With This Ring Green–Rusovich

Rehearsal Dinner Location: Wonderbird Distillery, Taylor, Mississippi Celebrant: Deacon Andrew Bowden Wedding Gown: Justin Alexander Signature from Bliss Bridal, Hattiesburg, Mississippi Bridesmaids' Dresses: David’s Bridal Groom’s & Groomsmen’s Attire: Iron Horse Clothier, Metairie Engagement Ring, Bride’s & Groom’s Wedding Bands: Rothschild Diamonds, Metairie Florist: The Twisted Twig, Oxford, Mississippi Favor: Kelley Abbott Invitation: Betty Hunley Designs Wedding & Groom’s Cakes: That Special Touch, Pearl, Mississippi Photographer: Wyeth Augustine Photography, Charlotte, North Carolina Videographer: Dear Little Films, Taylor, Mississippi Hair: & Makeup: The Parlor, Oxford, Mississippi Music: String trio from Lafayette Oxford University Orchestra, Oxford, Mississippi and The Soul Shockers, Memphis, Tennessee

Green – Rusovich

By Megan Holt

Sydney Elizabeth Green and Colin Gregory Rusovich were both part of the small Arabic language program at Ole Miss, but somehow, they kept missing each other. That changed when they moved to Jordan to study Arabic at the MALIC Institute for the spring of 2017 and ended up being next-door neighbors. By Easter weekend Colin invited his friend Sydney to Cyprus to celebrate his 23rd birthday.

Soon after that trip, the two had their first date. They officially became a couple about a month later when they met up in Italy for a vacation after finishing the semester. Sydney moved in with a Druze host family in Israel, and Colin returned to New Orleans for summer break. Though they were beginning their relationship thousands of miles apart, they knew that they wanted a chance to really get to know each other.

Three and a half years later, they were living in Taylor, Mississippi, when Colin lured Sydney to New Orleans under the guise of doing a favor for her sister. He told her they had dinner reservations at Ralph’s on the Park, but when they arrived at the restaurant Colin suggested that they first stroll through City Park to see “Celebration in the Oaks.” They casually admired the decorations until they reached the lighted pavilion, and Colin got down on one knee!

Like the proposal, their engagement party took place in New Orleans, at Arnaud’s, hosted by Colin’s grandmother, Mrs. Marilyn Rusovich. Though the wedding itself took place in Taylor, Mississippi, there were plenty of New Orleans touches, starting with the venues in the Plein Air neighborhood, where the couple was living. Plein Air was originally designed by New Orleanian Campbell McCool in 2006, making The Chapel and The Mill the perfect places to welcome their beloved neighbors while paying tribute to Colin’s hometown. On July 10, 2021, Sydney walked down the aisle of The Chapel, which was decked in blush roses, peonies, blue hydrangea and greenery. This “Taylor chic” color scheme carried over into the rose-colored bridesmaids’ dresses and the dusty blue groomsmen’s suits, as well as the reception décor at The Mill, which featured blush and gold tablecloths.

While at the tables, guests enjoyed A & N Catering’s beef brisket, chicken on a stick, shrimp po-boys and fried green tomato BLTs, as well as cocktails created by their favorite bartender, Brendan Galbraith. The libations got everyone into a festive mood for the newlyweds’ first dance to “Just in Time” by Frank Sinatra. Not wanting to dance alone, Sydney and Colin surprised everyone with a second line to celebrate New Orleans-style!

After the wedding festivities, the couple spent a week at the Four Seasons at Costa Palmas, on the tip of the East Cape of Baja Sur, Mexico. They are making their home in New Orleans, where Sydney has just joined the Ignatian Law Scholar program at Loyola Law School and Colin is launching his career in real estate development. ✦