Martha Poos & Christian Carter
Sept. 17, 2011 • 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa, Eureka Springs
Photos by D. Coleman Photography
Click here to view this Real Wedding spread in our Spring/Summer 2012 issue. 

Martha, a Missouri native, and Christian, a Maryland native, met while touring with a gospel band that performed around the world. Two years later, while riding in a carriage and looking at Christmas lights during an evening snowfall, Christian proposed. Martha said yes, and began planning their whimsical Alice in Wonderland-themed wedding.

How They Customized
Each centerpiece was individually handmade and included family photos and vintage pieces collected from various places. “We even used old books from my mother’s and grandmother’s childhoods,” Martha said. “I wanted the flowers to look as if they were they were just handpicked directly from the garden. Nothing was intended to match or feel formal. And every part of the decor was something I can keep and use in our home – nothing is intended to be boxed up and put away.”

The food was selected with“tea party flair,” including a variety of delicious cupcakes and finger foods, along with mashed potato sundaes.

The wedding attire – the gray tuxes as opposed to traditional black and the bridesmaids’ dresses in “Alice blue” were a customization by the bride and groom, while her niece’s flower girl dress mimicked Alice’s dress, and her nephew, the ring bearer, wore a customized Mad Hatter’s hat.

Ways They Saved
The couple saved money by searching the internet for bargains, making their own centerpieces and decorations, and both the bride and her mom used their artistic talent to pull things together.

“All of our vendors were wonderful to work with, and each suggested ways to help things go smoother in the planning and execution. We couldn’t ask for better folks to work with,” Martha said.

What detail truly made the wedding yours?
“My brooch bouquet. It’s made up of family heirlooms that go back several generations, as well as other pieces with special meaning. I wanted something that would never fade with time.”

The Details 

  • Photographer: D. Coleman Photography, Missouri
  • Florist: Holiday Island Flowers, Holiday Island
  • Cakes: Peace Love Cheesecake, Eureka Springs
  • Caterer/Drinks: Crescent Hotel, Eureka Springs
  • DJ/Band: All Around Sound, Eureka Springs
  • Bride/Bridesmaids Attire: David’s Bridal
  • Groom/Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Warehouse