Couple weds at McAlester's Arvest Park during Christmas season

Joshua and Tess Chisum shared a wedding ceremony Dec. 16, 2023 that could have come from a Hallmark Christmas movie.

The newlyweds love the Christmas season and saw the light display at Arvest Park that includes a giant present in red and white lights.

Joshua said they planned to get married in December but had yet to decide a venue, so he asked Tess what she thought about having the ceremony at the lighted Christmas present.

“I immediately thought it was a great idea because of the fact that it's a gift made of lights!” Tess said. “It just fit our relationship because that's exactly what he is in my and the boys' lives. The light, and a gift from God.”

Tess said she suffered from some health issues and was thankful to have Joshua support her through it all.

The couple met through a mutual friend before messaging and talking with each other for months. Joshua said they got to know each other, but he was lost for words when they met in person for the first time at the airport.

“I knew her voice and video-called her, messaged her every day, but in person just shut my whole brain down and time froze,” Joshua said.

The City of McAlester’s Parks and Recreation Department installs approximately 1 million Christmas lights each year in North Town, at City Hall, along the median on Carl Albert Parkway, at the Choctaw Avenue parking lot, and at Arvest Park.

Arvest Park features about 12,000 lights — including the present, a giant Christmas globe decoration, a red-and-white lighted chariot, a lighted tree and more.

Parks and Recreation also teamed up with McAlester Tourism this year to revive the Festival of Trees, a holiday tradition The International Order of the Rainbow Girls started years ago. Data shows 415 people visited Arvest Park during the Nov. 21 event — which included a countdown to the “lights on” ceremony, a Christmas carol flash mob from the McAlester Community Christmas Choir, pictures with Santa, and many more holiday festivities. Checkout video and pictures from the event on the City of McAlester’s Facebook page.

"We're excited to play a part in making someone's wedding a little more special and to help spread Christmas cheer every year with lights in McAlester," Head Gardener Robbie Patton said.

Tess said the Christmas lights at Arvest Park made for a special ceremony.

“I'm very thankful for the love we share, and that we were able to utilize such a beautiful piece of McAlester for our special day,” Tess said.