Rachel Photographs is an award-winning destination wedding photographer based in Oklahoma City. Specializing in modern, creative story-telling for adventurous people. Weddings. Elopements. Engagements. Editorial. Lifestyle. Travel.

Edgy | Organic | Ethereal : A Wedding Styled Shoot \ WHITE Magazine

I have been itching to share this shoot with the world since April. We kept it under wraps because we had high hopes of getting it published.
Our dreams came true when White Magazine picked it up for a feature in their blog and A PRINT PUBLICATION IN THEIR MOST RECENT ISSUE. (Go get your issue of WHITE Magazine when they hit shelves in the US (Barnes and Noble!) in January!)
Cue the champagne toasts and happy tears.

This shoot was the brain-child of Heather of Forever Cole Events and I. We met over coffee + hot cocoa back in January and started brainstorming and drawing up ideas for this shoot. We wanted a different location, different vibe, different feel than anything we’d seen in Oklahoma. The Salt Plains offered the coolest backdrop for our shoot and all the vendors helped bring our vision to life. I was in awe watching everyone work together to create something beautiful. Even if this shoot had never been picked up for publication, I’d still be so freaking thrilled with everything and everyone.
I am so proud of our amazing team (listed below) for making this sh!t happen when we were battling major wind gusts, the brightest (near-blinding) sun light, and so many things going “wrong.” If you ever need a vendor that goes the extra mile to make sure your vision comes to life…this team doesn’t stop. They’re the baddest bosses.

Thank you x 1000000 to the incredible vendors who made up this team (please ignore that I’m thanking myself and calling myself incredible):
Styling/Coordination: Forever Cole Events
Florals/Plants: The Plant Shoppe
Bridal Gown: Prescott Bridal
Rentals: Borrowed Charm
Cake: Brown Egg Bakery
Videography: Dewberry Cinema
Photography: Rachel Photographs
Second Shooter: AJ Stegall Photography
Paper Goods: Brittany Viklund
Hair + Makeup: Molly McGuire Hair + Makeup
Bride’s Shoes: Zara
Groom’s Suit: Asos
Groom’s Shirt: Ty Hirtzel
Groom’s Bout: Micah Hamilton Jewelry
Decor pieces: West Elm
Charcuterie: Whole Foods
Models: Jessi Murray + Kris Murray

Without further ado…here is our shoot.

Edgy | Organic | Ethereal
Wedding Inspiration at the Salt Flats

Make sure to watch the INCREDIBLE video by Dewberry Cinema HERE.

Meredith + Kyle | Magnolia Room Wedding | OKC Wedding Photographers

A day wrapped in anticipation and excitement. The hustle and bustle of Oklahoma City and Automobile Alley. Two souls clothed in their very best-a BHLDN gown and some Jimmy Choos for her and a tailored, modern black suit for him. Laughter with their closest friends in the morning followed by “Ave Maria” echoing throughout the sanctuary, marking the beginning of the ceremony where Meredith would marry her love, Kyle.
This day was so good for so many reasons: The Magnolia Room (one of my favorite venues ever), kind and fun wedding parties, some seeeeeerious style, pretty blooms and twinkle lights and gold everything, very, very delicious food, plenty of drinks to get even the shyest people on the dance floor, the prettiest golden light and rooftop vibes, joyous guests and a joy-filled atmosphere, the most-packed dance floor I’ve ever photographed, a dance battle featuring Meredith and her girls versus Kyle and his boys-one of the best things ever. Not to mention my homegirl, Heather of Forever Cole Events, was there to make sure everything looked gorgeous and went off without a hitch.
The things that floored me most were Meredith’s and Kyle’s graciousness and kindness. They filled the room with fun energy that guaranteed smiles all around. Meredith never let me guess whether or not she was thankful that I was there. I knew from the moment I got there and she reminded me all day.
That means the world to me (and to wedding photographers). It’s not often that we’re thanked for our hard work on the day of the wedding (I totally know how busy and chaotic those days can be), so it’s so lovely to be told we’re appreciated throughout a wedding day.
These are good people with good taste and good hearts and good people loving them. What an honor and a joy it was to be a small part of Meredith and Kyle’s big day. (I’m also writing this on the day before their first month anniversary…so HAPPY ONE-MONTH ANNIVERSARY YOU TWO).

