Project Wedding Blog

Lisa and Nick’s wedding day vision was so unique, intimate and personal that we’ve been dying to show you!  The couple married at the groom’s family’s lake house near Grand Lake, Oklahoma. It’s a 40-acre property filled with woods, rustic beauty, and an incredible home with large windows.  Once the setting had been decided, Lisa and her mom went to work planning and visioning a day of rustic sophistication in green and gold.  Photos by Lisa Dunham of LSD Photography. The bride wore an amazing lace Vera Wang with cowboy boots!  (We’re totally digging her style).  A vintage Ciner crystal bib necklace added a glamorous twist to her look.  Nick looked sharp sporting Ralph Lauren.  The couple first met at Nick’s surprise birthday party in 2008.  Lisa had attended with a mutual friend.  At the time, Nick was in his fourth year of medical school, but he scheduled his rotations in Tulsa to be closer to her.  After six months of dating and a Christmas Eve proposal, the couple started planning their future together!
After taking their vows in an early evening ceremony, Lisa and Nick headed inside with their guests to celebrate.  Lush green and white florals arrangements overflowed on the table tops.  Gold accents added touches of sophistication to the celebration. 

There’s tons more to see!  Head over to our Real Wedding Gallery to peek at more photos.

For more of Lisa and Nick’s story, read just below!

Photos by LSD Photography

Bridal Gown by Vera Wang

Bride’s Necklace by Rent the Runway

Groom’s Attire by Ralph Lauren

Chair Rentals by ABCO

Tables (Purchased) at Restoration Hardware

Desserts by Lattéland

Cake by Merritt’s Bakery

Venue: Private Residence

Planning by the Bride

From the Bride: We were introduced in 2008 when I attended Nick’s surprise birthday party with a mutual friend. Our first date shortly followed and would be recounted at our wedding three years later. Nick, a fourth year medical student at the time, scheduled his rotations in Tulsa in order to spend more time with me.  I was completing my studies in biochemistry and studio art at the University of Tulsa. After six months of dating and a Christmas Eve proposal, we began planning our future together. The engagement changed to a long distance status when I entered my first year of medical school in Oklahoma City at the University of Oklahoma and Nick began his residency training in Tulsa.  Wishing to begin married life in the same city, we set our wedding date for the end of my second year, after which I could complete my clinical education in Tulsa.

Originally opting for a formal winter wedding at a Tulsa mansion, transitioning to an outdoor spring wedding was quite a change. Throughout our relationship, our priorities dramatically changed in what we envisioned for our wedding.  We wanted an intimate and personal wedding, so we felt it ideal to be married in the same location as our first date  Once the inspiration was officially established, my mother and I began incorporating our artistic backgrounds with a palette of green and gold to plan the perfect wedding.

We were married on Saturday, March 12th, at the Bull family’s 40-acre lakeside property in Grand Lake, Oklahoma. The décor was specifically chosen to add a glamorous twist to the natural outdoor setting, which was further reflected by the my wardrobe:  a vintage Ciner crystal bib necklace, cowboy boots and a lace Vera Wang gown. Framed by a sunset and canopy of trees, the ceremony took place on a wraparound veranda overlooking the water. With dozens of lanterns lighting the periphery, guests watched as we exchanged vows beneath a large wooden and moss arch capped by an impressive arrangement of hydrangeas, lilies and orchids. The adjacent indoor room, characterized by walls of two story tall windows, served as the reception venue. Chandeliers and hundreds of Italian string lights hung above 10-foot wooden banquet tables, surrounded by gold chiavari chairs and topped with lace runners, gold chargers, silk green lace encircled napkins, gold candelabras, and miniature topiary trees displaying place cards.

Upon arrival, guests were greeted with mint green cocktails and asked to write a message to us on the glass panels of an oversized antique gold lantern. Guests were next greeted by one of our favorite touches of the evening: a rustic wagon filled with large bricks and wheels of cheese! 

Following the ceremony, an Italian themed dinner began with family style passed appetizers. Each item of the menu was carefully selected and individually catered from numerous locations throughout Tulsa to create the ultimate Italian themed meal. Variety was similarly offered at the dessert display, consisting of gold pedestals supporting tiramisu, cheesecake, biscotti, cannoli, wedding cake, and ‘wedding cake’ sugar cookies compliments of our favorite bakery in Kansas City.

At the end of the evening, guests were offered favors of miniature lanterns and topiary trees.

Following our Hawaiian honeymoon, we filled our downtown loft with reminders of the wedding. The lantern guest ‘book’, covered with messages from family and friends, is displayed as a centerpiece on the head table from the reception, a gift from Lisa’s parents that now doubles as a dining room table. Reflecting on our wedding, we felt that  everything about the day was completely representative of who we are as individuals and as a couple. By not strictly adhering to the rules of a traditional wedding, we were able to incorporate unique and personal details which served to create a meaningful memory for our families, guests, and ourselves.

Tags: green, lake house, rustic