Love & Basketball | Jenn + Zac

After growing up in Las Vegas, Oklahoma-born Jenn was excited to return to her red dirt roots and happily opted to attend the University of Oklahoma after high school. She enjoyed her undergraduate years by staying active on the university’s pom squad and in her classes. It wasn’t until she started graduate school at OU that her life truly changed. She met Zac in a night class and they quickly began a friendship alongside a group of classmates. Focused on her studies, it wasn’t until they spent time out of the classroom that Jenn saw something more in funny-guy Zac.

She thought Zac was so cute that there was no way he could be single, while he thought Jenn was beautiful but not interested in him. When she finally opened up to Zac, he jumped at the chance and asked Jenn on their official first date. The sports fans had a great time watching their favorite basketball team, the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Something clicked on that first date and the pair started seeing each other on a regular basis. Jenn and Zac continued going to Thunder games and hanging out together when they weren’t studying with their classmates.

Jenn and Zac have similar, sports-loving personalities. Zac is always making her laugh and he loves that Jenn enjoys the outdoors as much as him. They both agree they enjoy the other’s laidback character. Zac soon realized that he couldn’t imagine spending his days without Jenn and began planning an intimate, memorable proposal.

Through dating Jenn, Zac quickly learned that his Vegas-raised girlfriend loves anything lit up in lights. He decided to take Jenn on a helicopter ride to look at Christmas lights, one of her favorite things about the holidays. Unfortunately, an unpredictable Oklahoma winter froze those plans and he opted for his backup idea, a romantic dinner at the bustling Lake Hefner East Wharf.

Following a delicious dinner, Zac asked Jenn to join him on a walk to the Lake Hefner Lighthouse. Under an umbrella protecting them from the drizzling sleet, Zac asked Jenn to be his wife. She excitedly said, “Yes,” and the couple phoned their families to share their big announcement. They both recall the proposal as a perfect private moment between one another.

With her mom in Vegas, Jenn quickly enlisted the help of Camden Chitwood of Emerson Events to help plan the couple’s epic occasion. Jenn says the process was a breeze with Camden at her side as she constantly kept her at ease.

The most important thing for the bride-to-be was the venue. It was vital for the couple and their guests to dance the night away in an outdoor venue lit up with twinkling lights reminiscent of Vegas. After touring Coles Garden, Jenn and Zac knew they had found the perfect space. In addition to the option of a light-up dance floor, the outdoorsy couple loved the garden area and so began the planning of their early November nuptials.

Jenn tried to incorporate as many of her crafty, talented friends as possible when it came to selecting vendors for her wedding. For the flowers, Jenn collaborated with Birdie Blooms, a business started by her friend Katie Huskerson. Jenn knew she wanted white flowers with a little greenery incorporated, so she put her trust in the floral expert. Birdie Blooms took her vision and ran with it.

After their engagement session with Amanda Watson Photography, Jenn and Zac knew they wanted her to be the one taking photos on their wedding day.

Olivia Abel of OKCakes, another friend of the bride’s, worked with the couple on three types of wedding confections that consisted of chocolate cake with chocolate ganache, carrot cake with cream cheese icing and vanilla bean cake with strawberry filling.

Jenn had a general idea of what she wanted in a wedding gown as she and several friends stepped into Moliere Bridal. She ended up falling in love with an Allure Bridals strapless gown featuring delicate lace applique and a sweetheart neckline defined with Swarovski crystals. She accentuated the gown with a breathtaking Toni Federici cathedral veil also adorned with crystals and lace.

When their wedding day finally arrived after months of planning, Jenn and Zac were excited to celebrate their love for one another with family and close friends. On the crisp November morning of their nuptials, Coles Garden was filled with decorative signage for the guests to enjoy. Zac’s love of the outdoors melded well with Jenn’s Vegas upbringing. The theme for the wedding was rustic glam that included a nice mix of outdoor elements such as deer antlers with touches of glitz and sparkle.

Before the ceremony, Jenn and Zac shared a private first look. Zac held his breath as Jenn snuck up behind him and tapped on his shoulder. When he saw his bride for the first time, he thought she looked absolutely beautiful. Soon after their first look, Jenn excitedly took the arm of her father to begin the walk down the aisle toward her future husband.

The Oklahoma City String Quartet set an elegant tone to the ceremony as the bride walked down the aisle to a rendition of “Don’t Stop Believin’.” After they said, “I do,” the newlyweds walked out of the garden nuptials to the quartet’s version of “We Are the Champions.”

Walking into the reception area, Jenn took in one of her favorite parts of the day – the lights. Coles Garden decorated the dance floor with lights overhead and the couple rented marquee lighting that spelled out “LOVE” and shined all through the night. It was as though Vegas lit up the country for just one evening. BTP Productions kept the energy going throughout the evening and ensured there was a constant dance party.

Guests dined on an array of food at several stations created by Catering Connection. There were small Cuban sandwiches at the request of the groom, a seafood bar and a pasta bar. Catering Connection also created a S’more bar and Café Evoke brewed a coffee bar.

Zac paid tribute to his father, a cigar enthusiast, with a cigar bar put together by The Leaf 405. He also made sure all of his groomsmen would enjoy the vintage porter bar stocked with an array of brew. To keep her maids warm during the reception, Jenn got each of her bridesmaids a shawl that complemented their soft-hued dresses.

The couple enjoyed all of the heartfelt toasts, especially one from Zac’s cousin and best man who traveled all the way from Alaska with a special beer he brewed just for the occasion. The beer was aptly titled “Grin Ale,” a play on the newlyweds’ last name.

As the evening came to a close, guests gathered with streamer poppers that made for a dazzling, memorable exit. The couple climbed into a vintage Jaguar provided by King’s Limousine that took them to The Skirvin Hilton.

The following day, the couple enjoyed a brunch with family and friends before everyone parted ways. Jenn and Zac embarked on a 10-day Caribbean cruise to relax and begin their wedded bliss.

The couple is enjoying married life and living in Edmond. They are happily anticipating the arrival of their baby who will most certainly enjoy a life of country glam reminiscent of his or her parents, and family that stretches from the deep roots of Oklahoma to the bright lights of Las Vegas.