Wedding Day

First Baptist Church OKC

Ceremony

Civic Center Music Hall

Reception

Our Wedding

The Unlikeliest Love Story

Put simply, our story began in both August and September of 2020. Let me (Andrew) explain. It was August 25, 2020 when Carissa gave looking on Christian Mingle one last shot, came across my profile, and sent me the first generic, ice-breaking 'smile.' You see, she had taken a break from looking after literally scouring the entire site - globally - for what she was looking for. During the break she took is when I made my profile, so she didn't find me during her first deep dive of profiles. I, however, had given up on the site as it seemed like many of my alleged 'matches' were based on keywords only and went to churches without windows. We both, on a whim, logged in one more time...I was just a month later. It was September 25th, 2020 when I finally logged back in to see the sorry state of things where I had left my profile. To my surprise, I had a smile waiting for me from a Carissa Brackelsberg and I thought, at first, wow - now that's a German last name (im ernst). On opening her message and viewing her profile, I actually became pretty discouraged. I saw her, then I looked back at the date she sent me the message...and there it was. I was a month late and there was no way a girl this gorgeous was still single. I should just let this one go, that ship sailed. I almost closed out of everything and walked away. But, something inside me said you know what? Send a smile back. What I didn't know at the time was on the other end of the computer, she was not taken and when she saw I had smiled back after a month...she thought I could wait a day before getting a response. It turns out, over the course of the first week or two of our conversation thread on the site, there were a couple things I wouldn't have known. For example - since I have a background in software, I work off of three screens in my home office as I did at my job. I thought she was so beautiful, I kept her profile open on one of my screens and every time a message came through or I refreshed the page...well, she got a message each time from the site that I was viewing her profile. Each. Time. So, God bless this girl for not thinking the worst because she also didn't know I used three screens. Fortunately, she thought there's no way I could know that she was getting that many alerts and there must be more to that story. And - spoiler - there was. After about two weeks of chatting back and forth on the site, I decided...you know what? This is going to be something, or it isn't. So, we made plans for me to drive down from St. Louis to Oklahoma City for our first date. We went out for a burger, played mini-golf, and I had this plan for this nice, fancy dessert spot that I had looked up in advance - but we were too late. It was already closing by the time we were done golfing. Well thank God Braums was there to save the day. I hadn't been to a Braums since I was a boy living outside of Witchita - so not for 23 years of living in St. Louis. I nervously asked if we could do Braums instead, thinking I was disappointing her while completely unaware of the near spiritual connection my bride to be has with 1) ice cream and 2) Braums. Clearly, this was meant to be. Our schedules didn't line up again until three weekends later for Halloween - which turned out to be the longest stretch of time we'd ever be away from each other again. That trip was where I met Phil and Crystal and we had our first public appearance at a Halloween party. We even matched - I had picked up matching peanut butter and jelly sandwich costumes. But, it was also on this trip where we said we love each other. In fact, going back to St. Louis on that trip, that Monday morning, was one of the hardest goodbyes we ever had. It was me and Carissa at Phil and Crystal's house where I stayed, ended with a big, old-fashioned group hug and I got in my car and began my journey back. What I come to find out later was how hard that goodbye affected Carissa, that she was in tears and both scared and nervous - knowing that she loves me but not knowing what to do about it. And just like that, in a moment of clarity, Crystal reminded Carissa that this - this exactly - was what she had been praying for. We resolved to travel to each other every other week for a long weekend, only taking about 11 days in between trips. While not together, the distance put us in a unique position of forcing conversation every night - without fail - on FaceTime. We learned so much about each other, made up for so much lost time. We leaped ahead in the maturity of our relationship in such a short amount of time because neither of us had time for uncertainty. After several months of back and forth which found me spending the holidays in Oklahoma, some unforeseen circumstances but a lot of God's grace saw me move down to Edmond about 3 months ahead of schedule, at the end of February, 2021. To be honest, it felt like I was right where I belonged, all along. Carissa and I fell into the rhythm of our relationship as if we had been together the whole time, with no previous life before we found each other. Calling each other 'boyfriend' and 'girlfriend' seemed trite and not nearly enough for what we meant to each other. In my moving to Edmond, my intention to marry this amazing woman was unquestioned. I left everything I knew to start a new adventure with her - I wasn't moving down here to casually date. A little over 6 months later and around our one-year anniversary, I asked her to be my bride, my best friend, my goofball. Oh - she said yes.

