Bride and Groom Save First Kiss for Wedding, Share Why It Was ‘So Worth the Wait’ (Exclusive)

Bride and Groom Postpone First Kiss Until Wedding Day, Express Why the Decision was ‘Invaluable’ (Exclusive)

Kaytlin O’Neall and Drew Brown initiated their relationship in January 2021 and saved their first kiss for their wedding on October 5, 2025

By Ashlyn Robinette

When Kaytlin O’Neall and Drew Brown exchanged their first kiss at the altar, they attested that the wait was well worthwhile. Despite enduring numerous criticisms regarding their abstention from premarital kisses throughout their almost five-year courtship, the couple finally reaped the rewards on their wedding day on Sunday, Oct. 5, at The Milestone Denton Mansion in Krum, Texas.

Brown, speaking exclusively to PEOPLE, shared, “This was truly so worth the wait.” The bride and groom described the build-up to the ceremony as a time of intense anticipation and sheer excitement. Although they hoped their first kiss would meet their expectations, they admitted feeling a tad nervous about sharing the momentous occasion in front of 160 of their closest friends and family members.

Reflecting on the momentous day, O’Neall expressed, “Truly it was just pure giddy excitement knowing this was the moment we had been waiting for — through all the years of knowing each other and dating.” She continued, “The moment that will live in my head forever is the doors opening and walking down the aisle — seeing Drew, the person I’m going to spend the rest of my life with, and feeling so ready for that moment.”

Brown added, “Once I saw her, I was in shambles. I just couldn’t believe the moment we had been waiting for had finally come.”

The couple, both practicing non-denominational Christians, embedded elements of “worship, prayer, and communion” into their ceremony to accentuate the significance of God in their relationship. Following the exchange of personal vows and the pronouncement as husband and wife, the officiant eventually proclaimed the long-awaited words: “You may kiss the bride.”

Describing the kiss as “absolutely magical” and “the most surreal experience,” O’Neall exclaimed, “It felt so natural, so right, and everything we had been waiting for.” Brown echoed her sentiments by saying, “Actually kissing her… wow. So natural, so special, and so unifying. It was just awesome. She’s perfect, and waiting for that kiss was so beyond worth it … Truly, waiting for that gift of marriage — and for our first kiss — was more rewarding than words can express.”

During the kiss, their loved ones erupted in cheers and applause, with O’Neall noting that the room was filled with overwhelming emotions. She revealed that many guests admitted to crying throughout the “sacred” ceremony.

In an interview with PEOPLE one year following their engagement on October 5, 2024, O’Neall and Brown clarified the reasons behind their decision to uphold strict physical boundaries until marriage. They emphasized the importance of preserving physical intimacy for their future spouse, underscoring that their religious ties did not coerce them into their beliefs but that they felt a genuine calling from the Lord.

While the couple remains steadfast in their commitment to purity, they are keen on emphasizing that their personal choices should not be imposed on others. They encourage individuals to delve deeper into emotional connections rather than focusing solely on physical aspects. Critics argue that displaying physical affection before marriage is essential for fortifying emotional connections and testing physical compatibility.

O’Neall and Brown, who reunited in January 2021 after meeting in seventh grade at a private Christian school, are now sharing the insights they gleaned from abstaining from kissing until marriage. Both assert that the decision was immensely rewarding and advocate for more people to consider a similar approach.

O’Neall affirms, “Now, standing on the other side of marriage and having waited to kiss and give that gift only to my husband — I can say it couldn’t be more worth the wait.” She encourages individuals to remember that it is never too late to embrace self-control and connect with God.

Brown concurs, urging those contemplating similar decisions to wait as it brings profound peace, joy, and completeness when sharing such intimate moments with a spouse.

As they continue their journey as newlyweds, O’Neall and Brown exemplify a steadfast commitment to their beliefs while promoting an inclusive approach to relationships based on mutual respect and understanding.