Google+ southern weddings job Archives - Southern Weddings

Southern Weddings

Tag: southern weddings job

Howdy, friends! Come on in, take off your shoes (we often do), and stay awhile! It’s been so fun to share the progress with y’all on Instagram as the Southern Weddings office renovation was underway, and now it’s time to share our finished space!

A little history: We moved into our current location in 2011. Over the years, we squeezed three, then four, then five desks into one big room. We shared an office tour back in 2013, right after Lisa arrived and before Morgan joined our team. As we added more inventory to the shops (here and here) and as Lara’s time transitioned to tasks that required more quiet (consults and book writing), a larger, reworked space moved to the top of our priority list. In 2014, we seriously considered moving to an entirely new space – we went and looked at it multiple times, etc. In the end, though, we decided to expand what we had, and through #theofficereno, ended up doubling our space (by pushing into the attic) and making it all work smarter and harder.

Let’s take a look around, shall we? Huge hugs to our friend and Blue Ribbon Vendor Robyn Van Dyke for these photos! When you walk up the stairs to our space, the first thing you’ll see are French doors leading into Lara’s office. It’s open, filled with light, and quiet, perfect for the good and hard work she’s been doing of writing a book (and another one!), consulting with small business owners, and leading our mission-focused team. Sometimes we like to come visit :)

From Lara:
How long I’ve been at SW: Since it was just an idea in my head, somewhere around 2007. You can read the whole story of how Southern Weddings came to be in my book, Make it Happen.
What I do: I drive momentum for the company and keep our focus on the big picture. I’m deeply invested in WHY we do what we do and seek to help us do it well through a solid back-end and managing finances, cultivating meaningful relationships, helping to hone the vision of our content, and I delight in seeing our team soar. Practically speaking, this means I do a lot of email, writing, and am on the phone often.
Why I do what I do: I am grateful to work alongside women who share a heart for what matters in marriage and in life. Our heartbeat in all we do through Southern Weddings, the Lara Casey Shop, the Making Things Happen Conference, and in every handshake and hug is to help women live on purpose. I am so passionate about this because of my own journey, having lived by accident for way too long. God changed everything and my goal is to help others know that same freedom!

My favorite thing about our new office: The women inside of it. It’s a joy to come to work each day and share in this work with them! I am also grateful that each woman has her own space that inspires her to make what matters happen. Our office is full of memories, photographs, and reminders of why we do what we do. I love that our space holds much meaning. I love the plants in my office, too!
My favorite part of my work day: Making a genuine connection with someone, whether through consulting with a small business owner, writing, an email, or a conversation had inside these walls. I also love the first minutes of my day when I read scripture and pray, and also when Gracie visits me :)
Typical work day lunch: I am a frequent eater, and not just because I’m eight months pregnant. I eat every couple hours, so “lunch” for me is relative. My typical mid-day meal is eggs, butternut squash, and broccoli.

What I always have on my desk: My Bible, my PowerSheets, and a glass of ice water. I have lots of natural light in my office and that comes with an increase in temperature, hence the ice! We joke that stepping into my office is like going from North Carolina to Florida.
Current desktop background: It’s a simple black and white graphic of my life verses: Exodus 14:14, Psalm 56:3, and Philippians 4:13.
Where I keep my to dos: I have used Things since I started in business and I love it! I keep my PowerSheets out to remind me where to focus each day and my action items go in Things, which also syncs with my phone so I can easily add to-do’s when I’m away from my desk. You can read more about how I use Things here.

Let’s continue the tour! After saying goodbye to Lara, we’ll cross the hallway to the main HQ.

Our new space includes tons more storage for prints, planners, PowerSheets, and Project Life! Lots of packing tape, too :)

Up until a week or so ago (and when these photos were taken!), Morgan’s desk was on the left. Morgan, our Shop Manager and Junior Art Director, recently left us to take a new job at a graphic design firm. We already miss her (and her fabulous watercolor skills!), but are excited for her new opportunity! Here’s a peek at her space anyway:

Moving around the perimeter from Morgan’s desk, you’ll see more shelving, as well as a whole closet devoted to packing supplies and collateral!

