Pretty in Purple

Maggie Renfroe & Jay Reeves July 29, 2023 • Second Presbyterian Church & The Cedar Room It just might have been fate that brought Memorie “Maggie” Renfroe and Jeffrey “Jay” Reeves together. Growing up an hour apart in Georgia, Jay was best friends with Maggie’s cousin, and she recalls hearing his name countless times. Between Braves games and hunting trips, Jay got to know many of her family members over the years, but the two never quite crossed paths. That is, until 2021 in Nashville, where Maggie was a songwriter and Jay a commercial real estate broker. After friends pressured each of them into finally joining dating apps, they were one of the first matches to flash across each other’s screens. It took just one date to realize there was a reason their stories were so interwoven. “We fell in love fast, became best friends, and learned quickly how incredible of a fit we were,” Maggie says. Ten months later, Jay proposed in Charleston, where Maggie’s parents have lived since 2019. On the day after Christmas, against the backdrop of twinkling lights of Marion Square, he dropped to one knee and popped the question. The couple knew they wanted to host their wedding in the Holy City. It feels like home to Maggie, and would give her mom—a talented local designer—easy access to the planning process. Enter Sarah Lillie Designs, who helped pull off the wedding weekend of Maggie and Jay’s dreams. On July 29, the couple exchanged vows in a sentimental ceremony at Second Presbyterian Church. Among the many highlights: a song Maggie wrote for Jay called “Love Well,” performed (and released) by The Museum, a band Maggie has traveled with. At The Cedar Room reception, their late July date set the tone for a vibrant bash that bottled up the joy of late summer. Sheer drapes, custom wall coverings, and winding greenery transformed the setting into a violet-tinted wonderland. From color-blocked florals to disco ball drink stirrers, Maggie delighted in uncovering details at every turn, many she didn’t know about until day-of, thanks to her mom’s involvement in planning. “You often hear how stressful weddings are,” she says. “Being able to truly enjoy it was the biggest triumph for us—and something we don’t take for granted! Vendors Planning & Design: Sarah Lillie Designs Venue: Second Presbyterian Church (ceremony), The Cedar Room (reception) Photography: Lisa Ziesing of Abby Jiu Photography Florals: Canaan Marshall Trees & topiaries: Elizabeth Stuart Draping: Social Spool Lighting: Technical Event Company Custom Fabrications: Loluma Cake: Ashley Brown Cake Design Beauty: Cheryl Quinn (makeup), Tyler Chase Bishop and Brianna Adams (hair) Calligraphy: Grace Edmands Calligraphy Getaway Car: Whipdash Charleston Entertainment: Palmetto Strings (ceremony), Main Attraction Band (reception)