Southern Weddings Magazine » Whitney

Whitney Says Goodbye

Whitney — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 13:00:46 +0000

Over three years ago, I walked through the doors of the Southern Weddings office for the very first time to start interning for the brand new magazine. Next week, I will walk out of the office doors after my last day of work to take on a brand new challenge. My darling boyfriend of two years, Scott, is moving up North for law school and I am uprooting myself as well to bring a bit of Southern charm to the Big Apple. I’ve made it my mission to Southern-ize the whole world, and what better way to start than by spreading some Southern sweetness to those Yankees up North? In my years with Southern Weddings, I’ve written dozens of posts, but none have been as difficult to write as this one.

I feel like my personal growth has paralleled Southern Wedding’s continued success. I have been blessed with seeing the entire process of launching this publication and how it has spread like kudzu. I have had the opportunity to build close friendships with the amazing women that work in this office and I have nothing but praise for all of the talented sponsors that I have had the opportunity to work with. While I am excited for the changes ahead, I can’t help but be sad that my time with Southern Weddings is coming to an end.

Some of my very happiest memories are intertwined with the gals at Southern Weddings and, believe me, we’ve had some crazy times! Let’s take a little stroll down memory lane and relive some of the highlights. In the past three years, we were hard at work creating this completely sold out issue…

…this stunning issue…

…this pretty issue (which also happens to be sold out)…

…and most recently, this beauty!

I had a blast preparing for all that print goodness at our editorial shoots. I particularly loved working with Emily, Marissa, Sierra, Nicole and intern Emily on the Paper, Cotton, Flour shoot for V4. It was a blazing hot summer day, but spirits could not be higher. We were all thrilled with how the shoot was coming along.

I swear, there is no better way to bond with co-workers than working a photo shoot!

Who could forget the office parties and our weekly office meetings? Sometimes, I can’t believe we got work done at all with so much fun mixed in! I don’t mean to make y’all jealous, but our weekly meetings always include some assortment of candy, cookies, sweet tea and Sun Drop. We even had a King Cake for Mardi Gras a few weeks ago!

I’ve had the joy of going to plenty of industry events and weddings during my time here. Confession: attending industry events might just be my favorite part of working in this great field. It’s not because I get to knock elbows with some of the best and brightest in the wedding industry (though that’s a plus!), my favorite part of any good industry party is the Smilebooth! I am completely, unabashedly addicted to these fun photobooths. Hand me a couple props and there is a large chance that I’ll be in the booth all night. What can I say? I’m a ham.

Marissa and I had the joy of covering Bridal Market (read: bridal fashion week) this year. Trent Bailey covered the fun and gave us these adorable photos. Marissa is and always will be my partner in crime and I can’t wait for her to come up to the city next year so we can relive our Bridal Market adventures!

Images by Trent Bailey

I’ve been busy as a bee working with our fabulous sponsors, planning giveaways and helping with photoshoots but I did manage to squeeze in enough time to graduate from UNC (GO HEELS!) and meet an amazing (and handsome) boy.

There are literally hundreds of photos and memories that I could put in this post (really, I could write a novel), but when you get down to it, the women that work in this office have really been the reason that my time with Southern Weddings has been so special.

Lara has given me the opportunity to have such a faaaantastic first job and every day I am grateful that she took a chance on me and decided to bring me on board after my internship many moons ago. She has had the insight to build such a brilliant team and I cannot wait to see Southern Weddings continue to flourish in the years to come. Emily, Nicole, Marissa and Sierra are some of the most talented and kind women in the world. I’m not kidding you. I dare you to find gals as friendly, professional and intelligent as the ladies here. It’s just not possible. Oh man, cue the sappy music. I’m all emotional now! It has been a huge privilege to work with this team and I will always be grateful that they have been part of my life.

Image by Millie Holloman

Last, but most certainly not least, thank you! Thank you for following along these past few years and thank you for making Southern Weddings the community that it is today. Sometimes I have to pinch myself. Three years ago when I started out here, Southern Weddings was a brand new blog (and one of the few wedding blogs in existence) and our first print edition had just hit the shelves. Today, Southern Weddings claims an international following, a strong community of readers, and some of the best Southern inspiration on the ‘net (though I may be biased). From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your kindness and your enthusiasm. Of course, I will be following along and reading the blog every single day from my new pad in New York, and I am excited to stay a part of the Southern Weddings family as an avid reader. Thanks, y’all!

Sit a Spell: A Bridal Shower for Lara

Whitney — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 15:00:54 +0000

Lara may have already tied the knot to the man of her dreams, but that couldn’t stop me from dreaming up a romantic bridal shower for her and Ari. It is so much fun to plan out some bridal shower inspiration for each other and it may serve as inspiration to some of y’all as well! Also, a little bird mentioned that Ms. Casey is considering a vow renewal, so maybe a little party inspiration will be just what she needs…

Lara grew up on the Florida panhandle, so I couldn’t think of a better place for this bridal shower soiree than a white-washed beach house overlooking the ocean. We would mingle on the porch, eating scrumptious mini key lime tarts (perfect for a Florida celebration!) and chit-chatting away.

