PHOTO COurTesy 25MOCKINGBIrD PHOTOGraPHy
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Hot Springs LIFE & HOME | JULY 2019
escorted by her beloved grandfather, Grumps, in a flowing ivory gown. A delicate lace overlay and straps were in keeping with a light, garden theme. As the most important people in the couple’s lives looked on, family friend Dick Antoine officiated the ceremony. Childhood friend and opera singer, Johnathan Rhodes, sang for the duo, and bridesmaid Meagan Biller performed a reading from The Art of Marriage. Flowers were plentiful inside the chapel. An incredible spray of rose variations and floral limbs, seeming to erupt from a fairy-like vase of stems and leaves, graced the altar. Jessica first saw the arrangement at a bridal fair and asked Kelly Efird, of Kelly Efird Floral Design to recreate it for her. “I have known Kelly my entire life, and I knew I wanted her to do my flowers,” says Jessica. “She pulled out all the stops! She is the most generous and creative lady.” Following the vow exchange, the wedding party and guests traveled to
the bloom-filled clubhouse at Forest Lakes. Jessica says the venue was a perfect choice that she had no trouble choosing. “Nana is friends with the owners of Forest Lakes Clubhouse, and I had been to garden club events with Nana and luncheons there. I have inherited a lot of grandparents so I wanted something one level, not too big, and I knew I wanted Debbie Talley’s food.” The Centre was transformed into a floral Heaven, blooms cascading like sweet waterfalls over the head table. Tall gold table vases thrust bouquets of hydrangeas, roses, and carnations high into the air. Sprays of pink roses and peonies erupted from the fireplace mantle as if growing out of the stone. Gold chairs and white linens on the tables set the stage for the dining experience. “The food was very important. I cannot eat certain things,” Jessica notes. The bride enlisted Debbie Talley’s Special Touch Catering to provide the temptations for the couple’s engagement