Wedding Day

Butler Hall Events

Wedding Ceremony

Coffee Hour

Wedding Reception

Rehearsal Dinner

Our Wedding

Andrew and Charis met at the most unlikely of places, the University of Alabama. They were both working for Student Life Camp during the summer of 2018. Madelyn Pruitt was Andrew’s mission squad partner and just so happened to be one of Charis’ best friends. Andrew and Madelyn were hosting a camp at Alabama and Charis’ home church, where her dad was the youth pastor, was attending that camp. Charis was an hour away and decided to visit during that week. She joined Madelyn and Andrew on one of their daily trips out to sites and while there was no flirting, Charis told Madelyn that if Andrew lived closer, she felt like they would date.&nbsp; The following summer, Charis was working for Student Life again and was hosting camp in Estes Park, Colorado. It turns out that Andrew’s home church was attending that camp and Andrew reached out to Charis once he realized they were going to the same location as her. They continued to make small talk here and there throughout the summer and fall of 2019.&nbsp;The conversation picked up again when LSU played Georgia on December 7, 2019, when LSU beat Georgia and then became National Champions, and never stopped. They talked a lot during the spring of 2020 and Andrew would later realize, thanks to Charis letting him know, that he would mention the weather a whole lot to keep conversation going. Andrew was not the smoothest but he knew that he truly enjoyed talking to Charis.&nbsp; Andrew decided he wanted to take Charis on a date and was trying to figure out how to make that happen when COVID-19 hit. Traveling became difficult and Andrew did not know how to make this in-person date happen. Jay Roe, one of Andrew’s best friends, was getting married that summer so Andrew asked Charis to be his date to the wedding. Luckily, she said yes and took the risk on him by flying up to Missouri for a whole week long date with Andrew. They spent a lot of time that week having deep conversations and getting to know each other better.&nbsp; Andrew and Charis were able to see each other on a monthly basis following that first trip. On September 27, 2020 they began officially dating. During the next two years, they continued to pursue each other through trips and Zoom dates, confirming that they loved each other deeply. In January 2022, Charis moved to Missouri for a spring internship that allowed her and Andrew to be in the same city. During her time in Missouri, Charis and Andrew got to enjoy the little things that came with being in the same town and this season resulted in numerous talks of engagement.&nbsp; At the end of Charis’ time in Missouri, Andrew wanted to propose right then and there but knew it wasn’t quite the right time. Over the next few months, Andrew began planning when he would propose. The week finally came when Andrew was going to propose, and of course, Charis got sick. The whole week Andrew prayed that she would recover and luckily, the day he was planning to propose, Charis felt better. Andrew planned a date night at a park and surprised Charis with a picnic and ring. With help from friends and family the surprise went off without a hitch and Charis Summey said yes to becoming a Pirkle. Little did Charis know, her mom and sister were on their way to Missouri to surprise her that night. They arrived at Andrew’s house and celebrated with their families.&nbsp; After a mostly long distance relationship, the couple is more than excited to start their lives in the same city. The journey to get to this point has been one that has caused the couple to grow not only in their relationship with each other, but also their relationship with the Lord. The couple is thankful for all those who have loved and prayed for their relationship and they cannot wait to celebrate with everyone. A story that started at the most unlikely of places, the University of Alabama, is taking a trip to Gray, Georgia where they will begin the next step in their exciting journey.- Andrew Pirkle

Our Story

Photos

Kaylyn Summey

Grace Asbury

Ginna Miller

Madelyn Pruitt

Corinne Savage

Kinsley Summey

Christen Summey

Tana Vaughn

Babi Summey

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Mike Pirkle

Trey Pirkle

John Buford

Kenny Cheng

Alec Lloyd

Michael Miller

Jay Roe

Joey Schellhase

Wedding Party

Q + A

We know many of our guests will need to travel to attend our wedding. If you have any questions about flights or hotels that are not answered on this page, please feel free to contact Andrew or Charis personally. We would love to answer any questions and minimize the stress that may come with planning.

Airport:

If you are flying, the closest airport will be Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport. It is a little over an hour from the venue but there are many places to stay and things to do in Atlanta! Feel free to make a weekend trip out of it!

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Places to Stay Near the Airport:

The starting rate is $93 and it is 1hr 20mins from the venue.

Comfort Inn

The starting rate is $136 and it is 1 hr and 26 mins from the venue.

Hampton Inn & Suites 

Starting rate is $149 and it is 1hr and 24 mins from the venue.

Holiday Inn & Suites 

Starting rate is $116 and it is 1 hr and 24 mins from the venue.

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Atlanta Airport North, GA

Places to Stay Near the Venue:

For those wanting to stay in a hotel close to the venue, we recommend booking one in Macon, Ga. Gray has very few hotel options and Macon is only 15-25 minutes from the venue.

The starting rate is $108 and it is 26 minutes from the venue.

SpringHill Suites 

The starting rate is $154 and it is 25 minutes from the the venue.

The starting price is $104 and it is 30 minutes from the venue.

Comfort Inn & Suites 

The starting price is $104 and it is 24 minutes from the venue.

Candlewood Suites

Travel

Atlanta:

Ponce City Market is a mix between retail and boutique stores with its own fun food hall! You have to pay to park, but you can spend as much or as little while you browse the many stores and food stations. You can also access the Atlanta BeltLine, a 22 mile trail through the core of the city's in-town neighborhoods.&nbsp;Be sure to check out our favorite, Five Daughters Bakery, inside Ponce!

Ponce City Market

Tickets are $19 for adults (13-64), $17 for seniors (65+), $15 for youth (3-12), and free admission for toddlers. It would take you approximately 2 hrs to see everything the World of Coke has to offer!

World of Coca-Cola

Atlanta Braves vs Houston Astros on Sunday, the 23rd at Truist Park. It would be a great family outing for those planning to stay in Atlanta.

Atlanta Braves vs Houston Astros

The Georgia Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the United States and the third largest in the world. Children 2 and under are free while general admissions is $45.The Beluga Whales are Charis' favorites!

Georgia Aquarium

This is Charis and Andrew's favorite ice cream stop in St. Louis and Atlanta. If you have time, check out one of their eight locations in Atlanta.

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams

Macon:

A Macon staple known for its burgers. Perfect for a chill date night.

Rookery

A local, go-to eatery serving pizza and pasta.

The Brick

A casual, family-friendly Tex-Mex restaurant. Charis and Andrew would eat here many times at her school in Statesboro and on the way to the airport in Macon.

Surcheros Fresh Mex

Smiley's is Middle Georgia's largest yard sale and flee market with over 1,000 selling spaces. It is open every Saturday and Sunday from 6 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Smiley's Flea Market

Located northwest of Macon, High Falls State Park has 1,050 acres for you to explore. This would be a great place for your family to stop on Sunday if you are driving towards Atlanta and want a little fresh air.

High Falls State Park

Things to Do

Registry

Charis & Andrew