The Meadow at Wynning Way Farm

Wedding Day

Ceremony

The Meadow at Wynning Way Farm 

Reception

Our Wedding

His Version...

It was the year 2011 in the big beautiful town of Simpsonville, SC where I first met the love of my life: Kenzie Wynne. More specifically, it was in the hallways of the prestigious and well-known Southside Christian School. She was a couple of years younger than me, but our friends began to merge after a few of my close friends had decided to become active in the theatre scene at the school. From the moment I saw her I was in awe of her beauty, wit, laugh and smile! I remember being so nervous whenever she was around that I&nbsp;wasn’t even able to form sentences, so in my mind the obvious choice was to not say anything at all. I would remain quiet and chime in every now and then to try and be funny or cute, hoping to make her laugh. After weeks of friends hyping me up, I mustered up the courage to ask her out and to my surprise she said YES! We went on the most wonderful and amazing TWO dates before Kenzie eventually closed that door due to God opening up a very coveted, cool and handsome other door with beautiful blue eyes for her instead (not bitter). We remained friends and continued on with our lives, occasionally connecting every now and then over social media like most millennials do just to affirm and support one another from a distance. A few years passed, and I graduated college and moved back to Greenville. One evening, I was preparing to meet with a mentor for coffee downtown and as I parked I said to myself, “man it would be crazy to run into Kenzie down here” because I knew she worked at Trio occasionally. Sure enough, I must be the luckiest guy alive because as I was lint rolling my shirt I heard someone yell my name and I looked up and... There. She. Was. Now, here I am, a 20 something year old man being immediately catapulted back to that shy little guy who still couldn’t say anything with confidence in the presence of such beauty…. If you haven’t already guessed yet, I am super cheesy so please deal with it. I asked her to hangout and nothing came of it because it just so happened to be right during the time Kenzie would be getting ready to leave and go to London… LONDON!?! Just my luck. Once again, the timing just wasn’t right. But, as before, I supported her in all her endeavors from afar, whenever I had the chance. Fast-forward a few years later and Kenzie had returned from her studies abroad. I, as per usual, connected with her on social media again to see how she was. I did my best to always let her know how amazing I thought she was and how brave she was for pursuing her dreams. She is seriously one of the most talented people I have ever met and I made sure to let her know that whenever we talked. I attempted a few times to hangout with Kenzie by asking her to get coffee or drinks, but alas, things always fell through and I could never pin her down on a date. If you know Kenzie Wynne, then you know that she has TONS of free time...that was sarcasm…. She is quite literally the busiest person I have ever met. I decided to finally give up and accept the fact that maybe Kenzie was doing me a favor and letting me down easy. Not too long after my failed attempts, I left from rehearsal at my church to go and do my civic duty and vote during the Democratic primaries. Now this is where things get interesting. I pull-up to the voting precinct and park. As I am pulling in I see someone with red hair walking inside... clearly nothing had changed because I immediately started sweating and could not believe that I was once again about to possibly, maybe, hopefully run into Kenzie Wynne. I couldn’t get out of my car so I just sat and waited. After a few minutes, she walked out and it was like time stopped. There she was, walking out of the voting station, back to her car. And there I was, not being able to get out and approach her. Instead I just sat there. I took deep breaths and got out of my car to do exactly what I came to do and that was vote, secretly making sure I walked a path that would hopefully guarantee that she would see me if she looked up. I grabbed my “I voted” sticker and left to head back to my car… she was was still parked there but I knew that I couldn’t approach her because it would have been weird.. “Hey there, come here often?”. I mean, what does a person even SAY?! So many thoughts ran through my mind and I just decided to get in my car and leave. Now, because I know Kenzie and how much she loves to have a social media presence, I knew it was only a matter of time before she posted something… and I was right! Ladies and gentlemen, I took another opportunity to slide into her direct messages for a last chance shot at possibly taking her on a proper date- preferably not to see Kung Fu Panda 2 like previously in high school (which might be why she left me). This is where the story gets mixed up. Kenzie believes she was the aggressor, but, unfortunately, she’s wrong and it was once again me. But just as the other times before, nothing came from it and I just knew that was my sign to, as Elsa would say, “Let it go”. I moved on and didn’t really think anything of it for a couple of months until one day I receive a call from one of my best friends Kyle Neal. He called and said, “you will never guess who I’ve been talking to”. To my surprise, it was Kenzie Wynne, and I could not believe that she popped up into my life again! I explained to him the history of torture and heartbreak that Kenzie put me through and he urged me to give it one more try because she is “so absolutely amazing and I love her” ...his words not mine. So I did what any sane person would do. I put on my mask, went to Bojangles, and got her favorite meal. I took a picture of the bag and my face and once again “slid into her DMs”. After a few minutes, she responded laughing and we started to catch up and shoot the breeze, but then... a miracle happened. Unlike the other times… Kenzie Wynne made the first move. It only took the world almost ending from a pandemic and a Cajun filet biscuit combo from Bojangles for the girl to give me a chance, but I was not going to throw away my shot… I responded and we set up a date and time to go and grab coffee and walk downtown. Little did I know that April 25, 2020 was going to be one of the best dates/days of my life! I was waiting at the coffee shop, trying to give myself a pep talk, and then I turned around and saw her walking towards me. I did everything I could to make sure she could not see my jaw drop and hit the ground. I was speechless… she is a goddess just here to bless everyone on earth with her smile, her energy, and her beauty... and I knew that I was in trouble. Once again even after all those years, she still made me feel like that nervous and skinny little kid in high school that couldn’t even form an actual sentence when she was around. I guess she will make me feel like that for the rest of our lives. We walked and talked about music and movies and dreams and goals and family and faith and everything else in between! I remember thinking to myself that McKenzie Anne Wynne was the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I even called Kyle Neal, the catalyst to this whole thing from the beginning, to tell him, “I’m going to marry that woman” and here we are making dreams come true! I'm so grateful Kenzie decided to give me a chance and let me love her. What a privilege. And I will love her forever...I already have.

