Real Bride Spotlight – Mackenzie’s Gown

Every Monday night, a group of girls at NC State would gather around the television to watch The Bachelor, but one night, several guys decided to join in, and that’s where Mackenzie met Logan.  Some mutual friends introduced them, and they quickly became friends thanks to a few group road trips for spring break and basketball games.  It was during one particular basketball road trip to Pittsburgh that Mackenzie realized there was something really special about Logan, and shortly after that trip, they started dating.  “We ended up only dating for 8 months before Logan proposed,” said Mackenzie.  “Graduation was less than six months away, and I was moving to Alabama for Optometry School in the fall, so we decided to have a summer wedding.  Even though we didn’t date all that long, we both knew we wanted to get married and start our lives in Alabama together.”

How did Logan propose?

“The day after Christmas, Logan was at my house and had planned a scavenger hunt for the day.  I had no idea about anything and was woken up by my mom who had a letter from Logan telling me where I needed to go first.  There were 8 different stops throughout the day, and I was surprised by friends and family members who gave me letters with the next clue.  The last stop was at my house where I found Logan standing on the pathway to the lake, which is where he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him!”

Will you tell us a little bit about your wedding?

“We got married on July 30, 2016 at Childress Vineyards in Lexington, North Carolina.  It was an outdoor ceremony with the reception inside. The main color of our wedding was mint, and the bridesmaids wore long chiffon mint dresses with different necklines.  The groomsmen wore gray tuxes ordered online from Xedo and had mint vests with the matching tie.  One special touch that I had at the wedding was my bouquet.  Wrapped around the stems of the flowers was lace from my mom’s wedding dress and attached was a pin my great-grandmother wore.”

What made you decide your gown was ‘the one’?

“My gown was trumpet shaped with lace 3/4 of the way down.  The top was strapless and the back was low cut with buttons down the back. I also added a belt to my dress that was lace with pearls and some beading. I had been to four different stores before I picked mine and probably tried on around fifty dresses.  I chose my dress because it was elegant, it had lace, and I felt beautiful in it. I thought the shape was flattering and would go well with the vineyard theme of my wedding.”

Why did you choose Shores to clean and press your gown?

“I chose Shores to clean and press my gown because they are professional and dependable. They are also members of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists so I know they have high standards and will take care of my gown.”

Are you planning on cleaning and preserving your gown now that the wedding is over?

“Yes, I am planning to get my gown cleaned and preserved because it is sentimental, and one day, I will be able to show my daughter my dress, and I want it to look as good as new in case she would want to wear it on her big day.”

Wedding photos taken by Anna Varnedoe at Anna Paschal Photography.  List of vendors includes: venue and catering by Childress Vineyards, cake by Maxie B’s, videography by Adam Carroll, flowers by Simply the Best, hair and makeup by FaceForward, wedding gown from Elegant Bridal, tuxes provided by Xedo, and bridesmaid dresses from NY Bride and Groom.