News

Actions

Tulsa couple gets the perfect wedding for free, planned in 24 hours

Posted at 9:20 AM, Sep 22, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-22 09:20:55-04

BROKEN ARROW, Okla. -  A Green Country, Oklahoma couple got the opportunity of a lifetime, a free wedding from perfect strangers planned in a day.

"It's all because of God that all of this has happened," said Willow Creek Mansion owner Cortney Gertner.

The sun set outside the Broken Arrow mansion Wednesday evening, but the excitement inside was rising.

 "I didn't think we would find a bride and groom," said Poppy's Garden owner Meagan Ferren.

This all started with her leftover flowers from a photo shoot a few days before.

"She was going to throw all of the flowers away and I was like, you can't just throw all of those beautiful flowers away," Gertner said.

"I was like, I know it's going to make me absolutely sick to my stomach," Ferren said.

But Ferren had an idea.

"Then she was like, no we should find somebody that wants to get married in the next day or two and I said, seriously? And she was like, yea, you should post something about that."

Gertner put the post on the mansion's Facebook page offering a free wedding in just two days.

"Whenever I went to my Facebook app It was the first thing I'd seen," said bride Karissa Alexander, who said she thought it was hilarious.

"I sent it to him as a joke."

"She kind of sent it to me laughing, you know. So I sent it back, 'do it,'" said then, fiance Tyler Alexander.

He was kidding, of course.

But it was too late.

Just 24 hours later, Karissa's bridal suite was buzzing.

"It was actually setup for September of last year and we postponed it for this year."

Reflecting on a trying year that left her handcrafted wedding dress sitting in her mother's closet waiting indefinitely for the day Tyler could finally see it.

The moment, was unforgettable.

"Everything that's happened has been, I just feel like it's a God thing," Ferren said.

Everything coming together for the anniversary date that chose them.

The day, planned in a day, is one they'll never forget.

Karissa and Tyler said they're extremely grateful to every vendor and professional that dedicated their talents for free to their special day: Willow Creek Mansion (Venue), Poppy's Garden (Florist), Tracie Carlton Event Planning & Design (Officiant husband Matt), Katrina Wheeler Photography (photographer), Laurannae Baking Co. (Cakes) and Mr. Letney who gave a Unity Cross.