Kristin in our office loves to celebrate a birthday month, so we’re taking her lead this year and celebrating for 30 days instead of just one. After all, surviving and thriving for seven lucky years deserves some hoopla! Let’s kick off the party with a look at a few favorites – all in sets of seven!
Don’t forget – the link to our annual survey is at the bottom of this post!
More than any snack or photo or experience, though, we all agree the most important (and fulfilling!) work we’ve done over the last seven years is discovering our mission and using it to encourage our sweet readers. Our mission is to inspire brides to celebrate a life full of love – celebrating their families, the culture of the South, and what matters most to them – and then to draw from that rich well to plan a meaningful beginning to married life. In our own words, here’s what it means to each of us:
Emily: Our mission matters because every bride should have access to practical, relate-able, unbiased information that helps her plan a meaningful and beautiful wedding – and then get back to celebrating life with her love!
Lisa: Our mission matters because a wedding–a marriage–means the beginning of a family, and there is nothing more important, dignified, or beautiful than that.
Kristin: Our mission matters to me because I believe in the power of marriage and know that it has the ability to change the world. I believe in encouraging brides (and grooms) to focus on what matters most and thoughtfully prepare for their wedding AND their marriage.
Lara: Our mission matters because the wedding world is flooded with distractions from what truly matters. Brides often look first to Pinterest when starting their wedding planning journeys, but what will last longer is looking to their relationship with their spouse.
Marissa: Our mission matter because years from now, we won’t remember the days the bed wasn’t made or the dinners that were eaten on paper plates instead of fancy china. We’ll remember the times we laughed until we cried with our best friends, the feeling of being surrounded by everyone you love as you twirl during your first dance, and the sweet first smile of that tiny baby. And, that there is always a happily ever after (whatever that may be, or even if it involves hard work!).
Nicole: Our mission matters because every marriage is a unique story. It isn’t dictated by your past or your doubts, but by deep love, hard work, and the support of a wonderful community.
Morgan: Our mission matters because marriages are worthy of being celebrated! A wedding is an exciting, lovely, and important beginning to married life.
That’s the good stuff, y’all! Thank you, from the very bottom of our hearts, for joining us in spreading this mission. We could NOT ask for better readers, and we are so grateful for the ways you ladies encourage us, cheer us on, and link arms with us in living out our mission and the Sweet Tea Society every day. Cheers to y’all!
Could we ask one more favor? Our annual survey is up and we’d love for you to weigh in. (Personally, I love taking surveys, so I hope y’all do, too!) Everyone who completes the survey will receive a discount code for our shop – perfect for picking up the Southern Weddings Planner, our Project Life set, or the newest issue of the magazine! In addition, we’ll be drawing a winner from all those who submit their email addresses at the end and giving away one copy of the SW Planner (or, if you already have the Planner, a PL bundle!).
The survey should take about five minutes to complete, and we have two versions:
– CLICK HERE to take the survey if you are a bride or groom currently planning a wedding.
– CLICK HERE to take the survey if you are a wedding professional, a family member or friend, a married lady, or just someone who loves weddings!
Thank y’all SO much in advance!! We are grateful for you and want to do everything we can to make Southern Weddings even better!
Team photos by Jodi Miller, one of our Blue Ribbon Vendors!
I absolutely love your wedding detail photos and shots of happy couples!