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Beautiful Waterfall Elopement in Oklahoma for $4K

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This stunning couple had to pivot when they lost their venue due to the pandemic. So, they decided to elope in front of a waterfall! Nature is a big part of their love story so this venue was absolutely perfect. Also, we are swooning over the bride's DIY makeup! Enjoy this Beautiful Waterfall Elopement in Oklahoma for $4K
Beautiful Waterfall Elopement in Oklahoma for $4K

Shakari + Gabriel

Davis, Oklahoma
- 05/22/2020
Total wedding budget $4,393

Budget Breakdown

Below is an estimated wedding budget breakdown provided by the couple.

  • Flowers
    4%
    $163
  • Photography
    80%
    $3500
  • Partner 1 Attire
    14%
    $630
  • Partner 2 Attire
    2%
    $100
  • Total wedding budget
    $4393

What creative or personal aspects did you include in your wedding?

We decided to elope in front of the waterfall. Nature appeared to be a reoccurring theme and symbolism in our relationship, so there was no hesitation to say yes when the opportunity presented itself.

Did you do any DIY projects or create any handmade items for your weddings?

Because we decided to elope a few weeks before our set date (June 7, 2020), the only DIY I created was my makeup. I did several trials before deciding on the final look.

What was the biggest thing you did to save money?

My makeup! A makeup artist can be very pricey and I would have paid at least $150 for bridal makeup if I went with a makeup artist, but since I had all of the products I needed to create a natural glam I decided to do it myself.

What was most important to you two? Was there anything you chose to splurge on or skip?

Photography. There was no doubt we would splurge here because photos last forever. I look at our photos now and am immediately brought back to the day– the little stories that made up the day and how we were feeling.

What was your favorite detail?

My favorite detail was the outdoor setting. Specifically, we stood on this huge rock in the water in front of a beautiful waterfall.

What is the most memorable moment of your day?

The most memorable moment of our day was our first look. I remember my husband looking at me with this “wow” look on his face like he had never seen anyone more beautiful than me. He then called me the Queen of the forest as my flower crown was indeed a show stopper. At that moment we also exchanged messages and gifts where we both got each other headphones. I remember unwrapping our gifts and we both began laughing hysterically because we said we wouldn’t spend a lot of money, but more importantly they were exactly what we wanted.

What’s the best advice you have for planning your wedding now that you’re on the other side?

Creating a sound relationship with vendors. It gives you so much peace knowing everyone is on the same page. Also, planning ahead is critical because it allows you to build in some wiggle room in case the unplanned happens, like losing your venue, which happened to us, and living through a pandemic where many brides are choosing to postpone, so future dates become unavailable. Wedding planning can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. Once you’re engaged it’s never too early to start planning. We started right away!


Vendor Credits