THE WEDDING GUIDE
Every wedding begins with a vision, and the right team helps bring it to life. From the ring to the honeymoon, our Wedding Guide connects couples with local professionals who make planning seamless and personal. Trust our experts to guide you through every step, offering creativity and thoughtful support as you plan a celebration that reflects your story.
THE WEDDING GUIDE
Every wedding begins with a vision, and the right team helps bring it to life. From the ring to the honeymoon, our Wedding Guide connects couples with local professionals who make planning seamless and personal. Trust our experts to guide you through every step, offering creativity and thoughtful support as you plan a celebration that reflects your story.
Creating a wedding registry is one of the first opportunities couples have to think intentionally about their life together. More than a checklist, a registry serves as a reflection of daily routines, shared tastes, and the home they’re building side by side.
At Black Bison Gift Shop, couples are encouraged to begin the process by walking through their home together. Taking stock of what’s already owned, and what’s genuinely used, helps shape a registry that feels practical rather than excessive. From there, a thoughtful mix of essentials, meaningful upgrades, and fun accent pieces creates balance and allows guests to shop comfortably at a range of price points.
Home décor often plays a key role in that mix. Items chosen for a registry don’t have to be limited to traditional basics. Decorative pieces, serving items, and unique accents can help
Black Bison Company
personalize a home and make everyday spaces feel intentional. These selections also give guests insight into a couple’s personality and style, even if they choose a gift inspired by the registry rather than directly from it.
Shopping locally adds another layer of meaning. Guests can see registry items in person, select a gift with confidence, and leave with a beautifully wrapped present in hand. That tangible experience creates a stronger connection between giver and couple, something that can feel lost in online-only registries.
Ultimately, a registry is as much about guidance as it is about gifts. It helps loved ones celebrate the couple in a way that feels personal, useful, and lasting. With curated options and a welcoming in-store experience, Black Bison Gift Shop helps couples create registries that feel true to their home and the life they’re building together.
THE SPACE
“A well-designed space allows the celebration to flow effortlessly from start to finish.” ~ ACHE Event Center
Selecting a wedding venue is about more than finding a beautiful backdrop; it’s about choosing a space that supports the rhythm of the day. From ceremony to cocktail hour to reception, the best venues allow events to unfold smoothly, without disruption or unnecessary transitions.
ACHE Event Center is designed with flow in mind. The expansive main hall offers ample space for ceremonies and receptions, while adjacent gallery areas create natural opportunities for cocktail hours, guest mingling, and room resets without guests leaving the property. Built-in lighting and audiovisual systems allow the atmosphere to shift throughout the evening, supporting everything from intimate ceremonies to lively receptions.
Flexibility is a defining feature of the venue, particularly for larger weddings and formal celebrations. Adaptable floor
plans allow couples to customize layouts based on guest count, design vision, and event style. Included banquet tables and chairs, a built-in bar, and a full commercial kitchen provide the infrastructure needed to work seamlessly with the caterer of your choice.
The event center also plays an active role in helping couples prepare. Venue guidance includes assistance with layouts, timelines, and vendor coordination, ensuring logistics are handled well in advance.
For off-site ceremonies, the space is fully prepared upon arrival, creating a smooth transition into the reception portion of the celebration. Outdoor patios overlooking the surrounding landscape offer additional options for guest flow and gathering, allowing couples to focus on celebrating while the space works seamlessly behind the scenes.
THE RING
“Craftsmanship plays a huge role in long-term value.” ~ John Mays Jewelers
For many couples, choosing an engagement ring or wedding band is the first tangible step in their wedding journey, and one of the most personal. The process begins with the center stone, which serves as the focal point of the ring and guides every design decision that follows. Shape, quality, and longevity all matter when selecting a piece meant to last a lifetime, especially for couples thinking beyond the wedding day itself.
At John Mays Jewelers, that process is intentionally hands-on. As a bench jeweler and stone setter, Kevin works closely with clients to select a center stone that fits both their lifestyle and budget, then builds the ring around it. Natural diamonds remain a popular choice for their rarity, intrinsic value, and trade-in potential for future upgrades, allowing rings to evolve alongside a couple’s life together.
