Crossroads 2021 Bridal Edition
Magazine
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Crossroads 2021 Bridal Edition
Magazine
WHAT’S INSIDE
EDITORIAL Publisher
Wedding boom remains on as vendors scramble to keep up with demand
Reece Terry
PAGES 8-9
Editor
Is your wedding budget ready for the reception resurgence?
Mark Boehler
PAGE 12
Contributors
Three tools for keeping wedding guests informed
Rob Brown / Tee Rage Photography
PAGE 13
Mark Boehler
Bridal options abound in the Crossroads area
L.A. Story
PAGES 16, 17
Music remains an important component of wedding celebrations
ADVERTISING Advertising Manager
PAGE 21
Crossroads area weddings in 2020-21
Derinda Nunley
PAGES 23-30
Advertising Representative
How to avoid wedding reception seating mistakes
Kenny Carson
PAGE 34
Creative Designer
Savings strategies for weddings
Katie Krawczak
How to find your wedding florist
PAGE 51 PAGE 54
Getting here to there on your wedding day
ON THE COVER
PAGE 55
Kelli DeVaughn and Derick Whisenant
Dos and don’ts of caring for wedding and engagement rings
were married on May 16, 2020, despite pandemic limitations.
PAGE 59
See the story on pages 38-47.
Questions to ask before booking a photographer
Photo by Rob Brown of Corinth / Tee Rage Photography PAGE 4
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Cedar Creek Ridge Farms 28 CR 98 Tishomingo, MS 38873
ccrfarms@outlook.com 662-424-1294 Check us out on Facebook
Let your wedding be as beautiful as your love for each other! PAGE 6
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Photo by Vellora Productions
Bride Namisha Balagopal and groom Suhaas Prasad get married in a small legal ceremony Aug. 15, 2020, on Muir Beach near San Francisco. The couple plans a larger traditional South Asian Indian wedding this August in Utah amid a boom in post-vaccination nuptials around the world.
The wedding boom is on Vendors scramble to keep up with the pace as pandemic restrictions lift and couples plan celebrations By LEANNE ITALIE
For Crossroads Magazine
C
ouples in the Crossroads area and all across the United States are racing to the altar in a vaccination-era wedding boom that has venues and other vendors in high demand. With restrictions on large gatherings loosening both in Mississippi and other states, wedding planners and others who make the magic happen said they’ve started pushing their bookings into late 2022 and early 2023. “We’ve run out of trucks for some dates this year and that hasn’t happened before,” said Ben Goldberg, co-founder and president of the New York Food Truck Association. “Our phones have been ringing off the hook with clients looking to have the weddings they had to put off during COVID.” Also contributing to the rush are couples who went ahead and got hitched during stricter pandemic times with few or no guests PAGE 8
and are now on their second go-arounds with larger groups. They’re competing for services with those who had always intended to marry this year. “We’re seeing a lot of last-minute bookings with shorter planning windows,” said Anna Noriega, who owns the luxury Alorè Event Firm in Miami. “With vaccinations becoming more prevalent and on-site COVID testing available for events, we’ve seen an uprise in guest counts and a push for bookings.” Namisha Balagopal, 27, in Emeryville, California, is among the double brides. She and Suhaas Prasad, 33, met in 2014 and got engaged in May 2019. They planned a traditional South Asian Indian wedding last August in Utah, where Balagopal grew up, with 320 guests and events over five days. But they couldn’t make it happen under pandemic restrictions. They decided on a small sunset ceremony that month with fewer than 10 people in attendance on Muir Beach near San CROSSROADS MAGAZINE
Francisco. It’s where they had their first date and where Prasad proposed. Now, their big celebration is on for Aug. 15 outdoors at their original venue in Park City, Utah, with about 230 guests and events over several days, including seven clothing changes for bride and groom. Many of their closest loved ones in India aren’t permitted to travel to the U.S. “It’s just a really big part of our culture,” Balagopal said of the extravaganza. “In the end, it was really important to our parents.” She’s mostly beyond the frustration phase of being a pandemic bride. “The wedding is going to be so much fun. It’s just delayed gratification at this point,” Balagopal smiled. The boom is on in bridal and bridesmaids dresses, too. The budget-friendly David’s Bridal chain, with 282 stores in the U.S. and more in the UK, Canada and Mexico, has 300,000 dresses www.mycrossroadsmagazine.com
in stock due in part to the wedding drought of 2020. “Moving forward it’s going to be an unprecedented wedding season this year,” said Maggie Lord, a vice president at David’s whose online wedding planning guide, Rustic Wedding Chic, was acquired by the company. David’s has been tracking broad wedding data through the pandemic. “Couples are getting super creative and having Thursday night ceremonies or Friday afternoon ceremonies just because of the amount of people getting married this year,” Lord said. “We do know that 90 percent of brides this year are looking to have their weddings at outdoor venues,” where there are fewer restrictions. Lord said the pandemic has helped normalize non-traditional aspects of weddings: an end to passed hors d’oeuvres and buffets, for instance, more livestreaming to accommodate travel restrictions, and more online planning and shopping. Competition for vendors has some upping their prices. “They know they have customers who will pay it,” she said. “Wedding vendors are making up for a year of limited if no work at all.” Anna Price Olson, associate editorial director for Brides magazine, said many vendors in the wedding industry are small businesses. “They’re trying to meet the demand of new clients and clients who have postponed,” she said. “In order to do so, in many cases, they’re having to charge more. They’re having to hire additional resources, bring staff members back. Also the cost of goods is increasing. There are only so many linens, only so many rentals and only so many flowers that were planted this past season.” One thing’s for sure, Lord said: Brides and grooms are “bringing back the big wedding, with guest lists that are a little bit more curated and maybe not 300 people on a crowded dance floor.” Tirusha Dave is the owner and CEO of the upscale wedding planning company Bravura Brides used by Balagopal. She handled 10 weddings in 2019, with just three in 2020. Dave already has 11 weddings booked this year with 250 to 300 guests planned at each. “I think everybody’s ready for things to bounce back, but just in a safe way,” she said. Lord’s online planning site has far more vendors with bookings two years out, rather than the more traditional 12-month planning period as couples hold out for venues they want and seek to distance their special days from the pandemic altogether. Justin Warshaw is the creative director and CEO of the global Justin Alexander Group, a bridal design and manufacturing house with five core brands and more under licensing and white-labeling arrangements. He’s seen wedding dress bookings increase www.mycrossroadsmagazine.com
Photo by Alessandra Tarantino
Anita Galafate checks the inventory of wedding dresses in a shop in Rome on March 9, 2021. Couples are racing to the altar amid a vaccination-era boom that has venues and other vendors in high demand.
Photo by Suman Naishadham
Mannequins in wedding gowns are seen in a window display on March 15, 2021, at a bridal store in Nogales, Ariz., that has been closed for nearly a year because of the pandemic.
by 593 percent from April 1-May 15 2020 compared to the same period this year. Eighty-eight percent of his 2,200 retailers in 80 countries are now open and operating, with the U.S. his largest market. Comparing January through May 2019, before the pandemic began, with January through May this year, Warshaw experienced a 40 percent increase in sales of made-to-order gowns in the U.S. “A lot of that has to do with pent-up demand and also what we envisioned would happen: So many COVID couples turning into COVID engagements, turning into weddings,” CROSSROADS MAGAZINE
said Warshaw, who’s among the newly engaged. “With the optimism from vaccinations, people want to celebrate with family and friends, and get on with their lives.” Chappall Gage, who with his mother runs Susan Gage Caterers in Washington, D.C., has seen a boom in special events overall, with 30 percent to 40 percent of their weekend business in weddings. “It’s the one big event that’s coming back quickly,” he said. “Right now we’re at this transition point where micro-weddings are ending and now people are starting to get comfortable doing much larger weddings.” PAGE 9
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Is your wedding budget ready for
the reception resurgence? By LAUREN SCHWAHN For Crossroads Magazine
W
edding celebrations largely took a hiatus after the COVID-19 pandemic was declared in 2020. Among couples who had a set wedding date between March and December 2020, 47 percent postponed their wedding receptions, according to The Knot’s 2020 Real Weddings COVID Study. The trend continued in 2021. In March, New York City couple Lindsay Holmes and Sean Brech pushed their wedding date from August 2021 to May 2022. “So many things were unclear at the time,” Brech says. “We wanted to push it out to 2022 to have the best possible wedding like how we originally envisioned it.” Now, as the percentage of vaccinated Americans grows and restrictions ease, celebrations are roaring back. If you’re moving forward with or modifying wedding plans, here’s how to prepare your budget.
