Happy Monday, ladies + gents! I have just one question for you today: want to be in the next issue of Southern Weddings magazine?

Let me rephrase.

Want to get dressed up in pretty frocks, have your hair and makeup done by the experts and pose as a blushing bride-to-be? Oh yes, you’ll have some GORGEOUS photos to remember the day by, too.

We tried this for V3 with great success. Want proof?

Thank you, Jose!

We’re taking the show on the road to Charleston, where I’ll be teaming up with a few fabulous vendors to produce a spread for V4. This time, we’re looking for a GUY AND GAL PAIR. (Dating, engaged, already married — doesn’t matter to us!) If you’re both free for a Monday, May 23 photo shoot in Charleston, we’d love for you to email a head shot and a few candids to howdy@iloveswmag.com. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Let’s start off this fine Monday with a spot of Southern, shall we?

I’m not sure whether it was the tone-on-tone natural fiber aisle runner, or the lovely understated shell details, but something about this beautiful, simple, and modern beach ceremony really struck me! Major kudos to the planner, Heather of Stylish Traditions, and the photographer, Tina Bass.

Before we go, a quick peek at the gorgeous bride, Whitney! I adore her bejeweled sandals and casual yet elegant ponytail.

Love this wedding? See more from Key West on Tina’s blog!

Hello, hello good friends! Things are winding down and Saturday is approaching–life feels good right about now, doesn’t it? I bet I know what could make it better — why, the Weekly Round-Up, of course! My favorite part of writing this post is stuffing all of the beautiful features and great advice we have into one pretty little package. Let’s rip off the bow and begin, shall we?

Emily’s Southern Spotting shines a spotlight on a lovely Southern city and venue. Huge oak trees and moss make Forsyth Park in Savannah the perfect backdrop for a wedding.

Handmade Find to the rescue this week! Emily found a great tutorial for making pom poms and great resources if you prefer to buy them. They’re so much fun–take a look at the fun ways to incorporate them into your wedding or bridal shower!

Got a love affair with paper? We added some fuel to the fire this week with the DIY with Nicole. Simple envelope liners are the perfect addition to your invitations and they’re so easy to make! Finding the perfect color and pattern might not be so easy, though.

Don’t forget about our Real Weddings!

Take a look at Ashley + Paul’s wedding, complete with pops of blue and a s’mores station, that has us falling in love here and here.
Ali + Mook’s timeless and elegant pink orchid wedding is here and here.

Now for some exciting announcements:

Tre Bella in Raleigh is having a Spring Fever Sample Sale on Friday, April 22 from 10am to 7pm. All Melissa Sweet, Priscilla of Boston, Manuel Mota, Angel Sanchez and Lela Rose sample sale gowns will be priced between $500 and $1,000! The store will have open hours, so don’t fret about appointments. Check out their site for contact info if you have questions!

Priscilla of Boston’s Atlanta, Georgia and Dallas, Texas salons will host trunk shows featuring bridal gowns that just appeared on the runway on Thursday, April 21 through Monday, April 25. The latest dresses from the Priscilla of Boston, Vineyard and Melissa Sweet collections will be available for brides to try on and select. An appointment is necessary, so visit the Priscilla of Boston site to schedule one!

Those were some pretty nice announcements, if I do say so myself! I hope you have a lovely weekend, friends. If you do find your dream dress, then put on your dancing shoes and go celebrate!

Image credit: Becker

Hi y’all! Thank you so much for all the baby love. We are excited about “The Biscuit” in my oven and so grateful to have such wonderful encouraging friends! It’s an exciting time in our office with moving into a bigger space, said Biscuit and… a new issue to create! Preparations for our next print edition – a.k.a. V4 - are well underway and we want you to be a part of it. Photographers, brides, planners, designers and anyone else interested in submitting content for us to consider: please follow these easy directions and make sure to read our helpful FAQ page for editorial guidelines.  We’re so excited about V4 and can’t wait to see what y’all have up your sleeves!

