GREER VEON & RYAN CRONIN
June 10, 2023 | Texarkana County Club | Texarkana | Bethany Grace Photography
Greer and Ryan met in 2018 at an event in New York City. Ryan was in the city for his job and Greer was visiting from Westchester County, where she was in graduate school. She noticed his Alabama shirt from across the room and wanted to meet a fellow Southerner, so she struck up a conversation with him and they haven’t stopped talking to one another since.
“Our first few dates really convinced me that he would stay in my life,” Greer said. “Especially on our third date when we could laugh in a crowded concert venue like no one else was there.”
Greer felt a belonging and deep love for Ryan after meeting his parents at a Christmas party and visiting his hometown of Oyster Bay. Ryan says he fell in love with Greer much earlier than that! He knew she was the one when, in a city full of people who love to dress up, she showed up to a date wearing Adidas.
In 2021, Ryan planned a special surprise for Greer during their visit to Myrtle Beach on the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Unwilling to let the afternoon's weather forecast rain on his parade, Ryan convinced Greer to wake up early to visit the Brookgreen Gardens on Pawley’s Island with him. Little did she know, Ryan’s sister was hiding, ready to take photos of his proposal. He dropped down to one knee in front of the Live Oak Allée, and she said yes before they got caught up in the storm!
WEDDING VENDORS WE LOVE
Photographer
Bethany Grace Photography
MORE VENDORS
Videographer: Reverent Wedding Films; Jeweler: Vicki Lynn Jewelers; Ceremony Venue: First Presbyterian Church, Texarkana AR; Organist: Andrew Clark; Officiants: Rev. Louis Nyiri and Rev. Candace Veon-Nyiri; Ceremony Coordinators: Gene and Gail Cogbill; Reception Venue: Texarkana Country Club; Food: Executive Chef Pam Elliott, Texarkana Country Club; Wedding Reception Assistant: Jan Baker, Texarkana Country Club; Florist: Bennie Phillips; Music: Psychedelic Radio with Robert St. John; Bridal Hair: The Beauty BAR TXK; Bridal Makeup: Phe Michelle; Bridesmaids Attire: Bella Bridesmaids; Groom's Attire: The Men's Store; Groomsmen Attire: The Black Tux; Invitations and reception accessories: By Invitation Only; Marquee Letters and Photo Booth: Alpha-Lit Texarkana Marquee Letters; Cake: Julie's Deli; Tablecloths: Dot's Rentals
Q & A
Q: What is your secret to wedding planning success?
A: “We did not use a planner, we probably could have added more details or ideas had I made more time, but I really allowed myself to let the planning unfold and be relaxed in my decisions of what we'd have or not have,” Greer said. “My mom also was a really great asset because she and I share the same taste in decor and details, but we got married in her hometown. So many of our vendors were actually people who knew my mom or her parents, which made the planning of our wedding all the more memorable because people who were supportive of me and my family came together to make our day so special.”
Q: What inspired your color palette?
A: “I loved the idea of simple events, where less is more, and wanted to combine a Southern wedding with the coastal, eastern feel Ryan's Long Island hometown had,” Greer said. “I always loved the idea of 'something blue' and was really into the shades of French, hydrangea and navy blues with the stark contrast of creams. I loved having accents of gold, green, and black to keep things very minimal but chic.”
Q: What was your favorite moment of the day?
A: “Our ceremony took place in First Presbyterian Church Texarkana, where I spent my childhood in Sunday School and Youth Group, and was performed by my aunt and uncle, both of whom are Presbyterian ministers that I spent summers visiting since I was three. Everything from the music to the readings, to the homily was beautifully grand. I felt so excited about the promise Ryan and I made to each other in front of God with our families and friends as witnesses. Every piece of the wedding planning made that moment with Ryan worth it.”
Q: Tell us about the venue. Why did you decide to get married here?
A: “My parents were married in the same town, so it naturally felt like the best place for us to hold our ceremony and reception,” Greer said. “We held our ceremony in my childhood church and then our reception at the Texarkana Country Club. We wanted a place that felt elegant and timeless, and not only had I grown up attending numerous events at the Club but my husband's favorite pastime is golfing, and he knew all about the history of Texarkana Country Club's golf course. When we first stepped onto the property we knew it was the perfect space, and we fell in love with how kind and thoughtful the staff was towards us as we planned our wedding event.”
Q: What was your most worth-it splurge?
A: “Our most worth-it splurge was our venue, specifically the food and bar,” Greer said. “We worked with Executive Chef Pam Elliott of Texarkana Country Club to deliver a wide variety of cocktail appetizers and main courses that incorporated Southern and New York cuisine favorites. She absolutely nailed it, with several people going back for seconds. We also had a full bar with Ranch Water and Aperol Spritz as his & hers specialty cocktail options. We then ended the night with her take on honey-butter chicken biscuits and fries, which was a huge hit with all of our guests!”
Q: What surprised you about planning a wedding?
A: What surprised me the most is how much time it takes to plan a wedding,” Greer said. “I knew I wanted a long engagement, so I intentionally built in almost two years to have time to plan without a rush, but even with that I still felt like I needed more time. What I wish I had known was to trust those who gave me insight. My parents and husband were great in offering insight or advice on decisions, and while sometimes I was weary because the process felt overwhelming, the way people and projects came together really did make everything fall into place. Trust your parents - they'll guide you in the right direction!”
LET GO OF PICTURE-PERFECT
Greer’s advice to couples planning their wedding is to ditch the pressure of Instagram-worthy details and trust the details will come together.
WORTH-IT WEDDING DAY SPLURGES
“Our most worth-it splurge was our venue, specifically the food and bar,” Greer said. “We worked with Executive Chef Pam Elliott of Texarkana Country Club to deliver a wide variety of cocktail appetizers and main courses that incorporated Southern and New York cuisine favorites.”
OUR FAVES
- The soft and dreamy color palette.
- Greer’s gorgeous long-sleeved dress and cathedral veil combination!
- Stunning three-tier cake with cascading babies breathe.
