Historic Bell Hill

Ceremony

Trivia / Cocktail Hour

Dinner

Reception Party

Our Wedding

Mackenzie and Mac knew of each other in passing through family. They officially met in 2014 after Mackenzie moved to Gainesville, Florida. They both went though some big life changes together before starting to date, which helped cement their relationship before it even began. Mac officially asked Mackenzie out on July 4th, 2015 on the walls of a Spanish fort in Saint Augustine, under a sky lit up with fireworks. They moved to Mackenzie's hometown of Fort Walton Beach in early 2016, and lived there until moving up to Cobden, Illinois in October of 2021. They have been engaged since 2020 when Mac surprised Mackenzie with a weekend in Gainesville and popped the question at the University of Florida Bat Houses with a couple of their best friends!

Our Story

Mackenzie and Lauren have known each other since 2016 when Mackenzie began working at the Hot Topic that Lauren managed. They quickly grew from coworkers that ran a store together to friends, and from there grew more like sisters. 

Mackenzie's favorite thing about Lauren is her unwavering support and communication, especially since their friendship became long distance after Mackenzie and Mac moved to Illinois!

Lauren Weidner

Mac and Erin met back in 2001 on Mac's first day of college in Gainesville, Florida. Erin took Mac under her wing since Mac had not been through the growth and troubles of high school, and introduced her to the group of friends that would become Mac's new family. Erin walked through life with Mac helping her find where she belonged, and they have been friends ever since.

Mac's favorite thing about Erin is that everything she says is real and heartfelt. 

Erin Browning-Paine

Mackenzie and Kelly have been best friends for a few years now, but they've been sisters for almost 30 years! They have really been through the thick of it together and came together when they needed it most, building a better bond than they've ever had before!

Mackenzie's favorite thing about Kelly is how strong she is. Kelly is not afraid to say what needs to be said, especially if it's in defense of her own boundaries or someone else.

Kelly Capps

Mac and Molly were both adopted into the same goth family in college where fate decided they would write music together forever. They have been in several bands together, played porch jams, shed music nights, sing alongs in her parents' minivan, and experienced many coming of age roommate adventures. They are still like siblings to this day!

Mac's favorite thing about Molly is that she is a natural provider. She has always provided a home, food, and music for Mac in their years of friendship.

Molly Phillips

Mackenzie and Crissy actually met through their exes back in 2010! They ditched the boys and Crissy has been one of Mackenzie's best friends ever since! They've gone through the years staying in good contact and being there for each other through breakups, military deployments, and whatever else the world throws at them!

Mackenzie's favorite thing about Crissy is how unbelievably sweet she is and how good of a listener she is.

Crissy Johnson

Mackenzie and Mac have been friends with Ashley for a few years now, and Ashley happens to be married to Zadok! It has been a blast growing as couples together and supporting each other through everything.

Our favorite thing about Ashley is how she never fails to keep us laughing and keeps us on our toes. Her sense of humor and wit is just the best, and talking to Ashley feels like sitting in sunlight.

Ashley Jollie

Mackenzie and Grant first met when they had their TV Production class together in high school. They didn't actually begin a friendship until after they had both graduated, when they started to hang out and road trip around their local area for photoshoots. Bonding over appreciation for the wacky and absurd, there is never shortage of hugs and laughs when they are together.

Mackenzie's favorite thing about Grant is how well they balance each other out. Grant is a lot like Linda Belcher, whereas Mackenzie is definitely more like Bob. 

Grant Collins

Mackenzie and Zadok have been friends since 5th/6th grade! They've managed to keep the friendship going over the years through living long distance, and Zadok has never had a moment when he wasn't available for support. Once Mac and Mackenzie started dating, Mac and Zadok became two peas in a pod too! 

Our favorite thing about Zadok is how willing he is to be there for any of his friends and do anything he can to save the day!

Zadok Jollie

Jon and Mackenzie met through a mutual friend in 2010 and bonded through photography and similar life experiences that have shaped them. Over the years they have grown and changed as they learned more about the world around them, and it only further cemented their bond. Jon fills the role of the older brother that Mackenzie never had, but always wanted. He has always been a trustworthy place of tender and genuine support and care, no matter what life circumstances were, and Mac and Mackenzie are both very excited to have him play such an important part on their special day.

Jon Marshall

Mac has known Scott for quite a few years now within the friend group! He is very connected to the art world via photography and DJing, which he does in his spare time at the local goth clubs! Scott has always been a gentle and sweet person in Mac and Mackenzie's support circle, towards their relationship as well as their personal crafts and endeavors, and they know that he will play only the best music for them and all of their guests to enjoy and dance to!

Scott Nelle

Wedding Party

Mac and Mackenzie

The Wedding Party

Photos

Q + A

Travel

We understand right now that traveling is more difficult and expensive than usual for many people. If possible, consider carpooling with other guests you know that are traveling from near your location / renting lodging together to save some money. If you are flying in, it would be in your best interest to reserve a rental car for your stay. We will be busy preparing for our big day in the days leading up to the wedding, so we will not be able to help people get around. Carbondale has some Uber and Lyft drivers, but due to how rural the area is, closer to our venue there are not. If you have any questions or concerns about travel or lodging, please reach out to us!

This is the closest airport to our location at just an hour away!

Barkley Regional Airport 

This airport is 1 hour 45 minutes away

MidAmerica St. Louis Airport

Standard Hotels

We have a block of rooms reserved here! Reserve by October 3rd to get the group rate discounts ($122.99 per night)! We have rooms reserved for you for October 17-18. The block is reserved under my name (Capps). This hotel is about 20-30 minutes from our venue. It is in Carbondale, so it is close to all kinds of food and activity options. It is also pet friendly!

