Caroline Medlock & Sarah Pounds
September 6, 2020 / Centerton
CAROLINE AND SARAH met at Henderson State University. They picked up Sarah’s ring the morning of their engagement party in June 2019. The jewelry box had been forgotten at home, so she wore the ring out of the store to their next errand, the Gulley Park Pets Clinic. While waiting in the clinic, Sarah asked Caroline if it would be okay for her to continue wearing her ring and forgo any public proposal. They confirmed their engagement by shaking on it at the vet.
PLANNING DURING A PANDEMIC
All of their vendors were hired and every detail was in place months before the pandemic. Caroline and Sarah made the difficult decision to reschedule the wedding a few weeks into the lockdown. They didn’t want to hesitate and risk having to find a new venue or hire different vendors. Miraculously, they chose a date that was available for every single vendor. While the rescheduling was stressful, the most difficult part was narrowing down their extensive guest list from 175 to 50. They sent out a formal invitation for the first wedding date. When the date was changed they ended up using a more casual invitation, similar to a save the date, titled “Change the Date.”
INSPIRATION
Maddie Ward of Sonnet Weddings & Events planned and coordinated their wedding. She guided them through creating a wedding day that matched their dreams. The most important factor when choosing a venue was whether they were an LGBTQ+ ally. They went with The Ravington because they loved the antique charm and elegant features. Overall, they wanted their wedding to be soft and natural.
HOW THEY CUSTOMIZED
They chose their rings and wedding dresses together. “Do you see the theme? I don’t like going places alone and Caroline doesn’t like shopping,” Sarah says. “We each wanted something that would be comfortable for hours on end and would coordinate with each other.” Sarah wore a pair of Rifle Paper Co. Keds and Caroline wore a custom pair of Chacos. They were purchased before the wedding was rescheduled so they had the original date embroidered on the back.
Sarah’s bouquet had vibrant blooms with a farmers market style. Caroline’s bouquet had softer shaded blooms in a more relaxed shape. Potted plants were used at the ceremony altar. Potted lavender was interspersed with bouquets matching Caroline and Sarah’ bouquets for the reception. The Ravington has a gorgeous brick lined courtyard. Ivy covered walls and hydrangea were accented with potted greenery to create a classically romantic environment.
“Marriage was not legal for same-sex couples in Arkansas at the beginning of our relationship. When Clint Schnekloth pronounced us a married couple, we held space for the people who came before us and fought for the rights we are now privileged to have, space for the obstacles we faced, and space for the start of our lives together. Pride, joy, and gratitude overflowed at that moment.”
Their dessert of choice is always pie. Rymolene’s Pies provided a selection of pie bites in our favorite flavors. Pie bites were served in small plastic containers as a safety precaution.
Dolly Parton’s version of “Save the Last Dance for Me” was played for their first dance. Sarah knew that they would each go their separate ways after the first dance. The song is an homage to their individual personalities. Caroline mingled in small groups and played cornhole in the courtyard while Sarah stayed on the dance floor.
THE DETAILS
| VENDORS | |
|---|---|
| Photographer | Kristen Herrington, Fayetteville |
| Venue | The Ravington, Centerton |
| Wedding planner | Maddie Ward, Sonnet Weddings, Fayetteville |
| Florist | Fleurish Floral Studio, Fayetteville |
| Jeweler | Swift's Jewelry, Fayetteville |
| Caterer | Early Bird Catering, Fayetteville |
| Furniture rentals | Somthin Borrowed Event Rentals, Rogers |
| Bartending | Tie 1 On, Fayetteville |
| Wedding cake | Rymolene's Pies, Fayetteville |
| Wedding dress boutique | Couture Bridal Shop of Northwest Arkansas, Rogers Always & Forever Bridal, Fort Smith |
| Musician | DJ Afrosia J, NWA |
| Makeup | Eugenia Marks, Fayetteville |
| Hair | Lacey Oxford & Melissa Valenzuela |
See this Real Wedding as it appeared in the 2021 digital edition of Arkansas Bride. Discover more inspiration in Arkansas Bride's Real Weddings section
