MACKENZIE + BEN
Some love stories take their time. Mackenzie and Ben spent six years as friends before their relationship became something more, and when Ben finally proposed, he found a way to make it deeply personal, folding the moment into a New York gallery show of Mackenzie's paintings, surrounded by her closest friends, family, and her own work.
That same intention carried through to their Paebaek, held later in her family's backyard in Phoenix, a setting that has become something of a tradition for Mackenzie's family, with two of her cousins married there before her. The day was created first and foremost for Mackenzie's grandparents, who immigrated from Korea more than fifty years ago and were unable to travel for the couple's larger wedding celebration. Bringing a meaningful celebration to them was the heart of the entire day.
With Mackenzie's mom leading much of the planning and the couple arriving to experience many of the details as a surprise, the ceremony honored Korean tradition through formal bows, tea served to parents and grandparents, words of wisdom, piggyback rides, and the joyful tossing of dates and chestnuts, a tradition said to predict the couple's future children. By their count, the day predicted six girls and eighteen boys.
The design brought together soft, romantic tones with meaningful cultural elements, from the hanbok worn by Mackenzie and Ben to the intricately set Paebaek table beneath a flower draped pergola. As evening fell, the celebration shifted into a reception filled with warm lantern light, a poolside dinner setting, and joyful, unscripted moments that carried late into the night.
Vendors
Venue, Reception Venue: Private Residence
Planning & Design: Madison Kay Events | @madisonkayevents
Ceremony Planning: Sarah Park Events | @sarahpark
Photographer: Lauren Schneider Photography | @laurenschneiderphoto
Content: Style Media | @wedmedia.co
Florals: The Wildflower AZ | @thewildflowersaz
Table, Lounge, Chair & Tableware Rentals: Let's Bash Events | @letsbashevents
Signage & Stationery: Aster & Palm | @asterandpalm
Bar Glassware & Candles: The Confetti Studio | @theconfettistudio
Napkins: BBJ La Tavola | @bbjlatravola
Hair: Carolina | @carolinahmua
Makeup: Beauty by Kim Kim | @beautybykimkim