Her Version...

Nathan and I met back in 2011 at Southside Christian School. At the time, I was friends with his friends, and I had a massive crush on one of them. The other guy and I had a sort of on and off again thing to which he eventually told me I was “too young” to really date. Meanwhile, Nathan (unbeknownst to me) had developed a bit of a crush on me and asked me on a date. At that point, Nathan and I had become close friends. Ever the Scorpio, I saw an opportunity. I said yes and Nathan and I went to see the extended version of Lord of The Rings: Two Towers re-released in theaters that summer. We had a lot of fun, and went on another date the following week to see Kung Fu Panda 2 (nothing but Oscar nominations for us). Afterwards, Nathan and I drove to an old church playground where we swung on the swings and talked about life and dreams. That night was the first time Nathan Neely gave me butterflies. Of course, my devious plan worked, and the other guy was on my front porch mere days later asking me out. When I broke the news to Nathan, he handled it with so much grace and kindness. He said, “No worries, Kenzie! I completely understand. I wish you the best!”, and I knew he meant it. If I had been older and wiser, I would have known right then and there that Nathan was the kind of man you marry. But I was 16 and I had some learning to do still. As cheesy as it sounds, God’s timing is always right. I have almost 27 years of anecdotal evidence to this fact.    Fast-forward to mid-January 2020. I had moved back home after finishing my Masters degree in London, England. I had survived my first really bad breakup many months prior and was settling into a routine before (what I had hoped) would soon be another move out west within the coming year. I was sitting in the office of one of my dear friends, Jim Thompson (who also happens to be officiating our ceremony! Go Jim.) Anyways, I was sitting in his office catching him up on my woes of re-entering the dating world. I was lamenting to him out loud, “Where is he?! Where is my enigma of a man?!” You see, dear reader, I was hitting the same issue over and over again on my dates with different suitors. Either the guy loved Jesus and also worshipped at the alter of certain politics, or he was a godless pessimist. I remember saying out loud to Jim, “I just want a man who will hold my hand in prayer and in protest.”    A few weeks later, it’s early February, and I found myself in the middle of nowhere on one of those rare sunny days in the dead of winter. That kind of day that gives you hope for summer. I was at a polling station in an old Baptist Church for the democratic primaries and I had just cast my ballot for Elizabeth Warren (I know you were all wondering) and I was feeling hopeful. I was sitting in my car afterwards looking for the perfect song to drive home to when I looked up and saw him walking out of the same polling station… Nathan Neely. A boy I knew a long time ago, who now suddenly looked like a man, who I knew went to church... who just walked out of a democratic polling station...    are you there God? It’s me, Kenzie... THANK YOU!!!    I boldly slid into his DMs. (Modernity’s version of the Jane Austen love letter... right?? Sure.) We started messaging back and forth. Then we started texting. Then the whole world stopped. After a couple of months of texting, we decided to meet for coffee. We had both been careful and sheltering in place up to this point. On April 25th 2020, we got coffee and walked the entirety of downtown Greenville (6ft apart). Five hours later, I could have told you I was going to marry this man.    By our third, date I had “the talk” with him. That talk every artist has to have with their potential partner. I explained my plans to move, my goals and my dreams. I braced myself for the “oh that’s nice, but I want to stay in Greenville” or the “oh... you think that’s really gonna happen for you, huh?” Instead I got a thoughtful pause. And then: “the way I see it, I’ve got about a year to convince you to fall in love with me, and take me with you. Listening to you talk about acting is how I imagine Michael Jordan’s friends felt when he talked about pro basketball... it’s a given. There’s no way this won’t happen for you. And I want to help any way I can.” It didn’t take a whole year for me to fall in love with him. Hell, it barely took a full six months.    A year and a half later, at The Biltmore, the most wonderful person I know got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife. Before he could even get out his entire speech I was on my knees in front of him, his face in my hands, saying yes a thousand times.    It took ten years, dating all over the world (literally), and a global pandemic for me to end up with the best and kindest soulmate I have ever known. My kindred spirit. My love. God’s timing is always better, and man God has a weird sense of humor. (Like I said...almost 27 years of anecdotal evidence to back this truth up.)    I’m really excited to marry the love of my life! I am so excited to love him through all of our seasons... am so excited for us to fall in love with every version of each other as we continue to grow up. I am so excited to run every single one of our dreams into the ground together. Our future kids are so screwed. They’re going to be stuck with the world’s two biggest hopeless romantics.

