Katherine Margaret Hatfield and Leo Mark Neblett exchanged their nuptial vows on Saturday, May 30, 2015 at 6 p.m. The double ring wedding ceremony was held at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Little Rock and was officiated by Rev. Father Jason Tyler. Katherine is the daughter of Sonny and Becky Johnson of Slovak and Patrick Hatfield Sr. of Des Arc. She is the granddaughter of the late Cyril and Helen Basler Plafcan of Slovak and the late Raymond and Elizabeth Fischer Hatfield of Little Rock.
Leo is the son of Louis and Helga Paliege Neblett of Crossett. He is the grandson of Gisela Paliege and the late Leo Paliege of Stuttgart, Germany and the late Louis Neblett Sr. and Thelma Mathew Hill.
As the guests entered the church vestibule, they were greeted by Kate Cravens and Jennie Cravens of Little Rock, friends of the couple. They presided over the table which held the bridal memory book, and also handed to each guest, the wedding programs designed and created by the bride and groom. Included in the program was a written remembrance of the late grandparents of Katherine and Leo, and a special thank you from the couple to their families. Large live ferns placed on each side of the altar were the only décor added to the beauty of the statuary and the architectural magnificence of St. Edward’s.
Nuptial music was provided by St. Edward’s Church organist, Mr. Phillip Quick, who played selections one half hour prior to the service. Before the ceremony, the mothers of the couple were seated at the front of the church while Schubert’s “Ava Maria” played. The bridal party entered the church to Bach’s “Air on G” and as the bride processed the aisle, “Marche Nuptiale” by Caron filled the church.
Given in marriage by her parents and escorted by her step-father, Sonny Johnson, the bride wore a Galina Signature gown. The strapless ivory lace sheath gown was embellished by a removable capelet that was ornamented with crystals and pearls. Revealed as she walked down the aisle was a dramatic chapel train. The bride’s fingertip circle cut tulle veil was of ivory illusion and featured a blusher veil. Adorning her upswept hair was a pearl and rhinestone encrusted Ava Couture headband. Her bouquet was a large arrangement of baby’s breath, stephanotis and greenery hand tied with ivory satin and secured with pearl tipped pins. Entwined in her flowers was a small iridescent pearl bead rosary. The bride wore a pair of crocheted gloves which belonged to her grandmother Helen, who first wore them at her sister’s wedding May 9, 1950. The bride’s jewelry, a pair of Ben Amun cluster earrings of marquis-shaped Swarovski crystals, were a gift from her mother.
The mother of the bride chose a floor length ensemble with a V-neck bodice of bronze metallic popover lace highlighted with golden threads that included a satin ribbon sash paired with a bronze column skirt. She wore diamond and crystal starburst earrings. The groom’s mother wore an ankle length ecru lace gown sprinkled with iridescent sequins completed by a matching lace jacket accented with a rhinestone closure at the waist.
Attending the bride as her maid of honor was her sister, Ms. Sarah Hatfield of Slovak. She chose a floor length champagne V-neck gown of lace and sequins to the waist which then flowed into a pleated taffeta skirt. Bridesmaids were Audra Trotter Myers of Rogers, Hannah Ware Herriman of Bentonville, and Emily Wade Wilson of Maumelle. At the request of the bride, the bridesmaids each chose a short gown that reflected their own personality and style.
Cocktail dresses of chiffon blush, rose gold sequined lace, and a blush and gunmetal sequined print came together in a cohesive look. They all carried small bouquets of pale blush hydrangeas centered with a stunning dahlia.
The groom wore a black Calvin Klein tuxedo from Men’s Warehouse and a boutonniere of blush roses. The groomsmen and fathers of the couple wore a variation of the same. The ushers wore black suits of their choice. Serving the groom as best man was his brother Anthony Neblett of Conway. Groomsmen were Dr. Andrew Bryan of Hot Springs, Edric Garcia of Bryant, and Adam Cass of Little Rock. Ushers were Patrick Hatfield Jr. of Conway, brother of the bride, and Bryce Teater of Little Rock, friend of the bride and groom. The Lector was Patrick Hatfield Jr. who read the scriptures Genesis 2: 18-24, 1 Corinthians 12:31-13: 8A, 1 John After the exchange of vows and rings, Fr. Tyler presented the couple to the congregation.
The bride and groom left the church happily as husband and wife, to Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy.”
Following the ceremony, the bride’s parents, Sonny and Becky Johnson, hosted the reception at the Junior League of Little Rock. The mother of the bride greeted the guests and read a short prayer. At this time, she also invited the guests to write a message or leave a “tidbit of wisdom” to the couple on heart-shaped cards to be placed in a memory box that will be opened on their first anniversary May 30, 2016. She then introduced Fr. Jason Tyler who offered the meal prayer to bless the food.
Guests dined in the ballroom. The buffet was served from long tables covered in white cloths and centered with large arrangements of baby’s breath and greenery. Adding to the table décor were small hurricane globes tied with gold ribbon which held floating gold candles. Small iridescent and gold stones were sprinkled onto all the tables to accent the flowers and candles. The buffet featured pot roast, mashed potatoes, marinated chicken breasts, pesto pasta, grilled summer vegetables, and garden and strawberry salads prepared and served by Rx.
The bride’s table was dressed in a gold embossed satin tablecloth which held the four tier wedding cake created by Mickey’s Cakes and Sweets of Little Rock. Each layer was unique and began with blush rosettes, followed by gold metallic icing decorated with gold rhinestones, ivory polka dots and the top layer of gold fully encased in gold rhinestones. Each cake layer was a different flavor and included classic white with vanilla buttercream, lemon cake with lemon buttercream, and red velvet. The cake topper held the golden laser-cut excerpt from Beethoven’s love letters to The Immortal Beloved and read “Ever Ours.” A special treat was the traditional Slovak apricot and pecan kolaches lovingly made for the event by the Slovak Bakers. White rose-shaped buttercream mints made by Catherine Bednar, and mixed nuts were also served.
Jenn McDannold and Lisa Whitmire, friends of the groom, served the wedding cake. The groom opted to offer cigars and scotch in lieu of additional sweets. Cigar cutters and personalized match books as wedding favors were featured at his table. As the couple cut and tasted their wedding cake, they enjoyed champagne served in Italian cut crystal toasting flutes.
The circular dining tables at which the guests were seated were covered in ivory cloths. Some tables were decorated with baby’s breath bouquets displayed in golden candlestick vases, while others held tall water-filled cylindrical glass vases in which blush dahlias and candles floated.
The bride and groom’s dinner table was dressed with a gold sequin table runner and featured “K” and “L” wooden cut-outs, as well as crystal vases with floating dahlias and candles centering their table. All arrangements were designed by Fairy Tale Florals of North Little Rock.
The couple’s choreographed first dance was to “Ho Hey” by The Lumineers.
Katherine and her stepfather danced to “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You,” by Rod Stewart. Leo and his mother danced to “What a Wonderful World,” by Louis Armstrong. The guests enjoyed an open bar and dancing and were entertained by DJ Complete Weddings and Events, who provided music for the reception. A special anniversary dance was held in place of the traditional bridal bouquet toss. All married couples were invited onto the dance floor. As the music played, The DJ announced years and decades of marriage. Those couples married less than the year mentioned were then seated. Finally, the DJ announced 50 years……the last couple dancing was Robert and Judy Brasko of Slovak, who celebrated their Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary June 26, 2015. Katherine presented the couple with a small bouquet of flowers in honor of their Golden Anniversary. Interestingly, at the wedding of their daughter, Annette Brasko Sterl, on June 10, 2006, Katherine’s own grandparents Cyril and Helen Plafcan were honored in this same way with the distinction of being married 51 years at the Brasko-Sterl wedding.
For their unique send-off and to close the evening’s celebration, the bride and groom left the reception through a walkway lined on both sides with wedding guests waving brightly colored glow sticks. Photograhic memories for the evening were captured by Heather of Heather Canterbury Photography.
The couple plan a delayed wedding trip and are at home in Little Rock where the groom is the Senior Systems Administrator for the Baptist Health Schools Little Rock, and the bride is the office manager for Cypress Properties Inc.
The groom’s family hosted a rehearsal dinner at Cantina Laredo on the evening before the wedding. Family members, the wedding party and friends of the couple enjoyed a delicious meal. The groom introduced everyone present. Twenty-five guests were in attendance.
Several parties and showers leading up to the wedding were enjoyed by the couple, their families and friends.
A bachelorette party and lingerie shower was given by Katherine’s friends on the weekend of April 16 and 17 in Little Rock at the Marriot Residence Inn. Those attending the fun-filled weekend were Audra Myers, Hannah Harriman, Emily Wilson, Sarah Hatfield, Jennie Cravens, Kate Cravens, Lisa Whitmire, Jenn MacDannold, Shayla Teater, and Becky Johnson.
A miscellaneous bridal shower was given by Ladies of Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Slovak on Sunday April 19 at 2:00 pm in the Msgr. Janesko Parish Hall. Hostesses were Roberta Uhiren, Susan Lisko, Catherine Bednar, Cindy Bednar, Carolyn Lisko, Paula Hooks, Judy Brasko, Carol Hooks, Natalie Gray, Pauline Melkovitz, Mary Ann Hill, Babs Lisko, Vangie Baldwin, Shelia Bednar, Marilyn Saranie, and Virginia Lisko.
Showers held Thursday April 23 at the Baptist Health School hosted by Lisa Whitmire and Jenn McDannold, and Friday May 15 at Dugan’s Irish Pub given by Brandee Moss, Celeste Thomas, Kate Cravens, and Jennie Cravens all helped to celebrate the couple as they approach the newest chapter in their lives.Read more at:cheap evening dresses