Our jaws literally dropped when we saw Callie and Jake’s incredible glamorous Spring wedding in Tulsa coordinated by wedding planner, Erica Weddings. Every single festive detail is picture perfect. Read more of Callie and Jake’s love story below!
Callie and Jake met one another during their freshman year of college at Oklahoma State University. Since meeting, they had always been friends; she says he was always the nice guy and he recalls her as being the life of any party. After they graduated, they both found themselves living and working in Dallas, which led to them spending more time together.
As the friends started to hang out more often, they learned more about each other. She saw that beneath the nice guy she had befriended years earlier, there was a tougher side to him that she liked, while he started realizing that the spirited girl he met in college was unbelievable. Both agree that they started to notice something beyond friendship.
Right as their new relationship was beginning, Jake’s company transferred him to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Soon after he moved, the friends had their official first date at Callie’s sister’s New Year’s Eve wedding. That night, they rang in the new year with a kiss that took them from being friends to the beginning of an exciting new relationship.
The couple endured months of dating long distance the best that they could. They traveled back and forth between Dallas and Pittsburgh, and occasionally met in his hometown of Oklahoma City.
Jake, a proud family man, enjoys spending time with his large family – he is one of five boys, and all of his brothers are married and several have children. Callie always looked forward to the lively get-togethers at his parent’s house with all his nieces and nephews. During one trip home, Jake saw just how perfect of a fit Callie was for his energetic family. Once he realized this, he began planning a meaningful proposal.
Jake teamed up with Callie’s closest friends to plan a themed scavenger hunt in mid-March. Jake planted clues at all of the couple’s favorite places including Tucker’s Onion Burgers – the pair loved date nights sipping milkshakes – to the Wormy Dog Saloon – one of their favorite spots for live music.
When Callie got to the last clue at the Chesapeake Energy Arena, home of their beloved Oklahoma City Thunder, she was bewildered. A friend handed her a jersey that she discovered had the name “Merritt” emblazoned on the back and a clue that said, “You finally made the team.” She was instructed to visit the place where Jake first told her, “I love you.” She knew exactly where to go – his parent’s house.
Waiting in the back yard for Callie was Jake who was down on one knee. Nearby, family and friends were spying with excited hearts as Jake asked Callie to be his wife. When she enthusiastically said, “Yes,” everyone poured out of hiding spots to celebrate with the newly engaged couple.
Over the next year, they spent their time planning every detail of their perfect day. To help pull off their celebration, they enlisted Erica Scott of Erica Weddings. After they secured the band Simply Irresistible for their spring wedding, they began scoping out venues in Callie’s hometown of Tulsa for their modern romantic-themed nuptials.
Callie knew it was going to be tricky to find a venue large enough to hold all the guests she and Jake planned to invite. She had always dreamed of having large tents at her wedding, so they began making arrangements to set up tents outside of Cedar Ridge Country Club.
Before Callie began the search for her wedding dress, she had an image in mind of the type of gown she wanted. Her problem was, she couldn’t find it. After trying on dress after dress, she couldn’t find “the one.” Enter designer Michael Faircloth. Faircloth was able to bring Callie’s perfect frock to life by creating a one-of-a-kind showstopper. The dress featured a racerback top, yards of Chantilly lace and a long train full of delicate micro-pleats.
After months of planning, it was finally their day. On the picturesque April morning of their wedding, Callie and Jake say they were calm and collected. Callie and her bridesmaids lunched and got ready in a bridal suite, while Jake and his groomsmen bowled. When it was time to get ready, his brothers kept him at ease with playful advice and funny stories from their childhood.
Once they were primped and ready, it was time for the first look. Callie and Jake were dropped off separately in the middle of downtown Tulsa. Ever true to her lively self, Callie spotted Jake in the distance and took off running toward her soon-to-be husband. Jake was excited when he felt the tap on his shoulder. Turning to see his future wife, his breath was taken away; she looked incredible.
Following their first look, Callie and Jake arrived to Kirk of the Hills Church for their wedding ceremony. Before it was time to walk down the aisle, Callie got to spend some alone time with her father, a moment she cherished. He kept her laughing on their walk down the aisle and let her know that he would always be there for her when she needs him.
After they said, “I do,” the couple hopped into her father’s vintage highboy to arrive at the country club in style. As soon as they pulled up to the reception, they were stunned at the sight. The oversized tents didn’t look like tents at all; Stage Works created two majestic masterpieces resulting in a whimsical setting for the evening of celebration, dining and dancing.
Each tent was filled with floral masterpieces created by Todd Events. Arrangements of colorful tulips, peonies and orchids dazzled atop gold-sequined tables. One vaulted tent had a massive chandelier lined with flowers that shined a spotlight onto the breathtaking wedding cake, which was a life-sized replica of Callie’s wedding gown, designed by Crème de la Crème Cake Company. As guests entered the space, it was as though they were spending a night under the stars as twinkle lights sparkled overhead.
Still reeling from the splendor of the tents, Callie and Jake were in for another surprise. Callie’s mother set up something special for them between cocktail hour and dinner – a full-fledged fireworks show. Callie and Jake were completely surprised as were the guests as they relished in the dazzling light show.
Guests dined on salad, stuffed airline chicken breast, filet mignon and scalloped potatoes. Like the wedding cake, Jake’s cake was an oversized confection shaped like a locker holding all the things near and dear to the athletic groom’s heart – Rumble, Pistol Pete, an OSU football helmet and more.
Following dinner, Callie slipped into a reception gown designed by Monique Lhuillier that featured an illusion neckline, covered in gold beads with a giant bow at the waist. She and her new husband danced with guests to the band’s montage of current and throwback hip hop and rap favorites.
When it was time for the evening of excitement to come to a close, guests waved blue towels with “Let’s Get Rowdy” on them and orange foam fingers with “Team Merritt,” the colors paying homage to the Thunder. Callie and Jake look back to running through their cheer squad as one of their favorite first moments as newlyweds.
Afterward, the couple honeymooned in St. Barths where they enjoyed the perfect weather and oceanfront scenery. Soon after they returned, they settled into their home in Oklahoma City.
The pair has been enjoying decorating their house and has taken up playing golf with one another. When they’re not on the golf course, they enjoy going to Thunder and Oklahoma State University games. Callie and Jake also look forward to weekly family dinners at his parent’s house, which is just one of the many benefits of being a part of Team Merritt.
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