VIDALIA &8212; Miss Mississippi decided to plan for her upcoming wedding, after her reign ends, by using Miss-Lou businesses.

Kendra King, 20, came to Vidalia two weeks ago and stopped in Billie&8217;s Formal Wear to order her wedding gown.

&8220;I had known about Billie&8217;s five years ago when I modeled gowns in Atlanta,&8221; King said. &8220;I had heard that they had a great reputation and decided this is where I want to shop.&8221;

Friday King came to Billie&8217;s after agreeing to sign autographs for anyone visiting the store during their 20th anniversary sale.

&8220;I was really glad they asked me to do this,&8221; King said. &8220;I have a lot of family here in the area so it was really a treat.&8221;

King is the great granddaughter of the late Loula Beard from Monterey and the granddaughter of the Coco family in Vidalia.

&8220;I used to come visit in the Miss-Lou every weekend and in summer when I was younger,&8221; King said.

Once her year-long reign ends in November, King plans to marry her fianc/, T.J. Johnson, in their home of Monticello at their church on Dec. 22.

King said that although she enjoyed her reign, she doesn&8217;t want it to end just yet.

&8220;It has gone by so fast,&8221; King said.

During her reign as Miss Mississippi, King said she worked on the Mississippi Gulf Coast handing out Christmas cakes to those affected by Hurricane Katrina.

She also worked in a bridal shop giving away free gowns to those brides-to-be who lost everything during the hurricane.

&8220;I also visited and spoke at Trinity, Monterey and Vidalia schools,&8221; King said.

King said she is also buying her wedding cake from Edna&8217;s Cake Creations in Natchez.

She is currently a business management student at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg and works for David&8217;s Bridal Shop.