Real Arkansas Wedding: Courtney Kleine of Little Rock & Mark Lambert of Stuttgart

Courtney Kleine & Mark Lambert
June 9, 2018 • Little Rock
Christ the King Catholic Church • Private residence

Little Rock native Courtney Kleine met her future husband at a Sigma Chi party at the University of Arkansas. Courtney’s brother introduced her to Stuttgart native Mark Lambert and sparks flew. He was there for her during a difficult time in college, and from then on she knew he was someone she could depend on forever.

Mark planned a low-key proposal that kept Courtney on her toes. The two were out running errands when Mark suggested they hike to Fort Roots overlooking Little Rock. Mark began pouring his heart out to Courtney and that’s when she knew he was about to propose. Courtney says she wouldn’t have had it any other way.

THE INSPIRATION

Since Courtney can remember, her mom has meticulously kept folders filled with pages from home décor and wedding magazines. These were filed away in anticipation of Courtney and her sister’s future weddings. Once Courtney was engaged, she and her mom enlisted the help of Tanarah Haynie, Shawna Young Frizzell and Erin Brady to make the vision board come to life.

Courtney had always dreamed of having her own “Father of the Bride” backyard wedding. Her parent’s Little Rock home proved to be the perfect space. Courtney and Mark wanted the reception to be casual, but also elegant and inviting. The backyard was transformed into a wedding dreamland, where all 500-plus guests felt comfortable. “My dad changed into a polo shirt and shorts as soon as he finished the first dance,” Courtney says. “If that doesn’t say comfort, I don’t know what does.”

The two-day backyard transformation included the set-up of the 36-by-36 foot blue and white checkered dance floor. Courtney and Marke’s family and friends are known for dancing the night away, so they made sure there was enough room for everyone to cut a rug.

HOW THEY CUSTOMIZED

Courtney and Mark’s big day was filled with thoughtful touches. The bride worked with Erin Brady at By Invitation Only to create a one-of-a-kind wedding suite. All of the paperie and signage included the same navy blue and gold marbling. One of the coolest custom pieces Brady made was the wedding program. Sketches of the 15 bridesmaids and 14 groomsmen were included in the order of their entrance to the ceremony. “I know the number of our wedding party might seem overkill, but we honestly couldn’t have imagined it any other way,” Courtney says. And “[Another] piece that Erin created for us that stands out was a hand-held fan showing the layout of our backyard directing our guests to all the areas of the night.”

Courtney’s parents co-own Corky’s Ribs & BBQ, so it only made sense to serve barbecue for dinner. The couple classed it up by serving the fried catfish, chicken tenders, pulled pork and all the fixins’ from elegant silver chafing dishes.

The party continued well into the night thanks to The Rockets. Courtney says it was Phillip Wallace and his band’s last gig together, so they put their heart and soul into the performance. “The dance floor was packed the entire night,” she says.

Thinking back on the day, Courtney remembers smiling from ear-to-ear throughout the day. “Seeing Mark for the first time was one of the greatest moments,” she says. “We have never been happier and every time we think about that day we light up. It honestly could not have been a more perfect day.”

VIDEO

MUSIC TO OUR EARS

FIRST DANCE

“As Long As You Love Me”
The Backstreet Boys

FATHER/DAUGHTER DANCE

“Brown Eyed Girl”
Van Morrison

MOTHER/SON DANCE

“Your Song”
Elton John

THE DETAILS

See this Real Wedding as it appeared in the print edition of ARKANSAS BRIDE

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