Sarah Eaton & Brady DeClerk
May 14, 2011 • Pratt Place Inn & Barn, Fayetteville
Photos by Danielle Davis Art/Photography
Brady and Sarah met while on a canoe trip with friends on the Buffalo River, but it wasn’t until they were re-introduced two years later, that Brady, from Pocahontas, and Sarah, from Fayetteville, hit it off and started dating (which they did long-distance for several months). Once engaged, the duo chose Pratt Place for the wedding, but used the popular venue differently – serving dinner at the inn and later dessert and dancing in the barn.
How They Customized
“I couldn’t find the perfect black and white striped tablecloths so after much deliberation, my mom and I decided to custom order fabric and make the runners ourselves,” Sarah said. “I think it really paid off. Not only did we get the exact fabric we wanted, I get to use them for years to come!”
She also made custom drapes for certain areas of the reception out of silk to pull in added drama and colors.
As for the flowers, Sarah had two major conditions: “bright peonies and Othello roses and absolutely NO Gerber daisies.”
For dinner, the bride and groom served Southern foods as a nod to their southern upbringings, including sweet potato fries in monogrammed cones.
“We had a huge dessert table with French macaroons (including coconut macaroons), and lemon bars that my mom and I made ourselves! It was important for us to be in charge of a lot of the little details—we are perfectionists by nature.”
Ways They Saved
“My mom and I spent a lot of time on the personal details ourselves. We made some of the desserts, and sewed the linens ourselves. We also re-used some of the flowers from the rehearsal dinner,” Sarah said. “We went to antique stores and collected vintage milk glass for the centerpieces and used those pieces instead of renting everything.”
What detail truly made the wedding yours?
“Brady’s brother Ryan officiated the ceremony; my sister Meghan sang the entrance song; and Brady’s oldest brother Chris sang the father/bride and mother/groom dance song.”
The Details
- Event Planner: J. Bailey Occasions, Northwest Arkansas
- Florist: Jules Design, Fayetteville
- Stationery: Sylvia Rose Design, Little Rock
- Cakes: Chuck’s Cake Shoppe, Fayetteville
- Caterer/Drinks: Catering Unlimited, Fayetteville
- Rentals/Lighting: Eventures, Northwest Arkansas
- Band: Big’uns, Northwest Arkansas
- Bride/Bridesmaids Attire: Proposals, Little Rock
- Groom/Groomsmen Attire: She Said Yes, Rogers
- Jeweler: Kyle-Rochelle Jewelers, Little Rock