Next week the out-of-town guests at my wedding will learn why Natchez is the perfect community in which to get married.

It’s not just the beautiful settings, the antebellum houses and gorgeous churches.

It’s not just the warm weather or the view of the river or the flowers in bloom on every corner.

It’s the hospitality of a community that knows no other way than to give.

I’ve heard so many times as I’ve planned my wedding over the last several months, &uot;What can I do to help?&uot;

Countless others have wished me and my fianc well as we look forward to the happiest day of our lives.

That support has meant the world to me, but it also doesn’t surprise me at all.

It is one of the many reasons I am grateful to make my home not just in a small community but in a friendly community.

I’ve had several people ask why we decided to have the wedding here. Natchez is not my hometown, but it is now my home.

I have long wanted to share the beauty of this city with family and friends who have never made it here.

While our wedding isn’t a true &uot;destination wedding,&uot; as are those described in our feature story on the Business page today, it might as well be for the people who will make their way here for our wedding weekend.

Those weddings are becoming big business for the community, and I’ve had firsthand experience with why.

I have to admit, &uot;shopping at home&uot; was one of the reasons I wanted to have our wedding here.

It’s not a huge impact on the economy, but whatever difference we can make helps.

Many of the people working on various aspects of our wedding &045; flowers or photography or catering &045; are friends or neighbors.

I couldn’t have found better people with whom to entrust our wedding details.

Brides who come from out of town to hold their weddings here must surely learn this, too, or Natchez wouldn’t be such a popular wedding destination.

Natchez is a beautiful place to have a wedding not just because of its setting; that’s just window dressing.

The true beauty is the help and support of people who want to make your wedding day the best day of your life.

I knew, and my future husband Josh is now learning, how special this community is. I’m lucky to have found not only a sweet man but one who has turned his life upside down to move for me. And since he’s found Natchez as friendly as I have, I don’t have plans to leave anytime soon.

While we are lucky to have beautiful sites for our wedding ceremony and reception, none of that matters as much as the kindness we’ve encountered as we’ve planned our day &045; or as much as the joy we have in sharing that day with friends and family.

We are so grateful for everyone who has wished us well or found a way to help.

Holding our wedding in Natchez means that no matter where our lives take us, Natchez is always in our hearts.

Kerry Whipple

is editor of The Natchez Democrat. She can be reached at 601-445-3541 or by email at kerry.whipple @natchezdemocrat.com.