Dear Friends, 

Southern Celebrations will always hold a special place in my heart. Watching it grow over the years has been such a joy, almost like watching children blossom!

It saddens me to say that the upcoming launch of Volume Ten in several months, will be our last. I have enjoyed the friendships and collaborations made over the years. Thank you for all of your continued support. 

I have struggled with this decision, but I am confident that it is the right choice for my family and I, as Southern Celebrations Magazine has always been a small, family-oriented publication. I was genuinely worried that people would think that I failed; being a small business owner is tough, stressful, and there are SO many demands, especially being in the creative media field. There are SO many other creative small business owners that want the exposure that the print magazine and website offers (and for awhile, I wanted to give them all the exposure they deserved) but unfortunately, it comes at a price of sacrifice and time. I had to take a step back and look at the bigger picture, Southern Celebrations is offering a platform for Creatives to share their work to the world, but my passion of helping others has become a burden, that I am ultimately paying for. 

My confirmation to close this chapter came when I realized that people were demanding my time to give them exposure on a platform that I built to reach hundreds of thousands annually via our website and thousands through subscriptions, but those demanding my time and exposure felt as though they shouldn't pay for it. 

Closing a chapter on something that I have worked hard to grow and that so many people across the South and the country have come to love has not been an easy decision, as I have truly loved spreading inspiration across the South and working alongside with so many talented vendors to help us create each magazine. 

I will be forever grateful for the amazing opportunities Southern Celebrations Magazine has opened throughout the years. I will always be grateful to the many contributors over the years.

F.A.Q.

Why not sell Southern Celebrations Magazine to an interested publisher? I have thought long and hard about that, as I have spoke to a few interested contenders already and I am still open to that possibility. But in doing so, I have to be assured that the foundations that have been laid down and started are continued in the same manner and with the same level of integrity as I have set forth. 

Why not just hire more people?
I have hired many people in the past, unfortunately, not everyone's intentions are immediately clear in the beginning and not everyone has the same heart and passion. 

What will happen to the website?
At this time, it will remain running through at least the remainder of the year and until the launch of Volume 10. 

All current, accepted submissions will still be published. If you are a member of Aisle Society/Matchology and you choose to withdraw your submission, I will certainly understand, especially if they were online submissions. 

Pre-orders for Volume 10 will open later in the year. Southern Celebrations is not accepting anymore submissions for both the website and print; social media posts will be extremely limited as I focus on creating a lasting, coffee table edition for the last volume of Southern Celebrations Magazine, launches February 2020.

Kaitlyn and Tyler met through an app on their phones called Bumble. It's funny though because they were at the same church all along!

Photography captured by: Lakin Stearns Photography

About Lakin.
Lakin is a a Knoxville, TN native, but now resides in the 
Dallas, TX area with her husband, Austin. Lakin is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, and a Vol fan! In college, she had a goal of attending a game in every SEC stadium - someday she will make it happen. If someone were to play Lakin in a movie it would have to be Lauren Graham.

As much as Lakin loves football and binge watching Gilmore Girls, photography is her true passion. She wholeheartedly believes in capturing the sweet moments and unique stories that the Lord has so graciously gifted us with. Lakin treasures the spontaneous giggles and stolen kisses, but most of all she so appreciates the genuine people she is privileged to meet. 

Celebrating life's occasions is why Southern Celebrations Magazine exists!
And  Graham and Jami's little lovebug turning one is too cute not to feature! 
​
"They wanted to do a fruit bath session for her in celebration of her 1st birthday. Eleanor was having a blast and really liked eating the lemons! Not too much on the oranges though. She liked to munch on each one and throw it outside of the bucket afterwards. I wanted to pick a location that had a lot of open farm land, and my grandmother's land in Borden, Indiana was perfect for it. The weather was a bit humid, and not too hot. Eleanor did great with the water and weather!" - Gabby, Gabriella Sutherland Photography

Sibling rivalry is one of the most common dynamics in family life. Dating all the way back to “The Beginning”, the earliest example recorded was that of the brothers Cain and Abel. In the biblical Book of Genesis, Cain and Abel are the first two sons of Adam and Eve. Cain, the firstborn, was a farmer, and his brother Abel was a shepherd. The brothers made sacrifices to God, each of his own produce, but God  favored Abel’s sacrifice instead of Cain’s.

