As this Thanksgiving week has quickly come upon us, and as we plan for the craziness of "Black Friday" and Small Business Saturday at OAK, along with the Christmas decorating we get to do around town this week, I want to take just a second to express some much needed thanks -
2014 has been one of those life changing years (as most years can be if we let them) as I welcomed my 2nd perfect little man into the world in February. Going from a 1 child family to a 2 child family has overloaded my life with blessings and craziness. It has equally made me more aware of how precious my job is. I am so thankful for a job that allows me to spend some quality time each morning with my babies and that allows them to see me during the day when needed. That is something I wouldn't trade for anything. Aside from my personal thanks, we at OAK are all so thankful for our wonderful customers and clients this year. It's such an amazing gift to have a job that allows me to meet people and bond with them over special events and weddings, while they shop for holidays and as they go about their own daily routine when they visit us for lunch. We are also very thankful for our employees, and for the owners who allow this to be the business and vision I had in mind when we opened, who allow me to be creative and try new things (even when they don't work). Our employees are all team players and work so hard each day, and beside me long hours during weddings and events. We cannot thank them enough. Finally, I am thankful for the book of James (random, yes, but read it some time. . .you'll understand) and for the reminder that faith without works is, well, not worth too much. We pray over our business, our clients, our brides, our weddings and our design jobs daily. And we want every one we come into contact with to feel our love for them, for our paths in life and for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Wherever you shop, and whatever you do, have a happy Thanksgiving - With great Thanks - Bethany~
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Had a great, very busy, time this past weekend with the Smith and Pursell family and friends. Overall, the group of people who were with us all day (friends and family of the bride and groom) were some of the nicest people we had ever had the joy of working alongside on a wedding day. They made this very, very busy day much easier! Thank you for letting us serve you! Much love - Bethany
florals - OAK photography - brian flint photography cake - gina smith décor - OAK and gina smith This weekend will be a beautiful wedding weekend for these two cuties. However, this wedding has left me a little more to ponder than most. While I'm crazy about her style and the look we are (aiming for) creating on Saturday, my heart is with hers as we share some common ground that makes me want to make her wedding a little more precious than usual.
As Meagan walks down the aisle, eats cake, dances with her new husband and life long best friend, a special part of her life will be absent. Like Meagan, I carry the sorrow of having buried a brother years ago, and often wonder what his role in my life would be today. I know he would have had a blast at my wedding, and I know he would love my husband (who shares his name and, oddly, his birth month and year). I know my kids would think he was one of the coolest uncles in the world. While I didn't know Meagan's brother, I know a few things to be true: I know he would be a little jealous of some man taking his sister as his forever love, and I know he would see his sister as the most beautiful bride on the planet (with the exception of his own one day. . .or maybe they would tie). I know he would gladly help her get her shoes on or hold the bouquet while she waits anxiously for one more picture. He would love every moment, even if he didn't admit it. Tears will be shed at this beautiful ceremony for the joy that these two hold and the life they will begin to make together. And it will be ok if a tear or two is also shed for the missing piece. His memories and tokens he left behind will be all over that wedding, so while his physical body will not be present, he will be. And he will be thinking that his sister, as she becomes a Pursell on November 15, 2014, is the most beautiful bride on the planet. Truly a genuine couple. We wish them many long and happy years as a married couple :)
Flowers, Catering and Directing: OAK: A Southern Experience Cakes: Cups N Cakes Photography: Brice Media We are so happy to welcome one of our new couples for 2015. We are definitely looking forward to working with them to make their wedding day perfect :). Here's their love story in Ashley's words:
Cody and I met in Pigeon Forge, TN at Dollywood. He was with his family, and I was with a friend who was visiting me, since I moved away to Pigeon Forge my ninth grade year of high school. It was not until 8 months later, after my family and I moved back from TN, that I decided to go to church with my Grandma Lucy, and Cody was there. We went on a few dates and fell in love. We have definitely had our "up's and down's", but we both know that God put us here for one another. He is not only my fiance, he is my best friend. I am so thankful for his friendship and his love. We both know that if it were not for the love of Jesus, we would not have one another, and for that we are forever grateful. "We love because He first loved us.": Cody has always told me that proposals on holidays/birthdays are so tacky. So never did I expect to be proposed to on my birthday! He was planning to take me to get a massage for my birthday gift. When we called to make the appointments, one spa was closed, and the other two were completely booked since it was labor day. Instead of the massage, Cody took me out to eat for my birthday. We ate at Longhorn Steakhouse in Flowood. He kept telling me my gift was in his trunk, and I couldn't have it until we got home. He said, "it's not a big deal. It's nothing special, it was supposed to go along with the massage." So I was thinking, "he got me a candle." After we ate, we went to The Reniassance to walk around and go to The Fresh Market and Barnes and Noble. (We enjoy the little things.) On our way to The Renniassance, the clouds looked so strange. So when we got there, we parked and walked over to a little bench by the water spouts and watched the clouds and sunset. It was gorgeous. We sat there for a little while, and I randomly said, "I hope when you do propose to me, I don't cry because I will look gross in all of the pictures!" He said as he was getting down on one knee, "Well I hope not because it is happening!" If you know us very well, we have dated for 7 years, so of course engagement was a common topic. We were just waiting on the right timing. Since Cody always said that proposals were tacky on holidays/birthdays, naturally, I just punched him in the arm and said, "what are you doing?! Get up, that is not funny!" He said, "Ashley, I'm proposing! Will you marry me?" Talk about shocked! My head was in a blur. I was extremely happy, but just so shocked that I didn't know how to react. And no, I didn't even cry. :) It was definitely a sweet and beautiful night. God has truly blessed both of us! |
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