Hitched 2011

ACORN STUDIO

Chris and Shalon Wansley

Shalon and Chris Wansley’s first dance as a married couple was to Michael Jackson’s “Lady in My Life.”

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Chris adds: “She’s the greatest thing that ever happened to me. She truly has been—as a girlfriend, as a fiancée, as a wife, at every stage. I’m lucky to have her in my life.”

They each speak of the other in a complimentary, but not nearly contrived, way. From the looks they exchange and the laughter they share reminiscing about their story, their love is obvious. (Chris and Shalon debate about when they first met: Chris claims they met at a banquet in 2005; Shalon claims it was another banquet the following year.)

The native Mississippians—Chris is from Jackson, and Shalon is from Madison—graduated from the University of Mississippi Law School. Chris earned a bachelor’s in math from Jackson State University in 2000 and his law degree in 2003.

Shalon graduated from Spelman College in Atlanta in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology before going on to law school. While Shalon attended law school with Chris’ brother, Chris had begun working and he became her mentor.

“I was a horrible mentor,” Chris remembers.

Shalon confirms it: “He sucked.”

Terrible mentor or not, attraction blossomed, and the duo began dating April 17, 2008, and quickly fell in love.

Despite their love, Chris and Shalon’s trip to the altar was not obstacle-free. They’d hoped to get married April 17, 2010, with a reception following at the Mississippi Craft Center, but that proved to be an issue. The Craft Center was holding their “Sheep to Shawl Day” event April 17. They could have opted for an evening wedding, but the sheep scent would have lingered well until nuptial time and beyond.

They changed their wedding date, but their troubles weren’t over. The couple wanted to have the wedding at their church, New Hope Baptist Church, but weren’t able to because another engagement was scheduled there for that day.

They chose First Baptist Church Jackson’s chapel instead. The church required them to attend pre-marital counseling, which the pair now suggests to anyone contemplating marriage.

After completing counseling, Shalon’s longtime neighbor and former church pastor, Rev. Keith Rouser, officiated their April 24 wedding. Trouble persisted. The day of their ceremony, a tornado ripped through Yazoo City and stormy weather caused power outages across Jackson, including at their wedding and reception venues.

Hours before the ceremony, the power outage at the chapel was fixed, and the sky turned sunny. The wedding commenced without any further problems. Photographer Erin Fults took shots outside before and during the wedding, and the couple made their grand entrance at the reception minutes after power returned to the Mississippi Craft Center.

Throughout the ordeal, Shalon remained calm, while the mishaps had Chris worried. The couple has balance—Chris is talkative, and Shalon is organized—and they tend to complement each other. Chris helped Shalon overcome her fear of heights on their Mexican honeymoon, where he convinced her to go on the zip line. Where one stops, the other one starts.

Their love of food, though, seems to be equal. Chris jokes that it drives their relationship. “We love to eat,” he says. Shalon agrees, advising newlywed couples, “Take a break to enjoy the food you paid for.”

The Wansleys’ reception spread, provided by Fresh Cut Floral & Catering, featured more than 20 items, including a martini bar and a seafood bar with a southern twist: fried catfish. They gave bourbon pecans as favors.

Sandra Groover of The Cake Shoppe made their wedding cake, with strawberry and lemon layers (and one other layer neither can remember but Chris says was “really good”). Grouper also made the chocolate groom’s cake with butter-cream icing, chocolate ganache and chocolate-covered strawberries.

The guests danced to ’70s and ’80s funk provided by Tyrus Cox, Chris’ friend, and the couple’s first dance was to Michael Jackson’s “Lady In My Life.”

Chris and Shalon shopped local, when possible, and bought many wedding items on etsy.com, where artisans sell their handmade creations online. One special item was a locket with a picture of the bride’s grandmother, who had died years earlier, placed in the bouquet. “She always told me a lot about her grandmother, even back when we were just friends.

And from her stories, I see a lot the qualities she says her grandmother had in her,” Chris says.

The couple now lives in Jackson, and both practice law.

Shalon works at the Mississippi Court of Appeals, and Chris is an attorney at Balch & Bingham law firm. While Chris says they rarely fight, when the duo does, they leave their esquire skills at work.

“We fight fairly; we try not to lawyer each other,” he says.

Shalon adds: “We want to see each other happy and to prosper. We just really love each other.”

Wedding Cake: The Cake Shoppe, Sandra Groover (1976 Loyd St., Pearl, 601932-2914) Wedding Venue: First Baptist Jackson Chapel (431 N. State St., 601-949-1900) Decorations: Fresh Cut Catering & Floral (108 Cypress Cove, Flowood, 601-939-4518) Groom and groomsmen’s attire and accessories: Al’s Formal Wear (1230 E. County Line Road, Suite C, Ridgeland, 601-957-8850) Photographer: Acorn Studio, Erin Faults, 601-291-3761

ACORN STUDIO

hris and Shalon Wansley love exchanging gifts.

“We pride ourselves on being gift givers,” Chris says. On the anniversary of their first date, Chris, 32, took Shalon, 28, to dinner and gifted her with an iPod. Later on that evening, he took the gift giving to another level.

“She has always said she wanted a Build-a-Bear that looks like me,” Chris explains. So he gave her a teddy-bear version of himself, dressed in a gray pinstripe suit with glasses. Shalon burst into laughter, the couple says. When she stopped laughing, she opened her eyes and saw Chris holding an engagement ring.

By the time the wedding rolled around, the couple opted to exchange gifts and personal letters rather than vows at their April 24, 2010, ceremony. Chris gave Shalon her “something blue” (blue topaz earrings), and Shalon gave Chris a pair of Tiffany’s cufflinks he’d been eyeing. They agree, though, that the greatest gift they received was each other.

“It’s comforting. You have somebody that has your best interest in mind that you can depend on. We’d do anything for each other,” Shalon says of their relationship.

by Holly Perkins

First Dance by Holly Perkins What song played for the first dance at your weddng?

“Love of My Life”

by Erykah Badu

“Into the Mystic”

by Van Morrison

“Only You Can Love Me This Way”

by Keith Urban

JFP Assistant to the Editor ShaWanda Jacome, married in 2003

Courtney Peters, owner, MOSAIC Interiors and Courtney Rae Designs, married in 2006

Dena Walker, administrative assistant, University of Mississippi Medical Center, married in 2010

“Groovy Kind of Love”

by Phil Collins

“Superman”

by Robin Thicke

“Don’t Want To Miss a Thing”

by Aerosmith

Kristin Tubb, owner, Orange Peel consignment boutique, married in 2002

Tomika Brown, accounting officer, Mississippi Department of Revenue, married in 2007

Fancy Cleveland, education administrator, University of Mississippi Medical Center, married in 1998

Psonya and Timothy Hackett

C.LASH PHOTOGRAPHY

by ShaWanda Jacome and Phyllis Robinson

Timothy and Psonya Hackett married Oct. 9, 2010.

“My first thought was, ‘I know he didn’t buy me M&M’s for Christmas,’” she says. “And the second thought was, if he did, why didn’t he get the peanut (ones).”

Looking closer at the candy-coated treats, Psonya saw a message: “Will you marry me?” At that same moment Timothy took a black box out of his pocket, which held a princesscut diamond ring. She said yes.

They wanted their wedding to represent their style.

Equally important was having family and friends play a significant role in the ceremony, especially their children. Nadia was the maid of honor and Aidan the ring bearer.

Psonya and Timothy married Oct. 9, 2010, at Jennings Courtyard and Hall at Mississippi College. The bride’s cousin, Elder Stacey Washington, officiated.

“She looked amazing,” Timothy says. “She looked happy. It seemed like a huge pressure (had) lifted from her shoulders. She had waited so long, patiently. I was happy to have the opportunity to get our lives started and moving forward.”

Although their personalities differ—Timothy is serious, and Psonya is funny—they are happy to be married. They had an opportunity to commit their lives to one another before God, family and friends. And as they watched the kids and their families and friends meet and have a good time, it was all worth it.

“Both of us were grateful,” she says. “… I was humbled by all the people that came.”

Currently, Psonya lives in Jackson and Timothy in Memphis. They look forward to living under the same roof in a few months.

Wedding Cake: That Special Touch Cakes (2769 Photographer: Justin Rives (rivesware@ yahoo.com, www. justinrives.com Cake: For Heavens Cakes & Catering (4950 Old Canton Road, 601991-2253) Flowers: The Olive Branch (507 Springridge Road, Suite D, Clinton, 601-924-7684) Hair Stylist: Kimberly Johnson at Elegant Coiffures, 3944 Medgar Evers Blvd., 601-982-4902) Photographer: Courtney Robinson of C.LASH Photography (251-442-5637, clashphoto1@ gmail.com)

C.LASH PHOTOGRAPHY

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ewlyweds Psonya and Timothy Hackett have different accounts of their first encounter at the Jackson County Courthouse in Pascagoula in 2004.

She recalls seeing an attractive man in military dress blues sitting on a nearby bench and staring at her as she waited outside one of the courtrooms. Psonya (the P is silent) is an attorney with the Supreme Court of Mississippi and has been practicing law for 11 years.

“Do I know you from somewhere?” she asked, giving him her card.

“Nope,” he replied. “I don’t think I know you.”

Timothy was amused because she had used the oldest line in the book, but he was interested. The way he tells it, Psonya started their small talk as an excuse to meet him.

“Six years later, the dress blues still work on her,” Timothy says of Psonya’s immediate attraction to him, a man in uniform.

This playfulness has kept the couple strong as they maintain their long-distance relationship. When Timothy and Psonya first met, they lived on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Three months later, he transferred to Virginia and then stayed at sea for three years. Their son, Aiden, was born in 2004.

He says the hardest part about being away from her was not being there to support her decision-making.

“When situations—troubles—at home were happening she had to make tough decisions without me, especially when it came to raising our son,” he said.

Timothy, 41, is a retired U.S. Navy senior chief. He served in the military 21 years before the couple got engaged.

At the time, the Navy gave Tim the choice of reassignment to California or another stint overseas. He retired instead, and works as a high school and college basketball official.

“I didn’t want to move all of them so far away from both

of our families,” he said. “… I didn’t want to uproot her and (our) son. … I wanted her to continue her career and all the things she had going in Jackson.”

He loved the Navy, but he also knew this was a sacrifice he could make for his family’s sake.

His mother, now deceased, raised him near Tulsa, Okla.

After two years of college, he joined the Navy in 1989, earning a bachelor’s degree in human resources while in the service.

Psonya, 36, grew up in Moss Point. After high-school graduation, she moved to Jackson to attend Tougaloo College, receiving a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1996.

She earned her law degree from the University of Mississippi and passed the bar in 1999. Psonya’s original career goal was broadcast journalism, but one of her Tougaloo professors steered her toward law school.

“I’m not your typical courtroom lawyer. I did that for a long time,” she says. “I’m more behind the scenes. I love this job because it allows me to practice law. … I read things; I write things; I analyze things; and I still give advice.”

Psonya moved back to Jackson in 2005 while Timothy was in Virginia and remained here even after he was transferred to Memphis in 2007. Spending the early years of their relationship apart may have been difficult, but they learned the art of communication.

“When he went to Virginia, he was on sea duty. …

Whenever the ship was at sea, we couldn’t talk. But we could always e-mail. I had a rule that I would send him a ‘good morning’ e-mail every day, so when he woke up in the morning, no matter where he was, he would always have an e-mail from me,” she says.

Moving near enough to see each other often changed the dynamic; they had to learn how to be close. The couple had to re-learn to be friends, make decisions together and co-parent Nadia, 17 (Timothy’s daughter from a previous marriage), and Aidan, 6.

“When Timothy was at sea, I had to make all the decisions here at home. Then, upon his return, he had his own ideas, and it was a big adjustment,” she says.

Timothy adds: “She had been the mom and dad for so long; it was kind of difficult. The biggest adjustment was not invading her space, giving her the opportunity to relinquish some of the fatherly duties to me.”

Psonya and Timothy took time to learn about each other and plan their goals. It might have taken longer and they both had to make sacrifices, but in the end, they did it their way.

“The biggest thing I learned about Psonya is how committed she is to family and to me … her commitment to me was amazing and her patience while she allowed me to complete my Navy career,” he says.

In December 2009, after six years of dating and co-parenting, Timothy asked Psonya to marry him. On Christmas day, he presented her with one of her favorite snacks: M&M’s.

• The couple chose Jennings Courtyard and Hall at Mississippi College because it was a unique venue—romantic and fun—and a place where everyone could have a front row seat.

• The color scheme was black and white with a splash of red.

• For the reception, the DJ played ’30s and ’40s music from Sarah Vaughn, Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong, and remakes from that era, because when Aidan was small, Timothy would sing these songs to him.

• Instead of lighting the traditional unity candle, the bride and groom opted to take their first communion together as husband and wife.

ADAM HUDSON PHOTOGRAPHY

Anything but Ordinary:

Adam and Allison Hudson

by Holly Perkins Allison and Adam Hudson have run their wedding photography business for about four years now.

A ADAM HUDSON PHOTOGRAPHY

dam and Allison Hudson are not your ordinary couple. In fact, they “despise the ordinary” so much that they made it their motto for life and business. So it makes sense that they run their successful photography business, Adam Hudson Photography, in quite the unordinary fashion.

The 26-year-old Mississippi natives (Allison from Hattiesburg, Adam from Canton) started their photography business about four years ago, right around the time of their own wedding. Despite their four-year marriage, the couple still act like newlyweds, constantly giggling at each other’s comments and finishing each other’s sentences.

Wedding photography appealed to the couple. “There are so many elements; photojournalistic, portraiture, and ev-

ite proposal story from among their clients because “every single one of them is unique, and I think the proposals are, too,” Adam says.

The couple’s clients are so interesting because, unlike most photographers, the Hudsons have a selection process for clients.

A few factors affect whether they choose a couple, but what helps them decide is how they feel about the couple.

