Kylie Farmer Photography

Abigail Baze & Alex Randall
September 15, 2018
Goodwin Manor, Little Rock

Abigail Baze and Alex Randall’s epic proposal included a music festival, a giant rainbow parachute and the help of 50-plus kind strangers. The couple attended Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Tennessee in 2017. During a particularly hot and sweaty afternoon, Alex told Abigail he wanted to go to a Roochute meet-up at the main entrance under the Bonnaroo arch. Roochute is a mental health awareness organization that spreads joy and connects strangers at festivals with giant parachutes — the kind you played with in elementary P.E. class.

After some not-so-sly coaxing, one of the Roochute employees asked Abigail to take a photo of the group on her phone. The man instructed the crowd to say, “Say yes” on the countdown for the photo. The crowd behind Alex realized what was happening before Abigail did.

“I don’t even recall Alex asking the question,” Abigail says. “He was down on one knee and pulled the box out of his pocket to present the ring. I threw my head back in surprise and just kept nodding my head yes, with the support and cheers of strangers as our background noise.”

Kylie Farmer Photography

THE INSPIRATION

Both Abigail and Alex’s family live out-of-state, but since Little Rock is where their love story began, it’s the place they chose to say their I dos. Abigail’s mom visited venues with her while Alex was deployed. Out of all the venues they visited, Goodwin Manor felt like it could be their own private home for the day and night. Alex fell in love with the venue from the photos alone. “We wanted our guests to feel an at home comfort but also recognize the exclusivity and beauty of the venue when they pulled in the drive,” she says. “Goodwin Manor offers both.”

COLOR STORY

Abigail found her wedding style after years of Pinterest research. She and Alex discussed what they did and didn’t like as far as styles and went from there. The outcome was romantic yet minimal, complemented by soft pink florals and greenery.

Abigail honored the “something borrowed, something blue” tradition with her accessories. She wore 4-inch Steve Madden heels in a dusty blue with ribbons that wrapped around her ankles. Instead of a veil, she went with a whimsical hair accessory from She Said Yes Bridal in The Heights. It was the perfect touch to go with her romantic updo.

Kylie Farmer Photography

Kylie Farmer Photography

Kylie Farmer Photography

Kylie Farmer Photography

HOW THEY CUSTOMIZED

The ceremony featured a minimal, wooden arch at the altar wrapped with sweeping fabric and cascading bundles of blooms and greenery. The arch was a big hit with guests and provided a beautiful, organic backdrop for photos throughout the night.

The couple had a three-tier cake with two layers of lavender cake and one strawberry topped with a honey buttercream icing. The cake had a rough ruffle texture with a gradient color that faded into dusty shades of blue to match the wedding colors. As a nod to Alex’s home in the Pacific Northwest, his groom’s cake featured a hand-painted mountainscape.

During the evening, Abigail and Alex grouped their guests together based on hometown, family, age, etc. They had crafts at each table for the youngsters and young-at-heart. The lights over the tables accentuated the star-filled night and made the evening feel intimate and personal.

One of Abigail’s favorite moments from the wedding was when she received her wedding present from Alex. He gifted her a handmade, wooden box and inside, he had written multiple letters for different milestones in their marriage. One read “3 Months Married,” and another read “Our First Fight as A Married Couple.” When she opened the letter for their wedding day, she remembers all the people and shutter clicks faded away and she felt the reality of the vows she was about to exchange with Alex.

“I’ve read a couple of the letters now and anytime I am missing Alex while he is deployed or I need assurance, I open the box and read his love letter to me,” she says.

Kylie Farmer Photography

Kylie Farmer Photography

Kylie Farmer Photography

Kylie Farmer Photography

Kylie Farmer Photography

Kylie Farmer Photography

Kylie Farmer Photography


THE DETAILS

WEDDING VENDORS WE LOVE
Photography Kylie Farmer Photography
Bridal hair accessory She Said Yes Bridal in The Heights, Little Rock
Bridesmaids attire Bella Bridesmaids, Little Rock
Engagement ring Sissy’s Log Cabin, Little Rock
MORE VENDORS
Videographer French Film Co., Little Rock
Event planner Mandy Shoptaw
Florist Magnolia Belle Floral, Conway
Rentals, lighting and drinks service Goodwin Manor, Little Rock
Ceremony chairs Confetti's Party Rental, Little Rock
Cakes Sweet Lavender Bakeshop, Little Rock
Caterer Crave Catering Company, Little Rock
DJ Crown Entertainment, Cabot
Wedding stationery Minted.com
Bridal boutiques A&BÉ Bridal, Dallas; BHLDN
Bridesmaids attire Lulu's; BHLDN
Groom/groomsmen attire Indochino
Hair Jamie Baze
Makeup Abbey Ichter
Town car Capital Car Service
Rehearsal dinner venue Loca Luna, Little Rock
Hand lettering signage Katherine Love
Macarons Alchemy Macarons, Fayetteville

Kylie Farmer Photography


See this Real Wedding as it appeared in the print edition of ARKANSAS BRIDE

Discover more inspiration in Arkansas Bride's Real Weddings section.