Callyn Bird and Corbin Truelove began their love story at the East Poinsett County High School gym in January 2013. During a happenstance meeting at the concession stand, the two began chatting. That meeting led to five years of dating and included four proms, countless dates and adventures and family vacations.
“We also both went to Arkansas State University, so we got to experience college life together,” Callyn says. “I became a part of his family and he became a part of mine.”
When it came time to propose, Corbin tricked Callyn into thinking he was planning a special day for her birthday. She would be turning 21 the following week and was going to be in California on a family vacation. On March 9, 2018, a sweet letter was waiting for Callyn in her room. The letter mapped out Corbin’s plans for her birthday, which included a morning at Eden Spa, lunch with a friend and then meeting Corbin in Memphis. Corbin had set up a scavenger hunt in Memphis and the first stop was the Memphis Botanic Garden.
“Little did I know that Corbin would be at this location with flowers, candles, and a beautiful ring under a wood-framed chapel ready to propose to me,” Callyn says. “When I got around the corner, my heart began to melt. He was so nervous, that all the words he planned to say were instantly gone. Luckily for him, I barely remember saying, ‘Yes!’”
Read on to find out more about Corbin and Callyn’s early spring Southern garden wedding at Moss Mountain Farm.
On the planning experience: “To be honest, after we picked our venue, things just fell into place. Deciding on our honeymoon location was harder than the wedding planning. Each of the vendors became people we knew on a first name basis, that loved and cheered us on. Gina’s food was delicious and beautiful. Gina also provided Corbin and I with a to-go box following the wedding. We definitely were thankful for this after a long day. Katherine and her team from Bella Baxter Special Events came on board later in the wedding process. But they made the last couple of months before the wedding and the actual wedding day go so smoothly. They guided us through the whole weekend and helped us make decisions in the midst of a rainy wedding day. Alecia from Cabbage Rose took our dreams and made them a reality.”
On her wedding dress: “The day I found my dress was just sublime. Molly from Maggie Louise Bridal contacted me prior to my bridal appointment and also had me answer questions and share my style and dreams with her. Let’s just say she had six dresses picked out for me, and the first dress she wanted me to try on was the ONE!”
On the venue: “My grandmother loves P. Allen Smith, and always dreamed of seeing his home. When we came to tour, James Sumpter provided us a tour of the grounds. He spent a lot of time with us. He showed us the whole property and told us about many weddings they had hosted. When we left, Corbin and I both said, can we get married here? We fell in love with Moss Mountain at first sight!”
On the rest of her bridal fashion: “My veil was amazing. It was a hand-beaded cathedral-length veil designed by Sara Gabriel. Corbin gave me a Lagos bracelet on the day of my wedding to wear. My grandparents gave me a bracelet from Tiffany’s to wear on my special day. Both of those gifts were super sweet to wear on our wedding day.”
On the DJ set-up: “Our amazing DJ Jellybean set up in two places. First, he set up under the tent for introductions and our dining music. Following dinner, he sat up under the porch and we had our first dance as a married couple under the beautiful tree draped with cafe lights. Our guests joined our dancing celebration. The lights flickering from the house and the tree made everything feel just dreamy.”
On her wedding style: “I love classic elegance with a Southern romantic feel. I wanted to use primarily white and ivory flowers and very muted pinks and greens. My mom and I found a place called My China Place for beautiful china to be set on the tables. It was perfect vintage china in soft colors of white, blush and green. We used the long farm tables at Moss Mountain, which made our wedding seem so cozy. Our florist lined the tables with hearty seeded eucalyptus garland.
On wedding blooms: “Alecia at Cabbage Rose is just amazing! One of the sweetest things she created for us was our ‘Truelove’ heart. I wanted a hanging heart wrapped with greenery to hang over the white loveseat where Corbin and I would sit at during the reception. She started drawing as I was describing it to her. One of my favorite pictures from the wedding is a picture of us kissing under the heart.”
On the cocktail hour: “We had a Sip and See time following our wedding. Moss Mountain is such a beautiful place, we wanted to provide our guests with an opportunity to tour the property. This was a perfect time for them to tour and mingle while we finished our pictures. Under the magnificent tree in front of the house affectionately called Big Sister, we had an appetizer table with fruit-infused water and strawberry lemonade.”
On her wedding planning advice: “Don’t try and do every cute or trendy thing you see. Pick out a few details or special things that mean a lot to you and focus on those things. And write your own vows. I was hesitant at first because I thought I would be too nervous. Corbin really wanted to do it, so I finally agreed. That was my favorite part of the wedding.”
On her favorite wedding moment: “Corbin, is definitely the man of my dreams. He can make me laugh harder than anyone else, brings me joy in every situation, and is the leader in our relationships. I am so glad the Lord blessed me with him. My favorite moment was when I walked down the aisle. Corbin and I decided to be traditional and wait to see each other. How I felt in the moment and the look on his face, I will never forget.”
The Details
Photography: Meredith Benton Photography
Videography: Sydney Trickett Videography
Planning: Bella Baxter Special Events, Little Rock
Florist: Cabbage Rose, Little Rock
Furniture rentals: Confetti’s Party Rental, Little Rock
China/flatware: My China Place; Vintage China Rental and Sales, Roland
Cake and groom’s cake: Abby Cakes, Jonesboro
Catering and pie bar: Gina’s Catering, Benton
DJ: DJ Jellybean with Central Arkansas Entertainment, Little Rock
Ceremony music: Abigail McGee and Rose Campbell
Invitations: Designs by Prim Pretty Prints via Etsy and Aceti Design Co. via Etsy
Printer: Pasmore Printing, Jonesboro
Wedding dress: Maggie Louise Bridal Shop, Memphis
Bridesmaid dresses: Ballew Bridal & Formal Salon, Collierville, Tennessee
Groom/groomsmen attire: Men’s Wearhouse, Jonesboro
Jeweler: Sissy’s Log Cabin, Jonesboro
Hair and makeup: Alexis Horner Dearingand Johnna Lopez
Rehearsal dinner venue: Junior League of Little Rock
Signs and venue watercolor: Claire Brantley, Jonesboro