“We’re not going to pick a client that we can’t see ourselves being friends with,” Adam says. “But that doesn’t mean that we can’t have differences. Some of our clients’ political, religious views—all of that—is just completely opposite from what we are, but we still love them as people, and we still get along with them and are great friends with them. So we say if we can’t be friends with them, we won’t select them as clients.”

The selection process also allows the Hudsons to make a personal connection with the clients, which is what their photography is all about.

To Adam, “Photography is such a personal thing.

If there’s any disconnect between the couple’s style and the photographer’s style, then you’re not going to give them what they want.”

With Adam Hudson Photography, personality is everything. They try to get to know their clients’ likes, dislikes, wants, needs, history and what they hope to get out of their wedding pictures. They spend hours scoping out the right locations for engagement shoots, mainly in the downtown area. “I love downtown. I really love the juxtaposition of taking a beautiful bride in a stark white dress and putting her against some Adam and Allison Hudson’s wedding photography incorporates big doses derelict building,” says Adam. of the unusual and unexpected. Pictured here are JP and Lauren Clinard.

Getting to know a couple’s style and pererything’s just happening so fast,” Adam says. “I think after the sonality is important to them and working as a team helps first wedding that we shot, I was hooked.” For the first few them get a clear idea of the couple as a whole. years of their business, they shot weddings exclusively.

“We may have the same style but a different way of getting there. I have a social working background, so I’m more Impressing Allison emotional with my images,” Allison says. “I really strive for that Adam was similarly hooked when he met Allison at Space personal connection, whereas Adam sees things for technical Camp in Jackson when they were 13. They were chosen out of reasons or because he just feels like it looks like a good shot. So the group of campers to be “astronauts” and spend the week in we shoot different things throughout the day then we put it the space capsule. From then on, it was love. together as the full package.”

After years of dating, one day Adam drove to Hattiesburg, They also go as far as to use props, if they feel it fits the woke Allison up, threw some clothes in a bag for her and sur- couple’s style. “One couple we had in Louisiana, for some reaprised her with a trip to Irving, Texas. son, really loved oranges and lemons. It just matched their style, “They have kind of like a riverwalk, with a bunch of ca- so we had to go get some of those,” says Allison, who also gathnals,” Adam says. “We were supposed to do a gondola ride that ers the props, schedules shoots and verifies appointments. night, but we got there. and the wind was blowing about 50 Aside from having to supply citrus, the Hudsons have had miles per hour. It was ridiculous.” little drama in their business. They have no juicy “Bridezilla” After hours of waiting for a gondola ride, Adam grew rest- stories, and the worst issue Adam recalls is a disagreement beless, got down on one knee and proposed. The gondola ride tween a bride and her mother. was back on the agenda for the next day, and Allison was still “I think that if we have any sort of roadblock, it’s that thoroughly impressed. mothers of the bride sometimes don’t quite get our style. Or “He pre-wrote a message, and they put it in a bottle, and every now and then, we’ll have some of the officiates of the they had it floating out in the water. And the little gondolier church or some of the little church ladies that just aren’t quite floats us up to it and was like, ‘Oh what’s that? You should get used to it,” he says. it out of the water.’

“It was really sweet, he did a good job,” Allison says.

Breaking Tradition One of the things the “little church ladies” have a hard Choosing Clients time understanding is that Adam and Allison will break the Despite having such a romantic proposal story them- age-old tradition of grooms not seeing the bride in her dress selves, Adam and Allison have a hard time choosing a favor- before the wedding. They like to have couples venture outside

for what they call the “first look.”

“We’ll set it up so that the groom has his back to the bride, and it’ll be just the two of them in an intimate setting, and she’ll walk up to him and have their ‘first look.’ We go ahead and capture that first expression,” Allison says, smiling as she describes the set-up.

The couple didn‘t discover non-traditional photography until a few weeks after their own wedding, so they used a traditional photographer for their ceremony. While they tend to stray from tradition, Adam still believes it has its place.

“It’s great, but if you can take it and put your spin on it, then I think that’s the best thing for it. And that’s really the meaning behind the slogan ‘Despise the Ordinary,’” he says.

“We always tell our clients, when it comes to their weddings, anything they can do to put their personalities in it and make it about them is better.”

Another way the Hudsons try to bring out personality at weddings is with their photo booth. While the photo booth is now available to rent for parties at rentthebooth.com, it used to be available exclusively to brides. “We wanted to give (brides) something special nobody else had,” Adam says.

The photos from the booth capture the silly fun of weddings that traditional wedding photography generally doesn’t.

They range from a couple sneaking a loving kiss to a group of wedding attendants sticking out their tongues and making funny faces. The photos all add a personal touch to the wedding album. The Hudsons expect to have a new smaller booth with more features available soon for weddings and parties. And the Hudsons are now delving into senior portraits.

At the end of the day, the Hudsons care about capturing memories, whether that be high school or wedding day, and they’re committed to understanding their clients’ style and personality to do that.

“It’s so important to know your photographer and be on the same page creatively, because when the wedding’s all over, all you have left are those images,” Adam says. “The flowers die. The cake gets eaten. And the dress gets boxed up, but the images are the only thing that last past the day.”

Quick Facts

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dam uses Nikon digital, with a bit of film and Polaroid with help from the Impossible Project (theimpossible-project.com). But he claims: “I definitely don’t think the equipment makes much of a difference. It’s what’s behind the camera that makes a difference. You can take any good photographer or any person that’s creative and give them a small point-and-shoot, and as long as they can work it, they can definitely get something great out of it. I think it’s more about the connection with the client and how you look at the world more than anything else.”

• Wedding coverage starts at $2,000.

• The couple is available for travel.

• They only shoot one wedding per day.

• Some weddings book up to 12 months in advance.

• A non-refundable retainer and signed contract are required to reserve a date.

Adamhudsonphotography.com has examples of the studio’s photography work. Information about renting a photo booth is at rentthebooth.com.

by Jesse Crow

COURTESY TIMOTHY COKER

Timothy and Cheryl Coker

Here, Cheryl and Timothy Coker are in Greece on their way to a concert with their students—where you’ll usually find them.

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usic is a powerful thing. It allows people to express their creativity, convey emotions, and it can foster community between like-minded fans. Music can also cause people to fall in love. Just ask Timothy and Cheryl Coker, who have shared a life working with music.

“We’ve enjoyed doing a lot of things together with music through the years, and that’s very special,” Cheryl says.

The Cokers met after Timothy transferred to the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg in 1967. It was their junior year of undergraduate school, and they were both studying music. Cheryl was a piano accompanist for the choir when Timothy began playing for the choir as well.

“We worked together a lot,” Cheryl recalls. “That’s how it began. We were friends and coworkers. … We learned about each other that way and we have continued to work together.”

Aside from working together on campus at Southern Miss, the Cokers also worked together at a local church. Timothy was the youth director and youth choir director, and Cheryl helped him with his duties.

Although they spent a lot of time together, the Cokers only went on one “official” date before they were engaged.

“I didn’t have a car on campus, and she didn’t, either. (My) job took up my whole weekend,” Tim says. “We only had one date where we went off by ourselves and went to see a movie.

We saw ‘Gone With the Wind.’ We had just done a lot of things together so we knew each other very well.”

Just before Christmas 1968 their senior year, Timothy asked Cheryl to marry him. Earlier in the evening they ran a program with the youth group. It was around 10 p.m., and they were sitting in Timothy’s office talking about what they

Wedding Poll

wanted to do with their futures. Timothy did not have a ring nor did he have any plans to propose that night.

“It was just the right to do, so I asked her to marry me,” he says. “I wasn’t going to let her get away.”

After he proposed, they went to Petal to wake up Cheryl’s parents and tell them. The next day they drove to Tupelo, to share the news with Timothy’s family. On the way to Tupelo they stopped at a jeweler in Jackson, where Timothy had once worked, to pick out a stone for the engagement ring. By the time they drove back to Hattiesburg, the ring was ready.

Cheryl spent the next semester student teaching in Florida, a commitment she made before she knew she would be engaged. She traveled back to Mississippi a couple times to help plan the wedding, but she planned most of it by staying in touch with her mom. “Weddings are for mothers, anyway,” Timothy says, laughing.

The Cokers married right after Cheryl graduated in the summer of 1969. They had a traditional wedding at a small church in Petal, Cheryl’s hometown. Her father was the choir director there, and before he walked Cheryl down the aisle, he sang a solo.

After the wedding, instead of being traditionally pelted by rice, the Cokers found their car full of balloons, thanks to Timothy’s two brothers. The Cokers have kept this youthful spirit with them throughout their 41 years of marriage.

They spent their first summer together living in Hattiesburg so Timothy could finish his courses at Southern Miss. They moved to Georgia in the fall and Timothy attended the Candler School of Theology at Emory University for a year, returning to Southern Miss for his master’s degree

in choral conducting.

After Timothy received his master’s degree, they moved back to Mississippi and began their family, “continuing to work together,” Cheryl says, with a laugh. The Cokers have three children, Chrissy, JJ and Carrie, and four grandchildren.

In 1984, the couple moved to Jackson to join the Millsaps College music faculty, working together yet again. When they first came to Millsaps, Cheryl was only offered a part-time position teaching voice. She fondly recalls Timothy’s support and understanding during this time when she grew her studio and waited for her full-time position.

The Cokers still teach at Millsaps and have a legendary presence on campus, especially in the music department.

Timothy directs the Millsaps Singers and Millsaps Chamber Singers and also teaches choral music, theory and conducting.

Cheryl is a professor of voice, vocal literature and pedagogy, opera history and women in music.

“I really appreciate their enthusiasm for music and how they try to make it relevant to us as college students,” says Katie Sorey, a Millsaps senior and member of the Millsaps Singers.

“They’re not teaching us what we need for college—to pass the next class or make it through the next concert—but how to carry this into our professional lives. We have a really strong appreciation for music so we can be advocates for it like the Cokers are.”

The success of the Cokers’ marriage can be attributed to a number of things, they say: their great friendship; their ability to successfully work together; and their common and contagious passion for music. Their ability to compromise and to be supportive and understanding are also elements of their successful marriage.

“I think you have to agree with one another that sometimes things go in the direction of one and sometimes in the direction of the other,” Cheryl says.

“I wasn’t able to begin my doctoral work until our youngest graduated from Millsaps, so I went away to (the University of) Minnesota for a year. … It took a number of years going back and forth to finish. He was very supportive of that, and it was needed.”

Respect and compassion for one another, which stems from their close friendship, has also kept their marriage going.

“She has a pillow over here about us being best friends.

You don’t get along all the time, but you respect each other, and you don’t stay mad for a long time,” Timothy says. “You have your ups and downs and things like that, but you always remain thankful for each other.”

“We don’t always agree, and that’s OK,” Cheryl adds. “We can agree to disagree.”

The Cokers do not have any universal advice for having and keeping a thriving marriage. However, their marriage serves as an example of what to do to make a marriage work: be supportive and close friends, work together, enjoy spending time together, share interests and most of all, share love.

“There’s no silver bullet about what makes something successful or not,” Timothy says. “We feel very fortunate that things have worked this well.”

by ShaWanda Jacome

ERIN FULTS

What was the most unique or most memorable part of your wedding or wedding reception?

“Maybe I’m biased, but we had lots of memorable moments! One funny thing happened during the ceremony was as we were about to say our vows. I wore a tea-length dress, and where we stood in front of the minister was directly over a vent. It was cold that day, and so the heat came on every so often. At the time it came on, I thought, ‘That heat feels good because my legs are cold!’ Before I knew it, our ceremony became like the scene in the Marilyn Monroe movie, ‘The Seven Year Itch,’ with my skirt flying up (luckily, not that high!). After we all had a good laugh about it, we officially got hitched.” —Anna Kline, married to Walter Biggins one year

“I think the most memorable part of our wedding was when I woke up to weather sirens that morning. Our wedding was supposed to be an outside wedding, and all of the chairs were getting rained on. I kept being reminded that in some cultures … they believe that rain on your wedding day is good luck and that it promotes a stronger marriage because the wet ‘knot’ is harder to untie. We all piled into one room at the entrance of the house for our wedding ceremony. I think being gathered all together made the ceremony more intimate and special, and I wouldn’t change any detail, if I could.”

—Lydia Chadwick, married to Price Chadwick three years

Bridal 2011:The Trends COURTESY COTIN SPOSA

If you’re looking for a dress that stands out from the traditional white and ivory, you’ll find dresses in soft colors of blush pinks, pale peaches and muted grays. If you’re not quite that daring, you’ll find many with accents of those colors in the trains, waist sashes or floral details.

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COURTESY MODERN TROUSSEAU

by ShaWanda Jacome

ashion is an organic entity that changes from season to season and, sometimes, moment to moment. Bridal trends for 2011 will see lots of interesting and unique features.

Here are the top looks you’ll see.

If you’re looking for a dress that is girly and flirty, choose ones with lace overlays or detailing. Today’s lace is a far cry from the traditional type of years gone by. Expect to find elegant and luxurious designs.

The trumpet gown hugs you in all the right places. The shape offers an instant glamorous look.

COURTESY BASIL SODA COURTESY NICOLE MILLER

COURTESY MELISSA SWEET

You’ll find dresses with floral accents ranging from delicate floral appliqués to oversized blooms. If you need a little sparkle, look for dresses with glitter accents.

Most probably think of tulle as being used under princess-style gowns to give them that dramatic poufy look. However, this season you’ll see dresses with delicate tulle overlays for an airy and “fairy-like” effect.

COURTESY JLM COUTURE

COURTESY TERRY FOX

Terry Fox blush pink gown

Modern Trousseau lace and trumpet gown

Cotin Sposa blush pink and floral accent gown

JLM Couture ivory tulle over satin/ taffeta baby doll gown Nicole Miller asymmetric mini

Melissa Sweet floral accented gown Basil Soda glitter gown

If you’re a sassy bride or have great legs that you want to show off, going short (above the knee) might be the way to go.

