Not all destination weddings involve revisiting a super-special location from your early dating days or asking your friends and family to join you on an adventure half-way around the globe. Sometimes it’s as simple as finding a beautiful place and gathering your favorite people there.
Ivy + Matt are Florida natives who made a trip to Hot Springs, Arkansas for the sole purpose of checking out the Anthony Chapel at Garvan Woodland Gardens as a potential wedding venue. They instantly fell for the vaulted wood and glass ceilings and surrounding scenery.
“The moment we stepped into Anthony Chapel we knew we needed to make it possible for our big day,” the couple says. “We love being outdoors and we wanted to be surrounded by the beauty of it all.”
Collaborating with event designers and planners from White Pine Designs, Ivy + Matt put together a soft and delicate design vision full of pastels and garden party energy to compliment the architectural and natural beauty of their venues. After they said “I do” at the chapel, the party moved to The Reserve at Hot Springs where Ivy + Matt and their crew enjoyed an outdoor dinner with a Gilded Age gem of a mansion as a backdrop.
We are loving the beautiful pictures that photographer Tara Sproc snapped of Ivy + Matt’s charming and romantic destination day!
Let’s take a look!
The First Look
Matt’s timeless black wedding tux came from Balani Custom Clothiers.
Take a look at our 8 reasons we love a first look if Ivy + Matt’s happy tears have you wondering if you should steal a private moment with your partner before your “I do’s.”
The Ceremony
Our Musical Choices Processional: "Wildest Dreams" by Taylor Swift (instrumental cover by Duomo)
Recessional: "Paper Rings" by Taylor Swift
First Dance: "Lover" by Taylor Swift
We cannot get over the architectural marvel that is Anthony Chapel!! No wonder Ivy + Matt fell in love with it right away.
Our Advice To Those Planning Now Our advice is to get a wedding planner. We got married out of state so it was an obvious choice but we can’t repeat this enough. Find a wedding planner that you trust and someone that you mesh well with. Kirsten was absolutely amazing. You can make a hundred mistakes but I promise you one of them won’t be hiring a planner. She helped us from start to finish. We heard horror stories about planning weddings and some of the couples top complaints were problems that could have been solved if they had a planner. We can honestly say we don’t have one regret from our wedding day and from the looks of it, most couples do because they don’t get help!
Ivy + Matt had their guests use Paper Shoot Cameras—fun, film-inspired digital cameras that are a great disposable camera alternative—to capture the magic of the night from their perspective.
Toasts in Tow, an Arkansas-based mobile bar, provided fun signature cocktails for Ivy + Matt’s guests to sip on.
LOVE the pearl-embellished braided headband that Ivy added to her look for the reception! Explore our list of the 49 best bridal headbands for your wedding day if you know your bridal look is just begging for a some hair accessories.
This precious two-tier floral wedding cake was created by Ambrosia Bakery Co..
“Our best advice is do what makes you the most happy and your friends and family will follow,” say Ivy + Matt. “We had some people who gave their opinions on some of our choices with the major one being, having a wedding out of state. After all of the anxiety and stressing, we can truly say we don’t regret a single thing because we ultimately did what we wanted to do. We realize there are other factors that can come into play that prevent some couples from being able to have their way but you can still make the day catered to your liking and you need to make sure you stick with that. It’s about you and your partner! You need to do what you are most comfortable and happy with. It’s easy to get lost in catering your day for other people. Focus on the love you have for one another and what you both want your day to feel like!”
For the late night portion of the celebration, Ivy + Matt created what they called “Club Seymour” and got the party started!! We’re loving that custom last name neon sign!
Get into our collections of the best wedding reception dresses and our fave bridal sneakers to follow Ivy’s lead with this playful reception look!
Check out the gorgeous video that Nouvel made of Ivy + Matt’s day!!
Congrats on your dreamy and delicate destination celebration, Ivy + Matt! GWS wishes you all the best!
photography: Tara Sproc Photography // venue name: Anthony Chapel, Hot Springs, AR, USA // event design: White Pine Designs // planning: White Pine Designs // florals: Vase and Vine // wedding dress: Watters // wedding dress boutique: One and Only Bridal // bridesmaid dresses: Jessa Kae, Asos, Astr The Label and Nasty Gal // hair stylist: Painted By Haley // makeup artist: Painted By Haley // groom attire: Balani Custom Suits // videography: Nouvel Photo + Film // paper goods: Truly Engaging // catering: The Reserve at Hot Springs // cake: Ambrosia Bakery // tabletop rentals: Eventology // music: Central Arkansas Entertainment // cocktails: Toasts In Tow // reception location: The Reserve at Hot Springs