REAL WEDDING

  • Photography By:

    EDMONSON WEDDINGS

    CALLIE KETCHUM AND JAKE MERRITT

    APRIL 12, 2014 IN TULSA, OKLAHOMA

    Callie and Jake met while attending college at Oklahoma State University as his fraternity and her sorority did homecoming together.

    They remained friends for about five years until he landed a job in Dallas, where Callie was living with her sister running their game day apparel business. They began hanging out every day, but sadly, Jake was transferred to Pittsburg. At that point, Callie and Jake knew they had something special that would last forever. Several months later, she decided to relocate to Oklahoma City and fortunately, Jake was transferred to Oklahoma City, too. Everything was falling into place so it seemed meant to be.

    ”ALL COULD SEE THAT CALLIE AND JAKE WERE SO IN LOVE, IT SHOWED IN EVERY LOOK THEY GAVE EACH OTHER“

    After about a year and a half of dating, Jake decided to propose. He planned for March 15, a date he was supposed to be on a trip with guys, as it was near St. Patrick’s Day. He decided to have Callie follow the rainbow to her “pot of gold” using notes leading her to the couple’s special places.

     A friend of hers gave the first clue to her at happy hour. It led her to their favorite milkshake spot to another friend who handed her a milkshake and clue number two. From there, she was sent to their favorite country dance club and then to Chesapeake Arena where their favorite basketball team, the Oklahoma City Thunder plays. So, her last friend presented her with a sweet note from Jake saying “you made the team” and gave her an OKC Thunder jersey with the number 15 and the name “Merritt” on the back representing her new last name. At this point, it hit her and the tears began to flow. The final clue sent her to the backyard of his parents’ house where he patiently waited by the pool on bended knee with a ring box sitting in a pot of gold coins. Inside the house, family and friends were waiting to celebrate!

    The wedding day arrived and everything fell into place. After getting ready, the bride and groom met for their first look on a street corner in downtown. Callie ran to her groom who swung her around to look at all angles. The bridal party met them for group pictures and then they were off to the church. The church was full of beautiful florals with a long table with four sign–in stations covered in flowers and candles. After the ceremony, they drove off in Callie’s father’s 1932 Ford Roadster to the cheers of the crowd waiving foam fingers and rowdy towels with “Team Merritt” on them.

    Upon arriving at Cedar Ridge Country Club for the reception, guests enjoyed cocktails outside on the back patio until a firework display signaled the arrival of the bride and groom and indicated it was time for dinner. The floors were covered with new white carpet and a million light stars twinkled along the ceiling to give the illusion of eating outside under the stars. After dinner, Callie and Jake did their first dance to “Forever and Ever, Amen.” Dessert was then served and Callie’s Dad gave a toast to the couple. This concluded the dinner and the guests moved to the next phase of the evening to dance the night away.

    At the end of the evening, all could see that Callie and Jake were so in love, it showed in every look they gave each other. Ultimately, they felt very blessed and grateful for spending their special day with almost 500 of their friends and family members. Callie said, “The evening was magical from beginning to end. We never left the dance floor during the four hours the band played; we hated for the perfect evening to end.”


    WEDDING TALENT

    Location and Caterer: Cedar Ridge Country Club, Broken Arrow, OK; Cake: Creme de la Creme Cake Company, Fort Worth, TX; Planner: Erica Weddings, Tulsa, OK; Event Design: Stageworks, Dallas, TX

    Floral Design: Todd Events, Dallas, TX; Linen: La Tavola Linen, Dallas, TX; Rentals: Posh Couture Rentals, Dallas, TX; Lighting: Beyond, Dallas, TX; Entertainment: Simply Irresistible Band; Ceremony Dress and Veil: Michael Faircloth; Reception Dress: Monique LhuillierCinematography: Pen Weddings, Broken Arrow, OK

    Follow us: