Charlottes Weddings

HOW DID YOU TWO MEET?

We met at Baylor University while working within the athletic department. Mat was the director of operations for the Baseball team, and I was the director of operations for the Acrobatics & Tumbling team. We saw each other in a compliance meeting, and shortly after I saw him for the first time…. we went out on our first date, and the rest was history!

HOW DID HE PROPOSE?

You could say Mat planned the proposal in two parts, one which included a 1 year anniversary trip to his old college stomping grounds in Malibu, but unknown to McKenzie, a work trip to Seattle would come up that would conveniently allow him to attend a baseball game and maybe stop and see her family in Salem, OR (the “work trip” was actually Mat asking McKenzie’s family for her hand.)

As the day of the proposal rolled around, Mat and McKenzie hung out on the beaches of Malibu before their dinner reservation with friends.

Before going to dinner, Mat convinced me that there was an amazing overlook view of the ocean right next to the dinner spot we were going to, called “Point Dume.” Everyone was so excited to see it, including Mat's two friends, so up the small hike everyone went! At the top, Danny (Mat's friend), encouraged us to take a couple's photo. From there, Mat got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! I said, "Are you kidding me right now?! YES!!!"

WHAT WAS IT LIKE FINDING THE ONE AT CHARLOTTE’S?

While McKenzie was in town visiting family shortly after the engagement, she figured it would be the perfect time to try on some wedding dresses. With one appointment left at Charlotte’s for the weekend, she snagged the spot and increasingly became more excited about the possibility of finding “the one!”

Like most brides, McKenzie had a few styles in mind that she liked including something with lace and loved the look of long sleeves, but was open to trying other styles on as it was her first time trying on wedding dresses.

I had actually pinned, and screenshotted the dress I ended up getting - little known to me that when I saw the dress hanging on the rack - I kept saying, “this is beautiful, it looks SO familiar!”

When she put on her Lillian West long sleeve gown, it all clicked that everything she had been drawn to was in that dress.

When I put it on, I immediately knew it was everything I was looking for.

I walked out to my family and everyone just said, “wow.” I remember turning around so they could see the open back and then after looking at my sister, I started happy crying! It was too perfect!

McKenzie said yes to Lillian West “66084” a beautiful long sleeve, all over lace, fit-and-flare gown with a plunging neckline and illusion back.

DID YOU HAVE A FAVORITE MOMENT DURING YOUR WEDDING DAY?

Mat and McKenzie were drawn to Tetherow Resort in Bend, OR due to it’s beautiful backdrop and the option to move the celebrations indoors in the chance there was a change in weather, but the large doors that created a window looking out to the mountains also framed the pink sunset that made an appearance during their reception, which easily became one of their favorite moments of their wedding day!

ANY ADVICE FOR OUR BRIDES-TO-BE?

Many brides say that the day will go by in the blink of an eye, and to not worry about the little details so you can take time to bask in the small moments. While you won’t know how fast the day goes by until it’s here, and taking time to enjoy the moments in between all of the activities are easier said than done, McKenzie and Mat's moment together that slowed down time took place before the night concluded and was a moment she said they’ll “look back on for the rest of our lives”.

Something we did as a couple that made time slow down, was having a private dance together as the wedding party left to grab sparklers. It was just the two of us on the dance floor and the DJ - with a song that we didn’t care what anyone else thought about. It was something we’ll look back on for the rest of our lives.