Real Hot Springs Wedding: Taylor Lowery & Taylor Featherstone

Taylor Lowery & Taylor Featherstone
January 4, 2020
Anthony Chapel at Garvan Woodland Gardens, Hot Springs

Taylor Lowery and Taylor Featherstone met one night in Austin, Texas, when she was 17 and he was 20. Eight years later, their paths crossed again. He played baseball at Texas Christian University prior to being drafted to the Rockies in 2011. Ironically, this was the year that Taylor came to cheer for TCU. They never met in college, but after seeing each other again in Fort Worth, Taylor didn’t hesitate to ask him on a date.

When it came to the proposal, Taylor popped the question at the family ranch in east Texas. Taylor’s mom built a life-sized fairy garden in their woods, complete with a winding creek, arched bridge candles, bistro lights, bonfire and a tent made from white linen draped over aspen wood. Taylor took her on a ranger ride to the magical spot and popped the question. Her brother was hiding in full camo 200 yards away snapping photos.

THE INSPIRATION

Taylor had one requirement for her wedding day — that it be fun for their more than 300 guests. For the girls, this meant a secret rose champagne bar connected to the women’s restroom. For the guys, this meant a swanky, outdoor cigar lounge complete with bottles of bourbon and scotch.

For her color story, she went all-in on black accents. Everything from the groomsmen attire and bridesmaid dresses to the cake and Taylor’s Valentino heels were all a timeless and classic black. When it came to flowers, Taylor chose eggplant calla lilies with greenery for her bouquet and bridesmaid bouquets.

As for ceremony decor, Anthony Chapel doesn’t need much to accent its beauty. Taylor chose to add a few large driftwood arrangements with hand-blown glass that held greenery and black calla lilies surrounding the altar.

HOW THEY CUSTOMIZED

When it came to her own bridal look, Taylor knew exactly what she did not want. The year before they were engaged, Taylor was crowned Miss Dallas USA and a few years prior, she was Miss Teen Texas. So when it came to choosing a wedding gown, she knew she didn’t want any more pageantry. No beads, rhinestones, sequins, ruffles or bows. She ended up choosing a sleek, strapless gown with subtle lace embellishments on the train.

“My favorite moment was the first look that we did before the ceremony,” she says. “I got ready for him that day with little makeup, hair slicked back and a simple dress. I will never forget the way he looked at me when he lifted my veil.”

Their first dance as husband and wife was to Chris Stapleton’s “Millionaire.” “We chose this because it talks about how ‘love is more precious than gold, it can’t be bought, and it can’t be sold,’” Taylor says. “It’s important to remember this when you get wrapped up in planning this extravagant and often expensive wedding… it isn’t about that! It’s about beginning your forever with your person and getting to celebrate that with everyone you love.”

The couple paid homage to Hot Springs’ gangster era during their sparkler exit. She wore a vintage headdress and he wore a vintage fedora before they climbed into a 1940 Cadillac Fleetwood Series 60 Special and rode off as the new Mr. and Mrs. Featherstone.

VIDEO

THE DETAILS

See this Real Wedding as it appeared in the print edition of HOT SPRINGS WEDDING PLANNER.
Discover more inspiration in Arkansas Bride’s Real Weddings section.