Image credits, clockwise from top left: porch photo by Erica George Dinas via Atlanta Homes Magazine; gold presents photo by KT Merry via Style Me Pretty (styling by Aisle Candy); key lime tarts photo by Jessica Lorren via Southern Weddings; teal invitation photo and design by Marta Harding via Inspired Bride; glass bottle centerpiece photo by Millie Holloman via Style Me Pretty (styling by Salt Harbor Designs); lemon and mint favors from Martha Stewart Weddings; bike photo by Veil and Bow via Southern Weddings; mint and gold outfit photo by Nicole Warne from Gary Pepper Vintage via Chictopia

Lara’s favorite color is a light and relaxing shade of teal, so I knew that we had to incorporate that lovely shade into the party. Comfortable teal pillows would line the porch swings and bottles of sea glass would line the tables.

Guests, dressed in their finest beach attire, would cheer to Lara and Ari’s continued happiness. Their dearest friends and family would give toasts to the couple.

Lara adores Luna Bars, and I momentarily considered setting up a Luna Bar dessert table, but I figured that light macaroons and zesty key lime desserts might be a bit more fitting. Guests would also enjoy refreshing mint juleps and champagne.

I’d love to have photos of Lara and Ari and their families and friends set up around the porch, and there would be plenty of candles to light the space after the sun went down. At the end of the evening, we would all hop on bicycles and peddle home along the beach after we said our farewells.

Get to know Lara here and here!

What do you think? Is this beach bridal shower your dream shower too? Let us know what your dream bridal shower would look like below!

P.S. For the next post in our shower series, Lara will dream up a bridal shower for Emily! Keep your eyes peeled!

KT Merry, Jessica Lorren, and Millie Holloman are all fabulous members of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

My Southern Wedding :: Whitney

Whitney — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:45:21 +0000

As the last editor to share my dream Southern wedding, I’ve had a lot of time to think about exactly what kind of wedding I want (in my dreams, of course). I’ve been perusing the Southern Weddings Pinterest nonstop trying to find the perfect Southern inspiration for my own big day, and do you know what I’ve discovered? I truly and honestly believe that I have had an inspiration overload! There are so many fabulously Southern ideas out there, and I just want to incorporate them all into my dream wedding. What’s a Southern Weddings editor to do?

Step back and take a good long look at all of the images I had collected, that’s what. Were there any recurring themes popping up? Why, yes! The majority of the photos came from sunny daytime weddings, there were an awful lot of deep blues and spring green color schemes weaving their way through my inspiration folder, and oh, I have a major love affair with rustic barn weddings. Without further ado, I am happy to share with you my very own dream Southern wedding:

Image credits, clockwise from top left: Barn wedding by Jose Villa, beau bar by Chocolate Butter Bean (photo by Katie Stoops via Southern Weddings), cake by My Sweet and Saucy, barn decor photo by Abby Ross via Style Me Pretty, table decor photo from Martha Stewart Weddings via Domestic Ease

Tell us the basics. Where do you want to get married and when? How many people would you invite? The more the merrier! If money were no issue (and this is a dream wedding, right?), I would invite upwards of 200 guests and make it a real party. I would love to get married right here in the Ol’ North State in the early fall.

What’s your design inspiration and color palette? One of the main focuses of my design inspiration is the lighting. Nothing adds to a space like a hanging chandelier or a canopy of swinging lights over a dance floor. I also incorporated a lot of classic white details–the white bouquets and white cakes–which look so clean and fresh against the rustic barn backdrop.

What details and traditions would you include in your ceremony? I want to pay homage to my family’s Southern heritage by including many traditions based around family. I am looking forward to my strong, supportive dad walking me down the aisle. I want my Mom, a former makeup artist, and my aunt, a hairdresser, to gussy me up for my walk down the aisle. I am excited to shower my bridesmaids with monogrammed gifts to show how appreciative I am to have them in my life. I can’t wait to surprise my hubby-to-be with a fun groom’s cake. Most of all, I want to incorporate as many details that have significance to my husband and myself. I want my wedding to be a celebration of the memories that we have shared.

What dress would you wear? I have fallen head over heels for Monique Lhuillier’s Scarlet. The lace detailing is classic, while the open back gives it a modern edge. I’m still on the look-out for a getaway dress. I’m thinking short and sleek. Any suggestions?

Image credits, clockwise from top left: lace dress photo by Paul Johnson, white bouquet from Martha Stewart Weddings, striped bouquet wrap from Brides.com, navy bridesmaid dresses photo by Stephen Devries via Southern Weddings

What would your flowers look like? I love all white bouquets, full of ranunculus and big white hydrangeas. At the reception, I imagine low white and green arrangements decking each table.

What details and traditions would you include in your reception? Again, string lights and warm chandeliers are a must! In addition, I want a large live band that will really get the guests grooving. My goal is to have every man, woman and child on the dance floor having the time of their lives!

What food would you serve? Oh Lordy, I’m already excited about the food at my future wedding! Southerners sure do like their food! I adore all mini foods, so there would be an assortment of barbecue sliders and homemade macaroni served in white ramekins. The dessert spread would ideally stretch out for miles. In addition to the classic white cake, I’d love to see lots of cupcakes, banana pudding (a Southern favorite), and delicious creme brulee!

Where would you honeymoon? My hubby and I would explore Europe. I’m particularly keen on going skiing in the Swiss Alps!

What’s most important to you about weddings? Love is tangible at a wedding. Family and friends come together to celebrate a couple’s love. Weddings are about creating memories and sharing traditions. I love the feeling of community that surrounds weddings and I hope that my own wedding is full of wonderful memories and my friends, my family and my new husband and I will always cherish.

What do you think, ladies? Do we have anything in common? Let me know in the comments below and tell me all about your dream wedding.

