OLIVIA CAITLIN CORR & LUKE GORDON GARWOOD
June 24, 2023 | Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art | Bentonville | Laura Powers Photo
Olivia and Luke met during a game night in 2020, and after enrolling in their church’s discipleship school together, they quickly became close friends. Olivia began to notice their relationship deepening until one night, Luke took her on a walk where he asked her if they could be more than friends.
“I felt like I was in ‘Pride & Prejudice.’ Obviously, I had to say yes,” she said. “Luke wrote a riddle that I had to solve to find the location of our first date, and he showed up with my favorite flowers: blue hydrangeas.”
Olivia realized Luke was the one for her very early on in their relationship. Olivia would pray and ask God what was so special about Luke, and she couldn’t shake the phrase: “Luke’s hands don’t break, they nurture.” As their relationship grew, she realized this phrase couldn’t be more true.
“What really sealed the deal for me was during a trip to Siloam Springs,” Olivia said. “We were walking down the street to journal in a cafe when I heard Luke say, ‘Liv wait.’ He plucked a ginkgo leaf off of a tree and told me to keep it in my journal to remember that day. That gesture shifted my heart. I tend to rush through life, but Luke has a way of helping me slow down and truly enjoy a moment before it becomes a memory.”
WEDDING VENDORS WE LOVE
Venue
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Florist
Silks-a-Bloom
Wedding dress
Tesori
MORE VENDORS
Photographer: Laura Powers Photo; Second shooter photographer: Freckled Fox Photography; Wedding coordinator: Katherine Benson with Bella Baxter Events; Band: Diamond Empire Band; Videographer: Cine Garden Co; Reception Dress: Violets Bridal & Formal; Bridesmaid Makeup: Painted by Haley; Bridal and maid of honor makeup: Mae Monroe Artistry; Wedding cake: Shelby Lynn’s Cake Shoppe; Stationery: Paper Farm Wedding; Big Flowers: HanaForm; Rentals: Eventology; Dance floor: Lightworks; Spay tan: Glow and Go; Caricature artist: Kyle Henry
Q & A
Q: What inspired the large faux flowers in your wedding details?
A: “Most of the details of our wedding were inspired by scripture,” Olivia said. “The flowers were taken from Song of Songs 2:10-13. Song of Songs is a beautiful conversation between King Solomon and his bride in the Bible, and it felt fitting for the occasion! To me, the flowers also portray new life and a new beginning.”
Q: What was your favorite moment of the day, and why?
A: “Honestly, it’s hard to pick just one! The whole day was a dream,” Olivia said. “We hired a caricature artist to draw our friends and family so they would have a piece of art to go and that was a hit! The most meaningful moment was when my bridesmaids prayed over me before I walked down [the aisle], and we all were in tears. I also loved riding in the convertible bug through the trees during our send-off. All of it was a dream.”
Q: We are obsessed with your venue, why did you decide to have your wedding here?
A: “A large portion of my family is from New York and had never been to Arkansas, so we wanted to show them one of NWA’s most precious places,” Olivia said.
Q: What inspired your florals?
A: “I asked each of my bridesmaids what their favorite flower was and made sure they were represented in the bouquets,” Olivia said. “I was also heavily inspired by Monet, specifically “The Artist’s Garden at Giverny'' and “Water Lilies.” It pained me to think of all those flowers being thrown away, so part of our wedding favors were little bouquets to go.”
Q: What surprised you about planning a wedding?
A: “How fast time goes by,” Olivia said. “Seriously, it felt like the months leading up to our wedding flew by. Also, nobody tells you how many details go into a wedding. From the table designs to seating charts to cutlery, we definitely felt the decision fatigue. But, all of it was worth it in the end!”
MEANING BEHIND IT
The stained glass and extravagant florals were inspired by Claire’s father’s Tiffany lamp that he donated to Crystal Bridges before he passed away.