Nicole’s colorful desk is up next.

From Nicole:
How long I’ve been at SW: 5 years ago this month, I started my internship with SW and have been here ever since!
What I do: I oversee and create all of our visual communication with our readers, from blog graphics, to social media imagery, to the magazine! Making sure all of our visual components are consistent helps us build trust with those who see it.
Why I do what I do: I do what I do because relationships are so much more than love stories. Having seen my fair share of bad relationships and the ways they create ripples of doubt, I know that great relationships (whether they’re with your beau, your friends, or your coworkers) can create ripples of hope and love that are much farther reaching. Great relationships inspire positive change, little by little.

My favorite thing about our new office: Emily and Lisa’s cozy editorial wing — I often find excuses to sit on their couch and discuss projects with them instead of talking to them from my desk.
My favorite part of my work day: Any time we have a team meeting. I love seeing all (or most) of the gals in one spot and bouncing ideas around! Plus, it is usually a great excuse to bounce on our exercise balls.
Typical work day lunch: I am so bad at lunch. It’s usually a combination of random snacks from home, like fruit, trail mix, cereal, and sometimes dinner leftovers.
What I always have on my desk: Gifts from Gracie. Currently, it’s a plant in a little orange painted pot.
Current desktop background: These strawberries from last summer’s office outing are on my desktop. This orange painted background is on my laptop.
Where I keep my to dos: I keep major to-dos on my Tending List for the month, and write down daily tasks in my Make it Happen sketchbook. They’re both always within reach to keep me on track. Projects for the season that need to be broken down and distributed from person to person live on a whiteboard behind my desk.

My best guess here is that Grace is asking Nicole for a cookie – they are stored in her nook :)

Last but not least, welcome to the editorial wing, y’all!

From Lisa:
How long I’ve been at SW: Almost two years
What I do: Along with Emily, I handle lots of the writing and copy editing for the blog and magazine, and we work together to plan and execute editorial shoots across the South! I also manage the SW Instagram.
Why I do what I do: I believe that a wedding–a marriage–means the beginning of a family, and that there is nothing more important, dignified, or beautiful than that. There’s no sweeter start to newlywed life than a celebration where you can share what you believe about marriage, faith, and family with your loved ones, and then soak up their support and joy! I’m grateful that at Southern Weddings, I have the opportunity to encourage brides to plan meaningful weddings, but more importantly, to work toward marriages that will last forever.
My favorite thing about our new office: The wall of inspiration in the editorial wing! Along with mine and Emily’s individual boards, we also have a bulletin board for our editorial inspiration boards and pictures from weddings we’ve accepted for the upcoming issue. It’s so exciting to see the elements of V8 come together, one by one!

My favorite part of my work day: I love reading real wedding interviews–our sweet brides are so thoughtful, creative, and inspiring!
Typical work day lunch: Blueberries as a snack around 10:30, leftovers from dinner the night before around 12:30. Lately, Dave and I can’t get enough of burrito bowl-inspired dishes.
What I always have on my desk: A water bottle, my to do lists, a copy of V7, and my monogrammed tissue box (for wedding video and proposal story-induced tears!).
Current desktop background: A sweet picture my aunt snapped of Dave and I in our vintage car after our ceremony–one of my favorite moments of our wedding day!
Where I keep my to dos: I have one list for real wedding posts to edit and one list for everything else, both on notepads from the Lara Casey Shop.

From Emily:
How long I’ve been at SW: Almost six years.
What I do: Along with Lisa, I conceptualize, plan, and execute editorials for our print edition. I also field all submissions and determine the content and schedule for the blog and print editions. I also am lucky enough to work on many of SW’s special projects, like the Planner.
Why I do what I do: For as long as I can remember, I’ve thought wedding days were magical. My own wedding day was one of the best days of my life, and I know it was so fulfilling and, well, magical in part because I put all of my years of inside wedding knowledge to use. I want everyone to have that same great info throughout their engagement so that they are freed up to focus on the joy of celebrating and their marriage to come.
My favorite thing about our new office: I really love coming in every day and seeing our “we make the magic” chalkboard. It’s a great reminder of the beauty, mystery, and out-of-body joy of a wedding day.

