Since the Weekly Round-Ups are working so well for us, we thought we’d introduce a similar feature to recap each month! There’s a slight twist, though: for each month, Katharine and I, as well as a rotating guest editor, will choose our top picks in a number of categories. At the end of the year, your votes will help us crown the best of 2011!

This month’s guest editor is Miss Whitney, she of the giveaways and contests. Let’s begin!

FAVORITE WEDDING DRESS: Katharine fell hard for Taylor’s Oscar de la Renta (here + here), while I loved Ashley’s Lazaro gown (here + here). Whitney picked Sidney’s perfectly Southern Anne Barge (here + here).

FAVORITE BRIDESMAID DRESS: I went for Tiffany’s rust-colored twist-neck gowns from David’s Bridal (here + here). Once again Katharine was loving the fashion from Taylor + Steven’s wedding, choosing Taylor’s Bella Bridesmaid ‘maid dresses as her pick (here + here). Whitney was also digging orange, opting for the coral Amsale dresses from Ashley + Steve’s wedding (here + here).

FAVORITE FEMALE ACCESSORY: Jennifer’s sparkly louboutins? Definitely my pick. (More here + here!). Katharine chose Hillary’s peach cardigan (here + here), while Whitney also fell for shoes, though this time, they were perfectly pink Kate Spades (here + here).

FAVORITE GROOM STYLE: Surprise! It was a three-way tie across the board — Collin and his men stole the show this month! (More here + here.)

FAVORITE DETAIL: I agonized over my choice for days for this category, eventually deciding on Sidney + Matt’s mismatched china dessert plates (here + here). Katharine, on the other hand, knew immediately what to pick: Jennifer + Armand’s candy bar, of course! (More here + here.) Whitney geeked out over the Scrabble details in Hillary + Matt’s wedding (here).

FAVORITE BOUQUET: Katharine chose Meredith + Blake’s pale pink and blue bridesmaid bouquets (here + here), while Whitney chose Taylor’s bridesmaids’ tropical magenta and purple blooms (here). I loved Ashley’s clutch of peach and white perfection (here + here).

FAVORITE SWEET: Ashley + Steve’s adorable confection stole Katharine’s heart (a “no brainer,” she says!), while I chose Meredith + Blake’s pink and blue cupcakes (here + here). Whitney chose Jennifer + Armand’s candy bar (a crowd favorite, obviously!).

FAVORITE PHOTO: Sidney and her Dad waiting for the ceremony to begin captured my attention (here), while Katharine loved the black and white shot of Taylor + Steven in their getaway car (here). Whitney swooned for the shot of Meredith + Blake post-ceremony in the field (here).

FAVORITE OVERALL WEDDING: It was a tough call, of course, but we eventually chose: for Katharine, Taylor + Steven, for Whitney, Sidney + Matt, and for me, Ashley + Steve.

Now tell us: which were your top picks? Do you agree with our choices? Chime in in the comments!

The Round-Up will normally go out on the last day of the month, but since we missed January, we figured we’d do January and February back-to-back. Look for our picks from February tomorrow!

We hope your Monday’s a little cheerier after seeing Lauren + Russ’ Texas wedding. Ours sure is – though that may be thanks, in part, to Emily’s birthday celebrations! Recognize the bride’s chic, structured dress with the flattering (and oh-so Southern) popped collar? Lauren wore the same Priscilla of Boston sheath that V3 cover finalist, Josh Malahy, chose for his own model. You know what they say: great minds – and beautiful brides – think alike! There are more delicious details in the magazine. Be sure to get your copy before we sell out!

Lauren + Russ brightened the pages of V3 with their regal purple wedding at Austin’s famed Barr Mansion. (Fun fact: purple just so happens to be one of my all-time favorite wedding colors!) Leigh Miller photographed the intimate outdoor ceremony, and Wendee Sawran of Lucie’s Events lent her planning expertise to the 90-guest event. Lauren’s ladies wore flattering charcoal brown frocks (Dessy) and carried jewel-colored blooms from Melanie Tipton and her team at Last Petal.

It’s hard to surprise the gal who takes care of the Southern Weddings blog like it’s her job – which, admittedly, it is – but what better day to try than on her birthday?

We love Emily to pieces, and we know you all do, as well. Let’s face it: this blog wouldn’t happen without her, and the wedding world would be deprived of some truly lovely wedding inspiration if it weren’t for our favorite Northern transplant. So from all of us to you, Em: happy birthday!

From Marissa: Happy Birthday, Emily! Thank you for always being patient with my two billion questions and for welcoming me into the SW family with open arms. I am so grateful for you. I hope all your birthday wishes come true!

From Whitney: Emily, I consider you the queen of etiquette and one of the most stylish women I know. You have an uncanny ability to do literally anything remotely linked with the wedding world and for that I applaud you! I want you to know that I have always looked up to you and I am positive that you serve as a role model to countless other people as well. I hope your birthday is filled with sweet confections and cute kitties and, of course, happiness!

From Katharine: I treasure so much about our friendship: taking SW by storm right out of college, posing for pictures (often hand-in-hand) and celebrating the ups and downs, just to name a few. Of course, you standing up as a bridesmaid at our wedding tops the list, and I’ll always be grateful for your special role in our big day. I wish you nothing but laughter, hugs and pretty paper. (Plus a healthy love and respect for MTV’s Teen Mom!)

From Lara: If I could create a perfect Emily Birthday Land for you, it would consist of the following: cupcakes, chocolate, kitties, Martha Stewart and all of your family and friends around you. Luckily, I can make 2.2 of those things happen for you today. (cupcakes, chocolate and Katharine). We are all so blessed to have you in our lives. You inspire so many to dream in ribbons, fabrics, flowers, pretty papers and sweet delights. Thank you for always making me want to be my best by just being you – beautiful, brilliant, wise, funny, honest, authentic and driven. Wishing you the happiest birthday!

From Nicole + Sierra: Happy Birthday Emily! You’re a paper guru, wedding genius, and wonderful person to work with! We’re still learning a ton from you and I’m always impressed by the ideas you have, your great eye and your motivation (101 goals in 1001 days, anyone?). I hope this coming year is full of even more wonderful things!

Have birthday wishes of your own for E? Leave her some love, y’all!

I would like to start off this Round-Up with a photo by Millie Holloman that describes how I feel about weekends.

I hope your next couple days will be as fun as these guys’ socks! But before you scurry off into your weekend festivities, let’s take a look at what happened on the blog this week, shall we?

Remember our blurb on Minted from last week’s Round-Up? Emily has featured them again as this week’s Paper Pick! Emily loves how chic and affordable they are. They’re great for bridal showers, save the dates, and wedding invitations. How perfect that they just launched over 100 new designs!

Of course, we featured two real weddings this week that had the perfect bits of Southern charm.

Lindsey + Tyson’s peachy Virginia wedding here and here
Allison + Manny’s handmade wedding here and here.

Who doesn’t love a good contest?

Mandy and Me Studio is having one! Enter and you could win one of three prizes ranging from a discount on a wedding collection to a wedding photography package that includes a love care package from yours truly, Southern Weddings! Find more details on the Mandy and Me site.

One last photo by Sarah Rhoads to send you off into free-time bliss:

Have any fun plans with your sweetie this weekend? Tell us about them! Happy Friday!