Cain, jealous of his brother, then murdered Abel,  whereupon God punished Cain to a life of wandering. Cain then dwelt in the land of Nod, where he built a city and fathered the line of descendants beginning with Enoch. The narrative never explicitly states Cain’s motive for murdering his brother, nor God’s reason for rejecting Cain’s sacrifice, nor details on the identity of Cain’s wife. Some traditional interpretations consider Cain to be the originator of evil, violence, or greed. According to the Book of Genesis, Cain was the first human born and Abel was the first to die. This might be considered an extreme example of sibling rivalry, but teaches us an important lesson: that we as parents and  caregivers must learn to deal with the feelings and actions of siblings in a loving, productive manner. Otherwise, things can get out of hand really quick.
​
Sibling rivalry is defined as the competition between siblings, blood related or not, for the
attention, approval, and affection of their parents. This “competition” may also include
caregivers, other adult family members, teachers, and  community leaders. Jealousy and
fighting among siblings is very common, and often starts after the arrival of the second child
in a family. This can continue through childhood, into adulthood, to the dismay and
frustration of many parents. Fortunately, though, this phase may not last forever. Many
siblings grow close in their relationships as adults. There are many ways to help children
express themselves positively, and to develop important skills like cooperation, and empathy.
There is no singular cause for sibling rivalry. It is a complex mix of personalities, wants, and
needs from several children, being handled by one or two adults at any given time. If you
have ever seen television programs that have dealt with sibling rivalry issues, like “The Brady
Bunch”, “Growing Pains”, or “Full House”, you may be nodding your head in agreement. “Ah, yes!” Those television shows may have been a little over the top at times, as they are for
entertainment. However, we all can certainly relate to the challenges in the relationships
that the family characters displayed with each other. There are several aspects of a family’s dynamics that may add to sibling rivalry. Also, there are many ways how to help promote harmony among siblings.

First, remember that each child is an individual being, and are looking to show the world who they are. They want to develop their own special talents,  hobbies, and dreams. 

 This is especially true of multiples like twins, triplets, etc. Don’t favor one child over the other. Don’t compare apples to oranges, and don’t try to fit each child into a neat little box.
Embrace their individuality, what makes them uniquely “them”. Celebrate their
achievements and joys equally.
Children may feel that they are not receiving enough attention, either positive or negative,
from a parent or caregiver. They may have trouble getting a    parent to respond to them as
they are accustomed to, especially after the addition of another child to the family.
Depending on where the child is in their developmental growth, can affect how they handle
being a big brother or sister, and learning to share time and attention with the parent and
siblings.

Much like adults, if kids are bored, “hangry”, or need a nap, crankiness ensues and fights may begin. Try to head this off at the pass. Keep activities, easy snacks, and comfy lounge areas available. Trust me, it will save many headaches. The same goes for showing children how to be self-starters with activities. Enjoy more family time together, sharing meals, and fun learning experiences.

Children often fight more when aggression and fighting is perceived as normal and a good way to fix situations. Remember, children learn from many sources, but parents and
caregivers are the first examples. They watch and often copy the behaviors of adults. If there
is a lot of fighting, negative emotion and altercations, it’s really not a healthy situation for all
concerned. Counseling may be recommended for family members in order to find ways to
resolve conflicts positively.

Stress, in both the parents’ and children’s lives, can lead to less time spent together, and
more frustration overall. Make sure each child has their own time and space. They need
alone time, as well as time to spend with each parent one-on-one each day. Kids value the
time they get to spend with mom or dad, just to tell them about their day, and what’s going
on in their world. Listen closely and carefully to each child. They also need time to spend
with their friends.

Schedule regular family meetings. All members of a family should work together make
decisions that will affect the daily life of the family. Working  together builds unity among the family, and bolsters trust and self-esteem. It is the perfect opportunity to share the successes  and joys of each child. It is also a great time to develop positive social skills and attitudes.

Dinnertime during the week can sometimes be completely chaotic. You’ve had a long day at work (or maybe you’re a stay-at-home parent, which that comes with its own challenges), the kids are cranky, there’s homework to be done, and everyone’s hungry! 
Fast-food is not an option in my house, we have the occasional pizza take-out night, but for the most part, everything is home cooked. 
We don’t always have a lot of time to spare during the week to make dinner, so I teamed up with Joy to share her favorite (and some of my favorites from Joy, too) go to meals that take under an hour to prepare and cook.  -Virginia

​SESAME CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI SHEET PAN DINNER
This recipe requires a marinade. You can easily prep it the night before, so when you’re ready to cook dinner the next day, it’ll be soaked up in deliciousness! 

CRAWFISH FETTUCCINE
This is a classic around these parts. It's in almost every  restaurant you go to. Back in the day, when I didn't know much about food, but knew you couldn't mess up pasta (or so I thought at the time, wink wink)- this is what I would always get. 
I love spice and love pasta.  This dish brings both to the plate. Don't be scared of crawfish if you haven't tried them! Just be sure to buy the ones that aren't imported.  

VEAL SCALLOPINE
Okay... No secret here, I love pasta. And this pasta has everything I love in it! Veal, briny capers, mushrooms, cream oh my! Anytime I can make pasta into a main dish,
​I'm in heaven!

Celebrating the birth of a child is a joyous occasion. Birthday celebrations come in all sizes and budgets. Some people throw lavish parties and others gather in an intimate setting with just cake and ice cream; both are okay! Who says that you can’t throw a party how you want to, if it makes you and your child happy then do it! 

There is no written rule that says, “This is how you must host a birthday party.”  The only thing I can do is give a list of suggestions and tips that will help you along with your planning. Remember that most children will just be grateful to have just cake. 

But none the less, your child still deserves to have some type of birthday celebration, whether it be a big  celebration or just a small gathering. 

