You may remember these two doctors from a few posts ago (here). Well, Lisa and Nick did in fact tie the know March 12, 2011,  at a very intimate and private ceremony at the Grand Lake home of the groom's parents. It was full of beautiful details and heartfelt sentiments from all their guests. The bride customized a Vera Wang dress (and by that I mean she cut it off -- not for the faint of heart -- darling!), accessorized with cowboy boots and a vintage chic Ciner crystal necklace. Top to bottom chic. We included their pride and joy pup, Puff, in our session. He's too cute! I see how much these two appreciate what the other brings to their life.  The looks they exchange, the little touches and reaches for each other. Each a much needed anchor in their hectic days.  Rustic elegance is a good way to describe this wedding. Harvest tables, gold chargers, and strands and strands of patio lights throughout the lodge home created the perfect welcoming atmosphere.  Whole Foods provided the florals - they were gorgeous. The bride orchestrated and made many of the details herself. Since this was a much smaller affair than they had planned for their previous wedding date, they had the opportunity to add lots of personal touches for their special guests. It showed. Artisan cheeses displayed in an antique wagon, wedding cookies flown in from their favorite bakery in Kansas City, and an Italian feast featuring all their favorites from several restaurants in the Tulsa area. Sometimes the smallest gatherings are the sweetest in our memories. Congratulations Lisa and Nick! 

Not only are our brides art lovers but their parents are too! One of our 2011 bride's parents commissioned Tulsa fine art watercolor artist Tommy Lee Ball to paint an original work of art from one of their LSD engagement pics! Isn't it just fabulous?!  Something I know they will treasure always. I just might have to get me one of these, Tommy Lee!  You can check out more of his work though his website and blog at Tommyleeball.com or in Tulsa gallery showings.

This year we've had several couples get married who have practically grown up together and have known each other for many years. That's not the case with Sarah and Jason. Their love is new and yet very real.  They'd both wondered if they would ever find the right one and just prayed that they would. They both knew right away when a friend introduced them. Sarah tells Jason she just knew that God had sent him for her.  She had it engraved in his wedding band, so he will always know what a blessing he is to her.  And, of course, if she'd had any doubt at all, the fact that he was a big dog lover just cinched the deal!  They fit together in so many ways, as if they were just two missing pieces to the same puzzle. The puzzle is now complete. He is her strength. She is his soft place to fall and just be. Their wedding was in her parents' backyard and was totally reflective of who these two are. Neither one likes a big fuss over things. Neither one feels comfortable in a crowd. Both just wanted to get married and tell the world - or at least as much of the world as would fit in their own backyard. Red and yellow featured prominently - colors of sunshine and warmth. Their faith was evident in every detail from the heavy iron cross on the beautifully adorned prayer cloth to the small white rocks each guest placed at it's base on their way out as a sign of their presence and witness to this day. Similar stones - Sarah and Jason received at a prayer shower - were placed in the base of their unity candle. These prayer stones had scriptures written on them from each person who prayed for them. As traditional as these two are, they opted for the first look and to have that private moment.  It was beautiful and when Jason first looked at Sarah, his eyes got big and I'm pretty sure he had to catch his breath! She is the tiniest little thing and she looked so incredible in her tiers of ruffles! Her mother made her a little purse out of her wedding gown for something old, she borrowed a hanky from her grandmother (but had to give it back to her right after the ceremony!), a special pin from her father, and some freakin' awesome sapphire blue bling shoes!  I overheard Sarah say to Jason at their first look that she thought maybe they should get in the car and drive away right then but Jason, the voice of reason on that,  couldn't contain her when, as they were presented as  husband and wife,   she just grabbed his hand and said "run" and they sped out of the yard and through the gate! It was a a beautiful ceremony and a very fun - and unpredictable - exit. An elegant reception followed at Southern Hills Country Club and  a nice send off in the Father of the Bride's sleek Aston Martin convertible. Now, that's how to leave a party!   I'm posting a few here now and their gallery will be up in a few days.  Enjoy and feel free to leave your comments for them here on the blog!

   

"I'll love you to infinity!" We've probably all said that to someone before. I actually saw it last week. Tori and Micah have that kind of love-at-first-sight, hard, fast and forever love. They knew it right away after "meeting" online through E-harmony, and before they ever really "met" in person. Micah got some land and built a house for them. They have wide open spaces of their own to roam on 4-wheelers, have lazy picnics with each other and just 'be." The kindred spirit these two share belies the short time they have been together.  He pulls her closer. She makes him laugh.  They each just look at the other and smile.  Their life together will officially start in November when they will marry, but a few minutes with Tori and Micah and it seems as though it already has.

You know those kind of people that everything just seems to go perfectly for ALL the time? Several times during the course of this wedding day and the rehearsal dinner the night before, I heard people say things like - "Well of course it would be perfect weather, it's Emily,"  and, "Everything is always great for Emily and Jason". Emily and Jason are THOSE people. They have a charmed life and they so deserve it! These two have known each other since they were kids and I'm pretty sure they have been going "steady" all this time too. Emily is a feisty, sparkly girl and Jason is her rock. I should be posting their rehearsal dinner first but I wanted to get right to the wedding so I'll post it later but at the rehearsal dinner. Jason told the entire room that when he first met Emily, she had an energy and vitality about her that just made him want to be with her. He fell in love with her at age 12 and is still hooked. Emily looks at Jason and her face just breaks into a big smile. She has one of those smiles that lights up a room and makes everyone in it smile too. These two had THE best time at their wedding and family and friends just made it ... well, perfect.  Everyone got ready at the Mayo Hotel, traveled to First Christian Church in downtown Tulsa, and the back to the Mayo for a roaring party in the Crystal Ballroom with Jumpsuit Love in the bandstand. Purple lights from Omni Lighting, fabulous flowers from Mary Murray's, Wanda's Cakes made a groom's cake of the Budweiser truck (Jason's employer), and a bride's cake with no rivals. A tender first-look, surprise dances, heartfelt toasts, and posing in the streets. Josh from Cherished Traditions captured the night on video (we LOVE to poach his light, heehee)  Maybe some pictures can tell the story better.



Sophia captured the First Look -- magical. I love this time.



The first dance started as a two-step, came to a screeching halt, and we all heard "Well, I've had the time of my life." The crowd went wild as the bride and groom danced the dirty-dancing hit just like Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey! It was darling!





This is some serious paparazzi!