Love Is ‘The Real Thing’ at Cara White and Andrew Sills’ Real Arkansas Wedding in Searcy

Cara White & Andrew Sills
Aug. 10, 2013 • Robbins-Sanford Grand Hall & Searcy Country Club, Searcy

Photos by Whitney Bower Imaging

Searcy native Cara White first came to know Andy Sills of Arlington, Tenn., during their freshman year of college at Harding University. The two had a couple of classes together, but really didn’t get to know each other until their sophomore year. Just a little year later, Cara and Andy realized they were more than just friends and a relationship grew. Two years later, the couple spent a December weekend in Ponca, hiking to Hawksbill Crag—a scenic overlook in the Ozarks. During the hike, of the couple’s friends disappeared and “it felt like we were the only two people there,” Cara says. Before she knew it, Andy dropped to one knee and proposed. “Of course, I said ‘yes!’” she says.

BRIDE’S INSPIRATION

Cara has always loved the shabby chic look and it seemed fitting because they both enjoy nice things, but are also very down-to-earth at the same time, she says. The couple chose coral as their main color for the celebration and carried the inspiration of fancy and rustic to the country club by mixing beautiful candelabras, gold vases and flowers with rustic old doors and shutters. “I loved our décor and wouldn’t have changed anything about it!” Cara says.

HOW THEY CUSTOMIZED

Coca-Cola is a big part of the couple’s life—Andy’s dad has worked for the soda company in Memphis, Tenn. for several years, and it’s one of their favorite drinks. So it only made sense to give guests classic bottles of Coke as wedding favors. “They were a huge hit!” Cara says. “I mean, who doesn’t love a good bottle of Coke?”

For the groom’s cake, Andy showcased his love for Alabama football. The cake was the Alabama stadium with flavored cake balls as the players on the field and the crowd in the stands. “It was the coolest things,” Cara says. “It even had AstroTurf on the field and a Jumbotron that flashed pictures of us over the years.”

On a sentimental note, Cara’s grandmother had passed away a few months before she and Andy were engaged. She still wanted her to be a part of her big day, though. Because she was a talented pianist, as the guests were being seated, they played recordings of her playing the piano. “It was very special to both of us to have a part of her there with us,” she says.

DADDY’S GIRL

Walking down the aisle was a huge moment for the bride. “I kept my emotions pretty calm the entire day, but there’s just something about walking down the aisle arm-in-arm with your dad to your almost-husband that makes a girl want to cry,” Cara says. “It was such a surreal moment.”