Erika Dunning & Dr. Brennon Luster
October 12, 2019 / Little Rock
Happenstance meetings are some of the very sweetest. Erika Dunning and Dr. Brennon Luster met at Bar Louie in Little Rock in October 2012. Erika had just moved to Arkansas for work. The person Erika was meeting decided to bring Brennon, and the two hit it off.
When it came time to propose, Brennon took Erika out to dinner for her birthday before getting down on one knee and giving her the perfect gift.
“I knew Brennon and I would be married since our first year of dating,” Erika says. “I love him with my whole heart, and I couldn’t have been more [certain] that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. I love my last name. People often think it’s ‘Lester,’ so I always say, ‘Luster, like shine.’”
THE INSPIRATION
From the moment the couple got engaged, they knew they wanted a fall wedding. Erika’s vision was to have all of the colors that leaves turn in the fall season represented on the big day.
The beautiful autumnal colors wound up in every aspect of the day, from the lovely watercolor invitations to the crimson off-the-shoulder bridesmaid dresses. Encompassing all the prettiest colors of fall, Erika’s bouquet garnered her many compliments with its vibrant marigold, violet and peach blooms.
HOW THEY CUSTOMIZED
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The reception space was decorated with tall arrangements from Silks-A-Bloom and peach-colored satin tablecloths. The head table sat on a stage in front of romantic sheer draping. The couple’s four-tier cake draped in flowers was suspended on a platform near the head table and groupings of pears, pomegranates and oranges adorned tables throughout the reception.
Erika and Brennon’s goal was to create a fun, party atmosphere that would encourage their guests to dance, laugh and be merry. Throughout the evening, the DJ played a mix of romantic love songs, music from the couple’s college years and recent hip hop. They danced their first song as husband and wife to “The Matrimony” by Wale and Usher.
Looking back on her favorite moment, she says it was at the altar after being pronounced husband and wife. “My favorite moment was him kissing me at the altar, getting red lipstick all over his face and me having to wipe it off on camera,” Erika says. “That’s so him. My sweet, funny guy.”
THE DETAILS
| WEDDING VENDORS WE LOVE |
|
|---|---|
| Florist | Silks-A-Bloom, Little Rock |
| MORE VENDORS | |
|---|---|
| Videography | GScott Media, Benton |
| Photography | Lela & Lyla Photography |
| Planning | The Sharp Standard, Birmingham, Alabama |
| Cake | Sweet Lavender Bakeshop, Little Rock |
| Caterer | Black Swan Catering, Little Rock |
| DJ | DJ Xavier Riley |
| Wedding dress | Lana Addison, Cary, North Carolina |
| Bridesmaid dresses | Kleinfeld Bridal |
| Jeweler | Reeds Jewelers, Wilmington, North Carolina |
| Hair | Ronita with Evidence Hair, Little Rock |
| Makeup | Lyndzee DuBois with Haus of DuBois, Maumelle |
| Invitations | Foil and Ink |
| Printables | Lisa Kay Designs |
See this Real Wedding as it appeared in the print edition of ARKANSAS BRIDE.
Discover more inspiration in Arkansas Bride’s Real Weddings section.
