Anna Parker & Michael Lay
May 14, 2011 • “Papa’s Farm,” Hartford
Photos by A Moment Captured Photography
Click here to view this Real Wedding spread in the digital edition. 

Ten years ago, Fort Smith natives Anna and Michael were high school sweethearts. They drifted apart after graduation until two years ago, when circumstances brought them back to Fort Smith—and back together. Michael vowed not to lose her again, and shortly before Christmas 2009 he proposed. He later popped the question again, but this time to Anna’s daughters, asking them for permission to marry their mother with “engagement rings” of their own.

How They Customized
“Pews” were created using an assortment of antique theater seating and vintage chairs collected from family and friends, and quilts were laid out for families with small children. The couple and the bride’s daughters had a tree planting ceremony during the service. The tree has since been planted in their yard at home and will grow strong, just as their family will. Guests took home jars of Meme’s homemade strawberry jam. The berries were picked and prepared by the bride and her grandmother, and tied with customized calligraphy tags from Molly’s Paperie in Little Rock.

Natural Elements
Ribbons of multicolored satin and lace streamed from the trees; a vintage trunk was filled with quilts to keep off the unseasonable chill; and a collection of vintage containers were filled with moss, grapevine balls, hydrangeas, ranunculus, garden roses, stock and Sahara roses as décor.

Ways They Saved
They wed for free on the bride’s grandfather’s farm. Family members cooked the delicious barbecue dinner served at the reception. And the bride made both the groom’s boutonniere and her bouquet with ribbons, garden roses, ranunculus, seeded eucalyptus, seed pods, and more.

What detail truly made the wedding yours?
“I have a slight obsession with vintage chairs; I have them throughout my home. So we expanded on that, using a variety of chairs for the ceremony seating instead of pews or hay bales.”

The Details
Photographer: A Moment Captured Photography
Event Planner/Florist/Lighting: Jessica Kersey, Finishing Touch Event Design, Little Rock
Stationery: Molly’s Paperie, Little Rock
Cakes: Creative Kitchen, Fort Smith
Desserts: Simply Sweets, Fort Smith
Rentals: Celebrations, Fort Smith
DJ/Band: The Kory Montgomery Band, Nashville, Tenn.
Gown: Low’s Bridal & Formal, Brinkley