REAL WEDDINGS We are looking for the best of the best in real Southern weddings for print.  Y’all know we love what you love – great photography, inspiring love stories and lovely details.  To be considered for a Real Weddings feature in print, the wedding must have taken place in the southeastern United States. Photographers, please email 20-25 good web-quality .jpg attachments to our Art Director, Emily Ayer, along with the following information: couple’s name, wedding date, wedding location, and any vendor information you have (names and websites). We only accept digital submissions.  Brides, please ask your photographer to do the above. Please note we do have a strict exclusivity policy and cannot share work that has been featured on another blog or in another publication. Please title your email V4 REAL WEDDING. UPDATED: We still need 4 more real weddings for print, so we are extending this deadline until we find the perfect weddings! We’re holding out for the BEST!

EDITORIAL SHOOTS We loved the editorial shoots we featured in V3!  Check them out in our gorgeous Editorial Galleries!  If you have shot or created something wonderful that you think our readers would love, send preview images to Emily for review.  If you have an idea for a shoot, please send a creative brief outlining the inspiration for the shoot and details/vendors you would include.  Please title your email V4 EDITORIAL.

BOUQUETS In every issue we assemble a gallery of stunning bouquets.  Composition of these shots is very important.  Please study our format before submitting images.  Send low-res previews to howdy at iloveswmag.com for review.  We do allow bouquet shots to have been previously published online. Please title your email V4 BOUQUETS.

RINGS We love a little bling, and we know you do, too!  In every issue, we highlight the most creative ring shots around.  Check out a little taste from our last issue below.  We do allow ring shots to have been previously published online. Send low-res previews to howdy at iloveswmag.com for review. Please title your email V4 RINGS.

EPIC IMAGES Y’all know we love great photography in print!  Have an image you think has that wow factor?  We take a good number of single shots from all over the world to fill our pages and story elements.  Send low-res previews to howdy at iloveswmag.com for review.  We do allow epic images to have been previously published online. Please only send a max of five images and title your email V4 EPIC IMAGE.

PRODUCT SUBMISSIONS Have a Fab Find, a product or paper good that you think our readers would adore?  Please first send a digital submission – just a photo of the product plus a short description (why would our readers gobble it up!?) – to howdy at iloveswmag.com for review.  If approved, we’ll request a physical sample.  Please title your email V4 FAB FIND.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the high volume of submissions (last time, for Epic Images alone, we got almost 1000 submissions), we unfortunately cannot respond to all inquiries. If the wedding or shoot is chosen, we will email you to request an interview from the couple and additional details. If you have not heard back from us on a Real Wedding submission within four weeks, we welcome you to submit your work to another publication. Other image submissions may take us longer to reply to as we have to fit them into stories, etc., as the time gets closer. Submissions deadline: July 15.

Have a question?  First, read our submission guidelines.  We take a lot of time to detail these out so you know exactly what to send.  Next, read the Twitter series I wrote last year on how to get published for a few quick tips.  Study our blog and print editions to know exactly what we’re looking for.  Have other questions?  Jumping out of your seat excited?  Leave a comment here and help us spread the word!  We can’t wait to see what you all cook up!

 

P.S. Want to get in on the V4 AD ACTION?  You have till July 15th to confirm your space with Whitney!

Last week, we introduced you to ken + dana design, masters in the art of unique jewelry. The gorgeous Isis engagement band is speckled with diamonds and comes in platinum, 18k gold, and sterling silver. Really, stunning. Here is your chance to feel like a goddess!

We asked readers to “like” ken + dana design on Facebook then choose their favorite design on the ken + dana website. I’ve been reading your entries as they poured in and I am so excited to announce which lucky reader will get the Isis. Congratulations to Allie who gave us this marvelous answer:

I am truly in love with the Aurora Organic Engagement Ring in gold by ken + dana. This genius design combines simplicity and tradition with something elemental and untamed. I am convinced this design has been imprinted in my conscious forever and no other engagement ring will do! This unique piece is a gorgeous take on the traditional engagement ring and to my surprise- incredibly affordable!

Let us know how you enjoy your new Isis ring, Allie!

Well, you already “liked” the ken + dana design Facebook page but if you’re like me, you just can’t get enough of them! Be sure to check out the ken + dana design blog for more jewelry inspiration and head on over to their Twitter (@kenanddana).

Come back soon for some more stellar giveaways!