The Dress

The Shoes:

Kate chose these Kate Spade Purple Satin wonders

And of course the necessary accessories

The Pearls

The Rings

The Shades

And the mini-Fans!

(given that it was unseasonably H-O-T  for mid June, these were a fantastic idea and counted as the brides “something blue”

The Bride & Groom

The Wedding Team

The Flowers

Phil Cato’s About Vase outdid themselves with these vibrant, happy arrangements of gerbera daises, roses, and fruit.

The Food

The Cakes ( with a side of gelato – yum!)

Of all the many decisions this couple made along the way,  it is obvious choosing each other was the best decision of all.

Kate and Kyle,  Thank you so much for giving Heather and me the opportunity to be part of your big day.   We wish you a lifetime of laughs and love together.

To see this enchanting event through Heather’s lens, click on over to her blog, Heather Owens Photography.

She’s an outgoing sales rep.  He’s a quiet IT guy.   They have two precious puppies ( which you can see over on Heather’s blog).   I really dig these people!

Margaret and Zack were so much fun to shoot last weekend.   They were such troopers battling the summer heat wave and racing all over the countryside to beat the setting sun.   We laughed so much that I can’t wait until November when we get to see them again and shoot their big event.  For now enjoy a sneak peek of this  spunky couple in love!    Oh what a beautiful life.

Now scoot on over to Heather Owens Photography Blog and see the amazing shots she captured.

Cheers, Y’all!

We actually shot these photos back in March. Katlyn requested I hold off on the blog until she could give them to Kerri as a Mother’s Day gift.   See – Isn’t she a sweetheart?  I love when a girl is honestly beautiful inside and out.   Katelyn made her gift presentation last night  so now I have the “ok” to share with you.

Thanks ladies for letting me spend the day with you and for showing me…we can’t always choose our family – but what a blessing it is when we can choose to make family our friends.

“When my Mother first dressed me in a hat as if I were a Lady, I owned the title.” – unknown

We attended a rather formal church where such accoutrements were not out of the norm. I wore them each Easter well into my twenties. I now attend a less formal church. Flip flops and jeans are acceptable for worship. Hats – well – that just may be TOO over the top. Still, I’m mad for a beautiful hat. They are the epitome of a lady. I often think of Eliza in My Fair Lady or Vivian in Pretty Woman how they were transformed with the right hat. Iconic pictures of Jackie O and Grace Kelly are of them in simple pillbox designs. Thankfully the new tradition of the First Lady’s Tea held at the Govenor’s Mansion each spring has given me new reason to find a fine piece of millinery. I was over the moon when my friend asked if I wanted to be part of the planning committee this year.

The event was held on a gorgeous spring day. Lady Grey Tea, Orange Blossom, and blueberry tea were accompanied with an array of tea sandwiches, tea cakes, and tarts. My wee contribution to the day was creating the “Forage through the Foliage” Garden Hunt that encouraged our younger ladies to explore the wonderous grounds our Govenor’s mansion: a family garden, a vegetable garden, the par terre garden blooming with roses, and the herb garden. Great fun was had by all ages. And I must say that although the roses in the garden were in full bloom, they paled in comparison to the beauty of the ladies in attendence in their gorgeous hats.

As for my hat, it was pink, ribboned, rose’d, and poofed. It is girly and I. love. it. So, for those flip flop wearing folks at my church, grace to you, my friends. I hope you’ll return the grace – I’ll be the one in the hat.

Un Noche Perfecto.   Flowers, Food,  Friends   –   ¿Que Mas? (what more?)     Last Friday evening I had the privilege of capturing how this seamlessly pulled together.   Inspired by Nature created a floral wonderland that would make anyone cry ¡Ole´!   The catering genius of Trios provided a Mexican feast that was beyond delicioso!    Even the mariachi band commented that the Chicken Enchiladas were the best they had ever had.  And don’t even get me started on the desserts.    Despite the threatening skies and the periodic torrential rains,  nothing could dampen the spirits and the love felt at this party hosted to encourage a young couple as they embark on their new life together.    Enjoy this peek at the fiesta!

You may remember Miss Eleanor.    What a smile!

This is her sister Duchess.    

They were perfect little ladies….

Of course, I couldn’t resist taking some shots of this  All American Beauty…

Katy, Eleanor, and Duchess thank you so much for a wonderful afternoon.    Anytime you want to hang out,  it totally gets my vote!

a huge MERCI BEAU COUP to our vendors and team

Floral and Location Styling:  Distinctive Designs by Tanarah.

Fashion, Make-Up, and Hair Styling:   Kakki Jones

Wedding Gowns:  Proposals

Paper goods:  Molly’s Paperie

Womenswear: Scarlet

Menswear:  Dillards

Location:  William J. Clinton Presidential Center

Models:  Curtis Chatham and Keenen Carter  ( oh my,  these two were completely over-the-top beautiful!)

Again,  a merci, merci, merci to all of you.

And  a special thank you to my pal Heather who takes my crazy hare-brained schemes and makes us put them into action.  Without her – I would have never spent a long intense 12 hour day loving every. single. minute of it.   (( hugs))

what a difference seven days can make.  A week ago, tulips heralded the glories of the season.  Today, they fade and allow the azaleas to take center stage.  In just a few weeks, peonies will emerge with their ladylike grace.   Each act of spring leaves me breathless in her beauty.  Sinatra sung of April in Paris.  I’ve never been to Paris.  But , I have known the charm of spring – in a little french settlement on the banks of the Arkansas River.