'Married at First Sight' recap: Mindy Shiben marries Zach Justice, Meka Jones weds Michael Watson, all couples enjoy wedding night

Married at First Sight featured Mindy Shiben and Zach Justice and Meka Jones and Michael Watson tying the knot, before each of the five Season 10 couples began to enjoy their first night together as man and wife during Wednesday night's episode on Lifetime.


An unprecedented five pairs of strangers were matched by returning Married at First Sight experts Dr. Pepper Schwartz, Pastor Calvin Roberson, and Dr. Viviana Coles to marry on Season 10 of the Lifetime reality series.

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Mindy, a 34-year-old figure skating coach from Frederick, MD, was selected as the wife to Zach, a 32-year-old fitness professional from St. Mary's, GA.

Meka, a 25-year-old category analyst from Baltimore, MD, was set to wed Michael, a 31-year-old education director from Washington, D.C. 


Katie Conrad, a 25-year-old mental health professional from Woodbridge, VA, was matched to marry Derek Sherman, a 26-year-old cyber security engineer from Maryland.

Jessica Studer, a 31-year-old nurse manager from Oak Harbor, OH, was paired with Austin Hurd, a 31-year-old network technician from Maryland.

And Taylor Dunklin, a 27-year-old research scientist from Pittsburgh, PA, was matched with Brandon Reid, a 34-year-old sales manager originally from the U.S. Virgin Islands who was raised in Washington, D.C.

Married at First Sight, Episode 3

Wednesday night's Married at First Sight episode featured the remaining two weddings of Season 10, and the spotlight first centered on Meka and Michael preparing to get married.

Michael hoped he'd connect with his wife and hit it off immediately. He was proud to become the first person in his family to marry.


Michael revealed he was adopted into his family because his mother had passed away when he was only three years old. He grew up with his aunt and his cousin, whom he calls his mother and sister since he grew up with them since nine months old.

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Michael hoped Meka would have "a zest for life" and also rock her natural hair, which he's apparently a sucker for. He asked the Married at First Sight experts for a fun wife who loves to travel.

Michael's mother had been hesitant about Michael marrying at first sight, but she trusted her son to make good decisions and decided to support him the whole way through.

Meanwhile, Meka, a self-declared perfectionist, was upset because she said her dress was too big.


Meka didn't feel beautiful or her best self because she thought the bodice of her dress was too loose and showed too much, but her bridesmaids comforted and calmed her down.

Meka anticipated meeting an ambitious, understanding and loving man with whom she'd have natural chemistry. She wanted to become the president of a company one day, so her partner would need to be driven as well.

Meka's mother was totally supportive of her decision to marry a stranger, saying she had always made good choices in life.

Before walking down the aisle, Meka considered "dipping out like Cinderella," but she chose to follow through with the extreme experiment. She was just extremely nervous and her heart was beating out of her chest.

Meka and Michael get married

When the couple met at the altar, Meka's family and friends informed Michael that his bride has a "warm personality" and can make anyone feel comfortable around her. They also said she's dependable.


Michael's loved ones told Meka that her groom is "an extremely loyal person" who has a very specific sense of humor, which isn't for everyone. They added that Michael will never give up, but she shouldn't let him offend her through his jokes.

In his personal vows, Michael promised to respect Meka as her own person and not ask more of her than she can give. He looked forward to getting to know her interests, desires and needs, and he vowed to give her his time and attention.

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"I will choose you today, and I will choose you the day after and the day after," Michael concluded.

Meka told Michael she'd work hard to make their marriage work, even during rough times, and would love and support him.


She promised to enjoy life with him, commit to him, and make memories that will last a lifetime. She also wanted to work on having open and honest communication at all times.

Michael asked Meka's mother for permission to give her a little kiss at the altar, and it was a sweet moment for the newlyweds.

The pair had a moment alone after the ceremony, and Michael, 31, learned his bride was only 25 years old. He was a little surprised but acknowledged they had been matched for a reason.

Meka was so pleased there was no awkward silence, and she could tell Michael was engaged in their conversation, which she really appreciated. In turn, Michael thought Meka was beautiful.

"She is exactly what I had envisioned," Michael said in a confessional.

The couple toasted to building a relationship on love and honesty, and Meka couldn't wait to build that foundation with her husband.


Michael thought taking photos with Meka was "a little awkward" because they were still trying to figure out their chemistry, but they shared a few laughs and little kisses.

Mindy and Zach prepare to wed

It then became time for Mindy and Zach to exchange vows, and both future spouses were very nervous.

