The first time Jennifer saw Matt, he was running down the church hallway. “He’s so cute!” she immediately thought. Even though he was older and, well, she was just a second grader, she never forgot that first impression. It took more years than a second grader could possibly have imagined for the older boy at Central Baptist Church in Ponca City to finally notice her. Jennifer was a new college graduate, a beautiful young woman just returned home, when he spotted her in the pews. On Sept. 10, the two married in an open field just outside of the church where their love bloomed. Even the heavens gave them a blessing, opening up from a dreary drizzle to reveal a gorgeous sunset just at their ceremony began.

They decided to see each other before the wedding. Jennifer flowed across that field in her ruffled gown toward the little stand of trees where Matt waited. It was a beautiful moment _ Matt nervous, turning, his eyes just kind of melting as Jennifer met him with the happiest of smiles. Matt gently touched her bouquet, touched her dress, taking it all in. Donetta, who was also shooting that day, captured the two of them in a beam of light that broke through the canopy. She also took this wonderful image of Jennifer absentmindedly touching the button on Matt’s jacket.  Sometimes love’s most tender moments are in the smallest of details.

The bridesmaids were lovely in turquoise, their hair beautifully done by The Parlour in Ponca City. Their bouquets came from Grand Flowers. Nearly 300 people gathered for the ceremony,  which included a little surprise at the end. Immediately after introducing them as Mr. and Mrs., the couple’s pastor sealed the deal by handcuffing them. (Matt is a policeman and, with a lot of the force in attendance, he seemed to have no trouble locating a key!) After the ceremony, the couple celebrated in the church’s Family Life Center with barbecue (including a barbecue fountain!) and a stunning cake made by Matt’s aunt, Laura Sheik.

Jennifer had told me she wanted her formal photos to have a little drama. The sunset proved the star of that show. Orange, purples and pinks filled the sky just as the ceremony ended making the perfect background for a dramatic kiss or two _ or three or four.  It was hard to stop taking photos of these two on such a splendid night filled with so much love. Thank you, guys, for letting us share in it! _ Kelly

The garden at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa was the perfect place a couple of weeks ago to celebrate a love that blossomed out of a close friendship. Tracy and Alex exchanged vows inside the church  before an intimate gathering of friends and family and then headed into the steamy summer night for a quiet moment together in the garden. He wore a top hat and carried a cane. She swept past ivy-covered walls and summer blooms in an elegant gown with delicate lace cap sleeves. 

The couple had a long friendship before deciding they wanted to spend their lives together. Tracy said what sealed the deal for her was the day Alex showed her how much he loved her inner hippie. He proposed a trip, tailored for her, to San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury district. After their wedding ceremony, the couple headed to Baxter’s Interurban Grill, where Tracy works, for their reception. 

Tracy’s parents, both avid cooks, prepared all of the delicious eats. A chocolate fountain made for a delicious treat before the couple sliced into their tiered wedding cake. Shoving back tables to make room for a dance floor, Tracy and Alex shared their first dance, sweet tears brimming in their eyes and a circle of friends and family looking on.  It was a beautiful start to their new lives together. ~ Kelly