Wedding | McKenzie & Jace

Tell us a little about yourselves!

Jace plays for the Chicago Cubs Organization, and I’m an interior designer who also takes on a few contract projects on the side. Jace is happiest doing anything outdoors — hunting, working cattle, or relaxing by a fire. I love spending time with my friends and family, checking out the newest restaurants in town, cozy rainy-morning coffee shop visits, and decorating for every season that comes around. 

Why did you decide to get married where you did?

I originally wanted to get married in Italy, but with such a short turnaround time for planning — especially with how quick baseball off-season is and us not getting engaged until June — I knew pulling off an overseas wedding this fall would be tough for our friends and family. So I started searching for something that had that same Tuscany charm but was still accessible, and that’s how I found Bella Collina in Florida. 

Bella Collina was truly the perfect blend of Italy and convenience. From the moment we arrived, it felt like we had been transported straight to Tuscany. The stone architecture, the warm, earthy tones, and the cypress-lined reflection pond created the most breathtaking backdrop. Every single detail and every single space on the property felt intentionally crafted — from the atrium to the statues, the stonework, and the painted ceilings. It all felt unreal in the best way. 

I honestly forgot we were even in Florida. It was everything I dreamed of and more — the romance of Italy without the stress of getting everyone overseas. A complete dream come to life. 

How many guests did you have?

We had 45 guests — just our closest family members and friends and Maci Neal captured our day. I knew from the very beginning that I wanted a small, intimate wedding. We’re both very close with our families and our tight-knit circle of friends, and those were the people we truly wanted there to celebrate with us. My motto was always: if I haven’t spoken to you in six months or more, you probably don’t need to be at my wedding — and keeping it small made the day feel so meaningful. 

What was your budget?

Our budget goal was to stay under $30,000. There are certain things I really care about and others I don’t put as much thought into, and from the start I knew the venue was where I was most willing to invest. I didn’t want a ton of décor or color — I wanted the venue itself to be the moment and the backdrop. We also chose a Thursday wedding because it was literally half the price of a Friday or Saturday, and honestly I wouldn’t change a thing. It made the day feel even more special and uniquely “us.” 

Tell us about your outfits.

Ooooh, this is a fun one. My dress was truly my dream gown. For the last year or so, I knew I wanted something fitted with classy, timeless features — no lace and no sequins. The satin, off-the-shoulder gown I chose just felt like me — simple, yet elevated and completely timeless. 

One of the most special parts of my outfit, though, was my veil. It was actually my grandmother’s veil, and having her there to see me wear it meant everything to me. Bringing a piece of my grandparents’ love into our day while we celebrated our own new chapter was incredibly meaningful. 

For the after-party, I changed into an all-rhinestone gown and paired it with my favorite cowboy hat. Being from Oklahoma, with the country being such a big part of who we are, we had to incorporate our cowboy hats somehow. Jace joined in too — he ditched the tux jacket, added a bolo tie, and put on his cowboy hat. It was so us.

What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?

The most important aspect for me was creating a wedding that felt fun, warm, and full of love. I wanted it to be a time where all of our closest friends and family could come together, enjoy themselves, and really feel the love in the room. More than the photos, the flowers, or any of the details, I wanted Jace’s and my love to be the center of the day — something everyone could see, feel, and celebrate right alongside us. 

Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?

II definitely had a few elements that were important for me to incorporate. I knew I wanted a satin welcome sign with just our names — simple, clean, and without any extra wording. I also knew I wanted all-silver décor to keep everything feeling timeless and romantic. And from the beginning, we knew we wanted a black-tie dress code. It was the perfect way to showcase the beauty of the venue and maintain a sense of elegance throughout the entire day. 

Another big must for us was highlighting such a huge part of our lives: baseball. Our cake topper was a baseball-player groom pitching to the bride at bat, and it ended up being my absolute favorite detail of the entire day. It felt so personal and so “us.” 

Any tips for couples getting married?

My biggest tip for anyone getting married is to be present. My absolute favorite moment of the day was the 10 minutes Jace and I had alone right after the ceremony. Our planner and venue set up a private room for us with hors d’oeuvres from our cocktail hour spread and our favorite drinks, overlooking the venue so we could see our guests mingling outside while truly soaking in the day — just the two of us, no photographers, no planners, nothing but us fully embracing our new marriage. It was the perfect way to let all nerves and stresses fade and just enjoy one another and celebrate our love. 

Also — don’t let anyone steal your joy on your wedding day. Be a little selfish and make sure you do what feels right for you and your partner. It’s your day, and it should feel that way. 

Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?

Yes — Orlando Dueling Pianos! Honestly, if you don’t have dueling pianos at your wedding, what are you doing?! I cannot speak highly enough about not only having this as your entertainment but about this company specifically. They made our wedding absolutely perfect and so much fun. Our guests had an absolute blast, and we all still talk about it to this day — a memory none of us will ever forget! They’re incredibly interactive, keep the energy flowing, offer a great mix of vibes, and get the crowd involved all night long.

Photographer: Maci Neal @macinealphotography | Planning & Flora: M Finol Events @mfinolevents | Ceremony & Reception Location: Bella Collina @bellacollinaweddings | Hire: Kaleidoscope @kaleidoscopelighting | HMUA: Madi Lindsey @hairxmadilindsey | Catering, Beverages & Cake: Bella Collina @bellacollinaweddings | Welcome Sign:  Bottega Romantica @bottega.romantica | Reception & After-Party Entertainment: Orlando Dueling Pianos @orlandoduelingpianos | Ceremony Violinist: Beautiful Music | Ceremony Dress: Lovely Bride @lovelybride | Suit: Mens Warehouse @menswarehouse | Engagement Ring & Wedding Rings: Kelley's Jewelers @kelleysjewelers | Heels: Zara @zara | Cowboy Hat: Rodeo King | Wedding Party Attire: Meshki, Azazie, Katie May & These Three Boutique