Little Rock Mansion Wedding

Fairy Tale Mansion Wedding

Steve and Amanda’s gorgeous wedding took place at a mansion on a private estate called Goodwin Manor in Little Rock, Arkansas, on a drizzly spring day. After a long-distance relationship, these two couldn’t wait to be married in true royal style. Steve was living in West Memphis, Arkansas while they were engaged and Amanda’s planner told her about Couture by Tess Bridal boutique, which at the time was based in Collierville, Tennessee, not far from Steve’s home. Amanda wanted a beautiful ball gown that would make her feel like a princess on their special day. She worked with the Couture by Tess Bridal team to find the perfect one. The dress coupled with the castle-like venue, truly made all of Amanda’s wildest fairy tale wedding dreams come true. 

“I wanted my day to be romantic and like a fairy tale. We did certain things that differed from other weddings to accommodate that.  For example, our first dance was on the balcony as guests watched from below.  It was very dramatic like something from a movie.  We gave out rose quartz crystals purchased locally in Hot Springs, Arkansas as guest favors to symbolize ‘unconditional love.’  I also opted for a unique ball gown that made me feel like a princess.  I surrounded myself with an expert team to take the stress off of myself and my loved ones. I wanted everyone to be able to enjoy the big day and not have to worry about anything other than celebrating love and happiness,” says Amanda.

The couple started dating upon an introduction by Steve’s sister.  After a brief courtship, Steve proposed to Amanda in Gulf Shores, Alabama, while they were visiting for Steve’s nephew’s birthday.  On the day, the plan was for family photos to be taken while everyone was in town. When they arrived to take family photos and walked towards the beach location, his whole family was there holding up signs to surprise Amanda that said, “Will you be my aunt, will you be my daughter, will you be my sister?”  Steve got down on one knee with a sign that said, “Will you be my wife?”  Amanda said it was so sweet and she said, “Yes!”

Guests were greeted with a glass of champagne upon arrival for Steve and Amanda’s outdoor ceremony overlooking a scenic woodland view. The design had soft touches of pink, bright mauve, white, gold, and sage with a focus on simplicity and elegance. One of the couple’s favorite memories of the day was their private dinner just after the ceremony in the venue’s underground wine cellar. Guests enjoyed an elaborate menu by Crave Catering for dinner consisting of Caprese skewers, sausage, asiago-stuffed mushrooms, pork tenderloin, mini twice-baked potatoes, prosciutto-wrapped asparagus, rolls, and more.  Everyone danced the night away as evident by the smiles and laughter captured in the reception photos by L A Y E R S.  

“I remember rain was in the forecast at the eleventh hour.  We quickly changed the reception to the indoor floor plan but decided to try and host the ceremony outdoors, if possible.  It was drizzly during the day but cleared for the ceremony with perfect, sunny skies.  The entire day was beautiful and I think Amanda ended up liking the indoor reception better than our original outdoor plan,” says Meredith Corning with Meredith Events.

Photography: L A Y E R S, https://www.layersphoto.com/, @layersphoto   

Wedding Planner: Meredith Events, https://www.meredithevents.com/, @meredithevents 

Gown: Couture By Tess Bridal, https://www.couturebytessbridal.com/, @couture_by_tess

Venue: Goodwin Manor, https://www.facebook.com/GoodwinManorAR/, @goodwinmanor 

Florist: Vase and Vine, https://www.vaseandvinefloral.com/,  @vaseandvine

Music: Central Arkansas Entertainment, http://centralarkansasentertainment.com/, @cae_lr

Catering: Crave Catering, https://www.facebook.com/cravecateringlr/, @cravecateringlittlerock

Cake: Custom Cakes by Michelle Mayer, https://www.michellelindamayer.com/, @michellelindamayer 

Bartender: Last Call Bartending Service, https://www.facebook.com/LCBartending/, @lastcall_bartending 

Videography: Kio's Photography, https://www.facebook.com/KiosPhotographyByKionnaStewart, @kiosphotography 

Officiant: Don Delukie (family friend)

Makeup: Jessica Humerick Stylist I Makeup Artist, http://www.jessicahumerick.com/, @jessicahumerick 

Hair: Serenity Salon Little Rock, http://serenitylr.com/, @serenitysalon_lr

Gown: Couture By Tess Bridal, https://www.couturebytessbridal.com/, @couture_by_tess