Real Bentonville Wedding: Cameron Housley & Beau Sutherland Jr.

Cameron Housley Beau Sutherland

Cameron Housley & Mark “Beau” Sutherland Jr.
September 29, 2017 • Bentonville
21c Museum Hotels

For a couple that cherishes travel, it only made sense for Cameron Housley and Mark “Beau” Sutherland Jr. to elope. The two met during the summer before their senior year at the University of Arkansas and dated seven years before tying the knot. During that time, Cameron finished law school and the two lived abroad in Austria and Australia. They were never in a rush to get married because they knew it was forever.

After moving to Kansas City from Australia, the couple had plans to spend Christmas with Cameron’s family at Beaver Lake. Beau was busy with work and told Cameron he would drive down the following day. Cameron drove down alone and arrived at an empty house. She grabbed gifts and luggage and shuffled through the front door. Upon opening the door, she was shocked to find her future husband in a suit surrounded by thousands of white rose petals and candles. “As soon as I saw him I burst out into (happy!) tears,” she says. “It meant so much to me, because even though we had traveled to over 25 countries together, to some of the most extreme locations, he chose my very favorite place in the world to propose — home.”

Cameron Housley Beau Sutherland


The Elopement

Cameron and Beau decided to do things a little differently and elope to Iceland for their ceremony with only nine guests. Their families are from different cities and don’t have many opportunities to spend time together. With that in mind, Cameron found an intimate, family-only elopement appealing because of the lasting memories it would create. “The wedding was absolutely more intimate and personal because it was truly about the two of us and our families coming together,” Cameron says. “I didn’t have a wedding party or any details to worry about!”

On the day of the wedding, the couple traveled down a private road in Iceland to the secret waterfall location where they would say their vows. The only décor was black benches covered in reindeer fur for their guests.

Cameron Housley Beau Sutherland

Cameron Housley Beau Sutherland

Cameron Housley Beau Sutherland

Cameron Housley Beau Sutherland


How They Customized

The reception was all about bringing friends and family together to celebrate back home in Arkansas. Cameron and Beau wanted a fun, nightclub theme that they dubbed “Club Suth.” Cameron took the idea to her planner Amanda Reed and let her transform 21c into a gorgeous club scene.

Cameron and Amanda chose a color story of white and silver with bold pops of neon. Since it was a non-traditional reception, Cameron and Beau ditched the usual wedding staples like a first dance and cake cutting, and instead opted for a whole lot of dancing, drinking and celebrating.

To set the vibe, Cameron and Beau opted for super modern neon and platinum letterpress invitations and RSVP cards from Shindig Paperie. Amanda created a nightclub-style entrance with a custom purple #ClubSuth sign made of LED lights, silver carpet and silver stanchions. The couple also rented an oxygen bar, which really made the nightclub theme come to life.

Cameron wore a gorgeous Tesori wedding gown for her vows in Iceland, but decided on something on-theme for the reception— a silver sequin Sherri Hill jumpsuit that not only fit the reception’s theme, but was super easy to dance in. “Getting down on the dance floor with my husband and all of our family and friends,” Cameron says. “I think I danced for three hours straight!”

Cameron Housley Beau Sutherland

Cameron Housley Beau Sutherland

Cameron Housley Beau Sutherland

Cameron Housley Beau Sutherland

Cameron Housley Beau Sutherland

Cameron Housley Beau Sutherland


Video


The Details

Photographer Lela & Lyla Photography, Little Rock
  Reception Venue 21c Museum Hotels, Bentonville
Event planner Amanda Reed Weddings, Springdale
  Caterer & Drink Service 21c Museum Hotels, Bentonville
  Invitations Shindig Paperie, Fayetteville
  Band Boom Kinetic, Fayetteville
  DJ DJ Derrick, Fayetteville
  Rentals Eventures Party Rentals, Fayetteville
  Lighting Lightworks Events, Fayetteville
  Video Mapping Abboriginal Productions, Bentonville
Bridal Boutique Tesori Bridal, Fayetteville
  Reception Jumpsuit Sherri Hill
Hair Taylor Housley Seeger of Blonde Salon, Fayetteville
  Makeup Bo Senesomxay of Blonde Salon, Fayetteville
  Photobooth Dave & A Camera; Slow-Mo Video Booth
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