{Bride} Shelby Phelon
{Groom} Miles Jackson
{Hometowns} Bride - Grenada, MS | Groom - Winona, MS
{Wedding Site} Emmanuel Baptist Church in Grenada, MS
{Reception Site} First and Green in Grenada, MS
{Bride’s Bouquet} Sandy Eiland - The Crow’s Nest in Winona, MS
{Bridesmaid Bouquets} Sand Eiland - The Crow’s Nest in Winona, MS
{How did the two of you meet?}
Miles and I were set up by a mutual friend six and a half years ago. He was a sophomore and I was a junior in high school at the time. As I was approaching graduation I knew I was going to Mississippi College and he was planning on going to Mississippi State. Two years into our relationship, God had made it very clear to me that Miles was the one He had set as my future husband. So the night before I moved to college I looked Miles in the eyes and told him I was going to marry him. His wide eyes clearly told me that he hadn’t thought about marriage quite yet, but he never ran away.
{What is your proposal story?}
Throughout our relationship, Miles may have successfully surprised me a handful of times. So it was a running joke that I was going to know exactly when he was going to propose. But oh man did he get me. In the summer of 2016, Miles and I were extremely busy and on completely opposite schedules. I had started my nursing job in Columbus, MS working nights as a nurse and he had been working closer to his hometown of Winona, MS. After a month of hardly seeing each other and me having 7 days off, I told him we needed/I wanted to go on a nice date. (Miles doesn't mind spending money on nice food so this is a normal thing for us to do). He called me two days before our date and tells me his boss needs him to go check some fields in Starkville in the afternoon before our dinner that evening (I was not super excited about him being sweaty, but I just rolled with it). So he made reservations at the Veranda in Starkville and he tells me that it is a "really nice" restaurant. So naturally I picked a dress to wear! That Saturday, July 23rd, we leave to go to Starkville. As we are pulling into Starkville he calls his boss to make sure he was going the right direction, and his boss said something came up and Miles didn't have to check them (all part of Miles' plan). We ended up being close to the Noxubee Wildlife Refuge and had extra time before our reservation so we drove out there. There is a boardwalk through some cypress trees that I had visited a few times with my golden retriever and I had been dying to show him. We get to the lake, we park, and then begin to walk down the boardwalk. (The entire time I think I am showing him this place for the first time but really he and his mom came a couple of days before and planned out everything!) We get to the end of the boardwalk where there is a covered place to sit overlooking the lake. We sit and comment on what a beautiful day it was and how pretty the lake was. He then asked if I was ready to go, we stand, he takes my hand and says "But I need to talk to you first" (he does this often, taking my hands, looking me in the eyes and telling me how beautiful I am and how much he loves me). It wasn't until after he said "and I want to spend the rest of my life with you" before I realized that this was the proposal!!! He got down on one knee, pulled the ring box out of his boot (bless his heart he is a country boy), and said "Shelby, will you marry me?"! It was just simply a dream. After hugging him as hard as I could, he tells me to look down the boardwalk and my best friend, Karen Chan, is taking pictures and his sister, Eliot, was with her! They came running down the boardwalk and hugged us and squealed with us! It just kept getting better. We then went to the Veranda where both of our families were waiting on us, even all of the grandparents! We ate and laughed and took pictures. Miles came up with a good excuse to go by my apartment before we headed home to Grenada/Winona. I walk through the door, turn on the lights and some of my very best friends were there yelling "SURPRISE, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!" It literally almost brought me to tears the amount of love that was already being showered on us! There were cupcakes shaped into a ring, a banner that said "Mr. & Mrs. Jackson" and pictures of Miles and me everywhere.
Miles, my family, and my friends were so thoughtful. Everything was absolutely perfect and more than I could have ever asked for.
{What inspired your wedding and reception locations?}
We were married in my church that I have been a part of basically my entire life. I had always wanted an outdoor reception so our two dogs could be there, but I couldn’t handle the stress of “what-ifs” about the weather. So I chose First and Green in Grenada because it is a beautifully restored large room of an old building that is on our square downtown. There are large windows that let in so much natural light so it didn’t feel like you were closed in a room full of people.
