“I always knew I wanted to preserve the dresses since they were my mom’s. I can’t wait to have a little girl and display the shadow box in her room.”
When was your wedding?
We were married on March 5, 2022.
What was the name of your venue and why did you choose it?
Our venue was the Hancox Residence, which is my maternal grandparents’ property in Columbus, Mississippi. I knew from a young age I wanted to have my wedding at their home because they have a beautiful pond and lots of acreage. We rented a tent and put it on the backside of their home, and it was beautiful. I also loved having our wedding there because we were able to have the whole bridal party stay at their house. It was so nice having all of our friends close by.
How long did it take to plan your big day? Any vendors you’d like to recognize?
Matthew and I got engaged June 11, 2021. I always wanted a March wedding so I knew with less than a year, I would have to get to planning. I am also a Type A personality, so I was so excited to plan my wedding. My grandmother Brenda, cousin Beth, and in-laws were so helpful! We did just about everything ourselves. We rented a big tent for the backyard, chairs, the arbor, tables, and other small things but did everything else ourselves. We used barrels and old thrifted doors for our buffet and bar. My husband is an outdoorsman, so his groom’s table was hunting themed, and we served a venison inspired charcuterie board. My catering (Angie’s Catering in Columbus, MS) was phenomenal, the potato bar and the MS Sin dip were amazing! Our photographer Patsy Brown (Pensacola, FL) is a long-time family friend and a phenomenal photographer. I will cherish our pictures forever. We will never regret hiring a videographer (Colormake Productions, Grenada, MS). It was so amazing to truly get to relive the moments again. I loved hearing our vows again. And the party would not have been as great without our awesome DJ (DJ Lit Entertainment, Tuscaloosa, AL). He and his wife were amazing, and we would hire them again if ever needed! My florist (The Flower Girl, Columbus, MS) completely understood my vision. I wanted daisies and simplicity, and she understood the assignment!
It sounds like your wore your mom’s dresses—tell us about that.
My mother, Kelly, passed away when I was 9 years old. It is really hard planning a wedding and going through such a big milestone without her. However, I will forever be grateful I was able to carry her with me the whole day through wearing her dresses. I am a sucker for sentimentality. I wore the “fancier” dress for the ceremony and the comfortable slip dress for the reception. I loved having two dresses that both meant so much to me. My aunt was able to zip me up in the ceremony dress and my sister in the reception dress.
Why did you want to get your gown cleaned and preserved? Why did you choose Oceanside?
One of my husband’s groomsmen is Mark Harris, the son of Oceanside’s owner. We love Mark so much and his wedding gift to me was the cleaning and preservation of my dresses. He knows how sentimental I am, so I was grateful for this! I always knew I wanted to preserve the dresses since they were my mom’s. I can’t wait to have a little girl and display the shadow box in her room.
How did you and your husband meet?
We met in college at the University of West Florida in Pensacola. We were friends for over a year before finally accepting we were meant to be together. He is the most patient and kind man I have ever met. He makes me feel safe and secure. I could not go through life without him. We make a great team and love each other very much.
What is your favorite memory from your wedding day?
My favorite memory would have to be dancing on the dance floor with all our family and friends. We truly had such a great time, and my husband’s 81-year-old grandmother even got on the dance floor! Maybe also our fireworks show! We had such a great wedding, it is hard to pick!
What made your wedding ceremony feel extra special?
Well, I think a few things made it very special. I was able to convince my cousin Josh to get ordained online and officiate the wedding. We are very close to him and his wife Beth. He watched me grow into the woman I am now, so I couldn’t imagine it any other way. I also was able to have my 92-year-old great grandmother at my wedding. Not many people can say that, so I feel as if I was truly blessed. We also included our fur babies in the ceremony. They mean the world to us. And lastly, our bridal party. We have a fantastic group of friends and I loved having them up there with us to help us tie the knot!