Saint Bede Catholic Church

Wedding Day

Wedding

Cocktail Hour begins in the East Lounge of The  Williamsburg Inn

Reception

Our Wedding

Our Story

Details

Photos

Sister of the bride,&nbsp;Megan lives in Raleigh, North Carolina and is a Research Program Leader at Duke University. She is a competitive Irish dancer and has competed around the world, making it to the World Championship last year and All Irelands this year. Mackenzie's favorite memory with her sister was&nbsp;traveling to Scotland and exploring the Highlands...until Megan launched the car over a curb at night and the car broke down in the middle of nowhere.&nbsp;

Megan Arthur

Mackenzie met Laura when she became her little in Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority at High Point University. Laura was the photographer for Mackenzie's club softball team. They became roommates during sophomore year.&nbsp;Laura always came to Mackenzie's rescue to change tires, do&nbsp;crafts, help with class projects and to crash horrible dates gone wrong and&nbsp;Mackenzie&nbsp;is eternally grateful.&nbsp;

Laura Schramm

AKA the frouple! Mackenzie and Kellie were the pitchers for High Point University's softball team. They joined the same Sorority freshmen year and were instantly&nbsp;attached at the hip. Their greatest times together were spent brunching at Liberty's, tailgating baseball games, and making couple costumes for parties. Their favorite costume&nbsp;was&nbsp;'partly cloudy'. They also passed time dressing up as shepherds and pretending to be statues in the life size Nativity Scene on campus. Fun fact: They even have the same birthday!

Kellie Sanders

A high school friend of Mackenzie's freshman roommate, Ashley and Mackenzie met on college move-in day. Although she seemed nocturnal, spending most nights in the library, Ashley found plenty of time to go to Chick Fil A, to&nbsp;Jimmy Johns and on&nbsp;trips to&nbsp;the nearby lake with Mackenzie. They became roommates sophomore year but Ashley transferred back to her home state of Maryland after the first semester. The two remained best friends despite the distance. Mackenzie joined the famous&nbsp;Gast family vacation in Ocean City and they became like a second family to her. Ashley is currently in her second year of the Physical Therapy Doctorate program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore!&nbsp;

Ashley Gast

Co-captain of High Point University's softball team, Lizzie and Mackenzie shared a strong passion for the same sport. They were always together planning practices, traveling to games and planning&nbsp;team bonding activities. They always got along super well except for one day when Mackenzie blared the Irish Drinking Song a little too loudly on the softball bus the morning of St. Patrick's Day. They became even closer when they rushed the same sorority. Last fall Lizzie married the love of her life, Ashleigh Brooks &nbsp;and Mackenzie got the opportunity to be a&nbsp;part of their special day. Mackenzie would also like to give a shoutout to Lizzie's mom for all of her care packages before finals week!

Lizzie Brooks

Freshman neighbors, Emily introduced herself to Mackenzie during college move-in day. The two quickly became inseparable. Even though Mackenzie had a broken leg and was on crutches for the first two weeks of school, Emily always adventured around campus with her. Their love for fall, carving pumpkins, snow, and staying in to watch movies bonded them. Emily moved back home to New Jersey. She recently married her soulmate, Jon, and was just blessed with the most beautiful baby girl, Hazel!&nbsp;

Emily Silva

Cousin of the groom, Leighton and Michael are only three months apart. Michael was like a brother to Leighton growing up just a mile down the road. They were a fun pair, working on their family farm together during the summer, hosting parties in high school and college, and becoming roommates at Michigan State University. Michael graduated with a mathematics degree and specialization in Actuarial Science. He now lives in Detroit working for AAA as an Actuarial Analyst.&nbsp;



Michael Hackert

The Groom’s longest friendship, Dougherty and Leighton met in elementary school and continued attending the same school all the way through college. Dougherty became one of&nbsp; Michael and&nbsp;Leighton’s roommates and it was a dangerous trio. They’ve shared a lot of memories together hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, four-wheeling, playing&nbsp;high schools sports, and doing anything that could possibly get them in trouble. Dougherty is a tremendous friend who is always reliable and up for a good time. &nbsp;Michael Dougherty graduated with a Packaging Engineering degree and now resides in Orlando, Florida working for Lockheed Martin. &nbsp;

Mike Dougherty

Through a study abroad program at MSU, Leighton and Paul bonded traveling across Europe. They instantly kicked it off having similar personalities and interests. Studying the same major, Food Industry Management, they continued to have classes together until graduation. Now living in Grand Rapids, MI, Paul works for The Gluten Free Bar Company as an Operations Manager.&nbsp;