My favorite part of my work day: I love any project where I get to collaborate with another SW gal! Whether it’s chatting through dress options for a shoot with Marissa, confirming layout with Nicole, or reviewing Blue Ribbon Vendor applications with Kristin, I always leave happy and inspired. They’re not part of my regular work day, but I of course love road trips for shoots with my main squeeze Lisa!
Typical work day lunch: Always leftovers from dinner the night before, as John and I are very particular about making sure we have the correct amount of “leftover makers” in the meal plan for the week. On the rare day I’m somehow stranded without, I’ll usually bring in my favorite comfort food concoction – Annie’s mac and cheese with mustard and peas added :)
What I always have on my desk: My Mason Bar Company water bottle, my Emily Ley planner, my phone, my to do list, and two photos: one from our wedding day, and one of my favorite view in the world.
Current desktop background: Lisa thinks this is hilarious. My background is and always has been one of the standard Mac galaxy images. I have this theory that if I were to instead use a photo of my loved ones or a favorite place, I would subconsciously wish I were there/with them every time I opened my computer instead of where I am. I don’t want to wish my life away, so I keep it simple. However, seeing as I DO keep a photo of just those things on my desk anyway, my theory might be flawed. Anyway, the galaxy works for me :)
Where I keep my to dos: I love the gold foil notepads from the LC Shop, as well!

We also have two beloved gals who work remotely for Southern Weddings – Marissa and Kristin! Though you don’t see their smiling faces in these photos, rest assured they are an integral part of our office!

From Marissa:
How long I’ve been at SW: Five years (!) and one month
What I do: I work with our sponsor family to create powerful and successful campaigns that not only drive revenue to our business in order to allow us to continue to share our mission with readers, but also connects those dear readers to the right vendor.
Why I do what I do: I truly believe that love never fails, what matters most should not be at the mercy at what matters least, and in happily ever after (whatever that may be or even if it involves hard work!).
My favorite thing about our new office: Wish I could say I have a favorite part, but since I haven’t seen it post-office reno, I would have to say the bright pink exercise balls. There is something so fun about sitting in a meeting, and watching as every now and then one of the girls in the office will bob up and down ;)
My favorite part of my work day: Whenever I can share our mission with a potential client it always brightens my day. Also, since I’m normally a numbers and negations gal, when I get to help Emily and Lisa choose and pull gorgeous gowns for editorials I might get a bit (too) excited!
Typical work day lunch: I love leftovers! While most people snub their nose at them, most days I re-heat last night’s dinner for lunch.
What I always have on my desk: Water! I’m embarrassed to admit that most of the time it’s a collection of half-drunk bottles.
Current desktop background: A pink, black, and white graphic that reads “It’s going to be o.k.” :)
Where I keep my to dos: I’m an old fashioned pen and paper kind of gal. I keep all my to dos in a good ol’ wire bound notebook.

From Kristin:
How long I’ve been at SW:​ 3 years in July!​
What I do: I get to love on our sweet Blue Ribbon Vendors and help connect our darling readers with just the right vendors to help bring their big day to life. I help Marissa with our fantastic sponsor family, driving our business so that we can continue to share our mission with the world! I also proudly consider myself our office cheerleader – woo! :)
Why I do what I do: A lot of life happens after you say “I do” and the idea of having a marriage more beautiful that your wedding is one that makes my heart sing. I love being able to give brides access to practical wedding advice, beautiful inspiration, and heartfelt marriage encouragement all at once. Throw in some biscuits, sweet tea, and a few farm animals, and I’m all in.
My favorite thing about our new office: I got a peek at the offices mid-reno and I am not sure I can pick a favorite, although EAT + LJK’s editorial nook is quite cozy! I definitely plan to camp out on the coach during my next visit!​
My favorite part of my work day:​ ​Video chatting with any of the SW gals. Working remotely means I spend most of my day talking to myself. I love getting the chance to collaborate on a project with any of the gals, start a quick Google Hangout and have all their sweet faces pop up on my computer screen in a flash. It makes it feel like we’re sitting in the same room!
Typical work day lunch:​ Having recently relocated to Florida, it means I have access to ​tons of fresh fruits and veggies (+1 for FL), so most days lunch is leftovers and some fresh fruit or a salad. However, my favorite meal of the day is breakfast, and I’ll regularly whip up eggs (two, over easy) for lunch if I didn’t have them to start my day!
What I always have on my desk:​ A big ol’ glass of water, ​my to-do list(s), some scratch paper, and chapstick.
Current desktop background:​ My most favorite photo of KPW + me during a shoot with sweet Julia Wade.​
Where I keep my to dos:​ A combination of my tending list and a daily and ongoing to do list. It’s no secret that I love my lists.​

