A Glamorous, Family-Focused Wedding at a Rustic Barn Venue in Oklahoma

“Getting our kids involved was such a gift,” says Nissa Richison of her wedding with Derrick Willis in Edmond, Oklahoma. The couple, who are parents and grandparents, said “I do” with more than 300 guests in a floral-filled ceremony at The Baumberhof, a venue they chose for the massive trees that surrounded the ceremony location near a lake.

In fact, the entire celebration was a family affair. Nissa and Derrick’s nieces served as flower girls and Nissa’s uncle officiated the ceremony. Nissa’s father walked her down the aisle, and the couple’s brothers, sisters, and cousins all held special roles, too. Nissa and Derrick also commissioned a custom crest, which featured a wreath with flowers symbolizing their six children.

“We both love nature, family and fun,” Nissa says. “We made sure all of these things were included in a wedding that would never be forgotten.”

Nissa and Derrick tapped the "brilliant" Leslie Herring Events to pull off the spectacular aspects of the day, which all fell under their “modern bohemian” theme. Thousands of white blooms surrounded the ceremony space under the trees, and the party barn featured a mix of lanterns hanging from the rafters with a gold dance floor and glam furnishings. Dinner took place in a sailcloth tent, and all the children hung out nearby with llamas and their own tent. But for all the details, what truly stood out, even to the Leslie Herring Events team, was the amount of love present.

“Seeing each other on that aisle, about to become a true family, was a moment when we both couldn't hold back the tears,” Nissa says. “The love we felt was so special.”

Read on for all the details of Nissa and Derrick’s rustic glam celebration, planned by Leslie Herring Events and photographed by KT Merry.

Nissa loved that her Galia Lahav gown had butterflies and flowers in the design, which echoed the nature motif for the day. “I tried on so many dresses but I kept this one in the dressing room the whole time thinking nothing could top it—and nothing did,” Nissa says.

Nissa’s delicate bouquet featured peonies, garden and tea roses, ranunculus and gardenias in shades of white and blush.

Derrick’s bespoke tuxedo, which was made of a special wool for texture, made him standout from the family members and best friends in the wedding party.

Nissa and Derrick’s grandsons served as ring bearers and their nieces held the role of flower girls. The boys dressed in mini tuxedos while the girls wore white gowns and flower crowns.

"We both agree that seeing each other for the first look is a moment we will never forget,” Nissa says. “The things we whispered to each other and love we felt were so strong.”

Nissa and Derrick both love trees, so they picked their venue based on the lakeside forest where they could hold their ceremony. For the wedding, Jackson Durham Events designed the aisle to appear as if the white delphinium, larkspur and greenery were naturally growing along the pathway.

That extended to the ceremony arch, which was covered in garden roses, hydrangea, bay laurel smilax to echo the natural surroundings.

“We picked this venue because the ceremony could be under the trees, which have special meaning to us,” Nissa says of walking down the aisle under a canopy of leaves.

“He wrote the most beautiful ceremony words,” Nissa says of her uncle, a pastor, presiding over their vows.

The couple really thought about their guests’ entertainment when it came to the reception. They hosted a kids’ area, complete with pet llamas and tents full of activities.

A photo booth was housed in a vintage VW bus. And adult guests sipped signature cocktails overlooking the Oklahoma landscape.

The cocktail hour décor began the evening’s trend of “glamming” up the rustic venue. Club seating provided lounge areas and mercury glass lanterns hung from the ceiling above the bars.

The white escort card wall held 330 cards for their guests, all featuring gold calligraphy.

Dinner was held in a sailcloth tent adorned with white blooms in planters and a massive floral arch at the entrance. Oversized garlands of flowers and greenery flowed off the wood tables for an ethereal feel that was enhanced by the transparent chairs. It felt like something out of a set for "A Midsummer Night’s Dream."

Ceci New York designed the couple’s white-and-gold menus that topped with gold-rimmed china set with gold flatware and gold-rimmed glasses.

The bride and groom's chairs were adorned with a three-dimensional recreation of the painted wreaths inside their wedding crest.

“Remember it’s your love you’re celebrating; enjoy it all!” Nissa says of the day.

The night continued in a bar adorned with lanterns for a dance party complete with a DJ and live performers. “The joy we had singing and dancing was indescribable,” Nissa says. “Getting to share it with our guests was so fun.”