Invitation Oxford - Bridal 2016 by Invitation Magazines

JUNE/JULY 2016

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

Mark C. Cleary

Blake Cannon

Alison Alger

Lee Pittman

Markccleary@gmail.com

blake@oxfordvip.com

alisonmalger@gmail.com

lee.pittman1@gmail.com

(713) 303-8924

(662) 380-7144

(662) 832-1697

LEGACY R EALT Y

(662) 645-3695

#1 Re/Max Team in MS in 2014 & 2015

Starting in the mid $300,000’s Contact Mark Cleary (713) 303-8924

7003 Macdui

1583 Buchanan

1001 Park

• Easy walk to square

• Walk to Pat Lamar Park

• 4 BR/4.5 bath

• Totally Custom

$750,000

$1,250,000

The Belmont

(Lot 64 Highlands)

1413 South Lamar

Measuring in at just under 1 mile from campus, 800 Park includes luxury features like gas fireplaces, 10 foot ceilings and heart pine floors. Professionally designed, each of the 4 floor plans are one level and have private screened in porches overlooking Pat Lamar Park and Davidson Creek. There is also a pet park that will be private to the 800 Park owners. The 800 Park development has plans to include some specialty retail shops, as well.

Contact Mark Cleary (713) 303-8924

• 70 acre bass lake

• Custom Family Home

$525,000 Only 4 Units Remaining

at 1769 East Jackson

$1,910,000

Estimated Restoration Completion Summer 2016

Historic Downtown Oxford Restoration. 4 bedrooms 4.5 bathrooms, a formal living and dining room, superb office, 2 real wood burning fireplaces, 3 porches, boasting a gorgeous screened in porch on approximately an acre corner lot on South Lamar. This once in a lifetime opportunity is finished out with top of the line finishes throughout orchestrated by a professional design team. Come get involved and make this masterpiece your piece of Oxford History.

$499,000 The Hamlet

Starting in the Mid $300’s •4 Bed 4.5 Bath w/ Top Notch Finishes •Garages Available

141 Oxford Creek Dr. • 4 Bed 3 Bath • Community Pool • 4 Acre Community Park • Walking Trail to Chickasaw Rd

$ 350,000

71 CR 141 •5 Bed 4 1/2 Bath •Saltwater Pool • RV Parking • White Oak Hardwood Flooring

$675,000

129 Sivley

244 CR 303 (Old Taylor Rd)

• Walk to the Square! • Wrought iron courtyard w/ gate • 5 BR/4 Bath • Wolf Subzero show home • 3900 square feet • Marvin doors/windows show home

•Almost 16 acres • 4 BR/3 Bath, 3150sf • gunite pool

$1,595,000

416 Andalusia •4 Bed 3 Bath •City Schools •Two - Way Fireplace •Access to Highlands Lake

$439,999

1300 Beanland •4 Bed 3.5 Bath •Located in Historical Downtown Oxford •Top of the Line Finishes •Open floor plan

$750,000

313 CR 309 •Beautiful 62.76 acre tract •Two ponds •Just minutes to the Jackson & Hwy 6 intersection

$558,742

LEGACY R EALT Y

• Beautifully manicured • Huge custom shop • close to town

$949,000

3802 Majestic Oaks •4 Bed 3 1/2 Bath •Viking Appliances •Country Club of Oxford •Great for Entertaining

$529,000

Search the entire Oxford Market at www.MarkClearyOxford.com and www.OxfordMSHomes.net. 662.234.5621 1923 University Ave Oxford, MS 38655. Each office independently owned and operated. All information deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and subject to change without notice.

7005 Bluff Lane •4 Bed 4 Bath •3 Covered Porches •8 Parking Bays •Access to Goose Creek Tennis Club

$649,000

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

BRIDAL 2016 A COMBINED INVITATION OXFORD AND INVITATION TUPELO MAGAZINE

OXFORD EVENTS 114

Double Decker Arts Festival

116

Legacy Award Dinner

118

Ole Miss Color Run

120

Brushstrokes for Bramlett

122

Gospel Choir Showcase

124

1992 Eco-Fashion Show

126

Theatre Oxford’s True West

128

A Night for a Princess

130

Campus Rec Family Fun Night

132

Thacker Mountain Radio Jr.

134

ATO Campus Classic 5K

136

St. John’s Drawdown

138

Rowan Oak Mint Julep Party

ON THE COVER

IN EVERY ISSUE

Allie Denton and David Harvick wed on Camelback Mountain in Arizona. When they saw a giant rock, they knew it was the perfect photo opp. “I hiked up my dress and climbed up without question,” Denton said. “My elopement rocked. Literally.”

Notes From the Staff

140

Rebel Road Trip

Oxford What’s Happening

142

L.O.U. Pride Parade

Tupelo What’s Happening

Community Corner

TUPELO EVENTS

In Season: Fresh Herb Cocktails

144

Skip Gleason Golf Tournament

176

Out and About

146

Tupelo Kentucky Derby Party

148

Miss Tupelo Elvis Fest Pageant

150

Tupelo Mud Stumper

152

CDF Dinner

154

Tour de Tanglefoot Trail

156

Rose Society Rose Show

158

Corinth Coke Classic Run

160

Florida Georgia Line Concert

162

Dudie Burger Festival

164

Corinth Kentucky Derby Party

107 Big Day, Big Decisions

166

Golf Fore Life Tournament

A list of pros and cons to help make the tough choices for your dream wedding.

168

County Line Music Festival

170

Blue Suede Cruise

184 Hashing It Out

172

Carson Bell Golf Tournament

photographed by Vienna Glenn Photography

FEATURES

88 For Better or for Worse These brides and grooms didn’t let wedding day mishaps ruin their special day.

96 Mind Your Manners Etiquette expert Diane Tate shares her tips on proper wedding protocol.

98 In Your Element Incorporate fire, water, earth or air into your bridal bouquet and wedding décor.

Coming up with a creative hashtag is now an essential part of the wedding planning process.

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

ILLUSTRATED BY LAURIE G. FISHER

ENGAGEMENTS 30

Hotakainen & Stewart

Kisor & Uhiren

McDowell & Zesati

Scott & Anderson

WEDDINGS 34

Barcus & Abbott

Cannon & Fitzgerald

Chen & Mullen

Dees & Baning

Denton & Harvick

Gaines & Steinman

Hahn & Smith

Hill & Farrell

Jackson & Williams

Jones & Baxter

McCarver & Long

McKeown & McCalmon

Morgan & McGreger

Nikuma & Omori

Raney & Taylor

Smith & Turner

Ward & Henderson

Williams & Christian

Winters & Carroll

Woodruff & Prather

Wurth & Mahan

Yerger & Vaughn

Young & Baker

CORRECTION: In Invitation Oxford’s Home and Garden issue, the location of Clinton Smith’s book signing of The Romance of Flowers is incorrect. This event took place at Provision Oxford.

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

THE INVITATION STAFF

Turn to page 88 to read more stories of brides and grooms rolling with the punches on their special day.

RACHEL WEST At a friend’s rehearsal dinner, I was the last bridesmaid to eat. The chicken must have sat out too long because later I woke up with severe stomach pains. I went to the hospital, where I stayed all night being treated for food poisoning. I pulled it together and even though I could barely stand, I got to the wedding right before it began.

ALISE EMERSON We attended a reception that was under a tent at the bride’s parents’ house. During the couple’s first dance, a snake slithered over the grandmother’s foot and a groomsman reached down and picked it up. After a brief moment of chaos the couple just laughed it off and kept on dancing, but my feet stayed in the chair the rest of the reception.

LISA ROBERTS During a ceremony I was photographing, one of the bridesmaids’ hair caught on fire from the candle behind her. No one even noticed until the girl beside her started slapping her on the back and head. Everything stopped for a minute, she got the fire out and the ceremony continued. Must’ve been all the hair spray!

EMILY SUBER At a friend’s wedding, the bartender got tied up helping the caterer and wasn’t set up in time for the reception’s cocktail hour. My husband and another friend hopped behind the bar and started icing down beers and slinging drinks until a staff member could relieve them. Nobody ever sensed there was a mishap to begin with.

MELANIE CROWNOVER The day of our wedding, my husband decided to be helpful and tidy up the “getting ready” area. A half hour later, I was holding on to his legs as he dumpster dived to retrieve the box that had my wedding shoes in it that he’d thrown out with the garbage. The rest of the day was a breeze after we’d solved the problem and had a good laugh, and we still joke to this day that at least he didn’t have to find my ring.

MONI SIMPSON On my wedding day, we went to have pictures taken on the bayside and had to walk down a tall sea wall to get to this special location. On our way back, a huge water moccasin was on the wall and wouldn’t move; it took us almost an hour of throwing rocks at it to make it slither off. We were trapped in a wedding dress and suit with our pregnant photographer atop a beach wall, all trying to chase off the photobomber.

MARY MORETON My friend waited until the last possible minute to put on her bridal gown, so right before she was supposed to head into the church, she slipped it on and the zipper got completely stuck halfway up. Everyone from her father to Mississippi State football players (who were there as guests) were in the bridal suite trying to get that zipper up. A bridesmaid saved the day and got her in just in time to walk down the aisle.

BECCA BAILEY Being the last of my single friends, I made it a mission to catch the bouquet – at all costs. During one wedding, as soon as the bride threw the bouquet, I accidentally elbowed a little girl in the face. I leapt and crashed with the bouquet dangling at my fingertips while the little girl stood there with her hands over her face. Luckily I’m engaged now, so I don’t have to worry about this behavior continuing.

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

publishers

Phil and Rachel West

editorial

EDITORS IN CHIEF Lena Anderson Emily Welly EVENTS EDITOR Mary Moreton STAFF WRITER Melanie Crownover CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Sunny Young Baker Toni Overby COPY EDITOR Kate Johnson

art

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Hallie Thomas STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Lisa Roberts Joe Worthem CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Joey Brent Chasity Dees Elizabeth Evans Ann-Marie Herod Jessica Richardson Whitney Worsham

production

PRODUCTION DIRECTORS Emily Suber Holly Vollor

advertising

ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Jennifer Bolton Alise M. Emerson Leigh Lowery Lynn McElreath Stacey Raper Moni Simpson Whitney Worsham ADVERTISING DESIGNERS Becca Bailey Zach Fields

office

BUSINESS MANAGER Hollie Hilliard COMPTROLLER Julie Clark DISTRIBUTION Donald Courtney Brian Hilliard MAIN OFFICE (662) 234-4008 ADVERTISING INFORMATION ads@invitationoxford.com ads@invitationtupelo.com

To subscribe to one year (10 issues) of Invitation Oxford or to buy an announcement, visit invitationoxford.com. To subscribe to one year (10 issues) of Invitation Tupelo or to buy an announcement, visit invitationtupelo.com. To request a photographer at your event, email Mary at mary.invitation@gmail.com.

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

OXFORD

PHOTOGRAPHED BY CANDISE KOLA

June 1-Aug. 1

6/24-25

North Mississippi Hill Country Picnic Blues fans from across the South flock to Waterford for the two-day festival that includes performances by blues musicians from all over the region, along with guitar and harmonica workshops. Betty Davis Ponderosa at the corner of Highway 310 and Highway 7 in Waterford. Tickets $25. nmshillcountrypicnic.com

6/4

6/18

Participants in the family-friendly race sponsored by Lee Family Dentistry will be showered with water and enjoy other activities at Avent Park. This is the third race in the Inn at Ole Miss Grand Prix Series. For registration and more information, visit leefamilysplashndash.racesonline.com.

The annual Juneteenth celebration includes live music, children’s activities, food and more. The event is a celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation. 3-7 p.m., Martin Luther King Drive For more information, visit Oxford Juneteenth on Facebook.

6/4

6/26-7/24

View the works of filmmaker Matthew Graves, presented by Oxford Film Festival. Free, with donations benefiting the 2017 OFF 7:30 p.m., Shelter on Van Buren

A horseback riding camp for 7- to 19-year-old girls to improve riding skills and learn about horse care, training, farm management and showing. Oak Hill Stables Contact Laura Sale at 662-234-8488 or laura@oakhillstablesbedandbreakfast.com.

Splash ’n’ Dash 5K

An Evening with Matthew Graves

6/18

Run in the Sun 5K The third annual race will benefit Mississippi Special Olympics. 7:30 a.m., University of Mississippi Law School $30, racesonline.com. Contact Will Cook at 662-934-0751 or wcook@nmrc.state.ms.us for more information.

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

Juneteenth Celebration

Camp Oak Hill

6/28 AND 7/26 Oxford Art Crawl

On the fourth Tuesday of every month, meet at the Powerhouse to tour local art galleries. 6-8 p.m., the Powerhouse, oxfordarts.com

7/1 AND 7/4

L.O.U. Independence Day Celebrations 7/1: 7 p.m., Leap Frog’s Firecracker Bash at the Lyric 7/4: 7:30 a.m., Stars & Stripes on the Square 5K race to benefit the Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society 8:30 a.m., Children’s Fun Run 9:30 a.m., Children’s Parade on the Square. Apply at lou4thofjuly.com. 4 p.m.-nightfall: Children’s activities and live music in the Grove 6:30 p.m. Ceremony in the Grove honoring local service men and women 9 p.m. Fireworks at Oxford-University Stadium. Stadium seats $2; no coolers. Gates open at 7:30 p.m.

7/12

Ace Atkins Reading Oxford-based crime novelist Ace Atkins reads from The Innocents (G.P. Putnam’s Sons), the newest book in his Quinn Colson series. 5 p.m., Off Square Books, squarebooks.com

7/17-21

Faulkner and Yoknapatawpha Conference This year’s conference, “Faulkner and the Native South,” gathers writers, teachers and students for lectures and discussions. outreach.olemiss.edu/events/faulkner

7/22

Town Mountain Performance The Asheville, North Carolina-based bluegrass band performs songs from its fifth album, Southern Crescent. Tickets $8, 9:30 p.m., Proud Larry’s

7/23

Ole Miss Ladies Football Forum A behind-the-scenes look at the Ole Miss football program with head coach Hugh Freeze, the players and staff. Participants will learn the ins and outs of college football, including recruitment, practice and preparation processes. 7:30 a.m.- 4 p.m., the Manning Center $175, olemissladiesforum.com/register. Registration closes 6/20. Price includes T-shirt, photo with coach Freeze, lunch, a cookbook and a special gift. Contact 662-915-1564 or megan@olemiss.edu for more information.

7/25-26

Oxford University Bank Two-Person Scramble A two-day, two-person golf tournament benefiting the L.O.U. Ole Miss Club scholarship endowment. Ole Miss Golf Course olemissalumni.com/events

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

TUPELO

June 15-Aug. 15 EVERY TUES./THURS./SAT.

Tupelo Farmers’ Depot Shop for locally grown produce and more 4-7 p.m. Tuesdays and 6 a.m.-noon Thursdays and Saturdays. To learn more, search for Tupelo Farmers’ Depot on Facebook.

6/18

Juneteenth Freedom Fest UJIMA’s 17th annual Juneteenth Freedom Festival celebrates the Emancipation Proclamation with a scavenger hunt, various vendors and live entertainment featuring R&B group Dem Freshmen. Free; noon-10 p.m., music begins at 3 p.m.; Ballard Park.

7/4 All-America City Family Picnic in the Park Celebrate Independence Day with friends and neighbors at Ballard Park. Free admission; food and drink available for purchase. Entertainment includes live music and fireworks at 9 p.m.

6/25

7/7-9

The New Albany festival features a market, carnival rides; live music, including headliner Confederate Railroad; and a fireworks show sponsored by Barnes Crossing GMC. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. EarthGrace Riverview Stage at Park Along the River For details, call 662-534-1047 or go to visitnewalbany.com.