Well, there you have it – the South’s longest tour of one small office! We’re grateful for our space, but so much more grateful for what it allows us to do. I hope y’all loved this peek!

Photography: Robyn Van Dyke | Desks and Shelving: Ikea | Chairs and Exercise Balls: Amazon | Chair Monograms: Dixieland Monogram | Lara’s Side Chairs: World Market | Storage Boxes: Emily Ley | Prints, Notepads, Desk Cards, PowerSheets, Planners, and Journals: Southern Weddings Shop and Lara Casey Shop | Gold Laser-cut Logo: Southern Fried Paper

emily Written with love by Emily
23 Comments
  1. avatar Emily reply

    Loving everything white with the vivid pops of color! It sounds like you ladies have a wonderful kinship and an incredible drive for the work you do. Really inspiring. Strong, Driven Women Rock!

  2. avatar Madison reply

    Great job ladies! What an awesome space for creative juices to flow. I love the crisp white next to the bright colors.

    Kristin! I love your pink pants, where did you get them?

  3. avatar Teresa reply

    Gorgeous and inspring office design! What kind of white paint is that?

  4. avatar Mandy Campbell reply

    Beautiful and inspiring space ladies! Keep up the good work!

  5. avatar Sara reply

    I’m obsessed with this workspace! It’s gorgeous, full of natural light and all those gorgeous pops of pink, blue and orange – LOVE! What an inspiring place to work! I followed the #officereno on IG, and it’s so fun to see the finished product. Thanks for sharing, ladies!

  6. avatar Bridget reply

    Your office is so beautiful and inspiring – next time I need more PowerSheets, I’d love to stop by for a visit and sit a spell :)

  7. avatar Alex reply

    Looks so bright and lovely!! Excited for y’all and your new digs!

  8. avatar Kyla Fetzner reply

    This is fabulous ladies!! I am particularly smitten with the editorial wing. This space is such a wonderful reflection of your hearts and your mission and is so cheerful :)

  9. avatar featured: style me pretty living » Robyn Van Dyke Photography Blog reply

    […] It’s no secret here that we adore the wonderful ladies at Southern Weddings and their hearts for strong, meaningful marriages and sweet, southern details! So we were […]

  10. avatar Jessica Thornton reply

    It is absolutely perfect!

  11. avatar Keating reply

    The office is absolutely gorgeous! I would love to someday run my own business from my home and have a beautiful space like that! :)

  12. avatar Leanne Caroline reply

    Stunning space! Thank you for sharing. I love how white and light it is.

  13. avatar Alicia Thompson reply

    I am gushing over this. I love it all! Where did you all get the white photo boards?

  14. avatar Denise reply

    Your workspace is so dreamy! It makes me want to be a part of your team :3

  15. avatar Emily reply

    Do you have the link for the bulletin boards? In love with the clean, blank space they provide.

  16. avatar Megan reply

    Hi! I love the new office space! I am curious – can you share the type of chair that is at Lara’s desk? It looks very comfy and supportive :) I just happened to be shopping for an office chair :). Thanks!

