Although Katie Gipson and Brad Eagle went to the same university, they didn't meet until they started their careers in Little Rock, Arkansas after graduation. After being set up by a friend, the couple went on their first date, where Brad became mesmerized by Katie's eyes. The relationship blossomed, and Brad surprised his sweetheart with more than just a ring. He gave Katie a hatbox that held designer office supplies with “Katie Marie Eagle” engraved on them, along with the ring box. As he got down on one knee, their friend was secretly recording the entire proposal. “It was truly a magical night!” muses the bride.

On a spring day in March, guests witnessed an elegant Baptist ceremony that featured music performed a classic string quartet. “I wanted to have a very traditional church wedding. It was important to me to get married in a church and start our marriage with the same values I was raised with,” the bride recalls. Following the vow exchange, the pair and their friends and family arrived at a venue dedicated to the 42nd United States President. “We had seen many pictures but had never actually been to a wedding at the Clinton Library, so we wanted to do something different than every other wedding we had attended,” she describes. They organized an elegant soirée showcasing purple and silver shades, sweet calla lily nosegays and boutonnieres, and lush floral arrangements combining white, lavender, and eggplant blooms. 

Before the dance party ensued, Katie surprised her guests with a second bridal gown paired with a fur shrug. “I have always loved fashion, and being able to express myself with two dresses was amazing,” she reveals. During the lively reception, loved ones enjoyed a gourmet four-course meal, as well as slices from a sophisticated six-tier confection. Customized silver take-home boxes designed with a crystal "E" were also provided for leftover treats. Before the clock struck midnight, family and friends cheered for the newlyweds as they exited the venue and rode off in a horse and carriage.

Despite how time-consuming wedding planning may be for many couples, Katie confides that hard work and dedication are worthwhile when planning your fantasy nuptials. “During the peak of the wedding planning for me, I was waking up at 5AM to go to the gym and then had appointments every day after work! It was tiring, but the hard work was worth it in the end.”