Jake and Anna

All Planned Out

Photos by Lindsey Speights Photography

When Anna Pittman was a little girl, she might not have been old enough to plan out her

entire wedding, but she knew one thing — the Anchuca Historic Mansion and Inn would be part of her special day.

“My Uncle Tom Pharr owned Anchuca Historic Mansion and Inn for more than 21 years. He instilled in me an appreciation for its history. And since I was a little girl, I knew I would incorporate Anchuca into my wedding in some capacity, because of how special it has always been to me,” Anna said.

And that she did when she married Jacob “Jake” Russell on Nov. 3, 2024, at the B’nai B’rith Literary Club in downtown Vicksburg.

Although her wedding was not at Anchuca, several of her wedding events were held there.

“My uncle sold the mansion two years ago, but I was able to host my bridesmaids and family there during the weekend of the wedding. My grandmother (Mimi) and Aunt Susan Wallace hosted a bridal brunch for me at Anchuca the morning before my wedding, and Jake’s parents allowed us to welcome our wedding party and family to an incredible rehearsal dinner there that night. We also took many of our portraits there the morning of the wedding,” Anna said.

In lieu of a traditional bachelorette weekend, Anna’s bridesmaids were able to come to Vicksburg two days before the wedding — with all staying in the main portion of the house.

To welcome the bridal party to Anchuca, Anna said her mother made a “Welcome to Annachuca” sign in honor of a childhood drawing she had done. The sign described Anchuca, Anna said, and featured a variety of photographs that were taken of her at the mansion through the years when she came to visit her extended family in Vicksburg.

FIRST MEETING

Jake and Anna met while students at Mississippi College and dated for nearly two years before becoming engaged in 2023. Anna said Jake proposed on the grounds of Buena Vista, the home of Minor Ferris, near Fort Hill in the Vicksburg National Military Park and a surprise engagement party followed at Springfield — Pharr’s home.

THE GOWN AND ALL THE ACCESSORIES

For her wedding, Anna wore a gown designed by Allure.

“I was searching for something very me, something classic yet unique,” Anna said. “The dress had buttons all the way down the back, a flowing train, and bow on the back. It was everything I hoped for and more.”

Her veil was purchased by her paternal grandmother and was sprinkled with pearls throughout, giving “just the right touch” to the bridal look Anna said she wanted.

As for her something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, Anna said she had been very meticulous in deciding what to include.

“I paid special attention to my something old, new, borrowed, and blue and I had several things in each category,” she said. “I wore my mom’s garter from her wedding day, and I wore my maternal grandmother’s — GranBettye’s — pearl necklace, ear- rings, and bracelet.”

For her something blue, she also wore an aquamarine ring that had been gifted to her by “Gran Bettye.” The ring had originally been gifted to her grandmother by her father — Anna’s great-grandfather.

“Prior to my wedding, she gifted it to me at my ‘Something Blue Before I Do’ shower, which was held at Springfield in Vicksburg. (Gran Bettye) had had it resized and cleaned for me as it had been given to her more than 50 years before,” Anna said.

For her something old, she carried her great-grandmother’s blue embroidered handkerchief. For her something new, it was her wedding dress, veil and shoes.

GETTING MARRIED

Prior to the ceremony, Jake and Anna shared a private moment for their “first look.”

“We were on the front porch of Anchuca, and I tapped him on the shoulder, inviting him to turn around and see my dress for the first time. This first look and the private vows that followed were so special to us both, and we are so glad that we took one-on-one time to see each other that morning before the ceremony,” she said.

From there Anna and her bridal party rode the Vicksburg Trolley to the B.B. Club. The ceremony was held in the ballroom and serving as her maids of honor were her younger sister, Caroline, and future sister-in-law Cameron.

“My dear friend Cortney Phillips was my matron of honor alongside seven other bridesmaids.”

Jake’s father officiated the wedding.

Following the ceremony, the reception began downstairs, where guests enjoyed food catered by The Anthony at the B.B.Club and wedding cakes made by Anna Kate Andrews, owner of Macarons by AK.

The remainder of the reception was held back in the ballroom where the couple’s first dance was to “Dance of a Lifetime” by Drake Milligan.

As the fun came to a close, Anna said she and Jake exited with guests waving gold pom poms as they made their way to a horse-drawn carriage.

“It felt magical,” Anna said.

“We were surrounded by so much love, celebration, and support and after nine months of planning and seeing my vision come to life so seamlessly, it was such a blessing.”

For their honeymoon, Jake and Anna traveled to the Smoky Mountains.

The couple is home in Clinton where she is in digital marketing at The Business Growers in Flowood and Jake works for the United States Probation Office in Jackson.