The weekend of May 13th was life changing for this couple. Not only did the two walk across the stage to graduate from the University of Arkansas, but they also walked down the aisle to marry one another. In one weekend they became both graduates and newlyweds. As their friends and family gathered to celebrate the Arkansas wedding, the two took their vows beneath a pair of trees that overlook the sprawling foothills of the Ozark Mountains.

Before the couple said, “I do” in front of their loved ones, they slipped away and shared a first look. We love first looks for a number of reasons, but primarily because it allows the couple to have a moment to themselves– to pull away from everything else on their wedding day, and savor the intimacy in the moment when they first behold their bride or groom. You can’t know how you will respond in that moment, and in this case we all ended up crying. Dylan and Alyssa exchanged journals that they had been keeping for each other to read just before seeing one another on their wedding day. In these journals each had written prayers for and letters to one another. As if seeing a first look wasn’t sweet enough, having just read the prayers of their future spouse really made the moment timeless. Their wedding day was filled with smiles, tears, laughter, and celebration. We couldn’t be more excited for these two and what this next season has for them!

Venue: Hillside Ranch 

Flowers: Stems By Em

Makeup: Glo Limited

Dress: David’s Bridal