Little Rock, Arkansas — April 23, 2022 — Luxe Red‑Toned Wedding Celebration
About the Couple
Rhianna and Corey first crossed paths at a District Running Collective (DRC) kickback — though Rhianna didn’t know Corey was the host. Months later, a chance encounter at the gym reconnected them, igniting a story that evolved from casual conversations to genuine connection, and eventually, a proposal rooted in intention and love.
Project Background
The couple envisioned a luxurious, romantic celebration filled with rich red tones, classic details, and unforgettable “wow” moments — including a dramatic helicopter send‑off. Because 90–95% of their guests were traveling from out of town, they wanted a wedding that felt welcoming, personal, and immersive.
They chose Little Rock, Arkansas for its rare combination of size, beauty, and budget‑friendly options that still allowed for a glamorous, high‑end experience.
Event Goals
- Create a luxe red‑themed wedding that felt modern, warm, and breathtaking
- Accommodate a large, mostly out‑of‑town guest list
- Deliver seamless, stress‑free execution with space for surprises
- Incorporate meaningful personal elements from pre‑ceremony to send‑off
- Keep the weekend focused on connection, joy, and guest experience
Our Approach
1. Designing a Luxe Red‑Inspired Visual Identity
The design foundation centered on deep reds, rich burgundy tones, and classic elegance, creating a look that was bold, cinematic, and romantic.
The aesthetic was carried through:
- Floral selections
- Ceremony details
- Reception tablescapes
- Custom décor accents
Every element was styled to elevate the space without overpowering the couple’s natural warmth and chemistry.
2. Guest Experience for a Mostly Traveling Guest List
Because nearly all guests arrived from out of town, ARE ensured the weekend felt welcoming by:
- Greeting guests with a playful airport‑style announcement on arrival
- Designing clear, guest-centered flow
- Coordinating logistics around travel-heavy timelines
This created a sense of excitement and anticipation from the moment guests entered the space.
3. A Ceremony Filled With Heart and Meaning
The ceremony began with two intentionally chosen entrance songs:
- Corey: “So Into You” by Donald Glover
- Rhianna: “Find Someone Like You” by Snoh Aalegra
These selections set the tone for an emotional, heartfelt exchange of vows.
4. A Reception Built Around Joy, Personality & Culinary Excellence
The reception was designed to be both glamorous and deeply personal. Elements included:
Elevated Food Experience
Rhianna is a self-described foodie, so the menu featured creative, global flavors. Highlights included:
- Caribbean citrus chicken
- Bacon‑wrapped pork tenderloin
- Vegetarian quinoa stuffed peppers
- Passed hors d’oeuvres (e.g., lemongrass chicken spring rolls, caprese pipettes)
Guest plates were consistently returned empty — the ultimate endorsement.
Meaningful Moments
- First dance to “Adore” by Prince”
- Personalized bridesmaid and groomsmen gifts
- Surprises coordinated behind the scenes by the ARE team
Surreal & Stress‑Free Execution
Rhianna described the day as “surreal, stress-free, and full of surprises,” noting that “Andrew and the team didn’t miss a beat.”
5. A Helicopter Send‑Off to End the Night
The couple’s final moment was one for the books: a dramatic helicopter exit that stunned guests and delivered a cinematic ending to a luxurious celebration. It was the ultimate wow factor — unforgettable, bold, and perfectly matched to the couple’s vibe.
Results & Impact
The rich red color palette, elegant design, and thoughtful flow created a celebration that felt both glamorous and intimate.
2. Effortless, Guest‑Centered Execution
With nearly everyone traveling for the event, guest experience was paramount — and the weekend delivered comfort, clarity, and celebration.
3. Signature Moments Guests Will Never Forget
- The airport-themed welcome
- The custom musical selections
- The immersive red reception
- The helicopter farewell
4. A Stress‑Free Wedding Day for the Couple
Thanks to full‑service coordination and production oversight, the couple moved through the day with ease, joy, and presence.
