A summer wedding with the perfect peach and sage color palette

Christine and Johnathon’s love story began with a touch of fate and a little bit of help from family matchmaking. Set up on a blind date by Johnathon’s mom and Christine’s sister, the two met in their hometown of Joplin, Missouri. What started as a simple introduction quickly blossomed into something truly lasting, a connection marked by laughter, warmth, and shared faith. Their relationship grew through sweet adventures, including a series of visits to Arkansas’s beloved glass chapels. Their first trip together was to the glass chapel in Eureka Springs, followed by another in Hot Springs the year after. When Johnathon suggested a third visit to the chapel in Bella Vista for what Christine thought were “family photos,” she never suspected it would be the moment he dropped to one knee. Saving the closest and, ultimately, the most meaningful chapel for last, he proposed beneath the gleaming glass and sunlight.

Their wedding day was a true reflection of joy and serenity. Under a bright June sky, Christine and Johnathon exchanged vows in a Catholic Mass at noon, surrounded by family and friends. The ceremony was so meaningful, presided over by Christine’s uncle and two family friends who are priests. The couple described the day as “sunny and warm, full of light and love.” Between the ceremony and reception, the newlyweds slipped away for portraits at Sassafras Vineyard, capturing the soft glow of their happiness.

With help from Mary Vu and Alexis Stone, their reception beautifully merged American and Vietnamese traditions, highlighting Christine’s heritage. Alongside heartfelt toasts and laughter, the couple participated in Vietnamese table greetings, moving from table to table to share toasts, receive blessings, and exchange gifts, a joyful ritual that has always brought everyone closer together.

The floral design, a dream come true by fairy godmother Althea Wiles of Rose of Sharon Floral Design, was curated to blend seamlessly with the vineyard’s lush backdrop. The florals featured an airy mix of soft peach, blush, and yellow blooms with natural greenery. The result was a romantic, whimsical atmosphere that felt both organic and timeless.

Christine’s gown was the epitome of elegance. The softest, lightest dress she had ever seen, with a subtle shimmer that caught the light beautifully. Custom details made it uniquely hers. Tesori worked with the designer to remove some ruffles from the original design, while Anita’s Fine Tailoring added graceful off-the-shoulder sleeves. Later, she changed into a comfortable and chic Reformation dress for dancing the night away. Johnathon looked sharp in a custom navy suit from Hubbard’s, perfectly complementing the soft summer palette of their day.

By evening, guests gathered for a relaxed and elegant cocktail hour on the veranda, serenaded by a cellist and violinist performing a mix of classical melodies and modern favorites. As golden hour settled in, the couple made a grand entrance and shared their first dance to Alphaville’s "Forever Young," followed by sweet and emotional dances with their parents.

And then there was the cake, a true showstopper. Their three-tiered creation from Shelby Lynn’s was a masterpiece of flavor and design. The white cake had brown butter pineapple cream and was beautifully decorated with pastel pressed flowers and greenery cascading from top to bottom, accented by fresh blooms from Althea. Guests also enjoyed a variety of additional flavors, including white cake with hummingbird cream, chocolate cake with Bavarian cream, and carrot cake with cream cheese. The groom’s cake, a gluten-free white cake with lemon cream, was decorated in an outdoorsy, mountain-inspired style that perfectly matched Johnathon’s vision.