Wedding date: Feb. 19, 2011
Number of guests: 325
Ceremony location: Immanuel Baptist Church, Little Rock
Reception location: Chenal Country Club, Little Rock
Little Rock native, Elizabeth “Ashley” Duncan recently married her college best friend, David Gaston Buyse of Plano, Texas. The couple met at Ouachita Baptist University in the fall of 2002. He was a sophomore on the football team and she was a freshman. “When we first met he says he knew he was going to marry me; however, it took me a while to figure it out. We became best friends in the beginning, and from friendship grew a wonderful love. We dated for six years before we got engaged; two of those years were long distance.”
What was your overall inspiration? I wanted a very romantic, classic, elegant winter-wonderland feel with a modern twist and lots of candles. The theme came together as the planning progressed.
Tell us about your gorgeous alter décor: I always wanted tress in my wedding, and the altar area at Immanuel is a huge space to fill, so the trees worked perfectly. I wanted lights in or on the trees and lots of candles with flowers (orchids) hanging from the branches.
Tell us about your color story: With it being around Valentine’s Day, I wanted to play up the pink and red. Blue is my favorite color, so the bridesmaid’s dresses were made from a beautiful iridescent, sapphire blue taffeta material. I wanted the pinks in their flowers to pop against their blue dresses.
What were the interesting personal touches and unique details? I had my high school music teacher, Dr. Hynes, play the Theme from “Jupiter” by Gustav Holst as the bridesmaids walked down the aisle. Dr. Hynes had introduced that piece of music to me as a high school student, and I loved it from the moment I heard it. I knew I had to incorporate it into the wedding somehow. He also made changes to the piece to make it specially mine. He also played a song that was special to my family, “Jesus Loves Me This I Know,” and created an introduction to the song, which no one in the audience knew about. It was special for us because it has a special meaning to our family.
Describe your linens – they were gorgeous: I loved the linens we chose. It was white but not too white, and the flecks in the table linen flickered nicely with the candelabras and candlelight glow. The chairs had white covers with big bows on the backs, and I LOVE bows. I had a big silk wrap that wrapped around my dress and tied on the side into a big bow, so that kind of went with my dress. However, my bow had a broach in the center of the bow.
What one detail truly made the wedding yours? I don’t know if I can pick just one. I’d say the trees and music and the cake and the ambiance of the reception!
What were some other cool details?
- The bridesmaid dresses were custom-made by a designer in Dallas. That was kind of tricky because we had to make some special trips and hope things fit right, but it all worked out.
- I had calligraphy invitations made by a lady in Dallas. They were written on white champagne paper with a deep blue ink (it looked very winter-wonderland)
- My cake was one of the easiest decisions I made because it was from an old magazine clipping I had saved. I didn’t know it was a Sylvia Weinstock cake until I showed the picture to the bakery, and they informed me of her legendary cakes. It had many delicate sugar flowers on it. It was a masterpiece. When I saw it, I was speechless.
- The groom’s cake was an array of chocolates made by Donatello’s in North Little Rock. I wanted to do the chocolates because David is Belgian. Belgium is known for their chocolates. We had delicious delicate Belgian chocolate truffles with raspberries placed on top along with chocolate covered strawberries (to look like tuxedos).
THE DETAILS
Photographer: Carper Creative Photography, Little Rock
Event planner: Jessica Kersey, Finishing Touch Event Design, Little Rock
Florist & lighting: Distinctive Designs by Tanarah, Mayflower
Stationery: The Left Handed Calligrapher
Bride’s cake: Lisa’s Cake Boutique, Conway
Desserts: Donatello, North Little Rock
Linens: BBJ Linens
Cake table linens: Wildflower Linens
Band: Jeremy Shrader & the Hepcats
Groom/groomsmen attire: Jos. A. Bank
Bridesmaid attire: Nicolas Designs, Dallas