Why This Work Matters
Rhianna and Corey’s wedding is a perfect example of how luxury design, cultural warmth, intentional planning, and heartfelt moments come together to create magic. Their wedding wasn’t just visually stunning , it was a celebration of connection, travel, community, and a love story with as much personality as beauty.
How did you meet?
I slid in his DM! Which is true, but that is not how this came to be. The first time we crossed paths was actually at Corey’s house (which I didn’t know at the time). District Running Collective (DRC) was having a kickback and I decided to attend with a friend. Corey was too busy hosting to say more than hello. A few months later, we were both at the gym. I was there working on physical therapy techniques with my mentor and Corey was working out.
His personal trainer introduced him to my mentor to see if DRC could benefit from collaborating with a physical therapist. Since I just so happened to be there, I also got introduced (lucky me). I continued to go to the gym to “work on techniques” a few times per week during hours that correlated with Corey’s workout schedule. We would briefly talk in person, but we eventually exchanged Instagram information.
A few weeks went by when I was no longer coming to the gym and Corey reached out to say he missed seeing me. Conversations became more frequent, then I finally got his phone number only for him to ask me on a date.
Tell us about your wedding day.
Our wedding day was surreal. It was stress-free and full of surprises. Andrew and the team didn’t miss a beat. They had us fed, the setup went smoothly, and the bridal party was ready to go 15 minutes before ceremony time. We even had a ping pong tournament in the groom’s suite.
For me (Rhianna) when the doors of the church opened, I couldn’t even cry because I was in awe of the ceremony space. It was the first time I was seeing everything together and it was beautiful. And of course, Corey looked handsome and our guests just elevated the space.
Our day ran smoothly, all the guests knew where to go. The food and cake tasted better than the tastings.
Our DJ really got the party going and took us back to our college years. Merging Corey’s The University of Arkansas and my Florida A&M college days into one night and had the dance floor packed.
Do you have any budget-saving tips for other couples?
- Hold the programs & menus – most people throw them away. We opted for a QR quote which took guests back to our website.
- If you’re going to do favors, hand them out at the Welcome Party. Guests are more likely to grab them and keep them. If it’s food, you know they’ll enjoy it throughout the wedding weekend.
- Don’t be afraid to change locations. We wanted to get married in Washington, DC but our budget would have restricted our guest list to 50 instead of 250. We weren’t flying away in a helicopter in DC – it’s not even permitted. Despite how unconventional the location, those that matter will show up.
- Guests love cake but hate waiting. We opted for our cake design to be a faux cake. We had sheet cakes cut and ready to serve which allowed for quick distribution to our 250 guests and more time to party!
Little Rock, Arkansas Wedding Vendors:
- Venue: The Venue at Oakdale
- Wedding Planner: Andrew Roby Events
- Catering: Vibrant Occasions Catering
- DJ: DJ R-Tistic
- Florist: Tanarah Luxe Floral
- Rentals: Eventology
- Champagne Wall Rental: Please Be Seated
- Officiant: Pastor Bryan Murphy
- Hair Stylist and MUA: LaVonne Beauty
- Videographer: Diego Stuart Films
- Photographer: Vinson Images
- Invitations: Fingers In Ink
- Wedding Dress: Mary’s Designer Bridal Boutique
- Bridesmaids Dresses: David’s Bridal
- Groom and Groomsmen Tuxes: Grayscale
- Groom Rings: David Yurman
- Bride’s Rings: Brilliant Earth
- Cake: PattiCakes Bakery
- Staging & Fabrication: Central Arkansas Entertainment
- Linens: Nüage Designs
- Room Scent Experience: Scentex
- Dance Floor: The Dance Floor Man
- Custom Cufflinks: RebelGiftCo
- Bridal Converse: kidsBirthdaySets
As wedding planners in Los Angeles, DC, and Dallas, we have been part of some of the most memorable moments thanks to our clients. We hope you enjoyed seeing this wonderful wedding of Rhianna and Corey.