Not up to host an extravagant celebration resembling that of a Super Bowl Half Time Show? Rest easy, our sweet, no nonsense brides-to-be! We’ve got you covered. Don’t get us wrong, you know we love a swanky soirée, but today we’re here to reassure you that sometimes, less is more. Staying true to your personality as a couple is of the utmost importance when it comes to your wedding day. If you’re looking for a more understated affair, you’ll enjoy these tips for planning a simple, stress-free wedding!

Opt for an All-inclusive Venue

Rose Briar Place | Meg Guess Couture Bridal & Boutique | Prim | Mood Party Rentals | Aubrey Marie Photography

Choosing an all-inclusive venue will eliminate the overwhelming prospect of decision making. With the incredible number of wedding vendors that exist today, it can be difficult to narrow down the best creatives to serve you on your big day. Total-package event spaces like Rose Briar Place have coordination down to a science, so you can have peace-of-mind leaving all the details in their hands! Consisting of a classic chapel, large reception hall and enchanting courtyard, their incredible staff and optional vendors ensure your wedding day is everything you imagined.

Hold Your Ceremony & Reception at the Same Place

Coles Garden Wedding and Event Venue | Marie Rose Events | Forth & Floral | Marianne’s Rentals | Holly Gannett Photography | Lexi Faught Hair and Makeup | Prim

Two venues means two décor schemes, two staff teams to work with, the question of transportation and so much more. Oh ya, did we mention two payments? There’s a lot more to consider with separate ceremony and reception spaces, so make it easy on yourself and your guests by picking just one venue that does it all! Located on a lush thirteen acres in Oklahoma City, Coles Garden offers landscaped gardens and several gorgeous event spaces! Gather your guests by the water’s edge for a serene ceremony in the Waterfall Garden, or share your nuptials surrounded by beautiful box holly and rose bushes inside the Royal Garden.

Keep Your Guest List Small

Oklahoma City Museum of Art | Kristen Edwards Photography | Leslie Herring Events

Remember when we said less is more? Shrinking your guest list will undoubtedly have the biggest impact on the level of stress and simplicity you experience while planning your wedding day. Focus on the friends and family you couldn’t stand to leave out, and don’t feel bad about skipping over your coworker from two jobs ago and her five kids even if she invited you to hers. A more intimate setting such as the Oklahoma City Museum of Art gives couples the opportunity to connect with their loved ones as they say their “I do’s.” Located in the midst of the downtown Oklahoma City Arts District, the OKCMOA offers unique spaces, sophisticated dining and exceptional art that make it the ideal location to host your special event!

Comfort is Key

Tatanka Ranch

Ultimately, we’re going after comfort in the quest for a stress-free celebration! Your guests want simplicity just as much, if not more, than you do on your wedding day. Opting for a cozy venue like Tatanka Ranch will cultivate such a beautiful sense of nostalgia while leaving your friends and family with warm and fuzzy memories from your big day! Tatanka Ranch offers special three-day packages with lodging for brides that want their guests to come, enjoy and stay a while. With a variety of locations on their spacious grounds for receptions or ceremonies, their staff is dedicated to making sure that every second goes off without a hitch!

Prioritize

The Dowry | Brook’s Captured Moments

Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize! Once you and your fiancé agree on a few important details, you can leave the rest up to the professionals! Say you decide that great music and fab food are your must-haves. Once you’ve got those aspects locked down, there’s no need to fret over the small things. Forget that maybe your DIY centerpieces look nothing like your Pin-spiration, maybe the ceremony started a little late and maybe the best man’s speech was a little… much. Did you dance the night away? Yes. Did you eat delicious food? Yes. Congratulations, your wedding day was everything you wanted! Located in Ada, Oklahoma, The Dowry offers 10 acres of beautiful, rural grounds. With white washed walls and crystal chandeliers, its rustic charm that can resonate with any Oklahoma bride’s style.

Pick a Venue that Doesn’t Need Much Decor

The Chateau at the Palace Event Center | Kelsi Laine Photography

This one speaks for itself. The more intricately designed a venue is, the less you need to worry over décor and styling! With it’s Old World Style, large crystal chandeliers and rare architectural antiques, you’re sure to love The Chateau at the Palace Event Center. Your guests will feel like they’re being entertained in the middle of a European courtyard with romantic string lights and gorgeous paper lanterns hanging overhead. The charming facility includes floor-to-ceiling teak arches, antique doors, antique tables, benches and mirrors, a beautiful 12′ x 14′ bar, projector with drop down screen and house sound system!

Hire a Wedding Coordinator

Eleven Oaks Ranch | Modern Love OK Photography

Whether you decide on a wedding planner months in advance or a day-of coordinator, you won’t regret the professional expertise they’ll bring to your special day. Their job is to take the pressure off of you, and make the small decisions you don’t want to deal with! Hiring a planner or day-of coordinator will give you time-freedom along with a dependable source to communicate with your vendors. Nearly all wedding venues, like Eleven Oaks Ranch, have an experienced staff including a coordinator on hand to make sure that your ceremony runs as smoothly as possible! Nestled on a wooded landscape, Eleven Oaks Ranch is the perfect venue for your special event. Their 9,000 square foot rustic event facility is conveniently located just outside of Edmond. This venue gives you the option to host your special day inside on a beautiful stage, or outside under their stunning pergola with room to seat up to 300 guests!

Be Flexible with Your Date

Southwind Hills | Sarah Libby Photography

Avoiding a Saturday wedding can not only take pressure off of your special day, but also save you money! Often times, wedding venues will book more than one ceremony in one day. Picking a Sunday would give you and your guests the freedom to get the show on the road early, and/or party later than originally planned! Selecting another day besides Saturday could also save your guests from expensive airfare! The benefits are endless! In the foothills of Goldsby, Oklahoma, Southwind Hills Barn boasts a breathtaking tin-roof barn with picturesque grounds and endless possibilities. In October of 2016, Southwind Hills opened their newest addition, the Chapel at Southwind Hills, which gives brides an equally gorgeous, but slightly more intimate option for the big day. Southwind Hills is a stunning example of rustic Oklahoma beauty.

Consider Accessibility

Sheraton Oklahoma City Downtown Hotel | Josh Fisher Photography

Like we previously mentioned, your desire to have a simple, low-key wedding applies just as much to your guests as it does to you and your partner! They’ll be oh-so appreciative when you select a ceremony location within walking distance of the reception venue or the hotel they’re staying at. The Sheraton OKC is located right in the heart of the city, featuring 29-foot ceilings and gorgeous decorative hanging chandeliers. With over 20,000 square feet of space to choose from, the Sheraton is perfect for any bride’s style while including each and every cherished guest.

Make it Entertaining

Remington Park | Sky Chesure Photography

Picking a venue with an alternative form of entertainment is sure to wow your guests, and you won’t need to stress wondering whether or not your friends and family are enjoying themselves! Remington Park is both beautiful and spacious, making it the perfect place for your reception, rehearsal dinner or wedding! Live horse races will captivate your wedding party. The Executive Culinary Team will provide excellent service and sophisticated dining, and there are many areas within the venue that are perfect for any size wedding – accommodating up to 600 guests.

See even more incredible, local Oklahoma wedding venue options here! Happy planning!