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Author: Lisa
Dearest friends,
Four years ago, I got an email from Lara that I read during the closing credits of The Great Gatsby at the movie theater. It contained a job offer, and let’s just say that more than few moviegoers expressed concern over the tears I burst into! I packed up my Honda Accord and moved from Austin, Texas to Chapel Hill, North Carolina a month later.
Since then, I’ve worked on 15 photo shoots, traveled on 14 business trips, covered Bridal Market in NYC twice, attended the Making Things Happen Intensive six times, spoke at the Bliss and Bespoke and Trouvaille workshops, co-wrote the Joyful Wedding Planner, and wrote almost 1000 blog posts and probably close to 100 magazine features. More importantly, I had SO much fun. I believed wholeheartedly in the work I was doing, and the girls I worked with became like family to me.
As many of you know, a lot happened outside of work during these years, too. Dave and I got engaged. He moved to North Carolina. We got married and shared an incredible first year of marriage. We bought a house. And, in September, we became parents to our precious baby boy.
I had originally planned to follow in the footsteps of the many AMAZING, inspiring mamas I work with, but over the last few months, I’ve realized that this is a new season for me in more ways than one. Through many prayers, I made the very personal decision that my time with Southern Weddings had come to an end.
And so, I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you so much for your support over the years. It has been an incredible, humbling, and joyful privilege to celebrate so many of you as you got engaged, said “I do,” shared your beautiful weddings with us, and then stayed in touch as a newlywed. Many of you have become much more than readers to me—you’re precious friends! I will be in the front row of SW’s cheering squad as they move forward with two wonderful new team members I know you’ll love.
Being a part of Southern Weddings is something I will forever look back on with so much gratitude, and I will miss y’all so very much! Please do keep in touch on Instagram.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being the sweetest readers below the Mason-Dixon. It has been an honor to be a small part of your days through Southern Weddings.
All my love,
Lisa
P.S. I couldn’t resist—below, find some of my very favorite photos and memories of the past four years!
My first team photos, for V6–feels like forever ago! (Landon Jacob)
One of my most cherished Southern Weddings/life memories: when Dave proposed at the V6 launch party! (Callie Davis)
Working at and modeling in V7’s A Bushel and a Peck shoot with my then-fiancé–being on a magazine cover is now one of my go-tos for “Two Truths and a Lie” :) (Nancy Ray)
Meeting Carolina Herrera at my first Bridal Market with Emily. We were so starstruck! (Divine Light Photography)
One of my favorite team photo shots ever! (Jodi and Kurt)
Left: In the newly renovated editorial wing with Emily (Robyn Van Dyke); Right: Behind the scenes of my all-time favorite editorial, Texas Sweethearts. (Jen Dillender)
Two weeks before my wedding, the girls threw me a gorgeous surprise bridal shower! (Julia Wade)
An SW family photo at my wedding :) (Just missing Marissa and Brandon!) (Ryan Ray)
Another favorite from Bridal Market, this time with Kristin (Kat Harris)
The V8 launch party, with my mama and sister in attendance–so fun! (Theo Milo)
Silly selfies and one of my very first baby bump photos at the V9 team shoot (Jake + Heather)
And finally, the most recent launch party, which was such a joy to attend in the middle of my maternity leave! (AJ Dunlap)
A note from the rest of us: Needless to say, many tears have been shed over Lisa’s farewell. But mostly, we are so, SO grateful for all that she has given to our company and to y’all over the last four years–and how her love for our mission and our readers will live on in things like the Joyful Wedding Planner! Please join us in sending her love today!
Most of your engagement is about you and your fiancé, of course, but bridesmaids can add so much sweetness to your wedding planning experience, from celebrating with you when you find your dream dress, to showing up for a marathon crafting session with rosé in hand, to making you feel loved all throughout your wedding morning while you’re getting ready. With all they’re committing to do for you to make your engagement and wedding day especially wonderful, showing your appreciation to them throughout the process is a must for any gracious bride. Giving your bridesmaids a gift during your wedding week is pretty popular, but what can you do before that that will be quick and easy, but meaningful? Enter our new Southern Weddings Postcard Set!
Each set of ten postcards features a fun phrase and an adorable, Southern-inspired design. Here’s a tip: address and stamp a postcard for each one of your bridesmaids as soon as you get them. Then, whenever you feel inspired throughout your engagement, add your note and pop them right in the mail! The easier you make doing sweet things for your bridesmaids (or anyone, for that matter), the more likely you’ll be to carry them out.
Seriously, how cute are they? “Cheers to you” is my favorite, but the honeycomb print on “You’re the bee’s knees” is so much fun. I think it’s safe to say any of them would be an absolute delight to receive in the mail!
P.S. Looking for more ways to love on your bridesmaids throughout your engagement? Flip to the “Gracious Bride” section of the Joyful Wedding Planner!
Lisa, I’m sure SW was shaped by your presence and I know they will miss you dearly (there’s so much love in these pictures!). Wishing you all the best for a joyous new chapter of your life!
xo
Thank you so much, Bri! It was hard to narrow pictures down–there are so many sweet memories! Grateful for your kind words :)
You have plenty of readers above the Mason-Dixon as well, Lisa! This Virginia transplant to Chicago loves to pretend she’s still in the South. I’ll look forward to keeping up with your blog and Instagram!
I love that, Stephanie! Thanks so much :)
awwwww love you! I’ve loved following your SW journey and look forward to your next big steps! Big hugs!
I love you, sister!! Thank you for always being the best cheerleader :)
You will be so missed, Lisa! Your sweet voice and perspective has drawn so much meaning out of so many lovely weddings for us as readers, and I felt like I knew you before I met you at Making Things Happen! I’m wishing you all the best in this next step and am excited to continue to follow along with your adventures on Something Pretty!
Thank you so much, Catherine! You have been such a sweet encouragement to me!
Lisa, your sweet personality, style and encouraging words will be missed! I’m so excited for you to move into whatever it is you’ve been called to and I hope that it brings you joy!
xoxo, Jenn
Thank you so much, Jenn! I’m so grateful for your sweet words and encouragement!
Awe, I will miss you Lisa. :( But I will keep reading your blog! I started reading your blog, long before you started at Southern Weddings. When I read you were going to be working for my favorite wedding magazine, I was so happy! i wish you all the best!!
Thank you so much, Ashlie! It has been a wonderful experience, that’s for sure! :)
Lisa, I still remember meeting you for the first time at the Texas Sweethearts editorial shoot! What a joy it was to watch you thrive at doing what you love most. I know that you will continue to touch so many people’s lives as you move forward in this next step! Prayers and best wishes!
Kara! Thank you so much for your sweet comment. That shoot was so much fun, and I’m so glad I got to meet you through it! Grateful for your prayers and encouragement!
Hello,
I know the posting was 2013, but where did you order the save the dates for the NYE wedding?? Did you order the confetti on your own too?
I’m in love with these and we’re having a NYE wedding this year!!
Thank you!
Brittany