While round brilliant diamonds continue to lead in popularity, recent trends show increased interest in radiant and oval cuts.
Every ring created is custom, whether handpicking a center diamond, building from an image found online, or designing something entirely original. John Mays Jewelers also works frequently with generational heirloom rings, modifying settings or reimagining original stones in modern designs that honor family history while fitting today’s style. These pieces often carry stories that make the finished ring even more meaningful.
Craftsmanship plays a critical role in long-term value. Highquality settings in 18-karat gold or platinum help ensure rings are built to withstand daily wear while preserving both beauty and worth. Thoughtful design and skilled setting elevate each piece beyond aesthetics alone, transforming it into something meant to be worn, treasured, and passed down.
For Kevin, the most meaningful part of the process is deeply personal: knowing each ring is shaped by his own hands and becomes part of a couple’s life for generations to come.
THE HONEYMOON
“After the wedding, the journey should be about connection, not logistics.” ~ Kelly & Co Travel by Dream Vacations
While honeymoon planning can be exciting, choosing destinations, coordinating flights and transfers, and managing details can quickly become overwhelming. Working with a professional travel advisor allows couples to step away from logistics and focus on the experience itself.
Kelly & Co Travel specializes in thoughtfully planned honeymoons built around how a couple wants to feel, whether that means complete relaxation, adventure, cultural immersion, or a blend of all three. The planning process begins with understanding personalities, interests, and travel goals, allowing each itinerary to feel intentional rather than generic.
One of the greatest benefits of working with a travel advisor is peace of mind, and with Kelly & Co Travel, there’s no premium. Partnering with Kelly & Co Travel costs the same as doing it yourself, while leaving the details to the
experts. Flights, accommodations, transfers, excursions, and travel insurance are carefully coordinated, while industry partnerships often unlock added perks such as room upgrades, resort credits, and honeymoon amenities not available to the general public. Just as important, a travel advisor serves as an advocate when unexpected issues arise, handling changes or challenges so couples can stay present and enjoy their time together.
Honeymoons in 2026 continue to trend toward quality over quantity. Couples are choosing fewer destinations with deeper experiences, from romantic beach escapes to culturerich European journeys and thoughtfully planned U.S. travel.
After the whirlwind of wedding planning, the honeymoon should feel like a true exhale, a beginning marked by ease, connection, and shared adventure.
THE SPACE
“You feel like you’re walking into a warm, welcoming home.” ~ Magnolia Social House
For couples planning the first events of their wedding weekend, setting the right tone matters. Rehearsal dinners and bridal showers are meant to feel personal and relaxed, bringing families and friends together before the pace of the wedding day begins. Magnolia Social House offers a venue that feels intimate, character-filled, and thoughtfully designed for meaningful gatherings that encourage connection and conversation.
Located in a 137-year-old home, Magnolia Social House blends original architectural details with carefully considered updates. Two large magnolia trees frame the entrance, while inside, a collection of distinct rooms creates a house-like atmosphere that feels comfortable rather than commercial. The entire downstairs and much of the upstairs are available for rehearsal dinners, receptions, and showers, while an upstairs bridal suite provides a dedicated space for brides and bridesmaids to gather and get ready away from the flow of the event below.
Different areas of the home naturally lend themselves to smaller group conversations, making it easy for guests to connect throughout the evening. Hosts are encouraged to decorate and personalize the space, allowing each event to reflect the couple’s style and vision rather than a preset template or one-size-fits-all layout.
Magnolia also offers the convenience of in-house catering through its expansive commercial kitchen. Couples can work directly with Kevin Hickey of The Lawyer’s Table or Melody Smith of Mel’s Creative Catering to design a menu that fits their celebration, from casual fare to elevated, multi-course dinners prepared onsite.
For Magnolia Social House, hosting wedding-related events is about continuing a long tradition of community—providing a space where couples can gather, celebrate, and feel at home as their wedding weekend begins.
