SYDNEY HUM & JOSEPH VAN DE GRIFT
April 2, 2022 | Legacy Acres | Conway | Erin Wilson Photography and Films
Sydney and Joseph met in April 2018 on Bumble. He was about to start graduate school at the University of Central Arkansas, and she was in undergrad. The two fell in love with each other quickly and haven’t gone more than eight days without seeing each other since meeting. Joseph proposed in January 2021 while on a family trip to Disney World!
The two started wedding planning shortly after the TV series “Bridgerton” came out, and its ballroom scenes were a huge inspiration for their big day. Sydney wanted to transform the Legacy Acres reception hall into an indoor garden party with florals as the focal point. A citrus theme was born when she found an “Orange you glad you came?” seating chart on Pinterest, and her planner Stephanie Benton and the florists at Silks-A-Bloom came up with amazing lemon trees that were raved about by guests.
WEDDING VENDORS WE LOVE
Wedding planner
Stephanie Benton of Amanda Reed Weddings
Florals
Silks-A-Bloom
Venue
Legacy Acres
Invitations
The Social Type
Hair and makeup
Belle & Blush
MORE VENDORS
Photography and videography: Erin Wilson Photography and Films; Rentals: Eventology and White Door Events; Catering and drink service: Vibrant Occasions Catering; Wedding cake: Patticakes Bakery; Lighting and rigging: Central Arkansas Entertainment; Aisle runner and dance floor: The Dance Floor Man; Linens: BBJ Linen, La Tavola and Nuage Designs; DJ: DJ Xavier; Ceremony music: Arkansas Symphony Orchestra; Wedding dress: a&be bridal shop in Austin, Texas; Transportation: Arkansas Destinations; Bridesmaids attire: Birdy Grey; Groom’s attire: Suit Supply; Groomsmen attire: Generation Tux; Jeweler: Olive Avenue Jewelry; Koozies: Chick Design Boutique; Signage: Shindig Paperie; Steamers: Flutter Fetti
Q & A
Q: How did hiring a wedding planner help the planning process?
A: “Stephanie Benton with Amanda Reed Weddings was our planner,” Sydney said. “I wouldn’t have known where to begin without her! She was able to take my vision and execute it all even better than I could have imagined. She understood what I wanted so thoroughly that I could sometimes take a back seat and know that whatever she suggested would fit in so well with the theme. I loved having someone to make an otherwise daunting task extremely manageable!”
Q: What was your favorite moment of the wedding day?
A: “I have two favorite moments. My first was my first look with my dad. I did not expect for him to cry as he is not the most emotional man. It was so sweet to have a special moment with him before the wedding,” Sydney said. “The second was mine and Joseph’s first dance. Just walking into a ballroom with everyone I love inside was so special. By then, we had had our private dinner and were ready to get the reception going!”
Q: What was your favorite wedding day detail?
A: “My bouquet,” Sydney said. “It was heavy, impractical and everything I dreamed of. You could just look at it and know my vision for the wedding.”
Q: Best marriage tip?
A: “I have an untraditional tip: Go to bed angry,” Sydney said. “Things will seem easier after a good night’s sleep and most of the time, you forget why you were so mad.”
BUDGET-SAVING TIP
“I have been loving Friday and weekday weddings,” Sydney said. “Weddings are exhausting and it’s great to have more time to recover while also saving money on vendors!”
SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW
Sydney’s mother used the marquise diamonds from her old ring to create a new bracelet for Sydney to wear on her big day. The couple also saved the top tier of their wedding cake to enjoy on their one year anniversary!
CUSTOM DETAIL
“I loved our custom drink koozies for the party favors,” Sydney said. “We had [them] made in six different colors that each had a different pet on them! We have four dogs and two cats, so this made it feel like they were with us on our special day, and our friends loved trying to get their favorite pet.”
