June is coming to an end and it’s crunch time. My wedding is in September and my to-do list doesn’t seem to be getting any shorter. In fact, it seems to be growing. How did that happen?

Growing along with my to-do list is the cotton in my grandparents’ garden. I can’t wait to see the beginnings of a cotton boll. I love the south. Sometimes I dream about living in the time of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn, floating down the Mississippi in an era when every strapping young man wanted to catch the eye of a Southern debutante, sweet and proper and ladylike. I dream of being as tough and strong-willed as Scarlett O’Hara, yet, still always worried about her waistline and having enough rouge on her cheeks. I’d like to hang out with the boys from “O Brother, Where Art Thou” and get a laugh or two, while listening to some good ole Mississippi hardship music.

I’ve tried to capture the essence of the Old South in my wedding ceremony and reception. Cotton bouquets, magnolias and lace will be spotted. Different eras of the south will be incorporated, represented by treats such as coke floats.

I’ve been worried about my dress coming in on time. I was told it could take up to six months to get here; and I ordered my gown about six months before the wedding. However, I got a call recently to inform me my beautiful gown had arrived. I’d love to share the details of the dress, but my fiancé reads this column and another southern tradition is to never let the groom see the dress before the wedding. But I can assure you, it fits with my sweet Mississippi theme.

If you haven’t noticed, my theme is important to me. I figure, if you’re going to pick a theme, don’t hold back! Scarlett O’Hara sure wouldn’t have.

Also, my Mama and I make a fantastic budget cutting team. I’m the queen of finding a good bargain and she knows all the short cuts to finding what we need for less. I always say we need to be wedding planners. Organization is my specialty and Mama could make an old barn look like an elegant, sparkling wonderland. Daddy’s still having to dip into his wallet probably a little more than expected, but he’s a good daddy. “If that’s what you want,” he’ll say. One day, I’m going to be rich and famous and buy him a hunting camp in the mountains. But for now, I’ll just try to keep my extravagant taste in check. Maybe I’ll try to be more like Tom Sawyer than Scarlett. Although, too much Tom, and my wedding would consist of sitting on the ground in old jeans in front of a creek; and too much Scarlett, and my Daddy would have to sell a kidney. I think I’ve found a good medium.

My fiancé, Jacob, on the other hand, jokes about me coming across the pond on my great-grandpa’s little aluminum boat. I would have to row myself and we only have one oar, so “Here Comes the Bride” would be more like “Why Is the Bride Taking So Long.” He also mentioned something about a zip line, which I just ignored.

Enough of my wedding ramblings. I want to hear about yours. I will soon be taking submissions for Brides 2014 magazine. If you exchanged vows this year or will do so before Oct. 4, the deadline, contact me about getting your article in the magazine and charges for doing so. It’s a great keepsake and you can choose between a one or two-page spread. I’m sure if Scarlett had put her wedding in Brides, it would’ve been an entire magazine about one bride. But you just can’t help but love her.

Lifestyles Editor Jessica Boyd can be reached at The Daily LEADER at 601-833-6961 ext. 134, by email at jessica.boyd@dailyleader.com or you can write to her at P.O. Box 551, Brookhaven, MS 39602.