Look for these and other bridal gown options at these local bridal vendors: Alfred Angelo Bridal (1230 E. County Line Road, Suite D, Ridgeland, 601-956-1806, www.alfredangelo.com); A Southern Affair (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 160, 601-487-6218, www.asouthernaffair.net); Bridal Path (4465 Interstate 55 N., Suite 104, 601-982-8267, www.bridalpathinc.com); Finishing Touch Alterations (4551 Office Park Drive, 601-362-5288); Jaki’s Costumes & Party World (5404 Interstate 55 N., 601-957-2999); Bridal Boutique (300 E College St., Clinton, 601-924-8345); Bella Bridesmaid (118 W. Jackson St., Ridgeland, 601-898-0303); Silver Gallery (6380-B Ridgewood Court Drive, 601-952-0525 and 378 Ridge Way, Flowood, 601-919-3008, www.silvergallery.biz)

Fancy Feet

by Natalie A. Collier

O

ne of my personal style philosophies is “Let your shoes do the talking.” When I go shoe shopping, it really doesn’t matter much to me if I have anything to go with the shoe or not.

Wedding day is no different, in my opinion. Sure, it’s about the dress, but every woman thinks about her dress. And then what happens? They end up running out a few days before, picking up some God-awful white satin pump that looks like a bridesmaid pump from 1988 that hasn’t been dyed that curious shade of teal, yet. Your feet deserve more!

For your wedding day, take things up a notch. Spoil yourself, or do something unexpected. If you’re not a stiletto kind of girl, don’t choose your “I do” day to practice; go for something that says your name but has a little bedazzle on it. For others, no matter what, don’t shy away from color. If your dress is a shade of white, go for a punch of color. And if your dress isn’t white, honey, you’re a nontraditional girl who doesn’t need these tips anyway!

Don’t forget your feet, guys. Be they sleek or casual (bedazzlement is up to you), do right by your feet for matrimony day. It’s your wedding, too. You deserve it.

Badgley Mischka gold glitter pump, $187, Coattails

Kenneth Cole ankle zip boot, $108, Red August Badgley Mischka red ruffle sandal, $198, Coattails

Jessica Simpson suede and animal print platform, $98, Belk

Where2Shop:

Belk, 150 Dogwood Festival Blvd., Flowood, 601-9195000 or 1200 E. County Line Road, #300, 601-9770101; Coattails, 111 W. Jackson St., Ridgeland, 601853-1313; Red August, shopredaugust.com

Tuxedo Man

2475 LAKELAND DRIVE FLOWOOD MS 39232 601.933.0074

601-853-3299 • 398 Hwy. 51 • Ridgeland

www.villagebeads.com

Dan’s Tuxedo Tips COURTESY TUXEDO JUNCTION

)NTRODUCING CUSTOM JEWELRY FOR YOUR ENTIRE WEDDING PARTY

You can’t go wrong with a black tuxedo and a white or ivory shirt.

Outdoor wedding Go for a lighter tuxedo, particularly in the heat of the summer. Garforth says that out of 10 renters, probably six or seven choose black tuxedos, with two or three choosing ivory. Brown or chocolate tuxedos have also been popular in the last two or three years.

Trendy/non-traditional wedding Back in the old days, Garforth only had about five or six tuxedo styles. Today, he has a wide range of colors and fabrics. Colors include medium grays, dark grays, browns and blacks.

Black is still number one, but people are in to matching the colors of the vests to coordi-

COURTESY TUXEDO JUNCTION

D

on Garforth is an expert when it comes to outfitting men for their weddings. The Pennsylvania native came to Jackson in 1978 and is the owner of two Tuxedo Junction stores in the Jackson area. “I opened up when Metrocenter Mall opened in 1978,â€? he says. â€œâ€Ś We’ve been here for (more than) 32 years.â€?

Garforth, who attended Furman University in South Carolina majoring in business and finance says, jokingly, “What a coinky-dink that I’d be in business. I just love retail; I just enjoy serving people.�

Tuxedo Junction has done more than 25,000 weddings since opening. “We’re actually doing second-generation weddings and we have second-generation employees working in our stores,� Garforth says.

Garforth started off in business with his dad in South Carolina. When his father retired he started looking for a new location to call home. “We looked at a lot of different locations—Augusta, Ga.; El Paso, Texas; Jackson—and it just looked like a perfect size market for what we wanted to do. ‌ [I]t was probably one of the best decisions we ever made. I have fallen in love with the people of Jackson,â€? he says.

by Holly Perkins

Groomsmen frequently match their vests to coordinate with bridesmaids’ dresses.

nate with the bridesmaids dresses more than they are with the actual tuxedo. They come in looking for the vest colors before they even look at the tuxedo, which is a complete reversal of how it was 10 or 15 years ago.

Black tie/formal wedding If it’s an ultra-formal nighttime wedding, your only option is black, full-dress tails with the white pique shirt, vest, tie, white studs, cufflinks and white gloves. Thirty years ago, one out of 10 weddings Garforth did were at night. Now, it’s probably four or five a year.

For an older groom Most grooms will probably lean a little bit more toward a black tuxedo. It can be a regular sport-coat length or a little bit longer length, and one and two button coats are coming back.

Classic fit great on everyone Garforth says because he’s an “old timer,� you can’t really go wrong with just a basic black tuxedo with either a white or an ivory shirt, depending on what color the bride’s dress is. The bride’s dress and wedding should be the number one focal point, and if the gentleman wears a black tuxedo, her dress stands out in pictures.

Best general advice Find a store like The Tuxedo Junction that actually stocks its tuxedos in the store.

There are so many people, particularly for weddings, that come in from out of town, and the measurements they bring with them are a little bit off. When the tuxedo is in the store, 99.9 percent of all problems are handled right there.

Tuxedo Junction has two locations in the Jackson area: Metrocenter Mall (1279 Metrocenter, 601-969-1728) and Northpark Mall (1200 E. County Line Road, Suite 237, Ridgeland, 601-957-1233).

I

HAROLD HEAD

COURTESY TULIP FLORAL STUDIO

BETH MORGAN

’ll admit I’m a bit of a girly girl, which means I love flowers.

When I attend a wedding, they’re one of the things I most look forward to—even more than the dress. Flowers bring life and color and texture to an event, and they’re a great way to express a couple’s personality. So choosing the right person to design the flowers for a wedding is important.

I sat down with Lesley Frascogna, 29, the stylish owner of Tulip floral studio, to learn more. Because I have never been a bride or had anything to do with planning a wedding, I was full of questions. I could easily see how choosing the right florist, one that you trust to shape the vision for your event, is key.

Growing up in Chicago, Frascogna worked events with her mother, a caterer, from the time she was 13, but florals are what caught her interest. After working in a floral shop for two years, she opened her own shop at 23. When she moved to Jackson, her husband’s hometown, in 2008, she decided to specialize in events and weddings.

When Frascogna talks to a couple, the interview is really a two-way process. Because she sees flowers as her art, she needs to make sure that the couple’s personality and vision fit her own, and that they appreciate her style. They’re not just interviewing her; she’s screening them as well. This leads to a relationship where her brides trust Frascogna to take the inspiration they give her to create personal expressions through flowers.

Local cosmetics maven Amy Head loves helping women find their “naturally glamorous” look.

A

fter her freshman year at Mississippi State University, self-made cosmetics guru Amy Head left school and worked odd jobs until starting her own business, Amy Head Studios, in September 1987.

What started in a small two-room studio has now expanded into a retail cosmetics line, Amy Head Cosmetics, and three large studios in Ridgeland, Oxford and Birmingham that carry her line and Bonnie Holmes Skincare.

Head, 49, was born and reared in Mississippi, moving to Jackson at age 11. She has been married for 28 years to her hus-

The process of interviewing and choosing a wedding floral designer is something to think about early on in the planning process: Wedding season is March through June, and in Jackson, florists generally book six to 12 months in advance for the season.

Frascogna has a number of tips that will help brides-to-be to work with their floral designers. First, set a budget before you talk to a florist, and be up front with it. A florist can work with you to stay within what you can afford, but only if you tell her about it on the front end.

“You wouldn’t go dress shopping without a budget. You might fall in love with a $10,000 dress (with) $5,000 to spend. Flowers are no different; I don’t want to prepare a proposal that you fall in love with only to find out that you can’t afford it,” Frascogna says. Typically, she says, 10 percent to 15 percent of a wedding budget is dedicated to flowers.

Frascogna also requires that her couples have a venue booked before meeting with them. Your flowers should work to complement your space, and the designer loves working in unusual locations. “Get away from the country-club venue!” she challenges. Her dream wedding to style would be a bride who wanted to use succulents and cactuses at a beach wedding.

This past fall, her favorite wedding took place outdoors on a hunting property. She was given freedom to design the entire event and, because the bride was a Mississippi country girl who studied fashion in New York, she went with a countrychic theme—combining deer heads and chandeliers, a ruffled backdrop of vintage fabric, and a burlap runner along with the table scapes and bouquets.

She adds that in considering budget and venue, there

ERIN FULTS OF ACORN STUDIO

by Julie Skipper

Naturally Glamorous band, Harold Head, 56, and they have a daughter, MacKenzie, 17. Having family living nearby has kept her in Jackson, but it wasn’t her only incentive for staying local. “I never aspired to be a high-fashion makeup artist; that was never any kind of motivation,” Head says. “So if I’m not drawn to that, I’m not motivated to try and get to New York or L.A. I love helping the everyday woman and girl.”

Head says that the colors in her American-made cosmetics set them apart from other brands. “I scrutinize over them so that the everyday woman can paint with them successfully,” she says. “It’s not designed for a pro makeup artist to paint with.

It’s something that anyone can be good with on their own face because the colors are natural on their own skin.”

For the bride-to-be, Head advises flipping through magazines to find her “naturally glamorous” look. “Learn how to do your makeup for yourself, so that you can use this naturally glamorous piece of yourself on any occasion,” she advises. “If the makeup looks natural, then you can use that makeup and those techniques all the time, not just your wedding day.”

Amy Head’s Top Five Wedding Beauty Tips “All of these things, don’t do them at the last minute,” Head says. She suggests starting as soon as you’re engaged.

• “Start taking care of your skin as soon as you know you’re getting married, if you haven’t been already,” she says.

• “Be attentive to the eyebrows. The eyebrows have all the power over the beauty of the eye,” Head explains. “If the eyebrows are not good-looking, then you’ll miss the mark on the

ERIN FULTS OF ACORN STUDIO

Shopkeep:The Art of Flowers

Lesley Frascogna, owner of Tulip in Fondren, takes floral arranging to artistic levels.

should be continuity between the wedding venue (e.g., a church) and the reception, and she feels that churches should really be left alone. This philosophy comes in handy for the budget-conscious; brides can concentrate on flowers at the reception and keep things minimal in the church.

Frascogna encourages brides to bring items that have inspired them: pictures of flowers or styling; images that evoke certain feelings; fabrics; graphics—it can be anything. She finds inspiration in textiles, design and fashion. These sources of inspiration make their way into floral design via ribbon treatments on stems with special fabrics, table runners, antique furniture used as a sign-in table and other unexpected elements.

Like fashion, floral design has its trends. This year, the big trend has been a homespun or vintage feel, using touches like antique furniture and glassware containers and fabrics like burlap, along with loose floral arrangements using romantic, classic flowers like garden roses and organics like cotton. Slate and yellow are popular color palates. She says that the next big movement will be modern glam, using colors like plum, teal and slate with metallics.

“There are no rules,” Frascogna says. “You don’t have to carry white, or even toss your bouquet. Carry red; have your bridesmaids carry potted succulents. This is your wedding!”

Tulip is located at 622 Duling Ave., Suite 213, and is open by appointment only. Call 601-572-1777 or visit ilovetulip.com.

by Holly Perkins eyes being as beautiful as possible. ” • “Keep your immune system up. It’s the most stressful time, and if you’re not tending to your sleep and taking nutritional supplements then your skin looks terrible. It’s broken out, and it’s more from an internal reason, not a lack of skin care,” she says.

• “Have super-white teeth. It’s got nothing to do with makeup, but it makes a really big difference,” she says.

• “If the money’s available, take a look at hair color. Sometimes a bride can come across fresher, more vibrant with a touch of highlights,” Head says.

Amy Head’s Top Five Product Picks • Amy Head Highlight Powder in golden luster or pink luster ($38) “It’s a beautiful item to pop and reflect the light around the eyes and top of the cheekbones, which is hard to live without on a bride’s face,” Head says.

• Amy Head Eye Shadow in gleaming ($20) “It’s beautiful on anyone, ... anytime you want to look radiant,” she says.

• Amy Head Eye Primer ($18) “Helps the eye shadow and eyeliner work stay in place for a long time, longevity is important,” she says.

• Bonnie Holmes Mineral Skin Polish ($48) “To exfoliate the skin, it’s divine,” she says.

• Bonnie Holmes Sheer Skin Moisturizer with grape seed ($48) “It’s ah-mazing,” she says.

Amy Head Studio is located at 120 W. Jackson St., Suite B, Ridgeland. Amy Head Cosmetics are also available at Reed’s Department Store in Tupelo, The Alluvian Spa in Greenwood and at amyhead.net.

DIY(WLOH*) Wedding Food

by Tom Ramsey

TOM RAMSEY

*With Lots of Help

A

sking me about “do-it-yourself” wedding food is about the equivalent of asking Dr. Peter Casano about how to pull off a DIY removal of nasal polyps, but I’ll give it my best shot. First and foremost, if you can afford professional help, pay for it. Worrying about the temperature of the pork tenderloin should not be part of your weddingday agenda. You should be thinking about flowers, drunken groomsmen, and your own soon-to-be awesome, married and legit nakedness. That being said, here are some tips on keeping the budget to a minimum and keeping the guests happy.

Abuse Your Friendships: Everyone has a friend who is a kitchen professional, or at least could be. This is your new best pal. Tell him or her exactly what you can spend on actual food cost, and your friend will steer you to the right dishes that can feed a crowd with the efficiency of Jesus with a basket of bread and a few fish.

