Brisket, Ribs & Matrimony: Moore BBQ restaurant holds Valentine’s Day wedding
While many might think of the perfect wedding being held in a picturesque outdoor setting, some would rather get hitched at their favorite barbecue restaurant.
MOORE, Okla. —
While many might think of the perfect wedding being held in a picturesque outdoor setting, some would rather get hitched at their favorite barbecue restaurant.
That was the case on Valentine’s Day as Mark Mayes and Amy Birchfiel called Oklahoma Smoke BBQ in Moore to see if they could be wed inside the restaurant.
“This was dropped on us 30 minutes before they showed up. They called and said, “We’re on our way—make sure someone’s there to officiate!” said Ean Kampmeyer, co-owner of Oklahoma Smoke BBQ.
At about 5 p.m. Friday, the two were wed.
Kampmeyer said it’s the second wedding at their Moore location, but in total, they’ve been asked to officiate nine weddings.
Kampmeyer said the idea of hosting weddings came about after a discussion with ordained owners and staff.
“It all started as a goofy thing to say. We’ve got a handful of ordained owners and staff, so one night, a couple was eating at our bar top, and the guy said, ‘this brisket is so good, it makes me so happy I could get married,’” Kampmeyer said. “His girlfriend immediately called his bluff with, ‘oh, really?’ As luck would have it, I had just made a copy of my ordination certificate and still had it behind the bar. I pulled it out and said, ‘let’s do this.’ The guy backed down, the girlfriend was not amused, and we all had a good laugh. From there, it just became a thing—we even put it on the menu.”
Kampmeyer said the idea grew and they decided to make a chapel.
“When we remodeled the old Del Rancho in Old Town Moore, we decided to lean into the idea and turned the old drive-thru into a Las Vegas-style wedding chapel. Since then, we’ve officiated nine weddings, including two at this location—one where the couple even exchanged onion rings instead of wedding bands,” Kampmeyer said.
Kampmeyer said weddings typically happen during the busiest times and his customers can’t believe what they’re seeing at first but soon join in on the festive occasion.
“It always happens right in the middle of the lunch or dinner rush. We’re deep in the weeds, tickets are flying, and then someone shouts, ‘alright, everyone, we’ve got an announcement! Here at The Smoke, we don’t just serve amazing BBQ — we also have the honor of marrying people! And today’s one of those days. We’re hitting pause for a quick I do, then getting right back to serving up that legendary BBQ,’” Kampmeyer said.
“At first, people don’t believe it’s real. Then, once they realize it’s actually happening, the whole place shifts. During one ceremony, a customer took over the jukebox and lined up a set of wedding songs,” Kampmeyer said. “One of our staff jumped in as the ring bearer. After the vows, the whole restaurant erupted in cheers, and customers started handing the newlyweds notes scribbled on napkins. It’s chaotic, it’s wild, but it’s pure Oklahoma Smoke—just the way we like it.”
And the happy couple usually chows down right after the ceremony.
But what separates Oklahoma Smoke BBQ from other wedding venues?
“It’s like a Vegas chapel, but with better food. It’s simple, stress-free, and affordable. People want to tie the knot, and we’ve got the perfect spot for it. But more than that, it’s the vibe we’ve built,” Kampmeyer said. “Oklahoma Smoke isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a place where people feel at home. It’s fun, it’s family, and it’s the kind of place where big life moments just happen. Plus, who wouldn’t want to celebrate their wedding with some great BBQ?”
Oklahoma Smoke BBQ was started in 2022 as a nonprofit where they smoked food to raise charity, but a devout crowd of barbecue fans led to their expansion.
“That turned into a loyal following, which led us to open a small takeout spot inside a nutrition shop in Moore in December 2023. But let’s be honest — our approach to the restaurant world isn’t exactly traditional. Nerf gun battles, impromptu weddings, scuba lessons, goofy singalongs … it didn’t take long before we outgrew that space. We expanded to the Stockyards and then, in January of this year, our second location made its home at 301 W Main Street in Moore,” Kampmeyer said.