Our Story

Clare Ruble is one of the greatest people you will ever meet. She and I met in 2013 at Furman University where we were both Theatre Arts majors! We lived together for three and a half of the four years at Furman, studied abroad together, worked on Orientation Staff together, and did countless shows with one another! We became a best friend duo very fast. Since undergrad, we've stayed incredibly present in each other's lives and are even living together once again! What an absolute JOY it has been savoring this sweet season of life while living with one of my absolute iconic best friends. I am so grateful that this Gemini queen, enneagram type 3 planner and partier extraordinaire said yes to being my maid of honor!  

Clare Ruble

Summer is an absolute angel of a friend. We've known each other since we were eleven years old and I am so so grateful that she is in my life! We have seen each other through high school graduation, our college graduations and she even flew all the way out to London to be there for my MFA graduation ceremony! Her kindness and dedication will never cease to amaze me and put me in my feels. I am so lucky and blessed to have this dear best friend say yes to standing by my side as I marry the love of my life! Cannot wait to celebrate this incredible moment just as we have celebrated so many others with one another before. 

Summer Forrester

Nichole and I met when we were both in the sixth grade at Southside Christian School. Our lockers were adjacent to each other. We became fast friends due to our mutual love for theatre and cute, scene guys that vlogged on YouTube. We've seen each other through all of our biggest life events. She also made the journey to London to see me graduate with my MFA! I am so insanely lucky to be surrounded by such supportive, hilarious, vivacious, driven and gorgeous women who love me so well! Can't wait to party it up and celebrate with my girl.

Nichole Santana

Jada is an absolute queen, Nathan's sister, and soon-to-be MY SISTER IN LAW!!! We are both very excited as we have both always wanted a sister. I am so lucky because I have won the absolute freaking LOTTERY with Jada. She is so cool and fun and lovely and has the absolute best taste in music. I cannot wait to celebrate and I am so honored to have her standing by my side on the big day! I am so thrilled to be joining her family, and I am so glad she is joining mine!

Jada Neely

Jessica and I have been friends since the seventh grade! Since then we have ben on countless trips with each other's families and have seen each other through braces and first boyfriends. Jess is my soulful, enneagram 4 friend who is always down to go on “let’s get lost on purpose”’drives and blast music together. She is an amazing listener, supporter, and someone you can always come to when you are at your most vulnerable. I am forever grateful for her sweet friendship. Many countless slumber parties, movie nights, adventures and dinner dates later, I am so incredibly glad to have Jessie Mae standing up there with me on my big day!

Jessica Jannack

Nathan and I met at Furman University our freshman year! I immediately liked him because he is the first and only person to ever assume I was older than I actually am (he thought I was a sophomore when I was really just a freshman.) We became fast friends, immediately bonding over our love of Bojangles. We spent tons of time together at Furman and then the summer after graduation, he lived at my home with my parents and that was how it went from friendship to Nathan becoming the closest thing I have ever had to a brother! I am so excited that he said yes to being my bridesman and will party it up and celebrate the happiest day with me!

Nathan Mathai

Alex is one of the funniest people I know with an ethereal singing angel voice. She and I met each other our freshman year at Furman University. She was one door down from me on our freshman hall! We were always good friends, but we got closer post-grad and we have shared so many nights around her piano singing and sharing music with one another, taking road trips together, laughing together, breaking bread together and just dreaming together! Alex is one of the most kind, quietly fierce and capable women I know. Ever the enneagram 1, she helps to keep me on task and on track. I am so grateful that she agreed to stand by me on the best day! 

Alex Dupre

Shea is one of the most iconic, smart and delightful people I have ever met! She and I met in London in grad school and even lived together while I was over on that side of the world. We bonded over SO MANY things, but especially our love for brunch and adventure. After booking a trip to Greece on a Thursday afternoon and getting there the following afternoon, I knew that Shea was a soulmate kind of friend. I am so excited that she will be a part of the happiest day of my life! I cannot wait for all of the cocktails and celebrations to come!