Keep it Casual: Fancy food costs big money. Don’t try to fool anyone with cutesy little finger food. If the guests are really and truly your friends, they already know how broke you are and might even feel guilty eating a bunch of fancy-schmancy food on your dime. Forget about salmon with dill crème anglais, and instead think sliders, mac-n-cheese, a big pot of red beans and rice, or even fish tacos.

Recruit Everyone: Have a friend that makes killer guacamole dip? Tell them how awesome it is and give them the opportunity to share their goodness with a crowd. Can your soon-to-be ex-roommate bake? Bingo!

Wedding cupcakes (a real wedding cake is so out of your budget).

Match the Food to the Atmosphere: If your reception is going to be a potluck affair, don’t make the ceremony too formal. Make everything fit your personality. Unless you are the tragically stuffy (and recently broke) niece or nephew of Bernie Madoff, don’t try for a Di and Charles-style wedding. Just get yourself and your “intended” in front of someone with the authority to hitch you, mix in some friends, some music (provided for free by your friends in a band), some great food and a keg, and you’re all set.

Use Paper Goods: You can buy about 500 of the little red-and-white paper food boats for $25. They are cheap, they hold food, and they look way cooler than paper plates.

The real name of these things is three-pound food trays. Use them, plus Dixie cups and paper napkins. You won’t be offending her majesty the queen, because you won’t be serving her. She isn’t coming. Stop sending her

BAJA-ASIAN FISH TACOS 20 catfish fillets 120 corn tortillas 5 heads green cabbage 5 heads purple cabbage 5 bunches cilantro 8 limes 20 medium Roma tomatoes 8 Serrano peppers 8 jalapeño peppers 5 cups mayonnaise 8 tablespoons toasted sesame oil 8 tablespoons soy sauce 8 teaspoons minced ginger 6 tablespoons olive oil Mexican spice rub

Rinse catfish fillets in cold running water and pat dry with a paper towel. Rub fish generously with Mexican spice rub, coating both sides.

Chop cabbage into long, thin slivers.

Dice tomatoes. Finely chop cilantro. Finely chop peppers.

the invitations; you’re just wasting money on postage and paper that could be going to buy a little more food.

Getting the idea? Now let’s move on to specifics. Assemble the team and get to work.

Rice and beans are cheap. Plus, this is the South, and people just love a good pot of red beans and rice. Some type of pork is always on sale. Buy a wagon load of picnic shoulder or Boston butt and slow roast it. When it’s all done, pull it and slather it in a homemade barbecue sauce and serve with white bread.

Noodles are so cheap that I think they pay you to take them out of the store. Buy big bags of generic elbow macaroni and loads of store brand cheese. Tacos are cheap, too. Make an Asian cabbage slaw and pair with grilled catfish (really inexpensive), and there you have it: full-on casual wedding food.

Just don’t forget the cupcakes; it’s so cute when the bride and groom feed each other wedding cake. I can’t imagine how much cuter that would be if said cake is in cup form.

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Warm the tortillas in a 350-degree oven for 15 minutes and reduce heat to 200 to hold while preparing the rest of the dish.

Combine all but one tablespoon of the cilantro, mayonnaise, peppers, sesame oil, soy sauce, ginger and the juice of one lime. Whisk well to combine all ingredients. Add cabbage and toss until cabbage is fully coated by the wet ingredients. Place the mixture in a colander inside a large mixing bowl to drain.

Toss the diced tomatoes in the juice from half a lime and the reserved one tablespoon of cilantro.

Rub the catfish with olive oil and grill over a medium flame until flaky and firm.

Place the cooked fish in a mixing bowl and break up with a fork. Add the juice from half a lime.

Remove the warm tortillas from the oven and fill with catfish and cabbage slaw, top with tomatoes.

Serves 60.

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‘You Are My Rock’ COURTESY OF AILEEN MORAN

by Katie Bonds

Aileen Moran and Rudy Daghmach were married Dec. 11, 2010, at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Jackson. The couple now resides in Madison.

E

Films of Love

by Jeffrey Yentz

ven though Aileen Moran and Rudy Daghmach both worked at the former Atlantica Grill in Madison through part of 2008 and part of 2009, they did not speak to each other for six months.

Because Daghmach, 33, worked in the kitchen, was quiet, and looked like he was from another country, Moran simply assumed he did not speak English.

They were married Dec. 11, 2010. Looking at them now, you would think they had known each other all their lives. They gaze into each other’s eyes when they speak, and Moran often sweetly and gently corrects Daghmach’s English.

Daghmach, originally from Syria, moved to Madison in 2007, and began working at Atlantica where one of his brothers, Zoffee Daghmach, was an owner. His brother offered him a job there until he could figure out what he wanted to do. Today, he is co-owner of Ridgeland Discount Wine and Spirits.

For Moran, who has lived most of her life in Madison, waiting tables at Atlantica was also a transitional job.

It was a source of income for her while she attended the Mississippi Institute of Aesthetics. Moran now works as an aesthetician at the Reynolds Center in Jackson.

Though Moran was clueless about Daghmach, she did think he was extremely handsome. Even so, she never tried to strike up a conversation with him. And Daghmach was too shy and reserved to talk to the beautiful Moran.

However, during those six months of silence, unbeknownst to Moran, Daghmach was falling in love. “I started to watch her,” Daghmach says. “I liked her manner with people and how she talked about her family all the time.”

Finally, Moran realized that Daghmach could speak English, and they became friends. One weekend, they went to New Orleans with a group of acquaintances. In New Orleans, they held hands and danced together for the first time. “It just felt natural,” Moran recalls. They’ve been together ever since.

After about six months of dating, Daghmach knew Moran was the one for him. He started telling his parents in

“La Belle et la Bete” (1946) with Josette Day as Beauty and Jean Marais as Beast. A father finds himself at a fantastical castle where he picks a rose for his daughter Belle. The head of the manor, the Beast, confronts the father with two op-

Syria about her, and bought her and himself matching rings.

Matching rings in Syrian culture means you are engaged.

“I was engaged to her in my country before we were engaged here,” Daghmach says.

But Daghmach wanted to honor Moran’s culture as well. He had a friend who owned a jewelry store in Syria handcraft Moran’s engagement ring and wedding band. Six months after he got the rings, he proposed. The couple had looked at rings together in the past, and Moran was worried about what he would pick. She wanted one of her sisters to go with Daghmach to help him, so Daghmach was forced to tell Moran that he already had the ring.

“I told her: ‘Too late. I have it, and it’s not from here, and it’s ugly,’” he says.

Daghmach is Greek Orthodox and Moran is Catholic, and they decided to get married at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Jackson. Moran admits she has always loved the architecture of the cathedral, and they felt an immediate connection to Rev. Jeffrey Waldrep who went out of his way to make Moran and Daghmach comfortable. He even went so far as to help Daghmach with his English.

The couple held the rehearsal dinner at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Madison where Daghmach’s brother attends and Moran’s family has attended since she was in middle school. The Knights of Columbus catered the meal, and because Daghmach and Moran both come from large families (they each have seven siblings), 65 guests attended the rehearsal dinner. A hand-made, traditional Syrian tablecloth covered Moran and Daghmach’s table at the dinner, and a slide show of pictures of Moran and Daghmach played during the meal, which made everyone cry.

The color scheme at the wedding was snow white and gold. The flowers included large calla lilies and white roses with feather accents. Because Daghmach’s parents could not make the journey from Syria due to their age and health, Moran and Daghmach held a rosary while they were blessed, and they plan to send the rosary to Daghmach’s parents.

tions: the father’s death or his daughter to remain in the castle forever. The father opts for the latter. Belle detests the Beast, but the two grow to love another.

“The Time Machine” (2002) with Guy Pearce as Alexander Hartdegen, Sienna Guillory as Emma and Samantha Mumba as Mara. His fiancée (Emma)

is murdered in front of him, and Alexander becomes obsessed, inventing a time machine so he can change history. The invention works, but changing the course of events does not. Dismayed, he travels forward in the hopes of finding peace and bliss. Instead he

Rehearsal Dinner: St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 4000 W. Tidewater Lane, Madison, 601-856-5556 (catered by Knights of Columbus) Reception: Northepointe Red Barn, 201 Northpointe Parkway, 601-991-9461.

Wedding Cake: Jennifer Skirtech (a friend of Daghmach) Flowers: Green Oaks, 5009 Old Canton Road, 601-956-5017.

Photography: Badia Daghmach (one of Daghmach’s cousins) Videography: Azod Abedikichi (one of Daghmach’s friends) Catering: Daniel Caron (former chef at Atlantica) Invitations: The couple did their own invitations with materials purchased at Hobby Lobby.

Wedding and Bridesmaids’ Dresses: David’s Bridal 1039 E. County Line Road, 601-9570505.

Tuxes: Suit City, 4102 Highway 80 W., 601-922-1515.

Moran’s sister, Michelle, a bridesmaid, sang “Oh, Perfect Love” and a song based on Psalm 28. Another of Moran’s sisters, Julie, was the maid of honor, and one of Daghmach’s brothers, Refat, was the best man.

The wedding reception was held at the Northpointe Red Barn. There, guests had fun dancing to traditional Syrian dances, ate tons of good food catered by former Atlantica chef Daniel Caron and drank excellent wine. Moran and Daghmach danced to “Stand By Me,” by Ben King, and “Habibi” (which means my love), by Majida El Roumi.

Moran and Daghmach recently returned from their honeymoon. They went on a cruise to Cozumel, Mexico and are now living in Madison.

finds the Eloi, evil Morlocks, and another love: Mara.

“Somewhere In Time” (1980) with Christopher Reeve as Richard Collier and Jane Seymour as Elise McKenna. A young writer attends his first

play’s opening, where an old woman says: “Come back to me.” The woman was a highly touted actress in the 1890s.

The more Richard dwells on the encounter, the more obsessed he becomes trying to “go back.” He succeeds (you’ll have to see how he does it), and they end up together, but their bliss is ripped asunder, and Collier strives to return.

Always a Bridesmaid …

A

COURTESY WATTERS & WATTERS

A great way to see dresses off the rack is at a bridal show.The Premier Bridal Show: Girls’ Night Out will be at the Hilton Jackson on Thursday, July 7, 5 to 7:30 p.m.The event showcases all the best for your bridal needs. For more information, visit thepremierbridalshow.com COURTESY LELA ROSE AND LIZ FIELDS

COURTESY WTOO BY WATTERS & WATTERS

When selecting a dress for your plus-sized bridesmaid, talk to her about what type of fit makes her comfortable.

Strapless dresses can be elegant, but if your bridesmaid wants to be more covered, adding a shoulder wrap could fix that dilemma.

Don’t be afraid of color and accents.The ruffled collar of the purple dress and the flower on the lapel of the yellow dress add visual interest.

The white and black of this dress is classic and elegant.

COURTESY LANDA AND SOHOMODE

Show off killer legs and play with analogous colors in this dress. Navy blue and purple are adjacent to one another on the color wheel.

AMILE WILSON

Halter dresses are a great way to show off toned arms. Good for most body types, just make sure the straps are thick enough and proper undergarments are worn to support the bustline.

more saturated and rich colors, like browns, sapphires and scarlet red are great for evening or more formal weddings.

When deciding on a color scheme, a bride should take cues from the color wheel. Go with a monochromatic look, using different hues of the same colors, try something a little more daring like analogous colors (next to each other on the color wheel, like yellow and green, or red and purple); go for complementary colors (opposites, like white and black, or aqua blue and tangerine). With these combinations, options are practically limitless. And a bride should never hesitate to introduce new colors through accessories: shoes, jewelry, dress sash or flowers (bouquets or in the hair).

For the perfect wedding day look, dear bride, start early in your search for the perfect bridesmaid dresses to complement the centerpiece: you.

BRUCE POLITE/SIMPLY PHOTOGRAPHY

COURTESY ALFRED ANGELO

COURTESY ALFRED ANGELO

fter choosing the wedding gown, selecting a bridesmaid’s dress should rank high on a bride’s to-do-list. Ideally, a bridesmaid dress complements the wedding gown, flowers and the women wearing them, and selecting one can be fun or stressful.

Brides have many factors to consider when choosing the bridesmaid’s dress: the season; the color; the fabric; the length—short, long or cocktail; what works best for the body types of her bridesmaids (including plus-size); and, most importantly, style. Today’s trend is simple elegance. More brides are choosing slip or sheath dresses because they flatter a wide variety of figure types and are easily re-purposed as cocktail dresses. Two-piece separates, column and short dresses are also quite popular this year.

One of the hottest colors for bridesmaid dresses is purple, whether in hues of lavender, violet or plum. Other popular choices include pastels, corals, lime green and electric blue. And

by Phyllis Robinson and ShaWanda Jacome

Allowing bridesmaids to choose individual dress styles (length, cut and neckline). For the more modest bridesmaid long sleeves would be a perfect choice. Long sleeves are also an option for older bridesmaids or the mother-of-the-bride.

where2shop Look for these and other bridal gown and bridesmaid dress options at these local vendors: Alfred Angelo Bridal (1230 E. County Line Road, Suite D, Ridgeland, 601-956-1806, www. alfredangelo.com) A Southern Affair (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 160, 601-4876218, www.asouthernaffair.net) Bella Bridesmaid (118 W. Jackson St., Ridgeland, 601-898-0303)

Slender body types should consider dresses that give them extra dimension.The peach dress

by SohoMode is vintage inspired with layers of ruffles adding movement and body to the dress.

Bridal Boutique (300 E College St., Clinton, 601-924-8345) Bridal Path (4465 Interstate 55 N, Suite 104, 601-982-8267, www.bridalpathinc.com) Fashion Post (4800 Interstate 55 N, Suite 9, 601-362-5171) Finishing Touch Alterations (4551 Office Park Drive, 601362-5288) Glitz & Glamour (6791 South Siwell Road, Byram, 601-5028274, www.glitzandglamour.us) Imaginations Bridal (131

West Cherokee St., Brookhaven, 601-833-6280) Jaki’s Bridal & Formal Wear (5404 Interstate 55 N., 601-9572929, www.jakisbridal.com) Puttin’ on the Glitz (322 Highway 80 E., Suite 10, Clinton, 601-924-7252, www.puttinontheglitzms.com) Silver Gallery (6380-B Ridgewood Court Drive, 601-9520525 and 378 Ridge Way, Flowood, 601-919-3008, www. silvergallery.biz)

by ShaWanda Jacome

ADAM HUDSON PHOTOGRAPHY

The Schwindickermans Darren and Melia kept their budget modest, but splurged on three things: food, the honeymoon and photography.

