Saturday, September 3, 2016

Grace & Chris | Southern Oklahoma Chinese Baptist Church | Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History | Norman, OK Wedding Photographer | Michelle Valantine Photography


It is her wedding day, a day to document such beautiful details as her bouquet, her rings, her shoes and veil. And, of course, her in her dress.

Before they met, Grace recalls, "For 2 to 3 years, I had been praying to God, asking for a husband. God didn't answer me. Then one fall night I prayed to God, and told him what kind of person I expected by a list, and then I met Chris."
And Chris recalls from their first date,"At the end of the night when we said goodbye, I remember thinking that I liked this girl and hoped it would become more than just one date."

It did become more than just one date. It became many dates. The day he proposed, he took her to the Wichita Mountains, where he remembered there being a beautiful tree and waterfall. When they got there, he got up his nerve to call her over to him, so she came bouncing along to see the view from his perspective...and then she bounced off again, clueless as to what he was planning to ask her! Luckliy, Chris is a go with the flow kinda guy, so at the next beautiful spot...next to a stream with wildflowers, he gathered up his courage and finally asked her. She said, "yes!" of course. Grace recalls, "my Mom was with us and knew ahead of time Chris' intentions. So while we hiked the trail, she picked a lot of wildflowers, which I thought was a little strange. But after he proposed, she handed me the bouquet, and it all made sense.  It was beautiful." And Chris recalls, I had been trying to call my parents because they wanted to be with us, but we were having a difficult time meeting up. When I finally proposed to Grace, it had given them enough time to catch up with us down by the stream! So we had our families gathered around us that day!"

Family and friends gathered around them on their wedding day, as well. Enjoy.

Her solitaire engagement ring and diamond wedding band rest on his beveled edge brushed finish white gold wedding band. The rings sit atop a bible, whose inner pages have been folded inward to create a heart shape. The scene is backlit from a large window in the Southern Oklahoma Chinese Baptist Church, located in Norman, OK.

A bouquet of purple hydrangea and white roses create a colorful accent when standing upright between her wedding shoes...a pair of white satin open toe high heels. Set on the window ledge of the Southern Oklahoma Chinese Baptist Church, located in Norman, OK.

The groom and his groomsmen dressed in gray suits. They're wearing lavender ties and vests, with white shirts and purple and white corsages, To finish off their ensemble, they're each adorning argyle socks and patent black leather shoes. Set on the property of the Southern Oklahoma Chinese Baptist Church, located in Norman, OK.

The groom doing a little jig with his groomsmen. It's a day of celebration! A long day coming, the day he will become a husband and gain a beautiful wife is finally here! They will be married in the Southern Oklahoma Chinese Baptist Church located in Norman, OK.

Groom and his Groomsmen walking. I love these kinds of shots, showing movement. Men walking with purpose and direction is sexy, especially when shot from a low angle. Shot on the grounds of the Southern Oklahoma Chinese Baptist Church located in Norman, OK, where he will marry his bride.

One of my favorite detail shots. After shooting the groom's portraits with his groomsmen, my Mom (my second shooter) and I were walking and talking with them, and she happened to ask if they were wearing any kind of special socks? Turns out they are! The combination of lavendar, grey and black coordinate perfectly with their grey suits and lavender ties and vests. Shot on the grounds of the Southern Oklahoma Chinese Baptist Church, located in Norman, OK.

Her bridesmaids are poofing out her dress while she twists to supervise. The top layers of her dress are a beautiful tulle, giving the illusion that she is floating as she walks. Her bridesmaids are dressed in lavender soft flowy dresses, each one the same color, but unique in style. Set at the Southern Oklahoma Chinese Baptist Church in Norman, OK.

Holding her white and silver high heel shoes, the bride is almost dressed and ready for the ceremony. She is wearing a beautiful sequine topped dress, with tulle flowing down from her waist. A corsage adorns her wrist, and her engagement ring will soon be joined with its wedding band. Set at the Southern Oklahoma Chinese Baptist Church in Norman, OK.


She leans over to fasten her shoe strap around her ankle. Soon she will be walking down the aisle to her groom and walking back again as his wife. Set at the Southern Oklahoma Chinese Baptist Church in Norman, OK.

Her attendants are finishing the last touches of getting her dressed. Nerves are high, but the desire to laugh, even higher. Set at the Southern Oklahoma Chinese Baptist Church in Norman, OK.

