It was only a few years ago that Sara Kate and Jason were acquaintances. When Jason was moving, he sought Sara Kate’s help as she is a seasoned interior stylist. Throughout working together, Sara Kate and Jason developed a close friendship. The pair often spent time with one another, even swapping dating stories. After months of a deep friendship, they found themselves both single and decided to try dating since they had so much in common. They figured if things didn’t work out, they would go back to being great friends – lucky for them, they didn’t have to worry about that. Sara Kate and Jason fell deeply in love realizing the confidant in front of them was so much more.
Unlike their past relationships, this one was different and special. They each knew the other so well it created a sense of exciting vulnerability. For their first date, the pair dined at a mutual favorite, Ludivine. They sat at the chef’s bar and talked for hours. In addition to sharing many commonalities such as travel, they each have a monumental respect for one another. Sara Kate loves how intentional of a partner Jason is, while he loves her empathetic, caring heart.
Jason knew she was “the one” after a conversation they had about the meaning of family and legacy. For him, the idea of building a life with Sara Kate made him feel warm and optimistic about the future as well as a willingness to sacrifice everything – a sentiment he had never felt before.
The couple has a holiday tradition of attending St. Luke’s United Methodist Church’s candlelight ceremony on Christmas Eve followed by dinner at Boulevard Steakhouse and opening gifts. Sara Kate and Jason arrived at the church a little earlier than normal and grabbed seats at the back of the chapel. The congregation began singing “Silent Night” and the candle lighting began at the front of the sanctuary. As glimmering candlelight surrounded them, Jason turned to Sara Kate and asked that she open her Christmas card from him right then and there. Bewildered, she opened the card and recognized the nostalgic calligraphy on the meaningful quotes on smaller cards inside. Tears flowed immediately because she thought that in itself was so sweet of her loving boyfriend.
When she read the last card, it asked, “Will you be my wife?” Shaking and crying, she happily accepted the proposal not noticing he was clutching her gorgeous ring. The excitement continued upon arriving at the steakhouse when she saw her family and Jason’s family waiting for them. Throughout dinner, the couple couldn’t take their eyes off one another. For soon, they would be husband and wife.
When they got home, Jason had yet another surprise for her waiting under the tree. Sara Kate opened up a present that was a city guide of London. Jason revealed the newly engaged couple would be jetting off to London the following day. Sara Kate once again broke into hysterical tears as Jason laughed. The pair spent the next week celebrating their engagement by exploring London.
Wedding planning began on the flight back to the United States. When Jason said he couldn’t wait to get married, the couple set their sights on a spring wedding, which meant time was of the essence. Sara Kate had always wanted to get married underneath her favorite tree in her parent’s back yard. With that in mind, planning was underway.
Friend and wedding planner Lindsay Gibson of Gibson Events worked out the details with Sara Kate. The free flowing bride-to-be didn’t want to be tied to a theme or color, but more a feel. She wanted a bright, eclectic aesthetic that mirrored her personality. With that in mind, the southern table in conjunction with Poppy Lane Design created wild, natural flower arrangements that included peonies and ranunculus in varying shades.
When beginning her quest for a wedding gown, Sara Kate knew she wanted something timeless and original. For her, nostalgia was paramount. JJ Kelly Bridal had just what she wanted in a beautiful Monique Lhuillier lace gown that had a striking bodice, neckline and graceful sleeves.
Jason’s wedding day priority was the music. While they were celebrating their engagement in London, the couple heard an amazing DJ at a cocktail lounge. Sara Kate and Jason spoke to DJ Junior Otamon for a while at the lounge and sought him out for their special day. The DJ was honored to travel overseas for the couple’s nuptials and DJ at their reception.
On the morning of their wedding, the couple woke to a soggy spring day and flash flood warnings. Despite this, Sara Kate and Jason were elated to finally become husband and wife. The bride found solace in the fact that the weather would do what it wanted, but she would do the same – get married to the love of her life under the special tree in her parent’s back yard.
Rather than have the cocktail hour after the ceremony, the couple opted to move up the mingling before the ceremony in hopes of finding a break in the rain to get married outside. Once they found that break, Sara Kate slipped into rain boots while the bridal party kicked off their shoes and tied up their long dresses. When guests caught their first glimpse of Sara Kate and her father outside the living room window, they clapped and cheered. Guests were told they could view the wedding from the house or join the couple at the tree. A good portion of guests hopped out of their shoes to join the barefoot bridal part and rain boot-clad bride for the drizzly, romantic ceremony underneath the beloved tree.
Following the nuptials, the newlyweds and their guests enjoyed a whimsical reception in a tent aglow with twinkle lights. Tables came alive with dynamic floral arrangements and vintage flatware. The bride styled the head table with rare antique china, silverware and glassware that was complemented with the unruly floral arrangements. Guests dined on dishes from Good Egg Dining Group and a delicious confection created by Amy Cakes. Everyone was truly entertained when Sara Kate took the dance floor with her father and Jason with his mother. The group had secretly been taking ballroom dance lessons and showed off their skills to Nat King Cole’s “L-O-V-E.”
Sara Kate thought her groom looked impeccable all night long in his white dinner jacket, which was quite a feat in a setting caked with mud. Jason found his bride’s dress to be stunning and delicate; seeing the frock paired with rain boots was ironically comical and perfect all at once.
Everyone danced late into the night. Rather than leave the party early, Sara Kate and Jason took the party with them to Empire Slice House where family and friends gathered for a late night meal. The newlyweds enjoyed pizza while wearing the gown and tuxedo they were married in. The couple’s wedding ended exactly as it began – unconventional – which fit Sara Kate and Jason’s personalities perfectly.
When looking back at their special day, the couple has a fond appreciation for the rain that made the day uniquely theirs. Rather than dampening their spirits, the storm only brightened the romantic celebration.
Sara Kate and Jason’s honeymoon consisted of a tour through the South that included New Orleans, Charleston, Savannah and Nashville. They are currently enjoying married life in Oklahoma City. Both admit their present doesn’t feel that different from their life together before they wed. They look forward to an adventure-filled “around the world” trip as well as simple, everyday life with one another that is equally enriching.
Other Local Vendors:
Gibson Events, J.J. Kelly Bridal Salon, Brett Heidebrecht Photography, Ambassador Hotel Oklahoma City, Autograph Collection, Chelsey Ann Artistry