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irst there were Bennifer and Tomkat, and then came Brangelina. And now Jackson has the Schwindickermans, also known as Darren Schwindaman, 27, and Melia Dicker, 30. The playfulness of combining their last names is indicative of the type of couple they are.

“It’s funny to call ourselves the Schwindickermans. Even our grandparents will address things to the Schwindickermans now,” Melia says.

The couple met through Melia’s sister, Gillian Burgess, in 2005 at Darren and Gillian’s graduation from Loyola University in New Orleans. “I thought Darren was really cute,” Melia says. “We sort of hit off a little bit, but we didn’t stay in touch afterward.”

Three years later in 2008, on a trip to Mardi Gras with friends, their spark rekindled. “I thought she was like smokin’ hot and way out of my league,” says Darren, who had moved back to Jackson after Hurricane Katrina.

“I didn’t know really that the attraction was mutual at that time. But I was just kind of throwing it all to the wind.”

Melia says, “We had a lot in common. We had the entrepreneurial spirit and sort of artistic interests.”

What would seem an unlikely pair—a Mississippi boy and California girl—soon blossomed into friendship and then romance.

They spent the next year cultivating their relationship from a distance, including an epic four-day tour of San Francisco, where Melia was living at the time. “We did a taco crawl … like a pub crawl. We went to 10 taquerias,” Melia says. All her efforts of planning the weekend, didn’t go unnoticed by Darren. “I was swept off my feet at that point,” Darren says.

Melia took a huge step in 2009 and moved to Jackson.

The transition wasn’t completely without its challenges, but Melia soon found her stride with Darren’s support.

Marrying Melia is something Darren had in the back of his mind for a while. “By the end of 2008, I was confident that I wanted to get married,” he says.

Darren proposed to Melia on Feb. 3, 2010, at Amerigo Italian restaurant in Ridgeland. It was a movie-worthy moment: The waiter presented the ring with Melia’s dessert. Darren got down on one knee with the entire crowd watching, and people clapped when she said yes.

Their wedding theme revolved around their love of travel. Darren designed all the materials, including invitations and website with this in mind. “We chose this kind of international envelope feel for everything. It’s elegant, but still kind of

funky. I just thought it struck the right tone,” Darren says.

In March 2010, Darren and Melia started their own media business, Creative Distillery, with Melia’s sister, Gillian. Darren works as the graphic and web designer, and Melia handles communications, branding and operations.

Darren also created the invitations for another JFP Hitched couple, Brad and Funmi Franklin.

The couple exchanged vows Feb. 26, in the Union Station foyer off Mill Street, with a reception following in the Union Station ballroom.

“We wanted to do the ceremony from beginning to end our way. … We kind of came up with our own road map of what we liked,” Darren says. “We let our creativity shine through and our personality and let that be front and center the whole time.”

The couple opted for an interfaith ceremony that borrowed from many traditions, including the lighting of a unity candle from the Christian tradition.

“We’re definitely not anti-tradition or anti-religion,” Melia says. “It’s just that we picked and (chose) what was meaningful to us.”

They also added their personal touches, including a family blessing and the reading of the poems “To Love is Not to Possess” by James Kavanaugh and “Love Sonnet XVII” by Pablo Neruda.

The bridal party, which included Melia’s sister as matron of honor and Darren’s brothers as best men, donned black dresses

• During the ceremony, friends and Jacksonians Jamie Weems and Johnny Bertram performed specially requested songs, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “Sea of Love.”

• As a wedding gift, artist Stephanie Dwyer (601-955-0457, www.missmetaldesign.com) created a bottle tree arbor for the ceremony.

• Darren and Melia chose married couple and ordained ministers David and Debo Dykes of the D. L. Dykes, Jr. Foundation and Faith and Reason (200 S. Lamar St., Suite 130S, 601-354-0767, www.faithandreason.org) to officiate the ceremony. “Their relationship is so what we want to be,” Melia says, to which Darren adds: “They’re super vibrant, really funny, travel a lot.”

with an optional red sash accent, and dark gray or black suits for the guys with red satin ties. They kept it simple, with many of the bridal party wearing something they already owned.

The bride wore a satin strapless floor-length Jessica McClintock gown with a delicate shimmery lace overlay.

Brenda Dampeer of Nana’s Alterations in Jackson added the sash.

“Wearing a red sash and shoes was my way of recognizing my Chinese heritage. Traditionally, Chinese brides wear red or pink, which represents happiness,” Melia says. Darren wore a custom-fitted charcoal-gray suit from Great Scott.

For the reception, the couple offered guests food stations with regional and international cuisines: the Louisiana bayou, Mexican fajitas, an Italian pasta bar, American dips and appetizers, and a French pastry station with crepes and crème brûlée.

“Cakes are beautiful, but neither one of us loves to eat cake. We prefer pastries, and it goes more with our theme. We didn’t want to do anything just to do it,” Melia says.

Instead of a bouquet toss, Darren and Melia honored the couple in the room that had been married the longest.

Because they had a smaller, more intimate wedding of primarily family, after the ceremony and reception, Darren and Melia hung out at the King Edward Hotel Bar with friends who weren’t able to be at the ceremony.

For their honeymoon in April, the couple will travel to Italy, Spain and France. It will be their first time in Europe together as a couple.

Wedding and Reception Venue: Union Station (300 W. Capitol St. at Mill Street). Booking through the Jackson Redevelopment Authority, 601-960-1815.

After-Reception Drinks: King Edward Hotel Bar (Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Jackson, 235 W. Captiol St., 601-353-5464) Rehearsal Dinner: Pan Asia (720 Lake Harbour Drive, Ridgeland, 601-956-2958) Reception DJ: Scott Steele (305 Towne Center Place, Suite B, Ridgeland, 601-540-6467, www. scottsteelemusic.com) Photography: Adam Hudson Photography (601317-0595, www.adamhudsonphotography.com) Catering, Floral,Table Settings: Wendy Putt, Fresh Cut Catering & Floral (108 Cypress Cove, Flowood, 601-939-4518) Lighting Design: Davaine Lighting (601-906-9051, www.davainelighting.com)

• The couple registered at HoneyFund.com. “It’s not just like, ‘give us money.’ It’s like ‘here’s a piece of the experience,’” Darren says. People could contribute small amounts to events like the couple’s first dinner in Barcelona or a bottle of wine for each night of their cruise.

• With their commitment to “shopping local,” Darren and Melia purchased their wedding rings from Carter Jewelers using vouchers they purchased from JFP-sponsored Half Off Depot. In a turn of events, Melia’s ring got stuck on her finger. You can read the entire story on their blog, www.eatdrinkandbemarried.com. Windex was involved.

Suggest a Hitched couple at hitched@jacksonfreepress.com.

CORI SULLIVAN

Eco-Honeymoons

by Holly Perkins

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at places that were very environmentally conscious,” Cori says.

They chose to travel to one of the most environmentally conscious destinations in the world: Costa Rica. The country follows the Certification for Sustainable Tourism Program (CST), which ranks tourist spots on a 1 to 5 scale based on their “natural, cultural and social resource management.” CST allowed the Sullivans to be aware of the eco-friendliness of each location they visited.

Costa Rica is growing in popularity, thanks to its ecofriendly tourist spots, and is quickly becoming the go-to vacation spot for environmentally conscious or adventureseeking tourists. McGehee Cruise and Vacation in Highland Village suggests Costa Rica as a great eco-adventure and eco-friendly destination.

While they cite Costa Rica for its adventure activities—zip lining, hiking, rock climbing and white-water rafting to name a few—McGehee also features Costa Rican hotels such as the Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation and Inn, where the Sullivans spent a few days of their honeymoon. The inn is a lavish hotel that has consistently scored the highest ranking from the CST due to its earth-friendly practices such as serving on-site grown organic coffee and vegetables, using solar panels and composting.

Many countries are trying to reduce tourism’s carbon footprint, and more eco-friendly resorts are popping up in countries like Brazil, Vietnam, Bali and Kenya. Jackson’s VIP Travel, which bills itself as the “Honeymoon Experts,” offers many eco-friendly honeymoon destinations, ranging from exotic eco-friendly Kenyan safaris to simple stays at a luxurious eco-friendly hotel in Colorado.

The United States is also becoming more environ-

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n your big day, don’t step out on the dance floor with two left feet. Instead, invest a little money and time to make your first dance together as husband and wife a thing of grace and beauty.

FILE PHOTO

Applause Dance Factory (242 Stephens St., Ridgeland, 601856-6168) has instructors in many dance styles, including ballroom, Latin and swing. They will work with the couple to choreograph their dance to match whichever song they choose for their first dance.

Mississippi Dance Connection Ballroom Dance Center (306 N. Bierdeman Road, Pearl, 601-932-2374) offers a basic wedding package of five dance lessons for $325, or the couple can design their own. Instructors tailor dance lessons to the couple’s music selection. Instructors will also help the couple pick a song if they’re having trouble.

Salsa Mississippi Studio and Club (605 Duling Ave.., 601213-6355) offers private classes for any type of dance. Although they mainly teach salsa, they have instructors fully trained in an array of ballroom dance styles.

Strictly Dancing Ballroom Studio (953 North State St., 601-944-1315) offers a wedding package of 10 private lessons and two hours of group dance for $250. Instructors teach ballroom, Latin, swing dance, country and other couple dances. They base choreography on the song selection—waltz is most popular, but the foxtrot, salsa and the tango are growing in popularity.

mentally conscious, and eco-friendly hotels are sprouting up everywhere. Some hotels are taking steps toward being “green,” like the Orchard Garden Inn in San Francisco, built from the ground up in an eco-friendly way, and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified. Other hotels are taking smaller steps, such as 70 Park Avenue Hotel in New York City, which offers discounts for hybrid drivers and recycles its kitchen oil as bio-diesel.

Eco-friendly and Eco-adventure Honeymoon Resources McGehee Cruise and Vacation Highland Village, Suite 104, 4500 Interstate 55 N., 601-981-7070, mcgeheecruise.com VIP Travel 3000 Old Canton Road, Suite 250, 601-321-1939, viptravelexperts.com theworldoutdoors.com responsibletravel.com ecotourism.org travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/eco-tourism

Register Locally

Wedding Dance Lessons

by Jesse Crow

Cori and Mark Sullivan of Jackson spent their 2009 ecohoneymoon in Costa Rica.

CORI SULLIVAN

hen most couples talk about their honeymoon, it’s usually stories of how wonderful the masseuse was at the hotel spa or how delectable the food.

They might even mention the breathtaking view from their room. This is about the time we nod and smile, and act like it all sounds so exciting and interesting.

The truth? It’s not really that exciting. But imagine a couple describing the rush they got zip-lining through a tropical forest, being surrounded by majestic waterfalls while snorkeling among rainbow-colored fish, or their upclose encounters with whales, seals and polar bears. Now that makes for an interesting honeymoon recap.

What could be a better start to spending the rest of your life with the person you love than having an adrenaline-filled, once-in-a-lifetime experience together?

It’s easier than ever to share these experiences with the current trend of “eco-adventure” honeymoons. Whether you want to feel the snow of the Alps, the sands of African deserts, the salty waters in the Australian coral reefs or anything in between, an eco-adventure honeymoon offers a one-of-a-kind honeymoon experience, all for about the same price as a normal honeymoon.

Eco-tourism is gaining in popularity, even for those looking for a laid-back honeymoon. Just go for a little more eco and little less adventure. Eco-tourism is also an environmentally conscious way of traveling.

Former “Hitched” couple Cori and Mark Sullivan decided to take an eco-honeymoon after their 2009 nuptials.

“If you’re flying or have to drive around, it’s not environmentally friendly, but at the same time, it’s your honeymoon, and I feel like you should still get to experience what you want to experience. It was very important for us to stay

by J. Ashley Nolen

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or some couples, developing a bridal registry is one of the most exciting parts of getting married. It is their one opportunity to think about the special items they want to fill the home they will share.

Bridal registries are personal and can often reveal the personality of the special couple soon to be wed. Here are just a few local businesses that offer specialty bridal registries to their customers: Batte Furniture and Interiors (1010 E. Northside Drive, 601366-0335, www.battefurniture. com). Home furnishings and accessories.

Belk (Northpark Mall, 1200 E. County Line Road, Ridgeland, 601-991-2017; 150 Dogwood Ave., Flowood, 601-919-5000 www. belk.com). Southern-based department store with clothing, footwear, bedding, furniture, jewelry, beauty products and housewares.

Cupboard Gifts & Interiors (745 Clinton Parkway, Clinton, 601-924-5245). China, picture frames, pottery, gourmet foods, linens and home décor.

The Everyday Gourmet (1625 E. County Line Road, 1-800-8980122; 1107 Highway Colony Parkway, Suite 111, Ridgeland, www.theeverydaygourmet.com).

Glassware, dinnerware and kitchen supplies.

Gail Pittman Designs (115 W. Jackson St., Suite 1F, Ridgeland, 601-707-7861, www.gailpittman. com). Hand-painted pottery, ceramics and dinnerware sets.

Hearron Fine Gifts (1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 5009, Ridgeland, 601-856-8982, www. hearronfinegifts.com). Gifts for all occasions and the latest accents to update your home.

Mississippi Craft Center (950 Rice Road, Ridgeland, 601-856-

7546, www.mscrafts.org). Pottery, glassware, and wooden spoons and bowls.

Mississippi Gift Company (300 Howard St., Greenwood, 1-800467-7763, www.themississippi giftcompany.com). Mississippi food and gift items handcrafted by more than 150 Mississippi gourmet food companies, entrepreneurs and artists.