Connect as soon as possible The high volume of couples who postponed weddings has created a “pent-up demand” for venues and vendors, says Lauren Kay, executive editor at The Knot. That’s restricting availability, and in some cases, leading businesses to raise prices. If you haven’t secured the locations and services you need, start now. The longer you wait, the less flexibility you may have choosing your preferred date or vendors. Amanda Berg, senior growth marketing manager for the wedding planning and registry website Zola, and fiance Jesse Krieger stress the importance of contacting vendors early. The couple – who plan to wed in Bedminster, New Jersey, next spring – learned how competitive the search was when they began looking into photographers. PAGE 12
Photo by Ted S. Warren
Tom Li, and his fiancé, Leah Li, pose for photos taken by Ella Chang at Gas Works Park in Seattle on May 10, 2021. The couple, who live in Seattle, are originally from China and have a wedding planned later in the year for September. As COVID-19 cases drop and restrictions ease, many couples are eagerly moving forward with paused wedding plans. But figuring out where to start and what costs people will face can still be tricky during this time.
“Some of them were booked already for May 2022, and we were doing this planning in October, November of 2020,” Krieger says. “Fortunately, we got everyone we wanted, partly because we got such a head start.” Couples who’ve already signed contracts should ask about fees, restrictions or scheduling conflicts before altering plans. You could lose a deposit when you switch to a larger venue or face charges to rent extra chairs. “Each vendor contract is going to stipulate different things with regard to changes in dates, changes in plans, changes in guest numbers. So it’s really important that you know what’s in the contract,” Kay says.
Prioritize Couples are feeling optimistic about gathering in person and having a larger guest count that feels more like the wedding they imagined pre-pandemic, according to Kay. But as the guest list increases, so do expenses. “That’s going to not only affect
the costs for catering, but also for the number of chairs, the centerpieces and number of tables,” says Melanie Tindell, owner and event planner of Oak + Honey Event Planning Co . in Cleveland. These growing expenses aren’t compatible with all budgets. If you want a bigger celebration, you might have to make some trade-offs, Kay says. Focus your spending on the elements that matter most to you and scale back others.
ance and set expectations with your venue, vendors and guests. Plans can change unexpectedly. Consider looking into wedding insurance in case you need to cancel or postpone the event. Tindell says wedding insurance doesn’t typically cover coronavirus-related reasons. But it can still reimburse you for disruptions due to circumstances like severe weather or injury.
Map out expenses It’s easy to lose track of what
Budget for safeguards you’re paying for and when,
The pandemic isn’t totally over. Venues or couples may require masks for guests, ample space for social distancing and other precautions to ensure the health and safety of attendees. This often carries additional costs. “If you’re going to need to keep track of who’s vaccinated and who’s not vaccinated, that could potentially become a cost because you may want an additional vendor to handle that,” Tindell says. Keep up to date on local guid-
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especially if you switch dates or vendors. Mark down payment due dates as you go to avoid late fees from vendors and credit card issuers. Engaged couple Holmes and Brech also recommend keeping a running list of expenses. “We created a budgeting doc to track every little thing we could possibly need so we know there aren’t going to be a ton of surprises when we actually have to end up paying for something,” Holmes says.
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Three tools for keeping wedding guests
informed FOR CROSSROADS MAGAZINE
W
eddings give couples an opportunity to share the joy of joining their lives together with a host of friends and family members. Guests liven up the party and help make the celebration that much more memorable. According to The Knot 2019 Real Weddings Study, the average wedding in the United States hosts 131 people. Data indicates this number has been slowly decreasing over the years, after the average wedding size reached an all-time high of 153 in 2007. No matter how big or how small the guest list, keeping guests informed of what’s happening regarding the upcoming nuptials is a courtesy couples can provide. Couples can explore various avenues for keeping guests informed and ensuring they’ll be able to take part in the festivities.
Save-the-date announcements Save-the-date announcements have become an increasingly popular component of wedding planning. Instead of waiting on the wedding invitation, which traditionally arrives one or two months prior to the wedding itself, savethe-date cards provide guests with an advanced advertisement of the celebration to come. According to the photo and invitation specialists at Shutterfly, it’s customary to send save-the-date notes around six months before the wedding. For a destination wedding, which will require extra travel plans, an eightto 12-month advance can be helpful. Save-the-date cards generally have basic information, including the wedding date and
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Certain resources can help couples keep guests informed about what’s to come in regard to their weddings.
the venue. Many will feature a photo of the Wedding websites also can be used as fun couple as well. If you’re planning on sending ways to keep guests engaged. “Throwback save-the-date announcements, coordinate Thursday” photos or funny memories and with your photographer to have a photo taken anecdotes can be included. exclusively for these cards.
Wedding website Couples are increasingly embracing technology as they plan their weddings. Brides magazine states that, during the typical 15-month engagement period, 48 percent of couples will launch a wedding website. A wedding website is a versatile tool that can help answer questions that guests may have. The website can spell out specifics, including dress code, whether children are invited, the names of wedding party participants, overnight accommodations, transportation providers, and even restaurants near the hotel for a quick bite between ceremony and reception.
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Video conferencing apps
As the world continues to adapt in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, video conferencing applications like Facetime, Zoom and Microsoft Teams enable people involved in the planning process to routinely “gather” and go over details about the wedding, helping to limit in-person meetings as much as possible. These apps also can prove invaluable when conferring with wedding vendors, such as florists or musicians. Couples also can schedule smaller meetings with specific guests who may be playing key roles in the wedding, such as those giving speeches, doing readings, escorting guests, or serving in other capacities.
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Wedding venue options abound
in the Crossroads area By MARK BOEHLER
For Crossroads Magazine
C
orinth, Alcorn County and the Crossroads area are home to a wealth of great bridal and event venues. In the 2020-21 time frame alone, four new outstanding bridal venues have opened in Alcorn County, three just a few minutes drive outside of Corinth and another in historic downtown Corinth on Franklin Street. In addition, three new excellent new bridal venues have opened in the Crossroads area. All are within an hour’s drive from Corinth. Add those venues to the four historic bridal venues in downtown Corinth operated by non-profit organizations, and it’s safe to say the greater Corinth area is a regional bridal venue mecca. To all those brides and grooms out there looking for a place to say ‘I do’ and start a new life together, check out these great options.
