Whitt-Nesbit Wedding in Eureka Springs - The Bride's Story

On my very first blind date I met my husband. I was teaching in Kansas and one day I asked my co-worker, Tara, if she knew anyone that she could introduce to me. The next week, Josh (her brother) was in town on his way home from a job interview in St. Louis. We both had high hopes that we were going on the first date with our new spouses... within the year, Josh asked me to marry him.
Growing up, I had always wanted an extravagant wedding. I am from Texarkana, Texas, and started planning my ”backyard” wedding back in middle school. Hundreds of flowers. Incredible food. Even swans. And, of course, the whole town would be invited.
However, when it actually became time to plan the big day, my vision changed. Josh and I really wanted something intimate with only our closest family and friends. We had moved to Portland and wanted to find that perfect indoor setting in Oregon. It soon became clear that an Oregon wedding would not work... no perfect location and too difficult for family and friends to travel.


Since I was determined not to get married in Texarkana, I remembered my vacation as a child to Eureka Springs, the glass chapel we had visited, and my childhood dream to be married there someday. The next weekend we traveled to Eureka Springs and once again I was overcome by how spiritual Thorncrown Chapel feels. It was perfect! It was like being outside in nature but without the weather worries. For the reception, I knew The Crescent Hotel was the perfect choice. We wanted a place that was unique... not your same old reception hall. I fell in love with the tall ceilings and all of the gorgeous dark wood.
Our wedding day... perfect. At The Crescent Hotel, my bridesmaids and I had the New Moon Spa bridal suite all day to get ready. What a perfect way to prepare and with my best friends, yet.
The chapel was amazing. We planned the ceremony exactly at sunset. As I walked down the aisle, the fading sunlight glowed behind the silhouettes of the trees. It was so intimate and I was surrounded by those I loved. There were few flowers only the sparkle of our candles on the glass walls and ceiling. (Neither location needed much decoration. They are both full of character and beauty on their own.)


The reception at The Crescent was amazing. The tables were decorated in beautiful brown tablecloths and pink and orange flowers. The food was gourmet; a full five-course meal. We were so full -and our clothes so tight- we could barely swallow our bites of wedding cake. I did not have to worry about one, single detail.
The entire evening was a whirlwind but we knew it was perfect A spiritual, intimate party celebrating true love that started as a hopeful blind date. We could not have wanted for anything else... not even the swans.
Emma (Whitt) Nesbit