DARLENE SERVELLON & EROL BANUELOS
September 16, 2023 | Greystone Estate | Rogers | Jenny Martin Photography
Darlene and Erol were 14 when they met through a mutual friend during their freshman year of high school. By their junior year, the relationship was official. After spending their high school lives together, transitioning to long-distance for college wasn’t easy, but they made it work.
“We’d call each other regularly and share stories about our days,” Darlene said. “It was during that time we realized how much we missed each other and how much we valued our connection. When we’d see each other on weekends, it felt like no time had passed. It was then that we knew we were each other’s person.”
While visiting family in LA, Erol planned a breakfast date in Malibu. With perfect weather and a beautiful, scenic drive, Erol parked and led Darlene down to the shore where a beachfront picnic surrounded by red roses was waiting to be the centerpiece of the rest of their lives together.
WEDDING VENDORS WE LOVE
Photography
Jenny Martin Photography
Catering
Carmelita Catering Co.
MORE VENDORS
Coordinator: Brittany Bloom Events + Design; Venue: Greystone Estate; Florist: Kindred Blooms; Lighting: Lightworks Events; Cake: The Cake Occasion; Tacos: Las Taquizas NWA; Videography: Moment Hunters; Rentals: Kindred Provision, Party Pro Rents and Alchemy Event Rentals; Music: Mariachi Los Portillos and DJ Bryan Entertainment; Bartender: Rendition Coffee & Cocktails; Hair stylist: Hairrera (Evelin Ballesteros); Makeup artist: Glamginaa (Gina Balbuena)
Q & A
Q: What personalizations did you plan for the wedding day?
A: “We wanted to make sure all of our guests felt included and appreciated, so we had our thank you cards printed in both Spanish and English,” Darlene said. “It was important that everyone understood how much their presence meant to us on our special day.”
Q: What was your most worth-it splurge?
A: “Our food and drinks were our most worth-it splurge,” Darlene said. “We wanted to ensure our guests were well-fed and happy to celebrate with us all night! Mexican cuisine was a must for us, and we collaborated with Carmelita's Catering to curate a menu that our guests still talk about today. The late-night street tacos from Las Taquizas NWA were a hit, and of course, we had to have margaritas and Palomas, which were crafted by Rendition Coffee & Cocktails.”
Q: What is your secret to wedding planning success?
A: “For us, it was the music,” Darlene said. “It played a huge role in setting the mood and incorporating our Mexican culture. The Mariachi during cocktail hour brought the energy, while the romantic Mexican classics during dinner created a warm, intimate atmosphere. And then, the reception was a party with Hispanic hits that all our guests could enjoy!”
Q: What was your favorite moment of the day, and why?
A: “There were so many memorable moments, but my favorite has to be walking down the aisle,” Darlene said. “It was like walking into a dream. We were surrounded by the people we loved the most; the music was playing, and everything felt so surreal. But then, seeing Erol at the end of the aisle brought an even greater overwhelming amount of joy!”
Q: What surprised you about planning a wedding?
A: “Time really does fly when you're planning a wedding,” Darlene said. “It feels like you have forever to organize everything, but suddenly the big day is right around the corner. My advice? Don't wait too long to book your vendors – they fill up fast! It's better to get everything locked in early so you can relax and enjoy the process.”
VENUE VIEWS
The scenic drive to the venue, the stunning grounds, and the lake views — it was all just perfect.
FLORAL FEVER
The florals… blended with Greystone’s natural beauty and transformed the outdoor space.
