Drew Cason Photography

Kate Blankenship & Eric Barlow
June 18, 2016
First United Methodist Church & Pine Bluff Country Club

Eric Barlow of Little Rock popped the question to Kate Blankenship of Pine Bluff after a fun afternoon at the Arkansas State Fair. When they went home that evening, they had a glass of wine on the back deck. Eric insisted he would get Kate another glass, and when he returned, he got down on one knee and proposed.

Drew Cason Photography


The Inspiration

Right away, Kate had a few things in mind for the wedding. She knew that she wanted to have blush hues, and as the only daughter of a farmer, she wanted to incorporate cotton into her floral arrangements. She also wanted to include pine needles, which symbolize her hometown. Magnolia leaves made an appearance as well, as a nod to Kate’s alma mater, Ole Miss (Mississippi is “The Magnolia State”). Adding even more meaning, the magnolia leaves used in the arrangements were from a tree that Kate’s mom planted on their family farm 45 years ago. From there, the whole wedding took on a “Steel Magnolias” vibe.

Drew Cason Photography

Drew Cason Photography

Drew Cason Photography

Drew Cason Photography

Drew Cason Photography

Drew Cason Photography


How They Customized

Kate and Eric worked with their printer/designer to create a wedding crest with the letter "B" and a floral design that they used throughout the entire wedding, on everything from the save-the-dates to the pillows on benches outside of the country club. The groom’s cake was shaped like an armadillo, just like in “Steele Magnolias.”

Drew Cason Photography

Drew Cason Photography

Drew Cason Photography

Later during the reception, Tyrone from the Tyrone Smith Revue changed out of his tux and into a Superman costume and transformed into “Super T.” As the band played “Uptown Funk,” confetti cannons went off to the delight of guests. Kate and Eric also had a stylish exit in a 1906 curved-dash Oldsmobile driven by Kate’s brother, Ben Blankenship.

Drew Cason Photography

Drew Cason Photography


Music to Our Ears

Seating of the mothers 
“Ave Maria” by J.S. Bach performed by soloist Matt Soto
First dance
“At Last” by Etta James

Drew Cason Photography


The Details

  Venue Pine Bluff Country Club
Photographer Drew Cason Photography, Benton
  Videographer Zach East
  Event Designer & Wedding Coordinator Anne-Claire Allen Planning & Design, Little Rock
  Florist Shepherd Florist, Pine Bluff
  Rentals Confetti's Party Rental, Little Rock
  Lighting Central Arkansas Entertainment, Little Rock
  Cakes Natalie Madison's Artisan Cakes, Little Rock
  Caterer/Drinks Pine Bluff Country Club
  Band Tyrone Smith Revue, Nashville, Tenn.
  Ceremony Soloist Matt Soto
  Wedding Stationery Hobart's Paper Creations, Bryant
  Calligraphy Ann Turbeville, Pine Bluff
  Live Painter Isaac Alexander, Little Rock
Wedding Gown She Said Yes, Rogers
Bridesmaids Attire Bella Bridesmaids, Little rock
Groom/Groomsmen Attire Paul Morrell Formalwear, Little Rock
  Jeweler Jones & Son, Little Rock
  Hair Amy Hester, Red Beauty Lounge, Little Rock
  Makeup Antonio Figueroa, B. Barnett, Little Rock
  Busses Little Rock Tours
Wedding Vendor We Love

Drew Cason Photography

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