Ali Shipp & Joey Rumsey
August 8, 2020 / Rogers & Bentonville
Airplanes play a big part in Ali Shipp and Joey Rumsey’s love story. The couple’s good family friends set them up on a blind date, and Joey pulled out all the stops. He flew down to Dallas where Ali was living at the time and took her to Top Golf and dinner at their favorite restaurant, Houston’s. After that weekend, the two spent every weekend together either in Rogers, Dallas or traveling somewhere fun.
Planning During a Pandemic
Ali and Joey had originally planned to get married on June 6 at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. As the pandemic progressed, they decided to push the wedding to August 8. Since the guest list was cut dramatically, the couple opted to get married at Hunt Chapel, followed by a reception at Thaden Fieldhouse. Joey’s airplane was on display, tying in their love of travel and the days of long distance earlier on in their relationship.
THE INSPIRATION
• • •
Originally, Ali had the idea to have a white, blush and navy color story but, after switching venues, she decided to brighten things up with a rainbow of colorful linens and flowers throughout the reception. Ali loved all the flowers that were in season at the time, so she told Tanarah Haynie of Tanarah Luxe Floral to get creative with the arrangements, and she delivered.
Since it took place in an airplane hangar, Ali’s wedding planning team, Amanda Reed Weddings, had a chance to really customize the space. Colorful linens and a variety of arrangements adorned the tables throughout the room. The plane theme continued with a balloon installation draping across Joey’s plane, and a cute custom graphic featured on the front of the bar boasted a plane with a “J&A” banner flying behind it. Guests loved the outdoor lounge area where they could take a break from the dance floor while sipping cocktails and celebrating the newlyweds.
HOW THEY CUSTOMIZED
For the ceremony at Hunt Chapel, the couple let the natural beauty of the venue speak for itself. Tanarah Luxe Floral built large arrangements to serve as the backdrop. Smoothman Quartet played a medley of traditional wedding songs throughout the ceremony. Ali and Joey joined their wedding party on small buses from Hunt Chapel to Fieldhouse to continue the celebration.
The couple served their guests a perfectly Southern menu of Mississippi-style short rib pot roast, macaroni and cheese and pimento cheese hush puppies. Each place setting also had a little bottle of Mountain Valley Spring Water, which held special significance as the family friends that set them up on a blind date have business ties to the Hot Springs-based company.
The party continued after dinner with lots of soul music from JUKEBOXX and the couple’s first dance to “You Are the Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne.
THE DETAILS
| WEDDING VENDORS WE LOVE |
|
|---|---|
| Planning | Amanda Reed Weddings |
| Florist | Tanarah Luxe Floral, Little Rock |
| Balloon installation |
PIGMINT, Fayetteville |
| Jeweler | Blakeman’s Fine Jewelry, Rogers |
| MORE VENDORS | |
|---|---|
| Photography | Max Grubb with Miles Witt Boyer Photographic Collective |
| Venue | Thaden Fieldhouse, Bentonville |
| Furniture rentals | Party Pro Rents, Tulsa, Oklahoma |
| Linens | La Tavola Fine Linen |
| Lighting | Lightworks Events, Fayetteville |
| Cake | Shelby Lynn’s Cake Shoppe, Springdale |
| Drink service | Koon’s Saloon, Fayetteville |
| Band | JUKEBOXX |
| Ceremony music | Smoothman Music Productions, Fayetteville |
| Invitations | Shindig Paperie, Fayetteville |
| Wedding dress | The Blushing Bride, Frisco, Texas |
| Jeweler | Newton’s Jewelers, Fort Smith |
| Hair | Megan Farmer |
| Makeup | Ashley Gregory |
| Transportation | Pinnacle Car Services, Rogers |
| Rehearsal dinner venue | Tavola Trattoria, Bentonville |
| Bridesmaid dresses | Bella Bridesmaids, Little Rock |
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