The Charleston Place

Rehearsal Dinner

Wedding Day

The William Aiken House

Ceremony

Reception

Our Wedding

Michael Maple was born in Long Island, New York, but eventually his family moved down south—first to Charlotte, NC, and later to Cary, NC. There, he began 8th grade at Mills Park Middle School, where he first crossed paths with Taylor Lanier.   Taylor, born and raised in Cary, also attended Mills Park Middle. Though they met in 8th grade, it was a brief connection at the time, not knowing they would find each other again.   The second time came in high school. Both Michael and Taylor went on to Panther Creek High School, where during junior year they found themselves in the same entrepreneurship class. A group project gave them another chance to connect, though still their lives continued along separate paths.   It wasn’t until the third time—college—that everything changed. In January 2020, Taylor took a spontaneous trip with her roommates to Wilmington, NC. At a dinner at Poe’s Tavern, she ended up sitting next to Michael. They caught up, laughed, and shared a Raleigh Brewing “Hell Yes Ma’am” beer. This time, the spark between them was undeniable.   From then on, they stayed in touch constantly. Just a few weeks later, Taylor invited Michael to her sorority Valentine’s function. The very next day, on February 15, 2020, Michael asked Taylor to be his girlfriend.   For the next couple of years, they managed long distance between Wilmington (where Michael attended UNCW), Raleigh (where Taylor attended NC State), and Cary, NC (where their parents lived), building their relationship through weekend visits and trips home. On June 2, 2022, they took the next step and moved to Austin, Texas, to start their careers together.   Two years later, on May 6, 2024, while on a trip to Jamaica they’d gifted each other for Christmas, Michael asked Taylor to marry him. To her complete surprise, he proposed, and she said yes!   Knowing they wanted to return to North Carolina to be closer to family, they moved back when Michael accepted a role in Raleigh. On March 31, 2025, they came home to North Carolina once again.    They had also dreamed of one day having a golden retriever, since Taylor grew up with them. As soon as they had a yard, they planned to bring one into their family—and on June 1, 2025, Bowie, named after their Austin apartment building, joined their lives.   With everything leading to this moment, Michael and Taylor are now counting down the days until they say “I do” and they can not wait to celebrate with their closest friends and family that have been by their side along the way of their love story!

Our Story

Photos

Ellie Lorenz

Max Maple

Future Sister-in-law to the Bride & Groom

Catherine Cenzoprano

Jack Maple

Olivia Ficarrotta

Craig Curtis

Aliza Swan

Patrick Kenefick

Ansley Zino

Michael Matsinger

Mackenzie Green

Mathew DiPasquale

Trey Lanier

Conner Mennig

Manny Osaba

Andres Salas

Wedding Party

Q + A

Phone:&nbsp;843-718-2327 - Reference the Lanier Maple WeddingRate: Starting at $299/nt + taxes/fees&nbsp;Booking&nbsp;Deadline:&nbsp;January 12, 2026

Live Oak, Charleston Historic District, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

**Waterfront hotel, not walkable to venue**Phone:&nbsp;(843) 722-7229&nbsp;-&nbsp;Reference the Lanier Maple WeddingRate: Starting at $159/nt + taxes/fees&nbsp;Notes:&nbsp;Thursday, Friday &amp; Saturday nights are blocked. If you would like to extend your reservation please&nbsp;book&nbsp;within the&nbsp;block&nbsp;and email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:team@blockbirdie.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">team@blockbirdie.com</a>&nbsp;for assistance.&nbsp;Booking&nbsp;Deadline: January 26, 2026

Courtyard Charleston Waterfront

LUXURY HOTELS w/ VIP PERKS

If you are interested in staying at one of Charleston's luxury properties -- including&nbsp;Hotel Bennett, Charleston Place, The Dewberry, Zero George, and more -- please contact&nbsp;<a href="mailto:patrick@blockbirdie.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">patrick@blockbirdie.com</a>&nbsp;for assistance with booking. As a guest of our wedding, he can add complimentary VIP amenities like room upgrades, hotel credits, full daily breakfast for two, and more.

TRUSTED HOME RENTALS

We are happy to partner with&nbsp;Duvet&nbsp;(<a href="http://www.stayduvet.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.StayDuvet.com</a>) and&nbsp;Lowcountry Getaway&nbsp;(<a href="http://www.lowcountrygetaway.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.lowcountrygetaway.com</a>), who both provide&nbsp;professionally-managed rental homes in the Charleston area. Use the&nbsp;code&nbsp;BLOCKBIRDIE&nbsp;at checkout for&nbsp;5% OFF&nbsp;any trip, any time, any reason with either of these companies.

Travel

Some of our favorite things to do in Charleston! 

1. Shop, drink and dine on King Street!

2. Visit Shem Creek! Restaurants line the water, live music and fun vibes. Be sure to check out Saltwater Cowboys “top of the creek” for a beautiful view and get their famous “trash can nachos”!

3. Visit Folly beach, Sullivans Island or Isle of Palms if you want to dip your toes in the sand. All conveniently located approximately 20 min from Charleston!

4. If you’ve had enough of King Street, check out the French Quarter! Chalmers street for your Charleston-esque cobblestone road, Husk and Poogan’s Porch for a meal or Henry’s and Church and Union for a drink!

Taylor & Michael

Taylor & Michael

T&M

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception