{Bride}  Chelsea Leigh Cawthon
{Groom} Gregory Joseph White
{Hometowns} Bride (Hattiesburg, MS) & Groom (Tupelo, MS)
{Wedding Site} Parkway Heights United Methodist Church Hattiesburg MS
{Reception Site} The Barn at Bridlewood Hattiesburg, MS

{Bride’s Bouquet} A combination of white hydrangeas, white blizzard roses, pale pink peonies, and white mini tulips tied together with a satin ribbon love knot

{Bridesmaid Bouquets} A combination of white hydrangeas, white blizzard roses, pale pink roses, champagne spray roses and larkspur

{How did the two of you meet?} We met in Starkville, MS while both of us attended Mississippi State University.

{What is your proposal story?} Leading up to February 8, 2014, Greg purchased tickets for the women of the family to go see Wicked at Memphis' Orpheum Theater while my parents were in town. We went to dinner where Greg had originally planned on popping the question, but time ran out and the ladies had to leave to catch the play. Greg decided, while we were at the play, to have everyone meet at the famous Peabody Hotel for a nightcap after the show. Moments upon arriving, I suggested that we leave due to the unusual amount of people there that night, but Greg insisted we stay and enjoy the company. While getting a table and waiting on desserts, Greg asked me to go browse the selection of Yankees cufflinks that he had been eyeing. Reluctantly, I agreed. Moments later, heading back to our table, just in front of the famous fountain, Greg reached for my hand. Before I knew it, he was on bended knee asking me to marry him in front of hundreds of strangers!

{What inspired your wedding and reception locations?} We chose the wedding venue, Parkway Heights, because of its classic look. The stained glass backdrop is just breathtaking against all of the stained wood! As far as the reception goes, I knew I wanted something unique and romantic. Luckily, The Barn at Bridlewood fell into our hands at just the right time. Tori and Nathan Banks who created the gorgeous venue are family friends, so we knew that was the place as soon as the opening announcement was made.

{What inspired your color scheme/theme/flowers?} From the start of wedding planning, I knew I wanted my wedding to be timeless, but with a romantic feel. I actually didn’t decide on colors until we found the bridesmaid dresses! We went with blush dresses, and had gold accented throughout the reception.

{How did you pick “the dress”?} I brought my mom, Greg’s mom, my matron of honor and one of my bridesmaids with me to Low’s Bridal in Arkansas. Overall, I tried to be really open minded walking into the bridal salon. I knew I loved lace, but sleeves were always in the back of my mind. My mom was completely shocked when I chose a full gown with sleeves, but we all knew it was “the one” as soon as I put it on!

{What’s your favorite unique accessory? Is there a story behind it?} I actually had two very meaningful accessories with me. I wore my mom’s “something blue” garter from her and my dad’s wedding 30 years ago and I also wore my grandmother’s diamond tennis bracelet.

{What was your favorite part of the wedding planning process?} I loved being able to finally bring all of my ideas together! I think every girl goes through the phase of wondering what her wedding will be like so having that moment with my groom was so surreal.

{Besides the actual wedding, what was your favorite moment of the wedding day?} Hands down, Greg and I loved our moment alone after the ceremony. We were fortunate enough to have a classic car to drive from the ceremony to the reception together in. We had the best time riding down Highway 98 getting congratulations from strangers rolling their windows down and taking our picture!

{What was your favorite surprise detail/moment about your wedding day?} I think we were both just overwhelmed with how many people came to show their support for us. We are truly blessed to have such amazing family and friends.

{Your favorite picture from the big day?} I can’t say that I have just one favorite picture! Katie captured so many special moments that I will remember forever.

{The picture that represents the two of you best?} There is a picture of us in the balcony just after the ceremony where we are holding each other and laughing. I think that picture says it all and definitely represents our relationship together. I thank God every day for bringing Greg into my life!