Cedar Creek Ridge Farms
and continues to be a working railroad office. www.crossroadsmuseum.com 221 Fillmore Street, Corinth 662-287-3120 Owned by City of Corinth
Fillmore Street Chapel Built in 1871, Corinth’s oldest church building is the Cross City’s most popular bridal setting. 901 Fillmore Street, Corinth 662-287-3111 Maintained by First United Methodist Church
Parks Place Nestled on a picturesque 50 acres, one of the largest venues in the area as the 5,000-squarefoot Grand Hall can seat up to 500 people. www.parksplacems.com 481 CR 512, Corinth 662-664-0494 or 662-664-4510
Shiloh Ridge Athletic Club
This peaceful, country setting offers both inside and outside ceremony sites. 28 County Road 98, Tishomingo 662-424-1294
Indoor and outdoor areas are available, along with an outstanding Grand Ballroom with a dance floor. Banquet rooms can seat from 25 up to 300 guests. The venue features swimming pool, 18-hole championship golf Corinth Coliseum Civic Center course and clay tennis courts. Built in 1924, venue areas include a large www.clubatshilohridge.com foyer, beautiful staircase and upstairs landing Spring Hill Farm and an outdoor courtyard. 404 Taylor Street, Corinth A beautiful barn-type setting in a rural 662-286-8367 area with scenic views and a stunning large Owned by City of Corinth covered outdoor deck overlooking a perfect lawn setting. Crazy K Ranch www.springhillfarmweddings.com Limitless options include three different 55 CR 171, Corinth bridal, rehearsal diner and reception venues 662-423-8385 or 662-660-3615 alongside a working ranch, plus overnight acThe Lodge at commodations in six hotel-style hotel rooms Pickwick Landing State Park and nine cabins in a rural setting. www.crazykranch.com The Tennessee State Park system’s crown 833 North Prather Road, Michie, Tenn. jewel just keeps on getting better with a 731-434-4473 or 731-610-6109 renovated inn, restaurant, venue center and new lounge area. It’s the complete package Crossroads Museum, Historic with both indoor and outdoor options with Depot and CARE Garden spectacular views of Pickwick Landing Dam Museum has a large conference room for and Lake. Overnight selections include lake receptions and the property includes a large view lodge rooms with balconies, lakeside outdoor green space. Depot was built in 1917 villas with outdoor decks and fireplaces and PAGE 16
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cabins in the woods. The park features a gift shop, aviary, walking trails, dog park, 18-hole golf course, nine-hole disc golf course, canoe and kayak rentals and a full service marina with pontoon boat rentals. tnstateparks.com 120 Playground Loop, Counce, Tenn. 731-689-3135
The Riverton This is a “venue with the view” overlooking the Bear Creek embayment of Pickwick Lake. www.mycrossroadsmagazine.com
The Verandah-Curlee House remains one of many wedding venue options in the Crossroads area. Photo by Mark Boehler
Timed just right and the vows include a lakeside sunset as backdrop. 10020 Riverton Rose Trail, Cherokee, Ala. 662-544-0196
The Woodlands of Farmington A lovely Outdoor Chapel nestled under scores of trees includes a vow deck. Separate structures include a Bride and Groom Building and large indoor Reception Hall. 387 CR 218, Corinth 662-415-1602 or 662-255-2626 www.mycrossroadsmagazine.com
Verandah Curlee House
One of Corinth’s oldest homes built in 1857 where Civil War era generals lived during their Corinth stay. 705 Jackson Street, Corinth 662-287-9501 Owned by City of Corinth
Windsong Where groups up to 100 can gather inside ceiling-to-floor glass walls with scenic views of an active stream through the woods. CROSSROADS MAGAZINE
Located at The Outpost 2175 Highway 128, Savannah, Tenn. 731-925-6990
The Well Downtown Corinth’s newest event venue for small, intimate gatherings for up to 150 people. A full service wedding and event planner available on site, complete with floral. 230 Franklin Street, Corinth 901-491-7048 or 662-396-2299 PAGE 17
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The Toast Starts Here
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Music is an important component of wedding celebrations and deserves some extra consideration to ensure everyone has a great time while cutting a rug.
Don’t stop the music
Tunes are an important part of wedding celebrations
ew things set the mood of a wedding more effectively than music. Beautiful songs often are incorporated into wedding ceremonies, and romantic or upbeat songs intermingle to create a festive mix at receptions. Playlists curated specifically for weddings can be found online to help couples narrow down their options. According to Wedding Forward, a wedding planning guide, wedding planning experts and modern couples agree that wedding playlists should be have a 60/40 split of classics and new wedding songs. Music is a personal choice, but couples may benefit by consider-
■■ First dance: The first dance song is another personal choice for the couple. Slow songs traditionally are chosen, but couples who want something a little different have increasingly selected faster songs and paired them with rehearsed choreography. “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran has become a popular first dance song. ■■ Other songs: Couples also will select songs to complement dances with their parents, cake cutting, garter toss, and any other special traditions or moments. They also can make requests to include songs of different eras to appeal to guests of all ages.
F
ing who will be in attendance at their weddings. In so doing, couples can ensure the music played at their weddings reaches as many people as possible there: ■■ Wedding processional song: The wedding processional is the moment the wedding party walks down the aisle. Music may be a traditional hymn, classical music or a favorite contemporary song. ■■ Bridal processional song: In many traditional wedding ceremonies, the bride walks down the aisle separately, with her father or both parents. She customarily will have a different song from the rest of the wedding party. While “Bridal Chorus/Wedding March” is a traditional choice, some
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brides may prefer a different tune. ■■ Wedding recessional song: Again, depending on the ceremony location and choices, the recessional may be a classical piece or a hymn. Some couples choose an upbeat song for their first official promenade as a married couple. ■■ Wedding party entrance song: Couples can ask their music vendor to put together the majority of the songs for their reception, but they may want to choose their own wedding party entrance. This song typically is a fast-paced, upbeat song that gets the crowd pumping and ready for a fun night. Think “Dynamite” by Taio Cruz or “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” by Justin Timberlake.
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ColemanBeard
D
r. Annaleigh Elizabeth Coleman and Dr. Christopher William Beard were united in marriage in an outdoor evening ceremony on June 12, 2020 at Parks Place in Corinth. Rev. Rodney Whittemore officiated the ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Mr. Dennis Scott Coleman and Ms. Robbie Rogers Coleman of Kossuth. She is the granddaughter of Mr. Robert Collin Rogers and the late Mrs. Bettie Rogers and the late Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Coleman, all of Kossuth. The bridegroom is the son of Ms. Lisa Beard and the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Edward Beard of New Albany. The bride was given in marriage by her parents and was escorted by her father. She wore a gown by Venus from Low’s bridal that featured a sweetheart neckline and a trumpet skirt with a lace illusion back. The lace detail and covered buttons cascaded down the chapel length train. Her look was completed with a cathedral length veil trimmed with Alencon lace. She carried a bouquet of white peonies, coral and pink roses, dusty miller, lambs’ ear, and thistle. Her bouquet was tied with a handkerchief embroidered with her late grandmother’s initials. Attending the bride as maid of honor was her sister, Darbie Kate Coleman and matron of honor was Paden Tomlin Switcher. Bridesmaids included Dana Glissen Jarnagin, Kelsey Jones Emerson, Whitney Taylor Thoms, Lauren Francis Sledge, Katie Berry Lyons, Sara Martin Parks, and Rosalyn Gunn May. Each bridesmaid wore dusty blue chiffon gowns that featured a sweetheart neckline with tank straps that were joined by sheer off the shoulder straps. The floor length skirt featured a side slit. Honorary bridesmaids were Audriana Smith Guy, cousin of the bride, Ana Gayle Christian,
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Summer Smith Rigney and Millie Adams Baker. The flower girls were Georgia Alexandria Evans of New Albany, Molly Reagan Wilkins and Abigail Reese Wilkins, cousins of the bride from Franklin, Kentucky. They wore long white organza dresses with white satin ribbons and carried gold hoops embellished with flowers. Attending the groom as best men were Adron Joseph Dillard and Michael Anthony Burkes, Jr. of New Albany and Stephen James Baldwin of Brandon. Groomsmen were Charles Thomas Dean of Iuka and Ethan Nichols Hill of Myrtle. They wore navy blue modern fit suits and light blue bow ties. The ringbearer was Sydney Tripp Burkes of New Albany. The bride entered the courtyard to the beautiful rendition of the “Bridal Chorus” by violinist, Ms. Svetlana Kaltchenko and pianist, Dr. Martha Monroe. Mrs. Shelby Pratt Sparks, soloist, performed musical selections of “Great is thy Faithfulness” and “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us” as the couple participated in communion. The wedding coordinator was Mrs. Denise Kennedy-Brown of Special Occasions by De-
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nise. The bride’s cake was a traditional four-tier cake with a fresh flower cascade. The groom’s cake was a red velvet cake with powder blue icing giving tribute to his beloved Ole Miss Rebels. Both cakes were provided by Lauren’s Cake Shop. Floral design coordination was created by Michael Shane Meeks. The sit-down meal was provided by the Northeast Mississippi Community College Hospitality and Restaurant Management group. The bridal party and guests danced the night away to the amazing sounds of Style Entertainment Band. At the close of the reception, the bride and groom were whisked away under a shower of sparklers. On the eve of the wedding, the mother of the groom hosted a rehearsal dinner at Vicari. Aunts of the bride, Gina Smith and Romanda Talley and family friend, Marcia Wegman, hosted a bridal brunch on the day of the wedding. The couple make their home in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where the bride is a first-year resident in Obstetrics and Gynecology and the groom is a first year resident in Internal Medicine.
