August 20, 2022 | The Silos Barn | Jonesboro |ย Ryanne ODonnell Photography

Ellie and Nick met during their freshman year of college at Arkansas State University. She was nominated by Nickโ€™s familyโ€™s fraternity to participate in the Miss Greek Goddess pageant, and he was in her skit dressed as a cheerleader. The two got to know one another through the process and sparks were flying!

Ellie knew Nick was the one while watching the way he treated her Papaw while he was in the hospital. The two bonded over hunting and Ellie fell in love with the way Nick fit perfectly in her family.

โ€œI remember sitting in his hospital room one night, watching Nick show him pictures from his recent hunting trips, and I knew at that moment that he was the person I wanted to marry.โ€

On their four-year anniversary, Ellie was competing in the Miss Arkansas competition for the last time. After the event was over, Ellie met with her family in Hot Springs to celebrate a fun competition season. Nick proposed to Ellie out on the dock of her familyโ€™s lake house. He surprised her with a fun night of celebrating at Crystal Ridge Distillery with their closest friends and family.

Ryanne ODonnell Photography
Ryanne ODonnell Photography

WEDDING VENDORS WE LOVE

Photography
Ryanne Oโ€™Donnell Photography

Wedding dress
Lowโ€™s Bridal & Formal

Rental and linens
A Perfect Bloom Florist & Wedding Rentals

Ryanne ODonnell Photography
Ryanne ODonnell Photography

MORE VENDORS

Venue: The Silos Barn; Florist: Generations Floral Co.; Planning: Samantha McFadden with Planned By Sam; Videography: Knight Productions; Wedding gown designer: Maggie Sottero; Groom and groomsmen suit: Menโ€™s Wearhouse; Bridesmaidโ€™s dresses: Revelry; House party dresses: Show Me Your Mumu; Jeweler: Jones & Son of Little Rock; Music: Rob West; Catering: Bistro on the Ridge; Stationery: Minted; Hair: Alexis Dearing & Emily Haywood-Keating; Makeup: Jadyn Moore-Tippitt & Megan Lamb; Cake: Abby Cakes; Desserts: Southern Confections; Guestbook: MPix; Cold Sparks: Suspence Entertainment; Dance Floor Wrap: The Dance Floor Man; Wedding Painter: Dale Case; Neon Sign: The Lovely Glass Jar

Ryanne ODonnell Photography
Ryanne ODonnell Photography

Q & A

Q: What inspired your color palette?

A: โ€œWe knew when we were getting married in August, that we wanted to have a bright summer wedding,โ€ Ellie said. โ€œWe decided to go with pinks and oranges but to also incorporate a champagne color as a more neutral color as well. It was perfect!โ€

Ryanne ODonnell Photography

Q: What was your favorite moment of the day?

A: โ€œI remember being a bit overwhelmed by how fast everything was moving,โ€ Ellie said. โ€œ…Once it was time to go see Nick for the first time, I felt very calm and excited to hug and talk to him. Iโ€™ll never forget crying before he even turned around, and the moments after were even better.โ€

Ryanne ODonnell Photography

Q: What personalizations did you plan for the wedding day?

A: โ€œWe had drink and cake napkins with our dog, Remi, on it,โ€ Ellie said. โ€œ[The napkins] said โ€˜I Do, Too!โ€™ We had a table with framed pictures of all of our family members who have passed to remember and honor them on our big dayโ€ฆNick and I did the dance routine that we did in 2016 with some of our best college friends, my dad and I had a fun dance, and Nick and his mom did as well.

Ryanne ODonnell Photography

A: โ€œ…How fun it can be,โ€ Ellie said. โ€œBefore starting, I was so stressed about the little details and making sure that everything would be perfect, and I quickly realized how fun it was. Nick and I planned everything together, which I was very thankful for, and it made that experience even more enjoyable!

Ryanne ODonnell Photography

FIRST LOOK

โ€œIโ€™ll always remember him saying, โ€œI havenโ€™t even looked at the dress yet, I was looking at you.โ€™ I felt so special and loved in that moment,โ€ Ellie said.

Ryanne ODonnell Photography
Ryanne ODonnell Photography
Ryanne ODonnell Photography

EXTRA! EXTRA!

โ€œWe had personalized newspaper wedding fans that we used as our programs, while also allowing everyone to keep themselves a little more cool during the outdoor ceremony,โ€ Ellie said.

Ryanne ODonnell Photography
Ryanne ODonnell Photography
Ryanne ODonnell Photography

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