On a golden May afternoon, amidst towering oaks and fragrant Southern blooms, May May and Cantey exchanged vows in the heart of Pawleys Island, South Carolina. What unfolded wasn’t just a wedding, it was a tapestry of tradition, artistry, and layered intentionality.
The story of May May and Cantey began with a series of uncanny coincidences, mutual friends, their mothers attending the same school, and a shared love of hospitality, made it clear that fate was quietly orchestrating their meeting long before they ever spoke. Family was intricately woven through out on the special day as well, from Cantey’s nieces playing the dutiful role of flower girls, to May May wearing her grandmother’s ring as the something borrowed and something blue!
Their vision for the wedding was clear: something deeply personal and refreshingly distinctive. May May, a longtime lover of florals, and daughter of a florist, dreamt up a living tapestry of blossoms: oak trees wrapped in blooms, statement arrangements spilling from bar corners, and even palm fronds throughout the tent as elegant focal features. Their custom toile, a pastel palette of pink and green, appeared across pillows, aprons, and garden overlays, seamlessly tying every detail together. Not to mention, the gorgeous print of the bridesmaids fabric incorporated into the tree and tent drum shades, custom watercolor dance floor, and motifs embedded into the cake design that really brought it all together. All of these meaningful reception details unfolded across their newly renovated family home, which served as both backdrop and character in the celebration.
From the moment the cocktail hour began, the atmosphere buzzed with a sense of curated joy. A jazz band set the tone as guests flowed between vignettes of gathered seating, each upholstered in toile and styled with ease. Dinner was served under a sweeping tent, where tables were layered in green toile linens and floral-patterned plates that echoed the couple’s garden-inspired vision. The meal felt like an elevated dinner party: abundant, intentional, and anchored in Southern warmth.
Later, the band transitioned to high-energy hits, and the dance floor came alive beneath glowing floral chandeliers. Late-night espresso martinis and donuts were passed as guests designed custom airbrush hats for the perfect dance floor prop, just before a final surprise. A fireworks display from the marsh of soft pink and green, casting the sky in their wedding colors as guests watched in awe from the lawn.
This wedding was a triumph because it was so deeply personal, every thread tied to history, family, and heart. From champagne with bridesmaids in the family kitchen, to the meticulous placement of every floral petal and personalized detail, it was a day built on beauty, generosity, and love. It was, as one guest put it, “a real-life garden party with the soul of a storybook”, and a beginning that promises many beautiful chapters to come.
