Little Rock natives Lauren Engleby and Chris Ritchie met at a mutual friend’s post-Razorback game party. After a year of “flirting, calling and texting,” the two finally went on their first date. After an eight-month engagement, the pair made it official this past summer in a Southern setting of sunny florals and wine décor (her father owns Grapevine Wines).

(See their spread in the digital edition of Arkansas Bride.)

BRIDE’S INSPIRATION
“My dad owns Grapevine Wines and has always been a wine fanatic, so I have been around wine and the lifestyle associated with it my whole life. I was worried that my two inspirations wouldn’t be cohesive at first, but I decided to go with it. I was very happy with the results!”

HOW THEY CUSTOMIZED
“Everything I used for the whole wedding I would use in my own home” – like old wooden wine boxes and wine corks – “which made the reception feel very personalized. The couple used the wine boxes in each table centerpiece and corks in the large flower arrangements, and for a guest book, a bottle of

Schramsberg champagne was available for signing. “I can’t wait to open it and celebrate on our first anniversary!” she said.

FAMILY AFFAIR
The bride’s mother was the matron of honor, the groom’s dad was his best man and the couple’s eight siblings all had a role in the wedding. Lauren’s great-grandmother’s rosary and Christopher’s grandmother’s bridal Bible were used in the ceremony. “Being surrounded by so much family made the actual mass very special for us, and extremely emotional for me too!”

THE DETAILS