Break out the red velvet cake, y’all! Today is our Three Year Blogaversary!
When I started this blog, I just wanted a place to show local brides what I loved about weddings. Long story short, I was living in Pensacola when I met my husband. We moved to Ventura, CA, where he was being stationed. While I was there, I worked for some event greats like Mark’s Garden, Corridan and Company, Colin Cowie, etc. It was wedding design heaven. I learned so much and couldn’t wait to show Southern brides what was out there. This was back when the only blogs I remember were Faye and Greer, Style Me Pretty and Snippet and Ink, among a small handful of others.
I say “back in the day” as if it was 30 years ago, but it was only 3ish years ago. Time flies in the blog world! So, my husband got deployed to Iraq and I moved back to Pensacola to stay with my family while he was gone. I needed something to keep my mind busy while he was at war and – inspired by my time in LA – I really wanted to show Southern brides that there was more out there. So, I started the Southern Weddings blog in July 2007 with some local vendor friends and it took off like a freight train in Georgia! We didn’t make it official until April 2008 when we launched this very first design along with the first test issue of the magazine…
Ari thankfully came home from Iraq safely and – again, long story short – we moved here to Chapel Hill, NC. We launched the first official print edition to rave reviews. It sold out in the first three months! In November 2008 we launched the second version of the SW blog…
And now… here we are with all new digs. And a very sentimental me. I can’t take much credit for this beautiful blog now. Emily and Katharine (with awesome help from Sierra, Nicole, Whitney and Marissa) run the show… and boy howdy do they run it! Every day, I get so excited to read our blog and I pinch myself and say, “I KNOW these ladies! I work with them!” Miss Whitney has been with us almost since day one (love you, Whit!) and Emily and Katharine have been making this blog beautiful for two of our three years. I couldn’t be more grateful!
What’s even more exciting today is that our new Assistant Art Director – who we searched high and low and over yonder for – starts today. She won’t make her official debut on the blog for a bit, but we’re so excited to welcome her to the SW family and we can’t wait for you all to meet her soon!
It’s been a wonderful journey, y’all. I never ever thought I’d be spending my days with these wonderful women, doing “work” that makes my heart happy, with so much love and support from readers like you. Thank you, friends, for these wonderful years! Here’s to many more!
Congratulations, ladies!! Here’s to many more years of inspiring Southern brides…and non-Southern brides who wish they were Southern ;)
Have a great weekend!
Lisa
congrats! The blog is beautiful and a great inspiration! You ladies ROCK!
Congratulations!!! This is my favourite wedding blog by far, and I can’t tell you how much of my inspiration for my upcoming wedding has come from here. Great work, ladies!
So excited to see what you ladies come up with in the years to come! Congrats on three awesome years : )
Congratulations! I LOVE reading SW blog and magazine. What an amazing job you have done Lara! Longing to get into the social events side of the industry you are an inspiration. Thank you!
Congratulations, ladies! While I haven’t been a follower for all three years (I think I just discovered your gem within the last year), I’m LOVING it! Keep up the GREAT work!!
HAPPPPPPPPY THREE YEARS!
And to many many many more years to come!!!
Congratulations!!! I must have followed along almost since the beginning and it just keeps getting better and better. The sky’s the limit with all the talent you have between you!!