Dr. Marvin Desmond Ligons & Donterio Demar Carr
December 7, 2024 | Crystal Bridges Museum Of American Art in Bentonville | BJ Matthews
Donterio and Marvin met outside of a nightclub in Atlanta after Thanksgiving in 2014. Sparks flew instantly for Marvin, but it took a few months for Donterio to realize what they had was love.
“As fellow engineers, one of our earliest memories is huddling over data for Marvin’s PhD analysis—nerdy, collaborative and surprisingly romantic,” Marvin said. “That shared curiosity and teamwork laid the foundation for our relationship and we are celebrating 11 years together!”
Marvin proposed to Donterio on New Year’s Eve in Rio de Janeiro atop Sugarloaf Mountain. They were both jet lagged from a long day of traveling, but Marvin had secretly arranged for a photographer disguised as a tour guide to meet them at the summit. The surprise unfolded perfectly: a serene, breathtaking moment with just them, the glittering city lights below and an overwhelming wave of joy.
“It was intimate, exhilarating, and utterly unforgettable,” Marvin said.
Wedding Professionals We Love
Venue, catering and bartending: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Seating chart: Accents by Ovation
Photo Credit: BJ Matthews
More Wedding Professionals
Photography and videography: BJ Matthews; Planning and design: Christa Wilkins of JLK Weddings; Cake: Shelby Lynn’s Cake Shoppe; Rentals: Eventures and Alchemy Event Rentals; Dance floor: Centerstage; DJ: DJ Dribblz; Emcee: Kirby Gwen; Day-of signage: Eva Robinson; Makeup artist: Michael Harris; Hair stylist: Shannon McCormick; Groom’s suits: Q Clotheir; Flip staff: Bohemian Geeks
Photo Credit: BJ Matthews
Photo Credit: BJ Matthews
Q&A
Q: What inspired your wedding day looks?
A: “We aimed for timeless black-tie elegance with a signature twist – crisp white dinner jackets paired with black trousers for us, classic tuxedos and formal gowns for our party, and subtle peacock accents threaded throughout,” Marvin said. “The aesthetic mirrored our personalities — clean lines, luxurious textures and just the right touch of drama to make it memorable.”
Q: What influenced your wedding decor?
A: “Late fall in Bentonville is enchanting, and we envisioned an evening that felt warm, elegant and immersive—like stepping into a world where every detail transports you,” Marvin said.
Q: When you look back, what part of the day sticks out most?
A: “Our vows and jumping the broom. One of our groomsmen shared its rich historical significance—tracing back to potential West African roots where brooms symbolized sweeping away the past and starting anew, and adopted by enslaved Black people in America during the mid-19th century as a way to secretly honor their love and commitment when legal marriages were denied. We wove in our own story as gay men whose love is now openly celebrated, creating a profound blend of cultural legacy, resilience, joy and triumph.”
Photo Credit: BJ Matthews
Honoring Loved Ones
“We honored absent loved ones with a thoughtful memorial display, a poignant reminder that our joy was rooted in their love and sacrifices,” Marvin said. “Don carried a small photo of his grandmother inside his jacket, a touching gift from his mom. These quiet tributes made the day feel whole, blending our past with our future.”
