Celebrating Love in the Spring at Sunset Oaks

East Texas Wedding VenueTyler Tx Wedding VenueWedding Planning

Apr 21

Written By Amber McKinney

Sarah & Nathan’s beautiful spring wedding in Tyler, TX

Where it all began-

In 2015, they boarded the same plane to go on a mission trip to Nicaragua.

They didn't know one another at the time and didn't even live in the same town, but eventually, they became really close friends with one another. They started dating in their second semester of senior year, and now they have been together for almost 4 years!

They plan to be missionaries together. “We are just two kids who have really "grown-up" together, and we are so excited to keep growing up and spending the rest of our lives together!” Sarah told us before their big day.

The Proposal-

Nathan proposed to Sarah on her grandparents' land at sunset!

“It was very special and romantic,” Sarah recalls.

What their families had to say-

At the Rehearsal, our team sat down to talk to the Joni, Nathan’s mother, and we asked her, “when was the moment you knew, without a doubt, that these two would end up together?”

Sarah had driven from Canton to Hazlet for Nathans’s 18th birthday. Nathan had checked with his mother to make sure it was okay that Sarah came, but at the time, she had no idea who he was talking about. By the end of the night, Mom knew that Sarah was the one! She tried to get Sarah to go home once it started to get dark, because she was worried about her driving that far at night, but it was NOT easy to do.

Sarah and her mother-in-law have a great relationship- “It really feels like we are getting a daughter,” she said, with tears in her eyes. Nathan’s parents say they prayed over Nathan, about him “getting God’s best for her son” and they truly believe that he found that in Sarah.

When we caught up to Sarah’s mother, Glynna, she told us, with a light in her eyes, that she knew every time that Sarah looked at Nathan- he was the one. The light in Sarah’s eyes when she looks at him says it ALL. “It’s hard to let go because she is always going to be my baby, but it’s easier when I know that I am letting her go into his arms,” She said, as she wiped tears from her eyes.

Wedding Details-

Simple and romantic was Sarah’s goal for her wedding day, and she achieved it, hands down! The clean and elegant ivory and greenery with gold accents were beautiful. One special touch that warmed our hearts was Sarah saved and died flower petals from bouquets of flowers that Nathan had given her over the years, and the flower girls threw before Sarah and her Father walked down the aisle- how sweet is that?!

We like to believe God has a sense of humor sometimes, and he showed out on the wedding day with a quick shower….. About 7 minutes before the ceremony was set to start. Just imagine, the guests were seated for the ceremony, the bridal party was all lined up, and here comes a shower!

Everyone rushed up to the building, but Sarah wanted to hold out to see if it would clear out, and sure enough, within 5 minutes, it was clear! The staff was able to dry the benches and get everyone back in their seats right on time for the ceremony to start.

Hey, they say a little rain is good luck right? They handled it like CHAMPS!

Dried flower petals from Nathan, saved by Sarah for their ceremony

The Ceremony- A sentimental, spiritual celebration of unity

After rings were exchanged Sarah and Nathan invited all guests to join them in Communion, and then they took a moment of worship as a bridesmaid, Chloe, sang a stunning praise song.

Sarah’s vows told stories of dancing in the streets of Central America and how she started writing letters to her future husband at 13. “I love you forever” she ended. Nathan said “ditto” and the crowd laughed, before telling Sarah that with her he was lucky enough to find more than just a good thing.

The ceremony was officiated by a combination of dads and grandfather, and as Pops prayed over them in the end, with a wide smile concluded the ceremony telling Nathan to “lay it on her buddy.”

It’s safe to say there wasn’t a dry eye in the place.

Reception

Before the wedding, Sarah said “I am really looking forward to our first dance! Neither one of us really enjoy being the center of attention, but I am looking forward to that moment when it's just us as husband and wife dancing. I have a feeling that it's going to feel like it's just him and I in a room full of people, and I love that.”

Guests enjoyed a COFFEE BAR- yes! baristas on site from Southern Brew Coffee plus chips, salsa and guac- all HUGE hits during “cocktail hour.”

The bride and groom and wedding party was introduced to the Avengers theme, flowing right into first dances, and dinner. The street tacos were awesome, too.

They really wanted to keep it simple and just be there to spend time with family and friends that wanted to celebrate their future together. DJ Matt Hunter played allll the hits to keep them dancing until the caffeine wore off.

Lastly,

We’re still dying to know what Emily meant in her speech when she said, “I definitely didn’t know Nathan was the one with the sink incident.” I guess that will just be their little inside joke!

We think the Maid of Honor summed it up when she said, “Sarah and Nathan were ‘inseparable like ice cream and cookie dough, it just makes sense.’”

Post-wedding review from the Bride-

“Out of all the venues we looked at and toured, Sunset Oaks truly outdid them all. Not only is the venue itself beautiful, but they have an incredible team! They made us feel so welcomed and loved throughout the entire wedding planning process. Getting married there was an absolute dream. We are so thankful and feel so blessed to have gotten married somewhere so beautiful with a team behind us to support us the entire time. We highly recommend SO to any couple looking for the perfect venue to start your forever! ❤️”