Set in the elegant surroundings of The Ballroom at I Street in Bentonville, Arkansas, Madison and Zach’s wedding brought together 200 guests for a fall celebration that was both classic and relaxed. With a black, white, and green palette and carefully chosen details designed to stand the test of time.
Location: Bentonville, Arkansas, USA
Style: Classic, timeless, relaxed
Time of planning: 1 year
Number of guests: 200
Setting: Ballroom
Season: Fall
Madison and Zach’s story began back in fifth grade when they both transferred to the same school and quickly became friends. Their connection grew over the years, and Madison joked, “I like to take credit and say that I made the first move by asking Zach to walk me on homecoming court.” They’ve been together ever since. Zach proposed at Sassafrass Vineyards, surprising Madison when she arrived expecting a friend’s birthday dinner—only to find Zach waiting with their closest family and friends to celebrate the moment.
Bride's Look
Madison spent the morning getting ready at the venue, surrounded by her bridal party, champagne, and a joyful energy that carried throughout the day. She wore a textured strapless dress by WToo by Watters, paired with white bow heels from Antonio Melani. Madison chose Yves Saint Laurent lipstick and perfume, adding a final elegant touch to her classic bridal look.
Her accessories held deep personal meaning: a pearl necklace and earrings that her mother wore on her wedding day, and a silver ring that belonged to her grandmother. Bouquet featured white roses and hydrangeas, tied in a neat, structured arrangement that echoed the wedding’s timeless theme.
"Between getting hair and makeup done there were lots of dance parties, mimosas, games out in the yard, and sneak peeks at the decorations in the ballroom!"
Groom's Fashion
Zach wore a sharp tuxedo from The Black Tux with a white jacket, black pants, and a black bow tie, wanting to stand out just as much as Madison. He paired it with a boutonnière of white blooms and a Citizen watch gifted by his dad for the wedding day—a personal detail that made his look even more meaningful.
First Look
Madison and Zach shared their first look beneath the ornate outdoor gazebo, framed by classic columns and soft fall light. The moment gave them a quiet pause before the ceremony, filled with laughter and easy smiles. Their photographer, Kim of Count in Threes Photo, captured the emotion and chemistry between them effortlessly, preserving the joy and calm they felt in that private moment before the celebration began.
"We wanted the overall look of our wedding to be very classy and timeless."
Ceremony
The ceremony took place outdoors under the wrought-iron gazebo where the couple had their first look, with lush white floral arrangements on either side. Towering vases overflowed with roses, hydrangeas, and greenery, adding fullness and elegance to the altar space. The classic white chairs were arranged on the lawn, surrounded by mature trees turning golden for fall, and the entire setup felt cohesive with the black, white, and green color palette chosen for the day. The soft afternoon light filtered through the leaves, making the entire ceremony space feel serene and timeless.
The couple held two ceremonies—one private at the church where Madison grew up, and a second vow renewal at the venue, officiated by Zach’s brother. Having someone so close to both of them lead the ceremony added a personal and emotional touch. Guests responded warmly, with many later saying how much they appreciated the intimacy and sincerity of the vows. The relaxed setting and personal officiant helped create a moment that felt both significant and easy, just as Madison and Zach had hoped.
"Our guests all said how much they enjoyed the ceremony since it was officiated by someone who is close to us both."
Private Moment
After the ceremony, Madison and Zach took a quiet moment together in a classic white Porsche, parked just outside the venue. The vintage car, with its sleek curves and polished chrome details, offered the perfect backdrop for a short escape. With the late afternoon sun casting soft shadows, the two shared a peaceful drive, giving them time to soak in the joy of the day before joining their guests for the evening celebration. The photos captured during this time showed them relaxed, smiling, and fully in the moment—just the two of them, newly married and completely present.
"We loved all the images from Kim! She captured the day so well that it's so easy for Zach and I to sit and scroll through all the images and relive the entire day and night. We also have definitely had some family and friends start tearing up while going through the pictures as well!"
Decor & Setting
The reception space was styled with minimal, elegant decor that mirrored the ceremony’s black, white, and green palette. Long white tables were set with gold flatware, glassware, and white plates tied with black satin ribbons. Bud vases filled with fresh white tulips and roses ran down the center of each table, creating a clean and modern look. Clear acrylic table numbers and tall glass taper candle holders added a subtle touch of sophistication, while soft lighting made the room feel warm and inviting as the evening progressed.
"Green is my favorite color so choosing the color scheme of green, white, and black was very easy."
Reception
The reception began outdoors with a cocktail hour on the lawn, where guests enjoyed the crisp fall weather and live cello music performed by Cello by Austin. Bartenders from Southern Sippery served a rotating menu of signature cocktails, including rosemary French 75s, blackberry Moscow mules, old fashioneds, and espresso martinis. The changing cocktail list kept the experience fresh and exciting, and guests mingled, played lawn games, and took in the view of the decorated ballroom just steps away.
Guests enjoyed dishes from Pasta Grill Van Buren and The Sous Chef, while heartfelt toasts from family and friends brought laughter, a few happy tears, and stories that reflected the couple’s deep connection with their loved ones.
The espresso martini tower stole the spotlight as guests gathered around to watch it being poured. Stacked high with coupe glasses and lit from below by candlelight, the display felt theatrical and modern. Madison and Zach smiled wide as they joined in, serving the drinks with their own hands.
Right after, they cut into their white cake with raspberry filling from Rick’s Bakery, which stood on a sleek acrylic stand surrounded by white flowers and soft candle glow. In the photos, the two are laughing and relaxed, sharing bites of cake under the chandeliers with guests clapping and cheering just behind them.
As the night continued, the ballroom came alive with lights, music, and nonstop dancing. Guests filled the floor from start to finish, led by Ozark Mix, who kept the energy high with a mix of crowd favorites. The room glowed with soft candlelight and warm uplighting, while friends and family surrounded Madison and Zach, cheering and dancing late into the evening. For their final song, they chose “Light My Love” by Greta Van Fleet—a moment they’ll never forget, standing in the center of the dance floor, holding each other, as everyone sang along around them.
"The most memorable moment would be our last song of the night. We could not believe how many of our guests were out on the dance floor the whole night and it was so special to be surrounded by them all singing and dancing to one of our favorite songs at the very end."
Advice from the couple:
• Don’t forget that your wedding is a celebration! It is easy to get caught up in everything else going on, but at the end of the night, all that matters is you are married to your best friend and surrounded by your loved ones, so you are going to have fun no matter what- don’t sweat the small stuff.
PHOTOGRAPHER Count in Threes Photo | PLANNING & DESIGN Ovation | VENUE The Ballroom at I Street | FLORIST Ovation | MAKEUP Karah Aleanna Artistry | HAIR Beauty by Kaynahn | DRESS Inverness Bridal | SUIT The Black Tux | BAR Southern Sippery | CATERING Pasta Grill Van Buren, The Sous Chef | CAKE Rick’s Bakery | RENTALS Kindred Provisions | DJ Ozark Mix | MUSIC Cello by Austin