Persnickety (2078 Main St., Madison, 601-853-9595). Upscale home decor, gifts and glassware.

Stein Jewelry Company (1896 Main St., Suite E, Madison, 601605-8648, www.steinjewelry.net/ home). Fine jewelry, watches, fine gifts and accessories.

SummerHouse (1109 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite D, Ridgeland, 601-853-4445, www. summerhousestyle.com). Unique and modern home-furniture boutique and interior design.

CODY BRUCE

Roots of Utopia

by Rose Pendleton

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BRIAN SACRISA

hen asked how a dietitian from Biloxi met and married an electrician from Brandon, Brittany Hammons Simmons, 26, and Geoffrey Simmons, 24, answer, “Club Fire.” The reactions they receive from their answer still make them giggle and share a secret smile about that night in 2008.

The twosome kept in touch through text messaging while living in two different regions of Mississippi, After Brittany moved to Jackson in May 2008 for an internship with Mississippi Baptist Health Systems, the couple had their first date at the Natchez Trace Park. They like to spend their time supporting local bands, hiking, canoeing and hosting cookouts.

“We’re the house everyone goes to on the weekends,” Brittany said.

Brittany and Geoff married May 14, 2011, which is was Brittany’s birthday as well. May 14 is also the day they got engaged a year prior while attending the Hangout Music Festival in Gulf Shores, Ala. He suggested a walk on the beach, and then he pulled the ring out of his pocket.

“No speech, nothing fancy,” Geoff said. “It’s not me. I’m not big on the traditional stuff.”

Geoffrey and Brittany were married May 14, also the bride’s birthday, at The Cedars in Jackson.

• The bridesmaids had matching earrings and parasols. The parasols are from www.lunabazaar.com. The earrings were gifts from Brittany who bought them on Etsy.com. Many of the items used at the wedding were handmade and purchased from Etsy.com, including the two handmade birds on top of the cake, a burlap ring bearer pillow, the flower girl’s basket and halo and the maid of honor’s hair band.

• Brittany bought her gown from Forrest

In fact, making sure the groom didn’t see the bride’s gown before the wedding was one of few traditional elements of their wedding along with Brittany being escorted down the aisle by her father. Both of them, that is. She was arm-in-arm with her biological father and her stepfather. Beyond that, the couple wasn’t interested in sticking with the conventional. They wanted every facet of their important day to be wholly their own, even down to their bridal registry. Instead of dishware and linens, they registered for a camping tent. Along the same vein, for their bachelor and bachelorette parties, Geoff kayaked at Buffalo River in Arkansas and Brittany played bongos in a reggae band.

The couple was married underneath the large cedar, oak and magnolia trees at The Cedars in Jackson. At the entrance of the hollowed-magnolia tree, the couple made a handmade sign that said “Roots of Eutopia.”

“Geoff and I came up with that name. It was a cute lounge area with chairs and the tree had light strung throughout the center of it. … We are extremely free-spirited, relaxed people who love hanging out with friends.”

Geoff’s cousin Kevin Shoumaker performed the ceremony.

As the bridal party marched from the altar, musicians Cody Bruce and Shane Heath played “One Love” by Bob Marley.

Tables with an assortment of flowers, including pink peonies, peeking out of old glass bottles sitting atop tree slices and strings of lights added to the quaint and woodsy atmosphere of the event.

“We raided Rainbow’s collection of recyclables every so often to take clear wine bottles home. We cleaned them and painted them different shades of blues and greens,” Brittany said.

They also decorated with vintage hard suitcases borrowed from a friend’s parents.

“We wanted something whimsical, down to earth,” Brittany said.

The couple booked The Cedars for the weekend, so it was a good use of money and time to hold the rehearsal dinner, wedding and reception in one venue. They also saved money by foregoing abundant floral displays. The bridesmaids wore fuchsia dresses and carried parasols instead of bouquets.

“The bridesmaids were my flowers,” Brittany said.

For their first dance, Brittany asked Jackson band the Bailey Bros. to play “Anyone Else But You” by The Moldy Peaches as a surprise for Geoff. The song was one of the couple’s favorites. Jason Bailey sang the song as a duet with his girlfriend Hannah Gross.

For their honeymoon, the couple originally thought of camping and hiking in Oregon or Washington, but St. Lucia became their final choice.

Paper and Bridal (6555 U.S. 98 W, Suite 4, Hattiesburg, 601-545-7422 or 601-4503737) because they offered organic dresses.

The gown, designed by Adele Wechsler, was made of hemp and vegetable-dyed silk.

• Joshua Beckmeyer from Memphis, the couple’s videographer friend set up a vintage photo booth with props for everyone to use.

• Kid-friendly vintage games were at each reception table to entertain any kids that attended and the wedding programs also

Geoffrey and Brittany hiking with friends at LeFleurs Bluff near Mayes Lake in Jackson.

“It was the perfect mixture of mountains and tropics,” Brittany said.

They stayed in a treehouse, mingled with locals, ate at the Boucan Restaurant and Bar where cocoa was an ingredient in everything and went to the La Soufriere, St. Lucia’s drive-in volcano.

The couple lives in Jackson. Brittany is a dietitian with Mississippi Baptist Health Systems and a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi and Geoff is an industrial electrician and received his journeymen certification from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. The couple dated for two years before getting engaged.

Wedding Planner: Deborah Simmons of Signature Occasions (290 Commerce Park Drive, Suite A, Ridgeland, 601-952-1960) Cake: That Special Touch Cakes and Flowers (2769 Old Brandon Road, Pearl, 601-932-5223) Rehearsal dinner, wedding and reception venue: The Cedars (4145 Old Canton Road, Jackson, 601-366-5552 or 601-981-9606) Invitations: Divine Dezynes (888-359-0417, www.divinedezynes.com) Bridesmaid gowns by Lula Kate: Bella Bridesmaid (118 W. Jackson St., Suite B, Ridgeland, 601-898-0303, www.bellabridesmaid.com.)

Tuxedos: Tuxedo Junction (Northpark Mall, Suite 237, 601-957-1233, www.tuxedojunction.com.)

Reception Music: The Bailey Bros (www. myspace.com/thebaileybros.)

Photographer: Brian Sacrisca (a friend of the couple), www.dwsphotos.com Hairdresser: Oasis Hair Nails and Massage (5230 U.S. 80 E, Suite B, Pearl, 601-939-5006.)

had mazes on the back. “There were friends saying they wouldn’t be able to come because they couldn’t get a babysitter,” Brittany said. “I just told them to go ahead and bring (the kids) along.”

• A wishing tree adorned with birds and crystals allowed guests to write notes of congratulations and encouragement and hang them from the branches. The Simmons’ will display the tree in their home.

•The couple replaced the traditional guest

book with a guest bench they had made at Star Discount Furniture (4701 Highway 49 S., Star, 601-845-3517). Guests signed the bench, which the Simmons’ will glaze and keep in their yard.

• “Magic Carpet Ride” is the couple’s signature drink made with pineapple juice, rum, ginger ale and mint leaves. Although not named after the song, they just loved the name and wanted people to get a sense of a free spirit life when they drank it.

by Jesse Crow

Shopkeep: nomiSpa at the Fairview Inn

COURTESY OF PETER AND TAMAR SHARP

The Sharp family in 2007 , from left: Sophia Sharp, Art Gressel (Tamar’s brother),Tamar Sharp, Simon Sharp, Judy Gressel (Tamar’s sister-in-law) and Peter Sharp.

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not only stay, but they could dine and relax as well,” Tamar says. “If they want to have a vacation away from home or if they were here on business, they could relax.”

Tamar chose the treatments and packages nomiSpa offers. She is a licensed massage therapist and esthetician and gives facials and massages at the spa.

The Sharps named the spa after their son Simon, who passed away from leukemia in 2007. The first five letters of nomiSpa spell Simon backwards. Sophia’s Restaurant, also at the Fairview Inn, is named after their nomiSpa, located in the Fairview Inn, is named after the Sharps’ son, Simon, who died of daughter, Sophia, who will leukemia in 2007. It is his named spelled backward. be a sophomore at Tulane University in the fall. Simon and Sophia were twins. popular bridal party package, includes a 25-minute SwedThe Fairview Inn also serves as a wedding venue. Tam- ish massage and hand or foot treatment therapy. Both the ar began offering wedding packages at nomiSpa to help ev- hand treatment and foot treatment therapies consist of an eryone involved with a wedding unwind and to provide a organic brown-sugar scrub and a warm compress of Shea more complete wedding experience. butter, soy extracts and beeswax. The package also comes “The brides can come here and have their wedding, with finger sandwiches, desserts, coffee and your choice of rehearsal dinners, bridal luncheons and so on,” she says. tea or hot chocolate.

“We wanted to offer different packages at the spa (that) Like Spa Tea Number One, Spa Tea Number Two people could give their future spouse, mother of the bride ($159 per person) includes a 25-minute Swedish massage, or use for bridal parties to help them relax.” hand or foot treatment therapy, tea snacks and beverages.

Although inspired by weddings at the Fairview Inn, Spa Tea Number Two also includes a back “facial,” a treatyou do not need to be getting married at the Fairview Inn ment designed to rid the back of acne and dry skin. to take advantage of nomiSpa’s wedding spa services.

If none of these packages are what you are looking for, The bride’s package ($299) includes a 50-minute aro- you can customize services from nomiSpa’s menu of face, matherapy massage, manicure, pedicure, organic brown body, hand and foot treatments and massages. All spa package sugar scrub, bikini line hair removal and lunch at Sophia’s appointments should be made at least a week in advance.

Restaurant. Megan Whitten, marketing coordinator for the Whitten thinks spa treatments are especially rewarding Fairview Inn, says this is one of the more popular packages. for stressed brides and grooms and their bridal parties.

It is a perfect way for the bride to take time for herself.

“Spa treatments are so beneficial to the overall person The groom’s package ($229) allows the groom to get as far as relaxation and destressing goes. With planning a some time away from pre-wedding stress. It includes a 50- wedding, everything gets so stressful. Having the option minute massage, facial and manicure. to have your bridal party or have yourself unwind is really nomiSpa also offers two packages for brides and their great,” Whitten says. “It gives you a chance to relax before bridal parties, both of which are limited to eight people. the wedding, let all the stress go and remember that you are Spa Tea Number One ($99 per person), the more getting married and it is going to be a good day.”

COURTESY OF THE FAIRVIEW INN

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here you sit on the floor of your living room.

Shoes, veils and RSVP cards are scattered across the table and the sofa. No matter how hard you try, your brain won’t stop roaring and spinning— going over every detail in your head. It’s 2 a.m., and you’re worried whether the flowers will arrive on time and whether your husband-to-be will pick up your parents from the airport. Deep down you know this is supposed to be one of the happiest events of your life, but at this moment it doesn’t feel like it.

As your wedding day approaches, it is important to not let your life get too consumed by those emotions and take some time to relax. Why not enjoy a day by yourself or with your wedding party at a spa? nomiSpa, located on the first floor of the Fairview Inn (734 Fairview St., 601-948-3429), offers spa packages for brides, grooms and bridal parties. The spa offers a full menu of services, and its small size creates a cozy and intimate atmosphere.

Peter and Tamar Sharp, owners of the Fairview Inn, moved to Jackson from Celebration, Fla., in 2006 so Peter, 53, could fulfill his dream of owning a bed and breakfast.

Peter has been in the hotel business since he was teenager, Tamar since she was in college. The two met while working together at the Hyatt on Capital Square in Columbus, Ohio, and have been married for 25 years.

“I had a day spa when we lived in Celebration,” Tamar, also 53, says. “We wanted an inn that had the capacity to have a spa as well.” nomiSpa opened in 2008 to give guests a complete experience at the Fairview Inn. “They could come here and

Kelly’s Picks

re you in need of a little help with your special day? Kelly Pickerill, front desk manager at Lemuria Books (Banner Hall, 4465 Interstate 55 N., Suite 202, 601-366-7619), suggests these helpful titles:

“Emily Post’s Wedding Etiquette” by Peggy Post (Harper Collins, 2006, 5th edition, $27.99) and “Emily Post’s Wedding Planner” (Harper Collins, 2006, $28) These two books have long been the “bibles” on weddings.

“Vera Wang On Weddings” by Vera Wang (Harper, 2001, $65) This gorgeous coffee-table book by the designer gives her thoughts on everything from the proposal to the honeymoon and all the dresses in between.

“Paper Bride: Wedding DIY from Pop-the-Question to Tiethe-Knot and Happily-EverAfter” by Esther Smith (Random House, 2009, $24.99) Smith provides a do-it-yourself and crafty approach to all things wedding.

Among African Drumbeats BRICE MEDIA

by Rose Pendleton

Kiwana and Lorenzo Gayden’s wedding combined African and African American traditions.

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jumping the broom. The libation ceremony calls upon ancestors to attend the • When choosing help during the preparations and planning, the couple turned to event by pouring water or those on whom they could depend. “(The event is) all about family, friends and comliquor on the ground. The munity,” Kiwana said. “I couldn’t think of anyone else.” Professional hand percusbride and groom taste elesionists, all friends of the family, played the ceremonial drumbeats. ments that represent emo• The couple custom-designed the cake, invitations, programs and their rings. The tions within a relationship. wedding bands display Adinkra symbols of West Africa. Adinkra are intricately deKiwana and Lorenzo’s elesigned symbols, each with their own meaning such as love, security and support. ments were lemon for sour, • Lorenzo could not find shoes that fit in with his ceremonial garb and had to stop by honey for sweet, pepperevery local shoe store to find an acceptable pair. “I picked those up right before the corn for hot and spicy, and ceremony,” he says of his final choice. kola nut for bitter.

• An unexpected guest attended the Oct. 9, 2010, ceremony at the groom’s family “It’s a visceral reminder home in Jackson. Through a little hole in the fence, a neighbor’s dog watched the of the ‘for better and for whole event unfold. worse, in sickness and in Suggest a Hitched couple at hitched@jacksonfreepress.com. health’ vow,” Kiwana says.

