I point the camera in an engagement session and trust that it will find “it.” The connection. The love. The whole raison d’être for taking engagement photos in the first place. It shows up even in those moments at first when a couple might be feeling particularly awkward about putting their relationship on display. Maybe it’s when they laugh over the awkwardness. Or when they look into each other’s eyes and take comfort in the fact that those eyes comfort them more than any others. I snap. Love. Courtney and Ryan admitted before I took a single photo that they felt pretty uncomfortable getting their picture taken. But it didn’t matter. They leaned against walls and walked and held hands and kissed and, clearly, never stopped loving.

_ Kelly

Miranda and Cody were married at Vesica Pisces Chapel in Claremore. If you’ve never been there then you’re in for a surprise as it is a little hidden beauty of a place. It was a gorgeous all in one venue with a chapel on one side and reception area on the other, perfect for the intimate affair that Miranda and Cody had designed. The landscaping was absolutely breathtaking and it was pleasantly placed right at the top of a hill in between a little “forest” of lush green trees. As soon as I drove up I knew it was going to be a wonderful night. When I walked in I was taken aback by the rich warm wood throughout and the vast picture windows covering as many walls as possible. It was simply lovely.

The couple had thought of everything and that truly made the night special. Every little detail screamed “Miranda and Cody,” from their unique rings found on a road trip to the fishbowl centerpieces that guests were able to take home to the hand made recipe books which included  many of the couple’s favorite recipes. The groom’s mother designed and created every single floral arrangement as well as hand tea-dyed the bride’s veil, which was the very same veil her mother wore on her wedding day.

One of the many incredible high points of the night included all the amazing dancing on the floor and the band that played them through it. Everyone seemed to be skilled ballroom dancers and twisted, twirled and turned their way across the floor. Miranda’s dad, uncle, as well as the groom were all part of the band. They played an eclectic mix of songs and making sure the include a few of Miranda’s favorite Sinatra songs. The toasts were comical as well as emotional and the cake was delicious! Finally the night capped off in a flurry of rose petals as the couple made their getaway in a Cooper exclaiming “We’re Sexy Married”

~Lauren

The gardens at the Thomas Gilcrease home were in full bloom as we stopped to take a few quick photos before Lindsey and Isaac made their grand entry at the reception. The Vista Room at Gilcrease offered an incredible view of the sunset over the Osage hills. A buffet held a five-tiered cake from Ludger’s and the tables were topped by Toni’s yellow and green flower arrangements, which were charmingly wrapped in bark or set atop stacks of wood cuttings. A program featuring the couple’s shared “H” initial proved a nice place to photograph their rings, which came from Moody’s.

Laura and Robert are awesome. They are one of the most laid back couples that I’ve met and made my job so easy!

Laura and Robert’s wedding day started as a gorgeous sunny day then turned into a beautifully memorable evening. Everything about their wedding was laid back, simple and tremendously fun. Laura had the coolest bridesmaids that took care of her through all the emotions of the day and loved her like a sister. Robert’s groomsmen were awesome friends that I can see will be friends for life. There was hardly a serious moment all day, minus the few tears throughout the day, although they were all happy ones. They all made this day a fantastic wedding to shoot.

Laura looked stunning in an ivory lace gown and adorned her bridesmaids in classic navy dresses. They sipped champagne and snacked on graham crackers and nutella as they all had their makeup done, joked, and told stories about Laura! They presented her with the most thoughtful cards with their fingerprints and laughed and cried together as the ceremony drew closer.

The sun shone down on guests as they watched the beautiful couple say their vows overlooking the gorgeous pond and fountain in the center of Centennial Park.  Then the party moved inside where guests enjoyed a delicious dinner from Catering by Orr. There was lots of toasts by the happy couple’s closest friends, a delicious white cake with whipped cream and raspberry filling and then drinks and dancing went well into the night.

This was an amazing, intimate affair and Simply White is thankful to have been a part of this awesome event. Congratulations! – Lauren

There’s something that happens when a girl puts on the dress. I’m talking about The Dress, the one that makes her into The Bride. How many brides have stood looking at themselves in the mirror in that dress for the first time and thought, in a marvelous way, “is that really me? I’m a bride?!” Lindsey and I met at the Thomas Gilcrease home on a lovely spring night a couple of weeks before she and Isaac were married. She emerged in her strapless gown with the happy incredulity of someone seeing themselves as The Bride for the first time. Lindsey was just so wonderfully sweet and down-to-earth and taking her bridal portrait was incredibly fun. We walked all over the garden, which was blooming with pink and purple hydrangeas, salvia, petunias and host of other flowers.

Elise and Andrew met in high school and were best friends long before they started dating.  Their wedding at Post Oak Lodge was the perfect reflection of a love wrapped up in fun and closeness and deep ties to family.

It could have been a hard day. Elise’s beloved grandparents were going to miss the event after her ailing grandfather ended up in the hospital. But Elise and her family wouldn’t let that happen. The day before the wedding, Elise went to the hospital in her gown. And on their wedding day, the family made sure both grandparents were present via iPhone _ at the hair salon,  as she  posed with her bridesmaids, when she and Andrew walked down the aisle at Post Oak as husband and wife. I loved how this family shared the day!  Andrew’s family, too, brought much love and warmth to this celebration _ from taking care of all the decorative details to the song that his brother wrote and sang during the ceremony.

The details were awesome.  The French Bouquet crafted lovely vintage-styled bouquets, which topped lace doilies on the tables. Silhouettes of the couple decorated the programs, topped the beautiful cake from Icing on the Top _ and in a nod to this couple’s fun spirit _ even decorated the restroom doors!  Outside, a lace background and turquoise frame provided some fun photo action among the trees and there were outdoor games, including boules.

DJ Hugo Gutierrez of Lionsroad Studios jumpstarted the dance floor and, later, even offered some dance instruction that had everyone moving.  Elise and Andrew mixed it up all night.

Their friends and family sent the pair off amid a shower of sparklers. They crammed into their ride _ a 1972 yellow VW bug that had been in Andrew’s family since it was new.  They waved goodbye and then puttered off into the darkness, more than friends forever.  _ Kelly

The Burnett Mansion in Sapulpa is a hidden gem of a place and lucky for Lindsey and Alan that they discovered it. It was the perfect place to host their incredibly intimate wedding on a gorgeous Saturday morning. Their wedding was simple and elegant with lovely little details here and there.

Lindsey and Alan decided that it was important to truly make their wedding reflect who they are as individuals as well as a couple. It was a small event with only their closest family and friends in attendance. Rather than the traditional afternoon or evening wedding they opted for an early morning ceremony and to share a gorgeous (and very delicious) brunch feast. There were bisquits and gravy, carved ham, breakfast sweet rolls and a beautiful display of fruit, all done by Catering by Orr. The bouquets were a beautiful mix of deep purples and whites that complimented the dark green and plum decor as well as the deep rich woods throughout the mansion. Their table settings were eclectic and colorful using a variety of flowers, vases and little birds. Every little thing created the unique experience that both the bride and groom desired. ~Lo