P.S. Want to check out our past dream weddings?
Marissa
Nicole
Sierra

Katie Stoops and Stephen Devries are fabulous members of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

A Visit to Cabin Bluff

Whitney — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:30:46 +0000

Y’all have probably already fallen in love with the Southern Weddings Honey List at this point, and I can’t blame you. We are constantly abuzz here in the office about the fabulous honeymoon destinations we’ve already been to, and always dreaming up new spots to visit! It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it. Today, I’m thrilled to tell you more about my trip to Cabin Bluff Retreat!

I had the pleasure of driving down to Georgia to spend a few glorious days at Cabin Bluff Retreat with my boyfriend, Scott. Cabin Bluff is nestled on the Georgia/Florida border with a direct view of gorgeous Cumberland Island. The resort is situated on 24,000 acres of land (imagine 100 average-sized golf courses pushed together… it has even more space then that!) so it is about as private and peaceful as can be. As we drove down the gated two mile road to the resort, I could feel any tension from the real world melt away. Only 40 people may stay at the resort at any time, and we were lucky enough to share our time with only fourteen other wedding professionals!

Our luxury cabin was pure heaven, y’all! Each cabin has a grand fireplace, a kitchen (with a fridge already stocked with any beverage you could desire), and plush, comfortable beds. Fun fact: Cabin Bluff used to be President Coolidge’s favorite hunting retreat, and each room is fit for a presidential getaway. After checking into our gorgeous cabin, we went to an oyster roast where we had the opportunity to meet and mingle with the other guests. We were also invited to sign up for the next day’s activities, which included fishing trips and clay shooting excursions. Talk about fun! We signed up for a boat tour of the surrounding inter-coastal waterway as well as clay shooting.

The oyster roast was followed by a delicious supper underneath the stars. Yes, it was December! Yes, it was warm! Yep, those stars looked magical! I swear, it was one of the finest dinners I had ever had the pleasure of eating.

On our inter-coastal waterway boat trip the next morning, we were truly immersed in all of the fabulous wildlife that Georgia has to offer. We glimpsed a few wild ponies on Cumberland Island, and watched as dolphins played alongside our boat. After returning from our boat trip, we immediately set off to shoot clay pigeons. It was my first time shooting a shot gun, and I have to say, I’m not a bad shot, y’all! I highly suggest scheduling some clay shooting time. It was an absolute delight! And check me out:

Our time at Cabin Bluff sped by, and I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to meet so many talented wedding professionals, especially in such a beautiful setting. The whole way back to North Carolina, I kept wishing we could turn back and permanently settle into an idyllic life at Cabin Bluff.

Cabin Bluff’s excellent staff, the variety of amazing outdoor experiences underneath some stunning Spanish Moss trees, and the gorgeous rustic-meets-luxury setting makes it a prime Honeymoon destination. To read more about Cabin Bluff, be sure to hop on over to the Honey List here!

All photos except the last two are courtesy of Cabin Bluff. Thank you to the fantastic Cabin Bluff team for hosting Scott and I! We are lifelong Cabin Bluff fans!

P.S. Check out all of the other amazing Southern Weddings-approved Honeymoon destinations on our Honey List!

Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory :: Videographers!

Whitney — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 20:30:29 +0000

I hope y’all have had a chance to check out our brand spankin’ new Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory since its launch last week! We are so proud to have collected some of the best and brightest vendors throughout the South! Each and every vendor in the Directory comes with our seal of approval, and we hope that you will embrace the Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory as your newest wedding planning tool.

Today, I am happy to announce a very special addition to the Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory. Our videographer category is now LIVE, and we are so pleased to have two amazing vendors on board to kick off this addition!

First, I’d like to introduce you to Inkspot Crow, a husband and wife team based in North Carolina. We are so happy to have worked with MacKenzie and Philip this summer as we shot the Paper, Cotton and Flour shoot for Southern Weddings V4. Inkspot Crow also shot this amazing maternity video of our own Lara Casey and her new bundle of joy, Grace. Warning: have tissues ready, it’s a tear-jerker!

Our second videography team is Heart Stone Films, also out of North Carolina. Chris and Toni’s videos are chock-full of heart, and one of their gorgeous wedding films was featured in our Friday Round-Up in July. Hint: be sure to read Chris and Toni’s Behind the Brand tab on their website to get an inside look on why they have that adorable penguin logo!

Videographers! Want to join in on the Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory fun? Send an email to whitney at iloveswmag.com and I’ll get an application to you ASAP! We are still taking applicants for all categories, so don’t delay!

Inkspot Crow and Heart Stone Films are fabulous Southern Weddings sponsors!

Coming Soon :: Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory, Honey List and the Digital Trilogy!

Whitney — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 20:00:15 +0000

Change is in the air these days. The leaves are changing, the weather is cooler and we’ve been inspired to make some changes of our own!

We’ve been cooking up some pretty delicious new additions to the blog, and all of these amazing new features are almost ready to launch! Where will you find us after all of these divine changes come your way? Celebrating with pumpkin pie and apple cider, of course!

Now, we’re all about the wedding, and, as you know, are more than happy to help you plan your perfect Southern soiree. But what comes after that blessed wedding day? The honeymoon, of course! We’re putting the finishing touches on a highly-curated list of the top honeymoon locations in the South and beyond! The Honey List will be the first place to check for honeymoon planning and inspiration. Think your honeymoon was the bee’s knees? Represent a property that you think would be perfect for this list? Email Marissa and let her know!