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ColemanJarnagan
I
n an evening ceremony on June 27, 2020 at Parks Place in Corinth, Darbie Kate Coleman and Joel Kelley Jarnagin were united in marriage. Rev. Landon Anderson officiated the ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Mr. Dennis Scott Coleman and Ms. Robbie Rogers Coleman of Kossuth. She is the granddaughter of Mr. Robert Collin Rogers and the late Mrs. Bettie Rogers and the late Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Coleman, all of Kossuth. The bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Ray Jarnagin of Southaven. He is the grandson of Mrs. Martha Jarnagin, of Union City, Tenn. and the late Mr. Paul Bernard Jarnagin and the late Mr. and Mrs. Joe Kelley Stewart of Southaven. The bride was given in marriage by her father. She wore a gown by Morilee from Low’s Bridal with a sweetheart neckline that featured pearl and crystal beaded straps and frosted Alencon lace appliques on a satin body with a tulle mermaid skirt. The cathedral length train and veil were edged with a wide scalloped hemline. She carried a bouquet of pink peonies, white and pink roses, dusty miller and lamb’s ear. Her handkerchief was embroidered with her late grandmother’s initials. Attending the bride as matron of honor was her sister, Annaleigh Coleman Beard and maid of honor was Anna Kate Gaines. Bridesmaids included Audriana Smith Guy, cousin of the bride, Emily Breann Blakney, Alana Brooke Atkison, Mary Elliot Benakovich, Cynthia Claire McGehee, and Lindsey Walker Wilson. Each bridesmaid wore pale pink floor length chiffon gowns that featured a sweetheart neckline with tiny straps. The flower girls were Emerson Ray Jarnagin, niece of the groom from Southaven and Molly Reagan Wilkins and Abigail Reese Wilkins, cousins of the bride from Franklin, Kentucky. They wore white tulle dresses with white satin ribbons. Attending the groom as best man was his father, Donald Ray Jarnagin. Groomsmen were Jesse Stewart Jarnagin, Jedediah Ray Jarnagin, and Jonas Paul Jarnagin, brothers of the groom; James Allen Hugh, Samuel Riley Kail, Justin Ray McKenzie and Avery Jordan Paxton. They wore navy blue modern fit suits with light pink ties. Ms. Holly Long, soloist, and Mrs. Debbie Greer, pianist, performed a medley of musical selections during the ceremony. The prelude of “What a Beautiful Name” was performed during the seating of the mothers. The attendant’s processional featured “In Christ
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Both cakes were provided by Lauren’s Cake Shop. The wedding coordinator was Mrs. Denise Kennedy-Brown of Special Occasions by Denise. Flower design coordination was created by Michael Shane Meeks. Guests were served fruit kabobs and shrimp shooters in the courtyard before the sit down meal was provided by the Northeast Mississippi Community College Hospitality and Restaurant Management group. The guests danced to the music provided by DJ Dalynn Stewart, cousin of the groom, from Dallas, Texas. The bride and groom were escorted from the reception under a shower of sparklers as they left for their honeymoon to St. Thomas. Alone.” The bride entered the ceremony to On the eve of the wedding, the parents of “I Get To Love You.” As the bride and groom the groom hosted a rehearsal dinner at Pizza were joined in marriage at the unity cross, a Grocery. Aunts of the bride, Gina Smith and beautiful rendition of “Holy Spirit (You are Romanda Talley and family friend, Marcia Welcome Here)” was performed. The couple Wegmann, hosted a bridal brunch on the day exited the ceremony to “This Will Be an Ever- of the wedding. lasting Love.” The couple make their home in Southaven The bride’s cake was a traditional four-tier where the bride is a mathematics teacher at cake with a fresh flower cascade. The groom’s Desoto Central High School and the groom cake was a chocolate cake with chocolate icing is a senior credit analyst with First Horizon featuring his alma mater, Mississippi State. Bank of Memphis. CROSSROADS MAGAZINE
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Bodiford – Cavaness C
helsea Bodiford and Austin Cavaness were united in marriage on April 3, 2021 at the Corinth Coliseum with a reception following at The Franklin Courtyard. The bride is the daughter of Richie and Lorrie Bodiford and the granddaughter of Ray and Sinda Stutts and the late Ray and Bernice Bodiford. The groom is the son of Charles and Michelle Cavaness and the grandson of Dale and the late Janice Treece, James Terry, Bobbie Cavaness and the late Charles O. and Jaoanie Cavaness. The bride is a graduate of Union Univer-
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sity and South College and is a physical therapist at Magnolia Regional Outpatient Rehab. The groom is a graduate of the University of Memphis and is a financial associate at Thrivent Financial. At the bride’s side were her matrons of honor, Lindsay Bishop and Ashley Lambert and her bridesmaids, Amber Alexander, Natalie Fletcher and Kelsey Sweat. Clair Hollan served as flower girl. At the groom’s side was his best man, Charles Cavaness and his groomsmen, Chandler Cavaness, Peyton James, Reed
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Matthews and Cameron Phelps. Griffin Bishop served as ringbearer. The couple resides in Michie, Tenn., following a honeymoon in Maui, Hawaii. Brad Jobe officiated the ceremony. The reception was catered by Sherri Smith. Lauren K. Drewery captured the memories in photographs and Rocky Top Films videoed the happy occasion. Floral Connection provided flowers and Cristy Walker created the wedding cake. The bride offers this advice for future brides, “As stressful as this time can be, find joy in it all.”
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C
Hall-Shaw
helsey Marie Hall and Hunter Scott Shaw were united in marriage on January 23, 2021, at Wheeler Grove Baptist Church with a reception following at the church. The bride is the daughter of Sharon and Ricky Pettus and Jerry and Monica Hall and the granddaughter of Jimmy and Joyce Holley and John and Carol Hall. The groom is the son of Rachel Brawner Shaw and Scotty Shaw and the grandson of Sandra Brawner and the late Brandon Brawner and Jerry and Brenda Shaw. The bride is a 2011 graduate of Kossuth High School and a 2014 graduate of Northeast Mississippi Community College. She is a radiologic technologist at North Mississippi Medical Center-Iuka.
