This past weekend was one for the scrapbooks. Let me introduce you to Mackenzie…
When she was in eighth grade at church camp {and I was a young newlywed camp counselor}, we met in the same color group. A few years later baby Ebby Lee came along and we needed a babysitter for the night. Enter Mackenzie. 🙂 She began when there was only one and she kept coming back! WAHOO! We witnessed her going off to college and she was so sweet and intentional about seeing our kiddos and our family when she was home. {Which as a mama, let me tell you-that means so much!} She graduated college and is now back with a real grown-up job and has been babysitting for us intermittently when she was in town for the last TEN years! When we got to meet her boyfriend {turned fiancee}, Patrick, a couple years ago we all fell in love and knew instantly these two would do big things for the kingdom. Patrick has been so sweet to my kiddos and makes them feel like a million bucks-especially Bowen.
Sidenote: when we talked about the rehearsal dinner, I told Bowen to make sure he wasn’t “hogging” all of Patrick’s time. This is his big weekend so we can talk to him for a bit but we need to let him talk to everyone and these were Bowen’s words, “I know. I know, Mom. Just a little small talk.”
Needless to say, our family of six was super pumped to be a part of Patrick and Mackenzie’s big day. The rehearsal dinner was so cute on Saturday night. Then Sunday morning we hit the wedding venue early for rehearsal time.
Let’s just say it was a little cool at rehearsal time, but these three toughed it out. Nixon had an EARLY baseball tournament game so he pulled in at the very last second and got his orders.
The wedding took place at Magnolia Grace Ranch in Leonard, Texas, and this venue was stunning.
Look at Bowen up there with the big boys. 🙂
And Ebby Lee looking like a teenager.
All four of my kiddos walked in together…Ebby Lee holding Britt’s hand and the boys following, which made this a piece of cake for Britt.
They did GREAT!
We had a couple hours in between rehearsal and pictures so we went home, ate lunch, and chilled for a bit before getting ready.
Wasn’t Mackenzie a GORGEOUS bride? And let’s talk about that flower girl….PRECIOUS! I was gonna add the link for Britt’s dress and I was 100% confident I got it from Etsy but when I go to my orders…there is NO flower girl dress purchase! I have no clue where I ordered it. I will say it was WAY too long for her so our tailor had to cut off inches, so maybe it’s for the best I can’t remember where I got it? Her shoes are from Dillard’s and the belt and head piece both were add-ons where ever I ordered the dress.
Let me just tell you-it’s hard work keeping a flower girl all put together while we waited.
Can you spy Ebby Lee looking all grown up during pictures?
Trying to wrangle this flower girl. 🙂
The bean bag toss game kept the junior groomsmen entertained for hours. Their suits are from J. Crew Factory and I grabbed their shoes from Nordstrom. {I heard Tab use the word, “wingtip” when helping Nixon with his shoes on Sunday. I later heard Nixon say something about his “flytips”. haha!}
My two girlies all dressed up and READY!
Ebby Lee’s dress was from Azazie. All the bridesmaids ordered theirs from the same website so hers matched perfectly. They have dresses in over 75 different colors and even more styles. I heard several of the bridesmaids talking about the quality of the dresses as well. I was impressed! {Not sponsored at all just a really great website I wish was around when I got married!}
Britty shared the flower girl duties with that cutie, Brynlee. Brynlee’s parents were both in the wedding so at the last second she decided to walk down with her mama. It all worked out perfectly!
So many of you guys commented about Ebby Lee looking so grown up here. I think it was partly the lack of a bow. She loves bows…they’re totally her “thing” and I think the missing bow aged her. 🙂
Our crew was READY!
The guys were all looking so good!
Tab and I stayed with the kids until the very last minute and then we sat on the far end of the front row with the bride’s family. The big kids all stood but Britt sat with us and we passed snacks to the other little flower girl.
They NAILED IT! They did SO GREAT! They stood up there so still and quietly and then walked out when it was their turn.
My favorite eight-year-old did awesome!
We anxiously awaited a yummy dinner!
And the sign of a good time is definitely when you have queso on your dress before the dancing even begins. Am I right?
Love this girl!
And this one too!
If that’s the case, this girly was having a BLAST!
The bride’s sister {we love her too} and matron of honor gave the sweetest speech.
My boys snuck out to play while the rest of the crew…
ended the night dancing. 🙂
Like I said, we LOVED getting to be a part of Patrick and Mackenzie’s big day! We can’t wait to see what God has in store for them!
And if you’re looking to hire a flower girl, junior bridesmaid, or junior groomsman…call me. 😉
XO
Oh my word! What a lovely ceremony, beautiful bride, and grown up kids! Looks like they did a fantastic job!!!! And I think you nailed it with the missing bow. She looks 14! Great pics, mama!
This is so cute!!!! I love how you stayed so close your babysitter, i have stayed close to my first babysitter as a child and i alway see her when i am home from college as an adult! All your children look beautiful and so grown up!!! Great recap! Thanks for sharing!! http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Oh my goodness! These pics could not be any cuter!! What a great wedding! Your kids (and Mackenzie) looked absolutely beautiful!
I love this and think it’s so fun! I babysat a couple families through high school and college and then when I got married, one of the little girls was my flower girl. Babysitting can make some special bonds!
so many sweet pics.. they looked so precious!!! Britt looked like she was having the best time! Mackenzie was gorgeous!!!!! what great memories!!!!!
Yes I have been waiting to see all the pics!! Looks like the Slaughter 4 not only crushed it but had a great time!!
Erika! These pictures are just so special!!! What a beautiful wedding weekend!! I'm so happy for them!
Nailed it is right!! Mackenzie looked gorgeous!! She seems like the absolute sweetest thing. Loved all the pics! The Slaughters can rock a wedding!!
That Inspired Chick
Oh my gosh, that is the CUTEST thing ever having your kids up front! I need to find such a special babysitter!
They look SO CUTE! Great job Slaughter kids!!! And I can vouch for Azazie as a bridesmaid, I'm actually ordering dresses #2 and #3 from there for weddings this year – such great quality!
What a fun weekend! Mackenzie's dress is gorgeous! She made a beautiful bride.
Erika, your family looked STUNNING. JUST GORGEOUS. What a special time you had.
Everyone looks great all dressed up. What a beautiful wedding.