A Tennessee Garden Wedding: The Sentimental Wedding of Mekinna and Edison Aubrey

Edison and Mekinna were destined to meet in college when they had the same general education class. As they sat together, they began to grow a slow and steady friendship over time as they pursued similar degrees. Edison says, “As Mekinna was beginning her graduate studies and I was finishing my last semester of undergrad, we became a lot closer and talked a lot more consistently. We finally decided that we should go to coffee, and then for donuts, and then for dinner. We kept finding reasons to go out and spend time with each other until we decided to pursue a relationship.”

 

Edison wanted to have a surprise engagement to sweep Mekinna off her feet, while also having a photographer there to catch Mekinna’s reaction. Edison says, “I asked one of my friends to go to a lookout point over the city of Knoxville with his wife and Rachelle to do a ‘photoshoot.’ Mekinna and I had gone out for brunch that morning and I told her that we were going to get a dog afterward and I wanted her to look nice for a first ‘family photo’ with the new dog.” 

Mekinna was surprised to find Edison driving to a lookout point rather than a shelter, and was even more shocked to see Edison get down on one knee. She said 'yes' (and they adopted a husky one week later)!

 

Edison and Mekinna wanted the focus of their wedding to be faith, family and friends. Mekinna says, “We also wanted to focus on the people that have been with us every step of the way in our relationship, which is why we had so many family members and friends involved in various roles and responsibilities of our wedding; from singing during the ceremony, to officiating the wedding, to preparing the cake and cupcakes, to arranging flowers, to doing makeup and hair. We were so blessed to have an incredible community around us, not just to help prepare our wedding, but also to help us prepare our marriage.”

 

This pair came prepared to their wedding with the help of their families and a few Pinterest boards. Edison notes, “Mekinna also had a crazy Google Doc spreadsheet which included a timeline, volunteer list and important contact information. It was a life-saver for all involved!”

In her search for her dress, Mekinna reveals she found her veil before she found her dress. “As soon as I saw it I knew I had to have it,” she gushes. “I always wanted a lace chapel length veil and it was so perfect!”

 

 

What we love

We love that this pair’s big day was packed full of emotion for every member of the family involved. The ceremony was officiated by Edison’s grandfather, Jim Knowles, despite him recovering from cancer treatment at the time. Mekinna’s wedding ring was from her grandmother and her engagement ring was from Edison’s grandma who have both passed-on. (We’ll just be over here, drying our tears.) We also adore that Edison chose his “best man” to be his 15-year-old sister, Caroline. Edison says, “I am not sure if anyone had more fun dancing at the wedding than Caroline.”
 

 

Advice from the couple

Mekinna would advise other couples to ask for help when needed. She says, “The people around you love you! Without us telling others what we needed, our wedding wouldn’t have gone so smoothly! If people offer help, use them!” 

 

 

 

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