Meet the Four Oaks Manor Team | McKenzie

We’re continuing our Meet the Four Oaks Team series today with McKenzie, one of our wedding and event coordinators. McKenzie joined us back in January 2020 and is the main person behind the blog (hello!).

How long have you been working at Four Oaks Manor?
I began working at Four Oaks Manor in January 2020, so just over one and a half years.

How did you start working at Four Oaks Manor?
I had just left a previous job working for a magazine and was looking for something different, more hands-on, and less behind a desk. I’m not sure what made me decide to apply to wedding venues since I had no wedding coordination experience and hadn’t ever really considered it as a job before, but I sent my resume in the mail to Four Oaks Manor. Jenny called me a few days later to set up an interview, and a few weeks later, I began working!

Can you explain your role with Four Oaks Manor?
I’m one of the wedding and event coordinators here, which means I have meetings with couples to plan all aspects of their wedding (and other events) from decor to timelines. I’m also the person day-of running the behind-the-scenes to make sure their weddings go smoothly. I also help occasionally with tours and bookings, and am the main person behind our blog and Pinterest page.

What is your favorite part of your job?
I love the variety of work I do! I always had a hard time in college figuring out what I wanted to do because I couldn’t imagine sitting behind a desk doing one thing for my job. I love that each day is different. Sometimes it looks like a day full of meetings with my couples; some days it’s working on chalkboard signs and wedding prep. Other days it’s working on the blog or other random projects. A lot of days, it’s a bit of everything!

I also really love seeing couples being able to relax on their wedding day. One of our goals is to make the planning process – and ultimately the wedding day – stress-free. When I see couples enjoying the moment, it means our staff did our job.

What do you like doing outside of work?
I enjoy a lot of things! As long as I have good people around me, I’m usually up for whatever. I’m pretty involved in my church and serve with the youth there. I also enjoy playing pickleball and disc golf, finding new coffee shops, and watching soccer. Go Man City!

What is one piece of advice you would give to couples getting married at Four Oaks Manor?
Always remember why you’re getting married! It’s so easy to make the wedding day about the party and making sure the experience is good for your guests and friends, but the day really is about the covenant you and your soon-to-be spouse are making together. Take some time during the planning process to step away for a moment, remember why you’re getting married, and enjoy this time together as an engaged couple!

Any random facts about yourself you want to share?
I really love manatees. I have no idea how it started, but I just think they’re absolutely adorable. My sister gave me a blanket with manatees on it for Christmas once and it’s so soft, though I’m sure I look like a weirdo whenever I use it. She also once accidentally rammed into a manatee while kayaking in Florida. Neither one was hurt, but they both were surprised by it, and her reaction was hilarious.

I also love cows. I may or may not have a few cow frames hanging up in my house. Sea cows and land cows – got it covered!

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