Here are a few tips to help:

• Decide on how much you want to spend on the entire event. Budget is key! 
• Pick a location. Are you having a home birthday party? Do you want to have the party at a local park? If so, check with your park to see if a pavilion needs to be secured beforehand or is it more of a first-come,   first-serve type thing (that can become    stressful when planning). What about a small venue? Will it be at a bowling alley or trampoline park? Depending on the location, you will be limited on the number of guests that can be invited. So please be sure to check with the venue BEFORE inviting guests. 
• Once your budget and location has been established, pick a date and time. Timing is truly everything! If you’re looking to cut back on food expenses, the perfect time for a day-time celebration is from 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m; it’s after lunch and before dinner. Your guests won’t expect a full meal. 
•  Be sure to plan in advance. This will give you time to price shop on décor; that way you’re not running around last minute, potentially paying more. 
• If you’re throwing a birthday party at home, think about your guest count and if you have enough tables and chairs for your guests to sit at. Sometimes you may have to bring in rental items depending on how many people you’ve invited. You’ll also need to think about some kind of entertainment. While I still love a good old-fashioned pin the tail on the donkey, kids today might want some different form of keeping them occupied for a   couple of hours. This is where themed birthday parties can come in handy. Think Nerf™ wars or paint parties. Even adding in an inflatable bounce house or waterslide is something fun that will keep the kiddos occupied in between food, cake, and gifts! 
• Speaking of food, this will go back to your time to start the party. If you’ll be serving up finger foods, be sure to plan on each guest at least eating 2-4 of each item, if not more. It’s always better to have enough for everyone to have a bite or two, instead of running out of food before everyone has had the chance to eat. If it’s food such as bbq or another type of meal, keep your head count in mind when  preparing. Also have a decent variety of beverages available. 
• Pick a cake or dessert to serve to your guests. If you’ve planned for a themed birthday party, here is a great chance to carry out that theme, whether you have cake or cupcakes or another type of     dessert. Size will depend on the amount of guests you have invited. 
• Don’t forget invitations! Here you can get creative to carry out your theme. Hire someone to design them or buy premade invitations. Be sure to include rsvp. If you’re mailing them, allow plenty of time for delivery and response times. Another easy way to track rsvp’s is to utilize social media. Create a private Facebook event and send out invites to your friends and family. 
• Don’t stress over presents! I always      remind my children that it is the thought that counts and I remind guests that their presence is welcomed and that they don’t have to bring a present. If you teach your children that celebrations do not have to include gifts, they won’t come to expect everyone to bring a present; because let’s face it, not everyone can afford a present at many times throughout the year and it’s no reason to deny another child from having fun at a birthday celebration. 
• So whether your birthday celebration is big or small, don’t stress over the things that you cannot control; after all, a child will never know that something was just right, because in their eyes, everything is the way it is supposed to be! Let them have fun! 

Home/Lifestyle/Home & Garden/​Celebrating The Stay-At-Home-Mom

​Being a stay-at-home-mother is probably one of the hardest jobs ever! It’s truly like 3 full-time jobs rolled into one and it’s probably the most under-appreciated job in the world, too. It’s not for every mother and that’s okay! Not all moms are able to stay home with their children and some chose not to and return back to work whenever it is time. 
After interviewing several SAHMs, we found Jodi Devore. 

Home/Lifestyle/Home & Garden/Why We Love Bedtime Routines

Kids thrive in an environment that is structured. No, I’m not a child behavior specialist; however, I am a mother and a person that has been around my fair share of children to know that children perform better throughout the day when they have a good, set bedtime routine at home. 

Children who do not have a good  bedtime routine are more apt to have mid-day meltdowns, tantrums, and may even fall asleep in class. I’ve been around children in schools of all different age ranges throughout various times during the day and have witnessed a variety of differences in children who do not have a set bedtime   routine. 


What works in one home, may not work for others; especially due to work and extra curricular activities, but keeping on a schedule will benefit your child, trust me! Here is an example of our week day morning and nighttime routines :
5:30 a.m.—I wake up and get ready for work while sipping on a cup of coffee.
6:00 a.m.—Get breakfast started for kids 
6:30 a.m.—Wake kids up for school. 
6:30-7:15 a.m.—Kids get ready for school. 
7:30 a.m.— Off to school for kids and off to work for me. 
5:00 p.m.—Arrive home from work with kids from day care. 
5:10 p.m.—Start homework, if they have not done so already. 
5:15 p.m.—Get dinner started, while also helping with homework. 
6:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m.— Eat dinner and start after-dinner chores or get ready for extracurricular activities  depending on the day of the week. 
7:30 p.m.—Bedtime Routines Start, , unless it’s an   activity night then bath time starts once we return around 8:00 p.m
​
Baths start for the 1st child as I assist in bathing them. After baths/showers for all 3 kids, they brush their teeth, clean their ears, brush their hair, give night-night sugars, and climb in bed to wait for a nighttime story. All 3 children are in bed no later than 8/8:30 p.m. depending on the night; ages range from 4-10 years of age. 

Even when my children were babies, I kept them on a good routine for their naps to avoid getting too much sleepy time close to bed time; after their first birthdays, they slept through the night—thank goodness! Again, what works for my family, won’t  necessarily work for yours, but creating a good schedule –and sticking to it—is key to getting your kiddos on a good bedtime routine! 

Not to mention the fact that I get some much needed alone time every night around the same time! Self-care is important, y’all! We all thrive better when everyone in the household is well rested! 

