Meaghan Mulholland & Andrew Hutson
November 14, 2009 • Eureka Springs
Thorncrown Chapel & Basin Park Hotel
When The New York Times reports that your fiancé planned one of the top 10 proposals of the year, you know you found the right guy. But Meaghan Mulholland didn’t need the newspaper article to tell her that; after six years with boyfriend Andrew Hutson, she had no doubts. His headline-worthy proposal (he popped the question during a dig for crystals at Wegner Quartz Crystal Mines in Mount Ida) ended up setting the tone for their entire wedding – in addition to setting an example for boyfriends everywhere. “Every now and then, Andrew would say, ‘Hey, look at this one,’ and I would turn to see the crystals in his hand,” Meaghan remembered. “But the last time he said it, I turned to see a glimmering diamond ring in a box, perched on the end of [his] shovel.”
Location, Location, Location
Eureka Springs was the perfect location for the many out-of-town guests they invited. “We wanted to pick a destination for our friends and family to enjoy – where it would be easy for them to get around,” Meaghan said. “Everyone kept telling us what an amazing time they had and how they all fell in love with Arkansas!”
Diamond-Studded Soirée
To commemorate their nationally acclaimed engagement at Wegner Quartz Crystal Mines, the couple incorporated crystal elements into a palate of purple and silver and opted for other sparkly accents. The bejeweled decorations included a rock candy-adorned wedding cake, quartz crystals from Wegner’s for guests, crystal curtains along the stage, shimmering threads dangling from delicate centerpieces, and sparkling garland hanging over the ballroom doorway, dangling above the cake and draping within the centerpieces.”We liked how crystals are natural and come from the earth, representing a sort of ever-lasting beauty,” she said.
Eco-Savvy Extras
“We wanted to use as much vintage, seasonal and re-useable stuff as possible,” Meaghan said. “Andrew works for the Environmental Defense Fund, and we wanted our wedding to have as low an environmental impact as possible.” The invitations were printed on recycled paper; they chose vintage vases for the tables and fair-trade roses for the centerpieces; and in lieu of favors, they made a donation in their guests’ names to Smile Train.
The food combined the couple’s love for the Natural State and their passion for sustainability, too. “We served a taste of Northwest Arkansas with as much local, organic and seasonal cuisine as possible,” she said, listing off menu items that included beef brisket, quail, trout and home-style sides. “Plus, we served a ‘moonshine’ punch in mason jars as our signature cocktail.”
The Details
Rings: David Adams Fine Jewelry, Fayetteville
Wedding planner: Emily Digby of Twig Beyond the Vase, Fayetteville
Music: 3 Penny Acre, Fayetteville and Chris Denny & The Natives, Little Rock
Florist: Emily Digby of Twig Beyond the Vase, Fayetteville
Wedding dress: She Said Yes Bridal, Rogers
Bride/bridesmaids beauty: Sunshine Broder of Shine Salon & Dillard’s, Fayetteville