THE REHEARSAL
“We’re luxury, but casual—focused on hospitality and the experience.” ~ BluPoint Seafood & Steak
For many couples, the events leading up to the wedding day set the emotional tone for everything that follows. Rehearsal dinners, welcome parties, and bridal showers are about bringing families and friends together, and choosing the right setting can relieve stress while making the celebration feel intentional.
BluPoint Seafood & Steak is particularly well suited for these moments, offering an atmosphere that feels elevated without becoming formal or intimidating. The restaurant balances luxury with approachability, creating a space where guests can relax, connect, and enjoy the experience without distraction. Thoughtful hospitality and seamless service allow hosts to focus on what matters most: time together.
Food and service play a key role in shaping that experience. A well-planned dinner helps ease pre-wedding nerves and turns what could feel like another obligation into a genuine
celebration. BluPoint works closely with the bride and family to accommodate group needs, craft specialty menus, and ensure the evening flows smoothly from start to finish, whether the gathering is intimate or includes a larger guest list.
When selecting a location for a rehearsal dinner or weddingrelated gathering, couples should consider more than just the menu. Atmosphere, accommodations, and a team willing to collaborate with the bride and family are essential to creating a memorable evening. Flexibility, attention to detail, and a clear understanding of the event’s purpose can make all the difference. BluPoint’s elegant setting paired with casual, unpretentious hospitality strikes that balance naturally.
For BluPoint, hosting wedding-related celebrations is about participating in the excitement surrounding couples as they begin their journey together, creating space for connection, conversation, and celebration before the big day arrives.
An
Setting for Meaningful Moments
THE SPACE
“Hosting
For couples drawn to weddings that feel deeply personal and rich with meaning, a historic venue offers something special: a true sense of place. Choosing a setting with history adds depth and intention, allowing the celebration to feel rooted in something lasting.
At the Fort Smith Museum of History, weddings unfold within walls that already carry stories, adding character and a quiet sense of significance to the day. Housed in a grand early20th-century building, the museum’s primary event space blends an industrial feel with old-world architectural details.
Original 1906 pine wood floors, corbeled brick, and exposed wooden beams create a warm, welcoming environment that feels timeless yet flexible. Couples are given creative freedom to design the space, often incorporating personal pieces such as framed photos, heirlooms, or statement décor.
A wedding already marks a singular moment in a couple’s story and celebrating it in a place with history helps anchor that moment in a meaningful way. The venue becomes part of the narrative, remembered not just for the celebration, but for the space that held it.
The museum balances preservation with modern wedding needs by clearly defining its event areas. Weddings are hosted within a dedicated space, while guests are encouraged to explore the surrounding galleries.
Weddings and receptions often take place after hours, when the museum belongs solely to the couple and their guests. The quiet galleries, softened lighting, and sense of being immersed in history create moments that linger long after the evening ends, adding a new chapter to a place already rich with stories.
THE PHOTOGRAPHY
“When couples trust their photographer, it allows them to relax and truly be present.” ~ Premier Photography
Photography plays a central role in how the wedding day is remembered long after it ends. For many couples, choosing a wedding photographer is about more than finding a style they love; it’s about trust and feeling at ease throughout one of the most important days of their lives.
Premier Photography approaches weddings with a documentary-style mindset, allowing moments to unfold naturally while remaining attentive and prepared. Rather than directing every interaction, the team offers gentle guidance only when needed, creating space for couples to feel relaxed and present. Formal portraits and family photos are handled thoughtfully, while the rest of the day is captured as it happens.
Some of the most meaningful images are often found in moments couples don’t anticipate: small interactions,
emotional reactions, candid expressions that happen in between scheduled events. These fleeting details help tell the full story of the day, creating a collection of images that feels authentic and deeply personal.
Careful planning and communication play an important role in that process. Premier Photography emphasizes timelines and preparation, arriving early to capture important details such as the venue, décor, rings, vows, and other meaningful elements. Even candid images are captured with intention, supported by thoughtful preparation behind the scenes.
