Megan Burges Photography

Alexandra Wise & Thomas Ehlers
June 11, 2016
Inn at Carnall Hall, Fayetteville

The University of Arkansas brought Alexandra Wise of Alma and Thomas Ehlers of St. Louis together, and would later prove to be the perfect backdrop for their wedding.

As Harry Potter fans do, Alexandra and Thomas took a trip to Universal Studios in Orlando. The two agreed on a restroom break before hopping on the Hogwarts Express, and little did Alexandra know that during this time Thomas ran to the train to get the park staff involved. The staff jumped at the opportunity, allowing the couple to skip lines, experience walking onto platform 9 ¾, and even giving them a private cabin on the train, where Thomas proposed.

Megan Burges Photography


The Inspiration

Alexandra and Thomas went for a classic, timeless feel. The venue added an extra romantic element, being right across the street from where they met on the U of A campus. Alexandra has always been drawn to classic stories, from fairytales to American literature to poetry. She drew inspiration from her favorite tales and blended them to create the wedding of her dreams.

Megan Burges Photography

Megan Burges Photography

Megan Burges Photography

Megan Burges Photography

Megan Burges Photography

Megan Burges Photography

Megan Burges Photography

Megan Burges Photography


How They Customized

The couple’s wedding cake was a creation from the owner of Shelby Lynn’s. When Alexandra and Thomas went to consult, she asked them details about their relationship, the wedding and Alexandra’s dress. The cake layers are meant to reflect to design of Alexandra’s dress: the cascading ruffles on the bottom layer and the intricacy of the bodice work on the other. The geometric metallic lines were meant to represent Thomas, who is an architect. The cake even displayed a custom monogram for the couple.

Megan Burges Photography

Megan Burges Photography

The reception centerpieces were available for guests to take home in the copper containers. And instead of a guestbook, Alexandra and Thomas had a character drawing done of themselves and the guests signed around it.

Megan Burges Photography

Megan Burges Photography

Megan Burges Photography

Megan Burges Photography

Megan Burges Photography


Music to Our Ears

Alexandra used nontraditional songs from a Japanese composer, Nobuo Uematsu. Her brothers both play the piano, so using them in her wedding made it special and unique.


The Details

Venue The Inn at Carnall Hall, Fayetteville
  Photographer Megan Burges Photography, Mountain Home
  Videographer Austin Gilliam Cinematography, Mountain Home
  Event Planner Details Weddings & Events, Fort Smith
  Florist Pigmint, Fayetteville
  Rentals Eventures Party Rentals, Fayetteville
Caterer/Drinks Ella's at the Inn at Carnall Hall, Fayetteville
  Cakes Shelby Lynn Cake Shoppe, Springdale
  Band Groove Productions, Fayetteville
  Wedding Invitations Paperwerk, Fort Smith
  Programs Inscriptions, Fort Smith
  Wedding Gown CC's Boutique, St. Petersburg, Fla.
Bridesmaids Attire Bella Bridesmaids, Little Rock
  Groom's Attire Greenhaw's, Little Rock
  Groomsmen Attire Jos. A Bank, Little Rock
  Jeweler Underwood's, Fayetteville
  Hair Catherine Schmidt of Crown Beauty Bar, Fayetteville
  Makeup Adriann Duncan of Crown Beauty Bar, Fayetteville
  Vintage Car Arkansas Destinations, Little Rock
Wedding Vendor We Love  

Megan Burges Photography

See this Real Wedding as it appeared in our print edition

Discover more inspiration in our Real Weddings section.