Rachel Mack & Timothy Robinson

This love story proves that distance means so little when someone means so much. 

Rachel Mack and Tim Robinson’s love spread across continents after meeting at a bar in Saint Charles, Missouri, in 2011. Tim asked Rachel if he could buy her a drink, but she insisted on whiskey shots instead. Before parting ways, they exchanged information, promised to stay in touch and worked hard to maintain a long-distance relationship. Skype became the third member of their overseas romance. They calculated schedules and set alarms to wake up early and talk since Tim was about 16 hours ahead of Rachel in Adelaide, Australia.  

After three months, they planned the first of many international trips. Rachel flew to Tim’s hometown of Adelaide, Australia, the day after Christmas and stayed for six weeks. For three years, they alternated visits between Springfield and Adelaide. Each visit was about four to eight weeks, and they never went more than six months without seeing each other.  

In September 2013, Tim planned an intricate scavenger hunt to propose to Rachel, but he ended up spoiling the surprise because he can’t keep any secrets from her. They decided a simple wedding on Rachel’s parents’ front lawn overlooking a lake in Springfield’s Southern Hills was perfect. 

Rachel and her mom scoured Springfield as they hunted down vintage accessories like mismatched plates, kangaroo salt and pepper shakers, and natural elements like salvaged tree stumps and strips of live sod, to transform the front yard into a knock-out reception space. They took advantage of artist friends and cheap finds to keep a D.I.Y. feel and costs down. In just 48 hours before the wedding, the wedding party helped turn the front yard into the fun and bright summer wedding spot Rachel dreamed of.  

Rachel walked down the aisle to her favorite Belladonna song, “Moon.” Instead of a traditional champagne toast, the couple took a whiskey shot together as a tribute to their first night together. 

Rachel and Tim currently live in Springfield. Rachel is a speech and language pathologist at Cox Hospitals and owns The Simple Vintage, a wedding styling and consultation company, with her mom. Tim is a carpenter by trade looking to open Kangaroo Carpentry. 

Sweet Touches: 1. Rachel and Tim elected not to do the traditional cake and had Tea Bar and Bites Bakery make mini cupcakes in different flavors. Rachel reused the wooden pedestals from her sister’s wedding to display the sweet treats. 2. Rachel originally wanted to use picture frames to display photos of the couple but decided that using clothesline was a better option to display photos of her and Tim growing up and dating. 3. Rachel’s dad visited her to see her in her dress before the ceremony. 4. Tim made a custom engagement ring for Rachel with help from designers at Bailey Banks and Biddle.

Outdoor Retreat: 1. Rachel and Tim shared their intimate “first look” by the lake. 2. More than 80 guests filled the Macks’ front yard for Rachel and Tim’s wedding and enjoyed the beautiful landscape. 3. Rachel gave The Thicket a lot of freedom for her table flowers with her only request being “lots of colors”. 4. Rachel found this dresser in her parents’ house and used it as a station to hold flavored waters (cucumber is her favorite) and Mexican wedding cookies as a gift for the guests. 5. Rachel and Tim were nervous about unpredictable May weather, so they rented this tent from All Events Rental.

Decked in White: Rachel fell in love with the simplicity and vintage vibe of her dress from Ella Weiss Wedding Design. 

Resources:

Flowers: The Thicket
Photographer: Climer Photography 
Bride's Hair: Milk.Honey Salon (Note: now Honey + Hive Salon)
Bridesmaids' Hair: Bliss Salon
Rentals: Eventful Rentals
Day of Wedding Planner: Ella Weiss Wedding Design
Dress: Ella Weiss Wedding Design
Suits: Express
Event Planner: Seamless Events
Catering: JAWS BBQ! INC
Cake: Tea Bar and Bites Bakery
Music/entertainment (Ceremony): Bella Donna 
Music/entertainment (Reception): Triple PlaY 
Makeup: Andie Reynolds from Airbrush by Andie at Lavare Spa