The 29th annual Slugburger Festival features a Major League Eating-sanctioned slugburgereating contest, a competition for local singers, carnival rides and live music. mainstreetcorinth.com

6/26-7/3

Local day camps, church camps, childcare facilities and learning centers are invited to join in the fun. Includes arts and crafts, water events, face painting, sack races and more. 10 a.m.-noon, Ballard Park. 662-841-6440

Hill Country Freedom Fest

Salute a Veteran

6/25 AND 7/23

Summer Movie in the Park Family-friendly movies Star Wars: The Force Awakens (on 6/25) and The Avengers (on 7/23) will be shown on a big screen in Ballard Park, behind the soccer concession stand. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Free. 8:30 p.m.

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

The 10th annual 7 Days for the Troops fundraiser takes place at the Mall at Barnes Crossing. Led by U.S. Marine Corps veteran Scott Burns, who camps out at the mall for the week hosting raffles, live entertainment and more, the event has raised more than $150,000 for Purple Heart Homes during the past 10 years. Search 7 Days for the Troops on Facebook for more information.

Slugburger Festival

7/8

Super Fun Day

7/9 AND 8/13

Read with a Ranger Children 6 and under are invited to storytime, a fun activity and an optional quarter-mile hike. Offered the second Saturday of the month through September. 10 a.m., Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center. 662-680-4027

7/11-15

TCT Theatre Camp Tupelo Community Theatreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s summer camp is open to first- through eighth-graders interested in drama, music and art. Campers put on a free performance July 15. Cost is $100 for TCT members; $125 for nonmembers. For more information, call TCT at 662-844-1935 or visit tct.ms.

7/11-16

Union County Fair and Livestock Show The annual Union County Fair returns to New Albany with carnival rides, games, livestock competitions, pageants, political speaking and more. Search for Union County Fair on Facebook for a detailed schedule.

7/21

Down on Main Tupeloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s free summer concert series takes place in Fairpark. 6 p.m. tupelodownonmain.com

8/5

Arts, Beats & Eats Live jazz, art vendors, food from local restaurants and a juried art competition attract art lovers and buyers from around the region. Tickets $12. 5-8 p.m., Magnolia Civic Center, New Albany. newalbanymainstreet.com June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS NORTH MS

DANCE LIKE THE STARS

Robbie Greenwood and Anne Haire perform at the 2015 Dance Like the Stars event.

Being part of the hit TV show Dancing With the Stars is unlikely for most people, but every August a select few north Mississippians get the chance to raise money for the Boys & Girls Clubs with the organization’s annual fundraiser, Dance Like the Stars. The event includes dinner and a dance competition similar in format to the TV show, and it serves as the largest annual fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Mississippi. Last year the fete raised more than $215,000. Reed’s marketing director, Lucia Randle, has been amping up her workout routine since late March, training to represent Tupelo in the 2016 competition. “Being a part of this was on my bucket list because I’ve seen the programs the [Boys & Girls Clubs] organization has and how they impact kids all over the area,” she said. Boys & Girls Clubs organizers find around 12 volunteer dancers from their supported communities each year to train and perform one dance with a professional from Tupelo’s The Dance Studio. Those dancers also raise funds from May to August, each finding sponsors for his or her performance. A panel of judges scores the performances to name the dance champion, and the volunteer with the largest amount of donations becomes the grand champion. But the real winners are the Boys & Girls Clubs members. Funds raised through sponsorships and event tickets benefit the five clubs in Tupelo, Oxford, Ripley and New Albany that make up the chapter. Those clubs served more than 2,000 children in 2015. For more information, go to bgcnms.org.

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

FRESH HERB COCKTAILS written by Sunny Young Baker recipes by Kimme Hargrove

roviding a specialty cocktail is a great way to personalize an engagement party or bridal shower, but coming up with the perfect drink recipe can be a challenge. Kimme Hargrove, who organizes Delta Supper Club, a pop-up dinner series featuring award-winning chefs and local food, has a lot of experience organizing parties. When it comes to creating custom cocktails, she suggests keeping it simple. “Don’t make the little things complicated. It may look pretty to fancy up your drinks, but

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

you don’t want a line at the bar,” Hargrove said. “Think about what you’re celebrating, who it’s for and the season when the party will take place.” For signature cocktails, she suggests incorporating local ingredients, especially fresh herbs, which can be the perfect addition to seasonal cocktails. Adding a sprig of mint or thyme to a classic cocktail can add a new, impressive twist. Other fresh herbs like rosemary and lemon balm are fun, colorful additions that are refreshing on hot Mississippi days.

Guarantee your herbs are from local sources by buying from area farmers markets, or personalize your drinks even more by growing them yourself. “Herbs are much simpler to grow than people think,” Hargrove said. “Rosemary and mint are hard to kill. I put them straight into the ground and water when I remember.” For the day of the party, Hargrove advises making a big batch of the cocktail ahead of time so all you have to do is pour it over ice, garnish and serve to your guests.

Rosemary Simple Syrup 2 cups water 2 cups sugar 6 large rosemary sprigs In a saucepan, heat water, sugar and rosemary on medium-low for 5 minutes or until sugar is completely dissolved. Do not boil. Let cool, and remove rosemary sprigs. This can be made ahead of time, as the syrup will stay good for up to 2 weeks refrigerated. Yields about 1½ cups syrup.

Rosemary Greyhound 5 ounces fresh grapefruit juice 2 ounces vodka ½ ounce rosemary simple syrup Garnishes: Fresh grapefruit or lemon slice Fresh rosemary sprig Serve over ice, garnished with fruit and a rosemary sprig, which serves as a great stir stick for the drink.

Rosemary Bourbon Sour 2 ounces bourbon 1 ounce rosemary simple syrup 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice Garnish: Fresh rosemary sprig In a cocktail shaker, combine all ingredients with ice and shake vigorously. Pour drink over 1 large ice cube or 1 large ice ball. Garnish with rosemary sprig. To make a big batch, multiply ingredients by the number of guests.

For more of Hargrove’s recipes,

visit our food blog at invitationoxford.com or invitationtupelo.com.

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JI HOON HEO

JESSI M. HOTAKAINEN & SYLVIA MADISON STEWART

essi M. Hotakainen and Sylvia Madison Stewart are pleased to announce their engagement. Jessi, daughter of Paul and Ruth Hotakainen, is a U.S. Navy and Iraq War veteran. She received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Mississippi in 2014 and will graduate in May with a master’s degree in journalism. Sylvia, daughter of David and Kim Stewart, is a 2014 graduate of the University of Mississippi. She received a bachelor’s degree in international studies from the Croft Institute. Currently completing her second term of national service with AmeriCorps VISTA, she plans to begin a master’s degree in public policy in the fall. The couple will exchange vows in Oxford this summer.

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

PHOTOGRAPHED BY MARTY PETTIT

HAYLI NELLAINE KISOR & CHARLES STEVEN UHIREN

r. and Mrs. Scotty Kisor of Pontotoc are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Hayli Nellaine Kisor, to Charles Steven Uhiren, son of Mrs. Carol Huffman of New Albany and the late Mr. Steven Uhiren of Houston, Mississippi. Miss Kisor will graduate from the University of Mississippi this December with a bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in marketing and corporate relations. Mr. Uhiren graduated in May from the University of Mississippi, where he majored in recreation management and minored in psychology. The couple will exchange vows Aug. 6, 2016, at Kingfisher Lodge Chapel in Tupelo. A reception will follow at Kingfisher Lodge.

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA MONISTERE PHOTOGRAPHY

ASHLEE CAROL McDOWELL & STEVEN ROBERT ZESATI JR.

r. and Mrs. Michael C. McDowell of Raymond are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter Ashlee Carol McDowell to Steven Robert Zesati Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Steven Zesati of El Paso, Texas, after a proposal at the top of West Point. The bride-elect will graduate from the University of Mississippi in May with a Bachelor of Science degree in integrated marketing and communications. The prospective bridegroom will graduate from the United States Military Academy Preparatory School in May and will continue to serve his country as an active sergeant in the United States Army as a combat medic. The very blessed couple will exchange vows on June 4, 2016, at Mynelle Gardens in Jackson. A reception will follow.

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

PHOTOGRAPHED BY DANNY K PHOTOGRAPHY

MEGHAN AMELIA SCOTT & CHARLES RUSSELL ANDERSON

r. and Mrs. Seth Scott of Lucedale announce with pleasure the engagement of their daughter, Meghan Amelia, to Charles Russell “Rusty” Anderson, son of Dr. and Mrs. Eugene Anderson of Diamondhead and the late Mrs. Cheryl Diane Anderson. Meghan is a 2009 graduate of the University of Mississippi (Hotty Toddy!) with a degree in liberal arts. She is an assistant general manager of City Grocery. Rusty is a 2007 graduate of Hancock High School and attended the University of Mississippi. He is currently employed as a line cook at Snackbar. The couple resides in Water Valley. Meghan and Rusty will celebrate with a wedding and reception in December at Plein Air in Taylor.

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

usan Douglas Barcus and Todd Michael Abbott were united in marriage at 6 p.m. on Dec. 5, 2015, at First Presbyterian Church in Oxford. The ceremony was officiated by the Rev. John M. Semmes. Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a gown of ivory lace. She carried a traditional hand-tied bouquet by Oxford Floral of hydrangeas, roses and ranunculus, finished with a satin ribbon. The bride is the daughter of Mrs. Deborah Tallent Barcus of Nashville, Tennessee, and Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Wright Barcus III of Franklin, Tennessee. The groom is the son of the late Mr. Joseph Michael Abbott and Mrs. Patricia Edmonson Abbott of Caruthersville, Missouri. Elizabeth Wright Barcus, sister of the bride, served as maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Caitlin Reid Branson, Kristin Huch Buntin, Courtnie Lea Ghinaudo, Jamie Anne Gordon, Sheri Abbott Moody and Antonia Louise Pittari. The flower girl was Molly Marie Moody, niece of the groom. Christopher Dwayne Powell, childhood friend of the groom, served as best man. Groomsmen were Charles Floyd Cain III, Christopher Dwayne Clark, Taylor Owen Cruse, Clinton W. Moody and Todd Hillard Ogborn. The ring bearer was James Michael Moody, nephew of the groom. Following the ceremony, a reception was held at the Lyric Oxford, where guests enjoyed an array of Southern fare catered by My Michelle’s. Guests were treated to cake prepared by Kelli’s Cakes and Confections and danced to the music of 2nd Coming. On the eve of the wedding, the groom’s parents hosted a rehearsal dinner at Taylor Grocery. Following a honeymoon in Playa Mujeres, Mexico, the couple resides in Oxford where Susan works as an audit manager at KPMG LLP and Todd works as a territory manager for Arthrex.

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

PHOTOGRAPHED BY SCOTT BURTON PHOTOGRAPHY

SUSAN DOUGLAS BARCUS & TODD MICHAEL ABBOTT

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

atherine Alexandra Cannon and Kyle Gregory Fitzgerald were united in marriage at 6 p.m. on July 18, 2015, at Paris-Yates Chapel in Oxford. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Craig Cannon of Tupelo. She is the granddaughter of the late Mrs. Fay Waddle Harris and the late Mr. and Mrs. James and Mable Cannon of Tupelo. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gregg Fitzgerald of New Albany. He is the grandson of Mrs. Mary Wilder, the late Mr. James Wilder, and Mr. and Mrs. Byron and Annie Lois Fitzgerald of New Albany. Pastor Tommy Wilder, uncle of the groom, officiated the traditional ceremony. Ceremonial music was provided by vocalist Meredith Quinn, guitarist and vocalist Drew David and organist Joseph Garrison. Given in marriage by her parents and escorted by her father, the bride wore an ivory lace wedding gown with lace cap sleeves and keyhole back, with her late grandmother’s handkerchief sewn into the lining. The bride wore a cathedral length laced veil borrowed from her sister. The matron of honor was Chelsea Martin and the maid of honor was Anna Blythe Guess. Bridesmaids were Lauren Conlee, Emily Fitzgerald, Simms Haguewood, Joanna Harrelson, Jordan Harris, Katherine Marlar, Margie Claire Ruscoe, Brandi Soper and Jordyn Thornton. The best man was Brett Moore. Groomsmen were Jackson Browning, Seth Cobb, Eric Fullman, Andrew Jobe, Tyler Jumper, Taylor Kitchens, Charles Martin, Charles Matheny, Alex Rowland and Hunter Willamson. A reception followed at the Lyric in Oxford, where guests were treated to traditional Southern cuisine as well as a Mexican bar – the couple’s favorite. Children enjoyed a candy bar and snow cone station. Guests danced the night away to the Blue Silk Band of Memphis. After a honeymoon in Jamaica, the couple resides in Tupelo.

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

PHOTOGRAPHED BY SCOTT BURTON PHOTOGRAPHY

CATHERINE ALEXANDRA CANNON & KYLE GREGORY FITZGERALD

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

CATHY HSI CHEN & ALEXANDER JOSEPH MULLEN athy Hsi Chen and Alexander Joseph Mullen were married Aug. 15, 2015, at Duling Hall in Jackson. Catherine Ku, friend of the couple, officiated. The couple met at Willie Price Lab School and graduated from Oxford High School in 2010. The bride, 24, is the daughter of Connie Hwang and Duncan Chen of Oxford. She graduated from Princeton University and is cofounder of the nonprofit Read Record Replay, which connects volunteers with kindergarten through third-grade learners via crowd-sourced audiobooks. She is keeping her name. The groom, 24, is the son of Alison and Christopher Mullen of Oxford. He graduated from Johns Hopkins University. He is the current World Memory Champion and holds a Guinness World Record for memorizing 3,029 digits in one hour. Both the bride and groom are second-year medical students at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine. Attending the bride as her maid of honor was her younger sister, Dora Chen. Best man was Andrew Mullen, the groom’s younger brother. Ave Maria was performed by Katherine Kramer, and readings were done by Sam Di and Bradley Isaacs. The ceremony included a traditional tea ceremony to honor the bride’s Taiwanese heritage. Following the ceremony, the bride’s parents hosted a dinner and reception at Duling Hall. Flowers and catering were by Elements Catering and Floral Design, and drinks were by Hal & Mal’s. On the eve of the wedding, the groom’s parents hosted a seated rehearsal dinner at Parlor Market to honor the couple. The ItalianSouthern menu was designed in collaboration with the groom’s mother. The couple reside in Jackson and will be taking a gap year between their second and third years of medical school to pursue projects related to promoting memory techniques in the classroom and for learners of all ages. Their website is mullenmemory.com.

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

PHOTOGRAPHED BY SULLY CLEMMER

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

aniel Dees and Matthew Baning of Pensacola, Florida, were united in marriage Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015, at V. Paul’s event hall in Pensacola. With family and friends in attendance, the couple exchanged vows, with Mr. William Houser officiating. Daniel is the son of Debra and William Dees of Okolona. Matthew is the son of Rendi Abel and William Houser of Laurel, Montana. The grooms wore matching classic gray tailor suits designed by Vera Wang and detailed with matching silver silk ties and white floral boutonnieres. Best men were Kody Hopper and Corey Holt. Best women were Sarah Payne and Lluvia Gonzalez. Groomsmen were Eric Nowicki, Charles Ritzler, John Osborn, Josh Hill, Michael Dees, Scott Dees, Danny Mangan and Jonathan Beebe-Franqui. The reception following the ceremony also took place at V. Paul’s. Details were coordinated by Kelly Rhodes. Music and entertainment were provided by Rodger Martinez. The grooms’ three-tier chocolate wedding cake was designed by Sweet Escapes Bakery. After the ceremony, Daniel and Matthew settled into their beautiful new home in Pensacola, where they began their new life together.