Today's Southern bride wants to create a statement with her bouquet, especially if her wedding dress doesn't have a lot of embellishments on it! From the bold and beautiful to the unique and whimsy, we want to inspire every type of Southern bride!

Home-->Lagniappe-->Styled Bridal Session

What was the design inspiration?
Great Marsh Estate, a Georgian style Mansion, is a luxury wedding venue about an hour's drive from the Nation's Capital. It's serene grounds and symmetrical architectural design lends itself to the perfect backdrop for this elegant styled bridal portrait session, photographed on both Porta 400 medium format and 35mm film as well as digital imagery. 
 
In keeping with the vision, the stunning bouquet provided by Lisa of Flowers by Lisa successfully weaves Fall into Winter, creating a timeless neutral palette with pops of yellows, toasty taupes and cascading greens. The vintage heirloom items are framed in a lay flat design to compliment the found ring along with a Mrs. Box and vintage tintype gutta percha case. Each design element is intended to draw on the nostalgia of the architecture while embracing the modern bride.
 
Our model's Justin Alexander Dress combines vintage charm with contemporary elegance with an illusion neckline, detailed beading and a fit and flare silhouette. Her updo and pop of lip color both work to pull the model's frame forward in the light of golden hour at the mansion. Golden hour at the Great Marsh Estate is a stunning affair and these bridal portraits are intended to showcase the possibilities of a stand alone bridal session months prior to the wedding. These are the types curated images a bride could share with her groom as a special surprise on their Big Day!

About that dress....
The 2019 Justin Alexander Dress #88037 combines vintage charm with contemporary elegance with an illusion neckline, detailed beading and a fit and flare silhouette. 

​Magnolia Manor (circa 1868) is a charming Greek Revival home originally built by the founder of Osyka, Mississippi. With 14' ceilings, five original fireplaces, gleaming hardwood floors, cypress shutters, and crown molding, this stately house combines historical charm and architectural integrity in grand fashion! Located right over the Mississippi State Line and just six miles from The White Magnolia; Magnolia Manor is perfect for your rehearsal dinner, shower, or party.  The house includes one full size apartment, and two bedroom suites with separate entrances, one of them in the main house and furnished with beautiful antiques from the 19th century.

The courtyard is perfect for intimate outdoor celebrations!

Y'all! This dessert wall is absolutely the best thing.....ever! 

More About Magnolia Manor:

Magnolia Manor is nestled on a beautiful lot inside the town of Osyka, MS.  Surrounded by graceful oaks and a huge Magnolia tree, its shaded porches and huge brick patio, are perfect for your outdoor event.   The wide front to back hallway is central to three cozy dining rooms in case of inclement weather.  

Three separate entrances welcome you into the separate overnight accommodations.   

The full size apartment is beautifully furnished and provides a full kitchen, living room with a sofa sleeper, master bedroom with a queen size bed, and a bath and a half.

The upstairs loft apartment sleeps two in a full size bed and has a bathroom with a shower.  

The Master Suite in the main house is beautifully furnished with a full tester bed and canopy, claw foot tub, and fireplace which will bring you back to the magical era of the nineteenth century, while enjoying modern amenities.

Planning a wedding can be quite stressful, especially when you haven't set a budget.
There are many different elements that go into planning a wedding and the amounts can be mind-boggling. 

If you've recently gotten married or are in the planning process now, help us out by completing the form below, so that we can create an up-to-date editorial about the costs of weddings. 

Thanks! 

Art deco with a 1920s flair was the perfect theme for this newly renovated speakeasy in Savannah, Georgia. 

St. Augustine, Florida

From the Photographer:
​"Emily & Clint met through a mutual friend- when she spoke of Emily she told Clint "that will be the girl you marry" and well, there you have it! Downtown St Augustine was really special for them, they had their first date there & eventually where Clint would propose. It was obvious this was the location for their engagement session. Our plan was to start in Downtown and make our way to the beach. Downtown was so busy and we found ourselves literally chasing light to the beach."

How did you meet?
"It was the beginning of my junior year at Florida State, in Tallahassee FL, when my parents’ neighbors (who just happen to be very close friends of ours) back home began mentioning him to me. “Emily, you HAVE to meet my cousin, y’all would be so perfect for each other”, they’d say. I was just beginning nursing school at the time and was pretty focused on putting all my energy into that. I also didn’t really think they were totally serious about setting us up. I’d come home for weekends and all I would hear was, “You would compliment each other so well, he’s your future husband, we’re telling you!” They would show me pictures of him which got me thinking, “well dang, I certainly hope my future husband is as handsome as that guy” and “he’s totally out of my league!” Months went by and I continued to hear about Clint from my neighbors. Little did I know, Clint continued to hear about me from his cousins as well. Fast forward to April, that school year was finally coming to an end for me and I was home for a weekend hanging out with the neighbors. They texted Clint my number, where he responded by saying “is this a joke?” Guess we both didn’t think they were being that serious LOL. He eventually began texting me and the rest is history. We texted everyday, talked on the phone for hours, and came to find out that we actually did compliment each other really well. At the time, he was living about 6 hours away from where I was going to school. In June, he made a weekend trip up to where my family lived and we had our first date. Our first time hanging out alone, without family, was actually at Planet Fitness haha (we both have a love for fitness- at least we got a good workout in!). He decided to actually take me on a real “first date” after that to downtown St. Augustine, where we walked around for hours, sat by the fort, and enjoyed each other’s company. After we met for the first time and he came away on vacation with my family, we knew the distance wasn’t an issue and that we would do anything to make it work between us. And that’s what we did. It only took about one month into us dating for me to know Clint was the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. He has the most genuine, sacrificial heart that I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. He is everything and so much more I’ve dreamt of having in a husband. I thank God everyday for bringing us together and I can’t wait to see what He has in store for this next season of our lives together! After all, his cousins were SO right and we owe them big time!"

