Between the Boxwood

Real Hazen Bride: Hillary Hornor

Real Hazen Bride: Hillary Hornor March 10 , 2021 , 0 comments

Hillary Dunklin and Stewart Hornor wed on July 11, 2020 at Five Oaks Lodge in Arkansas. Though their original plans were affected by COVID-19, this couple took a close look at the aspects of a wedding day that were most important to them to ensure their special day was one they'll cherish forever.

In three words, describe your wedding style?

Timeless, Intentional and Joyful

What provided the most inspiration for your wedding?

Five Oaks Lodge – the place where Stewart and I met. Five Oaks Lodge has been in our family for years. I grew up across the street from Five Oaks, and it became home to many special and happy memories throughout my life (with meeting Stewart being on the top of the list)! I am a very sentimental person, so I wanted our wedding to include those pieces that were special to both of us as a couple. Before our plans were altered due to COVID-19, it was my hope that our original reception venue would feel as if you were walking directly into Five Oaks. We included a watercolor image of mallard ducks in flight on the envelope liner of our invitation suite, designed a wedding cake that included watercolor work of the oak trees and rice stalks found on the farm (since my dad is a rice farmer) and had two large duck topiaries at the entrance. Little did we know that the Lord had better a plan in store all along, and we actually got to say, “I do” and dance the night away at the actual place itself.

In addition to Five Oaks, the two words: joy and happiness served as an inspiration for our wedding. Stewart and I both wanted our wedding to reflect the joy and happiness we have received from our Lord, and the joy and excitement He has given us by allowing us to be together! Cue the confetti (literally)! Ultimately, we wanted our day to point others directly to Him.

What aspect of wedding planning was most exciting to you?

Stewart and I found out about 6-8 weeks before our big day that our original wedding plans would have to change. Not only would the number of guests be affected (at the time only 50 could gather in the state of Arkansas), but our church announced that they would continue livestreaming until August, and our reception venue would be closed until September. After sitting down with our parents, we decided that July 11th would still be our wedding date- the day the Lord created for us. Therefore, we wanted our wedding to feel just as so! We looked at our original plans and decided what elements we could keep and implement at the lodge (just on a smaller scale) and what parts we would need to start over on. After we had our plan in place, it was so fun to select little details that would make our day special including custom duck calls for the guests, acrylic shaped duck menu cards since now we would have a seated dinner and 7-11 slushies for the dance floor!

In addition to selecting little details to make our night special, I loved picking out intentional gifts to give to those special people in my life. From designing custom needlepoint cummerbunds for both my dad and Stewart to wear on our big day to working with Taylor on selecting and designing the perfect pieces for both my bridesmaids and family members, it was truly so much fun to give a thoughtful gift to those who have been so supportive of me for forever!

What made you decide on Hazen for your big day?

Taylor has been one of my closest and dearest friends for years! We met in college, and I’m so thankful that we have stayed so close throughout the years. Taylor designed the perfect, timeless pieces for my sister’s wedding in 2017, and I knew I wanted her help in selecting the jewelry for my wedding as well!

It was SO much fun working with Taylor. Taylor was actually a bridesmaid in my wedding (even if it did mean cheering me on from miles away on my big day), so she knew the colors and style of wedding that I was going for. As soon as I told her I wanted to include lots of pink, she created the perfect earring for my bridesmaids. I also told her that I wanted a special piece for a few other important women in my life including my mom, my mother-in-law and Jan Jan, a grandmother figure in my life. Taylor listened to my requests and picked out the absolute perfect pieces for each lady! It was such a fun process, and I’m forever grateful for the time and thought Taylor put into the entire experience!