FEATURED WEDDING – July 2010

Amber Bennett and Martin Bynum

6.19.10

Amber Bennett wanted her wedding to be traditional and elegant, with a more modern reception. She and now husband Martin Bynum were married June 19 and were pleased with how each element of their wedding day came together perfectly.

Amber found herself searching for a vintage-style wedding dress that would match her mother’s veil, which Amber planned to wear. She said she found the dress on the third try. As she slipped into the ivory and light-gold halter dress of Chantilly lace, she knew it was the dress for her.

“As soon as I looked in the mirror, I could envision myself walking down the aisle and Martin smiling at me,” Amber said.

The dress featured Chantilly lace straps with lace scallop edging and an empire waistline. Her mother’s veil of Venise lace matched Amber’s dress perfectly, she said. Martin topped off the ensemble with a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes that matched Amber’s dress. The surprise was much appreciated by Amber. “I love shoes,” Amber exclaimed.

Martin said he was blown away when he saw Amber. “I knew she would look gorgeous and would hands-down steal the show, but I wasn’t prepared for when I first saw Amber,” Martin said.

Amber kept the traditional, classy look flowing with her six bridesmaids. She chose long black belle chiffon dresses for each. The groom and groomsmen wore tuxedos from Bauman’s in Little Rock.

The theme spread throughout the flower arrangements and decorations as well. Distinctive Designs by Tanarah created a variety of florals for Amber and Martin. Hot pink hydrangeas, French tulips, Ravel roses and curly willow graced the buffet table at the reception.

Tanarah Haynie, owner of Distinctive Designs, said the monochromatic pink color story with vintage-inspired fabric invoked a feminine and sleek feeling of romance. Amber said she was awed by the beauty of Tanarah’s creations.

“She was able to capture exactly what I had imagined,” Amber said. “Tanarah is so innovative with her ideas and designs.”

The reception was held at the William J. Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock. Amber said she and Martin chose that location because of its incredible layout and to allow guests to enjoy “an interesting, international Arkansas landmark.”

Forty Two Restaurant at the Clinton Presidential Center catered the reception. Amber and Martin chose to serve Southern cuisine. Amber said the pork tenderloin, crab cakes, hand-battered chicken, roasted corn and duck spring rolls — among other foods — were immaculate.

Amber said she was quite pleased with her experience with the catering and venue at the Clinton Presidential Center. She said it helped pull together the more modern side of her reception theme.

Trendstyle Events provided lounge furniture that also helped to pull her overall look together.

The five-tier shimmering wedding cake stood out at the reception. Each layer was a tasty surprise with a variety of Italian crème, white almond and strawberry cakes. The cake was frosted in sugared jewels and sparkling glitter. Martin’s groom’s cake was a red velvet with chocolate buttercream icing. Amber said Mickey’s Special Affairs provided beautiful and delicious cakes for the wedding.

After meeting in 2008, while watching the Beijing Olympics in a sushi restaurant, Amber and Martin joined together two years later at what they describe as the perfect wedding that was beyond their dreams.

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