The South Warehouse in downtown Jackson, Ms was the setting for Lindsay and Jason's wedding ceremony and reception. The interior brick walls and rustic look of the building were perfect for the southern, yet modern-rustic look that they were going for. Check out some of our favorite shots from Chao Photography.

Lindsay picked a dress unlike any one that she had ever imagined for herself. She had always envisioned something super simple with no lace or beading. When she found her dress she knew it was perfect; simple at the top and fun at the bottom. She added a beaded belt for the ceremony and changed to a different one for the reception to give her two completely different looks. 

With her dress, she carried a bouquet of white hydrangeas. Wrapped around her bouquet was lace and a charm with her and Jason's initials on one side and  the date of the wedding on the other. Along with this, she received a pearl ring from Jason as a gift, which she proudly wore. 

Lindsay and Jason's favorite moment of the day came before the ceremony, when the two of them saw each other for the first time. "The first look" was an incredible moment for them to spend some time together, calm their nerves and share their excitement for the upcoming ceremony.

The color scheme for the wedding was a simple decision for the bride. She had always loved navy, being that it is so classic and timeless. And what better color is there to pair with navy than yellow? It always makes such a stunning pop of color. 

As for the flowers, Lindsay knew that she wanted each bridesmaid's bouquet to be different and unique, just like their personalities. Their bouquets also featured a charm with their initial. 

The groom, a Mississippi native and owner of a sporting goods store, chose an outdoors theme for his amazing cake design while the bride kept it simple with a gluten-free three layer rice crispy tower. 

The bride, from Buffalo, NY, had a signature cocktail of champagne and Peach Puree' called "The New Yorker," while the groom had a signature drink of Crown Royal and Coke called "Mississippi Moonshine." There was also an array of foods ranging from sushi  to  barbecue, many of which were also gluten-free. 

Kendall Poole Event Planning | Fresh Cut Catering & Floral | The South Warehouse | Chao Photography | Davaine Lighting | Almost Famous Band | Cakes by Iris | Alfred Angelo | Molly Gee Designs | Kristina Myers | Big Bad Photo Booth 

{Guest Post}: Rev. Heath Ferguson
{Engagement Photos}: Anna Claire & Rob taken by Adam + Alli Photography

What are we built for?  Experience tells me we are built for love.  Life has revealed to me that we are designed to share.  Scripture leads us to see that we depend on fellowship found in the Lord, and it is from this union with God that all good relationships grow. 

So, if we believe that the best thing we can do is include Christ in our relationships, maybe we can also decide that we should model our attempts at relationships after Christ.  Philippians 2:1-11 tells us: Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, {2} then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. {3} Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, {4} not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. {5} In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: {6} Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; {7} rather, He made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. {8} And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross! {9} Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, {10} that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, {11} and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Here, Paul is telling us that if we have decided to buy in and seek Christ and from that we have received any blessing, then the only way to continue that momentum is to climb out of our own selves and seek to share and love.

This is what lies at the core of marriage.  This is what lies at the core of a relationship.  Every step of Christ’s earthly ministry was motivated by love.  In our relationships, every movement and every decision must be based on love.  Love is not slave to emotion.  Love is not dependent on mood or moment.  Real, binding love that survives is found in the decisions made in the midst of life’s little pauses.  Love is a continual choice to live as Christ did, beyond one’s self to lift up, tend to, and comfort those near us.

Thankfully, through the Holy Spirit, we are capable of such a feat.  In Christ, we are now beyond our old capabilities having shed our insecurities, our fear, and our desperation.

2 Corinthians 5:16-18 promises us: {16} So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. {17} Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! {18} All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.

Free from our selves, we discover we can love, we can live, we can be INSPIRED by this new hope that exists in us.  Our relationships cry out for this real love born out of the God of love.  In this, we find out what we are built for.

The reclaimed antique wood floors and heart pine beams throughout Plantation Commons in Madison, MS made a perfectly southern setting for the marriage and reception of Mary Ruth and Cameron. Please check out some of our favorite shots from their wedding day by Sharon Coker Photography.

Mary Ruth found a dress she loved very soon after she and Cameron were engaged. So when the time came to go shopping, she knew she wanted lace and she hoped to find a dress similar to the one she had fallen in love with. As she was picking out her first few dresses to try on, she did not even realize that she had picked the very dress she'd fallen in love with before. After trying on a few, she chose the dress she had loved all along. It was perfect! To compliment her dress, Mary Ruth chose a bouquet with different shades of oranges, creams and greenery. She had a gold chain necklace with gold beading of her mother's wrapped around the stem of her bouquet as her "something borrowed."

To go along with the bride and bridesmaids brightly colored bouquets, each groomsman was gifted a pair of fun, colorful socks to wear for the celebration.

It was love at first sight when the bride's mother saw the photo above for the first time. “If you ever end up upset with each other, look at this photo and see how happy you are together," she said. These photos were taken right after the ceremony and you can see the joy all over their faces.

After the ceremony, Mary Ruth and Cameron had their very own mini reception. Fresh Cut Catering and Floral set up a private mini buffet and the two of them got to relax and spend some time together before they headed out to dance the night away with their family and friends.

