Real Weddings: Madee & Shauna

By Frederick McDavid

Madee & Shauna’s love story didn’t follow a script, and neither did their wedding. From ditching expectations to finding the perfect outfit, they made every decision their own, because that’s what love should be about.

Tell us about yourselves!

I (Shauna) am a software engineer and Madee is about to graduate with her masters in social work! We currently live in a small town in NC and are looking to move to a bigger city after Madee graduates. We love to travel, host parties for our friends, and religiously watch competitive reality TV shows!

How did you two meet?

Long answer: We went to different colleges but were involved with the same Christian campus ministry and met at a big summer event the group was having. We instantly clicked and became best friends. Neither of us were out at the time and the ministry we were involved in was not queer-affirming, so as we started to fall in love with each other, we were both discovering our sexuality and reconciling that with our faith at the same time. Throughout this journey, we faced a lot of judgment from the community we were a part of, but we leaned on each other and grew through it together.

What was important to you in planning your wedding day?

It was really important to us to ensure that every person we invited was someone who fully supported our love and relationship. We wanted our wedding to feel like a safe, inclusive space where everyone could celebrate our love without hesitation or judgment!

How did you go about choosing what to wear for the wedding day?

Trial and error... I knew I didn’t want to wear a dress, but finding something that I’d feel confident in and that fit well was a bit of a struggle. I tried on several outfits, but something always felt slightly off. I was preparing to have to get something custom tailored until I stumbled across Kirrin Finch!

How did you feel when you first saw yourself in your wedding suit?

I had been so scared that I wasn't going to find something I felt confident in, so whenever I put on the Kirrin Finch pieces and saw how they fit me like a glove, I felt like a weight was lifted off of me!

Which Kirrin Finch pieces did you wear?

Addams White Easy-Care Dress Shirt and the Black Velvet Blazer

What were some of the most special memories from your wedding day?

We got married at the restaurant where we had our first date, so it was really special to have this full circle moment there and reflect on how far we’ve come and everything we’ve been through together since then. It was also really sweet to simply look around and see how lucky we are to have such an incredible chosen family.

Any advice for other couples planning their wedding?

No decision is too weird! It’s YOUR special day, so do what YOU want! Don’t feel pressured to follow traditions or do things just because it’s what’s “expected.” Embrace what makes you both unique and create a wedding that truly reflects who you are as a couple!