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The groom is a 2011 graduate of Alcorn Central High School and a 2015 graduate of The University of Mississippi. He is a teacher and coach at Tishomingo County High School. Bro. Shane Evetts officiated the service which was catered by their family. Amanda Holt Photography captured the memories in photographs. Lee Highway Floral provided flowers and Pam Hunt created the cake. Following a honeymoon in Nashville, the couple resides in Corinth. The bride offered this advice for future brides, “Simple is best. Splurge on photography because pictures will last a lifetime.” CROSSROADS MAGAZINE
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HarmonTull A
lexis Harmon and Alex Tull were united in marriage on March 28, 2020, at Parks Place with a reception following. The bride is the daughter of Angie and Tracy Harmon and the granddaughter of Terry and Wanda Harmon and Sam and Teresa Smith. The groom is the son of Denise (Chris) Brooks and Michael Tull and the grandson of Sam and Barbara Tull and Kenneth and Lavon Essary. The bride is a graduate of Alcorn Central High School and Ole Miss and is an accountant. The groom is a graduate of Alcorn Central High School and is an insurance salesman. The couple resides in Corinth following a honeymoon in Florida. Terry Harmon II officiated the ceremony. The reception was catered by Pizza Grocery. The Hatches captured the memories in photographs. Shane Meeks provided flowers and Tiffany Harmon created the wedding cake. www.mycrossroadsmagazine.com
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Potts-Wood J
ulianna Rae Potts and Keaton Heath Wood were united in marriage on July 2, 2020, at Spring Hill Farm and Event Center. The bride is the daughter of Johnny and Jennifer Potts and the granddaughter of Harold and Betty Palmer and Glenda Potts and the late Gary Potts. The groom is the son of Alan and Lisa Wood and the grandson of Nell Carnal and the late Jimmy Carnal and Dorothy Wood and the late Garvin “Bud” Wood. The bride is currently a student at The PAGE 28
CROSSROADS MAGAZINE
University of Mississippi. The groom is a graduate of The University of North Alabama and is a teacher and coach at Alcorn Central High School. The couple now resides in Rienzi. Rev. Randy Bostick officiated the ceremony. The reception was catered by Lloyd’s Cafe Catering. Love Jules Photography captured the memories in photographs. Amber Rinehart provided the flowers and Tiffany Harmon created the wedding cake. www.mycrossroadsmagazine.com
Williams-Myers M
olly Grace Williams Myers and Charles Clinton Myers were united in marriage on March 6, 2021, at First Presbyterian Church in Corinth with a reception following at The Franklin Courtyard. The couple originally planned to get married on May 16, 2020, and those plans were regrouped and downsized because of COVID restrictions. They were married in a small intimate family wedding held at Gaines Chapel United Methodist Church. This was followed with a small reception at the bride’s grandmother’s pool where the bride spent many years making special memories. The original wedding for all family and friends was rescheduled for October 3, 2020. The third try was a charm as Molly Grace and Clinton were finally able to have a celebration of their marriage witnessed by their friends and family on March 6, 2021. It was their dream wedding come true. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Greg Williams and the granddaughter of Mrs. Bonnard Eaton of Corinth and Mr. and
Mrs. Don Williams of Booneville. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Myers of Tracy City, Tenn. and the grandson of Mrs. Fred Hale of Monteagle, Tenn. and Mrs. John Myers of Tracy City, Tenn. The bride is a graduate of Corinth High School and The University of Mississippi. She is a Speech Language Pathologist, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Brookdale Home Health, Nashville. The groom is a graduate of Grundy County High School,
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Tennessee Tech University and The University of Mississippi School of Law. He is an attorney at McAngus, Goudelock and Courie of Nashville. At the bride’s side were her Matron of Honor Victoria Dotson, her Maid of Honor Savannah Smith, and her bridesmaids, Haley McFall, Annalee Hendrick, Erin Montgomery, Merrell Hubbard, Haley Adams, Susan Phillips, Madeleine Bridges, Ruth Wooten, Sidney Lampton, Emelia Eaton and Laikin Hodum. At the groom’s side were his groomsmen Sam Myers, Jay
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Myers, Graham Williams, Tom Sisco, Witt McLeod, Ryan Cook, Zach Dew, Evan Watson, Brendan Wright, Dexter Cross, Jake Sartain, Alex Gomer and Matthew Hayes. The couple now resides in Nashville and plans to honeymoon in France, Germany and Switzerland next spring once COVID restrictions are lifted. Trey Lambert and Gregg Parker officiated the ceremony. The reception was catered by Margaret Bradley of Corinth. B Flint Photography of Oxford captured the memories in photographs and Ryan Coon of Tupelo videoed the happy occasion. Elizabeth Spencer Designs of Corinth provided flowers and Lauren’s Cake Shop of Corinth created the wedding cake. The bride offers this advice for future brides, “Try to soak up every moment and take a step back at your wedding to savor the day. Enjoy your reception and try to speak to as many guests as you can, but don’t be upset if you cannot speak to everyone. It’s OK. They are all there because they love you and your groom.” PAGE 29
Worsham-Clegg P
riestley Hess Worsham and Philip Claude Clegg II were married at 6 p.m., May 1, 2021, at First Presbyterian Church in Corinth. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hayden Worsham, Jr. of Corinth. She is the granddaughter of Mrs. James Prentiss Hodges, and the late Mr. Hodges, Ms. Menna Madden Wood, and the late Robert Hayden Worsham Sr., all of Corinth. The bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Claude Clegg of Clarksdale. He is the grandson of the late Ms. Mary Short Williamson of Wabash, Arkansas, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Claude Clegg of Clarksdale. The double-ring ceremony was officiated by The Reverend Doctor Donald A. Elliott. Music was presented by vocalists Chad Dickerson and Jan Pike; William Bradford, violinist; and Nancy He’bert, organist/pianist. Given in marriage by her father, the bride walked the aisle in a classic satin fit to flare gown with a sweetheart neckline and satin covered buttons down her back. Her custom look was brought to life with an La Vie en Rose illusion lace blouse with a high neck and cap sleeves. Her cathedral length veil featured a delicate French lace trim that elegantly framed her bridal look. She found her sophisticated bridal gown and accessories at Maggie Louise Bridal in Collierville, Tenn. She carried a brightly colored bouquet of peonies and ranunculus with a vintage gold locket hanging from the stems holding a photo of her late grandfather. Florals were provided by Amber Rinehart of Guys, Tenn.. The flower girls were Mary Peyton Parker, cousin of the groom, and Mollie McAmis Worsham and Ann Frances Worsham, cousins of the bride.
Attending the bride as Maids of Honor were her sisters, Prentiss Paige Worsham and Katherine Madden Worsham. Bridesmaids included Jordan Devlin Worsham, Christina Grace McDaniel, Delaney Paige Thomas, Helen Frances Fordice, Morgan Elizabeth Teller, Catherine Hayes Hays, Victoria Hays Treadway, Carol Frances Jennings Whiting, Kamren Alese Joe, Haley Elizabeth McFall, Jane Eleanor Thomas, Ellen Mitchell Ossorio, and Mary Annette Carpenter (Proxy Bride). Philip Claude Clegg, father of the groom, and Bowen Christopher Clegg, brother of the groom, served as Best Men. Groomsmen included Robert Hayden Worsham III, Charles Dylan Knight, Zachary James Noe, Benjamin Tanner Whatley, Christopher Dalton Moore, Richard Joseph Wills, Thomas James Hawthorne, John Frederick Grantham, Brennan Keith Collins, John Kenneth Lastinger, Coleman Eyers Thomas, and Will Brantley Henderson. Scripture Readers included Mollie McAmis Worsham, Taylor McIntyre Loeffel, and Abby Horner Wills. Program attendants were Kate Walker Williams, Kathryn Bruce Mitchell, Alice Rinehart Mitchell, and Ann Clinton Mitchell. Following the ceremony, a reception was hosted by the parents of the bride at Franklin Courtyard, where the guests danced to the bride and groom’s favorite songs performed by the highly entertaining band, GOT Groove, of New Orleans, La. The wedding day was captured by photographer, Amy Hutchinson of Memphis. Wedding Coordinator was Virginia-Boyd James and assistant director was Annette James, both of Corinth.
Photos by Amy Hutchinson Photography
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“ Making you House of Whit Salon and Spa, located at 305 E Waldron Street in downtown Corinth, is where you will find all of your bridal wishes. Any bride will find all she needs here from the perfect hair style to her desired makeup dreams for her special day. Need a day for you and your girls to be pampered? House of Whit offers an assortment of services including massages, facials, manicures and pedicures that will fulfill any bridal party’s pampering needs. Custom packages are available for the entire wedding weekend. House of Whit Salon and Spa looks forward to and can’t wait to be apart of your special day!