Everyone is freshly dressed and watching the time. All they have to do now is grab their bouquets and wait for the ceremony to begin. In the meantime, they lighten the tension and anxiety of waiting with laughter and inside jokes. Set at the Southern Oklahoma Chinese Baptist Church, located in Norman, OK.

Look at her smile. Wow. She is beautiful. Holding a purple hydrangea and white rose bouquet, with a sparkling cubic zirconia necklace and earrings, now all she is doing is waiting for her First Look. Set at the Southern Oklahoma Chinese Baptist Church in Norman, OK.

They have opted for a First Look without actually looking at one another...they want to keep that a surprise until the ceremony. He is in place, with his back turned to her behind the wall. He cannot see her, and all she can see of him is his arm. When she approaches, he will grab her hand, and they will share one of the few private moments they will receive in their entire day of celebrations. Set at the Southern Oklahoma Chinese Baptist Church in Norman, OK.

He can't see her, and all she sees is his outstretched hand reaching to hold hers. It is their First Look without looking, and they are sharing a private moment with high anticipation. The next time they will be together, it will be at the altar getting married. They smile at the delight this brings to them. Set at the Oklahoma Southern Baptist Church in Norman, OK.

She peeks around the corner, looking to see who is walking down the aisle. It is one of her flower girls. Just one flower girl left, plus the ring bearer, THEN it will be her turn. Set at the Southern Oklahoma Chinese Baptist Church in Norman, OK.

"Here comes the bride, all dressed in white..." And there she is, on the arm of her father, everyone standing, looking to see the beautiful woman dressed in white. She is being escorted to her groom, who is seeing her for the first time. Her smiie is from ear to ear...the moment she has been waiting for has finally arrived. She is getting married to the love of her life. Set at the Southern Oklahoma Chinese Baptist Church in Norman, OK.

Hand in hand, they say their vows to one another, dedicating their lives to each other. A life full of love and commitment, and for them, surely fun and laughter! With their bridesmaids and groomsmen standing beside them. Set at the Southern Oklahoma Chinese Baptist Church in Norman, OK.

Their kiss seals the deal! They have been pronounced husband and wife, and he is kissing his bride! The crowd of family and friends is cheering them on! Set at the Southern Oklahoma Chinese Baptist Church in Norman, OK.

The groom's brother sings and plays guitar after they have been pronounced husband and wife. He sings a love song in celebration. Set at the Southern Oklahoma Chinese Baptist Church in Norman, OK.

Ultra-wide angle view of the Southern Oklahoma Chinese Baptist Church in Norman, OK. The bride and groom have just been pronounced husband and wife, and his brother is singing a love song on the guitar. Soon, they will be leading the recessional back down the aisle, dancing and laughing the entire way.

The bride and groom have just been pronounced husband and wife, and the guests stand, clap and cheer in celebration. Set at the Southern Oklahoma Chinese Baptist Church located in Norman, OK.

Making their way back down the aisle as husband and wife, they lead the recessional with laughter, dancing and huge smiles. Set at the Southern Oklahoma Chinese Baptist Church located in Norman, OK.

On a day in early September the sun is low in the sky, and with his arms wrapped around his bride, he leans down and kisses her shoulder in a gesture of love and tenderness. Taken at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman, OK.

On a day in early September the sun is low in the sky, and with his hands on her waist, he whispers a sweet nothing to his new bride, who leans back, enjoying the words. Taken at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman, OK.

On a day in early September the sun is low in the sky. Together, they hold hands and face forward. They have become husband and wife today. Taken at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman, OK.

On a day in early September the sun is low in the sky. Together, they hold hands and face one another. He looks like he's about to kiss his bride. They have become husband and wife today and their connection and excitement is palpable. Taken at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman, OK.

On a day in early September the sun is low in the sky. He dips his bride in a romantic gesture for a kiss. They have just become husband and wife and the kisses today are plentiful and celebratory! Taken at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman, OK.

On a day in early September the sun is low in the sky. He has just dipped her back to kiss her, and now he brings her back up to standing. She looks back at me, with a great big smile on her face. Meanwhile he is looking and laughing at his grand gesture of love for her. They have become husband and wife today and their connection and excitement is palpable. Taken at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman, OK.