Photographer: Mary Moment Photography http://www.marymomentphotography.com/
Wedding Coordinator: Susan Jett
Dress: Low’s Bridal http://lowsbridal.com/
Bride’s Accessories: Low’s Bridal http://lowsbridal.com/
Hair: The Abbey Salon https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Abbey/106120841805
Make-up: The Abbey Salon https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Abbey/106120841805
Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid Memphis http://www.bellabridesmaids.com/
Tuxes: Men’s Warehouse https://tuxedo.menswearhouse.com/
Church: Parkway Heights United Methodist Church www.parkwayheights.org/
Venue: The Barn at Bridlewood https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Barn-at-Bridlewood/149825568522162
Rentals: Celebrations, Etc. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Celebrations-etc/260097690519
Florist: Julia Johnson
Catering: Dianne Morgan Catering http://www.diannemorgancatering.com/
Bar: Dianne Morgan Catering http://www.diannemorgancatering.com/
Band: The Royal Dukes http://www.royaldukesband.com/
Bride’s Cake: Cakes by Janice https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cakes-by-Janice/332200093564244
Groom’s Cake: Cakes by Janice https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cakes-by-Janice/332200093564244
Print Material: Bourne Brothers Printing http://bournebrothers.com/page/home
Car Service: Knight Coach, Inc. http://knightcoach.com/

Today, we are thrilled to feature Carlyn Photography.  Specializing in breathtaking, modern images, Carlyn Photography brings a unique style of photojournalism to Mississippi.

We had the pleasure of interviewing the married team behind Carlyn Photography, Derrick and Carlyn.  We hope you enjoy their lovely photos, the history behind their business, how they capture magical moments, and what they love about living and working in Mississippi:

Tell me how Carlyn Photography was founded! 
Carlyn Photography was founded in 2009, two years after we were married. Derrick had been a serious hobbyist since for approximately five years at that time, having also served as the Public Affairs Officer during his latest tour of duty in Iraq.

When we were planning our wedding, Carlyn was very specific about the type of wedding photography she wanted, and at the time, we couldn't quite find a photographer that was a perfect fit, so we settled on a photographer and that was it. 

It was after that when Derrick decided he wanted to get into wedding photography, specifically, and bring his style of photojournalism to the market in the Jackson area - to fill that void experienced by brides like Carlyn. It turned out to be the perfect marriage of photojournalism and portraiture. Derrick always says everyone deserves beautiful wedding imagery - that they shouldn't have to settle - and he designs his packages to capture something for brides of every budget.

Your photography is magical.  How do you capture such special moments for a bride and groom?                                                                                                      
Capture real moments and emotions. Timing is very important and being there at the right time to capture the chemistry and watch the magic happen. 

What is your favorite thing about being based in Mississippi?
Southern Brides have a style distinctively southern and fresh. There's also so much versatility in what and where you can shoot. With a 15-minute drive you can go from a very urban feel to a very rustic and rural feel for your imagery.  

Mississippi is like no other place, and I've been in several different places. It's the people who make it a great place. Everyone is like family and you never meet a stranger. The care is genuine, the interactions are genuine, and the hospitality is superb.

What is so special about working with a bride and groom on their wedding day?                                                                                                                                      
Being entrusted to capture one of the most important days of their lives as a couple. Documenting their special day through my eyes and artistry. By the time our couples reach their wedding day, we have built such a rapport with them that they feel like family. So, seeing these people we've come to know and love over the course of a year or six months or so commit themselves to each other is special to us as well. 

Any favorite memories from shooting a wedding? 
There is a couple who immediately comes to mind. We were covering the first dance part of the reception. The groom's father and mother were divorced and his father had remarried. During the Father/Daughter Mother/Son dance, the mother stopped mid dance and invited the Stepmother to join the Groom on the dance floor for the remainder of the song. It was a complete surprise to both the Groom and the Stepmother, you could tell from their facial expressions. It was such an unselfish gesture of love and acceptance and unity of family. There weren't many dry eyes in the venue after that moment.   

