There’s something magical about combining historic architecture with fresh, modern design elements, and this styled shoot at the E.O. Manees House in North Little Rock’s Argenta district perfectly captured that delightful fusion. Planned by Bailey Smith Events, this inspiration shoot brought together vibrant colors, citrus accents, and elegant details that felt both timeless and refreshingly contemporary. For couples seeking inspiration for their own summer celebrations, this shoot photographed by Photography by Karla offers countless ideas for incorporating bright colors, seasonal elements, and personalized touches into their big day. Each detail works together to create a celebration that feels both elevated and effortlessly enjoyable – exactly what a summer wedding should be!
Historic venue: Colonial architecture
The E.O. Manees House provided a stunning backdrop throughout, its Colonial Revival architecture adding gravitas to every frame captured by Photography by Karla. The venue’s high ceilings, elegant fireplaces, and original chandeliers created an atmosphere of Southern sophistication that perfectly balanced the shoot’s more playful elements.
Coral-inspired color palette
The color palette wove together coral, peach, bright yellow and hints of powder blue, creating a sophisticated yet playful atmosphere throughout the historic mansion. “I wanted to design something that felt fresh and fun for a summer soirée,” shared Bailey Smith. “The combination of bold and muted tones, along with actual citrus elements, helped bring that fresh feeling to life.”
Custom venue invitations
The invitation suite, a collaboration between Bailey Smith Events and Lesley Withrow with Central Arkansas Entertainment, cleverly incorporated an illustration of the venue itself on the reception card – a thoughtful nod to the historic setting. The suite’s soft pink palette and delicate floral motifs set the tone for the celebration to come.
2025 trend: Table lamps
Central Arkansas Entertainment’s custom touches extended beyond paper goods throughout the venue, from bespoke acrylic coasters and elegant lamp rentals to a stunning custom welcome sign, demonstrating how thoughtfully curated details can transform a space while maintaining its historic charm.
Colorful florals – subtle textures
The floral design by Magnolia Belle Floral was nothing short of spectacular, featuring an abundance of coral charm peonies, butterfly ranunculus, and Country Home peach roses. White cosmos and snapdragons added airiness to the arrangements, while delicate rice flower provided subtle texture.
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Tapered candles and gold accents
The centerpiece design cascaded across the tablescape, complemented by tall white taper candles and gold accents.
Vintage-meets-modern place settings
The place settings married vintage and modern elements, with textured lily pad plates from Anthropologie paired with gleaming gold flatware. Each setting featured a charming mini dessert, offering guests a preview of the sweet treats to come.
Hand-crafted cocktails and cards
The tablescape was completed with hand-calligraphed place cards and an artisanal cocktail menu crafted by Southern Sippery. Their signature drinks included a classic French 75, a playful Pink Flamingo, and a Blood Orange Old Fashioned – each one perfectly complementing the citrus-inspired color palette while offering guests a sophisticated selection of libations.
Citrus cake trio
One of the shoot’s most striking elements was the trio of cakes by Sweets by Logan, each telling its own citrus-inspired story. The central cake, a classic wedding cake flavor, featured a gradient orange design adorned with candied orange slices, while its companions – one a bright lemon cake and the other a decadent white chocolate raspberry – sported fresh floral toppers in corresponding yellow and pink hues. These showstoppers were elevated on custom acrylic stands wrapped in a bespoke pattern – a unique touch designed by Central Arkansas Entertainment.