She stands with her bridesmaids, who are wearing softly flowing lavender dresses. Her bouquet of purple hydrangeas and white roses coordinates the group of women, eager to celebrate their friend who just got married. Taken on an early day in September with the sun low in the sky at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman, OK.

She stands with her bridesmaids, who are wearing softly flowing lavender dresses, and laughing together in a moment of humor and celebration. Her bouquet of purple hydrangeas and white roses coordinates the group of women, eager to celebrate their friend who just got married. Taken on an early day in September with the sun low in the sky at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman, OK.

They stand with their wedding party, the groomsmen dressed in gray suits, and the bridesmaids, wearing softly flowing lavender dresses. They are all smiling in celebration of the couple becoming husband and wife today. Taken on an early day in September with the sun low in the sky at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman, OK.

They stand and cheer with their wedding party, the groomsmen dressed in gray suits, and the bridesmaids, wearing softly flowing lavender dresses. They are all laughing and cheering in celebration of the couple becoming husband and wife today. Taken on an early day in September with the sun low in the sky at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman, OK.

He has his arm around his bride, while gazing lovingly at her. She stands facing him with her head turned towards the viewer. They are standing in front of the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural Histoy, where their reception is being held. They have become husband and wife today and their connection and excitement is palpable. Taken on a day in early September with the sun low in the sky.

With a journalistic feel to it, we watch as they walk hand in hand, oblivious to anyone around them, laughing and enjoying this moment of being alone together on their wedding day. Taken on an early day in September with the sun low in the sky at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman, OK.

They are walking down a grassy trail lined with tall grass. We watch as they walk hand in hand away from us, but then they look back, smiling, happy to see us, for today is their wedding day. Taken on an early day in September with the sun low in the sky at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman, OK.

He holds his bride in his arms, about to kiss her, when her veil suddently flies over their heads, creating a brief moment of playful intimacy between them. Taken on an early day in September with the sun low in the sky at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman, OK.

He holds his bride's hand as they walk hand in hand. They are looking and smiling at one another as they talk about being husband and wife, their new names they get to reference one another with. Taken on an early day in September with the sun low in the sky at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman, OK.

He holds his bride's hand as they walk hand in hand. They are looking and smiling as they walk into their future as husband and wife. Taken on an early day in September with the sun low in the sky at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman, OK.

He takes his bride by the arm as he walks her down the grand staircase to their reception. Taken on an early day in September with the sun low in the sky at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman, OK.

He takes his bride by the arm as they make their Grand Entrance down the staircase into their reception. Taken on an early day in September with the sun low in the sky at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman, OK.

Their guests eagerly greet the wedding couple as they make their Grand Entrance into their reception. Taken at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman, OK.
  All their guests are sitting down eating delicious food catered by Benvenuti's Restaurant, while he takes a moment to hold her hand and treasure this moment in time with one another. They got married today, and now it is time to relax and enjoy the festivities. Taken at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman, OK.

His best man, one of his very best friends, stands and makes a speech dedicated to the newly wedded couple. At the end, they raise their glasses in a toast. Taken at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman, OK.

Her maid of honor raises her glass in a toast to the newly married couple. Taken at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman, OK.

All the guests raise their glasses in a toast to the newly married couple! Taken at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman, OK.

He takes his bride in his arms as they dance their First Dance together as husband and wife. Taken at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman, OK.

Their wedding cake is in gradient shades of white, lavender and deep purple. The cake topper is made of crystal and represents the couple dancing. Taken at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman, OK.

She is swaying in his arms as they dance their First Dance together as husband and wife. Taken at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman, OK.

In one of their reception games, she was blindfolded and taken in front of 5 men to feel their hands in an attempt to distinguish her husband's hand from everyone else. Her look is one of pure elation when the blindfold is removed and she sees her husband standing in front of her. She has made the correct guess! Taken at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman, OK.

In Chinese tradition, it is customary for the newly wedded couple to dress in traditional robes and host a Tea Ceremony for their parents. Beginning with the bride, she offers a warm cup of tea to her mom, then father, and then her husband does the same. In return, a red envelope and gift is handed to them. Then it is the groom's parent's turn. He goes first, and then she does, serving tea to each parent. And receiving a gift in return. Taken at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman, OK.

The newly wedded couple stands in their traditional Chinese robes. Taken at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman, OK.




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Location: Norman, OK, USA

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