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

PHOTOGRAPHED BY CHASITY DEES

DANIEL DEES & MATTHEW BANING

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

ALEXANDRIA CLAIRE DENTON & DAVID EDWARD HARVICK lexandria Claire Denton of Oxford married David Edward Harvick of Nashville, Tennessee, on Camelback Mountain in Arizona on Dec. 28, 2015. The bride is the daughter of Ms. Jennifer Wren Denton and Mr. Robert Alexander Ball Denton of Oxford and the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Charles William Denton of Marks and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Paul Wren of Sledge. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Mark Harvick of Mesa, Arizona. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Harvalee David Harvick and Mrs. Norma Jo Wright, also of Mesa, and the late Mr. Jack Edward McWhorter of Marion, Illinois. The couple enjoyed an intimate elopement at the Echo Canyon trailhead of Camelback Mountain in Paradise Valley, Arizona. The bride’s father and David’s son, Preston Allen Harvick, served as their witnesses. Attorney Ed Maldonado of Phoenix performed the wedding. The bride wore a handmade cotton Battenburg lace gown with a boat neck and capped sleeve by Rue de Seine. Her flower arrangement, by Butterfly Petals in Mesa, included deep wine peonies, ivory garden roses and accents of yellow ranunculus. Pink mink proteas were included in the arrangement in honor of time the bride spent studying abroad in South Africa. Following the ceremony the couple celebrated with a dinner together at El Chorro and a honeymoon at The Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain. The couple resides in Nashville, where the bride is obtaining a master’s degree in nursing from Vanderbilt University and the groom is a health and wellness coach at Next Level Fitness.

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

43 PHOTOGRAPHED BY VIENNA GLENN PHOTOGRAPHY

REBECCA FRANCES GAINES & KEVIN DALE STEINMAN

ebecca Frances Gaines and Kevin Dale Steinman were united in marriage on Aug. 1, 2015, at 6 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church in Tupelo. The officiating minister was the Rev. James Turner Davis of Oxford. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Keith Gaines of Tupelo. She is the granddaughter of Mrs. Lloyd Joiner Halford and the late Mr. Halford of Meridian and Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Joe Gaines of Tupelo. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Dale Steinman of Tupelo. He is the grandson of Mrs. Roswell Keith Hanlon and the late Mr. Hanlon of Tupelo and the late Mr. and Mrs. Al Steinman of Senatobia. Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore an Allure princess gown with an antique lace bodice and a sheer illusion lace back with covered button closure accented with an exquisite rhinestone belt. Rebecca wore a fingertip veil embellished with antique lace. The bride carried an elegantly gathered bouquet of Romeo and Gwendolyn quartered garden roses and blush Anna Elise tea roses accented with touches of Southern hydrangea. Tied in her bouquet were sentimental treasures such as childhood bar pins, a cross necklace and a handle wrapped with her paternal grandmother’s antique lace handkerchief. The ceremony’s décor, designed by Rosemary Gaines of Jody’s, depicted the bride’s graceful style featuring four architectural columns with abundant compositions of Southern Limelight hydrangeas, white dendrobium orchids and soft blush garden roses on each. As guests arrived, they were greeted by

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

Abigail Miles Wallace of Tupelo; Madeleine Rice Halford and Hannah Allison Halford, both of Madison; and Lucy Margaret Gaines of Nashville, Tennessee. The inside entry table was adorned with coordinating florals and softly lit candles. Elijah Crew Thompson and Everett Wilson Thompson of Oxford greeted guests with programs. Scripture readers were Kristen Caroline Holaday of Louise and Steven Connor Coskery of Birmingham, Alabama. Musicians Matthew Robert Chisolm of Amory, Samuel McBride Gaines of Madison, violinist Svetlana Kaltchenko of Tupelo, vocalist Kara Young of Tupelo and Chloe Robin Sturges of Oxford all set the wedding’s tone of tradition and reverence to God. The bride’s sister, Anna Margaret Gaines, was the maid of honor. The bridesmaids were Mialee Ann Billingsley of Tupelo; Haley Marie Berich of Rochester, Michigan; Emerson Tate Holliman of Tupelo; Katherine Elizabeth Ethridge of Birmingham; Emily Ann Gaines of Jackson; Grace Elizabeth Goza of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Aubrey Elizabeth Rebentisch of Oxford; Mary Larkin Rumbarger of Tupelo; Katherine Elizabeth Steinman of Tupelo; and Stacey Heather Walker of Jackson. Jasmine Christina Steinman was the junior bridesmaid. The bridesmaids wore dusty-blue floor-length dresses and carried freestyle bouquets that fea-

tured collections of Malaya Gem and Pink Lace tea roses accented with soft summer celadon hydrangea blossoms. Flower girl Maggie Ray Yarber of Booneville wore a French hand-sewn dress of white batiste. The groom’s father, Richard Dale Steinman, was best man. Groomsmen were William Terrill Ford of Columbus; Jack Clayton Griffin of Atlanta; Robert Davis House of Jackson; Casey Charles Kreutziger of Atlanta; Tyler Scott Nash and Daniel Arturo Pacheco, both of Tupelo; Max Ryan Schlesinger and Christopher Patrick Scholes, both of Memphis, Tennessee; and Hollis Ryan Smith of Tupelo. The ring bearer, James Isaac Heaton of Oxford, carried the handmade pillow that had been used in the bride’s parents’ wedding. Emmett Jack Thompson and Easton Hassell Thompson of Oxford were Bible bearers. The casual yet elegant reception was held at the historic Goodlett Manor in downtown Tupelo and consisted of a Southern garden setting with garden urns of hydrangeas and roses. Guests arrived for Southern fare catered by Sweet Tea and Biscuits of Tupelo. Wedding guests were entertained with music and dancing by MVP band from Atlanta. Taylor Square Photography captured pictures, with Marilyn Witcher directing. Videography was performed by Rex Harbin.

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

45 PHOTOGRAPHED BY TAYLOR SQUARE PHOTOGRAPHY

Historic Downtown Tupelo 662.842.6453 • Mall at Barnes Crossing 662.842.5287 • reedsms.com

Historic Downtown Tupelo 662.842.6453 Mall at Barnes Crossing 662.842.5287 reedsms.com

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

LESLIE BETHANY HAHN & DAVID BARTON SMITH II

ec. 19, 2015, was the perfect day to begin a life together. Leslie Bethany Hahn and David Barton Smith II, both of Oxford, exchanged wedding vows before a host of family and friends gathered in the Oxford-University United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Thomas Edwin Rester officiating. Parents of the couple are Mr. and Mrs. James Waymon Hahn of Oxford and Germantown, Tennessee, and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Brent Smith of Oxford. Standing with the bride were maid of honor Arabella Ghanem-Navarro of Valencia, Spain, and matron of honor Frances Hale Pruett of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Bridesmaids were sister of the groom Aynslee Alexander Smith of Oxford; Meagan Marie Parker of

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

Charlotte, North Carolina; Katherine Evans Caldwell of Decatur, Alabama; Rachel Sollie Cater of Mountain Brook, Alabama; and Emily Hart Gilmore of Oxford. Adding a very special touch were precious flower girls Haney Evelyn Harris of Memphis, Tennessee; Nancy Carole Notestone of Oxford; and Olivia Grace Stanley of Birmingham, Alabama. The bride wore an ivory lace fitted gown with flowing train, completed by a lace-edged ivory silk tulle cathedral-length veil. She carried a bouquet of ivory roses. The bridesmaids wore black gowns and also carried ivory rose bouquets. The best man was the groomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s father. Groomsmen included the brideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brother James Lawson Hahn of Germantown; Philip

PHOTOGRAPHED BY ELIZA KENNARD PHOTOGRAPHY

Paul Gould Jr., Sean Embry Gould and Austin Keith Provence of Memphis; William Lee Crim Jr. and Robert Balie Crim of Jackson; Skipper Alexander Boatwright of Allston, Massachusetts; Steven Zachary Boatwright of Millington, Tennessee; and William Lyon Chadwick Jr. of Nashville. Junior groomsmen and scripture readers were Christopher Robert Hahn and Thomas Lawrence Hahn of Columbia. William King Notestone and William Brown Turner of Oxford served as crucifer and acolyte, respectively. Anita Flaherty Ludlow provided a beautiful program of organ music, with John C. Schusselin accompanying her on trumpet. Guests were welcomed to a reception by the bride’s parents at the Inn at Ole Miss through doors flanked by massive silver candelabras accented with flowers. An elegant ivory and gold theme was carried out in the Gertrude C. Ford Ballroom, with gorgeous floral designs of ivory roses, hydrangeas, peonies and lighted branches created by Ashley Jordan-Hill of Twisted Twig. Christine Wallace directed the reception, where the Legendary Icebreakers of Memphis entertained guests with music for dancing. The groom’s parents honored the bride, groom, wedding party, family and friends at a rehearsal dinner the evening before the wedding at City Grocery on Oxford’s Square. David Naron of Oxford Floral created stunning floral designs of white orchids. A handmade monogrammed and beaded banner designed by artist Debbie Bernet was displayed behind the bride and groom’s table. All wedding events were photographed by Liz Evans of Eliza Kennard Photography. After a honeymoon in Turks and Caicos, the couple resides in Oxford. The bride, who earned an undergraduate degree at the University of Alabama and a Juris Doctorate from the Mississippi College School of Law, is with Turner Law Firm. The groom, who holds two degrees from the University of Mississippi, is with Chaney’s Pharmacy, his family’s business, and completing a Doctor of Pharmacy degree at Lipscomb University in Nashville. June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

PHOTOGRAPHED BY TAYLOR SQUARE PHOTOGRAPHY

MEAGAN HILL & SEAN FARRELL

eagan Hill and Sean Farrell were united in marriage at 6 p.m. on Dec. 19, 2015, in Paris-Yates Chapel on the University of Mississippi campus. The bride is the daughter of Brian and Debbie Hill of Hernando. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Hill of Southaven, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Austin of Hernando, and Mr. and Mrs. Gary Duncan of Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas. The groom is the son of Mike and Alise Farrell of Olive Branch. He is the grandson of Dr. Fred Grogan and the late Mrs. Nancy Grogan of Germantown, Tennessee, and the

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

late Col. and Mrs. Fred Farrell of Memphis, Tennessee. Escorted by her father, the bride wore an Allure couture gown of lace and stones. A pinecone was placed in her bouquet to honor the memory of holiday decorating with her greatgrandmother. She wore a blue stone brooch that belonged to her great-great-grandmother as her “something blue.” Bridesmaids carried a smaller version of the bride’s bouquet without a pinecone. Lexie Hill, sister of the bride, served as maid of honor. Sister of the groom Rachel Farrell served as a bridesmaid along with Morgan Wiggs, Britni

Riley, Brittani Acuff, Kari Anna Adams, Sarah Provence, Hannah Hill, Sara Stacy, Caroline Stanfield, Parker Camp and Danielle Autry. Josh Farrell, brother of the groom, served as best man. Groomsmen were Shane Autry, Steele Dehmer, Blake Hajek, Taylor Harvey, Chris Hayes, Ryan Johnston, Connell Knight, Mark Provence and Chris White. Following the ceremony, the bride’s parents hosted a reception at Castle Hill, where guests enjoyed the music of the 12 South Band. On the eve of the wedding, the groom’s parents honored the couple with a rehearsal dinner at Woodson Ridge Farms.

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

organ Meredith Jackson and Kevin Andrew Williams were united in marriage at 6 p.m. on Oct. 3, 2015, at First United Methodist Church in Corinth. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Roger Shock. The bride is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. William Gilbert Jackson of Corinth. She is the granddaughter of Mrs. Patty Hilton Jackson and the late Mr. Walter Clifford Jackson of Walnut, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Thomas Christian of Clinton. The bridegroom is the son of Ms. Vicki Diane Vanderford and Mr. and Mrs. Michael Eugene Williams, all of Corinth. He is the grandson of Mrs. Betty June Vanderford and the late Mr. Jessie L. Vanderford, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Edward Williams, all of Corinth. Attending as matron of honor was Candace Marlar, and maid of honor was Lindsey Jackson. Bridesmaids included Sara Beth Alexander, Laura Kate Carmichael, Ginger Evans, Whitney Greer, Laney Hudson, Amy Madjlesi, Alison McFall, Andrea Smith, Kathleen Sullivan and Anna Kathryn Williams. Michael Williams, father of the bridegroom, served as best man. The groomsmen included Scott Fleming, Corey Hastings, Andrew Jones, Christopher Lucius, Jared Mothershed, Jeremy Owens, Benjamin Phillips, Grant Roberts and Jordan Wren. A selection of ceremonial music was presented by Sara Ellington on the church’s pipe organ and by harpist Cindy Mathis. Vocalists were Kallen Esperian and Chad Dickerson. A reception was held at Franklin Courtyard, catered by Rob Lesley/Romie’s Grocery of Tupelo. Guests were entertained by Doctor Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monster. As wedding guests held up sparklers, the couple departed in a 1936 Auburn owned by the bride’s father. On the eve of the wedding, the bridegroom’s parents honored the couple with a rehearsal dinner at Franklin Courtyard. After a honeymoon trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, the couple resides in Corinth.

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

PHOTOGRAPHED BY TEE RAGE PHOTOGRAPHY

MORGAN MEREDITH JACKSON & KEVIN ANDREW WILLIAMS

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

PHOTOGRAPHED BY TAYLOR SQUARE PHOTOGRAPHY

KAYLA ANN JONES & QUITMAN BRENT BAXTER

ayla Ann Jones and Quitman Brent Baxter were married in front of family and friends on May 23, 2015, at First Baptist Church in Tupelo. The couple’s faith and love for music were exemplified during the ceremony with Randy Wood and Amelia Ward on piano and violin. Juana and Calvin Ellis also performed two beautiful music arrangements. The bride is the daughter of Michael Jones of Oxford and Shelley Gaggini of Ridgeland. The groom is the son of Rebecca and Jimmy Baxter of Tupelo. Kayla wore a Maggie Sottero dress with a beaded belt and veil. Susan’s Flowers and Gifts of Baldwyn put together many arrangements of pink and white peonies, garden roses and hydrangeas for the wedding. The bride’s older sister, Lora Claire Dickerson, served as matron of honor, and her younger sister, Amanda Jones, was her maid of honor. Kayla was also accompanied by 10 other beautiful bridesmaids, who all wore champagne beaded silk dresses and crystal hanging earrings. The best man was the groom’s father, Jimmy Baxter. Quitman was also accompanied by his two brothers, Bo and Ben Baxter, and

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

nine other groomsmen. The men wore slimfitting navy suits with champagne ties. The reception was held at the Antler of Tupelo, where the couple and their guests celebrated until midnight with food and entertainment. A soul band, The Gary Goin Group, from Resource Entertainment Group of Memphis, Tennessee, provided the music. Food was provided by MMI Hospitality Group in Jackson, and rentals and coordinating were provided by Busylad Rent-All of Tupelo. The

entire event was beautifully captured by Taylor Square Photography of Oxford. Perfect summer weather, pink peonies, farm chairs, blush silk linens, tall ivory columns and drapery, a taco bar, signature drinks, soul music and the 6-foot cupcake tower were all part of the bride and groom’s dreams come true. The couple honeymooned in Montego Bay, Jamaica, at Secrets Wild Orchid Resort, for seven days and nights. They now reside in Tupelo.

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

ALLISON ELIZABETH McCARVER & BEN GRIFFIN LONG

llison Elizabeth McCarver and Ben Griffin Long were united in marriage at 4 p.m. on Oct. 31, 2015, at First Baptist Church in Brandon. Dr. Kevin Cooper officiated the ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tommy McCarver of Brandon. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Cox of Philadelphia and the late Mr. and Mrs Bill McCarver of Tupelo. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Randall Long of Corinth. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. David M. Palmer III, the late Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Erst Long Jr., and Grizelda Green Palmer, all of Corinth.

