{Bride} Claiborne Steele Bryant
{Groom} Kurt David Cooksey
{Hometowns} Both from Vicksburg, Mississippi
{Wedding Site} Bride’s grandparent’s home, Loosa Yokena Plantation in Yokena, MS
{Bride’s Bouquet} Tommy Simrall, family friend and retired floral designer
{Bridesmaid Bouquets} Tommy Simrall, family friend and retired floral designer
{How did the two of you meet?}
We are both from Vicksburg, but it wasn’t until 5th or 6th grade that we actually acknowledged one another. We became better friends during high school through mutual friendships, and began dating our Junior year. The rest is history!
{What is your proposal story?}
Ahh the proposal! It happened last April when we ran the Country Music Half Marathon in Nashville, Tennesse. He had plans to propose after the race, and made sure that family and friends were there! It was the second best day of my life. He made sure someone was there to take pictures (that I’ve cherished!) and we also have the best shaky iPhone video of the whole thing.
{What inspired your wedding and reception locations?}
I’ve always wanted to get married in my grandmother’s yard, and we chose her “White Garden” specifically because that is where my mom and dad were married. It has always been a special place to me, causing emotions every time I am there. A morning wedding in her garden has always been on my mind.
{What inspired your color scheme/theme/flowers?}
I’m obsessed with greens and neutrals so that’s where I naturally looked when picking bridesmaids dresses and flowers. I knew that I wanted the arrangements and bouquets to be natural and not perfectly shaped. Having a garden wedding, we left most of the decorations to nature, with a lot of help from my grandmother, Dee Hyland, and uncle, Reverend Rusty Keen. I wanted the bouquets to look like they were just snatched from the side of Highway 61; big and natural. A dear family friend and retired floral designer, Tommy Simrall, chose flowers and greenery from my grandmother’s yard, Yokena Presbyterian Church (the church that I grew up in), and off of the side of the highway. As far as theme for the wedding, Kurt and I just wanted everything to be relaxed and comfortable. A morning wedding with a brunch reception was perfect.
{How did you pick “the dress?”}
My mom, grandmother, sister and I traveled to Lowe’s in Brinkley, Arkansas to find the dress. They were so wonderful! I went in with an idea of what I wanted, and the second try was “the dress!” We all knew, but I felt nervous feeling so sure, so I tried on about 4 more. We left with dress number two!
{What’s your favorite unique accessory? Is there a story behind it?}
My Grandmother let me borrow her cameo that has been passed down through several generations. It belonged to my Aunt Pattie, the woman that built the house where we were married. I wore the cameo on my sash. It was so special! I am also so in love with my green emerald and diamond engagement ring that my dad made for my mom when they were engaged. Kurt and Mama sneakily traveled to Atlanta, GA to have small changes and alterations made to it. It was a family affair!
{What was your favorite part of the wedding planning process?}
It’s hard to pick a favorite part! I loved all of it. Loved spending so much time with family and close friends, discussing all of the little details. We had many get togethers planning the big day!
{Besides the actual wedding, what was your favorite moment of the wedding day?}
Finally being able to talk to Kurt afterwards! I hadn’t seen him all morning, so finally being able to squeal and laugh and say that we were married was bliss - It felt so right and crazy at the same time. The whole bridal party flowed inside behind us and surrounded us, high fiving, hugging and smiling. I seriously could not stop smiling!
{What was your favorite surprise detail/moment about your wedding day?}
Well, walking up the sidewalk when I first arrived that morning, hearing my cousins preparing the music, and seeing my mom for the first time, just made me so thankful and emotional that the day was finally here. Another favorite moment was right before the wedding, once everyone was ready, the bridesmaids and I gathered in the parlor room (to hide from Kurt mostly), and peeked out of the windows, watching guests arrive. We opened the door to the garden so that we could hear the soloists and hymns. Right before it was time to walk down the aisle, we all gathered in a circle and prayed. When the bridesmaids left, I was able to hug my mom one last time, and thankfully got to sit and talk with my dad for a second before it was our turn to walk. It was such a special part of the morning!
