Makenna Wearing The Zoey Scoop-Back Dress
Keaton and Makenna
How did you meet the love of your life?
We met on a camping trip with mutual friends to Kyles Landing on Buffalo National River in Arkansas. A whole week with no phone service, sleeping in hammocks, cliff jumping, sunrise watching and campfire talks. Keaton was actually with another girl on this trip, but apparently, I left an impression.
When did you know that this person had stolen your heart?
I basically knew the first week we dated that I was going to marry him. He was just so different than any guy I had ever hung out with. But the time I knew I could never let him go was that summer after. My granddad was dying in the hospital with cancer infecting his entire body. Keaton came to stay with my family and I the entire summer break. For a whole two months, he never left my side. We slept in the hospital lobby every night, ate hospital cafeteria food and basically wore the same clothes every day. We didn't do one single fun "summer break" thing. And he never complained. Instead, he encouraged me, made me laugh when we were surrounded by sadness, he held me when I cried, he made me pray out loud even when I didn't want to, he prayed over me, and I can even remember him dancing with me in the hospital hallways. So yeah, after that summer, I knew I could never let him go.
Tell us about the proposal?
Keaton had surprised me with a gifted couples photo shoot for valentines day. We were to go that next week to a wooded spot in a state park and one of our good friends (who also happens to be an amazing photographer/videographer) agreed to do a shoot with us. I had my sister come do my hair and makeup and I kept telling her how I just had this feeling that it was going to be that day. We walked onto the field and there was the cutest little set up in the middle of a gorgeous grass field with a small wooden bench, a flower bouquet that resembled the bouquet I have tattooed on my arm and our friend waiting there for us. Then we started taking pictures like it was a normal photo shoot and I was like "wait, okay so maybe this isn't going to happen today?" After a couple of minutes, we moved into the wooded area and I see my entire family start to walk out onto the field, that's when Keaton got down on one knee and asked me! I kinda saw it coming just because I'm the hardest person in the world to hide something from, I'm so nosey! But it was still so magical!
Explain to us how you found Wear Your Love?
I had originally looked on Etsy for a wedding dress because I wanted something unique and that's where I first saw this dress.
When did you know you had found your perfect dress?
Even though I had this dress saved in my favorites on Etsy for months, I still wanted the dress boutique experience so that I could have a girls day and try on in front of my mom and sister. I wasn't having any luck and every wedding dress started to look the same to me, sparkly (I hate sparkly) and just not quite right. I started to realize that I was trying to explain this exact dress to every employee trying to help me. I talked to a friend who had just recently been married and she told me that I'll know I've found the dress when I start comparing every other one to it. That's exactly what I was doing! I must admit, buying a wedding dress online made me a little nervous, but every single review was good and I was put at ease when you had to type in your exact measurements of like every part of your body when ordering. My dress came fast, it fit absolutely perfect and it was more perfect and beautiful than I could have ever dreamed.
What went through your mind when the Wear Your Love box arrived at your doorstep, and you pulled out your dress for the first time?
I was so excited to open the box and try it on, I could hardly stand it. I could tell how beautiful it was from the moment I got the top off the box. The dress was perfect! When pulling it out, I noticed how soft it was! The material was stretchy, soft and so comfortable! It was everything I wanted.
What was your wedding theme or style?
Originally wanting to do an outdoor wedding, we used a very bohemian/natural style for our wedding. It was simple, small and beautiful. We used all eucalyptus and natural colors with some vintage touches.
Let's show your wedding venue some love! What is the name of the wedding venue you chose and why did you choose them for your special day?
We chose to use the Dowry Event Center in Ada, OK. We wanted something out of the city and in the country. The Dowry was was of my top favorites when looking for a venue because of its landscape and its beautiful barn. It was honestly exactly what I had envisioned for my wedding. It is offered for an awesome price and Rachel (the owner) was helpful, friendly and totally just let us do our own thing.
What was on your wedding soundtrack playlist, aisle, reception, and first dance?
When we first got engaged we started creating a wedding playlist and were adding songs to that up until the day of our wedding. Since we didn't have a dance, we decided we would just let that play in the background instead of hiring a DJ. We added sweet love songs, songs that had meaning to us and songs that were associated with good memories. I had known for years that I wanted to walk down the aisle to Turning Page by Sleeping at Last. Still, to this day, I have never heard a more beautiful love song. Our first dance was to Heaven's Knife by Josh Garrels. I remember on our first camping trip to Arkansas, we were all playing our "wedding songs" for each other on the way home. This song was the one Keaton played for us. I had always remembered that so when we got engaged I knew we had to incorporate it.
Tell us your favorite moment from your wedding?
This is a hard one. I had so many favorite moments. I'll just name a few since I am so indecisive. We decided to wash each other's feet during the ceremony as a symbol of our promise to serve one another for the rest of our lives, just as Jesus did. This moment was so special and humbling. We smiled and talked the entire time and the pictures are just priceless. Another favorite moment of mine was our vows. We had decided to write our own vows and read them out loud to each other. This allowed us to be so much more intentional and personal with our vows and this moment turned out so perfect. Everyone in the room was laughing and crying with us as we read to each other. The other favorite moment of mine that I wanted to mention was our first dance. We were worried that a 3min and 23second long song would be too long for a first dance and that everyone would lose interest. We talked about cutting it short but it never got finalized. In the moment, it was like we were the only ones in the world, like one of those cliche movie moments where everyone else disappears. But that's what it really felt like. Before we knew it, the song was coming to an end and it felt like we had only been dancing for 3 seconds. This moment was everything in the midst of such a crazy exciting event.
Tell us who was involved in making your special day perfect?
Photographer: Chelsea Reece @chelseareece.co
Hair and makeup: My sweet sister Madison Jade Instagram: @mads.kinn Florist: Myself Bridal and bridesmaids bouquets: Rebecca Sheid (my sweet mother-in-law) Instagram: @rebeccasheid Donuts: Missy's Donuts & Bakery out of Guthrie, OK Cake: Andrea Stewart (my aunt) Instagram: @stewart5th
Do you have any advice or words of wisdom for anyone planning a wedding?
My advice would be this: The bridal suite is important. Make sure there is plenty of room, its well lit and its pretty for pictures. If you decide not to host a dance, still make sure you have plenty of time for everything else you'd like to do. You have to account for family pictures, bridal party pictures, all the traditional wedding activities, time to eat, cut the cake, toasts, and talking to anyone and everyone.
How would you rate your overall experience with Wear Your Love?
5 out of 5 stars!
Congratulations
Keaton and Makenna!
Here's to a Lifetime of Happiness! Let the Happily Ever After begin!
Makenna is wearing the Zoey Scoop-Back with unlined sleeves, nude lining, and an 8-inch train.