A whimsical western micro-wedding with all the fall feels

It is still unknown to this day which “mutual friend” led Jacob to Casey's Snapchat, where they began talking. After three months of getting to know each other, Jacob asked Casey out to dinner, only for them to realize they lived states apart. Rather than letting geography determine their fate, they built a friendship that grew stronger with time. "After a year of Jacob being in the 'friend zone,' he got the courage and asked, 'Why not?'" Casey recalls. "That's when I realized I had the man of my dreams right in front of me all along."

The couple navigated long-distance dating for a year before Casey moved to Arkansas at 18. Four years, four homes, and three pets later (including their horse, Sage), Jacob proposed under a gorgeous giant oak tree overlooking a sunset of the rolling hills in Northwest Arkansas, with a path of white roses leading to the moment.

Working with wedding planner Brittany Paden with Brittany Bloom Events & Design, Casey and Jacob created a celebration that perfectly represented their journey and personalities.
"We dreamed of this day since we were two kids in high school, so when it came around, it felt like a dream all day," Casey says. "Between family traveling the distance for us, the wedding being in Northwest Arkansas to signify the life we've built, and our personalities intertwined with our day, we will look back so many years from now, and we will know who we were and what we've become together."

The floral concept, masterfully executed by Bloom Floral & Gifts, transformed Florence Farms into an enchanted woodland sanctuary. Casey and Jacob envisioned an immersive natural environment where the boundaries between indoor celebration and outdoor splendor dissolved seamlessly. The design incorporated thoughtfully curated elements that told their story through botanical poetry: weathered antler sheds referenced Casey's formative experiences in the outdoors, while heirloom magnolia blooms paid homage to her childhood home. Rich autumnal foliage in burnished amber, russet, and gold tones created a warm palette that resonated with the season of their engagement, symbolizing transition and new beginnings.

When it came to catering, the choice was simple for these self-described "picky eaters." Vibrant Occasions Catering created a menu centered around—what else?—pizza! This approachable yet delicious selection reflected the couple's authentic tastes while ensuring guests enjoyed the meal. "When deciding what to serve our guests, we knew it was a no-brainer," Casey says. The caterers complemented the pizza with vodka pasta and salad options. During cocktail hour, they served passed hors d'oeuvres of grilled cheese and tomato soup shooters, which was a little nod to Casey’s time working at Panera Bread when they dated long distance.

For dessert, Rick's Bakery of Fayetteville created a three-tier white cake adorned with floral accents that echoed the venue's arrangements. The couple topped it with a special cake topper from Etsy that pulled the whole design together. In a sweet continuation of their special day, Casey shares that they now use their cake topper in a flower vase, admiring it anew each month when Jacob gives her fresh flowers.

Perhaps the most unique aspect of Casey and Jacob's love story involves a very special pre-wedding gift. Two months before their wedding, Jacob surprised Casey with a horse named Sage. "I got into horses at 11 when my father passed from cancer, and it immensely shaped me as a person and helped me through the hardest times of my life," Casey explains. After riding for over a decade, career changes had forced her to step away from this passion. Recognizing how much this part of her identity was missing, Jacob found Sage, a four-year-old former wild mustang from Nevada, on Facebook. "Jacob likes to say he saved himself some money now because he already bought the future kids' pony," Casey jokes. "When I look at her, I see the love and acceptance Jacob has for my passions and dreams. Sage will always be a reminder to the both of us of the special time period before we were married."