Sharon Coker Photography |Plantation Commons |Fresh Cut Catering & Floral | Mostly Martha's Florist | Courtney Yarborough: Coordinator| Ricky McCraw Mobile DJ | Tuxedo Junction | Dream Cakes

"In the heart of Jackson, for the heart of Jackson."

In April 1998, Calvary Baptist Church in Jackson, MS committed to staying in the heart of downtown to minister to the community the "heart of Jesus." In the early days of the ministry, the people of HIS Heart would go on what that they like to call "prayer walks." On these walks, they began to feel a tug toward ministering to the children and families of the West Park community.

In the beginning, all of the children in the program lived near the church and the HIS Heart Ministry was separate. As the ministry has grown and evolved over the years, many children have grown up and others have moved to new neighborhoods, but the ministry has always found ways to meet their needs and provide transportation to the church when needed. These days, the children of HIS Heart have become active members of Calvary Baptist Church and many serve the church on a regular basis.

The ministries of His Heart include a weekly Bible Club, Sunday morning Bible study and on Wednesdays the children are bused in for a night of worship, arts, crafts, music and a good meal. All of the programs teach spiritual development, talent development, knowledge of missions and promote strong character and discipline. The ministry also goes into the homes of the children to collaborate with their families to ensure that their physical, spriritual and emotional needs are tended to.

Each year, fellow churches and organizations provide school supplies for the children of HIS Heart and volunteers distribute them. Each backpack is complete with all of the items on the school supply list for a specific grade, a new t-shirt, a note of encouragement and most importantly, a Bible. Once all of the HIS Heart children have received their school supplies, all extra are taken to surrounding schools to be used by other students who may not have access to the proper supplies.

Also, a partner church provides a $500 scholarship to each senior who plans to attend college to help with tuition and book costs. The volunteers also assist graduating seniors with their college enrollment by providing assistance with registration and other financial aid and by providing transportation and the any tools needed to succeed.

Throughout the year, there are many ways to help/volunteer with the His Heart Ministry:

• actively volunteering during weekly worship times, summer camps, holiday parties and festivals
• tutoring
• mentoring
  
• monetary donations
• praying daily for the children and leaders of the ministry

A great way to get involved this holiday season is by participating in their annual "Turkey Distribution Day." Each year, the ministry distributes around 100 turkeys to the children of HIS Heart for their families to enjoy on Thanksgiving. During the distribution of the turkey, each family receives a blessing and an offer of prayer by the volunteers.

Do you want to get involved? Throughout November, donations of $30 per turkey are accepted for this great cause. Donations can be made on their website here, mailed to the address provided below or you can bring your donation with you if you would like to volunteer for the distribution. This years "Turkey Distribution Day" will be held on Monday, November 25, 2013 at Calvary Baptist Church. Teams will begin to go out into the community to distribute the turkeys at 4 p.m.

To find out more about this amazing ministry and the great things they are doing for the children in downtown Jackson, MS, please visit their website: www.hisheartofjackson.org . Here you can find their current needs, prayer requests, volunteer opportunities and more. You can contact them at the following:

HIS Heart
c/o Calvary Baptist Church
1300 W. Capitol St.
Jackson,
MS 39203

Or by phone :
(601) 354-1300 x328

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as on speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4: 10-11 (NIV)

It does not get more southern than the historic Fairview Inn in Jackson, MS. This Mississippi landmark served as a beautiful backdrop for this week's featured wedding. Take a peek at some of our favorite shots captured of Carley and Max's wedding celebration by Adam + Alli Photography.

With both the bride and groom being from the south, they wanted a wedding with classic southern charm, but also wanted a bit of a modern twist. The two of them decided on a black and white color scheme  with hints of pastels.

When it came to her look, Carley chose a dress completely different from anything she had ever envisioned for herself. After trying several dresses at The Bridal Path, she found "the dress." The last one she tried on was perfect!

To go along with her perfect dress, she added a few fabulous accessories: the Weeping Willow hair piece by Molly Gee Designs and a stunning pair of Brian Atwood heels. To complete her look, she carried a bouquet full of peonies and garden roses.

One of the most memorable moments of the day for Carley and Max came just before they were introduced at the reception. The two of them had a few moments alone to sit together and reflect on the day that had just transpired before being whisked away again  to continue their celebration.

Adam + Alli Photography | Molly Gee Designs | Cakes by Iris | Fresh Cut Catering & Floral | Fairview Inn | Davaine Lighting | Bridal Path

It is with much excitement that we welcome you to INSPIRE, a place to come and be inspired by beautiful weddings, events and inspirational stories from the great people of Mississippi.

Team Inspire is so happy to share all of our inspirations with you and would love for you to share with us what inspires you. Please submit your events and stories under the Sumbissions tab.

Thank you to B Mo Foto for the gorgeous pictures of our team. 

B Mo Foto | Broque Revival | Molly Gee Designs

We had so much fun styling this photoshoot at the MS State Fair in Jackson, MS! The state fair is such a fall staple in Jackson, and Jeff Chao was able to capture its magic with Jennifer and Zach. Take a look at some of our favorite shots!

Jeff Chao Photography | Fresh Cut Catering and Floral | Molly Gee Designs | Bridal Path | Tuxes Too | Amy Head Cosmetics | Bay Dewitt, The Parlor Salon