Shea Donovan

Freshman year of college is where I first laid eyes on this beautiful man. We just clicked right away, from our love of anime, video games, music, movies and basically everything in life. I have nothing but love for this guy and he’s someone I could talk to every day and never get tired of. It was one of those things that just made sense, it truly feels like we have know each other since birth! We have had some pretty crazy times and I am so honored that he will be up there standing next to me as my best man. Thanks Reggie!

Josh

I don’t even know where to begin with this when it comes to Steven! My brother, my mentor, my inspiration.. we have literally been together since elementary school and I don’t think I could have asked for a better brother to have in my life. Words can’t even begin to describe the history we have, I hope everyone in the world has a Steven Wheeler in their lives. I am very excited to have him be one of my partners in crime on this big day!

Steven 

 Well, our story started off just like any other friendship. We started out enemies who knew nothing about the other, to accidentally singing a duet from high school musical together and realizing that this was going to be the start of something new! Kyle is a true friend who has always given me the space to be me, no matter what that may look like at that moment, and he always meets me where I am. Whether I need to laugh, bawl my eyes out, geek out over terrible movies or just talk about like he’s always found a way to be there for me!

Kyle

I may have met this guy later on in life than everyone else, but I couldn’t imagine a life where this guy wasn’t supporting me through all of life's craziness. The best way to sum this up is by saying this: he is the Jordan to my Pippen… or the Pippen to my Jordan depending on what wild schemes we are cooking up! He’s my chuck!

Pham

I met this beautiful angel in high school where I was amazed and impressed by his magical prowess. For those who don’t know, Brittain Bass is a master magician and to this day I am convinced he placed me in a trance years ago and that’s why we are best friends today! He is my fellow 2 on the enneagram, my fellow lover of Carolina football. I see this guy every Sunday at 13 Stripes Brewery and he has been such a huge part in helping me become the man that I am today, more than he will ever know. He just gets me and I wouldn’t trade our friendship for the world!

Brittain 

This one is tough because I have technically known Nolan since I was 6 years old! Another guy who has been there through many many different seasons of my life. My fellow lover of college sports, professional sports, Star Wars and anything Marvel. We have been on so many teams together that I consider him my teammate for life, there’s no one else I would rather have next to me on the court, on the field or on my wedding day. Maybe Dwyane Wade, but I think Nolan would say the same thing about me too. It is and will always be an honor to be a part of this guys life.

Nolan

Carlton the hustle Russel! Have you ever just met someone that you vibe with every word that comes from their mouth? No? Well, that is Carlton for me, he has been in my life since high school and is one the guys I see every Sunday at 13 Stripes! I talk with Carlton about everything from, video games to movies and even what I should be investing my money in. He is one of those guys who just knows a lot about literally everything and I respect his opinion more than anything! I will always be his biggest fan no matter what he is doing in life, I truly hope to be like him one day when I grow up.

Carlton 

Have you ever met someone that annoys the mess out of you? That is Turner for me, he is the worst but also the most wonderful human being I have ever met! I met this guy in college while crushing it on the ultimate frisbee field and it did not take long for us to become best friends off the field too. We are definitely like an old married couple, you may not always be able to tell from the way we talk sometimes, but every word that we speak to each other is nothing but love. Turner is one of those friends that you can just be silly with and you just know he’s going to meet you with the same energy, but also tell you that you are being “so dumb”. I truly have nothing but love for this guy, I am so glad to have him up there with me on one of the biggest and most important days of my life, he is just an overall calming presence.

Turner 

Wedding Party

Photos

Still have some questions? Feel free to reach out to futuremrsneely@gmail.com

Q + A

Courtyard by Marriott Greenville Downtown

Hampton Inn & Suites Greenville-Downtown-RiverPlace

Travel

For our out-of-town guests, we highly recommend taking advantage of beautiful downtown Greenville. There are a surprising amount of fabulous theatres that always have something going on. Greenville has also become a foodie's paradise with a number of fabulous restaurants to enjoy! And of course there is plenty of shopping to explore as well.

Downtown Greenville also has something for our outdoor-lovers. Falls Park is beautiful with stunning views and walking trails right in the heart of downtown! Grab an ice cream cone from Spill the Beans and take a lovely scenic walk.

Ten minutes down the road from our venue, there's a quaint downtown area that feels like a southern version of Stars Hollow. If you feel like escaping the hustle and bustle of bigger city life we recommend popping into Downtown Fountain Inn for a bite to eat and a walk around.

Kenzie & Nathan

Kenzie & Nathan

Travel

Courtyard by Marriott Greenville Downtown

Hampton Inn & Suites Greenville-Downtown-RiverPlace