ELISE JONES & PAUL LOVELADY
June 24, 2023 | Cold Springs Events | Little Rock | Kati Mallory Fine Art Photography
Elise and Paul attended the University of Arkansas, but because of their six-year age gap, they never crossed paths while in school. They shared a plethora of mutual friends, and eventually their paths crossed on social media. The two decided to wait until Elise was visiting Little Rock to have their first date, and it was love at first sight for her.
“This handsome man waiting outside a restaurant in [my] hometown with the biggest smile [I’d] ever seen,” Elise said. “The first date led to the two meeting up every single weekend after that. [We] were enchanted with each other.”
After one year of dating, Paul proposed in front of his parents home in Little Rock. To Elise’s surprise, her entire family was watching the entire plan unfold from the living room windows.
“From the first date, their was something special and once in a lifetime here,” Elise said. “Within a few months, it was clear [we] was The One for each other.”
Now the couple lives in Little Rock, where their love story began, and are expecting their first baby girl during the summer of 2024.
WEDDING VENDORS WE LOVE
Florist
Silks-A-Bloom
Gown
Unveiled Bridal Collection
HMUA
Belle & Blush
Catering and bartending
Heritage Catering
MORE VENDORS
Photography: Kati Mallory Fine Art Photography; Planning and design: Hunter Orcutt Events; Venue: Cold Springs Events; Videography: A. Boone Film; Invitations: By Invitation Only; Paper goods and custom products: Especially For You; Rentals: Eventology and Rentals by GLE; HMUA: Makeup with Madz (Madison Domenick); Band: City Mix Band; Vinyls: The Dance Floor Man; Cake: Michelle Mayer; Cotton candy cart: The Little Cloud; Guest transportation: Arkansas Destinations
Q & A
Q: What was your favorite moment of the day, and why?
A: “The day was the private last dance shared between [us],” Elise said. “[We] slow danced and soaked in what just happened, reflected on the beauty of the day [we] created…how all of [our] dear friends and family were in one place to celebrate with [us].”
Q: What personalizations did you plan for the wedding day?
A: “[Paul] is an avid lifelong golfer. [I] surprised [him] with a wall of custom-made golf balls featuring [our] last initial ‘L’ and the sign ‘Let’s Par-Tee!’ It was important to [us] to have the children in [our] family included…This led to a children’s area designed by [me] and our wedding planner that featured a low picnic table, a cotton candy stand, bubble, and best of all custom coloring pages of caricatures.”
Q: What is your secret to wedding planning success?
A: “As a type A bride, starting early was one key point to enjoying the process for me, personally,” Elise said. “Decide your few most important things and focus on getting those set and planned. Most importantly, think of how you can incorporate personal touches to your special day that truly make it feel like the couple’s day and not just another wedding. Also, hire vendors you trust.”
Q: What was your most worth-it splurge?
A: “The transition from the serene and angelic white florals to the pink-filled reception space was intentional and took guests on a journey of color and emotion,” Elise said. “The investment in florals and specifically partnering with Dale Aldridge at Silks-A-Bloom [exceeded] expectations and was most certainly the most worth-it splurge.”
MAN’S BEST FRIEND!
Elise and Paul honored their dog, Jocko, by providing a customized drink called “The Jockorita” – a margarita completed with a stir stick of the pup’s cute face!
GET THE PARTY STARTED
Elise’s uncle Todd kicked off the party after the reception with the Cupid Shuffle and she said the crowd was roaring. Everyone got on their feet and celebrated the newlyweds with uncle Todd, and it’s one of Elise’s favorite moments of the day!