Paul Vilker

A mutual friend in college introduced Leighton and Stephen. Having a similar taste in music, Leighton was always stealing Stephen’s latest playlists. Throughout college they played on the same intramural basketball team, attended bar crawls, and went to sports games together. Stephen graduated with a Supply Chain Management degree and currently lives in Plattsburg, NY working for Georgia-Pacific.&nbsp;

Stephen Champagne

Middle School classmates, Leighton met Zac in Science class. They played high school basketball together. Some of their best memories were taking&nbsp;road trips to Arrowhead, Colorado. It seems they can always have fun together no matter where or what they were doing. Zac and Leighton had great times tailgating the MSU football games.&nbsp;In Zac’s free time he enjoys being a DJ.&nbsp;

Zac Edwards

Meeting for the first time in middle school, Casey and Leighton spent a lot of time together skiing in Colorado (although it seemed Casey spent the majority of his time having a yard sale on the slopes). They also vacationed with family and friends on the beaches in Mexico. Casey’s family is&nbsp;like a second family to Leighton. They created a lot of high school memories together playing soccer. Always seemed they could manage to get into trouble&nbsp;somehow&nbsp;together.&nbsp;

Casey Lakari

Leighton and Mackenzie are so thrilled to have Leighton's younger cousin,&nbsp;Lucy,&nbsp;as one of their flower girls.&nbsp;Lucy is six years old and has a lot of interests! She's a gymnast,&nbsp;a&nbsp;ballerina, and a downhill skier. She also enjoys swimming, fishing, hiking and singing!&nbsp;

Lucy

What's better than one flower girl? Two flower girls! Leighton and Mackenzie are so excited to have Grace&nbsp;as a flower girl! It is also&nbsp; twice as sweet because Grace and Lucy are cousins.&nbsp;Grace&nbsp;is five years old and loves to fish, do crafts, to swim, and play with&nbsp;her little sister Annie!&nbsp;&nbsp;

Grace

Becoming part of the family last summer as Leighton’s brother-in-law, Adrian lives in Ludington, Michigan. He is married to Leighton’s sister, Chelsey. He is pursuing his passion in the Coast Guard as a Petty Officer 2nd Class. His hobbies include hunting, guns, Mexican food (or as he calls it, food), and memes. Everybody loves his funny sense of humor, stories, and jokes!

Adrian Ledesma

The guy who always came in clutch when Mackenzie moved back to Dubuque and needed a great friend.&nbsp;If there was a guy ever deserving of a position as a bridesman, it is Chad. Mackenzie met Chad through her older sister, he became the go to guy for advice, a workout partner&nbsp;and a good laugh. Spending seven years&nbsp;in the Coast Guard and living throughout the United States, including Oregon, California and Alaska, he now attends school at Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin. Without a doubt, one of the greatest guys you will ever meet!

Chad Phillips

Wedding Party

Q + A

Registry

With a stay at Williamsburg Lodge, Autograph Collection, you'll be centrally located in Williamsburg, steps from Golden Horseshoe Golf Club and minutes from Bruton Parish Church. This family-friendly hotel is within close proximity of DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum and Public Hospital Museum.Rooms Make yourself at home in one of the 323 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and LCD televisions. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and digital programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include safes and complimentary newspapers, as well as phones with free local calls.Amenities Pamper yourself with a visit to the spa, which offers massages, body treatments, and facials. While the golfer in the family is out on the course, you can enjoy above-par recreational amenities such as outdoor tennis courts and an indoor pool. Additional amenities at this hotel include complimentary wireless Internet access, concierge services, and babysitting/childcare (surcharge). If you're planning a day at a nearby theme park, you can hop on the complimentary shuttle.Dining Satisfy your appetite at one of the hotel's 2 restaurants. Quench your thirst with your favorite drink at a bar/lounge. Full breakfasts are available daily for a fee.Business, Other Amenities Featured amenities include a 24-hour business center, express check-out, and complimentary newspapers in the lobby. Planning an event in Williamsburg? This hotel has 28540 square feet (2651 square meters) of space consisting of a conference center and meeting rooms. Free self parking is available onsite.

