Mackenzie & Matt - July 23, 2016
Summer Wedding: Classic simple beauty
Photos by RP Imagery - Rachel Peterson
"We set up a same day appointment so we could see the venue, and wow did it exceed our expectations.
We fell in love with the chapel's large stained glass windows that allowed ample natural lighting.
We also loved the dark oak pews, and stone exterior of the church.
Being able to have the ceremony and reception at the same location was a bonus. - Mackenzie & Matt
Mackenzie & Matt were married July 23rd, 2016 on a beautiful summer day at Events on 6th in Tacoma, WA. The couple wed before family and friends in a lovely, classic ceremony and celebrated together amidst simple beauty, and fun, personal touches.
That Saturday was gorgeous, 75 degrees and partly sunny. “We truly lucked out and had the most perfect weather on our wedding day. It wasn’t too hot and there was not raindrop in sight,” said Mackenzie. After some photos at a park down the street, the wedding began at 4:30 pm, with the pastor of the couple’s home church officiating. Cousins of the bride played violin and guitar during the seating of guests, processional, communion, and recessional. “The duet sounded beautiful and the music carried very well in the chapel,” said the bride. The bridesmaids walked down the aisle in floor length, strapless, black chiffon dresses and the groomsmen and groom matched the ladies in black suits with white shirts and black ties. “We chose suits because we thought tuxedos would be a bit too much as our guys are also not ‘bow tie guys;’” explained the bride, “ the suits fit the classic look and feel, and fit everyone’s personalities so well!” Mackenzie’s dress was ivory with a lace overlay and beading around the sweetheart neckline. The straps were a spaghetti strap lace that lead into a completely cutout back. The beautiful train complimented the ambience of the traditional chapel. The bride also added a very special touch by redesigning and wearing the veil her mom wore when she married.
“The dress wasn’t even my first dress,” explained Mackenzie, “I bought a wedding dress in December from Belltown Bride and immediately had buyer’s remorse. I struggled for a couple weeks thinking it was too late. Finally after having a nightmare about it, pathetic I know, I called the boutique. They let me come in and do a straight exchange for a different dress! The new dress was less expensive than the original dress and they even refunded us for the difference in price. Thank you, Belltown Bride!”
The couple had originally wanted a winter wedding, but when Matt proposed in November they decided to get married in the summer. “An eight month engagement was more than enough time for us to plan the wedding, and we were eager to get married after having been together for six years,” said Mackenzie. They decided to marry at Events on 6th after falling in love with the chapel. “We loved the large stained glass windows that allowed for ample natural lighting, and the dark oak pews and doors. The stone exterior was the perfect backdrop for many photos,” said the bride and groom. They couple decided on a classic feel to compliment and not distract from the beautiful venue, and chose a black, white, and gold color theme. “I think we were truly able to make the venue our own for the day with our elegant, yet simple décor;” said Mackenzie, “we used wine bottles as table numbers and vases, and had guests sign champagne bottles as our ‘guestbook’.” The chapel was beautifully decorated with white flowers by Wendy Beers at I Do Flowers. Mackenzie exclaimed, “Wendy made all my Pinterest flower dreams come true, complete with flower crowns for my flower girls, and one for me too that I wore during the reception!”
Matt and Mackenzie met in high school at a Young Life camp when they were 15 and 16 years old, but didn’t start dating until their senior year of high school. They dated throughout college and “the rest is history,” said the happy couple. Matt proposed at an Oregon Ducks game as they are both huge fans and had purchased 2015 season tickets. “At the second to last game of the season Matt proposed outside of the stadium in front of our closest friends and family. I was incredibly surprised in the best way possible!" exclaimed Mackenzie. “The Ducks also won that game, making it the perfect day all around.”
The bride and groom shared the same moment as their favorite on their wedding day: seeing each other for the first time. Mackenzie said, “My first look with Matt was so special. He stood at the end of the aisle facing the stage and I walked down the aisle toward him, wrapped my arms around him, and whispered in his ear to turn around." Matt added, “She’s always beautiful, but I was absolutely speechless when I saw her in her wedding dress.” Rachel Peterson of RP Imagery captured all the photos throughout the day, including this special moment of their ‘first look’. “She is incredible and worth every penny; she even did our video!” said the happy bride.
The happy day continued with a fun party. “We did a grand entrance with our wedding party at the reception," said Mackenzie, “each bridesmaid walked in with their corresponding groomsmen and did a little handshake, dance, hip bump, etc....each pair had a signature move. We all walked in to the song “Bring ‘em Out”, and the upbeat song choice set the mood for the reception.”
Dinner was by Christie’s Catering and she worked to impress all night starting with appetizers of bruschetta, bacon-wrapped sausages, meatballs with a peanut dipping sauce and dinner of Canlis salad, grilled lemon chicken, garlic mashed potatoes, and asparagus. “She really knows what she’s doing,” said Mackenzie, “she offered us a great price for our 200 person guest list, and the food was good.”
The cake by Jenn’s Sweet Cakes was three delicious flavors: chocolate cake with vanilla frosting, banana cake with vanilla cream filling and white velvet cake with triple berry filling. “Jenn is a baker extraordinaire! Our three-tiered wedding cake was absolutely stunning and tasted as good as it looked!” exclaimed Mackenzie.
Laura the DJ from We Heart Weddings continued to impress throughout the night. Mackenzie said, “The DJ really sets the tone of weddings and Laura did an AMAZING job!” The couple danced to Come Away with Me by Nora Jones, the bride and her father danced to Bob Carlisle’s Butterfly Kisses, and Matt treated his mom to a dance to Perfect Fan by Backstreet Boys. The exuberant guests spilled out into the garden courtyard and lounge, dancing the night away and enjoying the party.
As the night ended, the couple exited to a display of sparklers. “The 4th of July is my favorite holiday and it was the perfect way to end the night," said Mackenzie. Matt and Mackenzie headed off into the night and off to their relaxing honeymoon in Montego Bay, Jamaica where they enjoyed fantastic food, gorgeous weather, and fun on the beach and in the pool.
Congratulations, Matt and Mackenzie!
Caterer: Christie’s Catering
Cake: Jenn’s Sweetcakes
DJ: We Heart Weddings: Laura
Planning/Decoration: Dawnet Davis of A Piece of Cake
Florist- I Do Flowers by Wendy Beers
Photographer: RP Imagery- Rachel Peterson
Dress: Belltown Bride in Seattle