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A seating plan for wedding receptions is an important consideration so that every guest can feel comfortable.
How to W avoid
seats vacated by someone getting up to use the restroom or any eddings are great opportu- number of other scenarios. nities for people to gather Seating arrangements also ensure and celebrate the melding of two everyone is accounted for across families into one. the room. Weddings are a melting pot, Mistake #2: Seating families and while the ultimate goal is for separately. Unless there are rifts all guests invited to mingle and between certain family memhave a good time, preexisting bers, it’s best to seat parents and relationships may cause some children at the same tables. wedding-day interactions to be Mistake #3: Trying to force strained. However, with careful new friendships. Avoid trying planning and some best behavior to figure out who will get along on the parts of all involved, getby creating a potpourri table. A ting hitched can go off without cousin in a band will not necesa hitch. sarily want to sit next to your coIt’s possible for guests who may worker who plays guitar simply have tumultuous pasts to keep because they have a shared love the peace, but this also can be of music. A wedding is not the ensured through careful seating time to try to create new friendarrangements. This is just one ships. If it’s meant to be, they’ll factor couples need to consider connect in a more organic way. when deciding where guests will Mistake #4: The dreaded sit and dine at receptions. It’s im- kids’ table. Young children can portant to avoid some common probably get away with sitting at mistakes. a dedicated kids’ table, although Mistake #1: Not having a it may mean their parents have seating plan. Let guests sit where to interrupt their experiences by they want and chaos may ensue. checking on their kids throughPeople may think they’re entitled out the night. A bigger faux pas to certain seats, may hop into is to sit teenagers or twentyFOR CROSSROADS MAGAZINE
wedding reception seating mistakes
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CROSSROADS MAGAZINE
somethings at the kids table even if they seem like youngsters to you. Set a strict cut-off age for a children’s table. Mistake #5: Being too strict in seating. It’s one thing to direct couples or singletons to specific tables, quite another to assign specific seats. Do not dictate exactly where at the table a guest should sit. Some people arrive early, others late, and it is up to them to work out how to arrange themselves at the table. Mistake #6: Failing to get family feedback. Always check with your parents and future in-laws as resources about how to seat certain guests. They’ll likely know who will make the best table-mates, especially if couples are not familiar with everyone on the guest list. Mistake #7: Not being aware of disabilities or needs. Be conscious of guests’ needs. An elderly relative may not be comfortable in front of the DJ table. A person in a wheelchair may need easy access to and from the reception room. It’s important to be mindful of these special needs.
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Cover story
Something
extraordinary Pandemic wedding turned fear around to create an unusual celebration
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Kelli DeVaughn and Derick Whisenant, along with close family and friends, pulled off a beautiful wedding on May 16, 2020, despite the terrifying early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. The couple were married in the backyard of Kelli’s parents, Brad and Cathy DeVaughn, who live in Quail Ridge Estates in Booneville overlooking Eaton Lake. Story on Page 42. Photos by Rob Brown / Tee Rage Photography
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P
By L.A. STORY • For Crossroads Magazine
lagues, fear and floods. Those are not the nouns one would normally want associated with wedding plans, but those were the cards that were dealt Kelli DeVaughn and Ronald “Derick” Whisenant when they knew they wanted to get married.
The couple was married May 16, 2020, in the terrifying early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. The couple admitted to having to make some difficult choices and compromises to have any kind of wedding during those uncertain times. Instead of the bittersweet moment one might have expected, their special day turned out to be something extraordinary. Kelli DeVaughn is the daughter of Brad and Cathy DeVaughn and granddaughter of Billy and Barbara Tigrett, and Barbara DeVaughn. Ronald “Derick” Whisenant is the son of Ronald and Cathy Whisenant and grandson of Noel and Patsy Wilson, Dennis “Buddy” and Charlene Whisenant. Derick and Kelli met in high school when she was a freshman, and he was a sophomore. They were both in the band – he on the percussion line and she was in the color guard. Looking back, the bride said she and her groom were always connected, even before they met. His mother was an assistant teacher in a class next door to the room where the bride’s mother was a counselor at the same elementary school in Booneville. “We were really just right beside each other all along but didn’t really know it until we got to high school,” Kelli commented. They dated for six years before they got married – all through high school and college. Derick secretly purchased her engagement ring in November 2018 during a family trip to Nashville, Tenn., and he proposed on Dec. 13, 2018. It seemed fate wanted to test the couple’s ability to roll with changes because the original plan Derick had made to propose was to pop the question during a magical trip to view the Christmas lights and inflatables at Cotton Plant. Unfortunately, torrential downpours and flash flooding caused Cotton Plant to close that night. The hopeful groom made a new plan of action and let family members on each side of the family in on it. He
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surprised her with four Christmas ornaments which had been fixed with vinyl letters asking the anticipated question – Will You Marry Me? Kelli said he managed to completely catch her off guard with the romantic proposal which was pulled off with elaborate secrecy. The wedding was 16 months later during the beginning of the pandemic. The couple had despaired. The plague that is COVID-19 derailed what they had hoped for and caused stress due to the uncertainly of when – or if – the pandemic would end. With growing numbers of those infected, Kelli admitted that they considered eloping with only a civil ceremony and only a couple, if any, witnesses. At that time, Kelli said she listened to Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves’ address each Monday where he would provide COVID-19 updates and how many people could be at a gathering. The week before Kelli and Derick’s wedding, the limit was 10 people for indoor gatherings and 20 for an outdoor gathering. They could wait no longer – they had one week to plan their special day before that number dwindled further. They decided to have the ceremony in her parent’s backyard in Quail Ridge Estates which overlooked Eaton Lake. The hardest thing to do, the couple said, we to choose which 20 people could be there. The bride admitted to shedding tears. They had to leave out church family, work family, and a great number of friends and extended family. They kept it to parents, grandparents, siblings, significant others and a couple of very close friends, with the exception of having a photographer and videographer. “We made the exception of having a photographer and videographer because we knew that everyone else would want to see pictures and videos of our special day because they couldn’t be there because of COVID-19,” said Kelli.
