EMILY RICHEY & BRANDON FIELDS
May 22, 2021 / Mount Magazine State Park, Paris
Emilly and Brandon, both Paris natives, are high school sweethearts. The two became best friends in seventh grade and became inseparable. In high school, they went on a group trip to a haunted house and ended up holding hands the entire time, which led them to question if there was something more. They didn’t act on those feelings until their senior year of high school, when they started officially dating after homecoming.
In July 2020, Brandon surprised Emily by proposing in Destin, Florida while on a trip with friends. They went to watch the sunset on the beach when they came upon a sand sculpture shaped like a heart and surrounded by rose petals that said, “Will you marry me, Emily?” Both of their families then popped out from behind a nearby cabana, as Brandon got down on one knee and asked Emily to spend forever with him.
THE INSPIRATION
Emily and Brandon thought it would be special to get married in their hometown, but they struggled to find a local venue that could accommodate their 300+ guest list. After touring several venues, they still couldn’t find one that felt right for them until they visited one of their favorite date spots — Mount Magazine. As they sat on the steps of the amphitheater and took in the breathtaking view, they immediately knew that it was the perfect spot for their ceremony.
HOW THEY CUSTOMIZED
Because Mount Magazine lacked a large reception space, they expanded the park’s stone pavilion using white tents. The pavilion was completely transformed into a vibrant party space, complete with a dance floor, elaborate floral installations by Vase and Vine and huge LED letters that spelled out “The Fields.” They incorporated fun twists into the reception, such as the groom’s cookie dough bar, a build-your-own Sonic drink station and to-go flower bouquets to make each guest feel loved at their wedding.
Emily’s wedding vision was an “elegant and classy, pink lemonade wedding.” With the help of wedding planner Elizabeth Gorman, the couple selected a color story that included bright pinks and yellows as well as plum and sage green. Every aspect of Emily and Brandon’s wedding was extremely personalized. Their wedding planner came up with a detailed plan that covered the fashion story, florals, stationery suite, design and more.
Emily found her dream dress at Low’s Bridal & Formal in Brinkley. The off-the-shoulder ballgown radiated elegance and as a sentimental touch, the bow from her mother’s wedding dress was sewn on the back. Her bridal party wore bold spring colors of flamingo and watermelon pink, which popped against the natural colors of the mountain.
♥
“I loved the traditional aspects of a wedding, but I also loved the idea of incorporating fun twists.”
- Emily
WEDDING VENDORS WE LOVE
Photography
Raegan Buckley Photography
Florist
Vase and Vine, Clarksville
Wedding dress, veil, accessories
Low’s Bridal & Formal, Brinkley
Furniture rentals
Eventology, North Little Rock
MORE VENDORS
Venue: Mount Magazine State Park, Paris; Photography: Taylor Renee Photos; Videography: Blue Shadow Films; Planning: Elizabeth Gorman, Kate & Company Arkansas; Lighting: Lightworks Events, Fayetteville; Cake: Alice Schluterman; Groom’s Cookie Dough Bar: Sweet As Dough, Lowell; Caterer: Doubletree by Hilton, Fort Smith; Drink service: Tie 1 On NWA, Rogers; DJ/band: Jukeboxx Band; Ceremony music: Austin Hinrichs, Cello By Austin; Invitations: Dayflower Designs, Bentonville; Bridesmaid dresses: Azazie; Groom/groomsmen attire: Men’s Wearhouse, Rogers; Jeweler: Zales; Hair: Ladora Smith, Kecia Schluterman, Danielle O’Bar; Makeup: Sam Weidman Beauty, MaRya Hunnicutt; Transportation: Arkansas Destinations, Little Rock; Boydie Farmer Horse and Carriage; Rehearsal dinner venue: Mount Magazine Lodge, Paris; Tents: Table Matters, Greenwood; Live Painter: Jane Davidian; Road Signage: Castle Graphics, Paris
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