When Hannah and Justin Messer envisioned their perfect wedding day, they dreamed of an elegant celebration in a light, airy space that could be transformed into a personalized canvas for their love story. As their chosen caterer, we at Vibrant Occasions had the privilege of witnessing their vision come to life while providing a memorable culinary experience for their guests. Today, we’re sharing this beautiful celebration from our unique perspective at the heart of their reception.
A Louisiana Love Story in an Arkansas Setting
Hannah and Justin’s journey began at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA, during Hannah’s freshman year. “I will forever be thankful for sweet Ruston for bringing me my forever,” Hannah shared with us. Their connection, which started in college, eventually led them to choose The Grandeur House in Arkansas for their wedding celebration.
Hannah discovered their venue through Instagram (a thoroughly modern beginning to their traditional celebration). “I kept talking to my family and friends about how I was having so much trouble finding an Arkansas venue that met my personal style,” Hannah explained. “I very much wanted a light, airy, blank canvas that I could make my own with my chosen colors.” The Grandeur House, with its stunning open floor plan, provided exactly that…a beautiful backdrop that allowed their design team to create a space uniquely reflective of the couple.
A Day of Culinary Delight
As caterers, our perspective on wedding days is unique as we witness the careful orchestration behind the scenes while also sharing in the joy of the celebration. For Hannah and Justin’s wedding, we worked closely with their planner, Delia Jeffcoat Events, to ensure that the culinary experience matched the elegance of the overall design.
“Our food, thanks to Mrs. Mary and her incredible staff, checked every box and then some,” Hannah told us afterward. “Every bite was decadent and filled with so much flavor. There was not a person in the room that let how wonderful their meal was go unnoticed!”
The menu we crafted featured elevated southern cuisine with sophisticated presentation, perfectly complementing the elegant aesthetic of the day while providing comforting, familiar flavors. Guests were treated to passed hors d’oeuvres during cocktail hour while the wedding party finished photos, followed by a seated dinner service that allowed everyone to relax and truly savor the experience.
A Family Celebration
What made this wedding particularly special was the presence of Hannah and Justin’s daughter, who participated as their flower girl. “Although she started out very unsure of the whole flower girl concept, the dance floor made up for all of her troubles and oh how she danced the night away!” Hannah shared. “Seeing our day through her eyes made it that much more special for us.”
Thoughtful Details
The design created by Brianna Belton Design transformed The Grandeur House into a romantic dream, with soft florals in blush and cream tones accented with touches of gold throughout the space. The stunning installation above the head table created a focal point that drew every eye in the room.
As the culinary team, we worked to ensure our presentation complemented these design elements. From carefully styled appetizers to beautifully plated main courses, every culinary touch was designed to enhance the overall aesthetic while delighting the palate.
One particularly enchanting element was the champagne bar by Champagne Charlie’s Bubble Bar, which served as both a beautiful display and a functional beverage station. Paired with a cotton candy stand from Lemon and Puff for late-night treats, these special touches created memorable moments throughout the evening.
An Unforgettable Send-Off
As the evening drew to a close and guests lined up for the couple’s departure, our team was busy behind the scenes preparing their final surprise—gourmet to-go boxes for the newlyweds to enjoy later that night. After all, many couples are so busy during their reception that they barely get to taste the food they’ve selected!
Hannah and Justin made their exit in a classic car from Arkansas Destinations, surrounded by the glow of sparklers and cold spark fountains from Central Arkansas Entertainment. It was a magical ending to a day that, as Hannah described, was “nothing short of remarkable and unforgettable.”
The Vibrant Occasions Difference
For our team, every wedding is an opportunity to create not just a meal, but a meaningful part of a couple’s most special day. Hannah and Justin’s celebration exemplifies why we love what we do by bringing people together around beautiful food in celebration of love.
“If we could do it all over again, Vibrant Occasions would be our #1 pick,” Hannah told us afterward…words that mean everything to our dedicated team.
As you plan your own wedding celebration, remember that the right catering partner becomes part of the team that brings your vision to life, creating flavors and experiences that your guests will remember long after the last dance.
Vendor Team
Photography: Michala Vaughn Photography, @micahlavaughn
Venue: The Grandeur House, @thegrandeurhouse
Wedding Planner: Delia Jeffcoat Events, @deliajeffcoatevents
Catering: Vibrant Occasions Catering, @vibrantoccasionscatering
Floral Design: Brianna Belton Design, @briannabeltondesign
Videography: Braniff Productions, @braniffproductions
Makeup: Haley Marie’s Vanity, @haleymariesvanity
Hair Stylist: Allie Bourgeois, @hairby.allieb
Rentals: Lilac Lane Rentals, @lilaclanerentals
Cakes: Social Bites Confections, @socialbitesconfections
Paper Products: Kelly Avery, @designsbykellyavery
Calligraphy for Invitation Suite: Paper Glaze Calligraphy, @paperglazecalligraphy
Wedding Crest Design and Calligraphy: Kaitlin Broadway, @kaitlin.christine
Napkins: The Bow Shop, @thebowshop3
DJ: DJ Michael Green, @djgreenproductions
Dance Floor & Cold Spark Fountains: Central Arkansas Entertainment, @cae_lr
Car: Arkansas Destinations, @arkansasdestination
Cotton Candy Stand: Lemon and Puff, @lemonandpuff
Champagne Bar: Champagne Charlie’s Bubble Bar
String Quartet: All Strings For Granted
Wedding Dress Designer: Alyssa Kristin, @akristinbridal
Wedding Dress Retailer: A&Bé Bridal Shop, @aandbe_bridalshop
Bridesmaids Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids, @bellabridesmaids
Groom’s and Groomsmen’s Attire: Squire’s Formalwear, @squirestux
Engagement Ring: Trinity Diamonds, @trinity.diamonds.tucson
Wedding Bands: Murphy Pitard Jewelers, @murphypitardjewelers