The Rev. Chris “CJ” Fowler, Jr. & Dr. Joshua Ellis
May 3, 2025 | Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts in Little Rock | Count In Threes Photo
Josh and CJ met during their graduate programs at Harvard University. Josh had recently completed his residency at the Mayo Clinic and decided to move back to Boston for his Education Fellowship at the Chan School of Public Health. CJ had just graduated with his Bachelor’s in Divinity and was pursuing ordination. During the semester, the school hosted LGBTQ grad student mixers and socials, and they met at the last mixer of the year!
“It’s fair to say that we fell in love in Boston,” CJ said.
Soon after the couple met, they knew they were meant to spend the rest of their lives together. CJ told Josh early on in their relationship that he wanted to move back to Arkansas eventually to be closer to his family, and the two planned their future to be in Little Rock together. Josh applied for a job at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and they quickly bought a house in Hillcrest together.
In 2023, Josh surprised CJ at his family’s Christmas gathering.
“Unbeknownst to [me], Josh took a flight out of a different terminal at Logan on the same day and beat [me] to Little Rock,” CJ said.
When CJ arrived at his parents’ house, Josh was already there in the living room, down on one knee.
Photo Credit: Count in Threes Photo
Wedding Professionals We Love
Venue: Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts
Lighting, sound and dance floor: Central Arkansas Entertainment
Photo Credit: Count in Threes Photo
Photo Credit: Count in Threes Photo
More Wedding Professionals
Planning and design: JoBeth McElhannon with Lilias & Olive; Photography: Count in Threes Photo; Florist: Norwood Day Floral Co.; Cale: Michele Mayer; Linens: Nuage Designs; Invitation suite: By Invitation Only; Menus and seating chart: MV Design Co.; Rentals: Eventology; Videography: Evan Dowers
Q: What inspired your wedding day decor?
A: “Textures and colors were important to underscore the elegant, yet masculine style,” CJ said. “In the atrium, tablecloths of copper leather and black floral linen napkins juxtaposed against the luxurious white and blush florals kept the colors from seeming too sweet. In the cultural living room, the saturation of colors intensified. The same copper leather linens were paired with a pop of turquoise.”
Q: What inspired your florals?
A: “Josh is a talented gardener with a passion for flowers,” CJ said. “He wanted to include several of his favorite flowers, such as peonies, roses and dahlias. Our color palette moved from luxurious traditional garden arrangements of soft whites and blush colors during the dinner hour in the atrium to rich and vibrant, modern floral designs in the cultural living room, where guests enjoyed sunset cocktails and after-dinner dancing.”
Q: Why did you decide to go with the vibe of your wedding?
A: “At different points throughout the day, we had a lot of fun blending traditional and modern elements. Our ceremony was one of those times. Josh’s sister played the violin and was accompanied by a harp during the Processional. While our attendants walked out, the two of them played Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus,” a traditional wedding song that brought in the religious element that was important to both [of us,]” CJ said.
Photo Credit: Count in Threes Photo
Love Notes
CJ has a practice of leaving Josh notes with little cartoon drawings or short poems on mornings where they miss each other before heading to work. Before the ceremony, Josh presented CJ with a book that contained digitized versions of all the notes he had left him over the last three years.
Photo Credit: Count in Threes Photo
The Morning-Of
“We both had large wedding parties and invited them over to all get ready at our house before the ceremony,” CJ said. “Those few hours with our friends and each other were some of the brightest and most fun parts of the whole week. We danced, laughed, reminisced and got to enjoy the beautiful day.”
