Lizzie + Greg’s reception made for a beautiful New Year’s Eve celebration! Guests headed to the beautiful Telfair Museum where tables decked with white hydrangeas and candle-lit trees filled the space. I’m always a fan of gold chiavari chairs and I think they carry the sparkle of New Year’s Eve throughout the room perfectly, without being overwhelming. Lizzie + Greg were wonderful hosts and provided guests with festive hats to ring in the New Year, cigars to celebrate, and pashminas to keep warm. Of course, no wedding is complete without a few sweets! A dessert bar treated guests all night while a cake shaped and decorated in the form of Lizzie + Greg’s favorite champagne gave the newlyweds the chance to partake in the cake-cutting tradition. At the end of the night, everyone welcomed in the New Year and the happy couple took their exit through a line of sparklers and into a white vintage car. Now that’s the ultimate way to celebrate! Big thanks to Nate Henderson for sharing!

See all the photos from Lizzie + Greg’s wedding in their Real Wedding Gallery!

Describe your wedding cake or dessert: We had a dessert bar and wedding cake. The dessert bar included mini desserts: pecan tassies, chocolate éclairs, Savannah trifles, tarlets filled with key lime mousse, chocolate mint mousse, and raspberry mousse, and sweet and spicy popcorn. We aren’t huge fans of cake, but my wedding planner felt strongly about something for us to cut. We decided to have a cake shaped as a bottle of our favorite champagne, Vueve Clicquot. We thought it would be a nice touch since it was New Year’s. The “label” on the cake had our names on it and the year we met, 2007.
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? The biggest challenge was probably just the distance. My wedding planner was incredible and my mom also helped with the heavy lifting, since we live in NYC. Also, we both have jobs that require a lot of focus and hours, so we don’t have much spare time during the work week.
What is the one thing you are most happy you splurged on? For me, the wedding planner. For Greg, it was the band.
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? (From the bride) When we walked into the Telfair Museum and everyone was standing around greeting us for the first time as a married couple. Every person we loved under one roof was a pretty powerful vision. (From the groom) Seeing Lizzie walk down the aisle. She tried so hard to get me to see her beforehand for pictures, but I stood my ground and am so glad I did.
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? Be decisive! There is no reason to try on 1,000 dresses or look at 20 venues. Just know what you want, make a decision and move on. Also, just have fun with it because you only do it once and it is such a sweet time in your life.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you looking forward to in the future? Everything! We are just having a great time being a team and enjoying life together.

Photographer: Nate Henderson // Videographer: Savannah Wedding Films // Planner: Tricia Huddas and Co. // Ceremony venue: Blessed Sacrament // Reception venue: Telfair Museum // Florist: Garden on the Square // Wedding Cake Baker: Two Cakes // Caterer: Cape Creations Catering, Inc. // Rentals and Linens: Ranco // Lighting: Stage Front // Paper Products: Sarah Salvatoriello // Bride’s Dress: Enzoani // Bride’s Hair Accessories/Veil: earrings from Badgley Mishka, bracelet from J. Crew, veil was custom made, crystal sash from J. Crew // Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo // Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Enzoani

When I think of New Year’s Eve, I think of the gold and gilded, the sparkly details, and celebrating with friends and family. Lizzie + Greg must have been thinking the exact same thing — their December 31 wedding rung in the New Year with winter wedding style. Lizzie went monotone with her dress and flowers, opting for a round bouquet of white roses to blend in with her lace Enzoani dress, while her bridesmaids carried dark purple calla lilies to match their black ensembles. Lizzie + Greg exchanged vows at the Blessed Sacrament, where poinsettias and Christmas trees wrapped in lights provided a festive backdrop. I love that Lizzie kept a fur stole handy for the winter weather — perfect for snuggling next to her new hubby in these photos by Nate Henderson and for being whisked off to their reception.

