ABBY ANTICI & KYLER DICKEY
April 22, 2023 | Main Street Pocket Park, Main Street Loft | Batesville | Emma G. Photography
Abby and Kyler met in their high school band. She was a percussionist, and he played the euphonium. Abby always had a crush on Kyler, but he was a grade ahead of her and had no clue. On the way back from All-State band tryouts, they found out that he made All-State and she didn’t. Abby was really upset, and Kyler took it upon himself to cheer her up.
“Even though we barely knew each other, he immediately turned around and started talking to me about random things to distract me so I wouldn’t cry,” Abby said. “We talked the whole way back from Arkadelphia to Batesville. I remember thinking, ‘I want to marry a man like that.’”
Kyler proposed to Abby in front of her graduate school apartment at Arkansas State University with a ring from Thompson’s Jewelry, the same jeweler where her parents’ wedding bands and his mother’s engagement ring were purchased years ago.
“We were running late for church, and I was getting impatient while he tried to clasp my necklace,” Abby said. “I felt so bad when I turned around, and he was down on one knee! I was completely surprised!”
WEDDING VENDORS WE LOVE
Reception dress
Emma & Kait’s Bridal and Formal
Lounge Furniture
Alchemy Rentals
MORE VENDORS
Photography: Emma G Photography; Wedding planner: Connie Coleman; Ceremony dress: The Bridal Cottage; Veil: Whichgoose on Etsy; Bridesmaids dresses: David’s Bridal; Groom & Groomsmens’ Suits: Indochino; Alterations: Athena at Settles Cleaners; Hair: Ashley Covington; Ceremony venue: Main Street Pocket Park; Reception venue: The Main Street Loft; Decor & Florals: Tresa Elms & Barbara Moreno with Imaginations Events; Catering: Natalie’s Cafe and Catering; Beverage services: Jamie Moore; Ceremony Music: Danny Dozier; Reception DJ: Colyn Bowman; Invitations and table numbers: River City Print; Engagement ring and wedding bands: Thompson’s Jewelry; Rehearsal dinner: Fox Creek BBQ; Accommodations: The Royal on Main; Bridal registry: Home, Holiday’s, and More & The Everyday Chef
Q & A
Q: Why did you pick your venue?
A: “We both grew up in Batesville, and our downtown area is awesome! We wanted to showcase downtown Batesville to our out-of-town friends and family. I had always wanted to get married outside, and Pocket Park was the perfect fit for our garden party theme.”
Q: Where did you draw inspiration from for your wedding day?
A: “I wanted our wedding to feel like an intimate garden party. I drew a lot of my inspiration for this from Pinterest. I was pleasantly surprised by how well our guests leaned into this theme, with many of them wearing pastels and derby hats to the ceremony. I’ve always been fond of the phrase, ‘When in Rome…’ Well when getting married in April, have a garden party!”
Q: What do you love about wedding vendors in Northeast Arkansas?
A: “I think using local vendors is the most important thing you can do when planning a wedding. Using people who are local to you supports the local economy, and in my experience, means you get a better product. People who know and love you want you to have the wedding of your dreams and will help you in any way they can to make that happen! Batesville is truly a community where everyone knows everyone and seeks to help everyone, too.”
Q: What is your secret to wedding planning success?
A: “It takes a village! We had an awesome wedding planner helping us every step of the way. My mom and mother-in-law also helped in any way they could, and so many community members pitched in. From last-minute alterations to letting us borrow ferns for added ceremony decor, to rush printing our custom table numbers, we have lots of people to thank.”
PERSONAL TOUCH
“My mom and I have watched “Four Weddings” on TLC obsessively since I was little. The weddings we always liked the most were the ones with personal touches. That is what inspired our table markers with photos of us at specific ages. It was so much fun to look through old photos with our parents and put those together!”
WORTH-IT WEDDING DAY SPLURGES
“The food! Kyler and I are big foodies and we knew we wanted the wedding catered by our favorite restaurant in Batesville, Natalie’s Cafe & Catering. We ended the evening with mini dessert shooters instead of a traditional cake.”
