We are delighted to unveil our spring cover of the 2016 Inspiration Mississippi Magazine!  From the moment Adam + Alli Photography captured this gorgeous shot at Brandon Hall Plantation, we have been completely captivated by its beauty.  

Garden Vows Wedding Inspiration

Imagine exchanging vows beneath a majestic oak tree in the heart of a historic plantation.  Draped in greenery and sprinkled with live oaks, Brandon Hall Plantation sets the stage for a magical wedding.

We used simple details for a big impact:  a cozy wooden porch swing was wrapped in floral garland, and neutral furnishings were added for pretty seating.  The bride and groom shared many sweet moments, and her exquisite white gowns glowed against the green canvas.  

Thank you to the talented vendors involved in our magical spring shoot:

VENUE:  Brandon Hall Plantation
PHOTOGRAPHY:  Adam + Alli Photography
HAIR, MAKEUP & HAIR ACCESSORIES:  Molly Gee Designs
DRESSES & JEWELRY:  The Bridal Path
TUXES:  Tuxes Too
FLORALS:  Fresh Cut Catering & Floral
VIDEOGRAPHY:  Brock Gomez Productions
RENTALS:  Modern Revival Rentals 
STYLING:  Ginger Cook Designer 

After thirty-three years of gloriously green, light-hearted fun, Jackson’s beloved Mal’s St. Paddy’s Day Parade is getting a new name.  This year’s parade will be named Hal’s St. Paddy’s Parade, in memory of Hal White.  “I wanted to rename the parade to honor my brother,” says parade founder, Malcolm White.  “The theme of the 2016 parade is ‘Hal-lelu-y’all,’ in keeping with remembering Hal.”

Hal (Harold Taylor White, Jr.) died after suffering an aneurysm in 2013 at the age of sixty-four.  Hal was athletic, approachable, and a genuinely kind person.  Malcolm smiles, “Hal absolutely loved the parade.  He and I started the O’Tux Society, and Hal didn’t even live in Jackson at the time.  He’d come march in the parade every year.”  

This year’s colorful celebration promises to be memorable.  The parade is set for this Saturday, March 19th, and revelers will no doubt turn the streets of downtown Jackson into a giant party.  

While the beads, live music, dancing, incredible floats and green libations make this infamous parade, the cause behind Malcolm’s creation is even greater.  A supporter of Batson Children’s Hospital for decades, the 2015 event raised more than $25,000 for the hospital, even when an angry sky threatened to dampen the fun.  Guy Giesecke, CEO of Children’s of Mississippi, says, “This annual event, one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the U.S., is a showcase for music and entertainment in Mississippi.  But it also generates thousands of dollars for the state’s only children’s hospital, showing that this is a festival with a mission.  We thank all those who have contributed over the years and this year.” 

Hal’s St. Paddy’s Parade promises to be a joyous, wild ride.  We encourage you to come out and celebrate Jackson on March 19th!  Don’t forget to wear your green!  For more information on Hal’s St. Paddy’s Day Parade & Festival, please visit their website here.  This year's festivities also include a 5K Run, events for children and pets, and a music festival. 

Are you busy planning your nuptials?   Forrest Paper and Bridal Company, a breathtaking bridal store in historic downtown Hattiesburg, and Ardor Studio, a stylish rental boutique, are hosting a Wedding Etiquette Workshop on Sunday, April 10th!  Cheryl Fletcher, owner of Forrest Paper and Bridal Co. and Ardor Studio, says, "This workshop is designed to empower young adults who find themselves unsure of the proper etiquette in certain social situations.  The bride and groom will be attending parties and meeting new people now more than ever and need to know basic social skills!"

Linda Montgomery, well known for her delightful etiquette instruction, will be speaking at the event!  She will discuss greetings and introductions, the art of small talk, appropriate attire, grooming and image, how to be gracious hosts, cell phone etiquette, dining skills, table manners and more!  She will also be taking questions from attendees!  This will be a fun, educational event that all brides and grooms should attend!

A wedding is such an exhilarating time for a bride, groom and their families.  The Wedding Etiquette Workshop is the perfect excuse to brush up on your social skills and dazzle all of your wedding guests!  Cheryl adds, "What makes knowing the correct etiquette so valuable for brides and grooms is they will feel confident in social situations and make a positive first impression." 

