The Archives

Lara Latsha
& Adam Thornton

Hunt Phelan Mansion
MARC H 1 7 , 2 0 1 8

OUR LOVE STORY BEGAN IN THE SPRING OF 2012 one fateful Friday afternoon in Knoxville, Tennessee. We were both wrapping up our junior year at The University of Tennessee; amongst the chaos of finals week, we found ourselves in the right place at the right time - our neighborhood pool - where mutual friends introduced us. We hit it off instantly and began dating one month later. From that very serendipitous day at the pool, I knew I would marry Adam. I wasn’t sure ‘why’ just yet, or certainly ‘when’, but my heart told me I had found “the one.”

Our futures after college led us to different cities, Adam in Washington, D.C., pursuing a career in the world of marketing, and me in Nashville, TN, obtaining my nursing degree. We made long distance look easy, I must say! From the adventurous monthly visits, to the Skype and daily phone calls in between, we had strengthened our love even more. Long distance looked good on us, but we longed for a touch of normalcy, too. After two and a half years of living miles apart, we finally settled together in Memphis.

Long distance Looked good on us, but we longed for a touch of normalcy, too. After two and a half years of living miles apart, we finally settled together in Memphis."

Adam proposed in the backyard of our cozy Cooper-Young bungalow in the spring of 2017, and we excitedly began planning our dream southern wedding. We were married March 17, 2018, at the Hunt Phelan Mansion before 250 friends and family. Our early evening ceremony and reception, coordinated by the Hardin House, took place in the tented courtyard and garden on a warm and breezy St. Patrick’s Day. For the ceremony, I wore my late mother’s wedding dress, its statement piece being the Queen Anne neckline, with an outfit change for the reception. The courtyard was adorned with twinkle lit trees, lush greenery, and pale pink florals made up of peonies, roses and wildflowers. Guests were treated to the sumptuous wines of Cornerstone Cellars, flown in from Napa, CA, along with southern delicacies prepared by Chef Felicia Willett. The energetic R&B music of The Soul Shockers brought the crowd to their feet all night long! To end the evening on a high note, our guests were surprised with the Memphis Second Line Jazz Band and a parade down Beale Street and B.B. King Boulevard, concluding at The Peabody Hotel. It was the best day of our lives! - LLT

Ceremony Location: Hunt Phelan Mansion
Caterer: Chef Felicia Willett
Florist: Lynn Doyle Flowers
Hair: Ryan Patrick Salon
Makeup: Kasey Acuff
Photography: Sara Ann Green Photography
Cake: Cakes by Carolyn
Band: The Soul Shockers & Memphis Second Line Jazz Band

Kelsey Jones
& Brian Stephens, Jr.

The Cadre Building
December 1 , 2 0 1 8

OUR LOVE STORY BEGAN IN J U N E 2 0 1 6 when we met through mutual friends that I went to Mississippi State with. We instantly hit it off and spent every minute of every day together. After over a year together, we went to Las Vegas to David Yurman to look at rings. A few months later, we went to my family’s annual Christmas party in Caruthersville, Missouri. We ate lunch and went to a parade that was put on by the city. At the parade, my cousins all decided that they wanted to be in the parade. We were waiting for my cousins to come down and when I looked they were with two banners - one that said “All I want for Christmas is you- will you Merry Me?” and then another one that said “Kelsey will you marry me?”.

We were waiting for my cousins to come down and when I looked they were with two banners - one that said “All I want for Christmas is you- will you Merry Me?” and then another one that said “Kelsey will you marry me?

When I looked down Brian was on one knee and asked me to marry him. I was so excited. We were married December 1, 2018, at the Cadre Building with 250 of our closest friends and family. Our ceremony and reception was hosted both at the Cadre Building on a sunny, warm December day. We had a “winter wonderland” wedding filled with lighted and floral trees and blush pink decor. It was so magical! Guests enjoyed breakfast food at the reception and personalized iced coffee. The guests took home milk and Krispy Kreme donuts in customized Mr and Mrs Stephens boxes. We left in a 1955 Chevy Bel Air from Rockabilly Rides, and left for our Honeymoon to cruise to Mexico! It was truly the best day ever!

Ceremony Location: The Cadre Building
Dress: Hayley Paige from Elle James Bridal
Tuxes: American Tuxedo Memphis
Rings: David Yurman
Wedding Planner: Salt Style & Events
Venue Decor: White Door Events
Photography: Kelly Ginn Photography
Videography: Malik Sharp
Flowers: Le Fleur
Hair: Melissa Simpson & Samantha Steck
at Ryan Patrick Salon

Makeup: Ashley Guy at Kiss & Makeup Memphis
Shoes: Guiseppe Zannoti
Accessories: Haute Bride from Maggie Louise
Cake: The Flour Garden
Caterer: Paradox Chef
Photobooth: Hotshots Photobooth
Stationery: Menage
Lettering: Presley Casto
Band: The Soul Shockers & Memphis Second Line Jazz Band
Getaway Car: Rockabilly Rides

Hannah Bingham & Michael Roper

The Lake House, Watercolor, FL
J U N E 2 , 2 0 1 8

HANNAH B INGHAM, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chris Bingham, and Michael Roper, son of Carmen Crane Roper Bond and the late Mike Roper were married on June 2, 2018 in Watercolor, FL. After a rainy day, the weather broke,  and the most beautiful wedding took place on the beach with the sun setting in the background. The vocalist for the wedding was a dear family friend, Dr. Richard Todd Payne and he sang "On This Day". The very moving and meaningful vows were officiated by Reverend Larry Ray. After the wedding kiss, the newlyweds celebrated with friends and family at the Lake House overlooking Western Lake at Watercolor. A night of feasting on the bride and groom's favorite foods and dancing into the night was enjoyed by all.

The bride wore a beautiful dress designed by Berta Bride. The mermaid lace dress was backless and had spaghetti straps, a sweeping beaded train, and had a special feature of scattered 3-D hand embroidered scalloped shells. The bridesmaids wore silk chiffon dresses in a soft misty blue. The bride's dress was from Maggie Louise and the bridesmaids dresses were from Bella Bridesmaids. The Groom and his groomsmen wore ecru linen pants and white linen shirts provided by James Davis in Memphis. The relaxing and happy evening continued into the night and was celebrated by many of the bride and groom's family and friends who came from all over the country to celebrate with them.

On the eve of the wedding a lovely rehearsal dinner was given by the groom's mother, Carmen Roper Bond, at the clubhouse at Churchill Oaks overlooking the Bay. Everyone enjoyed a happy hour of specialty cocktails and an oyster bar featuring oysters prepared in 5 ways. The highlight of the evening was listening to beautiful toasts to the bride and groom from dear family members and friends. The night ended with dancing under the stars.

On Thursday night, friends of the groom's mother hosted a Welcome Beach Bonfire Bash in honor of the bride and groom. On Friday the bride and groom's aunts hosted a Bridesmaids luncheon at the Surfing Deer Restaurant.

The photographer was Jerry Borwick. The videographer was Message in the Bottle.

After a honeymoon island hopping in the Greek Islands, the happy couple reside in High Point
Terrace in Memphis.