LAURA LEIGH TURNER & MATT ROGERS
July 1, 2023 | Cold Springs Events | Little Rock | Caitlin Wilson Photography
Laura Leigh and Matt met after they both moved to New York City for work. Laura Leigh moved to pursue a career in the performing arts and Matt landed a job in finance. They met while attending worship services at Church of the City New York, where they developed deep friendships and relationships with members. Laura Leigh realized Matt was the one after a year of dating. They began building their life together, and she just knew they were meant to be.
“I’m artistic and highly creative, and Matt is ambitious and strategic—it’s a really fun and collaborative partnership,” Laura Leigh said.
The day they got engaged, Laura Leigh recalls it being a beautiful and sunny fall day in the city. She went apple picking with her church and Matt decided to stay back to “get things done.” Little did she know, he was planning the proposal along with a rooftop celebration!
“Matt took me to dinner and afterward…I ended up walking into a picnic blanket sprinkled with sunflowers (Matt calls me his Arkansas sunflower), and he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him,” she said. “He was so intentional with all of the details, and it was incredibly special having our families in the city where we met.”
WEDDING VENDORS WE LOVE
Florist
Tanarah Luxe Floral
Catering
Heritage Catering
Live painter
Watercolors by Korry Jones
MORE VENDORS
Venue: Cold Springs Events; Planning and design: Jessika McCuin Weddings; Videography: NiLo Productions; Rentals: Eventology; Production and rentals: Central Arkansas Entertainment; Stationery and signage: Dayflower Designs; Cake: Lavender Bakes; Makeup: Micah Hanson; Hair: Jessica Brazil Cogburn; Ice cream: Andy’s; Dinner Music: Arkansas Symphony; DJ: Crown Entertainment; Groom and groomsmen attire: The Black Tux; Save the dates: By Invitation Only; Trolley: Arkansas Destinations
Q & A
Q: What inspired your color palette?
A: “I have a love for the beautiful architecture of cathedrals and the way that imagery, art and colors are used to tell the story of Jesus and his beauty,” Laura Leigh said. “I knew from the beginning that I wanted to incorporate stained glass in our wedding…The bridesmaids' dresses were chosen to represent the vibrant jewel tones you often see in stained glass.”
Q: What was your favorite part about your wedding day look?
A: “My favorite part of my bridal look was my veil,” Laura Leigh said. I knew I wanted a mantilla veil that was delicate and intricate, and sought that out before I even found my dress.”
Q: What was your favorite moment of the day and why?
A: “Matt and I both agree that our favorite moment was the ceremony,” Laura Leigh. “Hearing Matt’s written vows for the first time, and getting to hold his hands as we sang one of our favorite hymns “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” are two of my favorite moments.”
Q: Tell us about the stained glass details. What inspired these details?
A: “In doing some research online I came upon these 12-foot-tall pieces on Facebook marketplace in a small town called DuBois, Pennsylvania,” Laura Leigh said. “Matt and I made a plan to rent a U-Haul and drive to pick them up and road trip to Arkansas with the glass. We managed to get the pieces to Little Rock in one piece, and were blessed to get to connect with the precious couple who sold them to us.”
Q: Was there a detail you knew you couldn't live without while planning the wedding?
A: “I’m a musician and so I knew I wanted to have live music incorporated into the reception,” Laura Leigh said. “I specifically love jazz, and so we had a jazz band from the Arkansas Symphony come and play for the first half of the reception during dinner. And then, of course, a DJ and dancing followed later. We had a whole little village of children in attendance and that made for a really fun end to the night!”
WORTH-IT SPLURGE
“The stained glass, no doubt. And the time splurge that was helping source completely unique, individual bridesmaids’ dresses,” Laura Leigh said. “I will admit that took some work, but definitely worth it.”
GUESTS' MOST-LOVED
“We both agree that we hear the most from others about the ceremony,” Laura Leigh said. “It was incredibly sacred and very representative of our love.”
