FEATURED WEDDING September 2011

Brandee Lumpkin and Shawn Young

9-10-2011

When Shawn Young surprised Brandee Lumpkin on midnight of her 24th birthday with an engagement ring, his independent girlfriend pointed out, “You haven’t asked me yet,” prompting him to officially ask her to marry him.

Shawn and Brandee met while working out at a gym, when Shawn, the health guru, approached Brandee during her usual stress release workout and started talking. Brandee’s mother, Jelanie, describes Brandee as “a bit on the independent side, but Shawn’s gentle way won her for sure.”

The couple exchanged vows at the bride’s parents’ house, surrounded by 150 guests. Brandee loved the idea of decorating with wild flowers and sunflowers, and with the help of her mother and florist Tanarah Haynie, the bride was able to have the wedding she had been dreaming of since she was a little girl.

There was a very nostalgic feel to the ceremony and reception, and Jelanie and Tanarah worked together to incorporate a little something special into each aspect of the wedding. Brandee’s grandmother’s ring was incorporated into her bouquet, and Jelanie had two pieces of her grandmother’s silverware placed gently in her nose gay. Photographs of all the Lumpkin women on their wedding days were displayed.

The mother of the bride describe photographer Meredith Melody as “a dream to work with, and we feel it shows in the pictures she captured for us.” Meredith was able to capture the way the bright orange features were enhanced by the subtle khaki colors and burlap fabric used in the decorations. The couple’s dream of a personal and simple country wedding was achieved.

Shawn and his father were added their own touch to the special day by cutting oak trees into rounds to use as cake stands and table decorations. The cake rounds were used to hold 20 cheesecakes made from a recipe belonging to the mother of the bride. Fresh strawberries and chocolate sauce were served alongside the cheesecakes. Blue Cake Company in Little Rock made the groom’s chocolate fudge with cream cheese filling cake.

Brandee’s father is a pastor of Word Aflame Fellowship in Little Rock, and the family had a lot of support from the church in getting ready for the wedding. Her father performed the ceremony, along with her uncle Anthony Mangun and her youth pastor Tim Gaddy.

Ladies from the fellowship did all the cooking for the reception, and served guests brisket sandwiches on bread from Boulevard Bread, sliced tomatoes with mozzarella cheese, twice baked red potatoes and other comfort food favorites.

The bride grew up playing basketball, and fluff and frills were never her style. When she was ready to purchase a dress, she knew exactly what she was looking for. She wore a simple flowing chiffon dress with light beading on top, that was purchased from Low’s Bridal in Brinkley.

The four bridesmaids wore orange dresses, and the four groomsmen wore cream-colored linen shirts with chocolate slacks. One of the favorite features of the wedding were wood signs, including one that read, “here comes the bride,” that was carried down the aisle by a cousin. Another sign read “Lumpkin Lane,” a street named in honor of the bride’s grandfather, and was hung from a tree in the family’s winding driveway, where it will continue to hang from now on.

The newlyweds escaped to Cancun for seven days to enjoy their honeymoon.

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