Kirstin Poindexter Weds Dustin Hester | Rustic Pastel Oklahoma Wedding by Forever Cole Events

Beautifully light and airy, Kirstin and Dustin’s rustic pastel Oklahoma wedding at Sparrow is full of dreamy details. Kirstin’s beautiful Katie May gown from Meg Guess is stunning, and we can’t get over the delicate lace detailing and dramatic back! With signage and calligraphy from Laurel and Marie and rentals from Marianne’s, the beautiful reception space at Sparrow was dressed to the nines by Forever Cole Events. Guests dined on delicious catering from C2 Catering and an array of gorgeously decorated wedding cakes from The Round House Bakery. Scroll through the incredible photos below and be sure to grab a tissue and catch the heartwarming video by Pen Weddings. Cheers to this sweet couple!

Photos // Amanda Watson Photography

Video // Pen Weddings

Written by Abby Broyles

Serenity washed over the lush green landscape that warm May afternoon. The rolling fields had all the charm that’s unique to small Oklahoma towns. Just off the ceremony site, the groom anxiously waited to see his bride for the first time that day. A year-and-a-half of preparation had gone into the occasion. Vows were written, flowers were selected, cakes were baked, and loved ones had traveled to be a part of it all. Then, finally, she was there. Dustin’s face lit up with a smile at his beautiful bride, Kirstin. “I loved having a moment to feel that excitement in private,” Kirstin says. “It took pressure off both of us,” Dustin remembers. With a kiss and a few words shared, they were ready to tie the knot in the college town where they had met years before.

Kirstin and Dustin met at a Halloween party in October 2012 while they were both attending Oklahoma State University in Stillwater. “I got roped into going to a costume party. She caught my attention wearing a gold and red gladiator costume,” Dustin remembers. Kirstin enjoyed poking fun at Dustin for not wearing a costume. From that first encounter, they became friends and dated throughout college. “We have fun spending time together even doing the most mundane things. He is so thoughtful and is always showing me how much he loves me, whether it’s picking up my favorite treats at the store or suffering through a movie with me,” Kirstin says.

In December 2015, Dustin and Kirstin traveled to Colorado to visit his parents for Christmas. One evening, the two of them took a horse-drawn carriage to dinner out at a ranch. The air was crisp, and fresh snow covered the ground. The scenery was breathtaking with a dusty purple and orange sunset sky and pine tree covered mountains. Before they went inside the cabin for dinner, Dustin pulled out a gorgeous diamond ring and asked Kirstin to spend the rest of her life with him. “Even though we had talked about marriage a lot and even gone ring shopping together, I don’t think you can really prepare for that moment you’ve been looking forward to for so long. Afterward, it was almost surreal to realize we were officially engaged,” Kirstin remembers. Over a wonderful dinner, the two celebrated their big moment and looked forward to their future together.

The couple started touring venues in January and making plans to work around Kirstin’s graduate school schedule. They weren’t sure where they wanted to have the wedding, but ultimately decided on Stillwater because of its sentimental value. Sparrow was just what Kirstin had envisioned with its huge windows and natural light. She could vividly picture their wedding there even though the modern barn was still under construction when they toured it. Kirstin spent hours browsing Pinterest and bridal magazines looking for inspiration for her rustic pastel wedding. Then she came across a picture of a bouquet by Juniper Designs, that inspired her blush and ivory color palette. She also knew she wanted to incorporate greenery. For a couple that loves the outdoors, everything was falling into place perfectly.

On May 20, 2017, friends and family gathered at Sparrow to witness the marriage of Kirstin Poindexter and Dustin Hester. The bride, groom and wedding party had enjoyed a lively rehearsal dinner the night before at Karsten Creek Golf Club, followed by breakfast with their respective attendants the morning of the wedding. As it often happens in Oklahoma during the month of May, the ceremony plan changed due to the weather. The ceremony was originally going to be held on the grass in the open field behind the Sparrow building, but due to the soft ground from rain, everything was moved to a concrete patio. It’s hard to imagine the setting looking any other way after the arch wrapped in greenery with blush-colored roses was installed on the raised part of the patio. The couple soaked it all in during their first look before the ceremony began.

At half past 5:00, Dustin and his groomsmen made their entrance wearing dapper gray suits with pale pink ties. The bridesmaids were lovely in flowing floor-length gowns in varying pastels. Escorted down the aisle by her older brother, Kirstin wore a beautiful fitted lace gown with sweetheart neckline and low back silhouette by designer Katie May.

“I tried on several different styles [while gown shopping], but I couldn’t picture myself in anything else. I was even able to ‘customize’ the dress a little bit by adding beading around the bodice and length to the train,” Kirstin says. The ceremony was traditional, but the bride and groom wrote their own vows. They both expressed their gratefulness for each other’s support and unconditional love. “I am not sure a lifetime is long enough to give you all you deserve, but I promise the rest of my days I’ll always put us before me,” Dustin told Kirstin. “You are kind, selfless and courageous. You encourage me to be my best self and give me the strength to face things that seem insurmountable,” Kirstin told him. After the conclusion of their heartfelt vows, the officiant declared them husband and wife, and Dustin kissed his bride.

The reception was held inside Sparrow with its rustic warmth and large windows seeping in plenty of natural light. While the wedding party and family members took photos outside, friends mingled for cocktail hour. Round wooden tables were topped with soft creamy fabric and vases of pastel roses and greenery. Thank you notes from Kirstin and Dustin were tucked inside pale pink cloth napkins. To add to the romantic look, candles glowed between place settings.

After photos, Kirstin and Dustin entered the reception down the stairs to a round of applause and cheering. Dustin danced with his mother to “Simple Man” by Lynard Skynard performed by the live band. Kirstin’s father passed away while she and Dustin were dating, and Kirstin opted for sharing her dance with her brother and two uncles to “Wildflowers” by Tom Petty. (Kirstin’s father was remembered during heartfelt toasts that evening.) The planned dances wrapped up with Kirstin and Dustin’s first dance as husband and wife to “All of Me” by John Legend.

The evening was full of dancing and delicious food. In between trips to the photo booth and talking with other guests, everyone savored the different cuisines set up at food stations. The couple also had a series of activities lined up. Aside from the traditional moments like cutting the wedding cake, everyone jumped in to play different games, including the popular “shoe game” starring the newlyweds. “We really liked the pacing of the night,” Dustin remembers.

The night came to a close with a big sparkler exit as the bride and groom made their way to Dustin’s dad’s classic emerald green Austin Healey car. Just past the sea of sparkling light, the couple drove away down the dreamy tree-lined street. With a fairytale wedding in the books, it was the perfect way to begin their new life together – in the town where their love story first began.