We had the good fortune of connecting with Meagan Warren and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Meagan, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
While studying ceramics and painting at Clemson University, I started a jewelry business and had pop-up shows to make money during the summer while home from college. After graduating with a degree in Fine Arts from Clemson, I joined the development team at the Columbia Museum of Art, where I planned numerous black-tie affairs and donor parties. As much as I loved planning the parties and galas, I did not love the fundraising and asking people for money (my goal was to raise $500,000 annually from donors.) In 2009, I decided to get a certification in Interior Decorating. After completing that, there was an opportunity to become a certified Wedding & Event Planner. I took that course and Meagan Warren Weddings was launched in 2009. I left the Museum in 2011 and have been planning weddings as my full-time business since then. I knew I always wanted to be my own boss and make my own schedule. It does sometimes become a 24/7 job; however, it’s better than someone telling you what to do from 9-5.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Her work has been featured on Martha Stewart Weddings, Carats & Cake, Style Me Pretty, Southern Weddings, Grey Likes Weddings, Cake & Lace, Borrowed & Blue, The Lovely Find, Smitten, Artfully Wed, Every Last Detail, A Low Country Wedding, Luxe Mountain Weddings, Elizabeth Anne Designs, Fab You Bliss and in publications such as Columbia Metropolitan Magazine, Southern Bride Magazine, The Knot Magazine, Uppercase Magazine, Carolina Bride Magazine, Columbia Living Magazine, The Carolinas Magazine, Tulle Magazine, and MunaLuchi Magazine.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Soda City is such a wonderful gem for Columbia! The vendors, art, flowers, and food trucks are all so much fun! I recently visited the Cottontown Art Crawl – and it was amazing. So many wonderful artists on display set in one of the prettiest neighborhoods in Columbia. Another favorite of mine is the Homes for the Holidays Tour that’s put on in December in the Hollywood-Rose Hill and Wales Garden neighborhoods.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
You know Miranda Priestly from ‘The Devil Wears Prada’? Well that was a replica of our director of the art museum while I worked there from 2006 – 2011. Although difficult at times, I learned so very much from her! She taught me a lot about following up with donors, confirming appointments, sending reminders for upcoming events, etc. But honestly, I learned the most from my mother. She taught me about manners and etiquette, how to set a table, make a pretty flower arrangement, have a keen eye for art and what looks good… I get my artistic genes and style from her!

Website: meaganwarren.com

Instagram: @meaganwarren

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meaganjwarren/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meaganwarrenweddingsandinteriors/

Other: https://www.pinterest.com/meaganwarren/

Image Credits
Virgil Bunao Willett Photo Philip Casey Joshua Aaron Anne Rhett

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSouthCarolina is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.