was completing her last semester at Oklahoma State University. Shaun and Ashlee
were first introduced through her college roommate. A friendship quickly
sparked, and then several months post graduation, the two began dating.Six years later their relationship
continued to flourish and grow. It was on Ashlee’s birthday in April that Shaun
surprised her with a trip to a place close to both of their hearts. The couple
had been to Big Cedar Lodge in Branson, Missouri, several times throughout the
course of their relationship, and it had quickly become one of their favorite
places to go and spend quality time together.
During their stay, Shaun went above
and beyond to make Ashlee feel special. On Saturday, Shaun booked a carriage
ride around the lodge grounds. With the weekend growing drizzly and cold,
Ashlee grew hesitant. But with Shaun’s eternally optimistic attitude, he
promised Ashlee it would be a fun way to wrap up their visit.
Warming themselves on the carriage
ride with bundled blankets and glasses of champagne, time traveled quickly, and
their ride was coming to an end. Shaun sat down his glass, knelt down on one
knee, grabbed Ashlee’s hand and told her all of the lovely things he saw in
her. With an excited heart and adrenalin pumping, Ashlee finally agreed to be
Mrs. Shaun Henderson! The couple couldn’t wait to get home to tell their family
and friends.
Wanting a unique wedding with
southern and vintage inspirations, Ashlee and Shaun exchanged vows on April 26,
2014, in an outdoor ceremony at Skelly Lodge located in Catoosa, Oklahoma.
Ashlee absolutely gleamed as she
walked down the aisle in her Monique Lhuillier dress with a beautiful ivory
alencon lace strapless bodice and a trumpet silhouette made of silk satin. Silk
buttons adorned the entire back of her dress, which was accented with an ivory
grosgrain sash and a vintage-inspired brooch. Ashlee accessorized her dress
with vintage art deco inspired earrings and Shaun’s great-grandmother’s wedding
ring.
Ashlee and Shaun’s reception took
place at Skelly Lodge following the ceremony. With Ashlee being a graphic
designer, she was passionate about creating the perfect color palette of gold,
navy, ivory and butter yellow for their wedding and reception. Creating all of
the paper goods and invitations herself, she wanted a classic, heirloom-like
quality. Along with creating the invitations, Ashlee designed celebration flags
for guests to wave after the ceremony, Mad Lib table cards for family and
friends to fill out during the reception and personalized tags for their head
table place settings adding her own personal touch to their wedding decor.
The reception was kicked off with a
Southern inspired dinner from Catering Kitchen featuring brisket, macaroni and
cheese, deviled eggs and ham sliders on cheddar garlic biscuits followed by a
milk and cookie bar and a beautifully monogrammed white chocolate almond
flavored wedding cake from Ms. Laura’s Cakes. After dinner, blue glow sticks
were passed out and helped provide lots of fun on the dance floor while the
couple swayed to a combination of “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” by the Beach Boys and
“You Make My Dreams Come True” by Hall and Oates for their first dance.
Out of all the memorable moments on
this unforgettable day, walking out the doors of Skelly Lodge with her dad and
seeing Shaun waiting for her at the end of the aisle was Ashlee’s favorite.
Knowing in just a short time that she and Shaun would be married and she would
have a new last name was priceless.
After Ashlee and Shaun had an
amazing honeymoon in London, the couple was able to come back to the United
States as Mr. and Mrs. The couple is currently residing in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Other Local Vendors:
Josh McCullock Photography, Meg Guess Couture Bridal & Boutique, Ms. Laura's Cakes, Skelly Lodge, Erica Weddings, The French Bouquet, Empire Lighting, The Campbell Hotel And Event Centers, Catering Kitchen, Zach Downing Entertainment, Dewberry Cinema, Ashlee Bivins Makeup Artist