Williamsburg Lodge, Marriott Autograph Collection

Richmond International Airport

For a special rate, please book through this&nbsp;website:

<a href="http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/groups/personalized/P/PHFWBHX-AHW-20181109/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/groups/personalized/P/PHFWBHX-AHW-20181109/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id%3DPOG&source=gmail&ust=1521381863383000&usg=AFQjCNEsZ1RUw_q0PKt8k3RzCD8BfWLJkg">http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/groups/personalized/P/PHFWBHX-AHW-20181109/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG</a>!&nbsp;With a stay at Hampton Inn & Suites Williamsburg Historic District in Williamsburg, you'll be in the historical district and convenient to Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center and Governor's Palace. This hotel is within close proximity of Powell House and Bassett Hall.Rooms Make yourself at home in one of the 109 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and microwaves. Wired and wireless Internet access is complimentary, while 27-inch flat-screen televisions with cable programming provide entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include laptop-compatible safes and desks, and housekeeping is provided daily.Amenities Take advantage of recreational opportunities offered, including an indoor pool, a spa tub, and a fitness center. This hotel also features complimentary wireless Internet access, a television in a common area, and tour/ticket assistance. Guests can get around on the shuttle (surcharge), which operates within 5 mi.Dining A complimentary hot/cold buffet breakfast is served daily.Business, Other Amenities Featured amenities include complimentary wired Internet access, a 24-hour business center, and express check-in. Planning an event in Williamsburg? This hotel has facilities measuring 1176 square feet (109 square meters), including meeting rooms. Free self parking is available onsite.

Hampton Inn & Suites Williamsburg Historic District

Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport

With a stay at The Griffin Hotel - A Colonial Williamsburg Hotel in Williamsburg, you'll be next to a golf course and minutes from Golden Horseshoe Golf Club and close to Governor's Palace.  This spa hotel is within close proximity of Bruton Parish Church and Bassett Hall.Rooms Make yourself at home in one of the 43 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators. Rooms have private balconies or patios. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms have shower/tub combinations and complimentary toiletries.Amenities Pamper yourself with a visit to the spa, which offers massages, body treatments, and facials. After practicing your swing on the golf course, you can dip into one of the 2 outdoor swimming pools. Additional amenities at this hotel include complimentary wireless Internet access, wedding services, and a television in a common area. Getting to nearby attractions is a breeze with the complimentary area shuttle that operates within 3.00 mi.Dining Take advantage of the hotel's 24-hour room service.Business, Other Amenities Featured amenities include a 24-hour business center, complimentary newspapers in the lobby, and a 24-hour front desk. Planning an event in Williamsburg? This hotel has 1969 square feet (183 square meters) of space consisting of conference space and meeting rooms. Free valet parking is available onsite.

Griffin Hotel - A Colonial Williamsburg Hotel

With a stay at The Historic Powhatan Resort by Diamond Resorts in Williamsburg, you'll be next to a golf course and close to Greensprings Greenway Interpretative Trail and Williamsburg National Golf Club.  This family-friendly resort is within close proximity of College of William and Mary and Muscarelle Museum of Art.Rooms Make yourself at home in one of the 845 air-conditioned rooms featuring kitchens with refrigerators and microwaves. Rooms have private balconies. Cable programming and DVD players are provided for your entertainment, while complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected. Conveniences include phones, as well as separate sitting areas and coffee/tea makers.Amenities Enjoy a range of recreational amenities, including an outdoor pool, an indoor pool, and an outdoor tennis court. Additional amenities at this resort include complimentary wireless Internet access, concierge services, and an arcade/game room.Dining Satisfy your appetite at the resort's restaurant, which serves breakfast and dinner. Dining is also available at a coffee shop/café, and room service (during limited hours) is provided. Relax with your favorite drink at a bar/lounge or a poolside bar.Business, Other Amenities Featured amenities include a business center, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. Free self parking is available onsite.

The Historic Powhatan Resort by Diamond Resorts

With a stay at The Colonial Houses - A Colonial Williamsburg Hotel in Williamsburg, you'll be next to a golf course and minutes from Golden Horseshoe Golf Club and close to Governor's Palace.  This hotel is within close proximity of Bruton Parish Church and Bassett Hall.Rooms Make yourself at home in one of the 77 air-conditioned guestrooms. Cable television is provided for your entertainment. Bathrooms have shower/tub combinations and complimentary toiletries. Conveniences include desks and complimentary newspapers, and housekeeping is provided daily.Amenities Don't miss out on the many recreational opportunities, including an indoor pool, a 24-hour fitness center, and a seasonal outdoor pool. Additional amenities at this hotel include concierge services, babysitting/childcare (surcharge), and a fireplace in the lobby. Spending a day of fun is easy with the complimentary theme park shuttle.Dining Take advantage of the hotel's room service (during limited hours).Business, Other Amenities Featured amenities include a 24-hour business center, dry cleaning/laundry services, and luggage storage. Event facilities at this hotel consist of conference space and a meeting room. Free valet parking is available onsite.