Thank you to my second shooter, AJ, for grabbing a few of these shots. He’s a champ.
Cheers!

OKC Wedding Photographer: Rachel Photographs

Stone Barn at Blueberry Hill Wedding | Oklahoma City Wedding Photographer

Anna + Tyler. These two. Wow.

They met at a wedding about two years ago. He saw her on the dance floor and she saw him and thought “now THAT is the type of man I could marry.”
That was the very beginning. Since then they dated, fell deeply in love, went through a long-distance relationship/engagement (Anna moved to Atlanta!), fell more in love, and now, they are husband and wife and it is so sweet.

These two are good people down to their core. The most welcoming, fun, kind, sweet, and patient people you may ever meet. Their smiles are bright, near constant, and contagious. Anna has a silent grace and very pure peace about her. You can see it in how she moves and interacts with her loved ones–especially Tyler. Tyler is calm and goofy at the same time, strong and gracious, and loves Anna hugely and gently. A type of love that is inspiring to witness, to be around. They type of love that makes you feel really grateful for your loved ones and the type of love I love photographing.

One of my favorite parts of the day was during Anna and Tyler’s pre-ceremony prayer together. They held hands in anticipation–just moments away from marrying each other. With closed eyes (not a peek out of either of them!) and racing hearts, they prayed together–just loud enough for the two of them to hear.
Once Tyler went back in, Anna had the most joyous and excited reaction ever. (Photos below. My heart can’t take it.)

Anna and Tyler could have gotten married in a dirty alleyway and it would have been a beautiful day. But they didn’t. Their wedding and reception took place at the Stone Barn at Blueberry Hill in Oklahoma City. I’ve had the pleasure of shooting in dozens of stunning locations, but this one is something special–something different. A venue unlike any I’ve seen in Oklahoma. Kimber, who runs the show at Blueberry Hill, is also the sweetest person ever. This venue took my breath away–an old stone barn, bamboo galore, little nooks and crannies that make a photographer’s heart happy, stained glass windows, trees and twinkle lights, and that certain magic that shows up after twilight.
There was a lot of other goodness to this wedding. What a dream: Anna’s BHLDN dress, Roundhouse Bakery’s beautiful cakes, macarons, and cake pops, excellent dance parties throughout the day, the most amazing pair of shoes I’ve ever seen, The Plant Shoppe killing it with florals, tears of joy, huge amounts of laughter, a picnic style dinner, dancing under the stars, and one amazing love that was a privilege to photograph.

Anna and Tyler–you two crushed it on the whole wedding thing, and I’m sure you’re going to crush it on the marriage thing too.

Okay. I’m going to stop talking now. Enjoy.

Surprise Wedding at Plenty Mercantile | Denver Wedding Photographer

When I met with Laura and Stuart last year to talk about being their wedding photographer, I knew immediately that I wanted to work with them. They are fun, laid-back, smart, and totally beautiful to boot. When we talked about their wedding, they mentioned food trucks, cupcakes, a band, Plenty Mercantile, and a big ole party for their friends and family. Oh, yeah…and that the wedding was going to be a surprise!!! That’s right. Laura, Stuart, and I were the only three souls who knew they’d be getting married in front of their friends and family on a late May evening on a rooftop the Oklahoma City.

Since booking me, L + S made a big move to Denver, Colorado and have been enjoying life there. When they traveled back for their wedding, they were playing it off as though they already got married and were having a big reception back in OKC. Clever.

This day was endless fun and was filled with lots and lots of goodness: a pizza party catered by Halls Pizza Kitchen (with flossing following-Laura is a dentist, so clean teeth are a must), cupcakes, goldfish and Chex mix (people after my own heart), beautiful florals from Cole Dewey, live music and tons of dancing, twinkle lights and bare feet, so much laughter, and one surprise that left the crowd speechless, overjoyed, and teary-eyed and a bride and groom/best friends married and together fo-eva. Pretty great day if you ask me.

Parties like this, with people like this, never get old.

The night ended with a last call and a huge sparkler send off before L + S headed out in preparation to their honeymoon to Italy. Swoon.

Congratulations to Laura and Stuart! You two are awesome.

Many thanks to my second shooter, AJ, for snagging a few of the above shots.

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