Lindsay Layne Waller of Clyo and John Avery McKenzie of Garnett, S.C., were married on May 31, 2008, at The Gassaway Mansion in Greenville, S.C. Pastor Lane Bembenek from Joy Lutheran Church in Moore, SC., and Pastor David Hendrix from Laurel Hill Lutheran Church in Clyo, officiated at the Highland Scottish ceremony, which was followed by a reception on the grounds of the mansion.
The bride is the daughter of Bart and Melissa Waller of Clyo, and the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl F. Lettow Jr. of Savannah, Ms. Betty Rahn Waller of Springfield, and H.B. Waller Jr. of Bloomingdale. The bride graduated from Converse College with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and will attend Gardner Webb University in the fall for her master’s education.
The groom is the son of John E. “Ned” III and Laura McKenzie of Garnett and Barnwell, S.C., and the grandson of the late J.E. McKenzie Jr. and Marion Solomons McKenzie of Garnett, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Charles O. “Carl” Jeffress of Greensboro, N.C. The groom graduated from Greenville Technical College with an associate degree in industrial maintenance technology and is employed by Draexlmaier International in Duncan.
Elizabeth Rodelsperger of Charleston attended the bride as maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Ashlyn Allen of Clyo, Samantha Johnson and Julie Norris, both of Estill, and Megan LaVere of Walhalla. Junior bridesmaids were McKenzie Drennan of Spartanburg and Madelyn McKenzie of Garnett, both cousins of the groom. Master Matthew Thomas of Boiling Springs (Spartanburg County) served as ring bearer.
Mac McCrary of Furman attended the groom as best man, and Ned McKenzie, father of the groom, presided over the Scottish ceremony of marriage as head of clan. Groomsmen were Solomons McKenzie, brother of the groom, of Bluffton, Brandon Jarrell of Nixville, and Clayton T. Waller, brother of the bride, of Clyo.
The bride wore a white Maggie Sottero gown and matching veil featuring beading on the empire bodice, the side lace insert panel, as well as the delicate cap sleeves. A choker featuring an Austrian cross and matching earrings completed the ensemble. The bridal bouquet included white roses, Casablanca lilies and Scottish thistle. A McKenzie tartan sash was affixed to the bridal costume during the ceremony to signify the bride's acceptance into the family clan.
The bridesmaids wore Bill Levkoff gowns of European navy trimmed with European ivory sashes. The bouquets were calla lilies tied with tartan ribbon. Junior bridesmaids wore white dresses adorned with McKenzie tartan sashes. Additional flowers decorating the hall were sprays of red roses and delphinium, to coordinate with the colors of the clan tartan.
The groom, his father and brother wore traditional Scottish kilts in the McKenzie dress modern tartan, black Argyle jackets with silver buttons, and vests. Their attire included clan crest kilt pins, leather sporrans, Sgian Dubhs (ornamental dirks) and leather belts with pewter buckles. The rest of the groomsmen and the bride’s father wore black tuxedos and vests. All were pinned with white rose and blue thistle boutonnieres accented with tartan ribbon.
The wedding cake was topped by a bride and Scottish kilted groom that had been hand painted in Edinburgh, Scotland. The groom's cake was drizzled in chocolate and topped with chocolate covered strawberries.
The musicians for the gathering were Ken Swinton, on bagpipes, and his son, Ray Swinton, on the drum. As is the custom, the groom’s entrance was accompanied by a stirring drum pattern, and the bride’s entrance was accompanied by “Trumpet Voluntare” on the bagpipes. The couple made their exit to the recessional “Scotland, the Brave.”
Mr. and Mrs. John Avery McKenzie will make their home in Boiling Springs, S.C., following their honeymoon in St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