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

Presented in marriage by her father, the bride’s Liancarlo gown was made of reembroidered Alençon lace and was fashioned with a molded bateau necklace. With her gown, she wore the mother of the groom’s cathedral-length veil. Allison walked down the aisle carrying a classic bouquet of white scabiosa, lisianthus, hydrangeas and creamy white ranunculus. Her bouquet was tied with a piece of lace from her mother’s wedding gown. Attending the bride as matron and maid of honor were the bride’s sisters Kayla Bryant and Bailey McCarver. Bridesmaids were Laura Kate Carmichiel, Shelby Lenarz, Meagan

PHOTOGRAPHED BY KATELYN WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY

Anthony, Maidee Parker Campbell, Samantha Pettus, Lindsay Hardin, Lindsey Thompson, Meg Gazzini, Katie Thornton, Olivia Willson, Taylor Torrence, Caroline Beach, Fenly Davis and Anne Eastland Richardson. The attendants wore off-the-shoulder dresses of navy chiffon and carried a smaller version of the bride’s bouquet. Mary Page Davis served as the bride’s proxy, and the flower girls were Sadie Bramlett, Katherine Carmichiel and Madeleine Wylie. Randall Long, father of the groom, served as best man. Groomsmen were Sumner Abraham, Mikey Arceo, Bryson Avent, Chris Brantley, Clark Carmichiel, Colby Carmichiel, Alex Hood, John James, Giles Langston, David Palmer III, David Palmer, Logan Rush, Francis Stanley, Pat Steelman, Charles Woods, and Hayden Worsham. Ushers were Sam Abbas, Turner Brown, Stephen Bryant, Palmer Houchins and Bob House. Serving as ring bearer was Griffin Carmichiel. The nuptial music was presented by pianist Karen May, pianist and vocalist Luke West, vocalists and guitarists Peyton and Bernie Hutchinson, and violinist McGinty Chilcut. Directing the wedding and reception were Cindy Sephton, Megan Wylie and Meredith Akers with Stella and Company. Following the ceremony, the bride’s parents hosted a reception at the Mississippi Museum of Art, where the guests danced to music by High Frequency. On the eve of the wedding, the groom’s parents hosted a rehearsal dinner at the South Warehouse. Following the dinner, the groom’s aunts and uncles hosted a post-toast party, where the wedding party, family and friends danced to the music of the band D-Play. Following a honeymoon to Riviera Maya, Mexico, the couple resides in Jackson, where the groom will graduate in May 2016 from the University of Mississippi Medical Center. In June, they will relocate to Charleston, South Carolina, where the groom will begin a three-year residency in internal medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina. June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

helby Rose McKeown of Potts Camp and Forrest Colton McCalmon of Ripley were united in marriage on Aug. 15, 2015, in a ceremony surrounded by family and friends at Crazy K Ranch in Michie, Tennessee. The ceremony was performed by the Bro. Stevie Cohea. The bride is the daughter of John and Patricia McKeown of Potts Camp. She is the granddaughter of Della Pitts and the late Thomas Pitts of Waterford and the late Tyndle and Pernie McKeown of Memphis, Tennessee. The groom is the son of David McCalmon of Ripley and Marcia McCalmon of Blue Mountain. He is the grandson of the late Neil and Starlette Yancey of Ripley, Marge Locke of St. Charles, Missouri, and the late Boyce McCalmon of Farmington, Missouri. Escorted by her father, the bride wore an organza, custom-designed gown with a ruched bodice and a sweetheart neckline. The gown included embellished beading around the waist, a chapel-length train and a ruffled ball gown skirt. Stitched inside the dress was her great-great-grandmother’s handkerchief that had been passed down to three generations of brides. The bouquet was made of an assortment of white flowers. Hair and makeup were by Avery Hill. The ceremony’s venue was decorated in a romantic, rustic feel with lace and touches of mint green throughout. Everything was illuminated with twinkling lights overhead. Vows were exchanged in front of an 8-foot arbor built by the bride’s father for the couple’s special day and draped with burlap and greenery. All flowers were provided by House of Flowers in Ripley. Kendall Eaves of Bluffton, South Carolina, served as maid of honor. Bridesmaids included the bride’s older sister Amanda McKeown of Tupelo; her younger sister Lacey McKeown of Potts Camp; and four of her closest friends, Jennifer Eaves of West Union, Kristen Curl of Byhalia, Joni Carpenter of West Union, and Samantha Cohea of Ripley. The flower girls included the couple’s daughter, Olivia McCalmon, and the bride’s nieces, Rahni

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

PHOTOGRAPHED BY ASHLEY WILBURN PHOTOGRAPHY

SHELBY ROSE McKEOWN & FORREST COLTON McCALMON

McKeown and Reigan Nanney. Tyler Cohea of Ripley served as best man. Groomsmen included the groom’s uncle, Stan Yancey of Dumas, and Brian Byrd, Brice Cohea, Zach Smith and Toderick Colom, all from Ripley. Following the ceremony, the reception featured Southern classics like shrimp and grits catered by Tallahatchie Gourmet in New Albany. The three-tiered vanilla wedding cake by Creative Cakes of Tupelo sat on a whiskey barrel top engraved with the couple’s last name, which was received as a wedding gift. The

groom’s table had his favorite caramel cakes from Westside Bar-B-Que in New Albany sitting atop three tiered logs. The couple and guests danced to music provided by DJ Joey Gasaway. The special day was captured by Ashley Wilburn Photography. The newlyweds reside in Ripley, where Forrest is a supervisor at Blue Mountain Production in Blue Mountain and Shelby is a dental assistant at The Family Dental Clinic in Ripley, as well as a student at Northeast Mississippi Community College pursuing a degree in dental hygiene.

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

hristy Dawn Morgan and Patrick Davis McGreger were united in marriage at 10 a.m. on Nov. 7, 2015, at Oak Grove Chapel in New Albany. The Rev. Jesse Hisaw performed the ceremony. Musicians Thelton Vanderford (guitar, banjo) and Jesse Hisaw (piano) provided music. Tanya Morgan, sister-in-law of the bride, sang How Beautiful and Bless the Broken Road. The bride is the daughter of Jimmy and Judy Morgan and the granddaughter of Katie Morgan of Booneville. The groom is the son of George and Jan McGreger of Booneville. Attending the bride as man of honor was her brother, Joby Morgan. Serving as best man was the groom’s son, Davis McGreger. The usher was Todd Morgan. Escorted by her father, the bride wore an ivory lace gown with a chapel train. For pictures, she also wore her mother’s wedding dress made in 1970 by her grandmother, Katie Morgan. She carried an ivory and green bouquet. The groom wore a charcoal gray suit with a silver tie. A three-tier wedding cake was made by Wanda Crowe of New Site. The photographer was Amanda Holt of Belmont. The wedding cross was built by Jimmy Morgan and Don Boren. It was covered in flowers by Susan’s Flowers and Gifts of Baldwyn. Following the ceremony, cupcakes were provided by Rosie’s bakery of Tupelo. The happy couple departed in a red convertible Volkswagen inherited from the bride’s late grandfather, George Starling. Following a honeymoon in Amicalola Falls State Park in Georgia, the couple resides near Guntown.

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

PHOTOGRAPHED BY AMANDA HOLT PHOTOGRAPHY

CHRISTY DAWN MORGAN & PATRICK DAVIS McGREGER

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

ayusa “Nay” Nikuma and Taichi Omori were united in marriage on April 16, 2016, at the Powerhouse in Oxford. The bride knew nothing about planning a wedding, but with help from her best friend, Laura, she ended up planning two. Nay and Taichi had an intimate ceremony last December followed by another in April. The couple was able to have a nontraditional-style wedding for the first – the bride wore a black Alexis dress, and Laura officiated the ceremony on the balcony of Square Books. Photographs were taken by Faison Anne Photography, and the bouquets were arranged by Oxford Floral. Their spring wedding was more tradi tional. Guests came from three countries and seven states. Every little thing had a personal touch to it: The cupcake tower was handmade by the father of the bride, the arbor where the couple exchanged vows was built by Laura’s father and the majority of the décor was crafted by the mother of the bride. Dr. Bill Staton, who has known the bride since she was 8 years old, officiated the ceremony. The flower arrangements were provided by Blossoms Florist in Batesville. The reception was held at Tribecca Allie Café in Sardis, owned by Rebecca Van Oostendorp, the bride’s dear friend and former

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

PHOTOGRAPHED BY FAISON ANNE PHOTOGRAPHY AND DANNY K PHOTOGRAPHY

NAYUSA “NAY” NIKUMA & TAICHI OMORI

swim coach. Aside from fantastic pizza and appetizers, Mrs. Oostendorp impressed the guests by making an outstanding croquembouche

instead of a traditional wedding cake. Everyone left with their hearts and bellies full. The event was captured by Danny K Photography.

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

PHOTOGRAPHED BY PABLO CORONA PHOTOGRAPHY

MICHAEL EDEN RANEY & MYRA MELISSA TAYLOR

isses Michael Eden Raney and Myra Melissa Taylor were joyfully united in marriage on Oct. 17, 2015, heralded by perfect autumn weather and surrounded by family, friends and neighbors. The ceremony was officiated by family friend Thomas Howorth in front of Michael’s family home in Lafayette County, under the sweeping branches of an old oak tree. Michael is the daughter of Linda Lewis Raney and Hollaman (Holly) Raney of Oxford. Melissa is the daughter of Kathy Goodgame Taylor and Stewart Taylor of Watertown, Massachusetts. Both brides graduated from Hendrix College in 2008. Escorted by her father, Michael wore a custom knee-length, vintage-inspired ivory taffeta dress with beaded detailing at the bodice. She wore an emerald green, cutaway coatdress as a cover from the crisp fall evening. She carried a bouquet composed of a loose, Southern garden mixture of light pink roses with natural accents and trailing greenery. Melissa wore a strapless ivory A-line gown with a delicate lace overlay designed by Venus Bridal. She was escorted by her father and carried a nosegay of dark red and light pink roses with

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

wisps of yellow, green and white accents. McKenna Raney of Oxford served as the sister of honor. The brides’ dear friend, Jane Elspeth Wallace of Ruston, Louisiana, served as the maid of honor. Both honorees wore matching floral blue-and-white tea-length dresses from Modcloth, styled to suit their personalities. The role of flower girl was enthusiastically performed by Anne Douglas Enlow of Oxford. Nicholas Taylor served as the best man and was accompanied by Michael’s nephews, Max and Jay Pabin of Lucas, Texas, who both were junior best men. The best men wore gray suits with vests and an eclectic mix of blue bow ties. The delicious buffet dinner reception was

held in the beautiful Nests Wedding Barn, adjacent to the Raney home. Guests enjoyed games, dancing and roasting s’mores on the Southview porch and lawn. It was a celebration of love and devotion and fully exemplified the fun-loving spirits of the brides. The wonderful event was only possible due to the support of the brides’ loving families. The brides could not be more thankful for their families as they begin their married life together. Michael teaches third grade at REAL Learning Academy, and Melissa is employed as a research consultant by Zeihan Geopolitics. They live in Austin, Texas, with their three adorable cats.

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

WHITNEY ELISE SMITH & MATTHEW LARRIGAN TURNER

hitney Elise Smith and Matthew Larrigan Turner said their “I do’s” on the evening of Aug. 1, 2015, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Oxford. The Rev. Kyle Bennett of Marco Island, Florida, performed the ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Barry Ross Smith of Oxford. She is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Doc Knight and the late Mr. and Mrs. Ashford Smith, all of Oxford. The groom is the son of Mrs. Kathy Turner and the late Mr. George Turner of St. Louis, Missouri. He is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Walter Wismar and the late Mr. and Mrs. George Turner. Escorted by her daddy, the bride wore a vintage-inspired, sage-green long laced gown with organza that tied around her neck and flowed down her back. Her headpiece, a two-tiered vintage veil with flowers, was also worn by her mom in 1969. She wore her grandmother’s necklace from the 1950s. The bride’s bouquet was white hydrangeas, ecru

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

and pale pink Sofia roses, ivy, garden ferns and rosemary tied with lace and pearls, attached with a vintage brooch. Bridesmaids wore sequined 1920sinspired short dresses and shoes. The bride changed into a short version of her wedding dress for the reception. Her mom also changed into a shorter dress for dancing. The bride and bridal party all wore headdresses and gold flipflop sandals. Angela Hinton served as matron of honor. Cheryl Cannon, Amie Ezell, Laura Turner, Laura Ivins, Miriam Wicker, Mary Martha Crowe, Amanda Whitehorn and Ellie Hinton served as bridesmaids. Serving as the best man was the groom’s brother, Peter Turner. Groomsmen were Wesley Smith, Zander Turner, Steve Turner, Steve Hinton, Mark Shoemake, Walker Hunsicker and Ben Hinton. The groomsmen wore khaki pants, white button-down shirts and suspenders. The groom wore a custom suit of khaki plaid with green accents to match the bride’s dress.

When entering through the garlandtrimmed doors of the church, the love was palpable. The wedding was directed by Julie Wilson. The music at the ceremony was performed by Steve Taranto and Lisa Scott. White hydrangeas and pink roses accented the church. The couple’s wedding story was photographed by Pablo Corona Photography. Whitney and Matt left the ceremony in a black 1957 Chevy convertible driven by Michael Joe Cannon. They entered a long, winding driveway of beautifully lit trees to meet their guests at the home of Steve and Angela Hinton. The evening was full of bright lights, bundles of flowers, and gold- and silver-trimmed trays of food catered by My Michelle’s. Glitz and glam surrounded the guests throughout the reception while the bride and groom enjoyed dancing with them around the brightly lit pool. The couple tossed the bouquet and garter from the roof and ran through a sparkler-lit runway. The couple honeymooned in New Orleans and resides in Oxford.

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

69 PHOTOGRAPHED BY PABLO CORONA PHOTOGRAPHY

ary Lee Ward and William Blake Henderson were married on Oct. 31, 2015, at Foxfire Ranch in Waterford. Mary Lee is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Cooksey of Pontotoc and the late Mr. Steven G. Ward of Tupelo. Blake is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Larry Finn of Springfield, Missouri, and Mr. Charles Henderson of Oxford. The bride, given in marriage by her family and escorted by her brother the Rev. Pat Ward, entered through antique doors from her greatgrandparents’ home that were decorated with grapevine wreaths and pheasant feathers from her grandfather’s hunting trips. Mary Lee chose an ivory strapless chiffon wedding gown with beaded lace detail. A crystal beaded headband and cowboy boots completed her attire. Her bouquet, wrapped in her grandfather’s tie, included roses, sunflowers and pompons. Attendants were Sarah Ward, Melissa Grace, Charles Henderson, Brantney Cox, and Sawyer and Noah Ward. Music selections were performed by Rex Ragland on the harmonica in memory of the bride’s father and by soloist David Vicchiollo. The ceremony was performed by Wayne Lawrence, the bride’s uncle, and Rev. Ward. Scripture was read from the bride’s grandparents’ Bible. Following the ceremony, a reception was held at Foxfire Ranch. The couple’s favorite foods were served. The square buttercream wedding cake by Kelli’s Cakes was decorated with sunflowers. Chocolate and strawberry cobblers were the groom’s desserts. Cookies shaped like shotgun shells, Labradors, ducks and footballs were featured on an Ole Missthemed table. Reception music was provided by DJ King Kova. A rehearsal dinner hosted by the groom’s parents was held at Downtown Abbe in Abbeville. The couple left under fireworks for a honeymoon in Jamaica. They reside in Oxford.

