Russell & Aloysia (Aloe) Warren

Our Story

After I was turned down from several body shops for repairs on my car, I was referred to Russell’s shop, and he immediately accepted the job. We met there, talked while he fixed my car, and I was smitten. After becoming friends and spending time with him over the course of a few months, I declared to my best friend, Victoria, that this was the man I would marry someday! The whirlwind of college kept me busy for the next couple of years, but when life began to settle, we decided that we were ready to pursue a relationship together. As I got to know him even better, I realized that when I made that declaration years before, I had barely seen an ounce of how wonderful he really was. Every day that I spend with him, I am thrilled that my gut feeling was right! Before I knew it, Russell was proposing at our favorite place, an island on Lake Ouachita, and I got straight to work planning the wedding of my dreams! ~Aloe

It was special because…

Garrison Gardens is so beautiful that it allowed me to feel confident about creating my own decorations, with help, of course! My friends, Cassie and Alyssa, spent countless nights helping me bring my vision to life, and I even got to work with my mother and mother-in-law while also creating memories that I will always treasure. Mia, our officiant, was so supportive of Russell and me that she got ordained just so that she could be the one to marry us. It was such an honor to have another of my friends, Rachel Howell, singing. Their talents alone would have been enough, but they also brought so much sincerity that made the ceremony feel even more personal. Most importantly, I was able to wear the dress my grandmother had custom-made for her wedding in 1964 and that my mother also wore for hers in 1987. We did have to restore it, but somehow it fit me perfectly. As if that wasn’t special enough, for our send-off, I wore my widowed paternal grandmother’s skirt suit from when she remarried in 1992. Both of my grandmothers are no longer with us, so it meant the world to have a piece of them with us and remember and honor them when I missed them the most. These details culminated in the most magical wedding, and it will forever be my favorite day ever.

Parents of the Bride: Kenny & Aloysia Loyd

Parents of the Groom: Richard & Jenene Warren

Maids of Honor: Cassie Caldwell, Victoria Peterson

Bridesmaids: Alyssa Jones, Sarah Bullock

Best Man: Huey Estell

Groomsmen: Brandon Bailey, Mak Kinnaird, Paul Murphy

Flower Girl: Aubrie Austin, Aloysia and Melody Reynolds

Ring Bearer: Emmett Loyd

Officiant: Mia Hyman

Flowers: Made by the Bride and her friends using Sola Wood flowers and preserved greenery and florals

Hair & Make-Up: Bonnie Keith and Claire Bonds of Serenity Day Spa, Millie Huffman, Victoria Peterson

Venue: Garrison Gardens