Looking through these photos from Lauren Larsen, you would never guess that the ranch where Lauren + Tommy were married had caught on fire two months before the wedding. Thankfully, this Oklahoma event was the work of a community who cleared out charred trees and made Lauren’s family ranch beautiful. Guests took in the landscape over blackberry cobbler, champagne and other Southern treats. I love how the reception came together with a hay bale lounge area, orange florals and big wooden furniture. What’s even better is the last photo of the bride and groom on the dance floor. Big thanks for Lauren Larsen again, for sharing this beautiful wedding!
Describe your wedding flowers: Bright orange with apple green accents. My bouquet was a combination of softer orange and white hues. There were lots of peonies, hydrangeas, anemones, cabbage roses, and tulips.
Describe your wedding cake: We bucked tradition on this one, serving homemade blackberry cobbler instead of a wedding cake. The blackberries were meticulously picked and preserved throughout the year by my aunt and uncle, and my aunt proceeded, over the course of several weeks, to hand craft each cobbler served.
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? Roughly two months before the wedding, an arsonist lit a portion of the ranch on fire, resulting in a swath of charred trees and grass that covered much of the actual site of the ceremony (though, thankfully, the local volunteer fire department was able to save the barn and the ranch house). My father, family, and other helpers worked exhaustively to clear the charred areas and re-seed/fertilize the burned areas. By the day of the wedding the ranch was picture-perfect. What is the one thing you are most happy you splurged on? A good photographer whom I had known since junior high. She made everyone feel comfortable, despite the 40 mph wind and 103 degree heat. The photos were spectacular!
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? Toward the end of the evening, we looked out at a dance floor full of our friends and family, all dancing the night away. Having traveled from all over the country to the depth of a small town Oklahoma, we were thrilled to see how much joy they had brought to the most important day of our lives, and how each one seemed to have also found their own joy in the occasion.
Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase, verse or line? We did, though we kept them short, simple, and traditional. We also had a good friend sing “Amazing Grace” a capella, which was incredibly moving.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you looking forward to in the future? We just moved into a new apartment in New York and are looking forward to starting our lives together. I have one more year of graduate school, before embarking on a new and exciting career. Though there’s no telling what the next few years will bring, we look forward to facing the unknown together.
Photographer: Lauren Larsen // Planner: Gibson Events // Venue: Bride’s family ranch // Florist: Poppy Lane // Wedding Cake Baker: Bride’s aunt // Caterer: Abbey Road Catering // Paper Products: Dauphine Press // Bride’s Dress: Vera Wang // Bride’s Reception Dress: Alice & Olivia // Bride’s Hair Accessories/Veil: Vera Wang // Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo // Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Lula Kate
[…] Photo by Lauren Larsen Photographs via Southern Weddings […]