KATHERINE KEILMAN & CHRISTOPHER LANE GERRALD
September 16, 2023 | The Ballroom at I Street | Bentonville | Miles Witt Boyer
Katie and Lane met during their freshman year at the University of Central Arkansas. They quickly became close friends, and Katie soon realized that Lane matched her energy in every way. Their friendship turned into something more after their senior trip to Hawaii.
“Within days of returning from the trip, we both realized our time spent as friends could be much more,” Katie said. “We never wasted a beat from that moment.”
The couple made a tradition of celebrating each anniversary on the beach in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. On their third anniversary trip, Lane planned a picnic on a private beach that ended in a surprise proposal.
He had planned every detail in the months leading up to the trip and even hired a photographer to be there to capture the moment for their family.
WEDDING VENDORS WE LOVE
Photography
Miles Witt Boyer
Planning and design
Amanda Reed of Amanda Reed Weddings
Reception venue
The Ballroom at I Street
Florist
Silks-A-Bloom
MORE VENDORS
Ceremony venue: Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel; Catering: Catering Unlimited; Bar services: Mint 2 Mix; Rentals: Eventology, Alchemy Event Rentals and White Door Events; Linens: BBJ La Tavola, Nuage Designs and Lola Valentina; Dance floor: Center Stage Dance Floors; Lighting: Lightworks Events; Cake: Shelby Lynn’s Cake Shoppe; Ceremony music: Cello by Austin; Band: Mixtapes Band; Stage rental: Intents; Stationery: Shindig Paperie; Paper goods: Dayflower Designs; Photo booth: Captured and Co.; Live painter: Jane Davidi; Guest portraits: Luciles Studio; Cotton candy: Lemon + Puff; Ice cream: Jack’s Ice Cream Truck; Wedding dress: Iconic Bride; Jewelry: Micah’s Jewelers and gifted from family; Bridesmaid’s day-of jewelry: Untamed Petals; Bridesmaid’s dresses: Birdie Grey; Groom and groomsmen rentals: Mr. Tux; HMUA: Baleigh Ballstrom for NWA Occasions; Getaway car: NWA High Society
Q & A
Q: What did you love about your venue?
A: “We fell in love with The Ballroom at I Street … the garden-esque setting was perfect for our botanical theme,” Katie said. “The contemporary beauty of [the ballroom] space, with the tall windows and stunning chandeliers—we could not have asked for a better experience!”
Q: You said you wanted gold to be a part of the wedding aesthetic, how did you incorporate it?
A: “Memorable details [include] the custom gold and pearl mirrored dance floor,” Katie said.
Q: What was your favorite moment of the day, and why?
A: “Saying yes to the man I love as my grandfather pronounced us Mr. & Mrs. Gerrald,” Katie said. “Ever since I was a little girl, I have always looked forward to the special moment, and prayed that my grandpa would be the one to officiate my wedding.
Q: What was your secret to wedding planning success?
A: “Our secret was simply hiring Amanda Reed as our wedding planner,” Katie said. “From meeting with Amanda in the early stages of planning to execution, every detail was flawless and everything I imagined.”
LATE-NIGHT SNACK
“One of my personal favorite touches was the customized “Gerrald Pizzeria” boxes that were served on the dance floor at the end of the night, as [pizza] is our favorite late-night snack,” Katie said.
WORTH-IT SPLURGE
“Hiring some of the best wedding vendors across the state,” Katie said. “[Including] our amazing photographer Miles Witt Boyer…who captured pure magic from the start to end of our big day, along with Silks-A-Bloom for creating magic within our floral arrangements.”