Any advice for someone searching for the right wedding photographer?
First and foremost, make sure it is their work and artistry that brings you to them. The best couple/photographer relationship is one where the couple absolutely loves the work, because they exhibit a level of trust and comfort that is important in capturing great imagery. It's very important to make sure they are a good fit. Treat the consultation like a job interview. Think about what is most important to you as a couple and look for that in what the potential photographer has to offer.  

Anything else you want to highlight?
Thank you to the team at Inspiration Mississippi for the opportunity to share a little bit about Carlyn Photography with your readers and blog subscribers.

For more information about Carlyn Photography, please visit their beautiful website here!

Brothers and sisters in Christ, let love challenge you!  Your love is not limited.  Your love cannot be spoiled, misspent, or wasted.  In preparing to celebrate Valentine’s Day, profess your love to the world.  The funny thing about love is that out on the edges of who we are in Christ, we experience a tension, of sorts.  That tension is the struggle between the reality that our love knows no bounds and the fear and insecurity of not being loved in return.  But the truth is that we are loved.  We are loved by the Father, who perfectly expressed His love for us in the form of His Son, Jesus Christ.  In your expressions of love and compassion, you will find that the tension actually comes from the attempts we make to contain the love that now exists in us.

On Valentine’s Day, as you hear and say and think the word LOVE, move beyond who your fear defines you to be.  Move beyond that tension that exists on your outer edges.  Move to love someone who least expects it; who may need it in the most desperate ways.  Love through presence, service, attention, and compassion.  Love sacrificially and feel yourself being refreshed and refilled by the endless resources of the Holy Spirit.  

Many people dread Valentine’s Day because they do not have a “significant” other.  We are all surrounded by significant people who want to feel our love.  It does not matter your age or your station in life – you can make some handmade cards to brighten the day for a recent widow, someone who is about to spend their tenth Valentine’s Day in a nursing home, a soldier’s wife who’s husband is deployed, someone going through chemo or someone who just celebrated the birth of their first child.  There are so many people in our lives who we can share love with.  Don’t avoid this day.  Embrace it. 

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

{Photos Courtesy of Mary Moment Photography}
{Blog by Heath Ferguson}

Mark your calendars!  On Thursday, February 26, Inspiration Mississippi will be hosting an extraordinary Get Inspired event at SKIN the Spa at Runnels Center in Jackson!  From 4-6pm, we invite you to a memorable evening of pampering, relaxation and rejuvenation with friends, thanks to the following vendors: 

SKIN the Spa at Runnels Center - Participants will have the opportunity to talk one-on-one with aestheticians about their skincare routine and treatments. A Neocutis representative will be on site to discuss new products and how they work!  SKIN the Makeup consultants will also available, offering tips for Spring Makeup trends.

Babalu/Table 100 Catering - Guests will sample delectable appetizers and sweet treats from this impressive catering company.  

Christina Foto - Talented photographer Christina Cannon will be at SKIN snapping beautifully artistic photos (her signature style) and discussing photo packages.

This event is only open to the first 20 people who register!   SWAG bags filled with incredible goodies will be given away.  Call your girlfriends and click here to sign up for a fun, unforgettable evening!

Our January Get Inspired event at Banner Hall was a great success thanks to all of the guests and vendors who participated!  Adam + Alli Photography captured lovely moments throughout the night.  Thank you to everyone who helped make our Get Inspired event an evening to remember!

Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to celebrate your dearest friendships.  This February 14, gather your best girlfriends, enjoy sweet treats and surprise your guests with delightful gifts. 

With a beautifully simple tablescape and neutral furnishings, let the holiday shine in lovely shades of pink and red, and a touch of gold glitter, of course! 

A special thank you to the vendors involved in this fun photo shoot:

Bliss Gift & Home for the perfect Valentine’s Day presents
Fresh Cut Catering and Floral for the pretty floral arrangements and sweet treats
Modern Revival Rentals for the gorgeous furniture
Maison Weiss for the beautiful clothing, jewelry and makeup
Christina Foto for the incredible photographs
Inspiration Mississippi for the lovely location