What is your proposal story?
"​It had been about a year and a half of mostly long distance dating, yet I had never felt a stronger connection than the one I have with Clint. We had talked about marriage multiple times and we were clearly both in this relationship for the long run. This past October, I moved to North Carolina to pursue a job as a nurse, which made the distance even greater, being that he has to stay in Florida until this coming August to finish up an internship. I was planning on going home to my family and Clint in Florida for the week of Thanksgiving. It was the weekend before my trip and my 2 friends from work, who I also went to college with, mentioned that we should go watch the Florida State football game and get our nails done. Have a nice girls day. Wanting to stick to a spending budget, I said I’d skip on getting my nails done since they’d get ruined at work anyways and I had just spent money on getting my hair done that week (getting my nails done just isn’t really my thing anyways). My friends insisted on me joining them for nails- said the money will continue to come, and even offered to pay for me! At that point I was like “uhhh ok guys I’m not THAT broke, I’ll join y’all, but don’t worry about paying for me!” I was also a little confused as to why they were so reluctant to letting me say no to joining them for a manicure. I mean, it’s just a manicure. I mentioned to Clint my plans for the day and that I didn’t feel like joining them for a manicure. He actually went ahead and venmoed me money for it and told me to treat myself. I should’ve caught onto something here. Anyways, I got them done and went on my trip back home. The Nights of Lights festival was going on downtown St. Augustine that week, so Clint asked me out and we went back to where we had our first date. The entire car ride downtown I was talking his ear off about random stuff and he would give me one word or half thought out answers, which was very unlike him. He was inattentive and seemed distracted. Maybe he’s just hungry, I thought. We got downtown and started walking around the fort, where he starts talking about our first date. In that moment I started putting some pieces together and thought, “No way, this can’t be happening”. He brings me over to a little dock and begins his “speech”, telling me how grateful he is for my love and how he wants nothing more than to spend forever with me. He got down on one knee and asked the question I had been waiting to hear ever since a month after our first date. I cried tears of joy and couldn’t believe what was happening. I really get to spend the rest of my life with this guy? How did I get so lucky? I still ask myself these questions. He’s the type of guy I never thought existed. Funny thing I came to find out later was that he was behind the planning of the “girls day”. He had messaged my friend on social media, told her he was planning on proposing, and asked if she’d insinuate that we get our nails done. He told her to expect push back from me (he knows me too well) and that he would Venmo her the money if she offered to pay for me. Well, all I can say is that his plan worked and I sure am glad I went along with that manicure lol. Clint Kelly, I can’t wait to be your wife. January 19, 2020 can’t come fast enough!"

​Styled Inspiration

This color combination is seriously the best! The bold emerald with pops of mustard yellow and the use of copper work so well together! 

Macarons are such a versatile dessert! They can be customized to match your celebrations colors and your baker can get very creative with flavors! 

Creative cakes are our jam! 

I know, peaches aren't in season until at least June, but sometimes you just have a craving for a certain food and you don't want to wait any longer! 

The weather had been quite funky out, so I really didn't want to go to the grocery store for anything; I opened my pantry and saw a can of peaches. What in the world could I make with a can of peaches?!  

I dug around even more in my pantry and refrigerator and found several items that could work, so I went to my computer to search the internet for a peaches and cream tart recipe using the ingredients that I already had on hand, I was determined to not go to the store in the rain. 

I placed my items on the counter and told myself, " I can make this work and it will taste amazing! " Confidence is key here and my husband and kids were my test subjects! 

Lucky for me, I love good food and have a pretty good idea of what kind of ingredients it takes to make certain things. 

Styled Inspiration

Featuring styled inspirational shoots are seriously our jam! There are so many elements that you can become inspired with, for not only a wedding, but any celebration really! 
Styled Inspirations allow each Creative to really get creative in their services or products that they offer. 

Outdoor lounge areas are such a haute trend that we're loving!! 

Melanie McCullough, owner of MLM Photography, Favorite Moments From the Shoot:
"​I loved the spring feel that all the beautiful flowers added. The cake...OMG everything about it was just perfect for a spring southern wedding. I thought the use of classic cars in this shoot fit in perfectly. The grounds of The Mackey House are busting with the smell of spring with all the beautiful blooms and they enhanced the beauty of the day. "

You had us at food! Food is a very important element in every celebration! I cannot stress that enough! You want your guests to remember not only how the food tastes, but how it looks. Styled dishes at inspiration shoots allow readers to think about the different food elements that they can have at their future celebration!

