Mary Lou Retton’s Daughter McKenna Kelley Is Married (Exclusive)

McKenna Kelley had her dream wedding day!

The gymnast and teacher, the daughter of Mary Lou Retton and Shannon Kelley, tied the knot with Braden Doughty on Saturday, September 28, in front of 150 guests at The Preserve at Canyon Lake in Texas.

For Kelley, the romantic location is “really the place of my bridal dreams,” she tells PEOPLE.

“It’s a beautiful, mansion-like venue in white with exposed beams, high ceilings and lots of windows overlooking a nature reserve,” she adds. “It’s the perfect canvas to capture our timeless, elegant theme.”

Decor at the couple’s celebration featured touches of stunning green and gold paired with opaque pink, cream and champagne florals by Cameron De Leon at The Petal Artist. Lush greenery draped the venue’s staircase, while a flower-filled ceremony cross and decorated mantel brought Kelley’s “floral wedding dreams to life,” she says.

Kelley, the second of Retton’s four daughters, added that she and Doughty first met when students at Louisiana State University were planning their wedding together. “We were very cooperative,” she says. “We both had suggestions and ideas that we could combine for our big day.”

For help with the finishing touches, the couple turned to Scarlet Rose Events and their coordinator Alexa Nagel, who “kept the weeks leading up to the wedding running smoothly by coordinating final schedules and meetings with vendors.” Alexa did a fantastic job with that ensured that I felt cared for and prepared for the wedding day. She was also the best hype girl!”

As she walked down the aisle to “Gratitude” by Brandon Lake, the bride wore Watters’ WToo Fortune gown from Liv & Love Bridal in San Antonio.

Never miss a story again — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“I went in pretty open-minded,” she recalls. “But when I put the dress on, I knew it was the right one.” The simplicity appealed to me. I love the A-line silhouette and crepe texture of the top. It felt so flattering and I felt so confident. I added drop sleeves and viola! It was my dream Barbie wedding dress! This is the only time in my life I get to wear a wedding dress, I will cherish every second!”

Doughty wore a tailored State and Liberty athletic-fit stretch suit in hunter green, which he paired with a floral tie that included all the wedding colors. “The perfect fit for a fall wedding,” adds Kelley, whose hair and makeup was done by Ana Blanks and Kim Ramirez at Jax Studio.

Kelley’s bridesmaids wore champagne dresses from Show Me Your Mumu that they chose themselves. “It’s important to me that they feel beautiful and confident,” says Kelley.

Before reciting traditional vows, the couple enjoyed a private moment together and exchanged letters. “We don’t do a first look, so we’re going to do this without seeing each other,” Kelley explained before the ceremony. “We plan to stand on either side of a door or wall, hold hands and pray together.”

Following the wedding, the bride and groom enjoyed dinner and dancing at their reception. During cocktail hour, guests dined on bacon-wrapped chicken bites and brisket poppers in a nod to Kelley’s Texas roots, as well as margaritas and Jack Daniels cocktails.

Dinner from Jimmy Lyn’s Catering included a mixed green cranberry salad, followed by almond-crusted chicken with scalloped potatoes and garlic green beans. For dessert, the couple had a custom wedding cake from Lani Cammer, as well as cookie butter mousse and a pumpkin spice cheesecake dessert.

Before the wedding, Kelley said she wasn’t feeling stressed about the big day.

“Literally no worries. I was honestly so casual about the wedding process itself. I think the hardest part was moving to Louisiana while trying to figure out the details for a Texas wedding. My biggest fear is making sure I have everything I need packed and don’t lose it while traveling!”

Doughty directed the question to Kelley on January 20, 2024. “The proposal was absolutely perfect,” Kelley told PEOPLE at the time. “It was at a resort overlooking Braden’s favorite golf course. My whole family was there, including most of his,” she says. “It was the most magical day.”

It was easy to fall in love, says Kelley. “We were both athletes at LSU – he played baseball and I was a gymnast,” he explains. “I had always admired his open faith. I even remember saying, ‘I want to marry a man like that!’ Graduation and adult life later, and here we are!”

Just days before their “I do,” McKenna said they were looking forward to becoming husband and wife.

“I think we’re just so ready to get married. We have worked really hard to lay the foundation for this marriage in Christ and we are ready and excited to officially launch this union. We know that weddings require a lot of time, travel and money, and we are honored that people make these adjustments and sacrifices to celebrate us.”

Kelley and Doughty wrote each guest a heartfelt handwritten thank you card for attending their special celebration.

“Each of our guests has had a significant impact on our lives. “Without them we wouldn’t be the people we are today,” she says. “We wanted to remind them of their importance in our relationship and how grateful we are for each of them. Even though this wedding is about us, it wouldn’t be possible without them.”

“We would especially like to thank our parents for their love, support and encouragement throughout the entire process. Without them, this day wouldn’t be possible,” Kelley said. “Jennifer and Richard and Shannon and Mary Lou, thank you for everything! We love you.”