LEA CISKOWSKI & SPENCER SHACKELFORD
Sept. 18, 2022 | Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art | Emma Farr Photography
Lea and Spender met at work in August 2019. They were cubicle neighbors and got to know one another for a few months until they finally decided to take things to the next level–a real Jim Halpert and Pam Beesly situation! Turns out, the COVID-19 outbreak caused everyone to work remotely for the next year and a half.
“Spencer proposed on a trip to Whitefish, Montana in October 2021,” Lea said. “We were hiking in Glacier National Park when he popped the question. He asked after we'd reached the picturesque waterfall and were walking back down the trail, so I thought the moment had passed. But in his way, Spencer had to catch me off guard, just a little”
Lea loves neutrality, but she decided to incorporate some color into their wedding day. With neutral stationery and linens, she stepped out of her comfort zone with bold pops of bright colors for a garden-themed look. Her bouquet and the cocktail hour were adorned in all-white florals and décor, which only made the transition to her vibrant reception more impactful. Lea and Spencer didn’t have a strict color palette, but they leaned into citrus colors for more contrast against all the lush greenery.
Q & A
Q: What were your florals inspired by?
“I wanted lush, vibrant greenery with bold pops of saturated color,” Lea said. “In hindsight, I think I was inspired by artwork in our home, specifically our prints by George Dombek and Mark Maggiori that feature vibrant colors.”
Q: What is your secret to wedding planning success?
“Take it one step at a time. The list of to-dos can be overwhelming, so break it out into manageable bite-size tasks and feel good about each item checked off vs. worrying about what else is left.”
Q: Name a wedding trend you’re loving right now.
“Non-traditional guest books! We asked guests to sign one of our George Dombek coffee table books. I'm hoping we'll flip through it more since it already has a home in our living room.”
Q: How did you customize your wedding?
“As a parting gift to guests, we handed out beignets for a late-night treat. I spent a number of years in Louisiana so this was a special nod to my time there.”
Q: What was your favorite wedding day detail?
“A few weeks before the wedding, I opted to nix the veil. I worried it would compete with my tulle sleeves and I kept going back and forth on length. Instead, I had the veil converted into a tulle cape that would drape down from my back so my sleeves could have their moment”
Q: What made your day feel perfect?
“My dad passed away in 2018. My aunt had a pendant engraved in his memory and we tied it to my bouquet. It was really special and comforting to clutch as I walked down the aisle.”
COLOR THEORY
Lea and Spencer decided to choose an array of colors and hues instead of sticking to one color palette. They chose to incorporate a dramatic contrast of colors, from light and airy during their ceremony and cocktail hour to a deeper, richer color palette for the reception.
MOMENTS & MEMORIES
Their first dance was to an acoustic version of “All You Need to Know” by Gryffin and SLANDER.
WEDDING VENDORS WE LOVE
Photography: Emma Farr Photography; Wedding planner: Katie McIntire with Amanda Reed Weddings; Venue and catering: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art; Wedding bands: Blakeman’s Fine Jewelry
MORE VENDORS
Florist: Zuzu's Petals; Invitation and signage: Dayflower Designs; Rentals: White Door, Host, Eventures; Cake: The Cake Occasion; DJ: DJ Kyle; Ceremony Music: Christian Serrano Torres; Ceremony Sound: Smoothman Productions; Wedding dress: Unbridaled in Austin, Texas; Alterations: Material Concepts; Engagement ring: TIVOL; Groom and groomsmen attire: The Black Tux; Hair: Hannah Linker; Makeup: Jessica Humerick; Tan: Glow & Go by Ashley Sedberry; Skin prep: Juliette Sherin Skin Rx; Officiant: Richard Hudson; Golf cart: Big on Bentonville
