REBECCA LAUREN VASSAR & ARCH COLLIN FRENCH
Aug. 5, 2023 | Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts | Little Rock | Miles Witt Boyer
Lauren and Collin met in Fayetteville through mutual friends after she had enrolled in graduate school at the University of Arkansas, and he relocated for work. Their friends knew Lauren and Collin would hit it off, so they secretly arranged for the two to meet at 21st Amendment on Dickson Street.
“We talked all night that night and have talked every day since then,” Lauren said.
Fate brought the couple together just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the distance, they waited 100 days for their first real date. Lauren lived in Dallas, Collin in Little Rock, keeping them mostly apart throughout their relationship.
“Even through these obstacles, we were confident that we were right for each other,” she said.
Bonus: See the couple's French-inspired engagment party here!
WEDDING VENDORS WE LOVE
Reception venue and catering
Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts
Planning
Amanda Reed with Amanda Reed Weddings
Florist
Tanarah Luxe Floral
MORE VENDORS
Photographer: Miles Witt Boyer; Ceremony: St. James United Methodist Church; Officiant: Ben Crismon; Band: Emerald City; Cake: Michelle Mayer; Rentals: Posh, White Door Events, Eventology, Bella Acento; Linens: Posh; Lighting: Central Arkansas Entertainment; Videographer: Nathan Willis; HMUA: Kakki Jones; Invitations and signage: Shindig Paperie; Transportation: Vintage Motor Cars; Painter: Weddings in Paint - Michelle Raab; Runner: Original Runner Company; Mosaic photobooth: Plush Photo Booth; String Quartet: Spinphony
Q & A
Q: What inspired your color palette?
A: “I first thought I wanted to use bright colors, but as I kept looking at different bright color palettes, nothing seemed to feel “right” to me,” Lauren said. “I kept gravitating back to more neutral colors. I decided to keep it simple with white florals with lots of greenery, and the greenery in the florals inspired me to also throw in the different shades of green in the furniture for the reception.”
Q: What did you love about tying the knot at AMFA?
A: “I knew I wanted to have my wedding somewhere different - somewhere I hadn’t seen a ton of weddings done before,” Lauren said. “I also wanted the whole design to have a modern feel, so because AMFA had just recently opened and because of its modern architectural design, it was the perfect venue that really fit all my desires in a wedding venue.”
Q: We see so many mirror elements in your decor and we are obsessed. What inspired this?
A: “We wanted the overall look and vibe of the evening to be very modernly elegant, with more of a soirée feel than a traditional wedding reception. The mirrors, glass, silver, and acrylic used in the courtyard for cocktail hour and in the atrium, for dinner all felt very chic and modern.”
Q: What was your most worth-it splurge?
A: “Spinphony Electric String Quartet came from Denver to play during cocktail hour, dinner and our first dance,” Lauren said. “They did a great job setting the tone of the night as guests arrived at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts for the celebrations. DJ Xavier Riley of Little Rock got the party going in the “Hype Room” – a private room where the wedding party enjoyed dinner,” Lauren said. “And finally, Emerald City Band of Dallas, TX kept the dance floor full all night long and left guests not wanting the night to end!”
Q: What was your favorite moment of the day and why?
A: “I think I would have to say it was our private last dance at the end of the night. All the guests went outside to get ready for our send-off while we stayed behind and shared one last dance to “A Thousand Years.” It was so special to have that final moment together while we reflected on the highlights of the day and looked forward to the start of our life as husband and wife!”
Q: What is your secret to wedding planning success?
A: “Always stay organized, be honest with your opinions, and get things done on your own when you can,” Lauren said.
Q: What do you love about working with wedding vendors in Arkansas?
A: “All of the vendors we used in Arkansas were amazing to work with, and being able to meet with them in person because they were local was a great advantage,” Lauren said. “Collin and I are both proudly from Arkansas, so supporting those close to us was important!”
Q: What surprised you about planning a wedding? What do you wish you had known before starting the planning process?
A: “I think what surprised me most is how fast it goes by,” Lauren said.” You get engaged and decide on a date and it feels so far away at the time. However, don’t take that time for granted. Wedding planning is such an exciting and special time of your life. Take it all in and enjoy every moment, even when it gets stressful and overwhelming. You will feel a little lost with all your time once it is all over!”
AFTER PARTY VIBES
“We continued the mirrored, lacquered theme upstairs for the party, but the tone switched to gold and felt warmer and more intimate as the evening continued,” Lauren said.
A MASTERPIECE
Lauren and Collin knew they wanted to have their wedding somewhere different, and with the grand opening of AMFA in 2023, they knew it was the perfect venue to tie the knot.
