Laura Bonds & Scott Melton
Claude Monet’s Water Lilies
Married
Nov 4, 2023
Little Rock ,
Arkansas
Photo Credit
Kati Mallory
Style Guide
Color Palette
Style
Vintage
Season
Winter
The Proposal
Laura and Scott met in downtown Memphis, Tennessee, after a Grizzlies basketball game and began dating in December 2019. They became engaged in November 2022. “I got the idea that surprising Laura with a porch swing would be a special setting for my proposal,” Scott explained, as it has been Laura’s dream to have a porch swing at her future house. On the day of the proposal, Laura arrived at Scott’s house to find that a new wooden porch swing had been installed. Scott asked Laura to marry him, and she said yes on the front porch of the house they now share in midtown Memphis.
In Preparation
The couple imagined a wedding day that would be joyful, elegant, and traditional, surrounded by the people who meant the most to them. They decided upon Laura’s childhood church, Trinity United Methodist Church for the ceremony and the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts for the reception. Using the art museum as inspiration, and drawing upon the bride’s favorite art genre, French Impressionism, Claude Monet’s Water Lilies (1906) served as the guide for the dusty blue, lilac, green and blush pink color palette and artful design of the day.
The Big Day
On the morning of the big day, Laura and her bridesmaids got ready at Edgemont Cottage, while Scott and his groomsmen prepared at the Marriott Hotel. The couple’s first look took place at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts and wedding party photos were taken in the museum’s courtyard.
At half past four in the afternoon, the bride and her father walked down the aisle and Laura and Scott exchanged vows. The festivities continued at the reception, where Leslie Carter and the team at Bella Baxter Special Events transformed the room into a striking paradise. First dances brought tears to guests’ eyes, and Memphis musicians, The Party Jammers, brought the party for guests dancing on the monogrammed dance floor.
After an exit with ribbon wands and sparklers, the couple was whisked away in a vintage white Cadillac provided by Arkansas Destinations for a drive through the historic Quapaw Quarter.
The Retreat
Following the wedding, Laura and Scott honeymooned in Fiji. They enjoyed snorkeling, learning about local cultural traditions, and sampling fresh seafood. After their honeymoon, they returned to Memphis, Tennessee and are now enjoying their lives together as newlyweds.
Featured Wedding Vendors
Photographer
Planning & Design
Leslie Carter at Bella Baxter
Ceremony Venue
Trinity United Methodist Church
Reception Venue, Catering, & Bar
Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts
Contributing Vendors
Band
RAM Entertainment – Party Jammers
Bridal Veil
Sara Gabriel
Bridesmaid Dresses
Azazie
Exit Car
Rob Haynie
Floral Preservation
SK Designs and Alchemy Atelier
Florist
Tipton Hurst
Getting Ready Location
The Edgemont House
Groomsmen
Jos. A. Bank
Hair & Makeup
Kakki Jones
Lighting, Production, & Vinyl
Central AR Entertainment
Linens
BBJ La Tavola & I Do Linens
Invitations & Paper
By Invitation Only
Rentals
Eventology
Shuttles
Arkansas Destinations
Wedding Cake
Mickey’s Cakes & Sweets
Wedding Dress
Maggie Louise Bridal (Designer: Martina Liana)
Videographer
The Powells