{What inspired your color scheme/theme/flowers?}
Most of my friends would say I am a very bland/plain type of girl. I have never been one to use bright colors or polka dots. So I chose the color scheme of champagne and gold for bridesmaid dresses. Miles picked navy suits. I also wanted white flowers and a lot of greenery! Our reception centerpieces were white candles with gold leafing and greenery. Our reception venue has tons of bookshelves that they keep decorated with old memorabilia from Grenada so there really wasn’t much decorating needed. I wanted the day to be simple, elegant, and classic so that when I look at pictures 10 or 20 years from now I don’t ask myself “Shelby, what were you thinking?.”
{How did you pick “the dress”?}
Funny story. So I had 3 different appointments with 3 different wedding dress boutiques. The first place, in Columbus, MS where my mom and I both work, was the last place I scheduled an appointment with and I only scheduled it because my mom wanted to go there. It was really just to get an idea of what I liked. Also, this appointment was less than a week and a half after we were engaged. We get there and I show the girl some pictures of things from Pinterest, of course. So we try one on that was a more full A-line. I liked it but was afraid it was too poofy. We then try on 2 or 3 A-lines that fell closer to my body, but I couldn’t see myself as a bride in them. So the girl that was helping me looks at me with a long pause and says, “You might not like it but we just got something in and I want to put you in it.” I try it on and it is completely opposite of what I would have ever envisioned myself in, but I did not want to take it off! It was a 2 piece gown, the top was a halter top and was fitted through my waist where the skirt sat. I was so nervous at the end of the appointment but said yes and I am so glad I did!
{What’s your favorite unique accessory? Is there a story behind it?}
I loved my shoes! There was nothing sentimental about them and by the end of the day I was almost in tears but I loved them.
{What was your favorite part of the wedding planning process?}
Honestly, Miles and I dated for six and a half years before we got married and for four and half years I knew I was going to marry him so I really looked forward to lazy days on the couch with him more than our actual wedding day. However, if I had to pick a favorite part of the wedding planning process, it would be picking out bridesmaids dresses with my sister and sister-in-law. They were so great and supportive and it made me so happy to be able to do something that memorable with them.
{Besides the actual wedding, what was your favorite moment of the wedding day?}
1. Miles and I were able to pray before the ceremony together. Miles’ one request was that he did not see me until I walked down the isle but he did want to pray for us and our future before the ceremony. So our photographer, Katelyn, placed us so that there was a door between us. We held hands and he prayed. It was the sweetest moment of the day. 2. Another favorite moment was after the ceremony when all of our bridesmaids and groomsmen hugged and congratulated us for the first time and husband and wife. Even in previous weddings I have been in, that is always one of my favorite parts!
{What was your favorite surprise detail/moment about your wedding day?}
My favorite detail is the horse and buggy that we used as our getaway ride. Miles grandfather has a few different buggies that he has had for years and some that he has recently gotten. He was tickled pink when we asked if we could use then. Another one of my favorite details is that Miles grandfather and uncle drove us away. Also, the horses’ names are Dandy and Andy, which are just precious.
{Groom} Miles Jackson
{Hometowns} Bride - Grenada, MS | Groom - Winona, MS
{Wedding Site} Emmanuel Baptist Church in Grenada, MS
{Reception Site} First and Green in Grenada, MS
{Bride’s Bouquet} Sandy Eiland - The Crow’s Nest in Winona, MS
{Bridesmaid Bouquets} Sand Eiland - The Crow’s Nest in Winona, MS
{How did the two of you meet?}
Miles and I were set up by a mutual friend six and a half years ago. He was a sophomore and I was a junior in high school at the time. As I was approaching graduation I knew I was going to Mississippi College and he was planning on going to Mississippi State. Two years into our relationship, God had made it very clear to me that Miles was the one He had set as my future husband. So the night before I moved to college I looked Miles in the eyes and told him I was going to marry him. His wide eyes clearly told me that he hadn’t thought about marriage quite yet, but he never ran away.