There are so many reasons for us to celebrate these days. Lara is expecting a beautiful baby girl and Southern Weddings V4 was met with tons of praise! It’s been pure amazingness around here. One thing that I am forever and always grateful for is that we have SOLD OUT of our past editions! For those of you who missed out on getting them in print, never fear! We’ve created online editions of all three issues so you can flip through each issue to your Southern heart’s delight. The Digital Trilogy will be available super soon!

Last but not least is the project nearest and dearest to my heart. We have been fielding dozens of applications from some absolutely, positively amazing vendors from around the South and in the next few weeks, we will be unveiling the brand-spankin’ new Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory. Brides, you’ll have easy access to a curated resource list in every single wedding category and in every Southern state. Vendors, if you’re devoted to the client experience, produce exemplary work and have glowing peer and client review to back you up, you could be just the type of vendor we’re looking for! We will be adding to this list year-round, so just send an email my way to get an application!

I’m brimming with excitement and we are all thrilled to share the Honey List, the Digital Trilogy and the Blue Ribbon Vendor directory with you! Sit tight, my belles and beaus, these changes are coming up real soon! So soon!

Southern Girls in the City :: Bridal Market :: Part 5

Whitney — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:00:22 +0000

Hello, my pretties! Can you believe how jam-packed our schedule was? We fit as many gorgeous gowns and fabulous friends (new and old) into our three days in the city as possible. It’s certainly making my head whirl!

Marissa and I began day three in Judd Waddell’s beautiful showroom. This collection was most definitely a favorite of mine. I was swooning over the rows of tiny buttons up the backs of many of the designs. Each dress was simple, timeless, and utterly perfect for Southern brides. It was wonderful to chat with Judd after the showing. He’s quite the gentleman!

We spent much of Monday morning jumping from booth to booth at the Piers. Marissa and I were overwhelmed by the hundreds of fabulous designers there. While we didn’t have time to stop by every booth (if only!), it was wonderful to see some familiar faces and make new friends.

We ran into the gorgeous and super trendy Lindsie at Haute Bride and I was so tempted to try on all of her fabulous beads and baubles. We also said a quick hello to Coren Moore, whose lovely ad is featured in Southern Weddings V4.

One of the best surprise finds of the day were Veronica Sheaffer’s stunning gowns. Her newest collection is inspired by weathered white-washed fences. You can’t get much more Southern than that!

After many a tweet back and forth, we finally met up with SW favorite Kristy Rice of Momental Designs. What’s that she’s holding? Only a copy of Southern Weddings V4!

While at the Piers, we had the opportunity to squeeze into the Watters show. The Watters collection featured fun veils and beautiful gowns (of course). I fell in love with these printed bridesmaid dresses. Wouldn’t they be perfect for a garden wedding?

Before we left the Piers, we made sure to stop by and chat with the lovely ladies at Ivy + Aster. They are sweet as sugar and cute to boot!

Who took these fabulous photos? Mr. Trent Bailey, of course!

Be sure to drop back in this afternoon for the very last part of our Bridal Market adventure. Believe me, you won’t want to miss it. Want a hint for what’s ahead? Marissa and I may have had a chance to play dress-up. Just wait till you see what we got to try on!

Southern Girls in the City :: Bridal Market :: Part 4

Whitney — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:00:38 +0000

We’re baaack with even more glorious fashion inspiration for y’all to fall in love with!

On Sunday afternoon, Marissa and I made our way over to the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater to see the Rivini collection. Marissa was seated right away, but when I tried to check in, they thought that I was a photographer! While I take a mean iPhone photo, that most certainly is not the case. Luckily, I convinced the lovely people at Rivini that I was not a photographer, proven by the fact that I did not have a camera with me, and I was seated right next to my partner in crime.

Everything about the Rivini collection reminded me of a watercolor painting. I adored the use of light silk organza and especially the punches of violet and plumb. Color was huge on the runway this year and I’ve come to love the colored sashes.

After Rivini, we hailed a cab back to the Piers for the Badgley Mischka show. We started off the weekend with no clue how to hail a cab (who knew it could be so difficult?) but by this point we were pros. Just check out Marissa and her newfound New York attitude below!

We were particularly excited for the Badgley Mischka show primarily because Marissa and I have a shared obsession with Badgley Mischka shoes and we knew that their wedding collection had to be spectacular. The show did not disappoint! We were fawning over the glamourous feather accents and unique cowl necklines. Best of all, we had the opportunity to meet the designers after the show! I swear, I’m still on cloud nine!

Onwards we went to the Vera Wang showroom where we ran into the lovely Marcy Blum! We’re huge fans of hers and it was nice to say howdy.

We were really in for a a surprise with Vera’s newest line. The collection, titled Witchcraft, is described as “both mysterious and sexy, frivolous and fun”. The biggest shocker? There wasn’t a white dress in sight! Half of the daring gowns were a fabulous black and the others were in nude!

One of my favorite parts of the entire trip was seeing these beauties up close. Each gown is hand-sewn and the intricacy is absolutely awe-inspiring. It was amazing just to be able to touch these magnificent gowns!

All images courtesy of the marvelous Trent Bailey.

Whew! And with that, we finished up day 2. I hope y’all have been enjoying hearing about our grand adventure. We’ve had a blast writing about it! Come back tomorrow for a final day of lace and tulle (and a few impromptu photoshoots)!