Our Story

Photos

Ja'i and I became fast friends during the meme wars of 2017-2020. Legend has it, the war goes on. We also fought the good fight for a 3rd party, fitness industry CRM until Covid shut down all of our clients and nearly the company. For those that knew us, if you ever saw us together, shenanigans were afoot.

Ja'i Melendez

Matt and I met in college - but more specifically in Dunham Hall as musicians rarely ventured anywhere else on campus unless absolutely necessary. Though life has taken us down different paths, we always stayed in contact as his is one of the opinions I respect most in life.

Matt Teck

As husband of the bride's best friend, Eric and I unavoidably met by default. It was going to happen - however, we find ourselves unlikely compatriots as we're both martial arts masters with the same complaints against certain global martial arts organizations. A fierce friend and selfless to the core. 

Eric Harris

A professional photobomber who only recently joined modern society, Grant is Carissa's uncle and probably younger at heart than any of us here. Grant is a kindred spirit, a fellow rascal, and the most likely to need adult supervision.

Grant Kuch

Future brother-in-law and husband to the bride's sister, Dillon is of the most educated people I know. Managing to escape the indoctrination of higher education, we often find ourselves trying to figure out who agrees with each other on the state of the world the most. As the youngest in my family, I'm excited to finally have a younger brother.

Dillon Smith

I had the pleasure of meeting Bri the day she was born… and prayed for her long before! Brianna is my little sister and friend I’ve had by my side for 26 years. I got to stand by her side as her Matron of Honor when she married her hubby, Dillon, and I’m thrilled she will be standing by me! ❤️

Brianna Smith

Kristin and I met in a Bible study small group about four years ago. We had a funny experience that brought us together that day and we’ve been soul sisters ever since! One day she said “wouldn’t it be funny if your dream guy came into your life with the same timing as mine?!” Well she prayed Andrew into my life right at the same time as I closed on my house… right down the street from her! Yes, she prayed me into her neighborhood too! 

Kristin Harris

I met Sarah in 2014 at the first day of chiropractic school. She quickly became my chiro bestie and we battled through all the difficulties that a doctoral program brings. We’ve had a blast traveling to the Colorado mountains, Florida beach, and even Ghana Africa together! I had the joy of being Sarah’s Maid of Honor when she married her honey, Matt, in Colorado Springs 4 years ago.

Sarah Nieschburg

Jordan has been my dear friend since freshman year at Oklahoma State. We both pledged with the Pi Beta Phi sorority and stuck together through all the fun and stress that college brings! I also had the pleasure of being one of Jordan’s bridesmaids when she married her love, Dillon.

Jordan Corbett

I met Madi in 2011 when she pledged to our sorority, Pi Phi. We went on a Sophomore/Freshman date and I just knew I wanted her to be my sorority Little Sis! We talked about our dream guys often… she even gave me a framed blonde, blue eyed Ken doll photo as a joke one year! Well… good news Madi! I’m marrying him! Haha

Madison Jakubovitz

Wedding Party

Q + A

Two blocks from the Civic Center where the reception is held. Very very cool venue - it’s the renovated Jones Ford factory. Reserved block of rooms: Deluxe King $139/night. Deluxe Double Queen $139/night. *Free shuttle service available to/from FBC-OKC Chapel and Civic Center

21c Museum Hotel

Located in Edmond right off I-35. Reserved block: King+sofa bed $99/ night. Double Queen $109/night. Will have a 25 minute drive to venues.

Carissa & Andrew

Carissa & Andrew

Travel

21c Museum Hotel

Hampton Inn