John McLarty and Courtney Clarkson were college sweethearts at Ole Miss. After college, they were living in Birmingham when they got engaged in April 2012. It was late at night, and Courtney noticed John kneeling down to pet their dog Rebel. She walked over to give Rebel some love, too, when she looked over and John had an engagement ring out and asked Courtney to marry him. Though living in Birmingham at the time, there was no place like home for this Louisville girl to get married. They were engaged for a year, and definitely needed that longer engagement period to get their wedding planned properly. She wanted all the best that Louisville has to offer for her 450 guests, who traveled from everywhere from Colorado to North Carolina to spend this special day in May 2013 with the bride and groom.
Courtney Clarkson and John McLarty
The rehearsal dinner hosted by the groom’s family was at the Kentucky Derby Museum the night before the wedding. Guests enjoyed delicious food from The Silver Spoon and danced to the tunes of Burning Las Vegas outside near the track in a clear tent lit by chandeliers. The most special guest at dinner that night was 2009 Derby winner Mine That Bird, who joined them outside the party.
For the wedding, it was all about the details, and thankfully, Courtney’s decisions during the planning stage were easy. Her family loves to entertain, and for the wedding, she used many of the people that her parents had worked with over the years. She’s known her wedding planner Sandy Mead since she was a little girl, as well as the owners of The Silver Spoon catering company. Courtney picked blue and gold as the colors for her black-tie wedding. For her flowers, she wanted shades of pink to add a soft and romantic feel, and she trusted family florist Wayne Esterle at In Bloom Again to create the perfect ambience for the event.
This beautiful ring awaits Courtney’s hand.
Micro-beaded Valentino Mary Jane shoes are the finishing touch to this incredible bridal ensemble.
Bridesmaids in their matching pink robes help Courtney get ready.
Courtney gets her veil ready. Her beautiful headpiece really shines in this picture.
The dress was Courtney’s favorite part of the wedding planning process, and for good reason. She went to Neiman Marcus in Dallas to find it with her mother and twin sister Caroline. It is the Lissome dress by Ines Di Santo.
The neckline of this Ines Di Santo dress is stunning.
Flowers by In Bloom with crystals interspersed with pink blooms
Bridesmaids wore navy blue, one-shoulder, long gowns from Rebecca’s with beautiful earrings by Summer Eliason.
As Courtney and her father Bobby wait in the wings of St. John’s United Church of Christ before the ceremony, she gets the “thumbs up” that the groom has a ring.
You may kiss the bride!
It is all smiles as the McLartys return down the aisle.
Courtney and John share a sweet private moment after the ceremony.
The ballroom at the Henry Clay was awash in shades of pink
Stunning three-level centerpieces done by In Bloom with shades of pink and crystals
The Silver Spoon catering company, run by friends of the Clarkson family since before the twins were born, provided a five-star meal for wedding guests.
An extra-long table for the wedding party was in the center of the room. Smaller round tables surrounded it.
The bride and groom, in the center of the room, are seated and ready for the grand dinner and reception to begin.
The groom, looking dashing in his formal tux and tails, clasps his bride’s hand as they start their first dance.
Best picture of the wedding! Courtney and her father Bobby Clarkson do the father-daughter dance their own way.
As Mama Susan Clarkson reins Courtney back in with her stole, guests danced until 1 a.m. to the tunes of Rupert’s Orchestra out of Atlanta.
Courtney and John leave in the early morning hours amidst a sea of sparklers.
Leaving this wonderful night in a horse-drawn carriage, ready to start their new life as husband and wife
Food trucks awaited the guests outside the reception where they thoroughly enjoyed grilled cheeses.
Congrats to the newlyweds! And thank you for sharing your special day with us!
Curious who helped create the magic? Check out the vendor list below:
Vendors:
- Photography: Todd Pellowe
- Wedding planner: Sandy Mead of Streamers Events, (502) 619-3600, [email protected]
- Wedding dress: Ines Di Santo
- Bridesmaids’ dresses: Watters at Rebecca’s Bridal
- Bridesmaids’ earrings: Summer Eliason
- Groom’s and groomsmen’s Tuxes: Rebecca’s Bridal
- Hair: Hali B & Co Salon
- Makeup: beauty by Bethany
- Hairpiece: Neiman Marcus Bridal Salon, Dallas
- Flowers: In Bloom Again with Wayne Esterle
- Venue: The Henry Clay
- Catering: The Silver Spoon
- Cake: Mert’s Cakes by Virginia
- Band: Rupert’s Orchestra from Atlanta
- Invitations: Impressions by Helene Cooper
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