Backyard Spring Wedding in Tulsa | Laura + Mike

Aaron Snow Photography //

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Our jaws literally dropped when we saw Laura and Mike’s stunning backyard Spring wedding in Tulsa. Their reception at Laura’s parent’s gorgeous home definitely has a Gatsby-esque feel that makes us swoon. Read all about their beautiful big day below:

A match made in heaven is how you could describe Laura and Mike, a couple who recently wed in Tulsa. The pair met on Match.com in 2011 and hit it off immediately. Mike could not believe such a catch was single and dating online, but he was sure happy to find her!

After a sweet surprise proposal involving a particularly unique pair of cowboy boots, the couple and their loved ones did not waste any time getting ready for the big day. Five wedding showers including a luncheon at the Polo Grill, two events at friends’ homes and two events at Southern Hills Country Club helped build excitement in the months before the wedding. The day before the wedding, the girls in the bridal party attended a bridal luncheon at the country club, while the men went to the shooting range and enjoyed a casual lunch. They all enjoyed the rehearsal dinner that evening at The Broadway in Tulsa.

Laura Leigh Hawkins married the man of her dreams, Michael Wayne Johnson on May 10, 2014, at First United Methodist Church in Tulsa. A magical mood filled the cathedral as Laura walked down the aisle with her father, John Hawkins, to “Amazing Grace” sung a capella by Lisa Catalano. The Voices of Unity choir performed “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” during the service and finished with a dynamic version of “Oh Happy Day” during the recessional.

To match such an awe-inspiring processional song, the bride donned a gorgeous ivory silk faille ball gown with cap sleeves, embellished waist and cathedral train by Carolina Herrera. She paired it with a hand-painted, cathedral-length veil, also by Carolina Herrera. Teardrop earrings lined with diamonds borrowed from bridesmaid Stephanie Lewis and an antique diamond bracelet borrowed from grandmother Pat Hawkins completed her look and worked as Laura’s “something borrowed.” The bride clutched a fresh bouquet of white hydrangeas, dusty miller, berzillia berries, ivory spray roses and white lisianthus.

With 23 people in the wedding party, you could see the love and support for the couple in the room. Jenny York was the maid of honor. Tyler Mullman and Caleb Ellington served as the best men. The bridesmaids wore Amsale full-length crinkle chiffon gowns with varied necklines in Dove grey and carried bouquets of white hydrangeas and dusty miller.

After the ceremony, the couple and guests retreated to the bride’s parents’ home. An unforgettable moment for Laura was arriving with her new husband at her parents’ front yard. Three hundred guests filled the lawn draped with twinkling café lights and covered with glittering gold sequined bistro tables. They enjoyed their cocktails as Amy Cottingham played the grand piano. It was a breathtaking scene that looked like something out of the Great Gatsby. Laura and Mike took this chance to watch the celebration from afar in a trolley while soaking it all in.

After cocktail hour, the guests then moved to the back yard where the reception tent housed the celebration for the rest of the night. The entrance tent featured the wedding cake suspended from the ceiling by flower-coated cables. Wooden farm tables lit by candelabras intermingled with linen-draped tables covered in flowers to set a rustic yet elegant tone. After a prayer from Reverend John Powers, a three-course dinner was served with toasts from the father of the bride, the best man and maid of honor. After dinner, guests danced the night away to the band, HOOK, and enjoyed delectable miniature desserts suspended from the ceiling on Lucite trays. A late night snack of fish and chips was served to cap the evening.

Farthing Events designed and produced all of the activities up until the couple headed to Jumby Bay Resort in Antigua for their honeymoon. The couple currently resides in Tulsa where Laura works as Vice President at Hawkins International, Inc., and Mike works as a pilot.