Staff show botanical garden’s special events potential
Posted on Monday, September 10, 2007
Engaged couples might soon be asking people to get to the garden on time instead of the church.
That's what Sarah King, director of community programs at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, is hoping after the first-ever Wedding in the Garden Bridal Show on Sunday.
"This is really a premier wedding venue," King said of the garden. "It's such a beautiful place."
The show hosted 32 vendors all showing their wares to brides- and grooms-to-be. Locals could check out photographers, cakes, catering companies, salon services and flower vendors to help prepare for the big day.
Brittany Kendrick, a wedding consultant for Luxe Derma Spa and Beauty Salon, said it was one of the most unique bridal shows she has attended.
"It's outdoors and it looks so pretty with all the flowers," she said.
Kendrick showed her store's salon services to a few blushing brides. She said she also enjoyed the opportunity to be around other vendors.
"It's a great networking opportunity," she said.
To help couples see what a wedding would look like in the garden, the show included a mock wedding in its Rose Garden.
The bride and groom who helped out were actually the first couple to be married in the botanical garden after its opening in May. Karl and Kellie Coleman had a bit of deja vu as they said their vows again Sunday to give people a visual aid.
Kellie Coleman recommended getting married at the garden.
"I think it's awesome," she said. "The (garden staff ) was really helpful, and everything was beautiful."
King said the whole bridal show was just another way of introducing Northwest Arkansas to one of the area's unique features.
"Everything we do this year is sort of introducing us to the broader community," she said. "We really want the garden to be important to the fabric of this community."
She said the garden is not limited to weddings. Personal parties, family get-togethers, birthdays and community concerts would all fit nicely at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, she said.
"It's such a beautiful place and a really great place to have those life celebrations," she said. "And this is a great way for people to see all the different ways this space can be used. "
King said she hopes to bring back the bridal show.
Liz Esch, an administrator for garden, said she had heard a lot of positive feedback about weddings in the garden and that 2008 is already starting to get booked.
"We're really excited because we're the only venue of this kind in Northwest Arkansas," she said.
Anyone interested in checking out the garden can contact Esch at lizesch @ bgozarks. org or call 750-2620.
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