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

PHOTOGRAPHED BY FAITH RILEY PHOTOGRAPHY

MARY LEE WARD & WILLIAM BLAKE HENDERSON

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

PHOTOGRAPHED BY TWICE THE FOCUS PHOTOGRAPHY

VICTORIA DENIECE WILLIAMS & ROBERT BLAKE CHRISTIAN

ictoria Deniece Williams and Robert Blake Christian were united in marriage on April 11, 2015, at Goodlett Manor in Tupelo. The ceremony was officiated by Jerry Grammer. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Williams of Fulton. She is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Rex Williams of Thaxton and the late Mr. and Mrs. Doyce Britt of Pontotoc. The groom is the son of Mr. Marty Christian and the late Mrs. Dawn Christian of Fulton. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Willingham of Ruleville and the late Mr. and Mrs. Trelvie Christian of Fulton. Given in marriage by her parents and escorted by her father, the bride wore an ivory satin, corset-style ball gown with a chapellength train. The strapless bodice was covered in Swarovski crystals with pewter embellish-

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

ments and flowed down into a pickup skirt with beading tucked between each gather. The ivory fingertip veil featured crystals with an embroidery design. The bride’s new initials were monogrammed in turquoise blue on the inside of the skirt of her gown. She wore a diamond pendant necklace that once belonged to the groom’s late mother and a trinity ring given to the bride by her mother. The bride carried a bouquet of white roses and hydrangeas tied together by satin ribbon and adorned with a turquoise brooch that once belonged to her grandmother. The flowers were provided by Emily Roberts Forman of MODA. The wedding coordinator was Carla Weaver. The music coordinator was Bob Gilliland. A reception followed at Goodlett Manor with a theme of Ole Miss tailgating. The reception area was decorated with mason jars of cotton and hydrangeas, Ole Miss memorabilia,

and a print from Hi Yall! Made In The South. A painting of the bride’s dress and an initial “C” sign were provided by The Snooty Owl. Guests dined on a tailgating spread catered by Bar-B-Q by Jim. The three-tier white wedding cake was adorned with chocolate strawberries decorated as bride, groom, and footballs and topped with an Ole Miss football helmet. The groom’s chocolate cake was a replica of his college baseball jersey covered in red fondant. The cakes were decorated by Creative Cakes. Wedding favor cookies decorated with “Hotty Toddy” were provided by Sweet Treats Bakery. In Focus Video Productions and Twice the Focus Photography captured memories of the day. The bride and groom departed to the playing of the Ole Miss fight song with guests waving red and blue pom-poms, a nod to the couple’s alma mater. Following a honeymoon in Hawaii, they reside in Fulton.

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

PHOTOGRAPHED BY ELIZA KENNARD PHOTOGRAPHY

ALLIE KAITLYN WINTERS & BRET DEAN CARROLL

llie Kaitlyn Winters and Bret Dean Carroll were united in marriage at 5:30 p.m. on April 9, 2016, at Rowan Oak, the home of William Faulkner, in Oxford. Mr. Randy Parrish performed the double-ring ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Anthony Winters of Corinth. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ransom Clinton Roland of Corinth, Mrs. Linda Kate Winters of Corinth and the late Mr. Bedford Edgar Winters of Corinth. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Thomas Carroll. He is the grandson of the late Mr. Hershel Allen Carroll of Counce, Tennessee; Mrs. Annie Marie Carroll of Counce; Mr. Hollis Dean Sparks of Belmont; and Mrs. Peggy Joy Sparks of Belmont. Given in marriage by her parents and escorted by her father, the bride wore a Hayley Paige white ivory strapless ball gown. The gown featured a silk radzimir crossover bodice with a full tulle skirt. The natural-waist ball gown was accented with horsehair flounces and a chapel

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

train. The bride’s white ivory chapel-length veil featured horsehair flounces to highlight the gown. The bride’s jewelry included Carey earrings in suspended ivory pearl by Kendra Scott, the Cable Classic Bracelet with pearl and 14-karat gold by David Yurman, and her solitaire diamond engagement ring in 14-karat white gold. Her bouquet of white peonies, white Virginia roses and white hydrangeas was hand-tied with ivory satin ribbon. Attending the bride as her maid of honor was Rachel Caroline Winters of Corinth. Bridesmaids were Lauren Briscoe, Brittany McAfee and Heidi Robbin. Bridesmaids wore midnightnavy, floor-length, strapless gazar dresses with a pleated cuff neckline and seamed trumpet skirt. They carried bouquets of hydrangeas, roses and magnolia leaves tied with ivory satin ribbon. Also attending the bride was Kathryn Mason. Serving as best man was Bart Carroll, brother of the groom. The groomsmen were David Carroll, cousin of the groom; Ty Jones; and David Rickman.

Following the ceremony, the bride’s parents hosted a reception at the Graduate Oxford, where guests dined. The bride’s cake featured peonies, hydrangeas and roses between tiers. The groom’s cake was a marbled chocolate cake with a chocolate ganache drizzle accented with chocolate-covered strawberries. Both cakes were designed and created by Lisa Overby. Brittni’s Florist created handmade floral arrangements featured at the ceremony and reception. As the night concluded, the couple departed in a 1959 Rolls-Royce after being sent off with sparklers held by their friends and family. The day and night were captured in photography by Elizabeth Evans of Eliza Kennard Photography and videography by Matthew Lynn Productions. On the eve of the wedding, the groom’s parents hosted a rehearsal dinner in honor of the couple at the Oxford University Club. After honeymooning in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, the couple resides in Tupelo.

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

MEGAN HOPE WOODRUFF & JOHN AUSTIN PRATHER egan Hope Woodruff of Tupelo and John Austin Prather of Guntown were united in marriage on March 19, 2016, in a ceremony at West Jackson Street Baptist Church in Tupelo. The Rev. Keith Cochran performed the ceremony. Musician Aaron Lyons provided music, and Anne Cockrell served as the coordinator. The bride is the daughter of Molly and Hilry Woodruff of Tupelo. She is the granddaughter of Mrs. Frances Owen and the late Mr. Charles Owen of Corinth and the late Mr. and Mrs. Hilry Woodruff Sr. of Louisville. The groom is the son of Mitzie and Frank Prather of Guntown. He is the grandson of Mrs. Evelyn Bryan and the late Mr. Baremore “Lefty” Bryan of Guntown, and the late Mr. and Mrs. William Prather, also of Guntown. Escorted and given in marriage by her father, the bride wore an A-line, chapel-train dress with a sweetheart neckline and a one-tier, fingertip-length veil. The chiffon dress featured lace appliqués and a crystal beaded belt. She wore a crystal bracelet that belonged to her aunt and used her grandmother’s Bible as the ring carrier. The bride carried a bouquet of red roses. The matron of honor was Beth Kelly, and the maid of honor was Leigh Ayers. The bridesmaids were Margaret Collins and Aubrey Seay. The junior bridesmaid was Sidney Kelly, and the flower girls were Reagan Johnson, Ava Jones and Callie Pate Jones. Kristy Raby registered guests. Groomsmen were Ben Prather, Brayden Smith, Jacob Charlwood and Jeffrey Kelly. The best man was Frank Prather. The ring bearer was Rett Johnson. A reception followed at West Jackson Street Baptist Church, with a buffet prepared by Special Occasions by Sandra. After a honeymoon in the Caribbean, the couple resides in the Oakland, Tennessee, area. The bride is an assistant branch manager at Renasant Bank of Olive Branch, and the groom is a tax analyst for FedEx in Memphis, Tennessee.

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

79 PHOTOGRAPHED BY AARON ADAMS OF ICON PHOTOGRAPHY

iss Julie Kathryn Wurth and Mr. Joshua Chase Mahan were united in holy matrimony at 6 p.m. on June 20, 2015, at St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church in the presence of God and surrounded by friends and family, with the Rev. Bill Barksdale officiating. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Wurth of Oxford. She is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Charles Davis and the late Mr. and Mrs. Conley Wurth. The bride’s great-aunt, Maxine Karr, served as honorary grandmother. The groom is the son of Ms. Vicki Mahan and Mr. Larry Mahan of Oxford. He is the grandson of Mrs. Betty Mahan, the late Mr. Virgil Mahan, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Donald Clark. Charity, Aubrey and Mary Elizabeth Ragsdale served as program attendants. Shayna Davis served as the bridal book attendant. Organist Gaye Calhoun and flutist Rebecca Hancock performed the musical arrangements. Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a gown of beaded lace appliqués and Chantilly lace appliqués on tulle over satin, with a lace bateau neckline that tapered to heavily beaded spaghetti straps attached to a plunging back. The natural waist was accented with delicate beading. The trumpet skirt featured beaded lace appliqués cascading down to the scalloped beaded hem. Her Chantilly lace, cathedral-length veil was lovingly handcrafted by her grandmother, the late Mrs. Marjorie Davis, and was also worn by the bride’s mother. The bride wore a pearl bracelet, pearl earrings and a veil comb borrowed from the matron of honor. She carried a bouquet of hydrangeas and garden roses. Robyn Trammell attended as matron of honor. Bridesmaids were Julie Alexander Wurth, April Stratton, Karis Buchanan and Ginny Gully. They wore floor-length gowns in flowing royal blue chiffon and carried bouquets of hydrangeas and garden roses. Flower girls were Vivienne Buglewicz and Zoey Trammell. The bride’s aunt, Elizabeth Hawkins, sewed their white tea-length gowns

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

PHOTOGRAPHED BY PABLO CORONA PHOTOGRAPHY

JULIE KATHRYN WURTH & JOSHUA CHASE MAHAN

and royal blue sashes. Larry Mahan served as best man. Groomsmen were Brandon Mahan, Dustin Lambert, Charlie Maharrey and Lance Lee. Ushers were Brad and Scott Wurth, Jay Hawkins, and Chase and Matt Waller. They wore traditional black tuxedos with black Windsor ties and vests and white rose boutonnieres. During the ceremony, Amanda Ragsdale read scriptures, and Dr. and Mrs. Bradley

Robinson performed musical solos. Malinda Buglewicz served as wedding coordinator. Natalie Hodges of Mimosa’s arranged the flowers. Pablo Corona Photography captured the special moments. Following the ceremony, the parents of the bride hosted a courtyard reception at the Barksdale-Isom House. Cindy Belcher prepared delicious Southern cuisine; the bride’s cake, a multitiered creation adorned with

flowers; and the groom’s cake, artfully decorated with a hunter theme. Tyson Phillips provided the musical entertainment. On the eve of the wedding, the groom’s parents honored the couple with a dinner at the Oxford-University Club. After honeymooning in the British Virgin Islands, the couple resides in Oxford, where the bride is a registered nurse at Baptist Memorial Hospital and the groom is self-employed. June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

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June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

PHOTOGRAPHED BY BRANDALL ATKINSON PHOTOGRAPHY

BRITTON FRANCES YERGER & JEREMY ROYCE VAUGHN

ritton Frances Yerger and Jeremy Royce Vaughn were united in marriage at 6:30 p.m. on June 27, 2015, at the Chapel of the Cross in Madison. The Rev. Ben Robertson officiated the double-ring ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Yerger of Madison. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Braswell and Dr. and Mrs. Buford Yerger. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Lyle of Jackson and Mr. Raymond Vaughn of Madison. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lariccia and the late Mrs. Jean Sciple, as well as Mr. and Mrs. Donald Vaughn and Mrs. Willie Clyde Vaughn. Escorted by her father, the bride wore a designer gown of ivory Venise lace and English net. The slim-fit design featured a halter neckline with sheer lace and scalloped edging continuing to the back and sweeping into a chapel train. The bride carried a cascading English garden bouquet accented with lace from her mother’s wedding dress and a sapphire brooch from her great-grandmother. Attending the bride was maid of honor Kathryn Cooper. Bridesmaids were Jenna Cialone, Nicole Ray, Tyler Soper, Caroline Yerger and Kathryn Yerger. The bridesmaids’ dresses were Chantilly chiffon and featured a

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

crystal and pearl beaded keyhole neckline with a soft A-line skirt. The bridesmaids carried hand-tied organic bouquets of roses, dusty miller and jasmine. Flower girls were Lucy and Meryl Cochran. The girls wore ivory organza tea-length dresses accented with organza petals floating in the hemline. John Lyle served as best man. Groomsmen were William Bunting Jr., Brad Chunn, Daniel Sparks, Jay Walker and Bennett Yerger, with ring bearer Nash Cochran. Scripture readers were Bailey Braswell Jr. and John Yerger, and Bennett Yerger led the Prayers of the People. The church was adorned with roses, hydrangeas, Queen Anne’s lace and trailing vines arranged by the chapel’s Flower Guild. Flowers also spilled from the baptismal font, in which eight generations of the bride’s family have been baptized. The wedding reception was held at The Stables at Providence Hill Farm. The central hub was decorated with moss-covered boughs hung with a myriad of glass candle bubbles around a central table with a dramatic floral arrangement. The bride’s cake of alternating layers was displayed under a wrought-iron trellis draped with swags of greenery gathered with flowers. The groom’s three-tiered chocolate buttercream and ganache cake was displayed

on a cypress stump with moss and greenery. Both cakes were created by Cakes by Iris. There was an additional cake offering of a 63 Egg Cake, which has been served in the bride’s family since 1859. This cake was created by cousin of the bride Anne Britton Nelson Mollere. A “Landshark” station served the father of the bride’s signature Grove drink, and the bride surprised her groom with a snow cone stand in honor of the first business he owned at age 13. The snow cones were served in martini glasses rimmed in silver sugar. Emily Sanders of Confete Events in Oxford was the wedding planner. Brandall Atkinson of Oxford was the photographer, with videography by Revival House and additional photography by Alana Donovan. Wendy Putt of Fresh Cut Florals created the amazing florals and tablescapes. Layers of lighting from Davaine Lighting and rentals from Pretty Presentations completed the look of classic elegance. On the wedding eve, Mr. and Mrs. John Lyle hosted a cocktail reception and rehearsal dinner at the Jackson Country Club. The groom surprised the bride with a film by Frameblender Films. The groom owns Vaughn Design of Oxford and the bride is a graphic designer and artist in Oxford.

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

PHOTOGRAPHED BY DANNY K PHOTOGRAPHY

SARA “SUNNY” YOUNG & ELIAS J. BAKER

ara “Sunny” Young and Elias J. Baker were united in marriage in a joyful ceremony on May 24, 2015, at the Piper Palm House of Tower Grove Park in St. Louis. They were married by Rabbi Jeffrey Stiffman of Congregation Shaare Emeth of St. Louis. The couple exchanged vows beneath a handmade, quilted chuppah, a canopy representing the couple’s first home together. The bride is the daughter of Gayle Young of University City, Missouri, and Jody and David Young of Chesterfield, Missouri. The groom is the son of Shirley and Robert Bowen of Conway, Arkansas. Escorted by her father, the bride wore an Anthropologie BHLDN gown of ivory

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

tulle over soft bisque silk charmeuse. The bride’s bouquet was a garden cascade of wildflowers, lavender and tart cherries from Flower Hill farm. The bride’s sister, Amye Rappe of Denver, served as matron of honor and was accompanied by Rachel Elam of San Francisco; Emily Luhrs of Asheville, North Carolina; Larnie Hughes of Little Rock, Arkansas; and Marta Lyons of Minneapolis. The bridesmaids wore an eclectic assortment of dresses in jewel tones, adorned with tiny gold arrow necklaces. Serving as the best man was the groom’s cousin Hunter Stephens of Paris, Arkansas. Groomsmen included Henry Bowen of Fayetteville, Arkansas; Max Bowen of Conway; Alex

Young of Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica; and David Rappe of Denver. Before the ceremony, the couple signed a ketubah, a traditional Jewish wedding contract, that was handcrafted in Israel. Folk musicians Curtis and Dennis Buckhannon provided music for the ceremony, with a cameo by Elias’ aunt Judy Domeny Bowen. Guests also danced the traditional hora following the ceremony to celebrate the couple’s marriage. The event was captured by Danny K Photography of Oxford. The couple honeymooned in Europe, backpacking across the Mediterranean from Rome to Southern France to Barcelona. They now reside in Oxford.

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

Even the most perfectly planned wedding can come with its share of obstacles, but sometimes a mishap can become a couple’s favorite part of their special day. written by Toni Overby illustrated by Laurie G. Fisher

RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY Morgan Knowles had been dreaming of her wedding day since she was a little girl. And on the day her now husband, Drew, proposed, she knew exactly where she wanted to be married: Tupelo Church of God, where she and Drew were raised and her grandfather served as pastor for 48 years. After Drew proposed in November of 2014, the couple planned a short engagement with a simple but sweet wedding set for the following April. “Thanks to Pinterest, I had all kinds of ideas. I wanted my main color to be mint green, and I wanted as little decorations as possible for the ceremony,” Morgan said. Where Morgan did plan to add a special

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

touch was the reception, and as soon as she visited Southwind in Shannon, she and Drew fell in love with it. “It’s a beautiful barn built for special occasions and it completely stole my heart,” Morgan said. Like most brides, she hoped for perfect weather on her wedding day. “What I thought was the worst thing that could have happened, happened,” she said. “That March day was not only rainy; it flooded.” Although their photographer was able to take afternoon pictures of Morgan and Drew while the rain held off, by the time the reception arrived, the rain was falling so hard that people driving to Southwind could barely see. “Parking was crazy because of the nasty

weather, my hair had completely fallen, and the bottom of my dress was brown. We had planned to sit at tables outside, but we weren’t able to do that, so everyone had to cram inside of the barn and make the best out of what we could,” Morgan said. Even with all the rain, Morgan says the wedding day was perfect, and she wouldn’t change a thing. She was able to laugh and focus on more important things. “My advice to brides and grooms would be not to worry about things they can’t control,” she said. “That day is so special and a day that can never be experienced again, so just make the best out of every situation.”