The African-originated mishumaa saba are seven candles that represent seven principles that the couple see as instructive guidelines for their marriage and life together. The principles are: unity; self-determination; collective work and responsibility; cooperative economics; purpose; creativity; and faith. The jumping of the broom is from African American culture and symbolizes the beginning of making a home together.

In addition to the traditional wedding cake, Lorenzo made a Caribbean black cake, which he describes as “a cross between English plum pudding, rum cake and fruitcake.” The black cake, which in Caribbean culture is traditionally made for Christmas and weddings, is a mixture of raisins, prunes, and currents soaked in rum and brandy for at least four weeks. Lorenzo’s mixture marinated for six weeks. Due to their incredible moist consistency, black cakes are virtually ageless. The couple had hoped for some leftovers to enjoy later; however, the cake was very popular with the wedding guests.

As of press time, the couple hadn’t taken a honeymoon, yet. They plan to do something special and just as The newlyweds are already planning their first anniversary. extraordinary for their anniversary.

BRICE MEDIA

hen you meet Kiwana Thomas Gayden, and Lorenzo Gayden, both 36, you can feel the vitality and energy the two create and pour into their interests, talents and their life together.

When the two decided to get married, they pooled this energy and performed an exotic and vibrant wedding ceremony not normally seen in the United States.

The Gayden’s ceremony combined elements from Kemetic, a revival of ancient Egyptian religion; Yoruba, a West African ethnic group and traditional African American traditions, complete with African dancers and drummers.

“We’re not religious,” Kiwana says. “The ceremony was more reflective of our culture.”

Kiwana, yoga instructor, jewelry designer and chemist with the Mississippi Department of Health, met Lorenzo, musician, artist and owner of Sanaa Galleries while the two were giving spoken-word performances at Seven*Studioz, a now closed music venue in Jackson. With so many friends in similar circles, the two constantly found themselves together.

They eventually started dating after meeting at the groom’s solo art exhibit, also at Seven*Studioz. Five years later, they decided to get married.

“When it came time for us to tie the knot, we knew exactly what we wanted as a couple,” Kiwana says. “We didn’t waste any time bringing our vision to light.”

The couple planned their multi-ethnic wedding in eight weeks. Using their artistic skills and incorporating some from friends and family, they were able to bring about an event that was budget friendly and filled with do-it-yourself touches. They decorated their cake, designed their invitations and wrote their wedding vows.

“Dressing in African garb to keep with the ceremony’s theme was optional,” Kiwana says.

“But everyone was so glad that we were getting married; they were very accommodating.”

The wedding ceremony was comprised of smaller ceremonies that included a libation ceremony, tasting of the elements, lighting of the mishumaa saba candles and

Cake: Sam’s Club (6360 Ridgewood Court Drive, Jackson) Flowers: Sam’s Club (6360 Ridgewood Court Drive, Jackson), arranged by Rhonda Evans and Kenya Collins of Lannie Marie Designs (601-506-9286) Invitations and programs: Designed by Lorenzo Bride’s, maid of honor and flower girl’s attire: Dupsie’s (2289 S. Cobb Drive S.E., Smyrna, Ga., 770-948-2220, dupsies.com.)

Groom, attendants and family attire: Africa Imports (240 South Main St., Unit A, South Hackensack, N.J., 800-500-6120, africaimports.com.)

Wedding rings: From Cairo With Love (Cairo, Egypt, 877-CCNOW-77, fromcairo.com.)

Reception music: Southern Komfort Brass Band (facebook.com/ southernkomfort) Photographer: Brice Media, Talamieka and Charles Brice (6712 Old Canton Road, Suite 6, Ridgeland, brice-media.com) Makeup artist: Rhonda Evans of Lannie Marie Designs (601-506-9286) Videographer: Teralyn Wade (family friend)

Deep Awareness BRICE MEDIA

by Ayana Taylor Kinnel

Deborah and David Dykes share an intimate moment in their 19-year marriage.

I

n the fall of 1991, Deborah Harris, then 39, picked up a couple of muffalettas for lunch from a local restaurant in Shreveport, La. She went downtown to the rooftop of the First United Methodist Church to meet her new beau, David Dykes, then 48. Anxious about his leaving town that afternoon, a strange feeling started to come over Deborah as they ate and exchanged a few kisses on the rooftop. When they were done eating, David drove Deborah back to her office at Southern University, only a block away.

On the short drive back, Deborah felt her emotions growing stronger, and she attempted to conquer her southern-girl sensibilities. Finally, unable to fight the urge any longer, she turned to David as he parked the car, held him in a deep gaze and said, “I want to get inside your soul.”

Then she passionately kissed him on his lips, got out of the car and entered the building.

“I scared myself half to death,” Deborah recalled more than 20 years later. She gazed into David’s eyes and asked, “And you, too, huh?”

David nodded.

“Yeah, I left him stunned with the motor running,” Deborah said with a big laugh.

“And you jumped out of the car and ran into the building, too,” David said, causing Deborah to laugh even harder.

“We are more in love today than we were back then,” Deborah said as the laughter subsided, never breaking eye contact with David.

Her statement seemed to cloak their office in love.

In the fall of 1986, David, then 43, and Deborah, then 35, met while working at his father’s production studio in the First United Methodist Church in Shreveport. Debo served as director of academic advancement for Southern University’s Shreveport campus at the time. “I had developed a two-year associate degree program, and I needed a studio so that the students could learn broadcasting and telecommunication and how to work a camera,” she said. “And I knew his dad had a studio located across the street from the campus.”

David’s dad was instrumental in the couple meeting.

“My dad kept saying, ‘Man, you have got to meet Debo Harris. I mean, you two are cut from the same cloth,’” David remembered.

“I didn’t know what he really meant by that. Then I saw her.”

“You remember what I was wearing?” Debo asked.

David smiled confidently. “I sure do,” he said. “You were wearing that green linen dress.”

Debo laughed again.

Intensely in love, Debo moved to Denver, Colo., where David lived in 1992. On Dec. 9, 1992, the two wed at St. John’s Cathedral in Denver in the presence of only a priest and their two closest friends at the time, Breck and Mary Lynn Grover. Poinsettias decorated the cathedral, and an organist played as Debo walked down the aisle as the priest demanded.

“I wanted to just walk in through a side door, but Charles, the priest, said, ‘No, no. You have to walk down the aisle,’” Debo said. “But when (Charles) shared those vows with us, it was so genuine. It was very personal. He wanted us to be as married as we wanted to be.”

After their intimate wedding, the party made their way to the Brown Palace Hotel, a luxurious 150-year-old hotel in downtown Denver. David promptly asked his good friend not to pay for the meal, and Breck obeyed.

After dinner the newlyweds retired to the room David booked for their honeymoon night.

“We had ordered a modest room. Next thing we know we’re in the Beatles suite,” Debo remembered. The huge suite was decked out with all the trimmings, including beautiful chocolate-covered strawberries.

“Debo, don’t you touch one strawberry. They have us in the wrong room,” David said to his new bride. He promptly went downstairs to fix the mix-up, but instead, the front-desk clerk gave the couple a message: “Breck and Mary Lynn say ‘Happy Wedding!’”

When people see the Dykes today, they see a couple truly in love. “They are very well-matched, and although they are very different people, they complement each other very well,” says Anne Perry, one of their closest friends.

The couple recalled times when perfect strangers have seen their interaction with one another and made comments.

Once, a man passing the two in an airport saw Debo reach up to wipe the sweat from David’s brow. “That’s the way it’s supposed to be,” the stranger said.

Debo, now 59, and David, 68, attribute their successful marriage to effective communication, a deep understanding of one another and consideration for each other’s emotions.

“The way our relationship continues to grow for me is (that) there is awareness,” Debo says. “I am cultivating a much deeper awareness of him as my partner,” The Dykes have three married children: Jennifer, 39, Suzanna, 35, and Clint, 34.

The D.L Dykes, Jr. Foundation

I

n 1986, Vicksburg native R.Z. Biedenharn decided to create and financially back a foundation named for his good friend, Dr. D.L. Dykes Jr., the influential pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Shreveport, La. for 30 years, and David Dykes’ father.

For 11 years, the D.L. Dykes Jr. Foundation concentrated its efforts on supporting programming of the Alternate View Network, which was a television program from the First United Methodist Church that offered an alternate understanding of Christi-

anity than what was traditionally portrayed.

The foundation created Faith and Reason in 1996 as a way to offer religious-study learning opportunities, so that people could take religion to a level of critical thinking.

David continues his father’s legacy today, serving as CEO of the foundation, and Debo serves as director of media and curricula.

“The work of the foundation is to broaden people’s awareness about not only the Christian tradition. But if you broaden your awareness about the history and the meaning of the Christian tradition, then

it becomes very natural to be accepting of however human beings choose to have a relationship with God,” Debo Dykes, an Episcopal priest, says.

The mission of the D.L. Dykes Foundation is to “lend a hand and encourage individuals to learn to think critically about religious issues,” David Dykes, a Methodist priest, says.

The foundation recently published a curriculum for churches in collaboration with John Dominic Crossan, well-known biblical scholar, author and lecturer, titled

“The Challenge of Jesus.” “It’s as if we’re trying to take a step back and see if we can catch a glimpse of a historical Jesus before he was identified as Son of God,” David says about “The Challenge of Jesus.” The curriculum is a historical review of the world Jesus lived in and moves from fact (Jesus’ life and death) to belief (the resurrection). The curriculum includes 16 weeks of material for church and classroom instruction and costs $295.

For more information about Faith and Reason and “The Challenge of Jesus,” call 800-882-7424 or visit faithandreason.org.

Flower Girl Panic

by Robin O’ Bryant

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ROBIN O’BRYANT

hen Bebo, my younger brother, proposed to his to “help” me by biting and licking off stray spots of some“Ooooo, like Fancy Nancy?” girlfriend Anna, they asked my 4-year-old and one else’s gum.

“Just like that! We have to use our fanciest manners. my 2-year-old to be flower girls. The girls were as The bridesmaids, bless their young and childless hearts, OK, girls?” thrilled as I was terrified. kept saying over and over: “They are so cute! Aw, how preThey were perfect—angels in seersucker and hair bows.

Eight flower girls were in the wedding. Bebo and Anna cious!” If seeing my children at the wedding rehearsal wasn’t They put their linen napkins in their laps, said please and had asked all of their nieces (who were capable of walking) good birth control for these girls, I’m pretty sure they are be- thank you, and Aubrey even admonished my mother once, to participate. With that yond all help. saying: “Shuggie! Don’t talk with food in your mouth.” many kids involved, someWe spent the evening I was impressed and terrified. I knew these were not my one was bound to make vigorously cramming for the children, and at any minute, we could begin a downward spia spectacle of themselves, next day’s events. ral that would end in certain death—or at least in me having and I had 50 bucks riding “Emma, are you going to to leave the wedding in the middle of the ceremony. on one of mine. play in the lake tomorrow?” I Inevitably, one of the girls had to use the potty, so I My brother and his asked in my best “you’d-bet- rounded up my herd and headed to the ladies room. There fiancée assured me that if ter-act-right” Mommy voice. were two stalls. I sent Aubrey into one and Emma into the my children decided to “No, Momma. I not.” other and waited. When Aubrey was finished, I went in to use bail at the last minute, it “Are you going to throw the restroom myself, leaving the stall door cracked so I could would be fine. This was rocks in the lake?” keep an eye on them. kind of them, but I wasn’t “Yip, I will, Momma.”

Aubrey was washing her hands when Emma finished. worried about my chil“What did you say?”

Emma could reach the soap, but she was too short to reach dren deciding not to walk She giggled and covered the sink. down the aisle. I was paraher hand with her mouth: “I “Aubrey,” I said. “Pick Emma up and help her wash her lyzed with fear to think jest kidding, Momma! I not hands.” about what they would do frow wocks. I not. I dwop Aubrey reached around Emma’s waist to give her a boost as they walked. my petals and stand wichu, and Emma freaked out.

In the weeks before the and dat’s all, Momma.”

“Nooooooooo! I do it by myself!” she screamed. wedding, I spent hours covI turned to Aubrey and “Put her down, Aubrey,” I said with a sigh. “I’ll help her ering proper flower-girl etiasked, “What are you going in a second.” quette: Keep your hands to to do tomorrow?”

Aubrey curled up into a fetal-position ball at the base of yourself; walk slowly; don’t “I’ll walk down the aisle the sink, looked up at Emma and said: “Here you go, Emma. throw your flowers or your veeerrry slow-ly and drop my You can just step on my back. Go ahead, step on me.”

Despite a mother’s anxiety, her two flower girls, basket at anyone; and stand petals veeeeerry gent-el-ly.”

I watched as Emma giggled and stepped onto Aubrey’s Aubrey and Emma, were angels at the ceremony. quietly beside Mommy. On We went through our seersuckered back to rinse her hands. I took this display of our way to the rehearsal, we game plan repeatedly. My sisterly love and teamwork as a good omen. Maybe I wasn’t reviewed flower-girl protonursing bra was all but hang- going to be completely humiliated at the wedding. col, and Aubrey and Emma ing out of my bridesmaid’s I was close to a full-on panic attack before the wedding. I recited the rules. I soon dress, and my Spanx was cut- continued to review our rules with a few additions: No doing learned I hadn’t taken into account a few gray areas. ting off my circulation. It was going to be all I could do at the the pee-pee dance down the aisle; no playing with someone The wedding was held at Children’s Harbor on Lake wedding to keep my bra inside my dress, suck it in and stand else’s chewing gum; no throwing boulders into the lake; and Martin (Alexander City, Ala., 334-857-2133). The wed- on a grassy incline in heels—the last thing I needed was to please, please, for the love of everything that is good and holy, ding party was standing at a point overlooking the lake and have to fish one of my kids out of the lake. no showing the wedding guests Mommy’s underwear. facing the cutest little chapel you’ve ever seen. As we began We had brunch the day of the wedding. As we walked I wondered if a member of the bride’s family might have our first run-through, I braced myself for unprecedented to the clubhouse, I once again admonished the girls to be on slipped a sedative into their orange juice at brunch, because flower-girl behavior. their very best behavior. their wedding performance went off without a hitch. No Aubrey, my 4-year-old, walked down the aisle keeping “What is brunch, Momma?” Aubrey asked. rocks, no gum, and (there is a God in heaven) no flashing my her hands to herself and her head up. She walked right past “It’s a very fancy breakfast.

