{Tell us about the occasion for the event?}
It was the celebration of our daughter, Ava’s, first birthday – special time to bring family and friends together to celebrate our precious, spunky little girl.

{What inspired your event location and theme?}
I knew I did not want a truly ‘themed’ party, but when I came across the Kate Spade quote, “She is quick and curious and playful and strong, ” it was perfect description of our little girl.  The theme evolved from there; we took queues from the Kate Spade design aesthetic for the party.

{What’s your favorite event detail? Is there a story behind it?}
It is hard to choose, but the night before the party, my mom, sister and I were trying to figure out what to do with some paper lanterns and flowers.  Nothing was working.  Finally it came together late that night, among lots of tired giggles and exhausted sighs – it became the arrangement that hung above the high chair where Ava ate her cake. 

Secondarily, I would have to say the cake!  Dani at For Heaven’s Cakes immediately understood where I was headed and created a beautiful cake!

{What was your favorite part of the event planning process?}
It was fun putting together all the little details. Planning the party was a great creative outlet and since it was a small party for family and friends, it was really more fun than stressful.

{What was your favorite moment of the event day?}
Watching Ava light up each time someone she loved walked in the door.  

{Your favorite picture from the event day?}
There are so many that I love, but there was one outside before the party started of Ava walking to her dad.  She is so happy and she is looking up and smiling to me, as if she is saying, “look, my dad’s got me!”

{Cake Design} For Heaven's Cakes
{Photography} Mary Moment Photography

This Saturday, October 11th at 8:00am, the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation will host the 26th annual “Over The River Run” in Vicksburg!  This historic, scenic race takes place on the handsome Old Mississippi River Bridge.  Participants in the 5-mile race will enjoy sweeping views of the Mighty Mississippi as they cross the river into Louisiana. 

The striking landmark was built in 1930, but was closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic in 1988.  Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989, the Old Vicksburg Bridge still proudly carries the Kansas City Southern Railroad across the river. 

Stacey Massey, Executive Director of the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation says, “You can participate in the 5-mile walk or 5-mile run, and we have a 1-mile fun run for the kids!  Crossing the bridge into Louisiana is spectacular; it is just beautiful running over the river.”

Following the run, a family-friendly party will be held in downtown Vicksburg.  Enjoy delicious refreshments, inflatable surprises for children, and live entertainment by “Slaphappy!”  The American Massage Therapy Association will also be on hand, relaxing sore muscles after the 5-mile race.

The Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.  The non-profit was formed to preserve an entire block of historic buildings in downtown Vicksburg, and transform them into a cultural center.  Their mission is to continue preserving these gorgeous structures while offering wonderful events to the Vicksburg community. 

What a fantastic autumn event for the entire family to enjoy!  To register for the race, please visit southernculture.org, click here, or call 601-631-2997!

In lieu of a quick lunch at your desk or a last-minute dinner at home this week, we encourage you to treat yourself with a meal from a local restaurant!  From September 28th through October 11th, the Jackson area’s finest eateries will be serving tasty and creative dishes for Jackson Restaurant Weeks!  Presented by EatJxn, this wonderful event not only supports 62 restaurants across the metro area, but it also awards an impressive $10,000 to a local charity. 

Each restaurant participating in Restaurant Weeks has a ballot listing 10 charities, as well as a ballot box.  With each order off of a Jackson Restaurant Weeks menu, you have the chance to vote for your favorite charity.  On October 22nd, the charity with the most votes will be awarded the $10,000 Charity Check!

Andy Chapman, owner and publisher of EatJxn, says this is the best time of year to dine out.  Fall is typically a slow time of year for restaurant owners.  Football fans travel on weekends to cheer on their favorite teams, hunting season begins, and the excitement of the State Fair takes over downtown Jackson.  As a result, local restaurants suffer. 

Andy says, “We started Restaurant Weeks four years ago, and it made a huge difference for local businesses!  Just visit your favorite spot and get whatever you want – and vote!  Go to Cups and grab an awesome $4 drink and vote, or buy a delicious mean at Ely’s and vote.  Wherever you dine, it supports our local restaurants AND a local charity.”