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

GETAWAY CAR ACCIDENT Jarrett Kincade Schmitt was prepared for cold and rainy weather on her March wedding day, so she was pleasantly surprised at the 75 degrees and sunshine she and groom, Ryan, had as they married in Paris-Yates Chapel on the University of Mississippi campus. The unexpected occurred, however, when halfway through the reception, the wedding planner told them there was a small problem: The getaway car was a no-show. Jarrett tried to

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

remain calm and laugh it off. “I had a minute of panic hit me, but I also knew life would go on, even if we had to walk down the street as our big exit,” she said. Fortunately for the couple, the planner had a backup plan and called a man she knew with a red 1969 Corvette convertible. “He saved the day,” Jarrett said. The beautiful bride and her husband hopped in the back and sat up high to wave

goodbye to their guests – but it wasn’t quite smooth sailing from there. “As we were driving off, the car started to stall. He quickly shifted gears and throttled it and almost caused Ryan and me to fall off the back, where we were sitting,” she said. The experience turned out to be a positive one, allowing the guests a good laugh. “The unexpected event made a lifetime memory that nobody will ever forget,” Jarrett said.

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

LIGHTS OUT Lauren Reed and Jason Stacy were excited to show friends from faraway places like New York, London, Virginia and South Carolina their little hometown of Tupelo. The couple, who exchanged vows at First United Methodist Church, have lived out of town for several years but came home for their December wedding. Everything was going perfectly until an hour into the reception, when the power suddenly went out. “I was so upset. We spent several months planning the wedding, making

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

sure everything was perfect, but never imagined something like that,” Lauren said. Lauren’s father and Jason did the best they could to cheer her up, and after a few minutes with the lights still out, the florist, venue owners and videographer lit candles and set them on tables. “We lit a fire in a beautiful stone fireplace, and the band, which was incredible, moved around the room, stopping at tables, playing and singing,” Lauren said. “Jason and I danced our first dance by candlelight to the

band singing Moon River. It was actually a very magical evening.” The couple, with their wedding party and guests, carried on as if nothing had happened, and eventually the power came back on, the band picked up, and people started dancing again. Lauren says that cherishing your wedding day even through unforeseen events is the most important thing to remember. “Soak it all up, and enjoy celebrating with your family and friends,” she said.

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The Bordeaux June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

WARDROBE MALFUNCTION For two Atlanta residents, returning to Oxford to have a “very fun, very Ole Miss” wedding was the perfect plan. It’s where bride Andrea Cox grew up and where she met her groom, Chris Chinopulos. The wedding was set to take place at Paris-Yates Chapel on campus. “I like to minimize risks, so I kept everything planned for indoors,” Andrea said. “The three things I was OK with spending a significant amount of my budget on were the band, the food and my dress.” That dress, however, became a snag in her perfect plan when Andrea’s aunt was zipping her into it. “All of a sudden the zipper broke,” Andrea said. “It broke so badly that it couldn’t be fixed. My aunt later told me she almost got

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

sick, she was so horrified.” “At first it took my breath away, but I got out of my dress and went and wrote a letter to my soon-to-be husband to calm me,” she said. Soon after, one of wedding planner’s interns saved the day by sewing Andrea into her dress just in time for her to walk down the aisle. Seeing Chris for the first time reminded Andrea of what was really important on their special day. “I was there to marry my best friend, whether that was in my gorgeous wedding dress or a random blue dress I had packed,” she said. “When I saw Chris, all my friends and family commented that I immediately went back to smiling and glowing like a woman should on her wedding day.”

Andrea made it through the ceremony before the bustle on her dress broke again and also had to be sewn, this time by the caterer. “It really was all hands on deck by that point where my dress was concerned,” she said. “But I got everything I’d wanted for that day, and the party didn’t suffer from my wardrobe woes.” She adds that it’s important for brides to relax when things go wrong on their big day and look at the big picture. “Try and remember why you are ultimately there,” she said. “Would the perfect weather, attire, band and photos be ideal? Sure, but at the end of the day, those things really are minor in the grand scheme. And besides, a little disaster may just be what makes your wedding unique.”

June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

A retired wedding industry expert shares commonsense etiquette tips for brides and grooms, members of the bridal party and guests. interviewed by Melanie Crownover photographed by Joe Worthem

Diane Tate of New Albany

retired in 2014 after a 22-year career in the wedding industry as a florist, etiquette teacher and certified bridal consultant with more than 800 events on her résumé. According to Tate, rules and expectations guiding wedding day etiquette have changed over the years, but one thing remains the same: Manners matter.

Invitation: How have weddings changed? Diane Tate: The biggest change is that informality rules now in dress and décor as much as in etiquette. The rules keep changing, and you think, “Are there really rules anymore?” I still think there are, but I also know the bride and groom have the right to choose whether that’s what they want. It’s their day.

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I: Is the role of the parents any different? DT: Mostly for the groom’s side. His mom isn’t expected to be quiet and wear beige, and his family may be as involved as the bride’s in sharing the responsibility of paying for and helping prepare for the wedding. All parents should keep in mind that their kids are the ones getting married. So the choices should be theirs.

I: Are there misconceptions about the ceremony? DT: Many guests think when the bride enters, they automatically rise. It depends on the wedding. I’ve seen brides put in the bulletin not to stand when the wedding march starts. It’s still an honor to the bride, but many are putting that tradition aside so she can see the groom and front of the room when she enters. It’s strange for some guests, but that means the crowd can see her better, too.

I: What advice do you have for guests? DT: If the invitation says a certain time, be there before. Too many guests come in late, and once that wedding procession starts or the mother is seated, no one else is supposed

to be seated. Guests should also always, always, always RSVP if there is an enclosure card. They need a number to plan accordingly.

bring a gift to every tea or dinner.

sure no matter what order you choose, your guests get fed as quickly as possible.

Do you have to have the same number of bridesmaids and groomsmen? Not anymore. You can certainly have less or more of one or the other. That number is about who you want standing by you at that special moment in your life, so forget about the symmetry. There is no law that says your wedding party has to walk out arm in arm as couples. There are ways around that.

DT:

I: Do you have tips for the wedding party? DT: Remember that you’re part of the ceremony because you represent a meaningful time and relationship in your friend’s life, so do whatever you need to make the whole wedding experience special. The bride and groom should let them know up front that their presence is their present. All too often, I see [the bride and groom] stressed because they want their wedding party involved in all the parties and events but don’t want them to feel like they need to

I: Is there a right way to do the reception? DT: There’s definitely no set order. Just make I: What about the receiving line? DT: The rules are not set in stone anymore. I’ve seen parents greet guests at the ceremony and the bride and groom skip that receiving line after the ceremony to get ready, eat and spend a few minutes together before the reception. It worked. You just have to make sure that there’s someone at the reception to greet the guests, even if it is a dear friend, and make time at the reception for the couple to meet with everyone before they leave.

How quickly should brides respond with thank you notes? Three months, says etiquette, but I believe better late than never. The groom can help, too, especially if it’s someone closer to him or his side of the family.

DT:

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written by Melanie Crownover photographed by Joe Worthem floral designer Lynette L. McDougald, M.S., AIFD

In Your Element Incorporate fire, water, earth or air into your wedding day décor to set the tone and reflect your personality.

Fire, water, earth and air

have been considered the basic building blocks of everything in existence by cultures around the world for centuries. Love, on the other hand, is a force of nature on its own, indefinable by philosophy or science. But you can show there’s still something elemental about the joining of two lives at a wedding by incorporating one of the four classical elements into your big day. “Each element has its own attributes, strengths and meanings,” said Ralph Null, retired Mississippi State University retail floral design director and florist. “Making them part of your day is not as hard as some think, and it can add even more meaning to an already special occasion.”

Fire

Energy and passion are the most dominant aspects of fire as an element. “Fire, of course, is all about excitement, drama, heat, and the colors associated are your reds, oranges and yellows that bring to mind fingers of flame,” Null said. Think about adding vivid flowers such as bird of paradise, tropical orchids and proteas for a more modern feel. Traditional flowers can also bring the warmth of this element to the ceremony. Red roses have too much of a blue undertone to work, according to Null, but orange roses emit a fiery glow. Carnations and snapdragons in vibrant hues work as well, along with the exploding firework-style petals of Fuji chrysanthemums. For summer weddings, zinnias can be added to the mix for a fresh-from-the-garden look.

The Chapel of Memories on the Mississippi State University campus in Starkville was the setting for our elements bouquet photo shoot. Red anthuriums, Circus roses, orange Mokara orchids and loropetalum foliage create the bold and dramatic arrangement that evokes the fire element. Surround the vase with lit candles for a fiery glow.

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Water

Cool. Calm. Free flowing. These are the characteristics a couple must focus on to bring the essence of water, the element typically symbolic of deep emotion or imagination, to their wedding. The easiest way to incorporate this element into the dĂŠcor is by introducing water features, like fountains filled with petals or tall vases filled with floating candles, to the tablescapes. But Null offers a more unexpected approach by using water in its solid form. Ice sculptures and flower containers made from molded ice add to the fluid ambience, or try clear containers filled with glass chips that look like crushed ice to anchor stems. Flowers in the palest hues of lavender, blue and green mixed with cream, ivory and white can highlight either look. While many garden flowers can be found in this soft color palette, tulips, spray roses, orchids and ranunculus make beautiful bouquets reminiscent of flowing water.

Coral peonies, ranunculus and sweet peas with ribbons of grasses and fuchsia dendrobium orchids create a serene and flowing arrangement to encompass the water element. Mahonia berries in the center add a touch of blue.

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Earth

Earth, the most physically solid of the elements, is associated with stability and growth – most often represented artistically in nature-inspired shades of green and brown. “This is where you have to think organic with the materials you choose,” Null said. “It isn’t just about everything being green. It’s about what the earth gives us and all that comes from it.” Natural materials such as mushrooms and fruits like grapes or lemons nested into flowers and centerpieces set the scene. Foliage, mosses and ivy add interest. Flowering branches including spirea, flowering peach and forsythia in a mossed-over base would look like they’re actually growing on the tables. Bulb flowers including narcissus, daffodils and tulips can be used with their roots exposed in vases or nestled in trays of water with stones.

Green cymbidium orchid branches, gold Mokara orchids and pincushion protea come together for a natural and organic bouquet that symbolizes the earth element of stability and growth.

Take our quiz to find out which element best fits you. 1. What word would your friends use to describe you? A. Passionate B. Easy going C. Strong willed D. Free spirited 2. What are you doing on your dream vacation? A. Backpacking through Europe B. Sailing on the ocean C. Camping in a national park D. Paragliding through the mountains 3. If you could be any creature, which would you be? A. Tiger B. Dolphin C. Butterfly D. Eagle 4. What is your favorite color? A. Red B. Blue C. Green D. Gray 5. What is your favorite flower? A. Rose B. Orchid C. Sunflower D. Tulip Mostly As = Fire; Bs = Water; Cs = Earth; Ds = Air

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Air

Of all the elements to integrate into wedding décor, air is the most complex to visually represent. Untouchable and invisible, it is also the element most connected with the spirit. “You have to be creative with this element. Go for the ethereal,” Null said. “Air may be invisible, but you can feel it and see its effect on other things.” No one color necessarily represents air, but lighter shades of flora work better. Scatter petals or leaves along the tables. Hang diaphanous panels of fabric from the ceilings, with strings of flowers in front of them. Use low-volume fans to show the air movement, and allow the panels to hang low enough above the tables to make interesting centerpieces. Instead of a traditional mound of flowers, try flowered branches leaning all in one direction to imply wind blowing across the room. In the spring, the arching stems of tulips or calla lilies can mimic this effect. Sunflowers all facing the sun can create the same illusion.

Oriental lilies, tulips and viburnum, backed with immature burning bush foliage, dock and lily grass, foster the ethereal and light air element.

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY PABLO CORONA PHOTOGRAPHY

With a seemingly limitless list of options, making choices about your wedding day can be a bit overwhelming. Here’s some help weighing the pros and cons. written by Toni Overby For couples planning their wedding, options are a good thing. No one wants the special day to be just like everyone else’s. But sometimes too many choices can be overwhelming. Do we want a big wedding or something small? Should we get married indoors or outside? Is it better to have a live band or a DJ? Arriving at the best decision takes some time and thought, but the good news is there is no wrong or right answer.

BIG PARTY OR INTIMATE GATHERING? Oh, the guest list. It’s a complicated working document that can be the source of some serious stress. Before your list becomes a

burden, envision where your dream reception takes place. Do you see your first dance taking place on the floor of a massive ballroom or in a small garden? Sallye Stewart of Sallye Event Planning in Tupelo says deciding on the venue is one of the most important things to do. “Whether you have a small budget or large budget, that doesn’t necessarily determine the size of your wedding. Of The Big Five (venue, caterer, floral designer, photographer and baker), the venue is easily one of the most important decisions to make when considering budget and guest list.” Claire Kiamie, owner of One Fine Day Events in Oxford, agreed: “Finding the right

size venue so it doesn’t look empty can be tricky if you are planning a smaller wedding. Also, it can be hard to cut down your initial guest list.” One of Kiamie’s clients, Taylor Armstrong, took a “the more the merrier” approach and opted to have a large wedding last August. “My husband, Bo, and I are both from Clarksdale, which is where we were married,” Taylor said. “With both of us growing up here our whole lives, it was almost impossible to have a small wedding. So many people had watched us grow up, and we wanted to make sure everyone we cared about was included in our wedding festivities. In a place like Clarksdale, that is basically the whole town.” June / July 2016 | INVITATION BRIDAL

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY PABLO CORONA PHOTOGRAPHY

HERE OR THERE? Many couples choose to get married away from home, somewhere picturesque like the beach or in the mountains. Destination weddings tend to be best for smaller weddings. “Guests are excited to attend a cool location, but sometimes it’s harder for even close family and friends to travel if it takes up more than one day,” Kiamie said. Surprisingly, a couple might save money by traveling. “With a smaller guest count and most likely a set selection of vendors, such as food, flowers and photographers, a destination wedding could actually turn out cheaper than a hometown wedding,” Stewart said. While there are perks to a destination wedding, many couples prefer to celebrate their special day closer to home. For Michael Raney and Melissa Taylor, their hometown wedding was extra special. Michael grew up in Oxford, and the same-sex couple really wanted to marry there, but legally they could not. While the couple were in the middle of planning their wedding in Massachusetts (where Melissa is from), the U.S. Supreme Court legalized gay marriage in June 2015 in all states and made their dream Mississippi wedding a reality. “We both love Oxford, and it is fairly centrally located for our extended family to be able to attend,” Michael said. “Finding out that we could have a legal ceremony there was so exciting.” The two wed last October at Michael’s parents’ bed-and-breakfast, The Nests BNB, located just outside of Oxford. “Everyone pitched in and worked together to make everything happen. It was an amazing experience to see everyone that we care about come together and work so hard to make our wedding go off perfectly so we could get married in one of my favorite places on earth.” Michael Raney and Melissa Taylor had their dream wedding just outside Michael’s hometown of Oxford at her parents’ bed-and-breakfast, The Nests BNB at Holly Grove Farm (wedding barn pictured at top). Many couples, however, opt for destination weddings and travel to places such as the mountains or the beach to celebrate their special day.