Best Western Saluki Inn

This hotel is about a 30 minute drive to our venue. It is in Carbondale, and close to all kinds of food and activity options while you're in town! It is also pet friendly!

Hampton Inn Carbondale

This hotel is about a 30 minute drive to the venue. It is in Carbondale, so it is close to lots of food and activity options! It is also pet friendly!

Holiday Inn Carbondale

32 minute drive to our venue, has lots of built-in entertainment!

Walker's Bluff Casino Resort

Alternative Hotels

The Makanda Inn is a Bed and Breakfast! It is just over a 10 minute drive to our venue, and sits close to Giant City State Park in the rural Makanda / Cobden area. It is on a lovely, quiet wooded property with several different room choices.

Makanda Inn

If you want a unique place to stay during your trip, the Davie School Inn was built as a school in 1910! It was open until the last 90s. It is about a 10 minute drive to our venue, and is located in Anna, which has several food options.

Davie School Inn

These cabins are in the middle of Giant City State Park and feature the Lodge, a historic landmark, gift shop, and restaurant.

Giant City Lodge

Cabins and Rentals

Our home here in Illinois is right in the middle of the Shawnee National Forest! There are tons of cabin options nestled in the gorgeous scenery that you can rent for the weekend for yourself or your traveling group. We would love to know our wedding guests not only enjoyed our day, but that they had a relaxing getaway as well!

We recommend booking your cabin stay as soon as you are able to, as the start of the fall season begins peak tourism season in this area for cabins and can book out pretty far in advance. Cabins can be an extra fun and affordable option if you are carpooling with or meeting other friends for the wedding! Here are a few suggestions, but there are many more! Let us know if you have any questions!

These cabins are about a 20 minute drive to our venue! Nestled in the south end of Carbondale, you can be close to the city and all its food and activity options, but still in a secluded and private wooded area!

Cabins on Indian Creek

Cabin located right off the highway, only 15 minutes from our venue! It sits next to Feather Hills Winery.

Hillside Haven Cabins

This cabin is about a 15-20 minute drive to the venue! It is in Alto Pass, a small village near Anna and Cobden. It has activities such as Alto Pass Winery, Havisham Bourbon Bar, and Rendleman Orchards nearby!

Notting Hill Cottage

As mentioned before, we are located in the Shawnee National Forest where there are endless options for outdoor adventure! There are also many local restaurants, parks, and historic sites nearby!﻿

Events

Vulture Fest is a favorite event of ours every year! We even came one year before we even moved to Illinois! There is always lots of live local music, local artists selling their crafts, food, and of course everything in the shops that reside in the Makanda Boardwalk! This event usually relies on cash since reception for taking card payments can be spotty.

Vulture Fest

Parks

This park is great for our guests with kids! It is a memorial park built in memory of a child that loved all things fantasy and DND. It is a great space for kids to run around a castle surrounded by wizards, dragons, and other mythical creatures.

Jeremy "Boo" Rochman Memorial Park

Giant City State Park is full of hiking and equestrian trails, parks, picnic areas, camp sites, and the Lodge and Cabins (featured below).

Giant City State Park

This is our favorite trail in Giant City State Park!

Trillium Trail

Giant City Lodge is home to an incredible restaurant featuring all the best traditional comfort foods, historical information on the park, the Giant City water tower (which you can climb for a panoramic view of the state park!), as well as cabins! Fun fact: a portion of Gone Girl was filmed here!

Giant City State Park Lodge & Restaurant

Ferne Clyffe State Park is nearby and full of more trails, rock formations and waterfalls!

Ferne Clyffe State Park

Bald Knob Cross of Peace

Shopping

The Makanda Boardwalk is a favorite local location of ours! It is an old train station turned into a strip of local artists stores full of treasures of all kinds. Make sure to check out the Rainmaker's Garden behind Rainmaker's Studio where you will be transported to another world, and to keep an eye out for Makanda's famed population of vultures flying overhead!

Makanda Boardwalk

This is one of our favorite vintage thrift shops around us! The owner has a whole store full of true vintage pieces at affordable prices!

tropicana vintage clothing

Food

Carbondale Area

Quatro's Deep Pan Pizza

Harbaugh's Cafe is a Carbondale staple for breakfast foods!

Harbaugh's Cafe

Great burgers, hot dogs, and sandwiches!

Dale's Burger Shack

A new coffee house that also has alcohol and liquor drinks!

Lost Forest Coffeehouse and Pub

Blend is one of our favorite food stops in town when we are craving something sweet or a nice drink!

Blend Tea and Crepe Lounge

The best place to go for ready-made meals for any diet! Great market for delicious organic food.

Neighborhood Co-op Grocery

This is one of our favorite places to go to for vegetarian / vegan options! They have an incredible bakery, a gift shop of local artisans work, and often feature live musicians.

Cristaudo's

We recommend that our guests refrain from eating at Branch Cafe &amp; Market in downtown Carbondale, as the owners are currently facing lawsuits regarding their cult organization's mistreatment of the establishments' employees.

Cobden Area

Iconic area restaurant for all of your traditional comfort food needs!

Dixie Barbecue

The Iron Whisk is a hot spot for people that enjoy high quality breakfast foods and cocktails!

Mac & Mackenzie

Mac & Mackenzie

Registry