Mindy was nervous sweating, but she trusted the process and couldn't wait to meet her "soul mate," her "everything."

Zach said all of the areas in his life had flourished and so he wanted to find his perfect match to spend the rest of his life with. He wanted to be matched with an interesting and unique woman who's emotionally aware and not afraid to show her personality to other people.

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Mindy's mother, father, and little sister chose not to attend her wedding because they didn't support her decision to marry a stranger.


Mindy had also lost a sister, so it was very difficult for the bride to not have her family by her side. She was "so disappointed" and questioned whether she could even go through this without them.

However, Mindy had already cried out all of her tears, so she seemed ready to go.

Zach admitted he had dated women in the past with whom he had emotional connections but the relationships didn't work out. He said he needed to meet a very special woman.

Zach's mother told the cameras Zach had "commitment issues" and she hoped he wouldn't bail from the experiment during tough times. She called him a perfectionist who may need to tone down his expectations a little bit.

In terms of looks, however, Zach insisted they're not everything, although he'd obviously love for his wife to be beautiful.

Mindy had always dreamed of her father walking her down the aisle, but she was okay with the fact she'd have no one to accompany her. One of Mindy's best friends, Lindsay from Chicago, also seemingly showed up at the last minute, so Mindy was thrilled.


"I know this is the right thing for me. I am optimistic. I am. I am really, really hopeful this is everything I've been dreaming of," Mindy said. "I know if my husband is in the same place I am, this is going to be a beautiful thing."

Mindy had never been so nervous in her life, and she just hoped the process would work for her.

Mindy and Zach get married

When Mindy stepped out, Zach winked at her and she smiled huge and giggled. When they first met and hugged each other, Zach said, "Where have you been?!"

And a giddy Mindy yelled out to her friends, "He's so handsome, guys!"

Zach learned through Mindy's friends and family she's an avid figure skater, ballerina, painter and traveler. They told Zach she's beautiful on the inside and the outside.

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"You look amazing," Zach whispered to Mindy.

Zach's family and friends let Mindy know he's a man of southern hospitality, northeastern hustle, Midwestern heart and West Coast vibes. They said Zach loves his puppies -- and his hair -- and he's a man whom his wife could count on.

Zach's loved ones said Mindy would dress up, have fun, eat well, exercise and be happy with her groom for what could turn out to be a lifelong partnership.

In her vows, Mindy promised Zach to approach the mystery of their union with an open heart, saying she'd do everything in her power to make him the happiest man alive each and every day. Mindy also planned to build a beautiful home together, laugh and eventually love.

Zach responded by telling his wife he'd make her feel like the most beautiful and attractive woman in the world, whether that would be a kiss on the forehead or through genuine words of affirmation. He vowed to make her feel safe emotionally and physically and treat her with kindness.

Zach told Mindy he would treat her as a wife but also as a true partner in this process.


With that being said, Zach got down on one knee and formally asked, "Mindy, will you marry me?!"

"Yes, I want to marry you!" Mindy replied to the sweet proposal.

Before kissing his bride, Zach asked, "May I?" And she replied, "Of course!"

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Mindy gushed that it felt great to be married, and Zach told Mindy that he was not a serial dater who ran through dating apps. Both individuals wanted to take a leap of faith, and they both seemed happy that they did -- at least at first.

Zach told Mindy that he couldn't wait for her to meet his family but mentioned he had noticed her parents were missing and weren't at the wedding.


Mindy said she'd explain all that later but she was sure her parents would like him once they were ready to meet him.

"She's beautiful -- the dark hair, the dark eyes. She comes off confident and she has a strong intellectual side to her. And all these things, for me, makes her incredibly attractive. She is everything I hoped for," Zach told the cameras.

And Mindy said in a confessional Zach carried himself well and had a confidence about him.

"Dang, he's handsome! He is a handsome, handsome guy! I certainly hope there will be more kisses from my husband," she said.

Mindy and Zach could feel chemistry as they took photos, and they both called each other a good kisser. Mindy joked that she looked forward to seeing Zach without a shirt on, but she tried not to be too touchy-feely right away.

The couples enjoy their receptions

Later on, both couples enjoyed their first dance together as man and wife. Michael felt comfortable with his wife, but Meka confessed she was nervous to sleep in the same bed with a stranger.


However, Michael's positive vibes and desire to just "power through it" influenced her to enjoy the ride.

Mindy called her first dance with Zach "perfect" because she felt at ease with him. It was a moment she wanted to hold onto forever.

