Kristen King + Grant Davidson
April 30, 2016 | Bentonville
Photography Courtesy: Dale Benfield
A Very Special Delivery
Grant, who is a dentist, was working to set up dental clinics in unreached areas of Indonesia. Kristen was planning to join him for three weeks of the summer to help. While he was there, Grant decided the time had come for him to propose. After asking for her parents’ permission, he worked with his mom to formulate a plan. Grant’s mother created a care package for him and asked that Kristen get it to him safely. Unbeknownst to Kristen, the package contained Grant’s great-grandmother’s diamond ring. She packed it away in her checked luggage. However, the bag did not arrive with Kristen’s flight. “Grant was secretly freaking out,” she says. Luckily, she received her luggage the following day—and Grant got his care package.
Surprise Party Proposal
During their time in Indonesia, the couple worked hard for two weeks. One evening Grant told Kristen they were invited to a neighbor’s home for dinner. On the walk there, he began to talk about their future and then proposed. “Of course, I said ‘yes,’ and I look around and somehow we have been surrounded by many cheering people of the village. They threw us our first engagement party, full of good food and live music,” she says.
Kristen on How She Envisioned the Day
“Honestly, I was not the girl that envisioned every detail of her wedding. I just knew that I wanted to walk down that aisle and be looking at someone that I knew was the right one. I knew that I needed to have a peace in my heart that he was the right man. The rest of the details came together largely due to my wedding planner, mother, and mother-in-law.”
Beloved Officiant
“The man that officiated our ceremony, Kyle Cromwell, is someone that we love dearly and have grown to respect immensely,” Kristen says. Cromwell started the organization that invited Grant and Kristen to go to Indonesia. “Kyle and his wife Leigh are two of the bravest, funniest, loving, encouraging people that we have come to know in life. We feel honored that they were such an important part of our wedding day.”
Naturally Artistic
Kristen notes that the floral design for the day was “whimsical and romantic.” No two arrangements were alike and moss seemed to flow from table to table, giving the reception a true-to-nature feel.
Sweet Sentiment
On their wedding day, Grant gave Kristen a Field Notes journal filled with entries that dated back to his time in Indonesia. It included his thoughts when he decided to propose, the days prior to his proposal, and notes throughout the engagement. “It is my favorite gift that he has ever given me,” Kristen says.
First Dance Song
“Angel” by Jack Johnson
Wedding Day Resources
Accommodations: 21c Museum Hotel, Bentonville Cakes: Shelby Lynn’s Cake Shoppe, Springdale
Catering: Eleven at Crystal Bridges, Bentonville
Floral design: Flora, Fayetteville
Lighting: Lightworks Events, Fayetteville
Makeup: Ashley Gregory, Freshair Salon, Fayetteville
Music—reception: The SoulSations Show Band, Memphis, Tennessee
Photography—bridal portraits: Phillip Thomas, Novo Studio, Bentonville
Photography—wedding ceremony and reception: Dale Benfield, Benfield Photography, Fayetteville
Rentals: Eventures Party Rentals, Fayetteville; You and Me Event Rentals, Fayetteville
Rings: Sissy’s Log Cabin, Jonesboro, Little Rock, and Pine Bluff
Paper goods: Aariona McCann, Little Rock
Venue—ceremony and reception: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art , Bentonville
Wedding coordination and design: Melissa Holmes, Sweet Tea Designs, Bentonville
