Laken Lowery and Ford Ramey met in the fifth grade.  After losing touch for a number of years, the two reconnected and the rest is history!  “Ford and I both always said we wanted to get married at the Barn at Bridlewood.  It was the only venue we looked at because we knew it fit us perfectly and was exactly what we wanted,” smiles Laken. 

The barn was beautifully draped with romantic hydrangeas and roses, perfectly complementing the rustic setting.  Laken reflects, “My favorite moments were at the reception.  First dance as husband and wife, eating and celebrating with our closest friends and family made for an unforgettable night.” 

Inspiring Idea:  Invite loved ones to pray over your marriage during the ceremony.

VENDORS:
Ceremony & Reception Venue:  The Barn at Bridlewood
Photography:  Wendy Calhoun Photography
Florals: Blooms a Garden Shop
Event Planner:  Adrienne Hicks Garanich
Rentals:  Pretty Presentations Rentals
Lighting: Davaine Lighting
Catering: Pretty Presentations Catering
Band:  Travis Clark
Bride's Cake: The Pastry Garden
Groom's Cake:  Home Bake & Candy Shop
Dress: Imaginations Bridal
Hair: Natalie Collins with The Abbey Salon
Tuxes: Jos. A.Bank
Bridesmaid Dresses:  Imagination Bridal
Print Material:  Walnut Square Gift & Stationary

Tupelo is a fun, festive location for a wintry weekend away!  Jill Hiers, owner of Custom Travel Professionals, LLC, says, “Tupelo has fabulous attractions, like the birthplace of Elvis museum, Tupelo Automobile Museum and Tupelo National Battlefield.  And Tishomingo State Park is just steps away from Tupelo, right off of the Natchez Trace.  It is stunning and you won’t believe you are in Mississippi!”

STAY
· Hilton Garden Inn  - A short distance to the BancorpSouth Center and BancorpSouth Arena, and just minutes from Elvis Presley’s Birthplace and the Tupelo Auto Museum!
· Holiday Inn Express & Suites – 101 family-friendly rooms and suites in Tupelo.

EAT
· Neon Pig – This eatery won a national contest for best burger in the nation!
· Kermits Outlaw Kitchen (KOK) -  A fun, artistic environment!  The menu changes weekly based on fresh availability of local product.
· Forklift -  This brand new restaurant features award-winning chef David Leathers!
· Mt. Fugi Japanese Restaurant – Hiers says, “They have the BEST sushi anywhere.  There is nothing like sitting at the chef's table and having Jackie's unique creations.” 
· South Restaurant -  Beautiful restaurant with southern cuisine, great happy hour specials and blues music trickling from the speakers.
· Park Heights -   Upscale dining in a gorgeous setting.  The rooftop has incredible views of downtown Tupelo.
· Crave - “Dessert-only heaven,” laughs Hiers!  

EXPLORE
· FarmHouse - A gorgeous boutique store nestled in thriving downtown Tupelo.   Perfect for gifts, home décor, fine linens, art and jewelry.   
· Trove -  A lovely antique and design store. 
· J. Britt Lighting & Interiors -  Beautiful store!  The J. Britt Restoration Collection is a line of products that take old items and repurpose them into unique ones. 
· The Cotton Bolt -  Fantastic spot for beautiful fabrics!
· Reed's - Famous women's, men's, gifts, and bookstore!  
· Core Cycle & Outdoor -  A cool spot in a brand new location.  The store even features a climbing wall!

Tupelo.net is a comprehensive online guide to this fabulous town.  For more information on Custom Travel Professionals, LLC, please visit customtravelprofessionals.com 

Photograph courtesy of Tupelo.net

The Rock n’ Roll Marathon in San Diego and the Nashville Country Music Marathon sparked a brilliant idea for John Noblin.  Mississippi needed a major marathon. A blues marathon, to be exact, honoring and celebrating Mississippi’s blues.  “In 2007 I was invited to meet with a group of businessmen who were interested in creating a real ‘event’ marathon in Jackson that would be a tourism boost.  I told the group my story about the blues theme and everyone basically said, ‘That’s great.  You’re in charge,’” laughs Noblin.  Blue Cross Blue Shield came on board as the exclusive sponsor, and the Mississippi Blues Marathon was born.