So, what do you think? Would you wear a colored wedding dress? Are you daring enough to wear one of those black Vera Wang gowns?

Southern Girls in the City :: Bridal Market :: Part 1

Whitney — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:00:47 +0000

Hello, my dears! Marissa and I spent three marvelous days galavanting around the city and we are so, so, SO thrilled to bring you the best of the best from Bridal Market! Now, of course we can’t fit all of the goodness into one post, so you are going to come on back this afternoon (and tomorrow and Friday) for many more dream dresses. Fabulous photographer Ashley Minette went along for the ride on Saturday to capture our adventures and Mr. Trent Bailey delighted us with his photographic genius on Sunday and Monday.

We flew in to NYC super, super early Saturday morning and went directly to our first show of the day, Claire Pettibone. It was my very first fashion show ever (!!!) and I was immediately floored by Claire Pettibone’s feminine and romantic gowns. I love the flowing silhouettes and whimsical feel, don’t you?

We also ran into some of our wonderful friends: Christy from Junebug Weddings, Vane of Brooklyn Bride, Amanda from Ruffled, Jackie from Merci New York, Cathleya of Wedding Bee and Jill from The Blogworthy Bride. Definitely not a bad way to start off the day!

Next up, we hailed a cab (well… attempted to hail a cab) and made our way over to EZ Studios for Christos. The Christos collection was full of organza and flowers (yes, please!). I was particularly loving the Anais (second gown pictured below) with it’s full skirt and hand-beaded flowers. We also met up with the always-dashing Randy Fenoli of Kleinfeld Bridal and Say Yes to the Dress. We heart you, Randy!

We stayed at EZ Studios for Kenneth Pool. I was swooning over the drama and luxuriousness of these gowns. Oh, the glamour! The ruffles!

All of these great photos are courtesy of Ashley Minette.

Saturday was a whirlwind, y’all, and we aren’t done yet! We’ll be back with more goodness from Saturday’s shows this afternoon!

Lots of love from your Bridal Market correspondents,

Whitney and Marissa

Bridal Market :: Away We Go!

Whitney — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:30:46 +0000

Marissa and I have been counting down the days to Bridal Market for months now and suddenly, it’s here! Yippee! Time flies when you’re making a magazine, right Marissa? MK: Yes, ma’am! I just had to pop in and say how excited I am, y’all!

Our suitcases are packed (full of Southern Weddings V4s), I’ve printed out my plane tickets, and I could not be more excited! Those New York yankees need a good dash of Southern love and we are happy to oblige!

Image credit: Fred Egan at Amsale 2010

We are flying in early on Saturday morning and dashing right to the Piers. We have a full schedule of shows to attend and we will be reporting every little detail back to you next week. We’re thrilled to learn all about the upcoming wedding trends and share each and every one of them with you! Be sure to follow Marissa and I (as well as Southern Weddings) on Twitter for all of the tweet-coverage over the weekend. There are sure to be some gorgeous gown Twitpics involved!

Image credit: Fred Egan at Rivini 2010

Will you be at Bridal Market? If so, we have some amazing news for you! You can be one of the very first people in the entire world to see Southern Weddings V4! Copies of Southern Weddings V4 WILL BE AVAILABLE at Bridal Market! Where can you find them, you ask?

Just swing by Coren Moore, Ivy + Aster or Aruna Seth’s booths at Pier 94 to pick up your very own copy of this deliciously huge issue. We are huge fans of Coren Moore’s classic bridesmaid dresses and have you seen Ivy + Aster’s whimsical gowns? Not to mention Aruna Seth’s stunning shoes! We’re thrilled to partner with these fabulous designers and give you the chance to pick up your copy of Southern Weddings V4 weeks before it hits shelves! Copies of Southern Weddings V4 will also be available at the COUTURE show so be sure to grab one while you can. They will be gone faster than you can say ‘sweet tea’!

So there you have it! If you’ll be at Bridal Market this weekend, be sure to say howdy. Marissa and I love to make new friends!

To New York we go!

Love,

Whitney and Marissa

Countdown :: TWO Weeks Until V4 + Awesome Ad Action

Whitney — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:00:21 +0000

Lordy, lordy! In just two weeks’ time, Southern Weddings V4, our biggest and best issue yet, will be hitting shelves across the land! Here at the Southern Weddings office, we are BURSTING with anticipation. Not a day goes by when we don’t ooh and ahh over the gloriousness of V4, and we can’t wait till each and every one of you gets to see the goodness for yourself!

I’m especially excited for all of our fabulous V4 advertisers to see their gorgeous ads in print. I consider myself so lucky to know all of these amazing vendors, and I can’t wait for y’all to get to know them, too!

We don’t want to leave you vendors and business owners with nothing to do while you await the release of V4, so we are happy to offer you 10% off any online or V5 ad for the next two weeks! We would just love to have you join our advertising family!

Want in on this limited-time discount? Just email me at whitney at iloveswmag.com and I’ll give you all the details!

P.S. Be sure to come back on Thursday for some BIG V4 news!! Really, y’all! It’s going to be amazing!

Southern Weddings Blue Ribbon Vendors + Jose Villa + Submissions + Advertising Goodness Galore

Whitney — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 04:00:26 +0000

Well I’ll be, y’all just continue to blow me away. I have been so impressed with all of the lovely details that you future members of the Southern Weddings advertising family have been including in your advertising inquiries. I love to hear about your favorite Southern foods, your favorite things about weddings in the South and, of course, all of the amazing things that you do. There are some pretty fabulous vendors out there!

