East Mississippi Business Development Corporation

Darlene W _{on Google}

Jun 5th, 2021

I couldn't locate this place so I just had a good time winging my first visit to Meridian.

Colleen Bach Kelly _{on Google}

Jan 26th, 2021

In a moment of desperation, I called EMBDC looking for help.
My Daughter, Claire's wedding, scheduled for March 21 in Tallahassee, had to be canceled because her fianc, a navy pilot in training, was not able to travel because of COVID 19. They were both living on base in Meridian MS.
This happened one week before their wedding date. First, we cried. Then we needed a new plan. We will take the wedding to them. The forecast for the next weekend was rain so outside was not an option. We called several churches and waited a couple days for a reply. We promised a small group and our own officiant, but were denied. We understood everyone was scrambling to do what was safe. Who knew what safe was actually was?
My daughter told me about a restaurant that her friend tended bar at that was one of the nicest places in town. I made reservations for dinner at Weidmann's, thinking maybe we could just get a private room and do it there. It looked beautiful online. I understood that getting married in a restaurant was not our brides first choice, but it could be an option.
Finally, I called EMBDC. Debbie answered the phone. I calmly but desperately explained to her that we had a problem and were hoping they might be able to give us options to pursue. Debbie was encouraging that surely there would be someplace that would have us but she needed time to do some checking.
Several hours later she called and asked if Claire and Connor could come talk to her. They did. She had several nice options. EMBDC even offered to help with the expense. Then, she also mentioned that their facility was also available. It was pretty and located next door to Weidmann's! Claire and Connor left encouraged. Claire called me and we talked about the options and decided their location was perfect.
6 of us travelled to Meridian for the wedding. Debbie met us at the door with all our stuff and welcomed us in. She let us use the place as we needed.
We moved furniture, decorated with flowers and then we were allowed the back offices to dress the bride.
Their wedding was not at all the event we had planned, but it was a beautiful, sweet ceremony. Just perfect for having to pull it all together in a week.
We set things up so Connor and Claire could cut their cake and take as many photos as we could. We then cleaned it all up and headed for dinner. It was perfect.
I am so thankful for the EMBDC and Debbie for their kindness and willingness to help us!