Real Arkansas Wedding: Kim Lane & Aaron Duvall of Conway

Kim Lane & Aaron Duvall
May 26, 2018 • Conway
Gatlin Park • Couple’s backyard

Kim Lane and Aaron Duvall’s “place” is Petit Jean Mountain. In college, the two would take spur-of-the-moment camping trips to sleep under the stars then wake up early enough to get to class by 8 a.m. the next day. The pair dated for eight years before Aaron asked Kim’s parents to dinner one night, planning to ask them for permission to marry their daughter. Little did he know, Kim’s parents had planned on telling him he’d better hurry up and ask Kim already. Towards the end of the dinner, Kim’s mom kicked her dad under the table just as Aaron said, “I need to ask you something.”

Aaron decided to ask Kim the big question during Thanksgiving week. Aaron tried to convince Kim to go hike Petit Jean because “it was perfect weather and he knew the leaves would be turning,” but Kim wanted to spend the day with family. Aaron got her in the car thinking they were going to see family in Little Rock, but he turned the car the opposite way and drove to Petit Jean. Aaron proposed on top of the mountain and the two drove back to Conway for a surprise engagement party with champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries, balloons, pictures from their relationship and lots of family.

THE INSPIRATION

Kim and Aaron have fallen in love with “hygge,” a Danish word that describes a sense of coziness, warmth and togetherness. The couple enjoys hosting hygge parties for loved ones in their backyard with the warmth of a fire and the glow of candles and café lights. After the engagement, the couple knew they wanted to create that feeling for their wedding day.

Organic elements were on display throughout the day, like the fresh-cut flowers from Felder Farms and Kim’s bouquet filled with rosemary, carrots and beets. Kim had told Aaron she wanted radishes in her bouquet so he could tell her she looked “radishing,” but at the wedding they realized they’d grabbed beets instead of radishes. He told her she looked radishing anyway.

HOW THEY CUSTOMIZED

Kim collaborated with friends for different unique wedding elements. Kyle Tabor, the owner of Blue Sail Coffee, made coffee drinks and the owners of Streetside Crêperie in Conway surprised the bridal party with a build-your-own crêpe bar while they got ready.

Aaron has a 10-year-old son, Gabe, and it was important that he had a big part in the wedding. He was the “Junior Best Man” and gave a speech during the reception. The couple also had a special kids’ table with sparkling juice and white paper for them to draw, and big soccer and baggo games to play in the backyard.

To cap off a perfect night, a number of family members grabbed guitars and started serenading the guests. “It was so awesome – my brother-in-law, Aaron’s brothers and cousins, etc. singing and playing guitar beside a crackling fire pit with everyone dancing and singing,” Kim says. “It’s hard to imagine a more perfectly hygge evening.”

MUSIC TO OUR EARS

PROCESSIONAL

“The Way I Am”
Ingrid Michaelson

FIRST DANCE

“Can’t Help Falling In Love”
Ingrid Michaelson

FATHER/DAUGHTER DANCE

“What a Wonderful World”
Jeremy Shrader Band (popularized by Louis Armstong)

THE DETAILS

See this Real Wedding as it appeared in the print edition of ARKANSAS BRIDE

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