{How did the two of you meet?}
I went to Mississippi State and he went to Ole Miss. The fall of my senior year, my friends and I took a trip to Oxford one weekend. We visited some friends in the grove and ended up stopping by Michael’s tent. He came up to me to introduce himself, and we had the best conversation. We ended up staying there tailgating all day. Later on it was getting cold and we were all about to walk into the game. He came by and gave me a pair of gloves to wear. After that, I never saw him the rest of the night. Two weeks later at the Egg Bowl, we met again. The week after that we went on our first date!

{What is your proposal story?}
I was on my way up to Eupora to visit Michael for the weekend for a “cookout”. On the way, Michael tells me to get some BBQ to take over to the “party”. When I got to the house, he told me to sitt my stuff down so he could show me something. So, I follow him out on the patio, where there was big cardboard box with a tiny white puppy in it. I was so excited that I never noticed what was coming next. He got down on one knee and proposed. It was awesome! The “cookout” turned out to be all of our families there to celebrate with us!

{What inspired your wedding and reception locations?}
I love to do things traditionally. I have grown up at my church since I was 8, and it was my home. I knew I always wanted to get married in a church. I picked The Arena for the reception location, because I had visualized this classic and romantic reception with the beautiful light canopy my dad helped build. Plus, Vicksburg is known for the River, and what better place than a venue right on the river? All our out of town guests loved it. 

{What inspired your color scheme/theme/flowers?}
My favorite color is lavender! So, of course I had to use it. I knew I wanted that to be the only pop of color, so I chose to pair it with shades of champagne and neutrals. It also went beautifully with the classic theme. My aunt and mom are great at picking out flowers and knowing which one to use, so I let them have that job.

{How did you pick “the dress?”}
I went to Low’s in Brinkley, Arkansas. My mom, two sisters and grandmother were with me. I tried on about 10 dresses but kept going back to this certain one. After the third time trying it on, I put on a veil and held a bouquet. It all fell into place. My grandmother said not to try on another, because that was it. So, I did what grandma said!

{What’s your favorite unique accessory?}
My two lifelong best friends and I started a charm bracelet a long time ago that we would each wear on our wedding day. Two of us would go place it on the one getting married right before walking down the aisle. I was the last one to get married out of the three. I couldn’t wait to wear it like they did. It’s something that will always be special to us and it resembles how special our friendships are. 

{Besides the actual wedding, what was your favorite moment of the wedding day?}
Favorite moment of the wedding day would have to be when my mom put my veil in my hair while getting ready. I wore her veil that she wore on her wedding day. I knew that meant so much to her and it was just a beautiful moment to share with her. 

{What picture that represents the two of you best?}
I love picture of him bustling my dress when we were about to walk into the reception for the first time. It was hilarious trying to tell him how to do it (and our nerves at that moment didn’t help either!) The photographer couldn’t have captured a more perfect picture that described us.

Chao Photography | The Arena Vicksburg | Hawkins United Methodist Church | Brock Gomez Productions | Palmertree Catering | Mary Ann Artz Cakes | Lou Toole Cakes | MS Photo Booths

We love Mississippi.  We love the people.  We love the beauty.
Storms ripped through the state yesterday, families hunkered down and neighbors took care of one another.  We are the Hospitality State.  We try to showcase hospitality in all of its forms.  We are so grateful to see that when storms hit our state we help one another.  We are in this together.  We are praying for everyone who was affected by the storms.   We will update our Facebook page with ways that people can help. 

Magnolia Picture

Our wedding of the week was set in beautiful Oxford, Mississippi.  Here is a little question and answer with the blushing bride: 

{How did the two of you meet?}
We met at Ole Miss, in whimsical Oxford, MS!  Hotty Toddy!

{What is your proposal story?}
We got engaged Nov. 10, 2012 at Rowan Oak, the former home of William Faulkner, in Oxford, MS. Our dog, Samson, was there with us. It was private and special.

{What inspired your wedding and reception locations?}
We got married at College Hill Presbyterian Church, where we both regularly attended. We picked the Lyric because it was on the historic Oxford square, roomy, and practical. Both were beautiful choices.

{What inspired your color scheme/theme/flowers?}
Nature, mostly. I wanted everything to be white and green, except the bridesmaid dresses, which were lilac.

{How did you pick “the dress?”}
I tried on a lot of dresses. But I picked “the one” with my mom. It was so meaningful for her to come. I’ll always remember sharing that experience with her.

{ What’s your favorite unique accessory? Is there a story behind it?}
My favorite accessories were my blue diamond earrings from my father. They were perfect.

