Save the Date

If you are reading this post, it is most likely because your devoted mail man (or lady) recently delivered this gem of a postcard to your door. This is our informal way of saying we want you to be part of our happy day on October 1, 2011. So mark your calendar and keep your dance card open, as we are planning a beautiful ceremony and a heel-kicking good time.

Please visit this site often, as we will keep you updated on all the fun planning, parties and memories that unfold over the next four months (yikes!). On the left side of this page you'll find links to more information about our wedding party, hotel accommodations, ceremony and reception location, etc. And don't forget to sign the virtual guest book!

Many of you have already called or emailed with sweet sentiments about the design of this very unique save-the-date card. Well, just so you know, one of my lovely and talented bridesmaids is the master-mind behind the design. Sarah Markham is the go-to for all custom designed and hand-drawn invitations, stationary, logos, and illustrations. At Christmas I commissioned Sarah to draw a family portrait for my parents, and she came up with this wonderful rendition of our family (scroll down after you click the link). It was a no-brainer that Sarah would be the one to help us spread the word about our upcoming wedding celebration. See more of Sarah's work on her blog, SEMvites, and call her to design the invitations for your next birthday party or shower. It is a sure fire way to get people's attention, and you'll save on postage (only .24 to mail a postcard!).

Got bass?

Barry caught this largemouth bass for me on Saturday morning. Barry's friend, and groomsman, Phillip invited us out to their beautiful property near Clinton and we spent a few hours fishing and enjoying the countryside (I did more picture taking and flower picking than fishing, but who's counting?). Well, we are counting... because Barry caught four more fish just like this one. Not too shabby.

Love Is In the Air

Easter in New Orleans, 2009

This is one of those knock-out years for weddings. Barry and I have made a list, and including our own big day, we have 12 weddings on the calendar in 2011. That's right. Twelve. Ten plus two. Three times four. Twelve weddings! Love is in the air. Or could it be that I'm turning 30 and that age seems to be a popular one for tying the knot? Possibly both. But definitely the aforementioned. Love is in the air... you can feel it all around.

And we are really feeling the love this weekend. We'll be joining friends tonight at Two Sisters Kitchen to celebrate Ted and Ashley, dear friends who are getting married tomorrow (Saturday, May 7). Ted and Barry go way back, and Barry is reading a scripture in their wedding. I'm looking forward to the toasts, and to the wonderful food at Two Sisters!

I'll be gassing up the Subaru in the morning and heading north to witness the marriage of my good friends Rebecca and Mark. I'm making a pit-stop in Oxford to pick up my handsome date, Tobie Baker, before traveling a little further down the road, and across state lines, to the final destination: The Center for Southern Folklore in Memphis. Rebecca and Mark are two friends I've made through my years at the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at Ole Miss. I'm very interested (and a bit dreadful) to see the high waters surrounding Memphis, but I'm especially excited to see the groom in his long sought after wedding suite: an original Nudie.

I'm sad to leave my beau behind in Jackson and to miss Ted and Ashley's wedding celebration, but I'm looking forward to an afternoon in the big city with some old pals.

And PS-- We are officially within the 6 month mark of October 1. Less than five months to go!