Britney at the wedding guests. the wedding party and the minister to the shore of the lake.

She began picking up boulders and throwing them into the lake. I don’t mean small stones. I mean she had to use both

by LaShanda Phillips hands and lift with her legs to throw them in the lake with a loud “kerplunk.” n “adults only” ceremony sounds • Delegate. Kids feel important and My 2-year-old, Emma, walked down the aisle holding nice, but for many weddings, it’s appreciated when they have a special task, her crotch a la Michael Jackson the entire way. She did not almost impossible to keep the even if it’s just passing out programs. Look follow her sister to the water’s edge at first, but came and little people away. So what’s a couple-to- for other kiddy roles than just ring bearer be to do? Here are a few tips to prevent a and flower girl.Tasks such as snapping phostood beside me just as she had been instructed—for 30 sectoddler tragedy on your wedding day: tos with disposable cameras and handing onds. Just long enough to lift my knee-length dress over her out party favors will keep kids occupied. head and up to my bra line. I grabbed my dress, shoved it • Plan.

More often than not, parents • Prevent. Kids make messes. It is • Entertain. Kids get bored easily. down in a panic, and looked up just in time to see the father are just as nervous as you are about chil- highly recommended that there is a lid for Though a magician or clown is an option, of the bride doubled over with laughter and pointing me out dren, because they are unpredictable. To every cup at your children’s table. Do not entertainment can come in the form of to a few other family members. keep down the chaos, plan with the par- bother with fancy cups or even a fancy a simple goody bag. Toys and games are As I scolded Emma, I heard my sister yell, “Oh, Auents about time of day, feedings, naptimes tablecloth. If there is a spill, you don’t want smart as long as they are not loud or brey! No!” I turned around just as Aubrey picked a piece and allergies to avoid uproar. to worry about sweeping up glass or re- messy. Coloring books are great, too, of neon-green chewing gum off a rock. It had already been • Separate. Consider an extra room moving a juice stain from expensive linen. but markers are not advised. Each child with a background-checked babysitter. • Cater. Kids can be picky, very picky. should have his or her own individual and chewed and had melted in the summer sun.

Family and friends can take turns watch- Make sure you have some kid-friendly preferably labeled bag. Although you may She stretched it up toward her, and the gum turned ing the kids. Even if the extra space is just meals like chicken nuggets and fruit.You’ll normally encourage sharing, you might into a long, stringy, sticky comet. I rushed to her side to for naps and feedings, you and your guests have happily fed children and a happy want to save that lesson for later to prehelp her, before it wrapped itself around her in the wind. As will appreciate the children-free time. wallet, too. vent a cry fest on your big day.

I picked the threads of gum off her hand, Aubrey decided

A

PAUL STEIN

Avoiding Toddler Tragedy

The Wedding Woman

by Ayana Taylor Kinnel

PREMIER BRIDE

PREMIER BRIDE

if you want a particular style or theme.

• Start looking through magazines, books and websites, and save pictures of what you like.

• Go Green. There are many ways to have an eco-friendly wedding. Choose a central location close to where most of your guests live. Have the ceremony and the reception at the same venue. Hold your ceremony in a location that’s dedicated to sustainability, such as parks, protected areas, museums, or historic homes and buildings.

efitted Dress for Success, an organization helping women in need. Jungkind is a charter member of the Wish Upon a Wedding Mississippi chapter.

This group gives a wedding to a couple facing a terminal illness. Wish Upon a Wedding has planned a Make a Wish Charity Ball for Jan. 26. The Jan. 8 bridal show will donate $1 from each ticket sold to this cause.

In Jungkind’s business, women take six months to a year to plan weddings. Ironically, she met and married her husband of more than 25 years, Johnny, in a little more than one month. “We just knew that God had brought us together,” Jungkind says.

COURTESY WIGGINS

• Establish a budget. This will dictate your other choices.

• Keep your eye on the goal: the marriage of you and your fiancé.

• Look at the big picture and don’t get hung up in the little things. People don’t care and guests won’t remember.

• Get help; don’t do it yourself. I strongly recommend a wedding coordinator. If not for the entire planning, let the coordinator handle the day-of details for a stress-free day.

• Determine the type of wedding you want: large or small, intimate or grand. Determine

cess in media sales, advertising and marketing, starting the magazine was bound to work.”

The Premier Bride brand is a national operation with chapters in many states across the country, such as Atlanta, Nashville and Houston. Started by Stephen Doumar of Doumar Marketing Corp. more than 20 years ago, Premier Bride now works with more than 30 local franchise owners in the print market and more than 90 on the web. Jungkind’s business, located in Ridgeland, is in both markets.

She has seen her company grow over the last 10 years.

“When I first started, I primarily did use the national articles and pictures, but then, as I listened to my clients, I would write articles about the trends they wanted to see in the magazine,” she says. “A lot of our growth has come from listening to our clients, brides and mothers and writing articles unique to this area. We are not a magazine that comes out once a month (the magazine is published twice a year), and you look at it and then put it down. We are a planning digest and resource guide for brides and mothers. It is something that when they get it, they hang on to it. They sticky-note it. They dog-ear it.

Therefore, it is imperative we grow and evolve.”

Jungkind continues to evolve the magazine. With brides planning 87 percent of their weddings on the Internet, the magazine uses social media marketing and blogging to reach is target audience. “I want us to be very interactive and immediate with the brides,” Jungkind says. “That is why doing this blog (msbridalguru.blogspot.com) was so important to me because we can say to brides ‘OK, this is the trend.’”

Another goal is having a more local vibe. “Even though we have the access to more national information with the pictorials and such, we would like to go more and more local,” Jungkind says.

“The professionals you see in the magazine giving tips to brides are actual people brides can meet and talk to now. You will see them in your grocery store, schools and community events. We want to see the brides of Mississippi happy with the services they render from vendors right here in the state.”

Jungkind gives back to the community. She donates $1 from every ticket sold at her bridal shows to a selected charity.

This summer’s Girls’ Night Out show ben-

PREMIER BRIDE

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alking up to the blond brick building that houses Premier Bride of Mississippi’s headquarters, I was nervous. I have interviewed people I respected before, but this felt different. This was Lynda Jungkind, owner of the bridal magazine I put under my pillow when I was planning my wedding.

As owner of the go-to bridal magazine in the state, Jungkind has earned accolades such as being named one of the 50 Leading Business Women by the Mississippi Business Journal in 2004. She credits her parents, Harry and Joyce Ehrenburg, for her integrity, business-savvy and creativity.

Jungkind has won the hearts of Mississippi brides and the respect of wedding professionals. These relationships are essential to her magazine, she says; “to marry brides and businesses.” Ten years ago, Jungkind started Premier Bride of Mississippi magazine to gain control over her career. Despite being in college at a time when many young women were only interested in obtaining a M.R.S. degree, Jungkind says she wanted a career. With a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and advertising from Southern Methodist University, she began a career in media sales including working for LOVECOMM, Miss-103 and MIX96 and several advertising agencies in Dallas, Texas, and Little Rock, Ark. As she saw companies merge and people lose their jobs or being transferred in 2001, she decided it was time to take control.

“I wanted to be in control of my own destiny,” Jungkind says.

Her love for weddings was the one constant in her life. Jungkind had directed weddings for church members, family and friends, and is still involved in the Wedding Guild at her church. “Weddings just give you so much hope,” she says. “I felt that with my love of weddings and my suc-

Lynda Jungkind has won the hearts of brides.

• Serve local, organic and seasonal cuisine, and include vegetarian or vegan options. Avoid farm-raised salmon and foods shipped from foreign countries that may contain vaccines, pesticides, antibiotics and synthetic pigments.

• Make arrangements to donate leftover food to homeless shelters or soup kitchens.

• Save trees by going high-tech: Use a website or email for Save the Date notifications to list directories, maps, accommodations and other details. For invitations, programs and other paper items, opt for

100 percent recycled and reusable paper made from cotton scraps, and vegetable or soy inks that use less energy to produce than petroleum-based inks.

• Make a list of what is important to you: a certain designer’s wedding gown; particular flower; style of photography or photographer; band or DJ; venue for your ceremony or reception. Prioritize the list.

• Stay true to yourself. This is your wedding, not your mother’s or your wedding coordinator’s.

—Tips from Lynda Jungkind

Ball Gown: This one is for the princess at heart. These gowns normally have a fitted bodice and a large skirt normally made of tulle, taffeta or satin.

Sheath: This is a narrow-fitted gown that goes straight from top to bottom.

Most sheaths are simple, with minimal beading. They create a canvas for brides to add their own unique touches.

A-line: Normally, this style of dress has a fitted bodice and flows out creating an “A” shape. A-lines are made in most fabrics and accommodate all body shapes.

Fit and Flare: This gown is fitted to the hip, and then flares out. These gowns are available in all fabrics.

CHRIS BLAKELEY

Best Gowns: An A-line wedding dress with a dropped waist will show off your figure. Pair it with a sweetheart neckline to show off your chest. A mermaid or trumpet style will also show off your curves, making you even more curvaceous.

Full Figure You are more voluptuous than most. You’ve got full breasts, a bit of tummy and round hips and butt.

Best Gowns: A ball gown with a dropped waist will hide quite a bit and with a corset back, you can cinch in unwanted pudge, creating an hourglass figure. An A-line gown will balance your proportions, flattering your shape and making you more comfortable.

Alternative Weddings

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omething old, something new, something borrowed and something blue just might be out the door as brides and grooms want their special day infused with creativity and personality. Couples pull their cultural trends into their weddings these days, aiming to make their special day exactly how they want it to be.

Below are alternative wedding ideas that are popular today, according to wedding expert Cara Davis, author of “Cheap Ways to Tie the Knot” (Charisma Media, 2006, $11.99).

Best Gowns: A strapless ball gown with a dropped waist will cover your bottom half and put the focus on your top half. An empire waist dress will hug the tiniest part of your body and disguise your lower half.

Apple-shaped Whether you’re full-figured, average, short or tall, you tend to carry extra weight in your midsection.

Best Gowns: Wrap styles help create the illusion of a trimmer middle. A-line and empire styles smooth the middle. A bridal must: Ruching enhances all figures and gives a trimmer silhouette.

Athletic Figure You are thinner than most, normally with broad shoulders. This is also for the tomboys who wouldn’t be caught dead in a big poufy dress.

Best Gowns: A sheath or trumpet fit will add curves. Go for dresses with v-necks, halters, one-shoulder or cap sleeves. These soften the shoulders.

Short-waist You have an evenly proportioned body but there is a small distance from your ribs to your hips.

Best Gowns: A-line silhouettes will elongate your figure.

Petite Simply put, you are shorter than most.

Best Gowns: You can basically do all silhouettes. However, the best are sheaths and A-lines. It is best to stay far away from ballgowns, as they will make you look shorter.

by LaShanda Phillips

Green weddings are definitely on the rise. Eco-friendly weddings might include local catering and seed-lined wedding invitations that guests can plant for future use. Couples are now buying wooden rings, and bargain and consignment shop finds, including furniture.

Cultural themes are infused into weddings today. Couples are creatively weaving in trends from pop culture, such as food-cart fare; Chinese lanterns, sushi; or using vintage board games such as Monopo-

ly pieces in the bouquet or Scrabble tiles for signs.

The look of the wedding is personalized to taste. The structure of the wedding is the same, but times, seating and furniture are different.

Couples add furniture that varies in shapes and colors to their ceremony and reception. Guests’ gifts are personalized; couples are now offering photo-booth picture strips.

Nontraditional desserts find their way into weddings. Instead of

the usual tiered wedding cake, brides and grooms use cupcake tiers, square mini-cakes or even a lavish dessert buffet featuring macaroons, cake pops and brightly coordinated candy.

Color-blocking is a fun and bright way to liven up your special day. Brides and bridesmaids wear non-matching but coordinated color combinations. Stripes and adding gray to the color palette are also in.

Comment at jfp.com.

COURTESY OF ALFRED ANGELO

Trumpet: Although the fit is similar to mermaid gowns, the trumpet fit contours down to the mid-thigh and then extends to the floor. Like the mermaid, the trumpet fit accentuates a woman’s curves and can also have a slimming effect if paired with ruching.

You are well proportioned from top to bottom, with all your curves in all the right places.

COURTESY OF ALFRED ANGELO

Empire: The waistline of this gown is right below the bust. From there, the dress flows. They are normally in organza, tulle or chiffon.

Hourglass

Pear-shaped You are small on top and heavy on the bottom.

COURTESY OF ALFRED ANGELO

Mermaid: A very sexy cut that highlights a woman’s curves, it is fitted from the chest to the knee and flares at the hem. Most mermaids have a dramatic skirt of ruffles, flowers or pick-ups (small gathers on the skirt).

COURTESY OF ALFRED ANGELO

by Pamela Hosey

ongratulations. You are getting married!

With all the excitement of planning your wedding over the months to come, one of the most important and exciting purchases is your wedding gown.

Most women have their “dream dress” in mind. Of course, you should try on your dream dress, but also try on different silhouettes as well. Every bridal gown isn’t for every bride.

The key is to find the gown that flatters your figure. Not only will you be more comfortable on your wedding day, you will also look and feel more beautiful than you would have ever expected.

Below are descriptions of different body shapes and a guide to selecting the best bridal-gown silhouette for your shape.

COURTESY OF ALFRED ANGELO

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Bridal Gown Silhouettes

Cupcake tiers are replacing the traditional layered cake for weddings.

by Pamela Hosey

COURTESY OF ALFRED ANGELO

The Perfect Fit