Rachel Allen & Aaron Siedschlag
July 31, 2020 / Cave Springs
Timing is everything, and that’s exactly the case for Rachel Allen and Aaron Siedschlag. The two both attended the University of Arkansas, but it wasn’t until years later that they’d officially meet (even though Aaron had followed Rachel on social media during college). After graduation, Rachel moved to Dallas and during that time (without putting two and two together) Aaron sold a car to Rachel’s dad.
Later that year, her family planned to visit Rachel in the new car when the navigation stopped working. Aaron met Rachel’s dad to fix it and that’s when Aaron realized who his daughter was. Once Rachel moved back to Arkansas, Aaron made his move and the two went on their first date.
“Needless to say, we have barely spent a day apart from each other since that first date, and we knew so fast that each other was who God had planned for us; it just needed to be the right timing,” Rachel says. “He is my best friend, my rock and my place of comfort, and I am so lucky he is mine!”
Planning in a Pandemic
The couple’s planning process was severely altered due to COVID-19. In March 2020, they made the tough decision to postpone their wedding from May to July. Rachel and her planner watched the daily briefings from Gov. Asa Hutchinson to make sure they stayed on top of the newest rules and guidelines for the state.
They spaced out tables farther than they’d originally planned, changed from a buffet to a plated dinner and hired an extra videographer to stream the wedding for those not comfortable attending. Rachel says they ended up spending more money than they had budgeted on things like masks, signage for distancing and wristbands that communicated each guest’s distancing preference by color coding, and ordering invitations multiple times because of the postponement.
THE INSPIRATION
Rachel was inspired by lush flowers and wanted classic décor that would never go out of style. She was especially enamored with Kim and Kanye West’s white-on-white wedding. Rachel also knew exactly where she wanted the big day to take place—at a new venue near her parents’ house in Cave Springs. Once they toured Osage House, the couple was set on saying their vows there. They also love that, since it’s close to both the couple’s home and Rachel’s parents’ home, they’d get a happy little feeling every time they drove by.
HOW THEY CUSTOMIZED
• • •
The couple said “I do” inside Osage House’s beautiful chapel, which boasts floor-to-ceiling windows. After the ceremony, guests were invited into the beautiful reception set up with tall arrangements on the tables and a floral and greenery garland draping the head table. A greenery installation hung above the custom monogram dance floor. Gold accents added a touch of glamour throughout the décor.
Rachel’s bouquet was inspired by a photo she saw on Instagram. She tracked down the florist featured in the photo—who just happened to be based in Australia!—and got a list of all the flowers used to create her dream bouquet. And her florist Silks-A-Bloom recreated it perfectly.
Since Aaron is a car aficionado, Rachel tasked him with finding a cool ride for their getaway at the end of the night. He picked a classic white 1948 Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special that perfectly complemented the couple’s elegant and timeless theme.
THE DETAILS
| WEDDING VENDORS WE LOVE | |
|---|---|
| Venue | Osage House, Cave Springs |
| Florist | Silks-A-Bloom, Little Rock |
| Wedding dress |
Low’s Bridal & Formal, Brinkley |
| Dance floor |
The Dance Floor Man, Little Rock |
| Garter | She Said Yes Bridal, Rogers |
| MORE VENDORS | |
|---|---|
| Videography | Nilo Productions |
| Photography | Lela & Lyla Photography |
| Planning | Wed by Meg |
| Rentals | Randal Events, Fayetteville |
| Lighting | Brock Entertainment, Rogers |
| Cake | Shelby Lynn's Cake Shoppe, Springdale |
| Caterer | K-Mac Catering, Rogers |
| Drink service | Tie 1 On NWA, Rogers |
| DJ | Brock Entertainment, Rogers |
| Invitations | Shindig Paperie, Fayetteville |
| Bridesmaid dresses | Kennedy Blue |
| Groom/groomsmen attire | The Black Tux |
| Jeweler | Underwoods Fine Jewelers, Fayetteville |
| Hair | Greta Jasper |
| Makeup | Adrianne Duncan |
| Transportation | NWA High Society |
| Live painting | Jane's Place, Fayetteville |
| Late night snack | Papa John's |
| Monogram cups/napkins | Sip Hip Hooray, Houston, Texas |
| Bridesmaid's makeup | MakeupbyMadz |
| Bridesmaid's hair | Megan Duncan |
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