As we honor our veterans today it seems only appropriate that we should celebrate one of our very own Morilee military couples! Blushing bride Chet and her military groom Daison were one of the deserving winners of our Giving Love, Giving Back campaign, and we’re so proud to feature their love story and Chet’s beautiful Morilee gowns right here!

A chance encounter led to love for Chet and Daison when the first met during a late-night burrito run. She saw him walk in, in a purple striped zebra toga in the middle of a February winter, and she just couldn’t resist! And it doesn’t get more romantic than their Christmastime proposal! The day after Chet’s birthday, they had planned to explore White Sands National Park in New Mexico.

It was a chilly day that, surprisingly, turned into a blizzard! As they walked around the park taking photos, she noticed Daison was acting suspicious. And as rain turned to snow, Chet could see that he was getting upset. Daison had been waiting for the perfect moment to pop the question, but the weather just wasn’t cooperating! Chet had felt a proposal coming because they had talked about marriage earlier in the year, but still found herself surprised when Daison got down on one knee despite the freezing snow. Of course, she said yes!

Chet felt like the ultimate princess in not one, but two gorgeous Morilee gowns! She was excited to rock two different styles, one for her ceremony and another for the reception. When shopping for her ceremony gown Chet tried on many dresses, with our Muse gown being the third. After she tried on the crystal beaded mermaid, Chet couldn’t get it out of her head! It’s easy to see why she fell in love with the cascading, hand-cut organza skirt and romantic, glittering sweetheart bodice. She couldn’t get over how beautiful she felt in the dress and how it contoured her body. Chet knew it was absolutely her dream look to say “I Do” in when she got emotional after trying it on again! And to mix things up, she wore a pair of glittering sneakers to go with the gown down the aisle.

For the reception, Chet was looking for a showstopper and something totally different from her first dress. She was looking for the WOW effect, but still something fun that she could dance around in. And Chet couldn’t help being wowed when she tried on the Laurel, an off-the-shoulder ballgown. With intricately beaded sheer long sleeves, and a voluminous sweeping tulle skirt, she felt like a princess!

Daison and Chet were excited to gather all their friends and family to Tulsa, Oklahoma for a big celebration at The Springs. When choosing their venue, Chet and Daison weren’t sure where he would be stationed after he finished his Undergraduate Pilot Training for the Air Force. They spent hours searching online for venues in various states and locations, but they knew they found a gem when they came across The Springs. It had everything the couple was looking for: beautiful grounds for photos, a stunning view overlooking Skiatook Lake, and the venue itself was rustic and dreamy! Chet and Daison knew this was where they were going to get married, regardless of where Daison ended up stationed. Despite guests thinking they were in the “middle of nowhere,” they quickly fell in love with the locale, just as the happy couple had.

Chet couldn’t imagine a more perfect day for the wedding, starting with their beloved pup being wheeled down the aisle in a wagon. The outdoor ceremony had plenty of foliage and greenery to set the scene in the venue’s garden space. When it came time to exchange their vows, the newlyweds stood under a garland covered arch filled with warm rich blooms that matched the wedding’s color scheme of dark burgundy and deep saffron.

The giant light up letter spelling love summed up the energy in the room as the bride, groom, and guests headed into the rustic reception hall to dine and dance! Another memorable moment came when Daison decided to surprise his new wife by serenading her! And things just couldn’t get any sweeter than cutting their wedding cake atop a tower of cupcakes. We are so grateful to help serve our military families and happy to be a part of Chet and Daison’s fairytale!

Photography by Peyton Rainey Photography | IG @peytonrbyford