And just where does the $10,000 come from?  This year, EatJxn has an amazing raffle, and all of the proceeds benefit the Charity Check winner.  Andy laughs, “It is the coolest raffle in the area!  We are giving away a Kamado Joe Classic Grill, Kamado Joe Blow Lighter, charcoal, grilling tools, and more.  Then a chef will show up, teach a grilling class, and throw a party in your backyard for you and your friends!”  Raffle tickets are only $20, and can be purchased here! 

Thank you, EatJxn, for championing local restaurants and charities!  We hope you all purchase a raffle ticket, vote for your favorite charity, and enjoy delicious meals with friends and family during Jackson Restaurant Weeks!

{Bride}  Johnna Elizabeth McDougal
{Groom} Reid Burke Strange
{Hometowns} Booneville, MS (Johnna), Hernando, MS (Reid)
{Wedding Site} Oxford University United Methodist Church- Oxford, MS
{Reception Site} The Lyric- Oxford, MS

{How did the two of you meet?} We have a lot of mutual friends. In fact 4 of his groomsmen were my high school friends and 2 of my bridesmaids were his high school friends. We were bound to meet sooner or later, but we met when I came to visit Ole Miss the spring of my senior year of high school. We hit it off right from the start!

{What is your proposal story?} On Valentines Day our first year doing long distance, Reid left an apple on my doorstep. He said it was a hint to my present which ended up being a trip to New York (the Big Apple) the following May. He said we were going to visit his best friend and he was going to go on a prime turkey hunting trip an hour outside of the city. So the weekend of the trip came and we headed to NYC. Everything went off without a hitch; Reid got up and went “hunting” the Saturday morning as planned. He got back to the hotel just in time to take me to dinner with his best friend who conveniently canceled as just as we were leaving the hotel. We arrived at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel to make our reservations at the Asiate where we were sat at the best table in the house with the most amazing view of Central Park. We had the most delicious dinner and right before dessert our conversation turned serious and before I knew it he was on one knee and tears were flowing while the whole restaurant cheered as I promised to be his for the rest of my life. 

{What inspired your wedding and reception locations?} Reid and I both went to school at Ole Miss and we visit Oxford often. It was an easy choice for the location and the fact that it was about equal distance from both of our hometowns was just icing on the cake. Oxford just has a charm about it that we couldn’t resist. We knew we wanted to have everything located on the square and the Methodist Church is so beautiful. The lyric was our venue of choice for reception because it allowed for everything to be held in the same room and I just love the style of it.

{What inspired your color scheme/theme/flowers?} I had many people tell me that my wedding and reception were so “me” and I loved that. I went with a champagne color and light pink. The reception décor featured sequins and chandeliers.

{How did you pick “the dress?”} My mom, Reid’s mom, and Reid’s sister Allie visited Lows Bridal. I always knew I wanted to go there to get my dress. When we walked in we were blown away with all of the wedding dresses. I tried on dresses for 4 hours but fell in love with the very last one I tried on, right before the salon was closing. We face-timed my sister-in-law Elizabeth to get the final approval and we were set!!

{What’s your favorite unique accessory? Is there a story behind it?} My favorite accessory was the birthstone ring attached to my wedding bouquet. When my mom and step-dad got married 15 years ago he gave me the ring so it was so special to have it with me on my wedding day.

{What was your favorite part of the wedding planning process?} I loved it all! If I had to guess my favorite part it would be all the day trips to Oxford to visit with my fabulous venders.

{Besides the actual wedding, what was your favorite moment of the wedding day?} Oh, this is a tough one! I think it would have to be the minutes after our “first look” where we got to spend a few minutes just us two. It was our only few minutes to really soak it in.

{What was your favorite surprise detail/moment about your wedding day?} Since I did all the planning myself I didn’t expect have any surprises. However Reid had other plans. While getting ready on our wedding day a tiny white package was delivered with a very sweet note. Inside were a beautiful pair of diamond earrings.. the best surprise!

Thank you Johnna & Reid for sharing your wonderful story with us!