We’re thrilled to announce a new feature today: Editor-in-Chief Lara Casey‘s IT LIST of top images. Yes, we have another “It List” of top photographers, but that section is being renamed with our new site that debuts in a couple months. So, welcome to the new IT LIST of top images! Every week, she scours the blogosphere for the top images from weddings all over the world.  She’s been working on this feature for a couple months now and has a jam-packed folder full of inspiring goodness!

We want to know what you think too!  VOTE for your favorite by leaving a comment here and (combining our office votes with yours) we’ll award the top image of the week a very special honor.  The top four images of each month will be in the running for Image of the Year at the end of 2010.  The best part- if your image makes the cut, there’s a strong possibility it will make our print edition (of course with the photographer’s permission).  So, get your vote on and tell us what you love!  Want to submit an image?  See below for our very unique submission system.

Without further ado, this week’s IT LIST:

This engagement session from Sarah Yates captured my heart.  We’ve seen balloons galore in wedding images lately, but somehow this mass of heart-shaped goodness stood above the rest.  I had a really hard time picking just one image from this shoot.

Millie Holloman rocked this ring shot.  I love movement in images. The light, the texture, and just knowing how hard this must have been to get just right made me instantly fall head over heels.

Oh, Brion Hopkins… this image caught me.  The rest of the session is equally as simple and stunning. Also, Brion is a very cool cat.  His tagline … “The number one photographer recommended by pirates!”

W. Scott Chester consistently wows me with their art.  This moment they captured says it all- celebration, friends, spontaneity… I only wish I knew what was being said at this moment.

I discovered James Christianson recently and immediately was drawn to this wedding.  I rarely say this, but if I could step into a wedding and experience everything in that moment, it would be this series of images.  Her dress is divine, the colors are dreamy and the relaxed feel of these portraits lets you know right away that the photographer has a great relationship with this lucky couple.

Erik Clausen aka Poser is a solid, inspiring soul.  His work reflects his deep connection to people and art.  I love this shot technically for several reasons, but mostly I love the gold rings.  You so rarely see yellow gold wedding bands anymore.  Coupled with the golden simplicity of the apples, this shot is a winner.

I’ll admit, my file of favorites has more than one epic shot from Punam Bean.  These silhouettes are so classic and reminiscent of a romantic Parisian cafe scene.  And what really gets me… the glow of two tiny candles in the foreground.  Divine.  You have to see the rest of this session.

Anyone who knows Chris and Sarah Rhoads falls in love with them.  They are those rare people who are basically walking sunshine.  You can see that everyone they photograph feels that same connection.  First of all, could this couple be more gorgeous!?  I love their sandy blonde hair swirling in the golden fall leaves and his piercing blue eyes in the first frame.  So much love between these two stunners.

I am honestly not a heels kind of girl.  I pretty much live in tennis shoes and Havaianas.  But, the second I saw this shot from Natalie Moser, I thought to myself… “ok, mayyybe”  What bride wouldn’t feel like a million bucks in these?  I love the feel of this image… relaxed, fun, and I can just see the girlish smile on her face.

Well, it’s no secret in this office that if I had to pick three photographers to shoot my wedding, Jeff Newsom would be one of them.  Two words = epic hay.

Admittedly, I was quite the tomboy when I was little.  Yes, believe it.  I’d take Transformers over Barbies any day!  How fun is this engagement shot from the super-fun Brooke Schwab!?

The first time I spoke to Otto Schultze on the phone, I knew he was a rare gem.  His perspective on weddings, love, marriage and life is the real deal.  This image of his gave me chills the first time I saw it.  The texture of her dress, the movement, her carrying him away… all of it is just perfection.

Congrats to this week’s IT LIST picks and thank you for inspiring me!

Have an image you’d like to submit?  Here are the rules:

1. you can only submit one image per week and

2. only via twitpic (or the Twitter image service of your choice).  Follow and tweet your images to @LaraCasey with the hashtag #itlist to be considered. If your image is chosen, you’ll get a direct message requesting the shot.  This is a Twitter-only submissions system.  No email submissions or links to blog posts accepted.  Don’t have a Twitter account?  Sign up or have someone submit the image for you! If you need help learning Twitter or how to post an image, just leave a comment here and we’ll be glad to help : )

From Lara: Images can come from anywhere in the world.  What I’m looking for: details, portraits, engagements, proposals, anything that makes you stop to take the image in.  I’m looking for that Mona Lisa factor… something that captures you!

Which one is your favorite?

Vote!

Millie Holloman, W. Scott Chester, Poser, and Brooke Schwab are Southern Weddings advertisers.