PAGE 116 X METROPOLITAN WEDDINGS X WINTER / SPRING 2023
WRITTEN BY | MEG DANIEL PHOTOGRAPHED BY | SHELBY CHANTÉ PHOTOGRAPHY
' i do ' and a new do !
Madison and Zachery both grew up in Seymour , Missouri , but never crossed paths . In July of 2018 , Madison went to a midnight rodeo with Zachery ’ s cousin , who was her friend and officially met Zachery for the first time . They dated for 3.5 years , and on a trip to Kansas City with her girlfriends , Zachery surprised Madison and proposed . He arranged to meet Madison at a beautiful , old , red bridge and popped the question . But first , he asked her brother for permission to marry Madison , since their father died when she was a child .
Madison knows what she wants and is not afraid of doing it . She always dreamed of having a wedding in front of a white barn and loved the black and white color scheme at Sparrow Lane . Within a week of her engagement , she booked the venue of her dreams . She also loved Shelby Chante ’ s photography style . She had seen her pictures and loved her use of natural light with a light and airy feel . Her photos made you feel like you were there .
Madison is decisive . She and her squad of family and friends went bridal dress shopping and started at Normans Bridal . She tried on a few dresses and none of them felt like the one . Then she tried on one that had a smoky lavender undertone with white lace overlay and loved it . It was different from everything else she had seen and the white appliques really popped on top of the lavender . She felt beautiful . Zachery is also decisive and knew he wanted a simple black tuxedo and found his at Paul Phillips Formal wear .
When it came time for the wedding , there was no one else they would have officiate the ceremony other than her brother , Johnathon . He is a pastor , and after their father passed away , he had stepped in and served as a father figure to Madison . “ He is a big softie ,” Madison says , shedding some tears during the ceremony as he wed his sister to the love of her life .
But Zachery swore he was not going to cry at the wedding . Yet , the first time he saw Madison walking down the aisle to him , he broke down . Then as he tried to eke out his vows , could not utter the words between the tears . Madison was overcome with a case of the giggles , knowing he was trying so hard to hold it together .
Madison and Zachery decorated with a black and white palette , enhancing the already beautiful Sparrow Lane . The bridal party wore black and they chose Finn and Olive as their florist . They were super easy to work with and on the wedding day had dropped off the bouquets and boutineers . When Madison glanced out at the venue , she was wowed at the flowers and decor they had set up . Finn and Olive made it simple and beautiful , exceeding Madison ’ s expectations .
Keeping with the black and white theme , their dog , Koe , a black and white boston terrier pup , just had to be a part of the wedding as well . He wore a bow tie ( adorable , right ?) and walked down the aisle with one of the groomsmen , staying for the ceremony . He was so happy to watch his humans unite and smiled in all of his pictures .
The reception following the ceremony was catered by Chipotle , one of their favorite restaurants . Madison and Zachery were planning the wedding during covid , so they had already decided to have individual cakes for each table and each cake ’ s topper was the table number . By doing this , they felt guests would not have to get up from their seats and could enjoy cake at each table .
Her whole life , Madison was saddened she would not have a special father-daughter dance at her wedding . Instead , she decided to make the most of the situation and as a way to honor those special people who stepped up to fill that role of her dad , she danced with her uncle , brother and mom instead , and is so glad she did .
The couple planned to leave for a honeymoon in Jamaica the next day . Madison had been growing her hair out for the wedding and decided it was time to chop it off . So to the surprise of her guests , the best man ’ s wife was a hairdresser and cut off a couple of inches right in the middle of the dance floor at the reception . Madison has no regrets ! She did not want to be hot on her tropical honeymoon and loved her new do .
So from tearful “ I Do ’ s '' to a new hairdo , Madison and Zachery encourage other couples to “ do what you want and don ’ t stress about the little details .” Xxoxo