ELLIE STAFFORD & NICK SMITH
August 20, 2022 | The Silos Barn | Jonesboro | Ryanne ODonnell Photography
Ellie and Nick met during their freshman year of college at Arkansas State University. She was nominated by Nick’s family’s fraternity to participate in the Miss Greek Goddess pageant, and he was in her skit dressed as a cheerleader. The two got to know one another through the process and sparks were flying!
Ellie knew Nick was the one while watching the way he treated her Papaw while he was in the hospital. The two bonded over hunting and Ellie fell in love with the way Nick fit perfectly in her family.
“I remember sitting in his hospital room one night, watching Nick show him pictures from his recent hunting trips, and I knew at that moment that he was the person I wanted to marry.”
On their four-year anniversary, Ellie was competing in the Miss Arkansas competition for the last time. After the event was over, Ellie met with her family in Hot Springs to celebrate a fun competition season. Nick proposed to Ellie out on the dock of her family’s lake house. He surprised her with a fun night of celebrating at Crystal Ridge Distillery with their closest friends and family.
WEDDING VENDORS WE LOVE
Photography
Ryanne O’Donnell Photography
Wedding dress
Low’s Bridal & Formal
Rental and linens
A Perfect Bloom Florist & Wedding Rentals
MORE VENDORS
Venue: The Silos Barn; Florist: Generations Floral Co.; Planning: Samantha McFadden with Planned By Sam; Videography: Knight Productions; Wedding gown designer: Maggie Sottero; Groom and groomsmen suit: Men’s Wearhouse; Bridesmaid’s dresses: Revelry; House party dresses: Show Me Your Mumu; Jeweler: Jones & Son of Little Rock; Music: Rob West; Catering: Bistro on the Ridge; Stationery: Minted; Hair: Alexis Dearing & Emily Haywood-Keating; Makeup: Jadyn Moore-Tippitt & Megan Lamb; Cake: Abby Cakes; Desserts: Southern Confections; Guestbook: MPix; Cold Sparks: Suspence Entertainment; Dance Floor Wrap: The Dance Floor Man; Wedding Painter: Dale Case; Neon Sign: The Lovely Glass Jar
Q & A
Q: What inspired your color palette?
A: “We knew when we were getting married in August, that we wanted to have a bright summer wedding,” Ellie said. “We decided to go with pinks and oranges but to also incorporate a champagne color as a more neutral color as well. It was perfect!”
Q: What was your favorite moment of the day?
A: “I remember being a bit overwhelmed by how fast everything was moving,” Ellie said. “...Once it was time to go see Nick for the first time, I felt very calm and excited to hug and talk to him. I’ll never forget crying before he even turned around, and the moments after were even better.”
Q: What personalizations did you plan for the wedding day?
A: “We had drink and cake napkins with our dog, Remi, on it,” Ellie said. “[The napkins] said ‘I Do, Too!’ We had a table with framed pictures of all of our family members who have passed to remember and honor them on our big day…Nick and I did the dance routine that we did in 2016 with some of our best college friends, my dad and I had a fun dance, and Nick and his mom did as well.
Q: What surprised you about planning a wedding?
A: “...How fun it can be,” Ellie said. “Before starting, I was so stressed about the little details and making sure that everything would be perfect, and I quickly realized how fun it was. Nick and I planned everything together, which I was very thankful for, and it made that experience even more enjoyable!
FIRST LOOK
“I’ll always remember him saying, “I haven’t even looked at the dress yet, I was looking at you.’ I felt so special and loved in that moment,” Ellie said.
EXTRA! EXTRA!
“We had personalized newspaper wedding fans that we used as our programs, while also allowing everyone to keep themselves a little more cool during the outdoor ceremony,” Ellie said.
