From the editor.

As part of this special Wedding Register issue, we decided to take a cue from the happy couples themselves and offer you a taste of wedding tradition within these pages: something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.

For our "something old," you're invited to visit the southwest Mississippi town of Woodville, part of one of the oldest settled areas in the state. The town was officially incorporated in 1811 and contains some of the state's oldest churches, its oldest newspaper, and more than 100 homes and buildings that were built more than a century ago. Even the flora here is historic; the Jefferson Davis Oak that still stands on the courthouse lawn was noted as being a "large tree" when the town square was laid out in 1800.

Our "something new" is actually five special "somethings:" stories of noteworthy wedding celebrations that in some way broke from tradition--with memorable results. From an elegant rehearsal dinner that combined the tastes of Mississippi and Tuscany to a tropical rainforest reception complete with exotic flowers and foods to a one-of-a-kind "bachelor party" in which the groom-to-be ran the New York City Marathon with his dad, each of these events eschewed the ordinary in favor of a moment that expressed the participants' unique personalities.

As for "something borrowed," check out our story on the 1886-built Misterfeldt Home Place, hidden away in a rural part of Richland. Current owners Linda and Robert Luckett say they feel more like caretakers here, since every inch of the property--including the 1910-built playhouse and 1922 red barn--is filled with the Misterfeldt family's memories. Original owner Henry Carl Misterfeldt and his son Edgar kept meticulous diaries during their years here, and the Lucketts have used these written histories to create a home that is as much a contemporary dwelling as it is a glimpse into life in 19th-century Mississippi.

Now for "something blue:" how about blue suede shoes? This issue's Small-Town Spotlight article focuses on the little town of Walls in DeSoto County, where the King of Rock and Roll himself actually owned a horse ranch during the late 1960s. Elvis reportedly chose this hilly land for his second home on a whim after a motorcycle ride down from Memphis; he is said to have loved spending time here in "God's country," away from the pressures of his career. And who could blame him? This area is as beautiful and unspoiled today as it no doubt was back then.

As it turns out, putting together a magazine is a lot like throwing a wedding. The planning starts months in advance and involves a lot of careful preparation to ensure that all the elements are in place. It takes a dedicated team of talented people to make it a success. And the end product is something we delight in sharing with our dearest friends and family--in this case, our extended family of readers. So as our invited guest, we hope you enjoy this issue, this celebration of love and life in Mississippi.