By Lana Pierce
Of all the weddings I ever attended, the ceremony joining my longtime friend, Jeni Emerson, and her soulmate, Glenn Thornton, remains fixed in my memory as one of the most romantic—and unconventional.
Sixteen years ago, the pair took the stage of the old Malco Theatre. Below velvet curtains and dim spotlights, the proscenium framed Jeni and Glenn perfectly as they exchanged vows in a swirl of romantic music and the wafting scent of candles.
To say the pair is still enthusiastically creative only hints at their myriad talents. Add two sons into the mix, and the Thorntons stand as one of the city’s most eclectic families. Their talents and artistic philosophy now fuel Blissful Hot Springs, an unusual wedding and event business.
Prior to the business launch, Jeni and Glenn had spent years planning and hosting parties for family and friends. When asked to officiate a friend’s wedding, Jeni became ordained. She’d already designed the event and created the stationery. The idea seed was planted: why not build a business around the hobby of helping? She describes it as “a creative perfect storm.”
Together, they’ve shaped a business model that branches out from the roots of “traditional” weddings. Elopement? Sure! Pop-up ceremony? They’re ready for you. Need a backdrop for a birthday party or baby shower? They’ve got you covered. Specialized long-planned event or same-day spur-of-the-moment wedding? Blissful strives to take the unorthodox and make it beautiful, memorable, and within budget
“There’s no single ‘right’ way to get married,” Jeni explains. While no two couples should feel pressured into a traditional mold, every couple should feel each wedding detail reflects them. “Nothing is an afterthought” in the Thorntons’ planning process.
Thinking back to an autumn afternoon when Jeni outlined her idea for Blissful, I worried the local market might be saturated, but she and Glenn saw a void and knew they could help. “In the South,” she notes, “[couples] still face real challenges booking vendors.” In a region where interfaith couples, interracial couples, and same-sex couples encounter hurdles, Blissful builds on a respect for every couple’s beliefs, preferences, traditions, and expectations.
I asked Jeni what it’s like building a business with her husband. “I tend to think three—maybe twelve—steps ahead, and he’s the partner who reels me back in, ticks off the checklist boxes, catches mistakes before they become problems, and flawlessly keeps the creative train on track.”
As lifelong residents of Hot Springs, the pair still finds inspiration here. “What gets me is the range of it,” Jeni says. “You’ve got downtown with its stunning architecture, thriving arts scene…poetry, pottery, plays and more…The mountains, the water, and the layers of history… Hot Springs never stops being beautiful or interesting.”
It’s the supportive community she appreciates as a new business owner. With the foundation established, Blissful’s owners hope to establish themselves as the go-to team for weddings and events. They are patiently letting their work speak for itself, one ceremony at a time. You can check out their work or speak to them about your special day in the following ways: blissfulhotsprings.com, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest – @BlissfulHotSprings, blissfulhotsprings@gmail.com, or call 501-651-1825.
Lana Pierce is owner of RetroFit in Hot Springs.