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During dinner, Michael asked Meka when she would like to welcome children. Meka said she'd like to get pregnant in one year, but Michael wanted to wait two years so they'd have time to travel and enjoy being married first.

It was a tough moment for Mindy, however, when she was supposed to dance with her father and he wasn't there. Even her sister Taj broke down into tears at her table.

Best man and maid of honor speeches followed, and Michael discovered Meka was a wonderful godmother of two children. Meka also heard Michael is unapologetically himself.


At this point in the season, all five couples were married and reaching the end of their wedding day.

Taylor's mother admitted to Brandon she didn't like Taylor marrying a stranger but meeting him put her more at ease.

Brandon revealed his goal was to make sure Taylor would be the happiest woman in Washington, D.C. and their love would last. Taylor's mom could tell he has a good heart and thought he's handsome, and Brandon's mom Tracey thought her new daughter-in-law was bubbly and sweet.

Meanwhile, Derek's groomsmen told Katie that Derek likes to be challenged, and she assured his friends she thought he was "hot."

Derek had hope he'd fall in love with Katie, whose father told Derek that she loves hard and intensely.

Katie's father really liked Derek, saying he was the type of guy he always hoped his daughter would bring home.


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Michael's mother told Meka to break through Michael's walls because he's not always super open and vulnerable, and Zach's mother told Mindy that Zach has a big heart.

Zach's father BJ said Mindy had a pleasant personality and seemed real. He also said her beauty was "the crouton on top of the salad." Mindy believed Zach's family had accepted her, and she was more than happy about her arranged marriage.

Mindy's bridesmaids then told Zach to be direct in conversation because she tends to overanalyze things and be hard on herself. They also warned Zach she needs coffee in the morning before she's able to function.

Mindy and Jessica compare notes

Suddenly, Mindy and Jessica ran into each other in the bathroom. Mindy revealed Zach was "pretty much perfect" for her given he's a personal trainer with amazing hair, and Jessica said Austin was friendly, funny and made her feel comfortable.

Jessica was so happy for her fellow bride, saying the joy all over Mindy's face could not be ignored. Jessica told the cameras "it feels right" with Austin and she hoped they could settle down together soon.


Austin was then shown admitting to Jessica's bridesmaids he's "a mama's boy" and thought his bride "couldn't be more perfect."

Jessica's bridesmaids suggested to Austin he should write his wife handwritten letters and give her flowers rather than a Gucci purse. They also said he could have dinner ready for her if she comes home from work late.

Wedding night expectations start building

It then became time for the wedding night. Katie told her bridesmaids in the bathroom she wasn't going to consummate her marriage that night, but her friends didn't believe her because they all thought Derek was sexy -- which made Katie giggle.

Neither Michael or Austin expected to be physically intimate right away, but one of Katie's bridesmaids told Austin that Katie needed "fire" and happened to be a passionate lover. She suggested Derek should take the reins and be dominant in the bedroom.

Derek called Katie gorgeous, and he was smitten right away. He thought she seemed like his perfect person.

"I can't wait to fall in love with her," Derek noted.


Taylor said Brandon was just her type -- which was "crazy" since she had told the experts she didn't even have a type -- and they had a lot in common, including their mutual love for dogs and outgoing personalities. Taylor hoped Brandon would be her soul mate.

The experiment seemed to work out immediately for all the participants, and Michael pointed out his wedding day and his wife were simply "amazing."

"This very well could be the beginning of my love story," Mindy said.

Honeymoon suites and champagne toasts

After the weddings, each couple checked out their honeymoon suite and bonded over glasses of champagne.

Derek pointed out he had never felt so connected to a woman before, and Brandon let Taylor know that he thought she was beautiful. Taylor felt she and Brandon were starting to relax and get more comfortable with each other.

Taylor felt chemistry with Brandon, but she didn't envision them having sex. Brandon, on the other hand, was very attracted to his wife and up for anything.


"I'm not that type of girl," Taylor noted.

Meanwhile, Zach considered Mindy to be beautiful, exciting, wildly intelligent, goofy, vibrant, and silly. He wanted her to feel safe, protected and important.

Meka was attracted to her husband and felt chemistry as well, so she didn't know where the night was going to lead. Austin and Jessica also felt the same way about each other.

However, Jessica admitted she wasn't ready to take their relationship to the next level right away. She was willing to cuddle, but she didn't see things going any further.

And Katie was "so happy" and "smitten" on her wedding night. She could definitely see herself falling in love with her husband, and she was willing to embrace whatever happened that night.

"I think there's a good chance the 'fire' could happen tonight!" Derek told the cameras.


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About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski