Mary Kate Wendel & Samuel Edwards
August 3, 2024 | Chenal Country Club in Little Rock | Nouvel Photo & Film
Mary Kate and Sam met during their senior year of college at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. The couple was set up by their friends, and Mary Kate claims to have played hard to get, at first.
“I come from a very big family,” Mary Kate said. “So I had to make sure it was going to stick before introducing him to all of them. Come Christmas break of that year, we decided to make things official.”
After graduation, Mary Kate moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue a career in nursing, and Sam moved to Little Rock and started a job at Stephens. They remained in a long distance relationship for over two years until she decided to move back to Little Rock.
“We were ready to start our lives together,” Mary Kate said. “I sort of saw him as my Prince Charming that came to bring me home. I moved in with one of my best girlfriends, and Sam and I were finally able to date in the same city again.”
Sam proposed shortly after Mary Kate moved to Little Rock in 2023. The week of the proposal, Mary Kate came down with the Flu and didn’t have an engagement on her radar (Sam’s plan was going perfectly). The day he proposed, it was pouring rain – so Mary Kate was completely thrown off when he drove her to Wildwood Park of the Arts in West Little Rock for a surprised.
“I still was in a place of shock that he pulled this off without me finding out,” Mary Kate said. “We got to the gazebo where a pillar of flowers and photos of us were sitting. He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him–in the middle of a monsoon!”
Wedding Vendors We Love
Florist
Silks-A-Bloom
Cake
Sweets by Logan
Wedding Dress
Unveiled Bridal Collection
Couple Portraits Venue
Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts
More Vendors
Photography and videography: Nouvel Photo & Film; Planning and design: Gretchen Larkan Events; Venue: Chenal Country Club; Stationery: By Invitation Only; Rentals: Eventology; Hair stylist: Courtney Reid at DVP Salon; Makeup artist: Lauren Benet and Ghlam by Paige; DJ: Premier Entertainment (Adam Shipman); Photo booth: Social Photo Booth Co.; Tuxedos: Men’s Wearhouse; Transportation: Arkansas Transportation
Q&A
Q: What inspired your wedding day look?
A: “My favorite comfort movie is ‘The Parent Trap’ directed by Nancy Meyers,” Mary Kate said. “There is a scene in the movie where Elizabeth James has to go up to her Bridal shop and help with a photoshoot. The whole scene is everything to me. The dress, the gloves, the veil… I couldn’t wait to be that bride one day. My wedding look was inspired by Elizabeth James.”
Q: What was your favorite moment of the day?
A: “Immediately after recessing down the aisle, Sam and I went into that little room,” Mary Kate said. “Our only moment alone on the whole day and it occurred spontaneously. We just looked at each other, cried and gave each other the biggest hug ever. We did it. We were married!”
Q: What was the most special aspect of your day?
A: “I had always dreamed of a summer wedding,” Mary Kate said. “We had the choice of three different dates, one of which was August 3rd. When I approached my mom on the idea of getting married that day, she was beyond supportive. It was an honor to be able to get married on the same day as the people I look up to the most.”
First Dance, Years Later
Mary Kate and Sam tied the knot 39 years to the day after her parents got married!
“After all the first dances at our reception, I got the microphone from the DJ and announced one more dance,” Mary Kate said. “My parent’s danced to ‘Annie’s Song’ by John Denver and relived their first dance on the very same night, only 39 years later.”
It Was All Yellow
“My parent’s primary wedding color was yellow,” Mary Kate said. “My mom’s bridesmaids wore light yellow dresses and carried white flowers. I searched high and low to find butter yellow dresses for my best friends to wear with their white roses. It was a tribute to my mom for sharing her day with me to use yellow, as well.”
