Where Garden Romance Met Southern Tradition at The Grand at Willow Springs
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Raegan Buckley phoTography
RAEGANBUCKLEY.com
On a spring afternoon in Prairie Grove, Arkansas, Savannah and Cole gathered their closest friends and family for a wedding filled with green florals, heirloom pieces, and the Southern traditions that have always been part of their story.
Inside The Grand at Willow Springs, the space was transformed with sweeping greenery, soft candlelight, and garden-inspired details that brought the outdoors inside. Guests arrived in cowboy hats and polished Western attire, setting the tone for a celebration that blended Southern charm with a refined spring aesthetic.
Every corner held a story.
A Love Story Eight Years in the Making
Savannah and Cole first knew of each other in middle school, crossing paths throughout their younger years before life eventually carried them in different directions.
Nearly eight years after their first meeting in eighth grade, Cole called Savannah unexpectedly and asked her on a date.
There was only one condition.
Her best friend had to join them.
The double date became the beginning of something neither of them expected. By the end of that first evening, Savannah already knew she had found someone special. A week later, Cole asked her to be his girlfriend.
A year and one month later, while visiting Sarasota, Florida—their favorite place together—Cole led Savannah to the beach and asked her to spend forever with him.
With the ocean behind them and the place they loved beneath their feet, the next chapter of their story began.
The Vision: A Spring Garden Celebration With Southern Roots
Savannah envisioned a wedding that felt joyful, whimsical, and full of life.
The design centered around shades of green, a color that has always held significance for Savannah and her mother. Throughout the celebration, lush greenery and florals filled the space, creating a garden atmosphere inside the venue.
The reception featured sweeping green fabric overhead, bringing movement and softness to the room. Tables were dressed with delicate floral arrangements, patterned linens, glassware, and layered textures that created an inviting setting for an evening of celebration.
The Western influence appeared throughout the day in ways that felt natural to Savannah and Cole. Cowboy hats made their appearance during the reception, honoring their Southern roots and bringing a playful energy to the dance floor.
A Wedding Made From Memories
For Savannah and Cole, the most memorable details were the ones connected to the people they love.
The flowers carried family stories.
Green blooms represented Savannah and her mother's favorite color.
Sunflowers were added in honor of Cole's mother.
Elephant ear plants were placed throughout the design because they reminded Cole of his mom.
Cole wore Savannah's grandfather's bolo tie, carrying a piece of family history with him as he walked into the next chapter of his life. Savannah wore her grandmother's earrings—jewelry she had taken from her grandmother at the rehearsal dinner the night before.
Even the cocktails carried a piece of their everyday life, named after their dogs.
Each choice offered guests a glimpse into the people behind the celebration.
The Morning Before the Ceremony
Before the ceremony began, Savannah and Cole spent the morning surrounded by their wedding party.
The hours before walking down the aisle were filled with anticipation, laughter, and the kind of excitement that only exists before a moment you've spent months imagining finally arrives.
Then came the ceremony.
Savannah's parents walked her down the aisle, and as she looked ahead and saw Cole waiting for her, everything else seemed to quiet.
She remembers that moment most clearly.
The nerves disappeared.
The crowd faded.
For a brief moment, it felt like the two of them were the only people there.
An Unexpected Song
During the reception, Savannah's mother surprised the couple with a gift they never saw coming.
A live guitarist arrived to perform during dinner and the reception, including the couple's first dance songs.
The music changed the atmosphere of the evening, adding another layer of emotion to the celebration and creating a memory the couple will always associate with the sound of that night.
A Night Filled With Family, Music, and Celebration
As the evening continued, guests gathered beneath the lights of The Grand at Willow Springs to celebrate Savannah and Cole.
Dinner was shared.
Stories were told.
The dance floor filled.
The celebration carried the same spirit that shaped the entire day—joyful, familiar, and full of the people who had helped shape their lives.
Looking back, Savannah offers simple advice to future brides:
"Take it all in. This is YOUR day and it goes by fast. Take deep breaths and be where your feet are."
For Savannah and Cole, the wedding day became a collection of moments they will carry forward—the beach where they became engaged, the heirlooms worn down the aisle, the flowers chosen for family, and the people gathered around them as they began their marriage.
Vendor Team
Planning, Production + Design: Katie McIntire
Photography: Raegan Buckley Photography
Venue: The Grand at Willow Springs
Florals: The Flower Slinger
Hair: Kara Gen Styles
Makeup: MU by Madie
Content Creation: Love That Social
Dance Floor + Rentals: Alchemy Event Rentals
Linens: Reverie & Co. Events, Stradley Davidson, BBJ La Tavola
Catering: The Sous Chef Co.
Bartending: Mint 2 Mix
Cake: The Cake Occasion
Entertainment: Ozark Mix DJ
Paper Goods + Signage + Invitations: Dayflower Designs
Lighting + Rigging: Lightworks Events