{What is your proposal story?}
Throughout our relationship, Miles may have successfully surprised me a handful of times. So it was a running joke that I was going to know exactly when he was going to propose. But oh man did he get me. In the summer of 2016, Miles and I were extremely busy and on completely opposite schedules. I had started my nursing job in Columbus, MS working nights as a nurse and he had been working closer to his hometown of Winona, MS. After a month of hardly seeing each other and me having 7 days off, I told him we needed/I wanted to go on a nice date. (Miles doesn't mind spending money on nice food so this is a normal thing for us to do). He called me two days before our date and tells me his boss needs him to go check some fields in Starkville in the afternoon before our dinner that evening (I was not super excited about him being sweaty, but I just rolled with it). So he made reservations at the Veranda in Starkville and he tells me that it is a "really nice" restaurant. So naturally I picked a dress to wear! That Saturday, July 23rd, we leave to go to Starkville. As we are pulling into Starkville he calls his boss to make sure he was going the right direction, and his boss said something came up and Miles didn't have to check them (all part of Miles' plan). We ended up being close to the Noxubee Wildlife Refuge and had extra time before our reservation so we drove out there. There is a boardwalk through some cypress trees that I had visited a few times with my golden retriever and I had been dying to show him. We get to the lake, we park, and then begin to walk down the boardwalk. (The entire time I think I am showing him this place for the first time but really he and his mom came a couple of days before and planned out everything!) We get to the end of the boardwalk where there is a covered place to sit overlooking the lake. We sit and comment on what a beautiful day it was and how pretty the lake was. He then asked if I was ready to go, we stand, he takes my hand and says "But I need to talk to you first" (he does this often, taking my hands, looking me in the eyes and telling me how beautiful I am and how much he loves me). It wasn't until after he said "and I want to spend the rest of my life with you" before I realized that this was the proposal!!! He got down on one knee, pulled the ring box out of his boot (bless his heart he is a country boy), and said "Shelby, will you marry me?"! It was just simply a dream. After hugging him as hard as I could, he tells me to look down the boardwalk and my best friend, Karen Chan, is taking pictures and his sister, Eliot, was with her! They came running down the boardwalk and hugged us and squealed with us! It just kept getting better. We then went to the Veranda where both of our families were waiting on us, even all of the grandparents! We ate and laughed and took pictures. Miles came up with a good excuse to go by my apartment before we headed home to Grenada/Winona. I walk through the door, turn on the lights and some of my very best friends were there yelling "SURPRISE, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!" It literally almost brought me to tears the amount of love that was already being showered on us! There were cupcakes shaped into a ring, a banner that said "Mr. & Mrs. Jackson" and pictures of Miles and me everywhere.
Miles, my family, and my friends were so thoughtful. Everything was absolutely perfect and more than I could have ever asked for.
{What inspired your wedding and reception locations?}
We were married in my church that I have been a part of basically my entire life. I had always wanted an outdoor reception so our two dogs could be there, but I couldn’t handle the stress of “what-ifs” about the weather. So I chose First and Green in Grenada because it is a beautifully restored large room of an old building that is on our square downtown. There are large windows that let in so much natural light so it didn’t feel like you were closed in a room full of people.
{What inspired your color scheme/theme/flowers?}
Most of my friends would say I am a very bland/plain type of girl. I have never been one to use bright colors or polka dots. So I chose the color scheme of champagne and gold for bridesmaid dresses. Miles picked navy suits. I also wanted white flowers and a lot of greenery! Our reception centerpieces were white candles with gold leafing and greenery. Our reception venue has tons of bookshelves that they keep decorated with old memorabilia from Grenada so there really wasn’t much decorating needed. I wanted the day to be simple, elegant, and classic so that when I look at pictures 10 or 20 years from now I don’t ask myself “Shelby, what were you thinking?.”
{How did you pick “the dress”?}
Funny story. So I had 3 different appointments with 3 different wedding dress boutiques. The first place, in Columbus, MS where my mom and I both work, was the last place I scheduled an appointment with and I only scheduled it because my mom wanted to go there. It was really just to get an idea of what I liked. Also, this appointment was less than a week and a half after we were engaged. We get there and I show the girl some pictures of things from Pinterest, of course. So we try one on that was a more full A-line. I liked it but was afraid it was too poofy. We then try on 2 or 3 A-lines that fell closer to my body, but I couldn’t see myself as a bride in them. So the girl that was helping me looks at me with a long pause and says, “You might not like it but we just got something in and I want to put you in it.” I try it on and it is completely opposite of what I would have ever envisioned myself in, but I did not want to take it off! It was a 2 piece gown, the top was a halter top and was fitted through my waist where the skirt sat. I was so nervous at the end of the appointment but said yes and I am so glad I did!