  17. avatar Liz reply

    Those pink yoga balls! This space is a dream (I work remotely too and I’m always looking for office inspo :) Those yoga balls make me immensely regret my purchase of a blue one – as soon as it retires, pink it is! Love the color palette, what a gorgeous and inspiring place to work <3

  18. avatar An Inspiration Board for This Season reply

    […] from top left: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 […]

  19. avatar Inspiration Board No. 7: Twenty Three – Kyla Mary reply

    […] from top left: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 […]

  20. avatar 2017 Inspiration Board – Kyla Mary reply

    […] clockwise from the top left: Robyn Van Dyke via Southern Weddings, Landon Jacob via Southern Weddings, Nancy Ray, Creative Market, Heather Bullard, East Coast […]

  21. avatar My Sources of Inspiration – Kyla Mary reply

    […] Robyn Van Dyke via Southern Weddings […]

Southern Weddings reserves the right to delete comments which contain profanity or personal attacks or seek to promote a business unrelated to the post.  And remember: a good attitude is like kudzu – it spreads.  We love hearing your kind thoughts!

Reply to:
close

Our small but mighty team is growing, friends! One of our favorite things that we all have our hands in is relationship building and delighting our readers and customers with great service. It makes our day to chat about marriage on Instagram with you, to help you package up our wedding planner as a gift to your best friend, and to tell you about all the exciting things that are happening in our office! The more we grow and our mission spreads, the more we have need of a person who could be fully dedicated to this part of our company. While each of us will always have a hand in managing our conversations with you, we’re excited to hire someone who can officially become our new Marketing and Customer Delight Manager!

Think you’re the right person for the job? Take a look at our job description and requirements below, as well as the link to apply. We know the right addition to our team will shine through an energetic, Southern voice, and will integrate into our office culture seamlessly. Each of us values independent and efficient workers who can also thrive in collaborative environments. Though we intend to add a new worker bee to our ranks, we’re also looking for someone we completely trust who has both integrity and charm.

The person most fit for this position:

  • Has a positive attitude
  • Is a team player
  • Has a Southern voice
  • Is well-spoken
  • Is energetic
  • Has experience with marketing/marketing strategy
  • Is an early adopter of new technology
  • Has a love for marriage and the South
  • Has an indefatigable spirit and thrives on “situation solving”
  • Has a great grasp of grammar and punctuation
  • Thrives on relationship building and exceeding expectations with charm

Job Description & Responsibilities:

  • Cultivate trust in our readers through relationship building and marketing efforts.
  • Manage, track, and grow our campaigns, programs, and relationships
  • Collaborate with the design and editorial teams to create well-timed social campaigns to promote events, new products, and new features
  • Create in-office imagery and help with product styling
  • Respond to all customer service inquiries via social media and email with a positive and friendly voice
  • Infuse our social media voice with our brand’s core and mission
  • Write and schedule all social media posts
  • Post to all social media accounts, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Google Plus for all Lara Casey Media brands, including Southern Weddings, the Lara Casey Shop, and Making Things Happen
  • Identify brand advocates and leverage their voice to further encourage strong relationships in our readers
  • Track our social media analytics and use the data to guide new efforts
  • Spearhead brand social conversations and marketing plans, including some in-person events
  • Coordinate and manage quarterly themes
  • Help pack orders, when needed

Job Requirements

  • Must have at least two years of professional experience in marketing and/or social media
  • Must be able to lift at least 50 pounds
  • Must be able to begin working full time in our Chapel Hill office in July
  • Must be able to commit to 4-5 interviews (including at least one in-person interview)

Click here to fill out our job application. We’d suggest giving yourself 30-45 minutes to complete it. Applications will close Friday, May 29.

For more information about working at Southern Weddings and what we look for, explore our Working with Southern Weddings page.

nicoleyang Written with love by Nicole
20 Comments
  1. avatar Laura reply

    I wouldn’t be qualified for this position, but I’m always keeping my eye out for when you want to hire an in-house baker/crafter/office manager :) Can’t wait to see who you add to the team!

  2. avatar Kristie Bradley reply

    Oh how I wish I was close to you! Your brand, passion, hearts are all wonderful and whoever gets to join this team is a lucky lady!

  3. avatar Meghan reply

    Crying that I live across the country! I LOVE you ladies at Southern Weddings and wish so badly that I could join you! Good luck!

  4. avatar Stephanie Rickman reply

    Hello!

    I am trying to apply for the position and in the “Education & Achievements” section, after I select the year of graduation, the “next” button disappears. What is the best way to get around this?