Speaking of fabulous vendors, we are still accepting applications for our new Blue Ribbon Vendors directory and I would be happy as a dog with two tails to learn more about your business. We are excited to introduce Southern brides to the best vendors that the South has to offer. Wedding planners, photographers and bakers alike, we want to hear about your talents! Just fill out an advertising inquiry here and make sure to mention that you would like an application to join the Blue Ribbon Vendor directory. The deadline to send in your application is September 15th, so don’t delay!

We have been busy as bees preparing for Southern Weddings V4 and I am just tickled that we will be able to share it with you in just a few short weeks. Want just a little hint of what’s in store? We are planning a spectacular shoot with photographers Jose Villa and Lisa Vorce next week. Jose has been with us since the very, very beginning. Remember this amazing photo from the V1 cover? Oh yes, Jose shot that. Check out the rest of that amazing wedding here. We are simply thrilled to have him contribute to V4!

We’ve got more V4 news coming your way. We are still on the hunt for two more real weddings and we aren’t going to stop until we find the most perfectly wonderful real weddings the South has ever seen. Do you think a wedding you shot has what it takes? Send your submission in to howdy@iloveswmag.com. We are also accepting submissions for quintessentially Southern wedding images. We love details, so send them our way!

Lastly, with Southern Weddings V4 right around the corner, I want to share my excitement with you by personally invite you to shoot me an email by Monday, August 15th to receive a special advertising discount. This is only for the first 10 vendors that contact me, so email me post-haste!

I just can’t wait to hear from y’all!

View the Southern Weddings Digital Edition Preview! + Print Ads + Blue Ribbon Vendors, Oh My!

Whitney — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 04:00:56 +0000

Well, clutch my pearls! Y’all may not have known, but we upgraded to a mega server three weeks ago to handle all the new traffic around these parts. We are just thrilled to upgrade to this new, roomier bit of the web!

In the process of changing over to our new server, it seems that some advertising inquiries went to cyberspace heaven.

Now, I just can’t stand the thought of all those lovely inquiries going unanswered. A Southern woman always sends a reply! If you haven’t heard back from me after your inquiry, I’d like to invite you to send me a quick email. With V4 right around the corner, we’ve got a ton of advertising goodies up our sleeves!

We would never, ever want you to miss out on getting your ad space in our biggest and best print edition yet! Send me an email in the next 48 hours and I promise that we can fit your pretty ad into V4.

Also, Brides and vendors alike, did you hear the great news? Southern Weddings V1, V2 and V3 will soon be available for you to view online! We are so, so thrilled to bring you the Southern Weddings Digital Trilogy! Want a sneak peak of all of the goodness? V3 is already online for your viewing pleasure. Come take a gander!

Last, but most certainly not least, email me and let me know if you would like an application for our new Blue Ribbon Vendors directory! We want Southern brides to have access to all of the best stylists, planners, photographers, caterers and more!

I just can’t wait to hear from y’all!

Sit a Spell with Me :: Whitney

Whitney — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 04:00:12 +0000

Hello, ladies + gents! Now that we have our super-fab team photos back from the amazing Millie Holloman, we thought we’d do some proper introductions! Some of us you’ve already met, some of us you may be meeting for the first time — but after this little Sit a Spell series, we hope you’ll feel like you know us even better! You’ve already met Nicole, Sierra, and Marissa, and now it’s Whitney’s turn! Whitney is poised, funny, kind, and quite fashionable — you’re all in for a treat! — Emily

Hey y’all! I’m just delighted that you’ve stopped by, and I’d love to tell you a bit more about me, myself and I! I’m the go-to gal for anything and everything ad related. See those gorgeous banners along the right side of your screen? I’m lucky enough to work with each and every one of those vendors. The print advertisers are fabulous, too! Pull up a chair, sit on down and grab some lemonade. Let’s begin!

1. I was the champion of the Idaho History Bee in 4th grade. Though I’m a Southerner at heart, when it comes down to it, I’m a transplant. I was raised in the good ol’ state of Idaho and I didn’t move to North Carolina until I was 16 years old. Ask me anything about the potato state and I’m sure that I could answer. State bird? The Mountain Blue Bird! Most famous Native American? Sacajawea! The best part of winning that bee was the trophy in the shape of Idaho. It’s still hanging on my wall.

2. I over-exaggerate. A lot. When it’s hot outside, it’s about a million degrees. If there’s a snow storm, we will never be able to go anywhere ever again. So, I’m a bit melodramatic and I have a flair for extremes, but it certainly makes life more interesting. By the way, the commute from my house to the office is about 20,000 hours.

3. In a previous life, I was a classical singer. Really. I took voice lessons for 12 years and competed in several voice competitions. I was obsessed with musical theater and took part in local productions of Les Miserables, The Wizard of Oz and Fame.

4. I drive a little white convertible and she has a very distinct personality. Her name is Shelby and we have had a long love-hate relationship. Some days, she is beautiful and agreeable and other days she just doesn’t want to do a thing. I honestly find myself talking to my car trying to coax her into behaving. I swear it works.

5. Last year, I got four Snuggies for Christmas (and Snuggies were not on my list). My family and friends all separately decided that I was in need of a Snuggie (or four). Maybe it is because I’m extremely cold-natured? Maybe I just look like I’d love a blanket with sleeves? Now, I am the proud owner of a pink Snuggie, a blue Snuggie, a Carolina-themed Snuggie and a leopard print Snuggie. I have a Snuggie for every mood!