CROSSROADS MAGAZINE
Continued on Page 46
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Lots of magic had to happen to pull off a wedding during a pandemic, so photographer Rob Brown pulled off some special effects. Photos by Rob Brown / Tee Rage Photography
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Kelli’s father, having connections with the vocational center in Booneville, had spoken with the welding Plans began immediately, mowing the yard, picking teacher (pre-COVID) and had made a large ring, up limbs and figuring out how they were going to set which the bride painted gold and added glitter. Flowup tables and chairs for 20 people out by the lake. Her ers were added to the ring to create a large decorafather ordered Edison bulb lights to add a fairy tale tive piece during the ceremony. Combined with the atmosphere to the event. reflective, placid lake in background, the couple said Obviously, many things had to be done differently than the combination created some of the most beautiful what they originally planned, but the changes made the photos. result more special. Despite the compromises, the “I wasn’t able to use the lady I wantbride was able to keep some things ed to make my cake, so my mother strictly traditional. made my wedding cake,” said the “In my bridal bouquet, I was able bride. “This was really special because to have a pair of my great-grandshe always made my birthday cakes mother’s pearly white earrings every year when I was growing up clipped in for my ‘something old.’ and it seemed right that she would As ‘something borrowed,’ I wore a make my wedding cake, too. She pair of earrings my father gave my made the cake that I had wanted, but mother on their wedding day. My on a smaller scale for 20 people. Mom ‘something new’ was a necklace Derhas always been talented at baking.” ick gave me during our ‘First Look’ The cake was a two-tier white vanilmoment and I work blue shoes under la cake with buttercream frosting. my wedding gown,” said Kelli. It was decorated with greenery and Derick said he remembered the white roses and topped with a gold “First Look” moment. cake topper – a “W” with their wed“Some people don’t like to do that ding date on it. [First Look], but I wanted it because The result was a wedding in an exI wanted us to have our own special traordinary setting which was litermoment with each other,” explained ally put together by the whole family the groom. “It’s hard to remember and filled with personal touches that exactly what I was thinking when provided special meaning. I saw her because she was so beau“It was special because it was an tiful, and there was so much going intimate wedding compared to prethrough my head, but I do rememCOVID weddings,” said Derick. “I ber thinking – ‘this is my forever.’” DERICK WHISENANT think it showed everyone we really The wedding party included: wanted to be married. We just had Bridesmaids – Anna DeVaughn our immediate family and closest friends. We didn’t (Maid of Honor), Lynnette McCoy Berry (Matron of have to put on an event. It was just all about our love for Honor), Paige Knight and Allison Wade; Groomsmen each other.” – Harper Hughes (Best Man), Logan Johnson, Jordan Kelli said some of her favorite things were those special Bland and Tanner Childs; Flower Girls – Roxy Martouches and the fact that the family was so involved. The shall and Lorelai Marshall; Ring Bearers – Will Riley bride’s paternal grandmother, along with a friend, did all Arnold and Tucker Burns; Ushers: Bret Montgomery, the flowers for the wedding. Grant Montgomery and Grayson Burns. The cake stand was a wooden box the couple found in Wedding Planner was Leslie Arnold; PhotographerKelli’s grandfather’s barn. They pressure washed it and Tee Rage – Rob Brown (Assistant: Erik Hamilton); and stained it. When Kelli’s mother got married, she was Videographer- Joey Jones. given a ring quilt. That same quilt was laid over a swing Currently, Derick works for – Industrial Maintenance at Kelli and Derick’s wedding as part of the decorations, Technician at Auto Parts Manufacturing Mississippi along with decorative pillows that proclaimed, “I do” and Kelli will begin work this August teaching second and “Just married.” grade at Anderson Elementary School in Booneville.
From page 42
“It was special because it was an intimate wedding compared to pre-COVID weddings. I think it showed everyone we really wanted to be married. We just had our immediate family and closest friends. We didn’t have to put on an event. It was just all about our love for each other.”
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Kelli DeVaughn and Derick Whisenant were married in Booneville’s Quail Ridge Estates overlooking Eaton Lake, giving photographer Rob Brown a chance to pull off some evening special effects on a fishing pier. Photos by Rob Brown / Tee Rage Photography
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• Parties
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Make your reception shine Couples experiment with various trends to make their wedding receptions unique. One of the more popular trends in recent years involves utilizing lighting in innovative ways. ■■ Illuminated letters/words: Illuminated letters can be used as a monogram in lieu of ice sculptures or framed initials. Illuminated words that describe how you feel as a couple or words that describe you both are fun, too. ■■ Uplighting: Uplighting is a popular lighting trend and a great way to transform a venue, according to the wedding resource Rent My Wedding. Uplights are essentially small lights that are put on the floor around the perimeter of the space or underneath key design elements. The lights will shine up and create immediate drama. ■■ Gobo projector: Many people have probably never heard of a gobo. Also known as monogram lighting, gobo, which stands for “goes before optics,” is a growing, special effects-heavy trend. A gobo projector projects an image on a wall or dance floor. It can be used to showcase a monogram, names or wedding date.
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Savings strategies Saving for a wedding can be challenging, but these tips can help couples plan their dream weddings without breaking the bank
T
he question was popped. The engagement ring presented. What’s the next step on the road to the wedding? Saving should definitely be on couples’ minds. A wedding is likely the most costly party couples will ever throw. According to The Knot’s 2019 Real Weddings Study, the average cost of a wedding in 2019 was $33,900. There are many different costs associated with weddings. Some are predictable, while others are unexpected. Investopedia says the vast majority of couples budget too little for their weddings and also end up spending more than they had planned. Various strategies can make it easier to save for a wedding and avoid a post-wedding financial hangover.
Get informed It’s impossible to budget for a wedding and ultimately save
without knowledge of what services and items cost in the region where you live. A wedding in New York City will be expensive, while a wedding in Mississippi will cost a lot less, indicates SuperMoney’s guide to wedding costs. Conduct some research and find out what photographers, florists, transportation providers, reception halls, and wedding wardrobe vendors charge for common services. This will paint a vivid picture of what a wedding may cost in your area.
Flesh out the budget Once you have gathered estimates, you can then figure out a financial goal. This also is when you can determine where to rein in spending and where you might want to splurge. If having a video memory of the wedding is not a top priority, you can skip videography services.
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If you have a special flower that you like, you may want to budget more for that bloom even if it isn’t in season.
you can devote more funds to wedding savings. Do you need a takeout coffee in the morning or can you brew a pot at home? Might you be able to scale back Set up a dedicated on streaming services? Do you savings account feel comfortable buying less exOne of the easiest ways to save pensive store brand groceries over for big-ticket items like a wedding, name brands? home purchase or other financial Small cost savings can quickly goals is to use an automatic savings add up. account that may be available Add up gifts through your bank or employer. An automatic savings plan will Factor in deduction of expenses pull a set amount from a personal that other people will commit to checking account into a savings covering for wedding expenses, account through auto-draft. but only if you have concrete The bride and groom can link confirmation. A parent may host individual checking accounts to the rehearsal dinner. One’s relative one savings account to contribute may offer to pass down an antique jointly. wedding gown to wear. But rather than simply removAvoid overspending ing these gifts from your savings An analysis of your spending calculations, keep them as a safety habits will likely reveal areas net to put toward unforeseen where you can scale back so expenses.
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Interested in hosting your wedding amidst beautiful sun-dappled trees? Look no further than The Woodlands of Farmington. John and Brenda Hayes constructed The Woodlands in 2019 just 10 minutes away from downtown Corinth. Their goal was to offer a venue with a classic southern ambiance and all the amenities to ensure
a less stressful approach to wedding planning. The Woodlands offers an outdoor chapel surrounded by towering trees and an indoor reception hall equipped with a caterer’s kitchen and enough round tables with white chairs to comfortably seat up to 180 guests. Bridal parties can prepare for the day in the privacy of their own suites. White linen tablecloths and the recording of your wedding ceremony are available upon request. Is this beginning to sound like the perfect place to host your next special event? Call John and/or Brenda at 662-255-2626/662-415-1602 to schedule a tour.
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Couples can take certain steps as they choose floral arrangements for their weddings. Cost should not be the only factor in the decision, even though it is an important one.
How to find your wedding florist W
eddings join the lives of two loving individuals so they can share their future with one another. Various elements help make weddings both momentous and magical. Some weddings adhere to themes that are designed to make an impression and showcase couples’ personalities. Floral arrangements are key components of wedding themes, as they help to establish ambiance at both the ceremony and reception. Flowers can easily help couples achieve a desired vibe, whether that’s rustic, romantic, modern, or even whimsical. Skilled florists may use a variety of flowers and foliage, as well as dramatic displays to help create the couple’s wedding day vision. According to an internal study from the wedding advice and PAGE 54
planning resource The Knot, which surveyed more than 27,000 couples who got married in 2019, the average cost of wedding flowers was $2,000 in 2019. However, the cost of floral arrangements can vary depending on the scope of the arrangements and choice of flowers, including whether they’re in season or not. It is essential for couples to spend time vetting potential florists to find one who will produce their desired vision at a price that fits their budget. These guidelines can make the process go more smoothly. ■■ Establish your theme early on. Floral arrangements will complement and enhance other elements of the wedding, including color scheme and the wedding theme. If your wedding theme ties into a specific season, you will work with the florist
to find blooms and other pieces that coordinate. For example, winter weddings with white, ice blue and silver color schemes may coordinate with white ranunculus flowers, dahlias, dusty miller foliage, and viburnum berries. ■■ Bring swatches and photographs to consultations. It is easier to explain color palettes to a florist with examples in hand. Show the florist the types of arrangements you prefer and have actual fabric swatches from bridesmaid gowns or groomsmen vests so that colors can be complemented. ■■ Create a list of desired items. Florists may sell items a la carte or have packages of common floral pieces for wedding celebrations. Types of floral arrangements include bridal bouquet, bridesmaids’ bouquets,
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maid of honor bouquet, corsages for mothers/grandmothers, boutonnieres for groomsmen and fathers/grandfathers, flower girl headpiece, petals to sprinkle, table centerpieces, altar arrangements, pew or chair decorations, and cake decorations. ■■ Go easy on aroma. Tread lightly when selecting blooms that have strong aromas. They may be beautiful, but many people are sensitive to smells. Allergies also may be exacerbated by flowers with strong aromas. Discuss options with the florist before proceeding. ■■ Explain your budget. Research the average cost of floral arrangements and let the florist know what you can afford. This can help the florist narrow down options or make substitutions that fit your theme and your budget.