{Your favorite picture from the big day?}
I have so many favorites. Love all of the shots of our family because family is such a big part of our life, and I’m so blown away by the detail shots of the yard with the morning light coming through the trees. But, I believe our favorite picture is the big group picture of the whole bridal party after the wedding. I’m squinting and smiling so big, Kurt’s laughing, and the whole group is just genuinely happy!! Will cherish these people and their friendships forever.
{The picture that represents the two of you best?}
The picture of us in the garden, laughing at something in the distance. We have no idea what was so funny, but we were smiling the whole day. I feel like it definitely represents our personalities best!
Photographer:
Danny K Photography
Oxford, Mississippi
http://dannykphotography.com
Dress:
Lowe’s Brinkley, Arkansas
Sottero and Midgley dress by Maggie Sottero.
lowsbridal.com
Bride’s Jewelry:
Wedding Band
Newton’s Jewelers
Flowood, Mississippi
https://www.facebook.com/newtonsjewelry
Hair & Make up:
Lori Thompson with The Body Shop
Vicksburg, Mississippi
http://bodyshopspa.net/team.htm
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Body-Shop-Salon-and-Spa/687359251301225
Bridesmaid Dresses:
Imaginations Bridal
Brookhaven, Mississippi
imaginationsbridal.com
Tuxes:
King of Hearts
Vicksburg, Mississippi
king-of-hearts.com
Videographer:
Revival House
Jackson, Mississippi
http://www.revivethishouse.com
Venue:
Loosa Yokena Plantation
(Grandparent’s home)
Rentals:
Top It Off Events
Jackson, Mississippi
topitoffevents.com
Florist:
Tommy Simrall
(Retired floral designer)
Rusty Keen
(Bride’s Uncle)
Catering:
Sasha Monty with Alexander Pretti & Co.
Clarksdale, Mississippi
[email protected]
Tarsha Neal
Vicksburg, Mississippi
Ceremony Painter
Anna Callaway (friend of the bride)
[email protected]
Reception Musician:
David Stinson (local saxophone player)
[email protected]
Bride’s & Groom’s Cakes:
Mary Ann Artz (local cake artist)
Print Material:
Claiborne Design and Illustration
Starkville, Mississippi
claibornebryant.com
{Groom} Kurt David Cooksey
{Hometowns} Both from Vicksburg, Mississippi
{Wedding Site} Bride’s grandparent’s home, Loosa Yokena Plantation in Yokena, MS
{Bride’s Bouquet} Tommy Simrall, family friend and retired floral designer
{Bridesmaid Bouquets} Tommy Simrall, family friend and retired floral designer
{How did the two of you meet?}
We are both from Vicksburg, but it wasn’t until 5th or 6th grade that we actually acknowledged one another. We became better friends during high school through mutual friendships, and began dating our Junior year. The rest is history!
{What is your proposal story?}
Ahh the proposal! It happened last April when we ran the Country Music Half Marathon in Nashville, Tennesse. He had plans to propose after the race, and made sure that family and friends were there! It was the second best day of my life. He made sure someone was there to take pictures (that I’ve cherished!) and we also have the best shaky iPhone video of the whole thing.
{What inspired your wedding and reception locations?}
I’ve always wanted to get married in my grandmother’s yard, and we chose her “White Garden” specifically because that is where my mom and dad were married. It has always been a special place to me, causing emotions every time I am there. A morning wedding in her garden has always been on my mind.
{What inspired your color scheme/theme/flowers?}
I’m obsessed with greens and neutrals so that’s where I naturally looked when picking bridesmaids dresses and flowers. I knew that I wanted the arrangements and bouquets to be natural and not perfectly shaped. Having a garden wedding, we left most of the decorations to nature, with a lot of help from my grandmother, Dee Hyland, and uncle, Reverend Rusty Keen. I wanted the bouquets to look like they were just snatched from the side of Highway 61; big and natural. A dear family friend and retired floral designer, Tommy Simrall, chose flowers and greenery from my grandmother’s yard, Yokena Presbyterian Church (the church that I grew up in), and off of the side of the highway. As far as theme for the wedding, Kurt and I just wanted everything to be relaxed and comfortable. A morning wedding with a brunch reception was perfect.
