Winter white: a bride's artistic vision of a Delta wedding in December comes true on a starry night.

Like all children, Holly Cresswell dreamed of a white Christmas while growing up in Nesbit. But Holly's vision was not of waking up to find everything covered in of white snow--instead, she dreamed of herself in a white dress, surrounded by twinkling lights and white poinsettias, marrying the man of her dreams. That dream of a little girl came to life on December 3, 2005, when Holly and James "Trey" Lunsford III exchanged vows surrounded by friends, family, and the spirit of Christmas.

When Holly began planning her wedding, she knew exactly what she wanted--from the invitations to the cake. "Being a graphic artist, I knew that I didn't want to use the conventional store-bought look for my wedding," she says.

Holly's mother, Cindy Graves Cresswell, says she was extremely impressed with how organized and creative her daughter was with every little detail. "She truly was a one-woman show. I told her and all my friends repeatedly that Martha Stewart would be so proud of her!" says Cindy.

Holly's vision was the blending of Southern tradition and Christmas cheer.

"I wanted to have a Christmas theme but avoid being too over the top," said Holly. She chose sage green and deep crimson red as her primary colors and incorporated plenty of Southern charm into all aspects of the event.

Since both the bride and groom's roots were in the South--Trey was born in Odessa, Texas, and grew up in San Angelo, Texas--it was only natural to celebrate the culture that brought them together. Out-of-town guests were greeted with baskets full of favors and flavors from Mississippi. Each basket had a tag that read "Hey Y'all! Welcome to Mississippi!" and included sugar cookies in the shape of Mississippi, a map and postcards from around the state, MoonPies, hot chocolate, peanuts, and barbecue sauce.

The ceremony took place at an old country chapel in Nesbit. As guests arrived, they passed through wooden doors marked with two wreaths bearing red sashes with the monogrammed initials of Holly and Trey. The presence of Christmas warmed the hearts of everyone as the sound of carols filled the air and candles lit the chapel. White poinsettias were placed beneath an altar covered in pine cones, apples, berries, and pine needles. As the couple exchanged vows, the beautifully decorated chapel embodied everything that Holly had imagined.

After the ceremony, guests joined Holly and Trey to celebrate at The Club at North Creek in Southaven. The clubhouse, built to resemble an old log cabin, was the perfect setting in which to welcome everyone from the cold night air. Guests walked beneath an awning covered in twinkling white lights before entering through doors adorned with pearl-encrusted satin wreaths created by Holly herself. At the back of the room stood a giant Christmas tree covered in ornaments, twinkling lights, and red and green bows.

The night turned into a party filled with laughter and dancing. The entire room was filled with guests kicking up their heels to the songs of the Miller Oak Band. The bride and groom showed their dancing skills as they two-stepped to a medley of Johnny Cash songs while everyone gathered around and cheered them on. "There's nothing like a Texas boy and a Southern belle two-steppin' on their wedding night," says Trey. "It was our first dance, and it couldn't have been more perfect."

Besides the dancing, the decadent spread of food prepared by First Choice Catering of Horn Lake was the hit of the night. There was a beef brisket carving station in one corner and a table topped with beef and chicken stroganoff at another. A "martini bar" featuring mashed potatoes and various toppings served in martini glasses thrilled guests and complemented the assortment of meats.

For those with a sweet tooth, a Belgian milk chocolate fondue fountain was stocked with skewered fruits and other goodies for dipping. And of course, there was the wedding cake. Patricia Farrish of Batesville was the creative genius behind the four-tier square cake that resembled the bride's gown; each layer of cream-cheese-iced white cake was wrapped in ivory double-faced satin and buttons made of icing mimicking the ones on the back of Holly's dress. On top of the cake sat a porcelain bride and groom under a pearl archway that had first been used by Holly's grandmother at her own wedding 50 years earlier.

"With family being such an important part of our relationship, I included a lot of family heirlooms in the ceremony and reception," says Holly. To honor the most beloved people in their lives, a table displaying photographs of the bride and groom's married family members, with their names and wedding dates listed below the pictures, was set up by the front door. As guests entered, they stopped to gaze at the many couples who came before the happy newlyweds.

Christmas lights and seasonal colors filled the room along with more special Southern touches. A large portrait of the bride standing in a field of cotton attracted attention and ignited many smiles.

At the end of it all, there was no mistaking that Holly's dream had come true. Dressed in her white gown, with her new husband by her side, she was showered in "snowflakes" as she jumped into a 1926 Ford Model T and sped off into the starry night.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIM MILLER,

RAMBLIN' ROSE PHOTOGRAPHY