Kori Bull & Caleb Hicks
June 21, 2024 | Fair Haven at the Vineyards | Mel Rey Photography
Kori and Caleb met in the third grade when they attended the same elementary school. Fast forward to a sophomore-year homecoming dance, when Caleb told a friend he though Kori was cute, and that friend instructed Caleb to text Kori.
The following summer, Kori and Caleb began to date.
“I always had a crush on him, especially after he complimented my Aeropostale perfume in fifth grade — it’s a core memory for me!” Kori said.
The two dated on and off during high school and college, but ultimately broke up during a long distance college relationship. In 2023, Caleb moved back to their hometown and the two reconnected. One day, Caleb showed up at Kori’s door and proclaimed his lover for her.
“As one does, I ghosted him for a few months after that,” Kori said. “I guess it’s true — third time’s the charm!”
Although she says she occasionally denied it, Kori always knew Caleb was the one.
“It became clear was when he came to my house, poured his heart out and said he wanted to settle down,” Kori said. “At that point, I knew if we started dating again we were getting married. … We’ve been inseparable ever since.”
Wedding Vendors We Love
Photographer
Mel Rey Photography
Photo Credit: Mel Rey Photography Photo Credit: Mel Rey Photography
More Vendors
Venue: Fair Haven at the Vineyards; Planning and coordinating: Emma Rooney Events; Assistant photographer: Courtney Paige; Catering: La Toricia Brick Oven; Flowers and stationery: The bride; Bartender: Shane Hillis; Wedding dress: Park & Fifth Co.; HMUA: Makenna Forrest & Mackenzie Shilling Brock; DJ: Ozark Mix
Q&A
Q: What was your vision for your wedding day?
A: “We wanted to create a fun weekend for our closest family and friends,” Kori said. “Originally, we talked about eloping, but when we found everything in Altus, it felt like the perfect compromise. The vineyard, St. Mary’s Church and the houses where our bridal party stayed—it all brought our dream to life. … We wanted the day to feel more like a celebration than a traditional wedding, so we focused on making it comfortable and enjoyable for everyone.”
Q: What didn’t surprise you about wedding planning?
A: “We weren’t surprised by how much fun our reception was, thanks to our incredible friends and family,” Kori said. “They showed up for us every step of the way, and we were just overwhelmed by their love and ability to make any event a party. We also expected some wedding day chaos—things never go perfectly, and that’s okay. We momentarily lost our rings, but we had a good laugh and used my bridesmaid’s rings until we found ours in the car. It’s moments like those that remind you to just roll with it and let the little things be little.”
Q: What personalization did you love the most?
A: “We had custom handkerchiefs made for our dads with a touch of humor to lighten up the emotional moments,” Kori said. “Caleb’s grandmother also hand-stitched a handkerchief with our wedding logo for him. My favorite detail was the cherub sketches of our dog, Greta, riding a wine bottle! We put them on matchbooks, hats, and menus, and our guests loved it. … It was a quirky, fun nod to our humor and a way to include our dog in the celebration.”
Q: Tell us about your color palette.
A: “The color palette was inspired by a bouquet I found on Pinterest, and I gave my bridesmaids the option to choose their dresses within a loose theme — they just gravitated towards pinks and greens,” Kori said. “It was funny because my sisters chose green and friends chose pink, so it was accidentally organized. I wanted our photos to feel authentic, capturing who we are in this moment, not a perfectly curated look. … I love looking at some photos and being able to tell exactly when they were taken and what the people were like. I love us, and I want to remember us like this forever.”
Q: What was wedding dress shopping like?
A: “… Wedding dress shopping was a bit overwhelming for me—I loved everything I tried on, even ones I didn’t expect to!” Kori said. “But nothing felt quite like ‘me’ until I tried on the dress from Park & Fifth at home. That private experience allowed me to think through my choices without getting caught up in the moment or outside opinions. The consultants I worked with were amazing, but in the end, I needed the space to make the decision that felt right for me.”
Q: What was your favorite moment of the day?
A: “Our first look at St. Mary’s Catholic Church was unforgettable,” Kori said. “We had looked at getting married there, but needed more space for the reception and aren’t members of that church. The church is so grand and humbling, it brought a needed shift in perspective and reminded me of the weight of it all and how small we are. We shared our vows privately, and it was such an emotional moment for both of us. … Another highlight was the fireworks at the end of the night. We wanted something fun and unexpected, and our family surprised everyone with an incredible fireworks show. It was the perfect way to end the night!”
Photo Credit: Mel Rey Photography
Go Out With a Bang
“[A] highlight was the fireworks at the end of the night. We wanted something fun and unexpected, and our family surprised everyone with an incredible fireworks show. It was the perfect way to end the night!”
Homemade Hankies
Kori and Caleb gifted their dads with personalized handkerchiefs with a bit of humor to lighten up the emotional moments during the day. Caleb also received a hand-stitched handkerchief from his grandmother with the wedding logo on it.