The Wedding Etiquette Workshop will take place on Sunday, April 10th at 2:00pm at the Ardor Studio -  515 East Pine Street in downtown Hattiesburg.  The cost is $40 per guest and seating is limited!  Email [email protected] to confirm your reservation today!  For more information on Forrest Paper and Bridal Co., please visit their beautiful website here.  You can learn more about Ardor Studio here!

“The Lord laid the Inherit Movement on my heart, but I love the idea of women coming together and praying.  I can’t tell you what an amazing journey this has been.”  Jill Ford of the Inherit Movement


After fifteen years of teaching scripture and working as a realtor, Jill Ford did something completely unexpected.  She ran for public office.  She laughs, “When I felt that God was calling me to run for office, it felt so strange to me!  But he continued to confirm it for me.”  She ran for Supervisor in Madison County, solely to reveal the corruption in her county.  She walked over thirty-seven miles, going door-to-door and running a grassroots campaign.  In the end, she lost the election.

She smiles, “On the Tuesday that I lost, I was told at 2:30am, ‘Jill, you lost by 37 votes.’  I started smiling because three and seven are numbers I hold dear to my heart.  Three is the Trinity and seven is the perfect number.  My friends thought I misunderstood that I had lost because I was smiling.  I knew exactly what they had said!  It was over.  I lost.  But the Lord just signed His name to the end of the race.  I knew He had something much more important for me to do than be a Supervisor.”

The next morning, Jill began studying the Bible.  “I was exhausted and in a fog, but I kept questioning Him, ‘Lord, why did you have me do this?’  Every scripture I read for the next week was about inheritance, so I began praying, ‘How can I use my influence from the election for our children’s inheritance?’”

Jill felt the Lord was urging her to take what she had learned during her campaign, and use it to pray over the state of Mississippi.   She says, “I want to explain how important prayer is.  It is the only thing that is going to save our country, and our country’s future is at stake.  We have got to come together and pray.”

Last February, Jill attended a realtor’s meeting at the Trade Mart Center in Jackson.  She sat next to a woman named Rashida, whom she had never met. “She and I had this immediate connection through Christ.”  The women began praying together and Jill remarks, “Rashida can pray the paint off the wall!  Our skin color is different, but that does not matter.  I adore her and the one thing we have in common is Jesus.  And that is all we need.”

Jill met Rashida for lunch one Friday and told her the idea of praying over the state of Mississippi.  “I said, let’s go pray in every county of the state.  When we pray together, I believe it is doing something.  She looked at me and said, ‘For real?’”  The Inherit Movement was born.

Jill, Rashida, and a number of women (and men) across the state have prayed in over twenty counties.  They have prayed in Carthage City Hall, an elementary school, Baptist churches, Methodist churches, and more.  They hold hands, pray and sing songs.  She says, “It is organized, but not so organized that the Lord isn’t over it.”

Jill says with awe, “Every place we have been has been amazing.  As long as the Lord is in it, I’m doing it.  He is completely blowing my mind.” 

The Inherit Movement has many upcoming dates throughout Mississippi where women and men will be gathering to pray.  Click here to see their upcoming trips; all are invited to join!  On October 15th, the Inherit Movement will have its closing ceremony.  Jill says, “Anyone who wants to come may come and pray!  We gather soil from every county when we pray, and that day we will join the soil and plant seeds.  I hope that we will have a church filled with people of different races and backgrounds, and that God is pleased with what we have done.  It’s up to Him; it is truly in His hands.  I hope that by praying we will break some barriers and really start a healing over this state and this nation.”

For more information on the Inherit Movement, please view their website here.  You can also click here to view and like their Facebook page!  All photos courtesy of the Inherit Movement. 

{Bride}  Mary Claire Cain          
{Groom}  William James Buck
{Hometowns} Jackson, MS  Madison, MS
{Wedding Site} Brandon Hall Plantation, Natchez, MS
{Reception Site} Brandon Hall Plantation, Natchez, MS
{Bride’s Bouquet} Fresh Cut Catering & Floral

{How did the two of you meet?} We have had similar friend groups since high school and had always seen each other around, but never knew each other until we officially met in college.

{What is your proposal story?} Short Version: He proposed on the beach at a special spot we discovered 51/2 years earlier on our first trip together!  

