Arkansas Bride

Image by Proposals Boutique

Attention, brides!

Proposals Boutique in The Heights in Little Rock is holding a flash bridal sample sale running through May 31.

Stop by 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Saturday to grab your dream wedding gown at a dream price. The boutique offers a huge variety of beautiful dresses from a variety of designers, so there's something for every bride!

For more information, call (501) 661-4696.

Proposals Boutique
Find them on Facebook
5913 Kavanaugh Blvd, Little Rock
(501) 661-4696 
Open 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Saturday

You've been watching all 10 Arkansas Bride Bridal Boot Camp brides hard at work the last three months and it's your last chance to vote for your favorite!

Head over to Arkansas Bride's Facebook page and vote for your favorite bride. To vote, all you have to do is 'Like' the picture of the bride you want to win (in the Arkansas Bride Bridal Boot Camp album!).  The bride with the most votes by 5 p.m. TODAY (May 16) will win the fan support portion of the competition (see all criteria below).

Here is a rundown of all the boot camp stats:

• Combined Starting Weight: 1,862 lbs.
• Combined Ending Weight: 1,732 lbs.
• Total Weight Lost: 130 lbs.
• Total Inches Lost: 158.75 in.

Remember, they're all vying for the ultimate $8,000 prize-package that includes all of the resources a bride could ever want:

• Dr. DJ Dailey – Zoom Teeth Whitening ($600 Value)
• Glo Limited – Special Event Makeup, Eyelash Extensions, Airbrush Tanning and a $200 Gift Certificate ($525 Value)
• Whitney Bower Imaging – Photo Session ($1,200 Value)
• The Salon at Glo Limited – Special Event Hairstyling ($75 Value)
• Lasercare Skin Clinic – Oxylight Facial Treatment ($600 Value)
• Proposals Boutique - $250 Clothing and Accessories Gift Certificate ($250 Value)
• Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa of Lake Ouachita – Romantic Getaway ($1,000 Value)
• D1 Sports Training and Therapy – Additional 6-Month Free Membership

The winning bride will be chosen by a panel of judges based on four criteria – dedication (50%), video/food journals (20%), FAN VOTING (20%) and overall weight loss/progress (10%).

The winner will be announced at a finale party on Tuesday, May 20. Get a final look at the brides' journey below.

Gallery by Lyndsey Sullivan Photography

Indiana natives and current Little Rock residents Eva Ohlson & Patrick Keough are scheduled to say "I do" July 20 at Little Rock's Trinity Episcopal Cathedral with a reception at the Junior League of Little Rock. Check out these shots by Lyndsey Sullivan Photography, as well as the couple's love story:

Our story brings us to Arkansas 3 years ago last November. My very new boyfriend at the time made the move to Little Rock for a job. Our relationship was in the early stages of dating, but I felt it had so much promise. So, I went against my practical tendencies and with hope and a little courage, found a job and made the big leap from lifelong Hoosier to newly minted Arkansan. And I’m so glad I did. Not only did my love for Arkansas, its people and its natural beauty grow, but so did my relationship with my now fiancé. 

After dating for nearly 3 years, Patrick proposed to me after dinner in Dallas on July 3, 2012. I was surprised and elated — and with that, I'm not sure that I replied with an actual 'yes' (although all my emotions pointed directly to it!) I couldn’t imagine starting this new life with anyone else. We’re so excited for all of the adventures we have to look forward to together.

Gallery by Drew Cason Photography

Throughout my internship at Arkansas Bride, I had the opportunity to see the work of so many of the fabulous photographers we have all over the state. One, however, stood out in my mind.

Drew Cason creates clean and timeless images that are absolutely beautiful. He has a creative flow through his photos and I felt like he would be accepting of any ideas I had, and vice versa. I knew, without a doubt, I wanted him to be our wedding photographer.

I'm so glad I went with my first instinct because our engagement shoot was SO much fun! The photos above are only a few of the amazing shots he captured!

Since Jordan is a chef, I wanted to incorporate his jackets into the shoot (and since we will both have the same name, it only makes it that much better — ha!). I really wanted to do a cooking shoot, but I didn't want to ask because I thought it would take up too much time. After I told Drew I wanted to use the jackets, he suggested that we cook something together and I could not have been more excited to hear him say that (if you haven't noticed, I get excited easily).

Jordan and I had so much fun during the shoot! We cook together often, so it was special to be able to have such a large part of our relationship documented through images that we will have forever.

We also took a few shots in our normal attire. It was absolutely freezing that day, but we all managed to get through it and get some pretty pictures!

P.S. A huge "thank you" goes to Whitney Bower for letting us use her gorgeous kitchen!

– Jordan

Bride-to-be and Benton native Jordan Westbrook graduated from UALR in 2011 with a liberal arts degree with an emphasis in mass media. The former Arkansas Bride intern will be blogging about her adventures in wedding planning right here each week.

Image by The Bridal Cottage

Stop by the Bridal Cottage's beautiful showroom May 14 though May 24 for a chance to win a free wedding gown - or simply find your dream dress at a price you'll love.

Hey gals, drop by the Bridal Cottage in North Little Rock this week for your chance to get a free wedding dress. 

