Real Arkansas Wedding: Donnally Campbell's Southern Ranch Wedding in Mena

Donnally Campbell & J.R. Davis
June 22, 2013 • Campbell Family Ranch, Mena

Photos by Lyndsey Sullivan Photography

Mena native Donnally Sue Campbell and J.R. Davis of Harrison first met while attending Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, but didn’t spend much time together until his senior year. As a friendship grew, they spent a fair share of time at Cracker Barrel solving the world’s problems over biscuits and coffee, and to J.R.’s surprise, watched football together on Sundays after church. “It may sound cliché, but there's no doubt in my mind that we're soul mates,” Donnally says. “We started out as just friends, and now we're best friends.” On a surprise trip to New York City on Oct. 5, 2012, J.R. proposed on a balcony overlooking the beautiful city skyline. “He literally thought of everything and made an already special time better than I could've ever imagined."

BRIDE'S INSPIRATION

The wedding inspiration started with Donnally’s parents’ ranch — a truly Southern venue, she says. Peach, coral, dove gray, ivory, natural greens and silver completed the color palette, with an organic focus and a splash of shimmer.

HOW THEY CUSTOMIZED

Everything from the beautiful invitations tied with twine from Shindig Paperie to the antique lounge created using a vintage sofa, rug and homemade coffee table were customized for the wedding. The lounge was topped off with decorations on the coffee table that consisted of a moss runner and three small floral arrangements. The reception tables, which were set with vintage china in a mix of patterns, were finished off with a fresh peach “to drive home the Southern décor and soft color scheme,” Donnally says.

SOUTHERN SETTING

Donnally says her parents’ ranch created the most serene, magical atmosphere for their wedding day. The simple sound of the waves hitting the bank, mixed with the gentle summer breeze and notes from oldies like "Beyond the Sea," "Stand By Me" and "Here Comes the Sun,” set the mood for everyone in attendance. Keeping with tradition, J.R. and Donnally waited to see one another until the ceremony. “It was so worth it, too,” Donnally says. “The moment we saw each other, everything else just seemed to fade away. It was just the two of us.”

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