Hello! Doesn't this pastel green cake scream SPRING!!
​Always love a colorful twist on tradition. 

This dreamy tablescape is a Spring dream that can work for any celebration! 

I love Spring in the South! What I don't love is the fact that I kill most plants!  It's true; while my mother and sister may have inherited the "green thumb", I did not.
​ In fact, for many years, I had a "black thumb"! Anytime I attempted to grow something indoors, it would do fine; however, the minute I transferred it outside, the plants would sadly perish. It became quite embarrassing for people to joke about the fact that I would kill so many plants every time I bought new ones. 

A few years ago we purchased a deep purple rose and kept it in a whiskey barrel planter because our yard at that home didn't keep much of anything alive. The rose would sprout the most beautiful blooms ever! Sadly, someone in our neighborhood would clip the beautiful blooms and take them. We never did find out who. We eventually sold that home and purchased our current one. The previous owner had this beautiful, pink Double Knockout Rose bush planted in the front yard! To my surprise each Spring it came back with beautiful blooms. I decided to look up care instructions for knockout roses because I was determined to not let this rose bush die! I prune the plant each year and give it plenty of rose food, and I remember to water it in the dead heat of Summer when there's barely any rain falling! Kudos to me, because I either over-water or under-water, there is no happy medium! LOL

Since my Double Knockout Rose has managed to come back for four Spring seasons, I thought that it was time to expand to more rose bushes, because let's face it......who can resist beautiful rose blooms!? But let's not forget about the fact that I still, technically, have a "black thumb"! Just a few months ago I had to replant my succulents, that I somehow managed to keep alive for 10 years with minimal intervention, hey had quit growing and were in fact dying. After replanting them in fresh soil and giving it a new pot, they've sprouted and look healthy! 

I found myself stopping at Clegg's Nursery one afternoon and browsed for what seemed like an hour! I finally committed to buying a beautiful white rose inspired by an upcoming wedding, it's an Iceberg floribunda. It has beautiful clusters of white, honey-scented flowers!

Not to be discouraged, I returned to Clegg's Nursery to buy two more roses:  Ink Spots, a hybrid tea rose that has an alluring and mysterious near-black flower. It has a black pointed bud and it gracefully opens to a velvety dark red bloom! 

The third rose bush purchased is called a Double Delight hybrid tea rose, that has a cream color center and strawberry painted rings on the outside of the petals as they unfold. 

To spread my novice wings even further, my garden haul also included a La Feliciana Peach tree with the most beautiful peach blossoms! Ms. Feliciana Peach won't produce peaches this year, although research shows within 1 -3 years.

And finally, I planted seeds of Poppy, Baby's Breath, Snapdragons, and Tall Double Mix Strawflower! I'll update in a future Novice Gardner Series with their outcome! 

Styled Inspiration | Featured in Volume 8

Styled Inspiration 

"This vintage styled shoot is very special to me on a very personal level. The inspiration behind this shoot was my grandmother. She loved vintage style and collecting antiques and you would often find her strolling around flea markets. I didn't understand it as a kid, but after she passed and I grew up, I realized I have the same love of vintage antiques and I also realized that it came from her. The suitcases used in this shoot were hers, given to her by her mother (my great-grandmother) when she graduated high school. If these suitcases could talk, oh the stories the would tell. The teal suitcases and the bright red school house really laid the groundwork for the color palette and provided the perfect pop of color for the shoot. Muted versions of teal and red are seen in the candles, the vintage china plates, depression glass goblets, soft pink flowers & the bride's shoes. The handwritten stationery has an aged look and vibe of an old love letter. My vision for this shoot was that it prompt brides to think about their grandparents and their family's legacy of love while also giving them inspiration for how they could incorporate their special family heirlooms into their wedding day. " - Sarah Folsom, Gracious Company 

What's not to love about Small Town USA?! Living in a big city isn't for everyone, neither is living in a small town, but we want to know what your favorite small town in the South is and why! 
​Fill out the form below for a chance have your favorite southern small town featured in an upcoming issue of Southern Celebrations Magazine. ​

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!  There are many events that will take place during your engagement and wedding planning, and one of them might include a bridal boudoir photo session.  What is a boudoir session, one may ask?  It is a photo session, in which you are posed by a professional photographer, wearing pretty lingerie.  Often, professional hair styling and makeup are also included in a boudoir session.  This photo session may take place in a photography studio, hotel room, or one’s own home.  Sometimes photos are taken in outdoor, urban, or unexpected, non-traditional settings.  The photos are then often given to your future spouse as a gift before the wedding, or as an anniversary gift.
That’s the basic definition of boudoir photography.  But it is so much more than that!  Photography is an art form, no question about it.  Boudoir photography is that same art form, elevated.  It is sensual, soft, cozy, romantic, lush.  It can also be edgy and raw, blatantly sexy, and badass.   As Patrick Swayze once said in a famous movie, “it’s a feeling, a heartbeat.”  Nothing could be more true about this artistic medium.  An experienced boudoir photographer can pose you in ways that will bring out curves that you never thought you had, and will show your inner goddess off to perfection.   It will leave you feeling glamorous, sexy, and empowered in a way that will keep you (and your significant other) smiling for years to come. 