Long Version: When we went to the beach for our very first trip together (6 years ago), we found a secluded pathway through the dunes that led to a spot overlooking the beach. We watched the sun set and it kind of became our special spot. We went back for the first time this past summer, and he surprised me by taking me to our special spot…the only trouble was, there were two pre-teens sharing a big gulp bottle of wine in OUR spot!! We went down to the beach and he gave me a book he had made full of pictures of us from over the years. The back of the book had a long sweet message and then had a question in French (we were preparing for a trip to France) I asked him what it meant and he just said it meant, “I can’t wait to go with you”…weird…so then he said we should go up to our spot and get the kids to take our picture. He is an epic jokester and pretty much every word he speaks is sarcastic (his quick wit and humor are what hooked me) so as they are taking our picture he says, “Yeah, this is a special spot to us. It’s where I asked her to marry me.” I thought he was joking and went to tell them so, but then he got down on one knee and started fumbling in his pocket (he had a hard time finding the ring!) and then he proceeded to propose. The pre-teen girl started FREAKING out and practically crying, which was hilarious, but we got pictures of the whole thing thanks to those blasted kids being there.

{What inspired your wedding and reception locations?} I (MC) had always dreamed of a spring/summer southern wedding. I grew up going to the pilgrimage in Natchez and fell in love with the history and beauty of the homes and landscape; I couldn’t think of anywhere more romantic to say our vows.

{What inspired your color scheme/theme/flowers?} I surprised myself with some of my decisions along the way, including the bridesmaids dresses.  I thought I wanted something very traditional, but fell in love with the subdued colors of the blush, pale peach (bellini), and dove gray. I thought they embodied the romance of our wedding location and complemented the dramatic scenery instead of competing with it. From the dresses, everything else evolved.

{How did you pick “the dress?”} I knew I wanted something unique, and I loved the vintage style of wedding dresses with lace sleeves. As soon as I tried on my dress, I knew it embodied everything I wanted - simple, classic elegant, with a touch of vintage. I loved that it looked like it could have been handed down for generations.

{What’s your favorite unique accessory? Is there a story behind it?} I had a locket of my grandmother’s with pictures of her and my great grandmother, and a hand sewn handkerchief of my mom’s wrapped around my bouquet.

{What was your favorite part of the wedding planning process?} Picking the venue!! As soon as we pulled up to Brandon Hall I knew it was where we would be married. I fell in love with the house and the grounds and it was so exciting to plan our day around such a beautiful location.

{Besides the actual wedding, what was your favorite moment of the wedding day?} I would say it has to be a tie between writing my letter to Will for our first look and the actual first look itself. I wrote my letter that morning at Brandon Hall before anyone else had arrived, and I just remember looking out at all the surrounding beauty of the grounds and the stunningly beautiful day God had given us, while writing a love letter to my soulmate for our wedding day. My heart was so full in that moment. ​

{What was your favorite surprise detail/moment about your wedding day?} The clear tent!!! The rain changed all our plans for the ceremony and reception, but I think it changed them for the better. I loved the intimacy of the porch-side ceremony, and I was head over heels about the clear tent and the arrangements underneath. It felt like a dream.

{Your favorite picture from the big day?} So easy - one of the first photos we took as husband and wife, the black and white photo of the two of us draped over this glorious antique settee underneath a beautiful chandelier.

{The picture that represents the two of you best?} Cracking each other up in the midst of serious poses on the porch!

Photographer: Adam + Alli Photography
Event Planner: Kendall Poole Event Planning
Dress: Imaginations Bridal
Bride’s Jewelry: Family jewelry
Hair: Molly Gee Designs
Make-up: Molly Gee Designs
Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale
Tuxes: Tuxes Too
Videographer: BGP Wedding Films
Venue: Brandon Hall Plantation
Lighting: Davaine Lighting
Florist: Fresh Cut Catering & Floral
Catering: Brandon Hall Plantation
Bar: Brandon Hall Plantation
Band: Mo’ Money
Bride’s Cake: Edna’s Cake Creations
Groom’s Cake: Edna’s Cake Creations
Print Material: Emily Ferguson for Designs by KPEP – she created the most incredible programs with a sketch of Brandon Hall Plantation!!