January 7, 2017 marks “10 Years Running” of this incredible event!  Runners will start at the Art Garden of the Mississippi Museum of Art, and will wind through historic downtown Jackson.  Live music will dance through the air throughout the course and at the finish line.  Noblin smiles, “There are a lot of runners who are blues fans, particularly from other parts of the country or other countries.  We get a lot of positive feedback about the race having a really authentic connection to blues music, rather than just a name.”

The Blues Marathon also supports Mississippi’s blues musicians.  A portion of the proceeds goes to the Musician’s Benevolent Fund of the Mississippi Blues Commission.  John says, “This is an account that is available for blues musicians who have an unexpected financial crisis.  These are usually due to a health issue or disaster loss.”

As runners complete the marathon in 2017, they will expect a joyful crowd, memorable music and a boisterous finish line.  “I have been told that this is the only event that has ever brought people from all fifty states to Jackson on the same day.  There is a tremendous economic impact for Jackson, but there is also a huge public relations value because we are bringing people to Jackson who probably wouldn’t have come otherwise,” says Noblin.  “They are telling the rest of the running community across the country that this is a great event with some of the friendliest volunteers they have ever encountered.  The race has a great reputation nationally, which reflects well on Jackson.”

For more information on the Mississippi Blues Marathon, please visit www.msbluesmarathon.com

A treasured Mississippi physician celebrated his sixtieth year with an unforgettable birthday bash! Family, friends and patients gathered to fete Kim McDonald at a soiree cleverly themed 60 Years of our Favorite Fellow…Medicine and Friendship.    

McDonald’s wife, Renee, laughs, “The colors of the evening were various shades of blue.  Kim always wears blue clothing and says, ‘My mama always said I look good in blue.’” 

As guests enjoyed shrimp and grits and crawfish potato salad, cocktail napkins inscribed with some of McDonald’s funniest sayings sparked laughter and memories.  McDonald was also surprised with an incredible video, filled with a lifetime of photographs and surprise films from people who greatly impacted his life.  Hilarity ensued as a few of his dearest friends made an appearance, describing McDonald in five words and telling a few ‘unknown’ tales.  McDonald says, “Watching the video and seeing the expression of my kids and wife was my favorite moment of the day!”

It was an evening of revelry and fun, perfectly honoring McDonald. “Kim has had a major impact on this entire community practicing medicine for 35 years…so he has basically touched…and more importantly saved more lives than can be counted in Meridian and surrounding areas,” says his wife, Renee, with awe.  “The turnout was crazy, people from far and wide.  Many invited and others that heard we were celebrating his birthday and they just showed up.  It was so much fun!” 

Vendors:

Event Venue:  Soule Steamworks - Greg Hatcher & Jim McRae
Photography:  Adam + Alli Photography
Lighting:  Davaine Lighting
Videography:  John Allen
Catering:  Pretty Presentations Catering
Cake:  Church Street Cakery
Rentals:  Pretty Presentations Event Rentals
Band:  Compisitionz

We are ecstatic to announce that the 2017 issue of Inspiration Mississippi Magazine is out!  Along with our incredible advertisers and vendors, we have poured our passion for Mississippi into all 256 pages of this gorgeous publication.  

We are proud to show you our beautiful photoshoots, soul-stirring articles and standout events.  Each and every wedding, photograph and article celebrates our state, and today we are pleased to unveil our winter cover!  We hope Inspiration Mississippi leaves you inspired and hopeful as we enter a glorious new year!

We love a bride who isn't afraid to embrace the exotic.  The Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo offers exquisite animals in a wild, ethereal setting.  On a chilly winter afternoon, we captured unforgettable photographs of a beautifully unconventional wedding.

With the sheer splendor of the animals, we kept details soft and natural.  Bouquets were created with greenery and florals in understated tones of fawn, creme, blush and seafood.  In graceful gowns adorned with delicate beading and lace, our brides were completely radiant against the sandy hued ground and pale sky.  It was truly a winter affair to remember.

VENDORS:

Venue:  Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo
Photography:  Adam + Alli Photography
Dresses:  Mimi's Bridal Shop
Florals:  Oxford Floral
Hair & Makeup: Amber Moyer of Shear Envy Salon in Tupelo - assisted by Brandy Powers & Victoria Whittle
Rentals:  Modern Revival Rentals