{How did you pick “the dress?”}
My mom, grandmother, sister and I traveled to Lowe’s in Brinkley, Arkansas to find the dress. They were so wonderful! I went in with an idea of what I wanted, and the second try was “the dress!” We all knew, but I felt nervous feeling so sure, so I tried on about 4 more. We left with dress number two!
{What’s your favorite unique accessory? Is there a story behind it?}
My Grandmother let me borrow her cameo that has been passed down through several generations. It belonged to my Aunt Pattie, the woman that built the house where we were married. I wore the cameo on my sash. It was so special! I am also so in love with my green emerald and diamond engagement ring that my dad made for my mom when they were engaged. Kurt and Mama sneakily traveled to Atlanta, GA to have small changes and alterations made to it. It was a family affair!
{What was your favorite part of the wedding planning process?}
It’s hard to pick a favorite part! I loved all of it. Loved spending so much time with family and close friends, discussing all of the little details. We had many get togethers planning the big day!
{Besides the actual wedding, what was your favorite moment of the wedding day?}
Finally being able to talk to Kurt afterwards! I hadn’t seen him all morning, so finally being able to squeal and laugh and say that we were married was bliss - It felt so right and crazy at the same time. The whole bridal party flowed inside behind us and surrounded us, high fiving, hugging and smiling. I seriously could not stop smiling!
{What was your favorite surprise detail/moment about your wedding day?}
Well, walking up the sidewalk when I first arrived that morning, hearing my cousins preparing the music, and seeing my mom for the first time, just made me so thankful and emotional that the day was finally here. Another favorite moment was right before the wedding, once everyone was ready, the bridesmaids and I gathered in the parlor room (to hide from Kurt mostly), and peeked out of the windows, watching guests arrive. We opened the door to the garden so that we could hear the soloists and hymns. Right before it was time to walk down the aisle, we all gathered in a circle and prayed. When the bridesmaids left, I was able to hug my mom one last time, and thankfully got to sit and talk with my dad for a second before it was our turn to walk. It was such a special part of the morning!
{Your favorite picture from the big day?}
I have so many favorites. Love all of the shots of our family because family is such a big part of our life, and I’m so blown away by the detail shots of the yard with the morning light coming through the trees. But, I believe our favorite picture is the big group picture of the whole bridal party after the wedding. I’m squinting and smiling so big, Kurt’s laughing, and the whole group is just genuinely happy!! Will cherish these people and their friendships forever.
{The picture that represents the two of you best?}
The picture of us in the garden, laughing at something in the distance. We have no idea what was so funny, but we were smiling the whole day. I feel like it definitely represents our personalities best!
Photographer:
Danny K Photography
Oxford, Mississippi
http://dannykphotography.com
Dress:
Lowe’s Brinkley, Arkansas
Sottero and Midgley dress by Maggie Sottero.
lowsbridal.com
Bride’s Jewelry:
Wedding Band
Newton’s Jewelers
Flowood, Mississippi
https://www.facebook.com/newtonsjewelry
Hair & Make up:
Lori Thompson with The Body Shop
Vicksburg, Mississippi
http://bodyshopspa.net/team.htm
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Body-Shop-Salon-and-Spa/687359251301225
Bridesmaid Dresses:
Imaginations Bridal
Brookhaven, Mississippi
imaginationsbridal.com
Tuxes:
King of Hearts
Vicksburg, Mississippi
king-of-hearts.com
Videographer:
Revival House
Jackson, Mississippi
http://www.revivethishouse.com
Venue:
Loosa Yokena Plantation
(Grandparent’s home)
Rentals:
Top It Off Events
Jackson, Mississippi
topitoffevents.com
Florist:
Tommy Simrall
(Retired floral designer)
Rusty Keen
(Bride’s Uncle)
Catering:
Sasha Monty with Alexander Pretti & Co.
Clarksdale, Mississippi
[email protected]
Tarsha Neal
Vicksburg, Mississippi
Ceremony Painter
Anna Callaway (friend of the bride)
[email protected]
Reception Musician:
David Stinson (local saxophone player)
[email protected]
Bride’s & Groom’s Cakes:
Mary Ann Artz (local cake artist)
Print Material:
Claiborne Design and Illustration
Starkville, Mississippi
claibornebryant.com
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{Blog by Mitchell Walters}
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