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INSIDE OR OUTSIDE? When choosing to get married on the beach or anywhere outdoors, Stewart advises all her couples to have a backup plan in place. “Lots of brides want an outdoor wedding now. I tell them you must have a rain plan, and you must accept that you have a rain plan. We cannot control the rain.” This was the case for one client, a bride who dreamed of getting married on family land. Both her childhood home and her grandparents’ home were situated on the same property, with a large oak tree and a beautiful wooden bridge forming a picturesque spot to exchange vows. The day was set to perfection. Then it rained. “Big time,” Stewart said. “Fortunately, she’d planned a small wedding, and we were able to contact all the guests and move the wedding to a time when we hoped for a brief reprieve from the storms. We managed to gather all the guests and get the couple married, but the downpour returned. What did the bride do? She danced in the rain. Even though it poured, she got married under the oak tree, just like she wanted.” An indoor wedding, almost certainly a safer weather alternative, can be just as special. The only place the Armstrongs could imagine getting married was St. Elizabeth Catholic Church. “Both of our parents were married at St. Elizabeth, and it was important to Bo and me to keep the tradition going ... The church has a lot of sentimental meaning to us and to our families,” Taylor said. Michael and Melissa (pictured at bottom) took a gamble on their outside wedding and won with sunny skies. Deciding to get married inside, however, such as in a church, synagogue or event space, means less stress about the weather and can be just as picturesque and special.

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While most brides opt to preserve or repurpose their wedding dress after their special day, a new trend is to “trash the dress” on the day of the ceremony. The photographers often get involved with this process and come up with creative picture ideas. The most popular photo opp? Submerging the bride in water.

BAND OR DJ? For some couples, keeping their guests entertained is more important than the location. Because of this, many brides and grooms are opting for DJs instead of hiring the traditional wedding band. “A live band will engage the crowd, but a DJ is usually a much lower cost, and they tend to play more radio hits,” Kiamie said. Tara Chappell, Stewart’s assistant, has found that when a couple hires a DJ, people dance because the music is often more contemporary. “That’s not to say a band is not a great addition to a wedding. People in the South especially still love their favorite wedding bands. But many couples are hiring DJs, and some will even ask their guests to write their favorite

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songs on the RSVP cards. They will compile the list and give it to the DJ ahead of time. Everyone ends up hearing their favorite song.”

PRESERVE OR TRASH? What do you do with a dress you’ll never wear again? The newest wedding fad is “trashing the dress.” This is when the bride decides to do something to her dress that could potentially render it unusable in the future, such as paint in it, jump in a lake while wearing it or ride an ATV through the mud in it. Kiamie said Trash the Dress photo sessions make for some “pretty cool pics,” but there is a major con: “In most cases, you can never reuse the dress in the future.” Ferriday McClatchy, owner of Ferriday Events in Oxford, has a

different take. She benefited from a previous generation preserving the dress. “I’m sentimental and wore my grandmother’s. I’m for keeping the dress,” she said. Although Stewart and Chappell urge brides to reconsider this trend, they understand why it is taking place. “We are living in such a disposable time,” Stewart said, “And none of us thinks very far ahead any longer. The bride sees these neat pictures and thinks it would be a fun thing to do.” Chappell advises brides to “take a minute and consider that in the future, you may want to use the whole dress or even a piece of it: the lace, the beading. Your daughter might want to wear it one day, or you could have a christening gown made for your grandchild.”

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DOUBLE DECKER ARTS FESTIVAL The 21st annual festival was held April 22-23 on Oxford’s Square. The event included Double Decker Bus tours, food and art vendors, live music, a spring run and a pet costume contest. photographed by Joey Brent

Carly and Gale Hardaway

Collins Gary and Mary Mac Ferris

Pam Swain and Lesley Downs

Robyn, Molly Cat and Rhea Tannehill

Christone “Kingfish” Ingram and Fred Cotto

Stephanie and Tim Mullins

Devere McLennan and Reynolds Court

Brad and Michelle Hill

Maggie Livingston, Linda Britt and Michele McKay

Vencie Vernado and Leo Bud Welch

Ethan Holmes and Kaylee Grace Norris

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Dan Henschel and Stephanie Wolf

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James Flemmons and Haywood Quarles

April Harbour and Sara Orzech

Andy Miller and Michael Ferris

Jake Thompson and Lyndy Berryhill

Penn, Ellis, Lee Ann and Townsend Stubbs

Justine Thompson and Yasmine Scruggs

Regina Reynolds and Harry Harrison

Danielle and Valerie Cole with Jeni McCraney and Olivia and Beth Chesak

Ali Hartweger and Sammi Smith

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LEGACY AWARD DINNER The Ole Miss Women’s Council for Philanthropy held its Legacy Award Dinner on April 18 at the Manning Center. This year’s honoree was Dr. Robert C. Khayat. photographed by Jessica Richardson

Robert and Roane Grantham

Adam and Brooke Krizbai

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Mark Burson and Pam Lawhead

Mikayla Johnson and Hope Tulchinsky

Pat and Allison Buchanan

Karen Moore with Olivia and Archie Manning

David and Marilyn Tucker

Dr. Maureen Liberto-Sura and Merrell Rogers

Leigh Anne Tuohy and Deedee Pera

Dr. Robert C. Khayat

Harry and Vicki Sneed

Kathy and Ashton Pearson Sr.

Ron and Jody Wilson

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OLE MISS COLOR MY COLLEGE 5K RUN The Color My College 5K Run, hosted by Ole Miss Campus Recreation, was held April 16 at the Grove. The race benefited the Lafayette region of Special Olympics Mississippi. photographed by Joey Brent

Kelsey Rose and Hannah Dau

Laurin Reed, Amanda Bates and Christy Willingham

Susan Loveall and Matt Hague

Campbell, Katie and Veazy Soldevila

Kaitlyn Legge and Jarris Benson

Mak Kendall, Miya McCloskey, Taylor Grace Hamilton, Sara Kate Bundren and Melanie Webb

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Elise Jones and Tonya Shuler

Sarah Noser and Shannon Conway

Daniel Cole and Nick Cohen

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BRUSHSTROKES FOR BRAMLETT Bramlett Elementary School held its annual student art auction April 28 at the Powerhouse in Oxford. The event included live music by Rocket 88 and childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s art activities by Studio Whimzy. photographed by Joey Brent

Ashley Windham and Lauren Jones

Kasandra, Clay and Dax Brownlee

Kate, Holly and Luke Vollor

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Brittany Lloyd and Jenny Addy

Reese Alderson and Jackson Addy

Claire Crews and Mary Mac Ferris

Ethan Boutwell, Jake Sessums and Baileigh Reardon

Brittney, Madelyn and Tyler Goolsby

Waylon and Karen Irby

Amy, Brooks, Tyler and Bailey Bennett

Lucy, Adair, Jack and Reid Laney

Mandy Jones and Keri Jo Finnie

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GOSPEL CHOIR SHOWCASE The fourth annual gospel choir showcase was held April 24 on the lawn of city hall. The event benefited Good Food for Oxford Schools, which promotes healthier school cafeteria menu items. photographed by Joey Brent

Melissa and Julia Swetland

Donnell Barr and Rosetta Campbell

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Alex and Jordan Lindsley

Nancy and Calvin Joy

Catherine Phillips and Lauren Killion

Claudiaette Goliday and Eddie Goliday ll

Ashley Ingram and DeAundrea Vaughn with Annie and Synthia Gilliam

Michael and Allison Robinson

Deena Heath and Steve Rowell

Alice Ricks and Nadia Mendoza

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THE 1992 ECO-FASHION SHOW BY PEAVY Designer Jeffery Peavy’s eco-fashion show 1992 was held April 21 at the Powerhouse in Oxford. The concept of Peavy’s eco-friendly fashion line is to use sustainable and organic materials. photographed by Jessica Richardson

Ashley Ingram and Kacy Coleman

Wendy Garrison and Richard Raspet

Jeffery Peavy

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Zuri and Karrian Brown with Victoria Burgos

Sophia Doyle, Katelyn Dillard and Estrella Leyva

Betsy Webster and Mary Ruth Womble

Kristen and Kayla Lusby with Rya Westmoreland, Abbey Willman and Bree Starnes

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THEATRE OXFORDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TRUE WEST Theatre Oxford held a performance of True West April 15 at the Powerhouse. The play was written by Sam Shepard and directed by Kate Hooper. photographed by Joey Brent

Reagan Willis and Abby Reynolds

Bethany Tarpley and Kristen Cauley

John Melton and Barry Doughty

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Nancy and Taylor Moore

Jo Stanford with Mary Jennifer and Sylvie Reese Russell

Tara Smith and Carra Cockrell

Laurell Ducote, Brian Whisenant and Tina Martinez

Randy and Tangie Cato

Andrew George and Logan Little

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A NIGHT FOR A PRINCESS Ole Miss Sigma Phi Lambda hosted a fundraiser to benefit World Vision on April 21 at the Stone Center. The theme was A Night for a Princess, and guests were encouraged to dress in costume. photographed by Joey Brent

Annabelle Kusisto and Carol Coker

Annabel Garner and Heidi Bain

Lebria and Erinn Williams

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Sawyer Ward and Annie Amidon

Brittany, Peyton and Jamika Jones

Brittany and Gabbi Olson

Sarah Grace Melton, Sabrina McCoy, Lisa Hill, Becky Melton, Kayla Spencer and Brenda Hawkins

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Ava and Molly Lee

Caroline and Amelia Norris

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CAMPUS RECREATION FAMILY FUN NIGHT The UM Department of Campus Recreation held a family fun night for all faculty and staffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s families April 15 at the Turner Center. Guests enjoyed a pool party with food, games and contests. photographed by Joey Brent

Nicholas and Rich Gentry

Tom Kelly, T.J. Betts and Hannah Leatherwood

Brianna Hofman and Mary Alden Wing

Diana, Anna Catherine and Alex Gasca

Katelynn, Neeli, Caxton and Cannon Kirkendall

Mark and Stephanie Garneau

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Juneau Claassen

Maxine Bradford, Khloe Lynwood and Robert Bradford

Cara Gray and Rolonda Clay

Amy, Molly and Hardin Shirkey

David and Jie Tang with Yanxia Gao

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THACKER MOUNTAIN RADIO JR. KIDS HOUR The first show of Thacker Mountain Radio Jr. was held in the activities center at Oxford University United Methodist Church on April 26. Thacker partnered with Leap Frog for the inaugural event. photographed by Joey Brent

Mary Ruth Womble and Jake Sessums

Alex Kitchens and Emily Beene

J.T. Gillard and Elizabeth Carr

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Delaney Tice and Leslie Ott

Hunter Schleicher and Alex Presley

Zoie Woolfolk and Summer Vanderford

Stephen Hampton, Emery Kate Schneider, Murphy Smith, Ryder Hayden, Wesley Webb and Tyler McGuire

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Kathryn York and Mallory Lehenbaner

Teresa Adams and Rosie McDavid

Mary Beth and Waller Smith

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ALPHA TAU OMEGA CAMPUS CLASSIC 5K Alpha Tau Omega partnered with the Freeze Foundation May 1 for a 5K race around the UM campus to benefit the Palmer Home for Children. photographed by Joey Brent

Ty McGowen, Joseph Lascara and Tim Lieser

Margaret Pope and Julie Roher

Aaron Dawson, Reed Shaw and Jeffrey Noland

Lynn and Bill Sloan

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Elizabeth Ward, Elizabeth Weathersby and Deirdre Hofman

Mereweather Lackey and Ellie Smith

Reed Harrison, Andrew Glaze, Morgan Dyer and Hannah Sullivan

Lizzy Polhill, Zach Pinel and Ashton Moody

Miles, Graham, Fowler and Billy Staines

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ST. JOHN’S DRAWDOWN St. John’s Catholic Church held its annual fundraiser May 6 at the Oxford Conference Center. The event featured a $10,000 drawdown, a silent auction and live music by the SoulTones. photographed by Joey Brent

Micah Quinn, Catherine Berry and Dana Requet

Sheri and Clay Scruggs

Josh and Jennifer Samuels

Fred and Barbara Bordelon with Donna Fuller

Kris Zediker and David Goddard

Lynda and Greg Lively Chelsea and Chris Hayman with Nathan and Lea McCartney

Claude and Jodi Rives

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Kristy and Lane Wilson with Micky Berry

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Marge and Forrest Hinton

Tony and Missy Caldwell

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ROWAN OAK MINT JULEP PARTY The UM Museum hosted its third annual Mint Julep Party on the grounds of Rowan Oak on May 7 in celebration of the Kentucky Derby. The day also included art lectures and studio tours.

photographed by Jessica Richardson

Marty Dunbar, Charlie Buckley and John Dunbar

Kelly Loggins, Timothy Steenwyk and Mary Frances Yeilding

Sarah Stewart, Huntington Maddrey and Kelli Coleman

Thomas Whiston and Will Pomeroy

Emily Henderson, Garland Patterson and Anne Marie Hanna

Priscilla Flowers and Ginny Robinson

Wit McLeod and Parker Slay

Marian Barksdale and Jason Bouldin

Brooke Alexander and Marisa Andropolis

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John Polk Stewart and Austin F. Ray

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Marti Funke and Mary Solomon

Tom Howorth and Peter Dunbar

Carolyn Freiwald and John Hardy

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BANCORPSOUTH REBEL ROAD TRIP BUS TOUR The BancorpSouth Rebel Road Trip made a stop April 22 at the Oxford Conference Center. Speakers included Ole Miss head football coach Hugh Freeze and athletics director Ross Bjork. photographed by Joey Brent

Marsha Pierce, D.T. Shackleford and Micah Quinn

Randy Leister with Alison and Andrew Ross

Hunter Murphree and Christina Steube

Phillip Carpenter and Dick Marchbanks

Ron and Sandra Guest

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Don Fruge and John Marquez

Adam Lee and Brian Phillips

Jill Williams, Smitty Smith, Jim Williams and Ralf Zapata

Andy Prefontaine and Jim Stephens

Olivia Pierce and Daniel Dougan

Allie Bush and Suzy Norwood

names names K.T. Short namesand names Jennifer names Sexton names names

Andy Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Bryan and Jessica Poole

Ashley Smith and Sunny Eicholtz

Don Martin and Peter Ross

Charlene and Mason Baker

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L.O.U. PRIDE WEEKEND CELEBRATION The first L.O.U. Pride celebration was May 5-8 with a series of events, including a Pride Parade where members and supporters of the LGBTQ community marched from the UM campus to the Square. photographed by Joey Brent

Jaime Harker and Dixie Grimes

Grace Rikard and Renee Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neill

Matt Tkachuck, Curtis Hooks and Yelena Johnson

Stephanie Warshaw, Nick Thompson and Holden Hays

Alex Denette, Jeremy Pritchard and John Griffin

Ryne Anderson and Spencer Pleasants

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Blake Summers, Jonathan Adams and Claire Whitehurst with Simon

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Donnie McGee and Jason Hudson

Cliff Odom and Brian Whisenant

Aaron Harris and Emmy Parkes with Sandy

Jennifer Mathus with Lola Jolene

Allan Coon and Makala McNeil

Austyn Davis and Deja Samuel

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SKIP GLEASON GOLF TOURNAMENT The annual golf tournament was held April 30May 1 at Natchez Trace Golf Club in Tupelo. The two-person scramble benefited the Skip Gleason Memorial Scholarship at the UM School of Law. photographed by Lisa Roberts

Matthew and Stuart Ray

The Gleason Family

Damon Palmer and Scott Wood

Adam Hall, Tyler Parson, Ryan Ward and Nick Armstrong

Adam Morgan, Barry Replogle, Michael Monroe and Brent Martin

Bill Hill and Butch Phillips

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Jim Roberts and Josh Logan

Richard Hill and Jason Turner

Hunter and Don Gleason

Jon Oliver Gleason

Tommy Wells and Morris Miley

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TUPELO KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY The 18th annual Tupelo Kentucky Derby Party was held May 7 at the home of Tom Evans. The fundraiser benefited Regional Rehab, which serves clients in more than 25 counties. photographed by Lisa Roberts