    • avatar Emily reply

      Hi Stephanie! I’m guessing you graduated in 2014 or 2015. For this position, we are looking for someone who has two years of work experience, so that is why the application won’t move forward!

  5. avatar Rachel Nordgren reply

    This is so exciting! Out of curiosity, does “Southern voice” have to mean “Southern accent”?

  6. avatar Kirsti reply

    I have always prayed that I would have an opportunity to work with SW, however I wouldn’t be able to move to NC right now. I hope you all are blessed with amazing applicants that will be great new team members!

  7. avatar Hilari reply

    Oh how exciting!! Fabulous news on a Monday after my own wedding weekend :)

  8. avatar Autumn reply

    I feel that my years spent in the bridal industry, as well as my career in communications, has all led up to this moment. Not to mention that my husband and I are moving to Durham/Chapel Hill later this summer. I am so excited to apply.

  9. avatar Stacey Greene reply

    I am so excited for this opportunity to apply! Southern Weddings is an extension of my passions in life and I am honored to be part of the application process. Good luck to your team and everyone else who is applying!

  10. avatar Suzannah reply

    On the application is states “where did you get your BA?” Are you guys only looking for individuals with a BA, or do other degress work?

  11. avatar Brittney Scurry reply

    Should recent grads not apply for this position?
    When I went through the application and put my graduation year I was unable to continue.

    • avatar Lisa reply

      Hi Brittney! For this position, we are looking for someone who has at least two years of post-grad work experience. Thanks so much for your interest! :)

  12. avatar Stacey Greene reply

    Question: Will all candidates be contacted?
    Thank you so much for this incredible opportunity!

  13. avatar Mary Hannah Statham reply

    Hi there!

    Are you still accepting applications for the Marketing & Consumer Delight Position? I would love to apply if so! I will be relocating to Raleigh at the end of July and am a big fan of Southern Weddings!

    Thanks,
    Mary Hannah

    • avatar Nicole reply

      Hi Mary Hannah! We’re so grateful for your interest! The applications are closed, but we’re looking forward to keeping in touch through the blog!

    • avatar Courtney reply

      I just saw your comment today. SW re-opened the application, but it’s due today. If you’re still interested act quick! Good luck to you too!

Southern Weddings reserves the right to delete comments which contain profanity or personal attacks or seek to promote a business unrelated to the post.  And remember: a good attitude is like kudzu – it spreads.  We love hearing your kind thoughts!

Reply to:
close

Belles, we are so excited to have a special feature on The Everygirl today! Be sure to hop over and check it out right here; I know you’ll love hearing what Lara and Nicole had to say! They’re sharing a little peek inside our office, which reminded us that even though we’ve been in our new space for more than two years, we’ve never done a proper tour. For shame! It’s time to flesh out the behind-the-scenes sneak peeks we love to share on instagram, so step inside and pour yourself a glass of sweet tea. We also sprinkled some info in between the photos, because we realized not all of y’all know exactly what each of us do!

When you enter the SW office, my and Lisa’s desks are against the far wall. Hello!

Above: our custom color chalkboard wall — I generally take it upon myself to add the message of the day :)

Above: the shelves above my desk and my bulletin board. The little monogram canvas was a gift from one of our past interns — you can buy them in her shop here! My bulletin board has a few favorite photos and tears as well as a seed packet from our Family Heirlooms story and a bouquet locket with one of my parents’ wedding photos (if you have sharp eyes, you’ll spot it in V6!).

From Emily:
How long I’ve been at SW: 4.5 years
How I got my job: Lara and I connected over a lovely journal through my personal blog. I then wore her down until she hired me post-graduation :)
What I do: I conceptualize, plan, and execute editorials for our print edition. I also field all submissions and determine the content and schedule for the blog and print editions. I also am lucky enough to work on many of SW’s special projects.
What I love most about working at Southern Weddings: I love that I love what I do! I feel so much ownership in our company and our mission, and it’s exciting to see the fruits of our work in the hearts of our readers and partners every day.
What I love about our office: I love the color of the walls and the angles in the ceiling — it feels cozy but also airy, kind of like a manicured tree house.
How we work together as a team: Though we all work very independently (setting our own schedules, priorities, etc.) we are in constant communication about projects and decisions. Our responsibilities are also very elastic, and they overlap — on any given week, I am almost surely working on a different project with each of the other ladies.
Something you might not know about how we work: I famously eat lunch around 3pm every day. I tend to eat dinner around 9pm, so it works for me! :)