When galleries are delivered, they are curated to follow the natural flow of the day, from getting ready through the ceremony, reception, and final moments of celebration. The goal is simple: to help couples relive their wedding day through images that reflect how it truly felt.
THE BEAUTY
“When brides feel confident in their hair, everything else falls into place.” ~ Salon Elements
Hair and beauty are among the most personal decisions a bride makes during the wedding planning process. More than a finishing touch, bridal hair sets the tone for the entire day, shaping how a bride feels as she walks into each moment, from getting ready to the final dance.
At Salon Elements, preparation begins well before the wedding day itself. Brides are encouraged to begin planning hair at least six months in advance, allowing time for thoughtful conversations, scheduling, and a dedicated hair trial. That trial is a key step in the process, helping determine which styles work best with the bride’s hair texture, length, and overall vision, while aligning with her makeup goals and the aesthetic of the day.
Longevity is just as important as style. Creating looks that last requires more than a single product or technique, it’s about layering the right products and building structure that
Your Way
Your wedding day is one of life’s biggest milestones, and you deserve to feel beautiful from every angle Our 100% European human hair wigs, toppers, and extensions are crafted for refined luxury, offering naturallooking solutions for fine or thinning hair
supports the bride’s natural hair needs. The goal is a style that holds up through photos, ceremonies, celebrations, and long hours without feeling stiff or overdone.
For bridal parties, coordination is handled with both efficiency and individuality in mind. Multiple stylists allow each member of the bridal party to feel confident in their own look, while still maintaining cohesion with the bride’s overall style. Increasingly, weddings are embracing intentional mismatching, styles that complement one another without being identical.
On the wedding day, organization and flow are essential. Salon Elements focuses on creating a calm, steady environment, allowing brides and their wedding party to relax and trust the process. When the beauty experience feels seamless, brides are free to stay present and enjoy every moment of their day.
THE BAR
“Helping celebrations feel effortless is what we love most.” ~ Sodie’s 2 You
When couples begin planning their wedding celebration, beverages are often one of the last details considered, but they play a major role in setting the tone of the event. From the first toast to the final song, a well-planned bar helps guests relax, connect, and enjoy the celebration without interruption.
Sodie’s 2 You approaches wedding beverage service with the guest experience in mind. Planning begins by considering the type of celebration a couple envisions, along with factors like season, time of day, and overall energy. Lighter, refreshing options often work best for daytime or summer weddings, while evening receptions can support bolder selections. The focus is always on making drinks approachable and easy to enjoy.
One of the most common concerns couples have is knowing how much to provide. Sodie’s 2 You helps take the
length, and drinking preferences to build a thoughtful, realistic plan. This approach helps couples avoid overbuying or running out, offering peace of mind during an already busy planning season.
Signature cocktails are a popular choice, especially when they reflect the couple’s personality or the season. Sodie’s 2 You also emphasizes the value of a curated menu—pairing beer, wine, and one or two standout cocktails rather than overwhelming guests with too many options. A streamlined bar keeps lines moving throughout the night.
Beverage service is about more than drinks alone. Smooth, efficient service helps the celebration unfold naturally, allowing guests to stay present and engaged. When that happens, guests are free to laugh, toast, and celebrate together, moments that often become some of the most memorable parts of the day.
THE FLORALS & THE SPACE
“When creativity and functionality work together, the result feels effortless.” ~ The Barn by Two Brothers & L Designs
When couples imagine their wedding day, they’re often picturing more than just a venue, they’re envisioning how the space will feel once it’s transformed through thoughtful design. Venue and floral design work together to create weddings that feel cohesive, intentional, and deeply personal, regardless of setting.
While The Barn by Two Brothers and L Designs operate as separate businesses, their shared ownership and proximity offer couples hosting weddings at The Barn a unique advantage. L Designs provides full-service floral design for weddings and events at venues throughout the region and beyond, while being located right next door allows for seamless coordination and a design process rooted in a deep understanding of The Barn’s space when it is chosen as the venue. That familiarity makes it easier to create florals and installations that complement The Barn’s lighting, layout, and historic character rather than compete with it.
