Belle Anderson & Matthew McMillan
July 27, 2024 | EO Space in Springdale | Torches Together
While Belle and Matthew grew up less than a mile apart from one another in their hometown in Texas, the two did not meet for the first time until 2019 at the University of Arkansas. They developed a friendship based on their mutual love for design, art and culture, but quickly realized they were destined to be more than just friends.
“We tried to keep our relationship to just that, best friends,” Belle said. “But we couldn’t help but listen to our guts that screamed ‘We’re made for each other!’”
Matthew proposed on Valentine’s day at Crystal Bridges in the Skyspace exhibit, where he used to take her when they first met. Since art is their common ground, there was no better place to solidify their relationship forever!
“It was so perfect and intimate,” Belle said. “Especially because the only other person there was our photographer, Henry, who is one of our dearest friends.”
Wedding Vendors We Love
Planning and coordination
KDT Brides & Events
Florist and Reception Photography
The Flowerslinger
More Vendors
Photography: Torches Together; Audio, band and DJ: Wild Wild Tech, John Wayne Parr, Smoothman Productions and DJ Rev of Ozark Mix; Catering: Yeyos el Alma de Mexico; Bartending: Hope Ray of Conifer; Ceremony venue: Hunt Chapel; Reception venue: EO Space; Rentals: Kindred Provisions and Intents Party Rentals; Cake: Audrey Davis and Madison Davis; HMUA: Twins MUA (Audrey and Madison Davis); Fruits and vegetables: KT Produce; Wedding dress: BHLDN of Anthropology Weddings; Suit: Grailed; Tailoring: Big Sister Studios; Stationery and signage: EO Space
Q&A
Q: What was your vision for your wedding day?
A: “Matthew and I are very intimate people, which made us gravitate towards a very warm, homey feeling with our wedding. I think that was our biggest priority. We’re also designers and artists at our core, so we valued the cohesiveness of everything.”
Q: Tell us about your wedding day look!
A: “My seamstress and very dear friend, Brandy, at Big Sister Studio, altered my dress so beautifully and added the perfect bustle for the reception,” Belle said. “She also worked closely with me to make my dream veil. I wanted two things: a Juliet cap-style, and to somehow incorporate my family veil. My great-grandmother, grandmother, and mom all wore this veil, and it was so important to me to continue that tradition. Brandy worked her magic and I’m still blown away at how gorgeous it turned out.”
Q: Tell us about the color palette!
A: “We knew we wanted a summer wedding, so we wanted to really lean into that,” Belle said. “It started with the red you see in my bouquet and accents throughout the entire wedding. Red is my favorite color, and I love the psychology behind what makes it such a warm, inviting, and intimate color. Kasarah and I spent some time at a local grocery store deciding which fruits and vegetables’ colors worked together to create the perfect warm palette.”
Q: What was your favorite moment of the day?
A: “My favorite moment of the day was actually the moment when it began to rain right before the ceremony,” Belle said. “My friends and husband know how much I love the rain, and I had been gushing to them about it the months leading up to the wedding day, telling them how if only it rained, it would really be a perfect day. I kept saying how beautiful it would be without it, but man, would it be amazing if it did. With it being summer in Arkansas, chances were very slim that it would happen, but low and behold, a drizzle started right before we read our vows, and stopped right before I walked down the aisle.”
Farm-to-Table
“We used the ‘family style’ dinner table as inspiration, opting for fruits and vegetables to be spread across the tables to serve as a beautiful art piece, as well as snacks for people to grab while they waited for us to arrive at cocktail hour,” Belle said.
DIY Couple
“Every detail felt personal to us,” Belle said. “I designed all of our invitations, our menus and signage myself; I did my own makeup; we drove ourselves to the reception; Matthew was the DJ for half of the night; and most of the vendors were some of our best friends we’ve made since we’ve lived in Fayetteville.”