​So, what can you expect to happen during a boudoir session?  During your initial consultation with a boudoir photographer, you can discuss what you like to wear, whether it is lacy and daring, or soft and sweet.  Some of the best boudoir photos I have ever seen have been with the model in an oversized, slouchy sweater, with one bare shoulder, and a pair of warm and cozy socks that reach above the knee.  You may prefer to don the bridal undergarments that will be worn on your wedding day.  Add your veil for a soft, timeless romantic look.  If you or your intended are sports fans, why not go for a playful look with a favorite team jersey?  Perhaps you would prefer a button-down shirt and a tie for a classic, professional vibe.  Or would you like to go for an all-out bombshell look?  The options are endless, as are the wardrobe choices.  Play around with different types of looks to see what complements your figure.  Don’t forget to consider the shoes, stockings, jewelry and other accessories that will complete your ensemble.  A few props can also enhance your photos, like an antique hand mirror, or a soft blanket that feels amazing against bare skin.   If you want to feel like a queen, by all means, bring along a tiara.  It’s your day!  Anything goes!

​During your consultation, your photographer will also talk about posing, and how many settings and wardrobe changes you will utilize.  You will want to schedule your photo session a few months before your wedding or anniversary, so that your photographer has enough turn-around time for editing your photos, and to place your order for prints or an album.
It’s perfectly natural to feel a little bit nervous about an intimate photo session like this.  You will relax once the camera starts clicking, I promise.  If you would feel more comfortable with having a gal pal to accompany you to your session, definitely ask.  Perhaps they would like to participate in a session as well.  Always more fun!  Also, go easy on the alcohol and salty foods a few days prior to the photo shoot to prevent bloating.  Be sure to drink lots of water, to stay well hydrated, and set your skin to glowing.  Enjoy being pampered by a hair stylist and make up artist prior to your photo session.  This is your moment to shine, and revel in all of your womanly glory.
I highly encourage all women to schedule this type of photo session for themselves, at least once in their lives.  It doesn’t matter what age you are, or size.  All women are beautiful in their own unique shapes, and skin tones.  The overall experience is amazing, and one that you will never forget!  You will come away with quite the boost in self-confidence.  You will feel very empowered, and ready to take on the world, in this next chapter of your life.  Enjoy!

More images are featured in Volume 8. 

A celebration without cake is merely a meeting and one of the biggest celebrations in south Louisiana is Carnival Season and the symbol of Mardi Gras is the best cake ever: the king cake! 

What exactly is a king cake? 
In short, a king cake is made up of a sweet brioche dough in the shape of a hollow circle with a glazed topping sprinkled with colored sugar. They come in a variety of flavors, fillings, and colors. Traditionally they are colored purple to represent justice, green to represent faith, and gold to represent power. (Scroll down for a history about Mardi Gras.)

Who has the best king cake?
To date, I have tried dozens of king cakes from all over the southern region of Louisiana that spans over several decades. I've tried the good, the bad, the moist, and the dry. I'm slightly critical of food, so I won't list the bad, instead I'll tell you about the BEST king cakes I've ever had and they both hail from Sucré  in New Orleans, Louisiana; the first one is the ​Sucré signature King Cake - a rich, braided, buttery brioche dough sweetened with cinnamon and sugar, filled with whipped cream cheese, and finished with Sucré’s signature glaze. The second best is the Sucré Sugar + Spice King Cake! It's the beautiful partnership of  ​Sucré and Tabasco and is their newest flavor. If you like a little heat, you'll love the flavors of the Sugar + Spice,  a braided, buttery dough sweetened with cinnamon and sugar, filled with a single-bean Swiss chocolate whipped cream cheese filling, and accented with TABASCO® Habanero Sauce, that has a surprising hint of mango, papaya, and banana!

For History Buffs: A Brief History About Mardi Gras
via History.com
​
​ORIGINS OF MARDI GRAS
According to historians, Mardi Gras dates back thousands of years to pagan celebrations of spring and fertility, including the raucous Roman festivals of Saturnalia and Lupercalia. When Christianity arrived in Rome, religious leaders decided to incorporate these popular local traditions into the new faith, an easier task than abolishing them altogether. As a result, the excess and debauchery of the Mardi Gras season became a prelude to Lent, the 40 days of penance between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday.Along with Christianity, Mardi Gras spread from Rome to other European countries, including France, Germany, Spain and England.

Traditionally, in the days leading up to Lent, merrymakers would binge on all the meat, eggs, milk and cheese that remained in their homes, preparing for several weeks of eating only fish and fasting. In France, the day before Ash Wednesday came to be known as Mardi Gras, or “Fat Tuesday.” The word “carnival,” another common name for the pre-Lenten festivities, may also derive from this vegetarian-unfriendly custom: in Medieval Latin, carnelevarium means to take away or remove meat.

MARDI GRAS IN THE UNITED STATES
Many historians believe that the first American Mardi Gras took place on March 3, 1699, when the French explorers Iberville and Bienville landed in what is now Louisiana, just south of the holiday’s future epicenter: New Orleans. They held a small celebration and dubbed the spot Point du Mardi Gras. In the decades that followed, New Orleans and other French settlements began marking the holiday with street parties, masked balls and lavish dinners. When the Spanish took control of New Orleans, however, they abolished these rowdy rituals, and the bans remained in force until Louisiana became a U.S. state in 1812.