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Renting transportation is not mandatory, but many couples find it a convenient way to get around on their wedding days.
Getting here to there on your wedding day Y
ou’ve planned the date, met with the officiant, decided on what to wear, and booked the venue. But how are you going to arrive in style? Arranging wedding transportation can be tricky, even if it seems like it’s a relatively minor detail. However, getting not only the bride and groom, as well as the rest of the bridal party and guests, from point A to point B and even point C is often a taller task than it seems. The wedding planning resource The Knot says couples should begin focusing on transportation between four and six months before their weddings. If the wedding will be held during prom or graduation season, couples may want to reserve vehicles even earlier due to high demand. While rented transportation is not necessary, it’s a luxury many couples prefer, as it www.mycrossroadsmagazine.com
allows them to leave the driving to someone else. Generally speaking, hired cars will pick up the bride and groom separately before the ceremony; otherwise, they will arrive to the ceremony by other means and then utilize a limo or other vehicle afterward. The transportation will then take the married couple and typically members of the bridal party and immediate family to the reception venue. Depending on the head count and how many other people will be getting a lift, two or more vehicles may be necessary. And since the limos will leave after the reception drop off, some other form of transportation will be necessary to take the couple and whomever else rode to the reception back home (or to the airport). This may require dropping off one or more personal cars at the reception venue in advance. CROSSROADS MAGAZINE
Budget also will dictate if transportation is provided for other guests. The majority or guests will drive their own cars to the wedding. However, if the ceremony and reception site are far apart or if the journey is arduous and out of the way, some well-meaning couples will arrange for transport. Many times couples will have to opt for function over form when tasked with transporting a large number of people. Pricing out different options can yield the most cost-effective route, which very well may be a school or charter bus instead of several limousines. Couples can start the process by asking their reception venue for transportation recommendations. Or if there are hotel accommodations after the party, the hotel may have connections or offer shuttle services. PAGE 55
Wedding & Special Event Venue Overlooking Beautiful Sunsets on Pickwick Lake. There are also two Cabins on the lakeside property. 10020 Riverton Rose Trail • Cherokee, AL 35616 • 662-544-0196 PAGE 56
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Eat, Drink & Be Married! Save on crowd-pleasing wines and spirits for your next special event.
2015 Hwy 72 E. Corinth, MS. 38834 662-594-1877 Mon. - Sat. 10 A.M.- 9 P.M. www.JRwinespirit.com www.mycrossroadsmagazine.com
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Dos and don’ts of caring for wedding and engagement rings J
ewelry is a key component of weddings. The financial resource CreditDonkey notes that, in the United States, the average amount spent on an engagement ring is $5,500. Jewelry costs can add up, especially when adding in the cost of wedding bands, which can cost as much as $1,000. T he cost of jewelry only underscores the importance of learning how to care for it and preserve its value. The best way to maintain jewelry depends on the makeup of the rings. The online jewelry guide Jewelry Notes says gold rings without gemstones can be cleaned effectively with only soap and water. Simply prepare a solution of lukewarm water and mild dish soap in a small bowl. Soak the rings for 20 to 30 minutes. Use a soft brush
or cloth to clean the jewelry of dirt. Rinse the residue under clean water. Rings with diamonds can be treated similarly with a mild soap-and-water solution. The Diamond Information Center also says to soak the diamond ring in equal parts cold water and ammonia for half an hour and let it air dry. Brand name jewelry cleaner also is another good option. This method only should be used with diamonds; ammonia can’t be used with other gemstones. Maintaining jewelry also should include twice yearly visits to a jeweler who can check the prongs and make sure the setting is not loose; otherwise, the diamond can become dislodged, according to Martha Stewart Weddings. Avoid touching diamonds and other gemstones as much as possible when putting rings on
and taking them off. Precious stones often are magnets for dust, dirt and body oil, according to Taylor Lanore, diamond consultant and engagement ring designer for Lauren B. Fine Jewelry and Diamonds. Grab the ring by the band. Use discretion when wearing rings while engaging in hands-on activities. Activities like cleaning dishes, moving furniture, gardening, or diving through waves at the beach warrant caution; otherwise, you risk damaging or making jewelry unnecessarily dirty. Store the ring in a safe location until you can safely wear it again. One of the most important steps to safeguard wedding and engagement rings is to insure the jewelry. The description of the ring, its cut, carat weight, metal, and other information offered through a certified independent jewelry appraisal will be needed to insure the ring. Take a close-up photo of the jewelry as well. Other items like laser inscription or a home security system can qualify jewelry owners for discounts on insurance. Consumers also can add a jewelry rider to a homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy.
These are some ways to care for wedding jewelry. Always consult with a jeweler before attempting to clean items made of various materials. www.mycrossroadsmagazine.com
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Wedding photography is one of the essential elements of a wedding and helps tell the story of couples’ special day. Asking key questions can help couples find a photographer who will produce the desired results.
What to ask before booking a photographer V
arious components combine to make weddings beautiful and memorable. Couples rely on photographers to capture the smiles and moments that helped make their events unique and to ensure the big day is remembered for years to come. The trusted wedding resource The Knot notes that an internal study found that, among 27,000 couples who got married in 2019, an average of $2,400 was spent on a wedding photographer to document their big day. Couples who want to find the best photographer for their wedding day can ask several questions before making their final decision. What style do you specialize in? Photographers may be able to shoot various styles of photos, but may specialize in a specific type. For example, some photographers specialize in photojournalism, while others may excel at portraiture. Going with a photographer who has the most expertise shooting the style you prefer will help produce the desired results. Who will be shooting my wedding? PAGE 62
Certain photography studios have several photographers working under one roof. Just because you meet with one does not necessarily mean that photographer will be on site, unless it is specified in the contract. Have you ever worked at my venue before? Photographers may be familiar with several local wedding venues and houses of worship. A photographer who has experience working in the locations where couples will tie the knot and subsequently celebrate might produce the best results, but lack of experience with particular venues need not exclude other professionals. Can we see a full gallery of a recent wedding? According to Brides magazine, unlike an album or a highlight gallery, a full gallery provides a better sense of a photographer’s style and attention to detail. Will photos be color balanced and retouched? Skilled photographers are capable of capturing winning photos. But photos can be CROSSROADS MAGAZINE
enhanced further in the studio with retouching software to bring out specific effects. Some photographers will polish all proofs, while others only will work on the images ultimately ordered. Confirm retouching details before signing the contract. What’s included in the photo packages? A detailed price list helps you compare one photographer to another and decide which elements are covered. Additional prints, having a photographer’s assistant, ordering albums for the parents, or ordering a large framed print can alter costs significantly. Explore all prices to ensure you’re getting the best value. In addition, consider how many hours of event coverage are included in the price. What is the payment timeline? Photographers may accept deposits for their services but expect a different timeline of payment. Some may require payment in full before the wedding, while others may offer a payment plan that includes a final payment when picking up proofs or albums. www.mycrossroadsmagazine.com
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