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I am fairly certain I was a southern girl in a former life, something I especially feel when these lovely southern weddings come my way!  Mackenzie Neel & Colin Conway blossomed their childhood love into something far more grand, celebrating in a way true to their southern roots.  Armed with a love of classic details, Mackenzie & Colin found the perfect venue in Spring Creek Ranch, a place that was both open & perfectly southern while highlighting architectural features, something that is a passion for Mackenzie.  Working with an organically arrived palette of natural browns, freshly grown greens, pure ivories & metallic silver in the form of mercury glass, their classic southern wedding had just the right detailing to create a lush homespun feel.  While the weather threatened right up unto the last moment, the day revealed itself to be perfection, something Mackenzie knew to be her father smiling down on them.  Not one to fear a little weather, Tennessee wedding photographer Christen Jones Photography made moody weather magic in into gorgeous photographs, highlighting just how special this southern wedding was!

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Novella of the Bride…

We started out as best friends. We began dating sophomore year of high school. Our families go to Colorado together every year, and this past January, Colin proposed at the top of the mountain. We got married after dating for seven years. Colin went to Delta State University and I went to Mississippi State University in college. We live in Memphis, TN and attend Highpoint Church. Colin is a pilot and flight instructor and I am an interior designer for an architecture firm downtown. We have three kids (dogs) and we love spending time with them. We enjoy being outside, being active, going to Pickwick Lake, snowboarding in Colorado, and hanging out with our friends and family.

The theme of our wedding was a southern, vintage affair. It was the perfect combination of our styles and personalities. Spring Creek Ranch is a venue consisting of large glass walls, stone fireplaces and features, and wood beams. It was the perfect place to pull in the architectural features I loved as well as the outdoors and openness that Colin enjoys.  It was the perfect combination of our styles and personalities. It was a no brainer. Although we are very religious, we never imagined a church wedding for our big day. It always seemed too stuffy and traditional for us. Spring Creek Ranch provided the outdoor space and experience we had always wanted. The courtyard allowed for an intimate ceremony even though this was a large wedding. The building and tent itself had plenty of room for all our guests to mingle, eat and dance.

Our wedding was vintage with mercury glass, lace details, bunting flags, and beautiful hydrangeas and hanging amaretto, but rustic and southern with cotton ball accents, wood picture frames, and the venue itself. The day was very “us”. It was classic and timeless. One of our food stations had Mississippi State Cheeses to offer. Our send off was little paper airplanes to reflect Colin’s passion. Our favors were little jars of honey with honeycombs attached to reflect our love of the south with a vintage twist. We also included pictures at the bar from all 7 years we’ve dated because that was special to us. Our guest book was a barn wood frame and everyone signed the matte board around our picture. It looks great in our house!

A Little Help From Their Friends ~ My Meme and Pops paid for my wedding dress. My Meme was so helpful in helping me select the perfect dress. My sweet mother went above and beyond as my mom, planner and best friend. She was at every consultation and always there to help me with anything. She made our wedding day happen and I am so grateful for her and the amazing woman she is. Colin’s parents paid for our honeymoon to Aspen, which was a dream. It was the most relaxing trip we have ever been on. I had several family friends throw bridal showers and my neighbor and dear friend hosted a wonderful dinner to honor my bridesmaids. And my best friends and bridesmaids were there for me if I ever needed any help and I am so thankful for them. We are truly blessed by all the love and support from our friends and family.

Favorite Moments ~ It had been storming the entire week before our wedding and it was overcast all day on our wedding day. This was fine with me because the lighting was great for pictures. Shortly after the ceremony had started, right before I walked down the aisle,  the sun came out shining so bright. It was a really cool moment because I knew my dad was watching over us that day, even though he couldn’t be there in person. People still say to me, “I don’t know if you realized this or not, but the sun came out the minute the ceremony started.” It’s pretty neat how perfect God’s timing is.

 

Vendor Love

Photographer: Christen Jones Photography | Venue: Spring Creek Ranch  | Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottera  | Bridesmaid Dresses: Alfred Angelo  | Hair + Makeup: The Upper Level  | Groom’s Attire: Men’s Warehouse | Invitations: The Aerialist Press  | Music: Party of 5  | Lighting + Rentals: Mahaffey  | Florist: Lynn Doyle Flowers  | Caterer: Spring Creek RanchSimply Delicious  | Baker: Frost Bake Shop