On Mardi Gras in 1827, a group of students donned colorful costumes and danced through the streets of New Orleans, emulating the revelry they’d observed while visiting Paris. Ten years later, the first recorded New Orleans Mardi Gras parade took place, a tradition that continues to this day. In 1857, a secret society of New Orleans businessmen called the Mistick Krewe of Comus organized a torch-lit Mardi Gras procession with marching bands and rolling floats, setting the tone for future public celebrations in the city. Since then, krewes have remained a fixture of the Carnival scene throughout Louisiana. Other lasting customs include throwing beads and other trinkets, wearing masks, decorating floats and eating King Cake.

Louisiana is the only state in which Mardi Gras is a legal holiday. However, elaborate carnival festivities draw crowds in other parts of the United States during the Mardi Gras season as well, including Alabama and Mississippi. Each region has its own events and traditions.

Why does Mardi Gras season start on Jan. 6?
(as told By Doug MacCash, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune )

In the Catholic world, Jan. 6 is called Epiphany or Twelfth Night (since it's twelve days after Christmas) or Kings Day (hence the King Cake tie-in, right?). It marks the moment in the Bible that the three kings, having traveled over field and fountain, moor and mountain, arrived in Bethlehem to behold the baby Jesus. Traditionally, Epiphany is considered the last day of the Christmas holidays.

Traditionally Kings Day, aka Epiphany, aka Twelfth Night, is a time of feasting. So, back in 1870, one of the very first Mardi Gras clubs decided to have a parade and party on that night. They called themselves the Twelfth Night Revelers.

According to a 2009 NOLA.com story titled "A History of Mardi Gras" by Becky Retz, The Revelers employed jesters to serve king cake to young ladies at the party. Back then, king cakes had a gilded bean hidden inside (because pink plastic babies were very, very scarce in those days).  Whichever young lady got the lucky bean would be crowned queen of the Revelers. But, according to Retz, the Revelers' jesters went off the rails. 

"It seems the fools were drunk," Retz wrote, and instead of presenting the cake, they either dropped it on or threw it at the women."

Oh you guys!

And there you have it. Since the Twelfth Night Revelers' fateful drunken king cake party, New Orleans has apparently begun the Mardi Gras season on Jan. 6. At least that seems to be the answer.

Your Jan. 6 rights and privileges

Starting at 12:01 a.m. Friday, you are free to say "happy Mardi Gras" to the bus driver, in the same way you might start saying "Merry Christmas" on the first day after Thanksgiving.

Starting Jan. 6, you are also free to wear purple green and gold, the ghastly colors of Mardi Gras. But start out slow. In the workplace, your fellow employees should not be asked to endure your purple, green and gold bowtie or scarf until, say, Endymion Saturday (Feb. 25).

Starting Jan. 6, you are free -- obliged, even -- to eat king cake (round pastries with ghastly purple, green, and gold sprinkles) whenever you encounter it.

Truth is, these days you'll see king cakes for sale pretty much all year round. However, purists view purchasing king cakes before Jan. 6 as a demonstration of gauche impatience. Sort of like shooting off fireworks on July 3. Or opening the Christmas presents a day early.

It's no big deal.  A cultural misdemeanor.

Valentine's Day is a time to celebrate romance and love, which is why I choose to celebrate it with my husband and not my children. Does that make me a horrible mother; absolutely not! And you shouldn't feel horrible or made to feel guilty from others either. 

If you have young, school-aged children, teachers will send home notes about Valentine's Day parties that require you to give a Valentine's Day card to every student. So, as parents, we go along with it and send cards and candies to school. 

I draw the line at that. I do not give my children gifts or cards for Valentine's Day at home.

In my opinion, it is not a holiday that was meant for children to celebrate. If you look back in history, the true meaning of St. Valentine's Day was a time of courtship between men and women. Some even say that it was the start of mating season for birds, hence where the saying "two love birds" originated. 

It's okay to show and teach our children love and affection, just designate St. Valentine's Day for our significant others! Show them how special they are to you. Give them gifts and cards and candies. Tell them why you fell in love with them. 

But what if you have children and can't get a babysitter? That's okay, too. We all can't get sitters when we need them; however, we can still set aside time with our significant other, without our kids:

• If dinner is out of the question, prepare (or buy) a special dessert for just the two of you to enjoy......after the kiddos go to sleep. And if your children insist on eating something sweet too, enlist them to bake cookies for themselves!
• If a lunch date is more feasible, especially if your kids are in school, go on a lunch date. 
• Leave a special note with their lunch (if they take lunch to work) telling them that you have a surprise for them after the kids go to bed. (Again, we stress alone time when the kids go to bed.) 

​

Wedding trends change year after year; some stay the same or change slightly and other trends are complete opposites of the previous years. It's not that new trends erase old trends, they just add to it!  
Each celebration is as unique as each couple celebrating it is, many couples are inspired by trends, but make it their own in the end.
2019 is the year for personality, creativeness, and purpose; and we're looking forward to seeing more of these trends at your celebration!