Out On a Limb: Florals adorned a stately tree that served as a beautiful backdrop for the ceremony.

Photo by Carter Rose Weddings

A Grand Vision: A tented dance floor was not part of the original plan—but Mother Nature had her own ideas. “Leading up to the wedding day, it rained for four days,” Emily says. “Two days before, we added the tent. And it probably turned out more beautiful than what I was envisioning.”

Photo by Carter Rose Weddings

Isn’t She Lovely: Emily chose a Romona Keveza gown from Warren Barrón Bridal.

Photo by Carter Rose Weddings

Bravo, Bella: The aisle was festooned with hydrangeas, roses, delphiniums, and more, arranged by Emily’s Bella Flora colleagues, including Cesar Diaz, who passed away in February. “It was incredible to work with him,” Emily says. “He was so good at bringing a vision to life. His legacy of beautiful weddings will live on with us.”

Photo by Carter Rose Weddings

Friends and Neighbors: Emily and Thomas asked a neighbor to serve as their wedding officiant. “It was beautiful,” says Thomas of their vow exchange.

Photo by Carter Rose Weddings

Golden Moments: Bella Flora’s sister company Bella Acento provided all the rentals for the day. Emily’s sister-in-law created day-of paper products, such as personalized menus with a wax seal for the head table. Tables were set with arrangements of white garden roses, astilbe, and ranunculus.

Photo by Carter Rose Weddings

Photo by Carter Rose Weddings

Take a Break: Emily wanted seating areas that were formal but relaxed peppered throughout the tent, providing guests a place to relax and converse casually.

Photo by Carter Rose Weddings

Sweet Dreams: Arkanscaas-based Shelby Lynn’s Cake Shoppe baked the five-tier white wedding cake. Lucy Diaz-Flores, Emily’s boss and president of Bella Flora and Bella Acento, surprised the bride with a floral plateau for the confection. It served as the centerpiece of the dining area, which sat under a sailcloth tent illuminated with vintage chandeliers.

Photo by Carter Rose Weddings

Photo by Carter Rose Weddings

Flying High: In an open field across the street from Emily’s parents’ house, the newlyweds took a minute for themselves.

Photo by Carter Rose Weddings

It Was Wedding Bells (and Bountiful Blooms) for Wedding Pro Emily Noland and Thomas Moss

By Allison Hatfield

Emily Noland

Thomas Moss

August 1, 2020

 

After Thomas Moss surprised Emily Noland with a marriage proposal in 2019, the two went to work planning their wedding for May 2, 2020. But on the very day they were to mail their formal invitations, they realized they’d need to push the date. COVID stay-at-home orders would prevent the couple from hosting 400 guests that spring, but it wouldn’t prevent them from celebrating in style later in the year. On August 1, 2020, the two sealed the deal in “a fun, elegant backyard wedding” at her parents’ home in Fayetteville, Arkansas. 

 

When the Tables Are Turned

Emily Noland has been a wedding professional for several years, most recently as vice president of operations at Bella Flora. She’s worked on scores of weddings, but last summer was the first time she was herself a bride. She found it difficult to let go and just enjoy the moment.

“It was a hard thing for me, because I always wanted to be in control,” Emily says. “I wanted it to be what I wanted it to be, versus what I’ve seen before. Now I look back, and I didn’t have to be that way.”

The experience did give her some insight into the minds of her bridal clients, however. And she feels better equipped to put her brides at ease, reassuring them “that at the end of the day, you’re going to marry your person,” no matter what else happens.

“It’s a good way for us to relate,” she says.

Credits

  • Ceremony/Reception Site

    Bride’s family home in Fayetteville, Arkansas

  • Photographer

    Carter Rose Weddings

  • Bridal Gown Designer

    Romona Keveza

  • Bridal Gown Retailer

    Warren Barrón

  • Hair & Makeup

    Jamie White

  • Groom’s Attire

    The Black Tux

  • Bridesmaids’ Dresses Retailer

    Bella Bridesmaids

  • Groomsmen’s Attire

    The Black Tux

  • Flower Girl Dress Retailer

    J’s House

  • Flowers

    Bella Flora of Dallas

  • Stationery

    Stamped Paper Co.

  • Cake

    Shelby Lynn’s Cake Shoppe

  • Catering

    Catering Unlimited

  • Music

    Professor D Band

  • Lighting

    Lightworks Events

  • Videographer

    Splendor Films

  • Wedding Rentals

    Bella Acento

  • Wedding Planner

    Natasha Gates, Anne-Claire Allen Planning & Design

  • Wedding Designer

    Emily Noland, Bella Flora of Dallas

  • Additional Vendors

    Arkansas Portable Toilets; Brianna Noland Events; BTN Designs; Burton’s Creamery; Center Stage Floors; Eventology; Koon’s Saloon Mobile Bar Service; Mercedes-Benz of Bentonville; Nuage Linens; Party Pro Rents; Sage Fine Jewelry; TNT Events and Staffing

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