Just atop the rolling Cherokee Hills sets The Bella Donna Wedding Chapel and Event Center, Oklahoma’s premier spot for all things wedding and celebrations.
As the sun peaks through the trees, cotton candy clouds float aimlessly above the chapel showcasing its combination of rustic stone and colossal glass windows. Mother Nature’s kiss of colorful flowers and lush plants make it appear as if this spot was meant for nothing but the most special of events.
Trees are sprinkled throughout the nearly 20-acre space, making it feel like you’re creating the destination wedding only seen in magazines.
But, it’s closer than you think - minutes from city limits and a mile away from Hard Rock Casino, makes this venue accessible to everyone.
General Manager Tyler O’Donnell explains how it all came to be very quickly.
O’Donnell hoped to work in event planning after graduating from the University of Oklahoma. Covid hit and fate had other plans. She mentioned to her family the wedding business might be a creative way to use her previous experience and education. They wasted no time finding Bella Donna.
“The chapel had been for sale for a couple of years and the owner was friends with my grandparents and it just kind of snowballed from there,” says O’Donnell.
Newly renovated, O’Donnell adds that the space is not just for weddings. “We do birthdays, graduation celebrations, wedding anniversaries, baby and wedding showers, business meetings and class reunions. If you dream it, we can make it happen.”
The chapel, which is the only one in this part of Oklahoma that has a bell tower and chimes, holds up to 250 people and space is not just limited to the chapel itself. “We have such beautiful grounds here, we love to incorporate that into our events,” says O’Donnell.
Full service options are available and the staff can take care of every detail. “The wedding party and their families should be able to celebrate. We gather gifts, load the car and even make to-go boxes of food for the bride and groom. We want every event to go off seamlessly,” boasts O’Donnell.
O’Donnell answers some of the most frequently asked questions:
Q: What is the first thing I should do after I get engaged?
A: Take the time to figure out your budget. Find your venue and consider more than just price. Pay attention to what you’re getting for the money.
Q: Do I need a wedding coordinator?
A: At least find someone who knows all the ins and outs of weddings. It’s nice to be able to relax on your special day and you’re better able to enjoy it if someone you trust is taking care of all the details.
Q: My friends and family have a lot of ideas for a theme. How do I choose?
A: Think about what YOU as a couple want. Make it personal to you and the groom.
Q: What should be my main focus on the wedding day?
A: Decide early on what you want to prioritize and enlist your friends and family to help. The rest will fall into place.
Q: Can I still have a traditional wedding in the time of Covid?
A: Of course! It’s whatever the bride and groom are comfortable with. We can accommodate for social distancing and although we are not required to wear masks because we are outside of city limits, we’ve had events where everyone wears a mask.
For more information, contact Tyler O’Donnell at BellaDonnaEvents.com or call 918.266.2141.