Donna and Terry Treadaway

Hilary and Marilynne Bank with Merritt Lee Herring

Pam and Fred Carman

Ashley White, Britney Keith and Bonnie Bahre

Amy and Tim Williams

Sharon Oxford and Etta Idol

Angela Howard and Kevin Trautman

Shane and Nicole McLaughlin

Joey and KC Grist

Genna McAlpine and Debbie Banko

Patrice King and Bishop Joseph Johnson

names names Kelly names Kenneynames and Keith names Henley names names

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Emily Leonard Laubhan and Donna Witty

Jane and Jordan Litke

Mike Neelly and Loreda Harrison

Jodie and Sean Thompson

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MISS TUPELO ELVIS FESTIVAL PAGEANT The Queen for a King pageant was held April 23 at Tupelo Middle Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Civic Auditorium. Winners from each age group will appear at the Tupelo Elvis Festival June 2-5. photographed by Chasity Dees

Jade Smith and Hanna Stewart

Serenity and Lilly Crump

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Ana Grace Rutherford and Britini Beasley

Emilee and Savannah Sutton

Lauren Ruthford and Serenity Clayton

Jesse Self and Hailey Woolridge

Lisa and Madison Daniels

Carmen and Christina Williams

Jonna Young and Lisa Hutchens

Emmalee and Macie Mangum with Camille R. Dulaney

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TUPELO MUD STUMPER CHALLENGE The mud challenge cross country race was April 30 at the Orchard Church of Tupelo. The 1-mile course had eight obstacles, including a mud pit, tire fields and technical bridges. photographed by Lisa Roberts

Jim and Jamie Johnson

Tarver Reeder, Will Rambo and Andrew Blassingame

Macy Blanton and Emma Grace Miles

Traci Watson, Christy Miller, Katy White and Mary K. Oglesby

Alee and Matthew Clements

Jennifer Ham and Kenzie Pennington

Conner, Saxton, Amber, Piper and Autumn McHenry

Evan, Kathy and Shelby Benson

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CDF ANNUAL MEETING AND DINNER The Community Development Foundation held its annual meeting on May 5 at BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo. Vice president of the Chamber of Commerce, Judd Wilson, hosted the event. photographed by Lisa Roberts

Gayle and John Lindsey

Jesse Bandre and Shane Spees with Sherry and Brad Miller

Molly Lovorn, Shirley Hendrix and Emily Addison

Tabitha Pitts, Sonya McCormick, Ellen Haynes, Brenda Ostrander and Amanda Keith

Ashley and Mark Prince

Kelly Terry, Lynn Christy and Julie Henson

Jennifer Tucker and Virginia Chaney

Lisa Hawkins and Grace Brymer

Suzanne Little and Mindy Sheffield

Leigh Buntin and Josh Taylor

Brian and Jessica Estess

names namesFred names andnames Nettienames Davisnames names

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Kristy Crawford, Sam Michael and Tracie Bramlett

Ellen Kennedy with Jim and Julianne Goodwin

Jim McCullough and Paul Mize

Larry Brymer and David Rumbarger

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ICC TOUR DE TANGLEFOOT TRAIL The Itawamba Community College Foundation held the second annual cycling event April 30 along the Tanglefoot Trail in Fulton. The 44-mile trek raised money for the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s scholarship fund. photographed by Lisa Roberts

Mark Yacovone and Bethany Cooper

Buddy Collins and Tilda Bouchillon

Mike and Darlene Oliver

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Christian Leask and Kim Byler

Ken Reece and Jerry Blue

Jackie Blue and Leigh Latham

Beth Graham and Russell Wells

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ROSE SOCIETY ROSE SHOW The Northeast Mississippi Rose Society held its 17th annual rose show at the Renasant Bank Atrium in Tupelo on May 5. The event included a variety of contests, with more than 150 entries. photographed by Lisa Roberts

Lavonne Glover and Lee Pryor Caldwell

Andrea Black and Becky Dorough

Merrell Rogers, Tracy Kramer and Nancy Anderson

Lynn Coleman and Nan Rogers

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Jackie and Jim Couch

Tammy Manderson, Jimmy Moser and Peggy Bingham

Emily Maddox and Stephen Hernandez

Kathy Frederick, Michelle Johnson and Matt Gillis

Marion and Betty Cagle

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CORINTH COCA-COLA CLASSIC 10K RUN More than 1,500 runners participated in the 35th annual Miles of Smiles Coke 10K race in downtown Corinth on May 7. After the race, runners gathered for live entertainment and an awards ceremony. photographed by Whitney Worsham

Ben and Allison Long with Bryson Avent

Cathy and Luke McCullen with Matt and Ronda Windham

Casey, Ashton, John Ellis and Joy Murrah

Kenneth Williams and Mona Grady

Matt and Lee Williams with Emma

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Emma Williams, Sarah Catherine Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connell and Molly Jane Moore

Sara Beth and Nate Alexander

Brooke McGrath and Lori Davis

Rosalyn Odom and Tario Knight

Leslie and Allison Lewis

Andy and Mikki Moore

Bernie and Sherri Shipp

Rhett Robinson and Colin Bonds

Rebekah and Elizabeth Williams

Lynn and Holly Ross

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FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE CONCERT Award-winning country duo Florida Georgia Line performed May 12 at BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo. The concert is part of the Dig Your Roots tour with opening act Cole Swindell. photographed by Lisa Roberts

Angie Bradford and Kathy Stanford

Ellen and Shelby Conley

Dillon and Heather Goble

McKalan Turbyfill and Anna Humphries

Zack and Rebecca Jones

Lindsay Armstrong with Alyssa and Brooke Kyle

Renee Winningham, Susan Amos and Anita Burks

Rhonda Johnson and Blake Estes

Nash and Lynn Bennett

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Maria and Alexis Moore

Ashley and Teresa Hendrix

Abby Williford and McKamy Smith

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DUDIE BURGER FESTIVAL Oren Dunn City Museum hosted the 15th annual Dudie Burger Festival May 7 at Tupeloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ballard Park. The event featured music, contests, childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s activities and freshly grilled Dudie burgers. photographed by Lisa Roberts

Mallory and Savannah Stanford with Dixie

Mike Dahlem and Cathy Shields

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Mary Dover

Mary and Lawrence Estes

Lowery and Janiece Jones

Tom Kennedy and Melissa King

Marilyn Vail, Lisa Hansberger, Marissa Vail and Leslie Mart

Johnny and Betty Gory

Wendy, Authur and Chip Frazier

Rapheal Akins, Sonya Powell and Darius Bender

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VERANDAH-CURLEE HOUSE DERBY PARTY A Kentucky Derby party was held May 7 at the Verandah-Curlee House in Corinth. The event raised money for preservation of the historic Civil War house that was built in 1857. photographed by Whitney Worsham

Scott Bauer, David Palmer and Billy Napier

Taylor Coombs and Claire Palmer

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Allie and Bret Carroll

Beverly Napier and Allana McElwain

Victoria Smith and Olivia Carpenter

Chandler Grace and Tadd Feazell

Nancy Palmer, Tammi Frazier, Peggy Parvin, Bubba Labas, Bill Avery, John Orman and Brent Johnson

INVITATION BRIDAL | June / July 2016

Barbara and Bill Rogers

Brent Johnson and Evan Bauer

Julie Pittman and Stephane Gardner

Check out the

Fridays are tasty at INVITATIONOXFORD.COM & INVITATIONTUPELO.COM Visit our food blog for delicious recipes contributed by food blogger Kimme Hargrove each week.

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GOLF FORE LIFE TOURNAMENT The 10th annual golf tournament was held May 3 at Big Oaks Golf Course in Tupelo. The event raised money for New Beginnings Adoption and Family Services. photographed by Lisa Roberts

Edwin Meeks and Greg Chessor

Ricky Chessor and Gene Sanders

Jody Hicks, Kala Johnson and Alicia Milstead

Tommy and Thomas Galloway

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Tom and Debbie Velie and Jerricho Cotchery

Jeff Reed and Jason Jarrett

James Spain, Jeremy Brady, Bill Allen and Greg Lawrence

Shane Rakestraw and Larry Durham

Hunter Hale and James Carney

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COUNTY LINE MUSIC FESTIVAL The County Line Music Festival was held April 25 in downtown Baldwyn. The event featured live music; songwriting and karaoke contests; a 5K color run; local food; art vendors; and more. photographed by Chasity Dees

Michaela Compton and Amy Turner

Lexe and Brooke Morris

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Barney Davis

Rachel and Casey McNabb

Lacy Credille and Megan Pace

Mike and Matt Mink

Catherine Michael, Destyn Adams, Sarah Wilbanks and Wendy Michael

Guy and Amelia Gardner

Hayden, Ames and Maria Hughes

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TUPELO BLUE SUEDE CRUISE CAR SHOW The 13th annual Blue Suede Cruise car show was held May 6-8 in five locations around Tupelo. The event included antique and classic cars, a parade, live music and $10,000 in cash drawings. photographed by Lisa Roberts

Bonnie Sparks and Melissa Donald

Shawn and Richard Brereton with Keith Johnson

Charles and Rachel Maxwell

Grayson, Amber, Tanner, Lee and Brenda Mills

Tim Owens and Michael Bell

Jabari Bowdry and Mitch Berry

Montell Kirk and Zach Clemons

Lane and Mallory Scott

Levi Butts and Jerry Kyle

Hayden and Lisa Jones

Addi Eaton and Addie Kitchens

names Amy Malone, names names Memphis names Owen names andnames Rusty Harris names

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Lucas and Reba Breaux

Robert Hall and Mike Johnson

Brenda Kyle and Wanda Bishop

Lindsay and Patrick Henry

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TPAL CARSON BELL GOLF TOURNAMENT The Tupelo Police Athletic League hosted the third annual Carson Bell Golf Tournament May 6 at Big Oaks Golf Course. The event raised money for the Carson Bell Memorial Fund. photographed by Lisa Roberts

Phil Welsh and Clay Finley

Daniel McKinney and Joe Senter

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Justin Brantley and Kyle Finley

Mike Smith and Don Pottebaum

Jacob and Kirk Manley

John White and Rusty Haynes

Curt, Brayden and Brad Owen with Danny Cash

Sam Bell, Michael Russell and Chuck McDougald

DeAndre Eiland and Tyler Cook

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OUT AND ABOUT CONTINUED ON PAGE 180

OXFORD GARDEN CLUB PLANT SALE

LAGNIAPPE STORE OPEN HOUSE

Jennifer, Caitlyn and Carla Flautt

Sherry Smythe, Ann Chancellor Roberson and Lyndsay Shipp

KAPPA KAPPA GAMMA CON QUESO

Jordan Dave and Emory Hamblin

Maxine Biddie and Caileigh Tuma

Berry and Jeff Johnson with Anna Warren

OXFORD-LAFAYETTE HUMANE SOCIETY ADOPT-A-PET AT H&R BLOCK

Eron Miller and Shannon Thweatt with Gigi

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Jack Pendarvis and Megan Abbott

OPEN FIELDS FESTIVAL

THE EDISON RIBBON CUTTING AND OPEN HOUSE

Phil and Lindsey Baquie

JACK PENDARVIS BOOK SIGNING

James and Heather Guarascio with Nova

W. Keith Moore and Graham Neeld

Emily Cantrell and Brandon Fassinger

THE LOCAL VOICE 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY PARTY

Paul Gandy with Natalie and Frank Estrada

JULIA REED BOOK SIGNING

Jess Waltman and Jessica Rice

Will and Katie Guild

THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI FAMILY ACTIVITY DAY

Suzanne and Collins Helveston

Adam, Stella, Flannery and Kathleen Hamilton

MICHAEL SHAPIRO BOOK SIGNING

Mary Lou Owens and Jason Bouldin

Eleanor King and Amy Evans with Frances, Alice and Marvin King

OXFORD FILM FESTIVAL UNDERGROUND PRESENTS DEATH PROOF

Robert Saarnio and Michael Shapiro

NATIONAL INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE DAY

Sarah and Amanda Biedermann

Patrick Hudson and Donnie McGee

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS OF OXFORD ANNUAL CRAWFISH BOIL

Susan Ivey, Rachel Peck and Lauren Rogers

Jeff Anglin, Callie Everett and Sheena Edwards

FOSTER MUSIC AND ARTS VIP PARTY

Ramona Bernard and Cliff Lawson

Mari and Eddie Foster

Kagan Coughlin and Alexe Van Beuren

Tony Boyd and Alanna Mosley

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OUT AND ABOUT CONTINUED FROM PAGE 177

L.O.U. EXCEL BY 5 ANNUAL CELEBRATION

Claire and Mary Hollis Lowe with Vaiden and Chelsea Bennett

Brantley Seawright with Frances and Marvin King

James, Afton and Noah Thomas

REBELS CHOICE AWARDS

Melanie Crow, Kate Gibson and Aubrey Edie

Sebastian Saiz and Tomasz Gielo

Tom and Waldene Drake with Ellen, Mike and Ashley Smith

RETHINKING MASS INCARCERATION CONFERENCE

Susan Grayzel and Patrick Alexander

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Justin Randolph and Amy Fisher

Alex Massier and Luke Davis

Jason List and Jennifer Sexton

Dean, Jen, Tracy, Will and Matt Mott

WILLIAM DUNLAP BOOK SIGNING

Lake Newton and Curtis Wilkie

Kay Cochran and Pat Griffin

TANNER COLEMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SCULPTURE DEDICATION FOR ART TO HEAL

Janice, Tanner and Alexis Gregg Coleman

Mary Ann Plasencia, Connie Souto-Learman and Shawn Brevard

Mallory Lawson and Pat Rasberry

TUPELO WINE DOWNTOWN

Judy Osteen and Marcy Ridgway

Cathy Denton and Becky Cole

Jessica Clayton and Shelly Daniel

Chelsea and Mandi Barber

ALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL CHURCH HEALTH CLINIC

Jennifer McAdory, Lauren Reed, Susan Rish and Amanda Perry

Merrell Rogers, Jean Hill, Mary White and Mona Warlick

GUMTREE ART FESTIVAL POSTER UNVEILING

Hattie William, Ginger Harbour and Cassandra Williams

Belle Naugher and Rick Anderson

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hashing it out Coming up with a creative hashtag has become an essential part of the wedding planning process. written by Melanie Crownover art by Prestley Wright of Simply Slated

To add to the already long list of decisions

contest details

Invitation is sharing the love! From June 1 to July 31, include #InvitationNewlyweds on your Instagram wedding posts and be entered into a drawing for two tickets to the Ole Miss vs. Florida State football game on Sept. 5 in Orlando, Florida, and a $200 Southwest Airlines gift card. One entry per person. Invitation Magazines employees and their immediate relatives are ineligible.

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involved in planning weddings, today’s couples now have the added pressure of coming up with unique and clever hashtags to document their special days. Personal hashtags make it easy for couples to track down pictures from their wedding and corresponding celebrations on social media. There are several hashtag generators online, such as Wedding Wire and Wedding Hashtag Wall, to help create a memorable slogan. But just throwing your last names into an online mill doesn’t always work. Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton and his fiancée, Chelsea Rick, felt the importance of finding a hashtag long before their May 28 nuptials at First Presbyterian Church in Tupelo. “We started out doing this because of an inside joke. He would always tell me the reason things weren’t going right was because we didn’t have our perfect hashtag when I would stress about planning,” Rick said. The pair suggested ideas to each other, resulting in rejected plays on words, like her favorite, #rickandroll. The online generators didn’t prove useful either, producing a list of potential hashtags that didn’t make sense. “We really wanted one that would kind of sum up who we are together, but it had to be funny and original,” she said. That’s when the two decided to hit up their friends on Facebook for inspiration. Shelton posted a comment asking for suggestions, and within two days, he and Rick had a stack of posted responses. The winners were #myfairparklady and #eastsidestory. The first was an homage to the place where the two shared their first kiss, were engaged and would have their reception, and the second paid tribute to east Tupelo, the part of town where Shelton grew up and the couple now resides. “A wedding hashtag is like wearing your good-luck jersey when you watch your team play or using your lucky golf club on the course; it can’t hurt,” Shelton said.