Category Archives: Kelly

Hannah + James – Their Engagement

The family ranch land where Hannah and James chose to have their engagement photos taken was ablaze with color the day we went there. Indian blankets, the state’s official wildflower, carpeted the fields in red and orange. Only about year ago, terrible wildfires colored the land here.
The place is clearly special to the couple, who met a few years ago when they both ended up in downtown Tulsa during a blizzard. Jobs took them apart _ her here, him there, her there, him somewhere else_ until they finally decided nothing would get in the way of them being together ever again.
In the beautiful wildflowered fields, they laugh about it now and revel in their togetherness. They imagine the day when they bring their kids to fish in the pond and pick the Indian blankets _  and share in something special. Hannah and James will be married in October. _ Kelly

Becky + Jim – Five Oaks Lodge – One year ago

Becky and Jim’s kids were calling each other “brother” and “sister” even before the two united their families in a simply lovely ceremony at Five Oaks Lodge in Jenks. The lodge was the perfect spot for their intimate gathering of family and friends. Tables covered in green and black cloths and hurricane lamps were set for the reception at one end, while everyone gathered to see the couple exchange vows in front of the massive rustic fireplace at the other end.

Becky and Jim each have three children, and they all took part in the ceremony. After some photos of their newly combined family, Becky and Jim snuggled close for some pics of just the two of them. They needed no prodding _ all that happy gazing into each other’s eyes and sweet kissing came naturally. I’m not sure they wanted to leave that closeness to get back inside to the party!

The feast set by Five Oaks, however, was a great enticement. Young Evan made sure a chocolate fountain got plenty of use before dinner. The dinner buffet was delicious! Five Oaks’ catering always tastes as good as it looks. After dinner, the newlyweds sliced into a polka-dot, ribbon-wrapped cake from Ann’s Bakery.

The kids helped lead the dancing when the DJ from Oklahoma City’s M&M Productions started cranking out fast-moving tunes. Later, the couple’s girls danced with Jim and the boys took turns dancing with Becky. And that’s how I left them. Everyone dancing, everyone smiling. Congratulations Jim and Becky on your new life together! _ Kelly

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Courtney + Ryan

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

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Danielle + Brian

Danielle and Brian’s wedding in June was a great reflection of lasting love: It was calm, cozy and full of closeness.
 
Their midday ceremony and reception at Post Oak Lodge really highlighted the versatility of the location. The lodge, set high in the Osage hills just north of downtown, is nestled amid a peaceful forest of oak. With the heat of summer already at full press in June, the two opted to keep everything indoors. The Aspen Room, serving as a small chapel, was filled with light from windows on two sides. The reception was set in the more spacious Evergreen Room, with its view of the sun-lit woods. Danielle was a super-organized bride and kept everyone on time. She was constantly smiling, too, even as she hurried to don her gown with its side-swept skirt and intricately beaded bodice.
About 50 of their close friends and family came to see them exchange vows. Afterward, they found a bountiful and delicious buffet lunch from the lodge’s chef awaiting them. The tables were set with hydrangea bouquets in twine-wrapped mason jars, creations of Flowergirls of Tulsa. Background music came courtesy of Brian’s brother and best man, Chris, and his Relevant Sound Company. The three-tiered cake, wearing modern dots and lacy squiggles, came from Reasor’s Bakery. The reception was relaxed and gave the couple plenty of time to circle the tables, chat with old friends and introduce each other to new friends. Through it all, Danielle and Brian radiated a happy calm. When we went outside for a few photos, they stood hand in hand, gazing at the scenery. “I could just stay here all day,” Danielle said. Her new husband smiled his contented agreement. Congratulations to this happy couple! _ Kelly
 
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Whitney + Michael

Whitney and Michael live in North Carolina and had to do some long-distance planning for their wedding at the Harwelden Mansion in Tulsa. As it turned out, everything came together beautifully.
It was an intimate gathering of family and friends who came to see these two exchange vows. Michael and Whitney opted to see each other before the ceremony, and both looked absolutely stunning as they turned for that first look. The form-fitting bodice on Whitney’s gown was set off by a long flowing train and a bold purple and white bouquet. Michael was dashing in a grey suit and pale grey tie. They hadn’t seen each other for a week, and both seemed so happy to wrap their arms around each other again. The reveal allowed us to get family photos finished before the ceremony and even some time to grab some super sweet shots of the two of them. They just had so much love in their eyes.
Whitney and Michael wrote their own vows, and exchanged them in a moving ceremony on the back terrace overlooking the Arkansas River. They had wanted to keep the details simple, knowing Harwelden’s own beauty would speak for itself. Tables were set inside with flower arrangements created by Michael’s aunt, Diana Montane, and wine bottles that topped small candles. Just Catering by Orr created a splendid and tasty buffet and Merritt’s Bakery designed the luscious cake. The groom’s cake was an awesome reproduction of a mid-century map of California, almost  something you would want to frame instead of eat.
The father-daughter dance and mother-son dance were so emotional, there were quite a few teary eyes in the room. But then, Jason Casey Productions pumped up the dance tunes and the party revved up with family, friends and everyone hitting the dance floor. It was a great celebration brought together with Whitney’s careful planning and was a beautiful way for these two to start their life together. Congratulations, Whitney and Michael! _ Kelly

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