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story. We met at a mutual friend’s apartment at a small party. We started talking and the rest is history.
Describe the proposal. I came home from work on a Friday and there were rose petals lining the hallway into the living room. On the dining room table there were red roses and a bottle of champagne. Greg got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.
Three adjectives that describe the day are: Fun, exciting, loving
In what month did you get married? December
How many guests attended your wedding? 200
Our favorite detail of the wedding was: We both agree it was the reception location. The Telfair is such a beautiful historic place and really added a special element to the affair.
What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? All of the venues during the wedding weekend were rooted in Southern tradition. Our rehearsal dinner was held at Garibaldi’s Café, in which we had the famous Crispy Flounder as an option. The reception was held at the Telfair Museum, one of the oldest museums in the South. We also had a Saturday night party thrown for us by my maid of honor, Ellen Williams, at the Oglethorpe Club. Other than the location, the food was the only real Southern touch at the wedding. We had food stations, instead of a seated dinner, which tends to be a Southern tradition. The Southern foods included fried green tomatoes, low country grits, pulled pork and collard greens egg rolls, and brown sugar and bourbon ribs, among other things.
Tell us about finding your wedding dress: I knew exactly what I wanted, but couldn’t find it. Then I saw a picture of Paula Abdul (who typically dresses horribly) in a black lace dress. I knew that I needed it in white. It turns out that it actually was a wedding dress and she dyed it black! Even better, a coworker of mine’s husband worked for the dress designer, so I got the dress at cost.
Describe your wedding flowers: I carried a ball of white roses to blend into my dress and the bridesmaids carried dark purple calla lilies to blend into their black dresses. When it came to flowers, I wanted all white balls with no leaves or greenery at all. As for the centerpieces, they alternated between balls of white roses and hydrangeas, as well as giant gold branches with candles hanging off of them with roses and hydrangeas at the base. The museum was so beautiful that I didn’t want to bring color into it to distract from the natural beauty.

Photographer: Nate Henderson // Videographer: Savannah Wedding Films // Planner: Tricia Huddas and Co. // Ceremony venue: Blessed Sacrament // Reception venue: Telfair Museum // Florist: Garden on the Square // Wedding Cake Baker: Two Cakes // Caterer: Cape Creations Catering, Inc. // Rentals and Linens: Ranco // Lighting: Stage Front // Paper Products: Sarah Salvatoriello // Bride’s Dress: Enzoani // Bride’s Hair Accessories/Veil: earrings from Badgley Mishka, bracelet from J. Crew, veil was custom made, crystal sash from J. Crew // Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo // Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Enzoani

Goodness gracious, we’ve almost come to the end of another year. And what a year it has been! We figured it was only appropriate to take a little walk down memory lane, considering we’ve spent the rest of the week remembering some of our favorite features from the year. And what a year it was! We thought it might be fun to do a “by the numbers” breakdown for 2011, so here’s a brief rundown of some of the changes, additions, events, and milestones that made the past twelve months so wonderful for Southern Weddings.

9 :: new blog features that have stood the test of time: Southern Style, Newlywed Kitchen, Southern Inspiration Boards, Southern Color Palettes, Southern Traditions, Southern Bride of the Month, Southern Spotting, Southern Hospitality, and the Ultimate Southern Challenge. We’ve got a few more up our sleeve for 2012!

11 :: number of photoshoots created specifically for V4

Images by Leigh Webber. See more behind-the-scenes details from our polo shoot here!

3,376 :: number of followers we currently have on Pinterest. Pinterest didn’t even exist in 2010!

264 :: number of pages in V4, a HUGE jump from V3′s page count of 169!

76 :: number of real weddings that were featured on the blog. See them all + more in the gallery!

11 :: number of weddings that were featured in print

52 :: number of giveaways we ran on the blog

1,019 :: most number of comments on a post, for our iPad giveaway

1,489 :: dollar amount raised for Stop Hunger Now and Southern tornado victims at the first annual Southern Weddings yard sale

2 :: number of major site additions we debuted this year (the Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory and the Honey List)

63 :: current number of Blue Ribbon Vendors

1 :: number of departures from the Southern Weddings office. Katharine is as happy as a goat in a briar patch in grad school, y’all!

1 :: number of new offices for the SW crew. We moved into our new office in May, and haven’t looked back! We LOVE it! Pictures coming soon, we promise!

1 :: number of full staff photo shoots. We love working with Millie!

1 :: number of new engagement rings in the Southern Weddings office

1 :: number of new additions to the Southern Weddings office. Welcome to the team, Grace!

Of course, there are things that numbers just can’t do justice to, so we each wanted to take a minute to share our favorite memory from 2011.