{What’s your favorite unique accessory? Is there a story behind it?}
I loved my shoes! There was nothing sentimental about them and by the end of the day I was almost in tears but I loved them.
{What was your favorite part of the wedding planning process?}
Honestly, Miles and I dated for six and a half years before we got married and for four and half years I knew I was going to marry him so I really looked forward to lazy days on the couch with him more than our actual wedding day. However, if I had to pick a favorite part of the wedding planning process, it would be picking out bridesmaids dresses with my sister and sister-in-law. They were so great and supportive and it made me so happy to be able to do something that memorable with them.
{Besides the actual wedding, what was your favorite moment of the wedding day?}
1. Miles and I were able to pray before the ceremony together. Miles’ one request was that he did not see me until I walked down the isle but he did want to pray for us and our future before the ceremony. So our photographer, Katelyn, placed us so that there was a door between us. We held hands and he prayed. It was the sweetest moment of the day. 2. Another favorite moment was after the ceremony when all of our bridesmaids and groomsmen hugged and congratulated us for the first time and husband and wife. Even in previous weddings I have been in, that is always one of my favorite parts!
{What was your favorite surprise detail/moment about your wedding day?}
My favorite detail is the horse and buggy that we used as our getaway ride. Miles grandfather has a few different buggies that he has had for years and some that he has recently gotten. He was tickled pink when we asked if we could use then. Another one of my favorite details is that Miles grandfather and uncle drove us away. Also, the horses’ names are Dandy and Andy, which are just precious.
{Your favorite picture from the big day?}
This picture is my favorite because you can see just how much joy, love and excitement we have for what the future hold. Also, the entire day leading up to the ceremony all I could say was I’m ready to see Miles.
This picture is my favorite because you can see just how much joy, love and excitement we have for what the future hold. Also, the entire day leading up to the ceremony all I could say was I’m ready to see Miles.
{The picture that represents the two of you best?}
This picture was taken as Miles was praying for us after our first act as husband and wife, communion. At the very beginning of our relationship, Miles and I decided that Christ would remain at the center of our relationship and we wanted our wedding to be a demonstration of that. We wanted to give God all of the glory and attention.
This picture was taken as Miles was praying for us after our first act as husband and wife, communion. At the very beginning of our relationship, Miles and I decided that Christ would remain at the center of our relationship and we wanted our wedding to be a demonstration of that. We wanted to give God all of the glory and attention.
Photographer: Katelyn Anne Photography
Event Planner: Regina Ingram (family friend)
Dress: The Bride and Groom
Bride's Jewelry: The Bride and Groom
Hair: Hillary Raper, Changes Salon in Grenada, MS
Make-up: Olivia Worthy Goode (Matron of Honor)
Bridesmaid Dresses: The Bride and Groom
Tuxes: Knicks
Videographer: Harrison Tarabella
Venue: Emmanuel Baptist Church | First and Green
Florist: Sandy Eiland, The Crow's Nest
Catering: First and Green
Bride’s Cake: Martha Faye James (family friend of the groom)
Groom’s Cake: Martha Faye James (family friend of the groom)
Print Material: Zip Print
Car Service: horse and buggy provided by Miles grandfather
Event Planner: Regina Ingram (family friend)
Dress: The Bride and Groom
Bride's Jewelry: The Bride and Groom
Hair: Hillary Raper, Changes Salon in Grenada, MS
Make-up: Olivia Worthy Goode (Matron of Honor)
Bridesmaid Dresses: The Bride and Groom
Tuxes: Knicks
Videographer: Harrison Tarabella
Venue: Emmanuel Baptist Church | First and Green
Florist: Sandy Eiland, The Crow's Nest
Catering: First and Green
Bride’s Cake: Martha Faye James (family friend of the groom)
Groom’s Cake: Martha Faye James (family friend of the groom)
Print Material: Zip Print
Car Service: horse and buggy provided by Miles grandfather
{Blog post by Jill Dale}
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