Fun fact: Lisa had only been in the office a week or two when these photos were taken! She had to get her bulletin board in ship shape right off the bat :)

From Lisa:
How long I’ve been at SW: Four months
How I got my job: I knew I wanted to work at Southern Weddings for most of college, so in 2010, I started my own wedding blog as a portfolio of my wedding knowledge and writing ability. At the beginning of my last semester of college, I reached out to Emily to tell her more about myself and ask her what else I could do that would make me the best possible candidate for SW, should an opportunity arise. Less than a month later, a position opened up that they thought I could be a great fit for. I interviewed for a few months, was offered the job three days after graduation, and moved to Chapel Hill from Texas a month later!
What I do: My time is split between working as an editor and the shop manager. As an editor, I write and edit for both the blog and magazine, help coordinate and execute editorial shoots, and communicate with PR companies. As shop manager, I process orders from the Southern Weddings and Lara Casey shops, communicate with customers, and monitor how the products perform.
What I love most about working at Southern Weddings: I love the opportunity to serve our sweet readers through sharing meaningful inspiration and encouraging them to focus on what matters in their wedding planning. I also love being part of such an amazing team, helping to make editorial magic happen, and getting to write every day.
What I love about our office: I love our monogrammed office chairs. They’re comfy and cute, of course, but since they roll, they also allow us to rearrange our chairs easily, in order to squeeze in front of the desktop for our weekly Google Hangout meetings or work together on different projects. It’s funny how something as basic as office chairs contributes to the collaborative environment at SW, but it absolutely does!
How we work together as a team: We work together in a very collaborative way — a typical real wedding blog post may consist of Emily placing images, me editing the interview, Marissa writing the introduction and comments, and Nicole putting together the gallery. Because we work together closely on so many aspects of our work, we all really respect one another’s strengths and talents, and look for opportunities to help each other do our best work.
Something you might not know about how we work: We are hardly ever all in the same place–in the four months I’ve been here, I have only seen Marissa in person once! Also, Emily rarely eats lunch before 3 p.m., and when Nicole and I are the only ones in the office, we play the “Country Barbecue” Pandora station all day. :)

On the opposite wall is Lara’s desk and the Big Mac, where Nicole often works!

Why yes, we do have a collection of chickens… and chicken office supplies. In our defense, most of them are gifts.

It’s high time we discussed those monogrammed office chairs, because I know they’re quite popular. In fact, if they appear in an instagrammed photo, that’s ALL y’all want to talk about! :) Here’s the scoop: the chairs are from Flash Furniture on Amazon, and the monograms are vinyl clings from Dixieland Monogram! Now go forth and letter to your heart’s content.

From Lara:
How long I’ve been at SW: Since I first got an itch late one night to make up a magazine cover on my little 13 inch PC :) It was 2007, right before my first wedding anniversary, and the rest, as they say, is history!
How I got my job: It has been a long road to get here, but in short I would say I got my job by asking for it. When I first started, I would email people like Mindy Weiss and Preston Bailey and simply ask them if they would let me interview them. And I kept asking. Here I am many years later, and I am still asking.
What I do: Day-to-day, my activities include being on the phone, doing consulting for small business owners, making editorial decisions with Emily, creating new shop products and doing magazine layout with Nicole, managing challenges that arise, doing all the financial planning and book keeping, speaking at conferences about authentic branding and the core of a solid business, motivating our amazing team, and — among many other things — replying to a whole lot of email.
What I love most about working at Southern Weddings: I love helping people have stronger marriages and helping them focus on what matters most. There is no greater joy in my work!
What I love about our office: Our office is so calming and inspiring. There are visual reminders everywhere of our mission statement and WHY we do what we do!
How we work together as a team: While I am technically “the boss,” we truly are a team. We each have ownership of a special area of the company, not a list of tasks to do daily from “the boss.” There is a great sense of responsibility and pride that is cultivated in our office through constant focus on our mission. We know WHY we do what we do and that drives us to be our best, working independently and as a team to make our mission happen.
Something you might not know about how we work: Our office motto is, “If you’re not excited about it, no one will be.” We all work hard to use our own unique talents each day to make our mission happen in ways that truly light our hearts on fire. With each person I’ve hired, there has been a constant focus on using each of our gifts to the full.