Floral design plays a powerful role in shaping the atmosphere of a wedding. From ceremony arrangements to reception details, flowers introduce color, texture, movement, and emotion, helping transform a structure into an experience. Whether designing for The Barn or for celebrations elsewhere, L Designs approaches each event with the same attention to balance, scale, and story.
The Barn is well suited for intimate weddings. Originally built in 1910 as a hay barn, the space carries a sense of history and authenticity that many couples intentionally weave into their celebrations. Thoughtful updates ensure modern comfort while preserving the building’s soul.
By approaching weddings with creativity and function in mind, The Barn by Two Brothers and L Designs help ensure celebrations feel effortless for couples and welcoming for guests, beautiful not only to look at, but meaningful to experience.
THE ATTIRE
Wedding attire in 2026 is all about balance: marrying classic silhouettes with intentional details that reflect each individual’s personality. Bridal fashion continues to honor tradition, but with thoughtful twists that make every gown feel one of a kind.
Silhouettes are diverse, from minimalist column gowns and sleek sheath styles to romantic ball gowns with modern finishes. What unifies the trend this year is comfort without compromise: light, breathable fabrics that flatter and move beautifully, designed for long wear through ceremony and reception.
Texture is having a moment, especially lace mixed with unexpected fabrics, soft tulle overlays, and hand-embroidered details that create depth and visual interest without heaviness. Minimalist brides are choosing gowns with architectural lines or subtle embellishment that photograph beautifully, while others are embracing soft drama through volume and light layering.
On the men’s side, 2026 is seeing a shift toward tailored ease. Slim, well-cut suits and tuxedos in rich neutrals such as charcoal, deep navy, and muted earth tones give classic menswear a refined, contemporary edge. Optional touches such as velvet jackets, subtle patterning, and select statement accessories add personality without overpowering the ensemble.
Matching bridal party attire is trending away from strict uniformity in color and pattern in favor of coordinated palettes. Think varying shades of a single color or complementary styles or fabrics, which allows for individual expression, yet still feels intentional.
In 2026, couples are increasingly letting who they are guide every choice. Whether peak elegance or personal expression is the goal, wedding attire blends tradition and individuality, ensuring couples look timeless while honoring who they are.
2026 wedding fashion blends timeless elegance with expressive personal style.
THE CAKE
Desserts are no longer an afterthought; they’re a memorable part of the wedding experience. In 2026, couples are embracing wedding cakes and dessert tables that reflect personality, seasonal inspiration, and shared tastes with their guests.
One of the strongest cake trends this year is textured and sculptural design. Bakers are moving beyond smooth buttercream toward organic edges, carved tiers, and sculpted floral motifs that read beautifully in photos and tie directly into overall décor.
Flavors are expanding well beyond vanilla and chocolate. Think honey-lavender, lemon-thyme, brown butter-apple, chai spice, and tahini-date — combinations that surprise and delight while still feeling timeless. Couples are increasingly incorporating local and seasonal ingredients into fillings and frostings, bringing a sense of place to the dessert table.
Mini cakes and dessert assortments are also seeing tremendous popularity. Instead of one large, tiered cake, some couples opt for a variety of bite-size desserts ranging from individual mini cakes and cupcakes to macarons and plated dessert tastes.
Another growing trend is interactive dessert stations, such as build-your-own dessert bars, late-night sweet bites, and paired desserts with dessert wines or coffee service. These unique touches turn dessert into a moment of experience, not just presentation.
Even if a couple chooses a classic tiered cake, personalization is key: texture, hand-painted details, edible florals, and unique fonts or toppers ensure the design feels bespoke. In 2026, the best wedding cakes don’t just end the meal, they tell a story and extend the celebration’s personality to its final bite.
Wedding cakes in 2026 are as much about personal expression as they are about taste.