Maddie Brodell & Nicholas Schmidt
September 26, 2020 / Scott
MADDIE BRODELL DOES NOT LIKE SURPRISES, so she was dying to figure out when her boyfriend, Nicholas Schmidt would propose. She eventually figured it out when her mom and sister flew in for a “random visit.” Nic and Maddie drove around all day and he tried to pretend that they were just running errands. They ended the day at the park where they had said that they loved each other for the first time. They barely made it from the car to the grass before Nic was on one knee proposing. They ended the day with an engagement party that Maddie’s family hosted.
PLANNING DURING A PANDEMIC
Although they did not have to cut their guest list due to COVID-19, Maddie and Nic had several family members and cherished guests that were not able to come. But they made their safety measures fun with their personal crest on the hand sanitizer, utilized outdoor seating and made the day special and intimate.
HOW THEY CUSTOMIZED
Maddie wanted everything to be simple and classic. She had a dream of having a “southern garden party” and fell in love with how the Marlsgate Plantation fit that dream perfectly. She cried as she imagined herself in her dress, walking down the aisle at the venue. She knew she didn’t want sparkle or lace on her dress, and chose a solid, form-fitting gown from She Said Yes bridal.
For Maddie’s ring, she had two bands: her wedding band and a wedding gift from Nic. Both his and her rings were simple and complemented each other. Maddie borrowed her late grandma’s broach for her bouquet and embroidered her new monogram on the ribbon in blue. She wanted to keep her beauty style fresh and clean and let her true self shine, but with just a little added glam.
For the bridesmaids dresses, Maddie chose to mix the colors and patterns to give them more dimension and texture. The ring bearer, groomsmen and Nic all wore a navy suit and a custom bow tie by Pearle Grey, with bowties that were made of the extra fabric from the bridesmaid dresses. The flower girl wore a classic smocked dress with shoes adorned with bows, and a pearl bracelet that matched the pearls in Maddie’s earrings.
The gardens of the Marlsgate were already adorned with hydrangeas, magnolia garden roses and blue chinoiserie. Paper Supply Co. incorporated the magnolias throughout all of their stationary and created a wax seal with Maddie and Nic’s custom crest.
THE DETAILS
| WEDDING VENDORS WE LOVE | |
|---|---|
| Venue, rentals, cakes, catering, drinks, rehearsal dinner | Marlsgate Plantation, Scott |
| Flowers | Cabbage Rose, Little Rock |
| Wedding dress | She Said Yes Bridal, Rogers |
| accessories | Tesori, Fayetteville |
| Jeweler | Sissy's Log Cabin, Little Rock |
| Bow ties | Pearle Grey Designs |
| Bridesmaid dresses | Bella Bridesmaids, Little Rock |
| MORE VENDORS | |
|---|---|
| Photography, videography | Kati Mallory Fine Art Photography |
| Day-of coordinator | Martha Ellen Talbot |
| Invitations | Paper Supply Co., Little Rock |
| Ceremony music | Cathy Cooper |
| Groom's attire | Jos. A. Bank, Little Rock |
| Hair | Kimmi Willhite of Sola Salon Studios, Little Rock |
| Makeup | Kristina Chudy of Belle and Blush, Little Rock |
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.
