Hearts of Service Lead to Love!
Joyce Liu and Quentin Hoffman separately chose Memphis as the place where they wanted to make a difference in the lives of others, and that common ground led to friendship and a wonderful romance!
Quentin Hoffman was born and raised in Independence, Kansas, and attended Pittsburg State University. While seeking Godβs will for his life, he spent a year doing overseas missions and worked with a doctor from Memphis during one of his projects. After hearing about some of the things the Lord was doing through a community of believers in Memphis, he decided he would move hereΒ when he returned to the United States.
A native Texan and Aggies fan, Joyce Liu attended Texas A&M University for undergraduate and medical school. Joyceβs desire has since been to use medicine to serve and glorify the Lord, and she says she is very thankful that God led her to Memphis to work with a group of doctors who live out the gospel through healthcare among the poor. When Joyce moved to Memphis in 2012, she didnβt realize that she would be living just down the street from her soon-to-be best friend and future husband.
Quentin had lived in Binghampton for several years when Joyce moved into the neighborhood and the two met shortly after through the church community, which had drawn them both to Memphis. βWe became neighbors and fast friends!β Joyce reminisces. βBecause we had such a good friendship, dating was easy and we knew we wanted to marry within just a couple of months of being together!β
Joyce and Quentin got engaged in August 2014 after dating for just six months. Quentin took her on a surprise date that started with a climb up the Chisca Mound near the Metal Museum where the couple watched the sunset over the Mississippi River. He proposed there (Of course she said yes!), and he then took Joyce to Flight, which was the location of their first date.
And so the wedding planning began.
Not being from Memphis, Joyce and Quentin hired wedding planners Kathryn Sparks and Patti Ruleman of WED Memphis. It was their style that immediately drew Joyce to them after a friendβs referral, and their experience and expertise in the Memphis market allowed her a stress-free planning experience.
The Rehearsal Dinner
As the couple greeted their guests at Flight Restaurant in Downtown Memphis, hors dβ oeuvres were offered during a cocktail hour. As dinner was served, family and friends toasted the couple, recalling memories and offering best wishes for their future together.
The Big Day
While they had planned for a lovely, outdoor spring wedding in March 2015, things took a turn when the temperature suddenly dropped from the 70s to just above freezing, and it snowed the morning of the wedding. βIt was still beautiful,β Joyce recalls, βand I think the surprise snow and chill just made it extra memorable.β
Another stress-free decision for Joyce was her dress, finding βthe oneβ while browsing The Barefoot Bride searching for designers and style ideas. She describes her Allure gown as an ivory, embroidered lace fit-and-flare gown with a bead-trimmed sweetheart neckline.
Itβs all in the details as personal touches abound. Personalized items included napkins containing the date and hashtag (#QandLIU), and a hand-made hanger for the brideβs dress. A vintage topaz ring from one of Joyceβs friends and bridesmaid that had been passed down through her own family for years served as Joyceβs something old, something borrowed and something blue. She wore a pair of petite crystal drop earrings from BHLDN as her something new.
Joyce invited her wedding party to get ready in her home, and the girls received matching robes to wear while makeup artist Kasey Acuff and Marcie Seccombe from Salon 387 assisted with hair and makeup.Β Meanwhile,Β Quentin and his groomsmen spent the morning getting ready at his house.
As the couple arrived at the Brooks, Quentin and Joyce shared a special first-look moment and exchanged notes to one another before official wedding day festivities began.
Joyce hired Deedra Stone of Deedra Stone Designs to create a timeless, classic look for the wedding in color selections of champagne, blush pink and peach. Soft, delicate arrangements in complementing shades of white, ivory and pale pinks were selected for brideβs and bridesmaidsβ bouquets, as well as the ceremony and reception spaces.
Joyceβs bouquet consisted of a combination of some of her favorite flowers β ranunculus and hydrangeas β as well as peonies and roses.
The couple exchanged traditional vows in front of 200 family members and close friends during an intimate outdoor wedding ceremony at the Brooks, while Beth Luscombe Strings played. They chose the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art as the location of the ceremony and reception because of its beauty, location in Overton Park and proximity to their Binghampton neighborhood.
The Reception
Guests enjoyed a brief cocktail receptionΒ in the Rotunda of the Brooks Museum, where they sipped Champagne punch and Memphis Mules β the signature cocktail β as passed hors dβoeuvres were served.
Once guests entered the Holly Court, an elevated Southern meal was served buffet-style. The menu included a mixed baby green salad with strawberries, almonds, brie and poppy seed vinaigrette; an assorted charcuterie display with genoa salami, prosciutto, parmesan, asiago, brie, pickles and mustards; a carver station of smoked beef brisket with horseradish crème, Mostardo fruit, Chimichurri and baked rolls; duck confit on blue corn waffle with spiced bourbon maple syrup; truffled mac and cheese; and fried green tomatoes with basil aioli. Wine and beer were served at the bar along with their signature cocktail, the Memphis Mule.
Joyce and Quentin spent a week at all-inclusive resort, El Dorado Seaside Suites, in Riviera Maya, Mexico for their honeymoon. Along with seaside massages and romantic sunset dinners on the beach, the couple enjoyed a trip to Tulum, where they snorkeled and explored the old Mayan ruins.
Thank you, Quentin and Joyce for sharing your special day with our readers and we wish you a lifetime of happiness!
RESOURCES
Wedding planner:Β WED Memphis
Venue:Β Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
Photography:Β Kelly Ginn Photography
Videography:Β VM Weddings
Brideβs gown:Β The Barefoot Bride
Bridesmaidsβ dresses:Β Bella Bridesmaids
Hair & makeup: Marcie Seccombe from Salon 387Β and Kasey Acuff
Groomβs & groomsmenβs formalwear: Jos. A Bank https://www.josbank.com/
Invitations & programs:Β Mrs. Post Fine Stationery & Gifts
Flowers:Β Deedra Stone Designs
Catering: The Brushmark Restaurant
Music:Β Beth Luscombe StringsΒ Β and Nationwide Coverage
Cake:Β Frost Bake Shop