6. Bees are attracted to my hair. I don’t know if it’s that bright red shade that lures them in or if it is the scent of my shampoo, but I cannot walk outside without a wasp bee-lining (get it?) straight for my head. It’s made for many uncomfortable outdoor experiences.

7. I’ve been to 48 states. Every summer when I was growing up, my dad would pack all of us into an RV and take us around the country. From east to west, north to south, I’ve seen it all. Which two states am I missing? Alaska and Hawaii, of course. They’re very hard to drive to.

8. I am terrified of trash. I will clean the bathroom and scrub the floors 10,000 times (there’s that exaggeration again) before I’ll touch the trash can. I’m a bit of a germaphobe and I will do just about anything to get out of taking the trash out.

9. I’ve been to Disney World more than 20 times. My grandfather and my uncle have both worked at the happiest place on earth since around the time I was born and my family takes a trip down to the sunshine state almost every year. I’ve met Mickey so many times that I bet he knows me by name.

10. In ten years, I hope to have a beautiful flat in a big city (maybe Atlanta?). The cars will bustle by stories below as I sit happily in front of a fireplace next to my future hubby. Maybe there will be a few rugrats and a cute puppy. For now, I’m just so happy to work with the women of Southern Weddings. Y’all, these girls are amazing!

Read more about me here!

Do we have something in common? Introduce yourself in the comments below!

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT, Y’ALL! :: Introducing the Blue Ribbon Vendors + The Southern Weddings Trilogy

Whitney — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 23:00:25 +0000

The Southern Weddings girls have been as busy as bees and we are simply thrilled to share some of the fabulous projects we’ve been working on with you!

The first big project we’ve been working on? We are turning our editorial eye to our former Wedding Resource Directory, and will soon be launching an index of the absolute best vendors the South has to offer to our darling brides.

Introducing the Blue Ribbon Vendor directory! Vendors, if you’re devoted to the client experience, produce exemplary work, and have glowing peer and client reviews to back you up, you could be just the type of vendor we’re looking for. Just contact me for an application!

BUT we’ve got even more Southern goodness up our sleeve! As you know, we’ve SOLD OUT of all of our previous editions, but we don’t want to leave those of you that didn’t manage to get a copy of V1, V2 or V3 high and dry.

To that end, we will be releasing digital versions of V1, V2 and V3 for y’all! The Trilogy, as we’ve dubbed it, will be available to view any time right here on the blog.

Any vendor that purchases a full page ad (or larger) in V4 will also get a complimentary full page ad in all three digital issues in The Trilogy! If you are not a V4 advertiser but would still like to advertise in The Trilogy, just send me an email and I’ll get right back to you.

Yippee, y’all! What do you think of our good news?

V3 :: Our Favorite Features :: Whitney

Whitney — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 12:00:08 +0000

Y’all, this was one of the toughest decisions I have ever, ever had to make. How in the world can I choose just one feature from Southern Weddings V3 as my favorite? I absolutely, positively adore so many parts of V3. What’s a girl to do?

Well, I’ve flipped through V3 a total of 23 times to finally make up my mind, but I am positive about my decision. My favorite feature from V3 just had to be the Up, Up and Away Southern honeymoon feature shot by fabulous photographers Jose Villa and Jen Curtis.

Could there be anything more romantic than sailing away with your fine gent in a multicolored hot air balloon to your honeymoon destination? I’d be hard-pressed to find a better form of transportation.

Then there’s that gorgeous couple. Between her Anthropologie dress (that matches the hot air balloon perfectly) and his Southern ensemble courtesy of local Chapel Hill favorite, Julians, this couple is sheer Southern honeymooning perfection.

I think my very favorite part of the feature are the eight fabulous honeymoon destinations. Some of the best and brightest writers in the wedding industry agreed to write about their favorite Southern honeymoon spots and I’m just dying to hop in the car and visit every single place. Are you in? Let’s go!

This trip down V3 memory lane has made me even more excited for all of the fabulous features in V4! It’s coming soon, y’all, and we just can’t wait till you see it!

Wanting more V3 nostalgia? Check out Emily, Nicole and Marissa’s favorite features:
Joey & Jessica’s Cover Shoot
Amelia Lyon’s Sweet Love
Jose Villa’s Something Blue

Do you want to see all of the wonderful vendors that worked on this feature? Just check it out in our editorial gallery!

Southern Weddings V4 :: BIG ANNOUNCEMENT

Whitney — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 12:00:29 +0000

Well, pick my peas! Ladies, gents and future advertisers, we have some wonderful news to share with you!

During this week’s fabulous staff meeting and after going through some amazing submissions this week, we came to the conclusion that we need more pages!!! A little inside info: when you add pages to a magazine you can’t just add any old random number. You have to add them in special groups called “signatures”. So, more great news! In adding the signatures we needed, we have a few pages left over for more ad goodness from fabulous vendors! 10 to be exact.

We are extending our ad deadline so you can get in on the awesome ad action! We expect these ad spots to fly fast, so email me ASAP to be one of the lucky 10. V4 is sure to be the biggest and best issue of Southern Weddings to date! YEEEHAW!!!

To reserve your space in the magnificently longer V4 issue, just fill out this little “getting to know you” form and I will get you all set up for V4 amazingness! I just can’t wait to show you all of the goodies in store!

P.S. That gorgeous image above was taken by photographer Josh Malahy, one of our fabulous print advertisers. Isn’t that bride just stunning?

Southern Weddings Print Ad Countdown :: 3 days!

Whitney — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 16:30:17 +0000

There is just something about this photo that makes me so very happy. Maybe its because of the adorable flower girls, or maybe its because the bride is drop dead gorgeous. Maybe it is because Paul Johnson is a fabulous photographer who caught the joy of the day perfectly in this photo. I think thats it!

Paul Johnson is joining us again for V4 and we couldn’t be happier to have him as part of the Southern Weddings advertising family. What’s that? You want to take part in the most amazing issue of Southern Weddings to date? Well, lucky you. There are FOUR more days to secure your spot in Southern Weddings V4!

It is easy as pie to inquire. Just fill out this form and I’ll get back to you in a jiffy!

Southern Weddings Print Ad Countdown :: 4 days!

Whitney — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 16:00:28 +0000

It’s all in the details.

From the type of cake (red velvet, please!) to the personalized vows, the little details are what sets a wedding apart. The details are what makes the personalities of the couple shine through.

The above photos show some of the gorgeous details at a sunny wedding planned by Carillon Weddings, one of our fantastic Florida sponsors. As a double whammy, Rae Leytham, the photographer, is also a Southern Weddings advertiser!

Want to be amongst the likes of fabulous vendors like Carillon Weddings and Rae Leytham? Your chance to see your ad in print is here! There are only 4 days to secure an ad spot in Southern Weddings V4! The last day to get an ad in our biggest and best print issue is this Friday, July 15th. All you have to do is fill out this form to get in touch. I can’t wait to get to know you!

Southern Weddings Print Ad Countdown :: 1 Week!

Whitney — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 16:00:22 +0000

Happy Friday, y’all! We are thrilled to usher in the weekend, but before we go, I wanted to leave you with this super Southern photo. Seersucker always leaves me swooning! This photo was taken at a gorgeous wedding by Asheville Event Company, one of our lovely print advertisers.

Do you want to see your ad in print? Well you have one week to secure your ad spot in the next print issue of Southern Weddings! Southern Weddings V4 is going to be amazing, y’all, and we want to make sure that you have a chance to be in it!

Just fill out this form before next Friday, July 15th so I can get to know you a bit better. I’m looking forward to finding the perfect fit for you.

Southern Weddings Print Ad Countdown :: 8 days!

Whitney — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 16:00:49 +0000

There is one aspect of a true Southern wedding that sets it apart from all others. Heart.

The traditions that are passed from one generation to the next and the focus on the family are what makes a wedding have that Southern feel. This photo by print advertiser Perez Photography sums up just how important family is to the Southern bride.

Family is extremely important to the Southern Weddings girls and we want to invite you to join the Southern Weddings ad family. There are only 8 days left to secure your ad spot in Southern Weddings V4! Next Friday, July 15th is the final day to join our family and we are so excited to welcome you.

If you are interested in finding out more about our ad options, take a gander at this form. I can’t wait to get to know you!

Southern Weddings Print Ad Countdown :: 10 Days!

Whitney — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 16:00:16 +0000

I hope y’all enjoyed the weekend’s holiday festivities! We know that it’s hard to get back into the work week, so we are bringing you tons of heavenly Southern wedding inspiration to help you keep that Fourth of July sugar high going.

The photos above are from Seaside, Florida, one of our very favorite places to have a dream Southern wedding. If you haven’t had a chance to make it out there, you need to book a trip immediately! You won’t regret it! Photographer Meg Baisden (who advertised with us since the very beginning – our first test issue!) took those gorgeous shots.

For you future advertisers out there, there are only 10 days to get your fab ad into Southern Weddings V4! Photographers, planners, bridal shops and all other wedding vendors, we want to see what you’ve got! If you are interested in advertising with us, fill out this form. The more we know about you, the better we can help you find your perfect advertising option!

Southern Weddings Print Ad Countdown :: 12 days!

Whitney — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 16:00:00 +0000

As you well know, today is July 4th! As you spend your day grilling out and watching fireworks, remember the other fourth, Southern Wedding’s fourth print edition!

There are only 12 days for you to secure your ad slot in Southern Weddings V4! The image above is from Erik Clausen, the mastermind at Poser:Image (and one of our fabulous print advertisers). For a double dose of photography goodness, that stunning photo comes from photographer Kari Crowe’s own wedding!

Shoot me an email if you want all of the juicy details about how to advertise in V4! Just as an added goody, I will shoot off a firework for all vendors that sign up today. Happy July 4th!

Southern Weddings Print Ad Countdown :: 14 Days!

Whitney — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 16:00:53 +0000

Future advertisers, lend me your ears!

There are only 14 days left to secure your ad spot in V4! Our next print edition is hitting shelves nationwide in September and you definitely don’t want to miss out on all the goodness in store! Today’s joyful image comes straight from photographer Anne Almasy, one of our amazing V1 advertisers. Join the fun by emailing me for details and rates!

Southern Weddings Print Ad Countdown :: 15 days!

Whitney — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 15:30:24 +0000

Did you hear the great news?

You still have 15 days to secure your spot in V4! That gorgeous photo above? It’s by Kelly Hornberger, one of our fabulous online + V3 print sponsors! Want to see your gorgeous ad in print? Just email me to learn all about the goodness that we have in store for vendors!