From Nicole:
One of my very favorite memories from 2011 was our Gingerbread Barn Building event. I loved getting to meet our local readers and see how creative and competitive they were! The whole night was such a wonderful way to kick off the holiday season.

Images by Nancy Ray

From Sierra:
My favorite SW memory from 2011 was the V4 getaway shoot. I loved the location, the Cotton Dock at Boone Hall Plantation, and the fashion for the shoot was definitely up my alley: short dresses, clutches, and hair accessories. But most of all, I loved getting to help set up, then throw, poms, airplanes, streamers and confetti, and wave ribbon wands and pendants for multiple takes! I think Emily and all others involved (like our reader models) could agree it was just too much fun!

Images by Corbin Gurkin

From Marissa:
My favorite SW memory from 2011 was the trip to Bridal Market with Whitney. Not only did we get to see gorgeous dresses and all our favorite friends, but we had SO much fun! You know it’s a good trip when you’re even having fun when your cab nearly gets in a wreck and you walk/run two miles through Comic Con wearing heels! All in the name of fashion y’all!

Image by Trent Bailey

From Whitney:
What a year it has been! The 2011 highlight? I have to go with Marissa and say Bridal Market! Between attending the many fashion shows, gasping at jaw-dropping gowns and getting the opportunity to meet many of the designers, Bridal Market might be my version of heaven.

Images by Trent Bailey

From Emily:
I would have to say one of my favorite memories from 2011 is the SW yard sale. Though it was a scorcher of a day, we had a fabulous turnout, and it was so fun to meet so many readers, drink Cheerwine, and eat cupcakes! Plus, we raised a great amount of money for two important causes.

Image by Nancy Ray

Here’s to an even more amazing 2012!

Yahoo! Did we have some amazing prizes in our 12 Days of Southern Weddings Christmas or what? I’m telling y’all, I wanted to win each and every one (especially the Lilly dress!). Now that y’all have opened all your presents and you’re getting ready to don something sparkly for New Year’s, we’re ready to announce the 12 very lucky winners of our 12 Days of Christmas!

So without further ado I give you… our winners!!

Day 1: Monogrammed hankie and gardenia hair flower – Congratulations Kelly M!
Day 2: Kendra Scott earrings – Congratulations Melissa T!
Day 3: Handmade by Sara Kim gift card – Congratulations Kate E!
Day 4: Ashley Brooke Designs – Congratulations Madelynne Miller!
Day 5: Paperfinger custom address stamp – Congratulations Lacy!
Day 6: Custom silhouette cake topper – Congratulations Elizabeth P!
Day 7: Monogram Journey Locket – Congratulations Kelly N!
Day 8: Durango Boots – Congratulations Hillary N!
Day 9: Plum Pretty Sugar – Congratulations Maria G!
Day 10: Angee W – Congratulations Taylor!
Day 11: Lilly Pulitzer- Congratulations Laura L!
Day 12: Bella Figura – Congratulations Emily W!

Thank you SO much, y’all, for all the great comments and support! We loved reading each and every one, and I already can’t wait for next year’s giveaways! Thank you, too, to our AMAZING sponsors! Even if you didn’t win, these folks would just love to put together something special for your wedding day!

Lucky duck winners, be on the lookout for an email from me in the new year to claim your fabulous prizes!

Featuring excellent photography has always been one of our highest priorities at Southern Weddings, and we are so honored to have featured so many wonderful photographers this past year. They effortlessly capture the day’s emotion as beautifully as its details, and in doing so give us all a peek into so many special wedding days. Here are just a few of the favorite moments we had the privilege of sharing this year.

The last few minutes before the ceremony, captured by Studio A (originally seen here)

A stunning portrait by Joel Flory (originally seen here)

A raucous reception moment, captured by Tina Bass (originally seen here)

Another Southern portrait, captured by Our Labor of Love (originally seen here)

A joyful reception moment, captured by Armosa Studios (originally seen here)

An iconic reception moment, captured by Rensche Mari (originally seen here)

An emotional first dance, captured by Adam Barnes (originally seen here), and a nighttime portrait, captured by Phindy Studios (originally seen here)

A jubilant exit, captured by Ulmer Studios (originally seen here)

A perfect exit, captured by Abby Jiu (originally seen here)

Comment below with your favorite photo!