Destination Wedding and Oklahoma Reception | Morgan + Brian

Pen Weddings //

The only thing better than one wedding celebration is two! We love how Morgan and Brian followed up their stunning seaside ceremony with a beautiful reception back in Oklahoma. Enjoy their gorgeous gallery and be sure to read their oh-so-sweet story!

The bride and groom were introduced while hundreds of miles apart – Morgan was studying in Missouri, and Brian was finishing his college education in Mississippi. The Oklahoma natives would Skype for several hours every day, sharing their hearts on just about everything. Most of all, Brian and Morgan shared about their mutual love and passion for Jesus. The couple met for the first time in person on May 19, 2013, in Tulsa, after a month of long distance courting. Brian says that when he saw Morgan for the first time, he knew she’d have his heart for the rest of his life.

In January 2014, Brian’s parents took the couple to Israel to tour the Holy Land. Brian decided that there was no better place to ask Morgan to join him as “one” than the very spot where Jesus asked to be one with us at The Garden of Gethsemane. Standing at the base of the Mount of Olives, Brian read from John chapter 17. In this passage, Jesus proposes to His Bride, the Church, in a prayer to God the Father. When Brian finished reading, he dropped to one knee and proposed to Morgan, his future bride. She said yes!

Along with a stunning solitaire engagement ring, Brian gave Morgan a heart carved from olive wood. Olive trees hold incredible symbolism, and the couple was surrounded by them during the proposal. The olive tree thrives under great heat and is known for its tenacity. Olive trees live, grow and bear fruit in any and every condition – hot, dry, cold, wet, fertile, rocky or sandy. They thrive on terraced hills or in valleys. It is said that you can never kill an olive tree. Even when cut down or burned, new shoots emerge from its roots. Like the evergreen olive tree, Brian and Morgan prayed that their marriage would be capable of withstanding anything. The heart carving has served as a precious reminder that no matter what the conditions, the couple will remain steadfast in the presence of God – faithful, thriving and bearing fruit.

A year and ten days after meeting, Brian and Morgan were married at the Mariott in Marco Island, Florida. Morgan had always adored the ocean, so choosing a destination wedding was a dream come true for her. A seaside wedding was special to the groom as well. When Brian was a teenager, he felt God tell him that someday, he was going to wake up by the sea every day. His wife’s name, Morgan, means “by the sea.”

The couple’s wedding day was filled with an abundance of joy and moments that they will cherish forever. The exchanging of vows was the most special part of the ceremony for Brian and Morgan. They strongly believe in the promise behind those two simple words, “I do,” and the covenant between best friends to love and cherish each other through thick and thin. Adding to the significance of this moment, Brian was given his great-great-grandmother’s ring to use as his wife’s wedding band. Morgan’s engagement ring was designed with his beautiful family heirloom in mind. Not only did the engagement ring and wedding band look brilliant together, but it also made for an incredibly unique set that no one else in the world had.

Another meaningful part of their wedding day was when the groom surprise-serenaded his new bride at their reception. He sang “Happy” by The Daylights, which was “their song” during the entire engagement.

The first week of Brian and Morgan’s marriage was spent honeymooning in Islamorada at the Cheeca Lodge and Spa. After their time in the Florida Keys, the husband and wife flew out to the Seven Stars Resort for a week in sunny Turks & Caicos.

On their return home, the couple had a marvelous reception at the KJM Equestrian Farm in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, with the help of their wedding stylist, Kylie Swanson.

Three months after marrying, Brian and Morgan Morris moved to North East England to be missionaries. If you’d like to find out more about their ministry in the United Kingdom, visit www.morrisministry.com or find them on Facebook at Morris Ministry.