Simply Charming: Amanda Nicole Rhodes and Jeremy Ray Teff

June 3, 2006
Oaks Manor
Van Buren

 

 

 

Tradition with a Modern Twist
Amanda and Jeremy had a traditional religious ceremony even though the music that accompanied it was not. Amanda’s father and two older brothers sang “In My Life” by the Beatles during the ceremony, and the pastor’s daughter Nicole Williams sang “Fallen,” originally from the Pretty Woman soundtrack, as the couple made their exit.

 

 

Something Old, Something New
In keeping with tradition, Amanda wore a blue garter and a borrowed pearl bracelet. As her “something old,” she carried a handkerchief that belonged to her grandfather and wore her mother’s wedding ring with a yellow sapphire. Jeremy sent Amanda a beautiful antique-style necklace and matching earrings right before the ceremony for her “something new.”

 

 

A Sweet Idea
Amanda got the idea for homemade cookies as take-away gifts from a magazine. “I wanted a favor that people would actually take with them,” she says. The couple asked bridesmaids, family members and guests to choose their favorite cookie recipes and bring a batch to the reception. They placed their treats in glass jars decorated with coordinating colors and labeled with the chef’s name and recipe. “There were little bags so guests could take cookies home. They were all gone by the end of the reception,” Amanda says.

 

 

Gorgeous Gowns
Amanda’s wedding dress by 2-Be Bride was love at first sight. “We found it right before my fitting was over,” she laughs. “It fit my personality as well as what I wanted my wedding to look and feel like.” The green bridesmaid dresses were all handmade by seamstress Peggy McKinney from a picture the bride had given her. Amanda had the bridesmaids carry bouquets of yellow roses and green berries, her wedding colors, and she held a contrasting bouquet of roses, hydrangeas and stephanotises. The bride and bridesmaids spent a little “girl time” together before the ceremony getting their hair and nails done at a nearby salon.

 

 

A Relaxed Reception
The ceremony and reception both took place on the grounds of Oaks Manor in Van Buren. “I wanted our wedding to have a garden theme and an airy feel,” Amanda says. For that very reason, she decided to forgo place cards and have a buffet-style meal at the reception. “It was important to us that guests were able to mingle, especially since we had lots of family come in from out of state.” Instead, the couple decided on centerpieces that reflected the garden theme of the wedding. Not only were they beautiful, but the florist chose plants that could be repotted so guests could take home a living memento, too.

 

 

Fabulous Fans
Because the wedding was outdoors, the couple wanted to have programs that were informative and functional. Amanda and Jeremy decided to have their programs printed on fans for their guests’ comfort. The front was informal with a Bible verse, date and location of the wedding. The back had a listing of the couple’s parents and wedding attendants.

 

 

Photographer: Artistry Portraits & Video, Fayetteville
Florist: A.M.F, Expressions?Flowers, Inc. in Fort Smith
Wedding Dress: Lowe?s Bridal, Brinkley
Bridesmaid Dresses: Peggy McKinney, Fort Smith
Tuxedo: Beau?s Tuxedos, Fort Smith
Hairstylist: Trimmers, Alma
Bride’s cake: On the Sweet Side, Fort Smith
Groom’s cake and catering: Goodson’s Catering, Fort Smith
Program fans: Antonia Rose Printing in Prince Frederick, Maryland

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