Holly McGee & Jesse Walt III
March 31, 2018 • Little Rock
Goodwin Manor
Holly McGee and Jesse Walt III met in a thoroughly Southern way — at a crawfish boil on Holly’s 27th birthday. The two lived just minutes apart growing up and both attended the University of Arkansas, but they didn’t cross paths until that fateful day. Soon after their first encounter, Jesse asked Holly on a date. Holly says he’s still the perfect gentleman he was on that first date.
On Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017, Jesse made some big plans. Jesse has his pilot’s license so it’s not unusual for the couple to go flying on nice afternoons. Holly met Jesse at the hangar after work and didn’t suspect a thing. She couldn’t see his face because she was seated directly behind him in the plane. Jesse decided to open the doors, and since it was a fall day, it was chilly. When she asked him to close the doors, he made a left turn and then she saw the 100-foot letters in the field that said “HM, WILL YOU MARRY ME?” “
“He landed and got down on a knee, telling me he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me,” Holly says. “I said YES a hundred times more!” Jesse’s cousin, Adelaide Warinner, captured the memory by painting the proposal on a canvas that was displayed by the groom’s cake at the wedding.
THE INSPIRATION
Holly’s wedding day vision was Southern classic with a modern twist. Goodwin Manor’s gorgeous space won the couple over and because they tied the knot on Easter weekend, Goodwin’s wooden cross felt even more special during the ceremony.
During their late March nuptials, the flowers were already blooming at Goodwin Manor, so Holly kept the flowers neutral. She chose ivory and blush garden roses with accents of white anemones and hydrangeas. Throughout the day, accents of brushed gold added a pop of glam to the soft color story — including gorgeous gold brushed urns for the floral arrangements and detailing on the couple’s eight-tier wedding cake
HOW THEY CUSTOMIZED
After the couple was pronounced husband and wife, and Jesse dipped Holly into a kiss, guests were treated to a surprise gospel choir performance of “Oh, Happy Day.” Only the bride, mother of the bride, wedding planner and photographer knew about the surprise, and Holly says guests are still talking about it.
• • •
After the ceremony, the couple had a cocktail hour with a variety of hors d’oeuvres and drinks passed, including the couple’s signature drink, the Waltini, with ingredients similar to a cosmopolitan.
Jesse and Holly did an outfit change for their send-off and Jesse’s suit held extra special significance. His grandfather first wore it in 1958, his father in 1988 and Jesse in 2018. Each man wore the suit 30 years apart on their wedding day. Ever the gentleman, Jesse chose a sleek 1939 white Cadillac from Vintage Motor Cars stocked with cold champagne to toast the beginning of the rest of their lives.
VIDEO
MUSIC TO OUR EARS
RECESSIONAL
“Oh, Happy Day”
Saint Mark Baptist Sanctuary Choir
FIRST DANCE
“Perfect”
Ed Sheeran
FATHER/DAUGHTER DANCE
“Isn’t She Lovely”
Stevie Wonder
THE DETAILS
PREFERRED VENDORS | |
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Photography | Meredith Benton Photography |
Wedding dress and bridesmaids dresses |
Tesori, Fayetteville |
Groomsmen attire |
Paul Morrell Formalwear, Little Rock |
MORE VENDORS | |
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Venue | Goodwin Manor, Little Rock |
Event planner | Anne-Claire Allen Planning & Design, Little Rock |
Florist | Silks A Bloom, Little Rock |
Caterer & drinks service | Boulevard Bread Company, Little Rock |
Wedding cakes | Kelli Marks, Little Rock |
Wedding stationery | Hobart Print Studio, Bryant |
Ceremony music | St. Mark’s Baptist Church gospel choir, Little Rock |
DJ | DJ Jelly Bean with Central Arkansas Entertainment, Little Rock |
Lighting | Central Arkansas Entertainment, Little Rock |
Rentals | Confetti’s Party Rental, Little Rock |
Videographer | Bear Spear Films, Conway |
Engagement ring | Kyle-Rochelle Jewelers, Little Rock |
Hair | Aubrey Munsey with Lox Lounge, Little Rock |
Makeup | Megan Erwin, Little Rock |
Rehearsal dinner venue | Country Club of Little Rock |
See this Real Wedding as it appeared in the print edition of ARKANSAS BRIDE
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