The Colonial Houses - A Colonial Williamsburg Hotel

Travel

Step back in time as you enter Colonial Williamsburg and immerse yourself in the revolutionary spirit of one of the earliest settlements of the United States. Historic reenactments by costumed actors play out in the streets as you pass colonial sites, visit authentic trade shops, and explore 18th-century homes and garden.

Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area features a captivating cluster of original 18th-century structures, plus hundreds of houses, shops, and public buildings rebuilt on their original foundations. As you roam the streets, watch blacksmiths, printers, and milliners use methods from the 18th century and learn about colonial life on your own or on a guided tour.

Admire the stunning Governor's Palace, the mansion where 7 British governors lived during colonial times, followed by Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson. See where laws were passed at the Capitol Building, and make your way to the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum and The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, where you can explore the collections and get a glimpse of life as a silversmith, blacksmith, tailor, and wigmaker in the 1700s.

Convenient shuttle service helps you hop between sites with ease as you discover the treasures of Colonial Williamsburg. If you'd like, top off your day with a performance of the Fife and Drum Corps, grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants, or check the events calendar to see what's on during your stay.

Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area

Wander the streets and gardens of Colonial Williamsburg's historic area while our guide conjures stories of spirits who still call Williamsburg home. For an engaging hour, listen to true tales of unnerving experiences shared by employees, residents, and guests: modern ghost stories featuring lost love, murder, betrayal, and things that go bump in the night! This program is not appropriate for young children.&nbsp;

Official Colonial Williamsburg Ghost Walk

Go Ape is an unparalleled outdoor adventure experience. Our&nbsp;<a href="https://goape.com/Our-Story">mission</a>&nbsp;is to inspire everyone to live life adventurously.&nbsp;

Take an exhilarating self-guided 2-3 hour journey through the forest canopy. Tackle dangling obstacles, explore the trees from a new perspective and fly around on multiple zip lines from exciting heights.&nbsp;

Our&nbsp;<a href="https://goape.com/Adventures/Treetop-Adventure">Treetop Adventure</a>&nbsp;&&nbsp;<a href="https://goape.com/Adventures/Treetop-Junior">Treetop Junior</a>&nbsp;courses are guaranteed to deliver laughter, smiles and a sense of accomplishment. A Go Ape Treetop Adventure is perfect for everyone including, friends, families, companies, and parties.

Freedom Park

Even after 400 years, a visit to Jamestown is still an adventure, but not as challenging as it was for settlers of the first permanent English colony in America in 1607.&nbsp;The story is complex, and most fully experienced by a visit to two compelling attractions. At&nbsp;<a href="https://www.visitwilliamsburg.com/node/203">Historic Jamestowne</a>, site of the original 1607 settlement, explore the Glasshouse to learn about America’s earliest industries, see ongoing archaeological discoveries of the fort and view thousands of artifacts unearthed on display in the Nathalie P. and Alan M. Voorhees Archaearium. At&nbsp;<a href="https://www.visitwilliamsburg.com/node/231">Jamestown Settlement</a>, explore a world-class living&nbsp;history museum that re-creates life in the Jamestown colony. Tour artifact-filled gallery exhibits, discover the Powhatan Indian way of life in a re-created village, try on English armor in a re-created fort and climb aboard replicas of the three ships that brought the colonists to Virginia in 1607. Read our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.visitwilliamsburg.com/node/784">itinerary</a>&nbsp;to see how best to experience both attractions.

Jamestown Settlement

Saturdays&nbsp;8:00 am – 12:00 pmProducers of locally grown: produce, seafood, cut flowers, organic vegetables, herbs, baked goods, pasture-raised meats, cheeses, herbal and goat’s milk soap, fresh bread, honey and eggs

Williamsburg Farmers Market

Located adjacent to Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area, Merchants Square is an 18th-century style retail village with over 40 shops and restaurants. Visitors and local residents alike regularly experience the Square's unique shopping, dining and special events offerings in a setting of unrivaled beauty.

Colonial Williamsburg's Merchants Square

Find impressive savings at Williamsburg Premium Outlets, with over 135 stores including Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, J. Crew, Michael Kors, Nautica, and more. Conveniently located off Route 199 off of Richmond Road, the outdoor shopping destination serves the nearby areas of Williamsburg, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Richmond. So from the entire team at Williamsburg Premium Outlets, we hope that you visit us soon!

Mackenzie & Leighton

Mackenzie & Leighton

Registry