{What was your favorite part of the wedding planning process?}
Making the invitations. I really enjoy graphic design, and it was also a really hands on process. Though, making the menu is a close second favorite.

{Besides the actual wedding, what was your favorite moment of the wedding day?}
We’re a really close knit family. So, dancing with my large extended family toward the end of the night was a favorite of mine—so memorable and fun! Definitely one of the best memories besides the ceremony.

{What was your favorite surprise detail/moment about your wedding day?}
Seeing Lee for the first time for pictures before the wedding. “His first look” was priceless.

{Your favorite picture from the big day?}
Oh, I have so many. But probably a picture of Lee and I walking down the brick walk way in front of the church. It was our Christmas card last year.

{The picture that represents the two of you best?}
Ha, probably the pictures of us dancing at the reception, specifically the one where he’s wearing neon glow glasses and I’m laughing/ smiling at him—that happens fairly often.

Bride: Becky Anne Brasher | Groom: Lee Ellis Moore |Hometowns: hers: Gautier, MS his: Memphis, TN | Wedding Site: College Hill Presbyterian Church Oxford, MS  Reception Site: The Lyric, Oxford, MS | Floral: Oxford Floral Oxford, MS | Photographer: Danny Klimetz Oxford, MS | Wedding planner: A Bash Events Oxford, MS | Catering: Elizabeth Heiskell of Woodson Ridge Farms  | Invitations: Nest Paper Studio, Oxford, MS 

Spring is here in Mississippi.  The flowers are blooming.  The days are getting warmer and longer.  Winter clothes have been tucked away and replaced with fresh, spring outfits.  A spring makeup palette is just as important!  Recently we sat down with Sarah Cook, of Amy Head Cosmetics, where she showed us ways to update your makeup routine for spring. 

The key to any "look" is always making sure you form a solid canvas on which your colors can sit.  Start every morning with your skin care regimen to protect the face from the elements of the day. Once your face is nicely moisturized, apply a face primer. Our face primer may look like it has a tint to it but it essentially goes on clear.  It is almost like putting a sheet of glass on your face - protects the face from makeup seeping into the pores and makes for a silky layer of skin on which to apply the coversticks and foundation.

With Rae Ann’s pretty pink top, we focused more on a bright, popping lip since we had the PERFECT color, Blooming. We applied a light and bright shadow on her lids to keep the eyes looking fresh. Through the middle, we applied some apricot colors. That color is the main "connector" for the look.   Makeup looks organic on the face when there is a sense of connection between the eyes, cheeks, and lips.  Rae Ann's Blossom Eye Shadow connects with the Contour Blush and Blooming Lipstick. We used a contouring blush in the shade, Contour. Coming from the middle of the ear and cutting towards the nose and up a bit on the apples really segments the face nicely.   

With Kendall's jewel toned turquoise top, we did a look of apricot and navy - so fresh and clean for spring. Kendall's Apricot Sun Eye Shadow connects with the Afterglow Blush (on the apples of her cheeks) and the Peach Sorbet Lipstick.

We also like to highlight the area above the blush (the tops of the cheek bones) and under the eye brows with a new product called Mineral Glaze.  Mineral Glaze gives you a "dewy" look without looking "oily."  This is always a beautiful finishing touch to any look.

Amy Head Cosmetics  |  Hair by Kristina Myers  | Christina Foto

Christina and Marshal's story is quite unique.  They met while she was living in Pennsylvania and he in Mississippi.  The Economist had actually written a piece about Rabbi Marshal and the work he was doing in Mississippi.  Christina just happened to subscribe to this publication and read the article!  She was so intrigued with this handsome, single, Jewish rabbi, that she emailed him!  She was also in the process of a two year conversion to Judaism!  What a coincidence!  
After several weeks of corresponding, the two met in Mississippi and knew they were meant for each other. 

Their proposal is just as enthralling as their meeting!  Christina, yes, SHE proposed to Marshal!  She had a nice romantic dinner waiting at her home for Marshal.  The dinner had a theme, "growing old together."  She put together a "growing old" gift basket filled with Gold Bond powder, hemorrhoid cream, Aleve, denture cream, and an engagement ring!  After a little confusion and dismay, Marshal realized what was going on and said YES to her proposal!

Christina said her favorite moment, other than the actual wedding, was when she and Marshal participated in a Jewish wedding tradition.  The bride and groom are lifted up in chairs while the guests are dancing in a circle around them, to the song 'Hava Nagila.'  She said it was the best and scariest moment! 

Rachel Kabukala Photography|Moreton's Flowerland|Edna's Cakes|Badgely Mischka|Dunleith Historic Inn|Temple B'nai Israel