That's right — in honor of the Cottage's anniversary, the kind staff have marked four in-stock wedding gowns to ring up as $0 when brought to the counter!

Stop in between 10 a.m. Tuesday (May 14) through 3 p.m. Friday (May 24) for your chance to win, plus enjoy free catered goodies 11 a.m.–1 p.m. on Thursday, May 16. And stay tuned 

The Bridal Cottage Anniversary Event
10 a.m. Tuesday (May 14) – 3 p.m. Friday (May 24)
Anniversary celebration: Thursday, (May 16), 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
3305 JFK Blvd., North Little Rock
(501) 753-4138
Follow them on Facebook

I found my dream wedding dress in 45 minutes and was UNDER budget! (Sorry, you'll have to wait to see!)

One of the most-asked questions I've received throughout the wedding planning process has been "Have you found your dress, yet!?" It's definitely not a question I'm fond of because I'm afraid I'll spoil every detail, when I really want it to be a surprise to everyone.

While I won't tell you every detail of my dress, I will tell you about my amazing dress shopping experience and give a few tips for those of you who are still looking!

In the beginning, I wanted to take several different groups of friends and family members with me to several different bridal shops around the state. I wanted to try on dresses more than once before making any decisions. While my dress shopping plans didn't pan out the way I thought I wanted them to, my actual experience was so much more than what I expected.

My mom, dad and I went to go see my grandmother, who lives in North Little Rock, one Saturday morning. Since First Impressions in Jacksonville isn't too far away, we decided to see if they had a last-minute appointment available to take a look at the dresses they had in stock. I honestly didn’t feel "ready” to start looking, but I knew I needed to start.

We were greeted by Kristen, who helped us dive right into getting ideas and picking out the styles I wanted to try on.

I tried on about 8–10 dresses total, but I instantly knew the second one was my favorite. Everything about it fit me and my personality! I absolutely cannot wait to wear it!

Kristen was such a big help in assisting me picture different accessories and alterations that were possible with each dress. She didn't pressure me or make me lean toward one way or the other, and my mom was the same way! It was the most amazing and pleasant experience I've had thus far. And it was so special to me to have a mother-daughter shopping trip and I'll remember that day for the rest of my life.

The total time I spent from the minute I walked in the door until I walked out was 45 minutes AND I was UNDER budget! How awesome is that!?

Now here are a few tips to keep the stress of picking a dress to a minimum:

• Go with the smallest group possible.
• Make sure you choose people who are going to be positive and encourage you if you start to feel overwhelmed.
• Go in with an open mind and try on several styles.
• Remember your dress will most-likely have to be altered to fit you, which will make it look even more stunning!
• Go with your gut! If you find a dress that makes you feel beautiful, go with that one — it's YOUR wedding!

– Jordan

Bride-to-be and Benton native Jordan Westbrook graduated from UALR in 2011 with a liberal arts degree with an emphasis in mass media. The former Arkansas Bride intern will be blogging about her adventures in wedding planning right here each week.

The competition is almost over. All 10 brides in our Bridal Boot Camp have survived three months (we're not surprised)! Their last workout is Friday (May 10) with fan voting from May 13 - 16.

Remember, they're all vying for the ultimate $8,000 prize-package that includes all of the resources a bride could ever want:

• Dr. DJ Dailey – Zoom Teeth Whitening ($600 Value)
• Glo Limited – Special Event Makeup, Eyelash Extensions, Airbrush Tanning and a $200 Gift Certificate ($525 Value)
• Whitney Bower Imaging – Photo Session ($1,200 Value)
• The Salon at Glo Limited – Special Event Hairstyling ($75 Value)
• Lasercare Skin Clinic – Oxylight Facial Treatment ($600 Value)
• Proposals Boutique - $250 Clothing and Accessories Gift Certificate ($250 Value)
• Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa of Lake Ouachita – Romantic Getaway ($1,000 Value)
• D1 Sports Training and Therapy – Additional 6-Month Free Membership

The winner will be announced at a finale party on Tuesday, May 20.

Get the latest on their journey with the video below.

You can follow their journey daily at #arbridalbootcamp on Twitter, where our 10 brides tweet about their diet and exercise challenges, successes and more.

Image by Shutterstock.com

Enter to win a $1,000 flight package from Arkansas Bride for your honeymoon!

Are you engaged or know someone who is? The honeymoon is a big part of any wedding and Arkansas Bride wants to help cover the cost. 

How?

Us: How about we give you $1,000 to spend on your honeymoon airfare?!
You: "Yes, please! Just tell me how!"

One grand will go a long way to helping you reach your dream honeymoon destination, but if you've already booked your airfare, we'll still give you the $1,000 to spend on other honeymoon and newlywed expenses!

Us: 'Cause we're cool like that!
You: "Yes you are! But really, where do I enter?!"

All you have to do is fill out a simple survey here! That's it!

A winning couple will be chosen in a random drawing next Friday (May 10) and will be notified by phone. A confirmation letter will follow.

If the winning couple cannot be reached, the prize will be awarded to an alternate couple. Only one entry per couple, please!

For questions or concerns, e-mail info@arkansasbride.com.

Good luck!