Sydney Christine Shell and Connor MacRainey McGraw were united in marriage on April 9 underneath a canopy of 250-year-old live oak trees at The Reed House at Live Oaks Golf Club. Dr. Ronnie Falvey officiated the 6 p.m. service.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tony Shell of Madison. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jon Shell of Canton, as well as Ann Pittman and the late Glyn Pittman of Yazoo City.
The bridegroom is the son of Chuck McGraw of Vaughn and Robin McGraw of Ocean Springs. He is the grandson of Jo Rainey and the late Billy Rainey of Amory and Clyde Taylor of Starkville, as well as the late Mr. and Mrs. Tally McGraw of Ridgeland.
Given in marriage by her parents and escorted by her father, the bride wore a designer ball gown of ivory satin and organza. The gown featured a V neckline with ruffle skirt and low V back and finished with a cathedral veil of ivory tulle with satin trim.
She carried a hand-tied bouquet of only white roses and lilac with handkerchiefs that belonged to her grandfather and great-great grandmother, which were also carried by her mother on her wedding day.
Attending the bride as matrons of honor were Abby Douglas, Allie Goza and Meg Hanley. Bridesmaids were Ann Stewart Cader, Belle Chenette, McKenna Chenette, Emma Foster, Emily Gray, Madison Hill and Emily Lauro. They wore sky blue chiffon gowns with a ruched halter neckline and a keyhole back that was accented by a crystal button. They carried hand tied bouquets of white hydrangea, white freesia, white spray, white lisianthus and roses.
Mothers and grandmothers carried mini bouquets of the same flowers. The proxy bride was Margo Copeland.
The bridegroom’s father was the best man. Groomsmen were Morgan Alexander, Jake Atkinson, Tyler Brown, Ross Buckley, Trace Hamby, Baker Hill, Brighton Lowther, Charles McGraw, Tyler Shell, John Alan Wall, and Eason Weeks. The ushers for the ceremony were Donovan Barnes, Blake Paben and Jonah Stevens. Ring bearer was Anthony Lauro, nephew of the bridegroom. They wore grey suits with white freesia boutonnieres.
Following the ceremony, the bride’s parents hosted a reception at The Reed House with music for dancing provided by Style Entertainment. The artist, Miriam Shufelt, entertained as well creating a portrait of the newlyweds.
The bride’s five-tiered white cake was adorned with white roses and white hydrangea, and layered with red velvet, almond, strawberry, Italian cream, and lemon cakes. The bridegroom’s cake was a two-tiered blueberry with white chocolate icing and a Mississippi State logo.
After the reception, the couple departed through a sparkler lit tunnel to their waiting vintage black Cadillac.
On the eve of the wedding the bridegroom’s parents hosted a rehearsal dinner at The Reed House.
After a wedding trip to Emerald Bay, Bahamas, the couple is now at home in Gluckstadt.
