | Botanical Garden of the Ozarks | Fayetteville | Cameron and Elizabeth Photography
Olivia and Joey met at the University of Arkansas during her junior year in 2016. Her first impression of Joey was his goofy, loyal and endearing personality. “We actually met a few times before we started dating,” Olivia said. “Every time we interacted, I’d walk away with the biggest smile on my face, and I knew there was something special about him.”
Over the course of the first year together, Olivia realized Joey would always support her in any dream she had. There wasn’t one single moment where she realized she was in love with him, it happened so gradually over time, and she continues to fall more in love with him. “He’s who I want in my corner every day of our lives,” Olivia said.
Joey realized he loved Olivia after they spent a summer apart while she was in Ireland studying abroad. The time difference was a struggle for him, he would get back from class at 4 p.m. and she would be going to bed. One night while abroad, she had a terrible allergic reaction and was rushed to the hospital. “I couldn’t imagine what my life would have been without her in it and I knew from that point on that I didn’t want to find out what that felt like,” Joey said.
WEDDING VENDORS WE LOVE
Photographers
Cameron and Elizabeth Photography
Venue
Botanical Garden of the Ozarks
Wedding dress
Joon Bridal
MORE VENDORS
Planner and florist: Buzz Event Planning & Design; Rentals: BBJ La Tavola; Tent: INTENTS Party Rentals; Lighting: Lightworks Events; Cocktail hour charcuterie: Noble Graze; Catering: Catering Unlimited; Dessert table: Shelby Lynne’s Cake Shoppe; DJ: Ozark Mix; Invitation suite artwork: Jane Davidian; Colored goblets: Pretty Old Stuff NWA; Bridesmaid dresses: Lulus, Show Me Your Mumu, Jenny Yoo, BHLDN; Groomsmen suits: Menguin; Jeweler: EVM Jeweler; Hair: Luxe Beauty, Carolina Shackelford; Makeup: Looks by Marlana
Q & A
Q: What inspired your florals?
A: “Our inspiration was a garden in full bloom, with lots of colors and organic arrangements that looked like they sprung up from the garden,” Olivia said.
Q: What is your secret to wedding planning success?
A: “Secret No. 1 is hiring a wedding planner,” Olivia said. “Secret No. 2 is picking a few things you really care about, and spending your budget there.”
Q: How did you customize your wedding?
A: “My wonderful mother embroidered the crest from our invitation suite onto napkins for the head table,” Olivia said. “It was the perfect unexpected custom touch, and Joey and I still use them when we have dinner parties!”
Q: What was an essential detail you couldn’t live without?
A: “I knew I wanted to have a croquembouche. Part of our inspiration came from “The Great British Bake Off” show, one of my favorite shows. With the English garden theme and big white tent, it was a natural fit for beautiful elaborate desserts.”
Q: What was your favorite wedding detail?
A: “Our place cards were traditional English holiday crackers, made by me, my mom and a few of my bridesmaids. Growing up, every Christmas we had these holiday crackers with our dessert, and I have such fond memories of wearing the paper crowns and reading the corny jokes aloud with my family.”
GARDEN PARTY
“I have always loved gardening, so I knew I wanted to enhance the natural beauty of the botanical gardens,” Olivia said.
LOVELY LITERATURE
Olivia and Joey took a lot of inspiration from “Pride & Prejudice,” “The Secret Garden” and “Bridgerton” because they love all the English garden vibes.
