The Instagram gods had my back by bringing Jill and Brayden into my life after Jill found me through Instagram last winter. After I shot their engagement photos here in Chicago in the middle of a snowstorm, Jill texted me and asked if I would want to come down to Oklahoma to shoot their wedding too!! I was obsessed with Jill and Brayden after spending just an hour and a half with them for their engagement session, so I obviously said yes and started preparing for some warmer weather this time around!

I started the weekend by flying into Tulsa on Friday so that I could shoot their rehearsal dinner too and oh my goodness I have never felt so welcomed by a group of people. All of Jill and Brayden’s friends and family were amazing (I wasn’t surprised) and I had so much fun hanging out all night. They had a bunch of food trucks, ax throwing (!) and the whole vibe was fun and relaxed. Then for the main event!! I’ve since heard that the heat index on Saturday was 114° and now I understand why I was so sweaty all day and returned to the bar to order water five times in one minute (sorry bartenders hahahah). BUT IT WAS WORTH EVERY DEGREE.

My favorite moment from the day (apart from watching everyone rock out to the band during the reception) was when Jill and Brayden read letters to each other before the ceremony; they had decided not to do a first look so that the first time Brayden saw Jill would be when she was coming down the aisle, so instead they read the letters to each other from around a corner so he couldn’t see her. Jill was tearing up within a few words of his letter (and so was I) because it was so heartfelt and sweet—but then he threw in the funniest line at the very end: “P.S. Will you accept my invitation to the fantasy suite tonight?” HAHAHAHA I literally laughed out loud even though I try to stay quiet during moments like these on wedding days. Jill and I have been texting about Bachelor drama for the past month (#TeamTyler) and Brayden KILLED it with the reference—and he knew it too, scroll down to see his proud expression after he said it haha!!

This day was so perfect and a dream to shoot thanks to Jill, Brayden, their friends and family and the following vendors who are all dang good at what they do:

Venue: The Patriot Golf Club

Coordination: Leslie Herring Events

Planning: Allison Senger

Videography: Leslee Layton Films⁠

Florals: Crooked Roots Design⁠

Cake: Antoinette Baking Co.⁠

Hair and Makeup: Styled by Shirin⁠ + Marci Gaines

Band: Lost Wax Music⁠

Lighting: Lions Road⁠

Rentals: Party Pro Rents⁠

Photo Booth: Vintage Wagon Photobooth⁠

Stationery: Laurel and Marie⁠