Kate Blankenship & Eric Barlow
June 18, 2016
First United Methodist Church & Pine Bluff Country Club
Eric Barlow of Little Rock popped the question to Kate Blankenship of Pine Bluff after a fun afternoon at the Arkansas State Fair. When they went home that evening, they had a glass of wine on the back deck. Eric insisted he would get Kate another glass, and when he returned, he got down on one knee and proposed.
The Inspiration
Right away, Kate had a few things in mind for the wedding. She knew that she wanted to have blush hues, and as the only daughter of a farmer, she wanted to incorporate cotton into her floral arrangements. She also wanted to include pine needles, which symbolize her hometown. Magnolia leaves made an appearance as well, as a nod to Kate’s alma mater, Ole Miss (Mississippi is “The Magnolia State”). Adding even more meaning, the magnolia leaves used in the arrangements were from a tree that Kate’s mom planted on their family farm 45 years ago. From there, the whole wedding took on a “Steel Magnolias” vibe.
How They Customized
Kate and Eric worked with their printer/designer to create a wedding crest with the letter “B” and a floral design that they used throughout the entire wedding, on everything from the save-the-dates to the pillows on benches outside of the country club. The groom’s cake was shaped like an armadillo, just like in “Steele Magnolias.”
Later during the reception, Tyrone from the Tyrone Smith Revue changed out of his tux and into a Superman costume and transformed into “Super T.” As the band played “Uptown Funk,” confetti cannons went off to the delight of guests. Kate and Eric also had a stylish exit in a 1906 curved-dash Oldsmobile driven by Kate’s brother, Ben Blankenship.
Music to Our Ears
Seating of the mothers
“Ave Maria” by J.S. Bach performed by soloist Matt Soto
First dance
“At Last” by Etta James
The Details
Venue | Pine Bluff Country Club | |
♥ | Photographer | Drew Cason Photography, Benton |
Videographer | Zach East | |
Event Designer & Wedding Coordinator | Anne-Claire Allen Planning & Design, Little Rock | |
Florist | Shepherd Florist, Pine Bluff | |
Rentals | Confetti’s Party Rental, Little Rock | |
Lighting | Central Arkansas Entertainment, Little Rock | |
Cakes | Natalie Madison’s Artisan Cakes, Little Rock | |
Caterer/Drinks | Pine Bluff Country Club | |
Band | Tyrone Smith Revue, Nashville, Tenn. | |
Ceremony Soloist | Matt Soto | |
Wedding Stationery | Hobart’s Paper Creations, Bryant | |
Calligraphy | Ann Turbeville, Pine Bluff | |
Live Painter | Isaac Alexander, Little Rock | |
♥ | Wedding Gown | She Said Yes, Rogers |
♥ | Bridesmaids Attire | Bella Bridesmaids, Little rock |
♥ | Groom/Groomsmen Attire | Paul Morrell Formalwear, Little Rock |
Jeweler | Jones & Son, Little Rock | |
Hair | Amy Hester, Red Beauty Lounge, Little Rock | |
Makeup | Antonio Figueroa, B. Barnett, Little Rock | |
Busses | Little Rock Tours | |
♥ | Wedding Vendor We Love |