Derek and LaTara Brown
After dating for two years, Derek asked LaTara to marry him at their favorite place – on the bridge at the Chickasha Festival of Lights. She excitedly said, “YES!” The couple was married on Saturday, June 19th at 6:30 PM at The Home Place Country Estate in Meno, OK. The couple was married by the bride’s brother-in-law, Colten Hightower.
The groom is the son of Jon and Felicia Brown (Chickasha). He is the older brother of Garrett Brown.
The bride is the daughter of Terry and Janet Blankenship (Watonga). She is the sister of Machelle Sims, Janrie Blankenship, Rowdy Blankenship, and Sheena Hightower. She is the proud aunt of Machella Sims, James Hightower, Jesse Hightower, and the late Brody Sims.
The bride’s mother, Janet, made both the wedding cake and the groom’s cake. The stand used for the wedding cake is sentimental to the family and has been used for the bride’s older two sister’s wedding as well. The brides sister, Machelle, made all of the florals for the event as well as fixing the brides hair and doing her makeup.
The bridal party included the bride and grooms’ siblings and close friends. The best man was Austin Hunt and the maid of honor was Machelle Sims. The groomsmen included Garrett Brown, Tanner Williams, Paul Thomson, Carlos Garcia, and Doug Dakil. The bridesmaids included Janrie Blankenship, Sheena Hightower, Rainye Coats, Amanda Brown, and Chesney Souther. The flower girl was Machella Sims and the ring bearers were James and Jesse Hightower.
The couple had Hunter Hennes Photography and Cope Films present to capture the day from start to finish.
The couple enjoyed a honeymoon in Destin, FL before returning to their home in Shawnee where they plan to reside. Derek will continue is career as a traveling RN while LaTara continues working as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA/L) in an outpatient pediatric clinic.