May 19, 2007, 4:30 p.m. Marlsgate Plantation, Scott
Photographs by Carper Creative Photography Inc., Little Rock
VENDORS: Cakes:David Garner, Marlsgate Plantation Florist: David Garner, Marlsgate Plantation Wedding Dress: Lows Bridal and Formal, Brinkley Bridal Accessories: Lows Bridal and Formal, Brinkley Bridesmaids Dresses: Romance and Roses, Sheridan Tuxedo: Briar Patch Bridal and Formal, Fayetteville Caterer: David Garner, Marlsgate Plantation DJ/Band: Molten Lava, Fayetteville Wedding Favors: Scones made by the brides mom, aunt and cousin Invitations and Programs: Custom-designed by Amy Hannon of Sincerely Yours, Springdale
Garden Party Panache Kristis vision for the day was simple elegance. Her desire was for an outside garden party-style ceremony that celebrated her relationship with Josh and provided a fun atmosphere for friends and family. She found that at Marlsgate Plantation. A simple color palette surrounded by the natural colors of the flowers, gardens and traditional plantation home “exceeded our expectations,” Kristi says. Kristi and Josh exchanged their vows in a personally written, traditional ceremony on the front porch of the plantation house, while the Searcy String Quartet provided music from the porchs balcony. “We loved the backdrop of the front porch,” Kristi says, and the bridesmaids and groomsmen walked outside from the grand staircase inside the house to stand by the couple. The bride added her personal touch to her trumpet-silhouette wedding dress by adding a large silk sash and antique brooch.
Kiwi Confection Kristi chose sage green and cream as the colors of the day, and that palette extended to the four-tiered bridal cake. Kristi and Josh worked with Marlsgate’s David Garner, who gave advice on everything from flowers to food, to decide on the right look and taste for the cake. Kristi knew she wanted something with a simple design and an unusual flavor. “Since we wanted to incorporate green inside the cake, (Garner) made kiwi marmalade to put between the layers of the cake and topped it with a buttercream icing,” Kristi says. A cake topper of cymbidium orchids and pearls brought a touch of color. The grooms cake was chocolate with a raspberry filling and a chocolate mousse icing that was topped with fresh raspberries and strawberries. “I’m not much of a chocolate lover, but even I thought it was delicious!” Kristi says.
Tasty Treats The couple offered guests fruit, sandwiches, vegetables and cocktail shrimp at their outdoor tented reception held on the side lawn at Marlsgate Plantation. “We knew that the catering staff at Marlsgate would do a wonderful job with any food, so we kept it simple,” Kristi says. The table centerpieces were made of white gladiolus and hydrangeas and green belles of Ireland. “I loved the magnitude of the centerpieces the most,” Kristi says. “They were so grand and added height and beauty to the tables.”
An English Engagement A marriage proposal while abroad in England inspired Kristi and Josh to offer their guests an English scone as a wedding favor. “Our version of an English engagement was eating at a wonderful restaurant near Covent Garden in London that was designed by our friend’s father, going to see the play Mary Poppins, getting lost trying to make it across London and then having Josh propose in the middle of London on the Tower Bridge! It was an incredibly beautiful night that neither of us will ever forget!” Kristi says. The next morning the couple celebrated with a traditional cream tea which included scones in Bath, England. Kristi already knew she wanted the wedding favor to be a tasty treat guests could take with them, and a nod to the couple’s engagement seemed perfect.
Something Old, Something New Kristi brought a sixpence from England to wear in her shoe in order to fulfill the traditional saying of something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a silver sixpence in her shoe. The bride’s dress and shoes were new; she borrowed a blue garter her mother wore on her wedding day, and the brooch used to accent the sash on her wedding dress was an antique found by Kristi and her mother.
A Party Atmosphere “We didn’t want a single guest sitting in their chair during the reception,” Kristi says. Fayetteville favorite Molten Lava played mellow songs while Josh and Kristi cut the cake, but once the guests started dancing the band played an array of songs from the 1980s and ’90s. “Anything from Jessie’s Girl to Motown Philly kept the dance floor packed!” Kristi says. Josh joined the band and sang Wonderful Tonight as Kristi and her father danced, a moment Kristi says was an awesome experience. And later, her college sorority sisters sang the sorority’s song, Shades, as they stood hand in hand in a circle around her. “It was a very special moment to look around the circle and see many of the women that helped to shape my life over the past several years.”
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