Sam and Melissa were wed at the Springs in Tulsa Event Center overlooking picturesque Skiatook Lake on a late summer afternoon. This was a wedding 10 years in the making, as the day unfolded it was clear this bride and groom fit together perfectly!
before the ceremony
The day started early with the girls getting hair and makeup photo ready while everyone was enjoying the fantastic lunch provided by Catering by Orr. Melissa let us in on a little secret – the boys had planned a prank – unbeknownst to them she had figured it out! This little prank revolved around the color orange – the guys had ordered orange suits to change into for photos! Sam bleeds OSU orange and his groomsmen were his frat brothers from Oklahoma State University! The guys took little time in deciding how the groomsmen photos would flow. They jumped right in with posing ideas that truly showed off the personality of the group!
The guests were treated to a string quartet from Musicians Unlimited and a cool breeze swept in just as Melissa was escorted down the aisle by her father.
instead of a first look
the ceremony
The wedding was beautiful and even included a quote from The Princess Bride:
“Marriage.
Marriage is what brings us together today.
Marriage, that blessed arrangement
that dream within a dream.”
the reception
After the ceremony the guests then entered the Event Hall and had a chance to catch a glimpse of the cakes! The bride’s wedding cake was an elegant cream color with detailed embellishments while the groom’s cake was an uncanny likeness to Pistol Pete (just one of the surprises Melissa had in store for Sam!)
The lovely dinner was followed by toasting for the happy couple, then we whisked the bride and groom outdoors for a quick portrait session with the sunset before the storms rolled in!
After that the party was underway! There was one more surprise Melissa had planned for Sam: Pistol Pete crashed the party! I stalled the event while Pete got into place! I posed the wedding party for some quick “formal portraits” and just as I clicked the shutter Pete enter the hall with Pistols Firing! The guys were so excited they rushed to don the orange suits once more!
Mary Fencl was by far the hero of the day! Mary is a Wedding Coordinator here in Tulsa and works hard to make sure that the bride and groom have nothing to fret over! She was an amazing task master and ensured that nothing was left to chance! Mary highlighted each detail that the bride and groom wished to include from rustic elegance to whimsical collegiate pride!
A wedding this flawlessly beautiful cannot come together without the experience of professionals. Shea and I had so much fun capturing the joy of the day.
the vendors
Venue: Skiatook Springs
String Quartet: Musicians Unlimited
Videography: Tulsa Event Video
Caterer: Catering by Orr
Dessert: Cookie Doodle
Florals: The Bridal Garden by Lindi Collins
Coordination: Mary Fencl Events
Photography: Shea’s Photography & Beyond Ordinary Life Photography
equipment used
Canon 6D, Canon 70-200 f2.8, Canon 24-105 f4, Spider Holster Pro, PBL Pro Heavy 10′ light stand, Samtian LED Video Light Wand, Yongnuo YN660, Yongnuo YN560-TX MagMod, MagMod Sphere,
software Used
Adobe Bridge, Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, Imogenic Portraiture, Nik Collection, Topaz Labs