The Sparks: A Wedding of Refined Elegance

It's no secret that, here at Dainty Jewells, we love a good wedding! There are weddings that dazzle, and then there are weddings that are truly timeless celebrations. This celebration was the latter—an exquisite study in refined elegance, where every detail was intentional and nothing was overstated. Soft textures, classic silhouettes, and a gentle palette came together to create a day that felt both elevated and deeply personal. From the little miracles that came together during the planning to the sweet, unforgettable moments during the ceremony and reception, this wedding was a reminder that true beauty lives in simplicity, thoughtful design, and an atmosphere of effortless grace. We are truly delighted to feature the stunning wedding of Damien and Lauryn Sparks. 

DJ: Welcome, Lauryn! How would you describe your wedding decor, theme, or vibe?

LS: I would describe my wedding as refined elegance. The venue and flowers were so beautiful that I didn’t want to add anything that might take away from them. I wanted the overall atmosphere to feel sophisticated yet timeless.

My mom, Denise McCoy, was responsible for all of the décor and floral arrangements, and she truly outdid herself. Every detail felt thoughtful & elegant.

DJ: What are some of your favorite or special memories of your wedding day?

LS: There are so many special memories from our wedding day. I loved our private vows when I couldn’t stop the happy tears from flowing! Right before I walked down the aisle, I shared a sweet conversation with my dad that I will never forget.

One of the most priceless memories for me involves our wedding cake topper. I searched high and low for the perfect vintage bride and groom topper, but no matter where I looked, I couldn’t find one I truly liked.

Thankfully, Damien and I took a trip to Arkansas to visit his grandparents. While we were sitting and talking with them, they asked if there was anything for our wedding that hadn’t quite come together yet. I told them about the cake topper I wanted but hadn’t been able to find anywhere. They graciously offered to take us to a local thrift store to see if we might find one there.

When we walked in, I told the woman at the counter what we were looking for. She said she might have something and went to the back of the store. When she returned, she handed me exactly what I had been searching for. Damien’s grandparents bought it for us, and it meant so much to me.

His grandmother told me to always remember that God cares about the little things in our lives and to never forget that. That cake topper became the perfect addition to our vintage three-tiered wedding cake and a reminder I will always treasure!

DJ: Were there any funny moments or things that didn't go according to plan?

LS: Yes, there were definitely a few things that didn’t go according to plan. The funniest moment happened during our reception entrance. My dress had a detachable train, and I was certain I would keep it on all night! Without the train, the look just wasn’t what I had envisioned.

Right after we were announced and walking into our reception, everyone was cheering, Damien accidentally stepped on my train and it came completely off. You could hear a collective, audible gasp, followed immediately by laughter when everyone realized my dress hadn’t actually ripped. My face turned bright red, but our friends & family started cheering even louder, and Damien and I couldn’t stop laughing.

It ended up being an imperfect moment that made the day even more memorable!

DJ: How did you find the perfect wedding dress?

LS: Finding the perfect wedding dress was not easy. I’m not much of a shopper, and the process was honestly exhausting. After my first day of dress shopping, I went home and slept for more than twelve hours.

After an unsuccessful day in Springfield, we decided to drive to Kansas City, where I had four, back-to-back appointments scheduled. Thankfully, I found my dress at the very first appointment. At first, I wasn’t completely sure, but my older sister and my mom assured me it was something truly special and completely unique — and they were right.

When I first started calling bridal shops and asking about modest dresses, one consultant even advised me not to visit the shop where I found my gown, saying they didn’t carry modest styles. I’m so glad I didn’t listen. While the shop wasn’t known for modest dresses, they were able to completely customize any gown. What started as a sleeveless dress with a low neckline and back was redesigned through a sketch I created with the consultant, and she brought my vision to life!

I still get a little sad knowing I’ll never have a reason to wear that dress again. It was everything I hoped for and more!

DJ: Do you have any advice for future brides?

LS: My advice to future brides is for any of the girls who also love to journal! When you’re on your flight to your honeymoon, journal the small, meaningful moments from your day! The things that might slowly slip your mind over time. Things like inside jokes that were said multiple times in the bridal suite, the sweet things people said to you, everything your parents went completely out of their way to do for you, the depth of emotion you felt while exchanging private vows, how much fun the grand exit was! Just write down anything and everything that you don’t want to forget!

DJ: Is there anything else in particular that you'd like to share about your wedding or your love story?

LS: Something else I would love to share about my wedding is the way it felt more than how it looked. I remember feeling a little overwhelmed the morning of the wedding, but after exchanging private vows and finally getting to talk with Damien, every nervous and overwhelming feeling faded away. I felt a sense of peace and joy, knowing he was about to become my husband.

Aside from wishing I could wear my dress one more time, I’ve never experienced the “wedding blues.” Life with Damien has been way more exciting, meaningful, and joyful than any single wedding day could ever be. Married life is so much fun!

DJ: Who was your wedding photographer?

LS: My photographer's name is Kori Arnold, and her website is koriarnold.com. She was amazing to work with; I couldn’t say enough good things about her and her work!