Nicole’s real desk is off in a corner by itself, and we unanimously agree that it is the happiest part of the office.

From Nicole:
How long I’ve been at SW: Three and a half years-ish.
How I got my job: In college, I went to hear Lara speak at a campus group event and was convinced that I needed to intern with her. I applied and got the position and they stayed with SW for another year as we continued to grow like kudzu. After graduation, I was finally offered the position I’ve always dreamed of!
What I do: I create most of the visuals associated with Southern Weddings, including blog graphics, shop and brand collateral, magazine layout (which Lara and I do together) and marketing materials. I act as the visual brand ambassador, helping boost our value and recognition.
What I love most about working at Southern Weddings: There’s a little bit of everything involved. One day, you could be doing manual labor, the next day you could be picking which dress you want to wear to the launch party. Though we have many of the same tasks day in and day out, we’re always trying something new and because we’re a small office, every part of the Southern Weddings machine is tended to by us. We package the magazines ourselves, we craft our own props for photo shoots, we call our hosting provider if the site goes down. Some of these things aren’t remotely glamorous or fun, but they give us a pride and ownership in what we do.
What I love about our office: There’s inspiration everywhere! We all have big bulletin boards that we hang our favorite paper pieces and photos on, our favorite images from all volumes of the magazine are on our wall, there’s a whole closet of cute prints from the SW and LC shop and we’re constantly getting mail from amazing and creative vendors. I love that we’ve taken the time to find comfy office chairs, to paint the walls, and to make our individual spaces our own.
How we work together as a team: We are truly a team effort and the best part is that we all like, respect and enjoy working with each other! We all have responsibilities that we’re solely in charge of, but we don’t make big decisions without consulting each other, which gives us all a great well-rounded view of the processes behind SW. While we can have our hands in many different projects, I think we’re all very good at playing up each other’s strengths. I always let Emily and Lisa write the text for graphics or collateral I’m working on, even if I could do it myself, because they’re amazing with words. And Emily and Lara, although they know the Adobe Creative Suite, always leave big graphic tasks to me.
Something you might not know about how we work: It’s quiet! For the most part, we all work very independently and we have what we need to get a task done. Every once and while, we’ll pause to collaborate on something or discuss something together, but for the most part, you’ll hear keys tapping and mice clicking. Of course, when I’m in the office alone, the music comes on!

Now, you may be asking yourself, why don’t I see the lovely faces of Marissa and Kristin? Read on…

We’re proud of the work we create and have no fewer than fifteen framed prints from past editorials gracing our walls! Also, not to confuse anyone: those Gobstoppers most definitely belong to Nicole. Half of her instagram photos are of these little pieces of sugary goodness.

From Marissa:
How long I’ve been at SW: 3 years and 8 months
How I got my job: After reading a very inspiring blog post by Lara, I took a big leap and emailed her a raw and personal email expressing my desire to work for Southern Weddings. After interviewing in the office, I was offered a very part time position working for Lara Casey Reps. Over the years, my position has transitioned and been refined to what I do now.
What I do: I work with local and nationals brands to help grow their businesses by creating custom marketing plans that connect them with their target audience, the darling Southern Weddings readers. I am also delighted to work editorially by writing Real Wedding intros and other fun features on the blog and in print that focus on our core mission.
What I love most about working at Southern Weddings: Besides the amazing group of women I get to work with everyday, I love working for a company that values what matters most: family, love and marriage.
What it’s like to work remotely with SW: While I’d love to be able to work in our beautiful office with my lovely coworkers, it’s such a blessing for me to be able to work remotely. Even though Kristin and I are not there physically, we Google Hangout during our staff meetings, and many other times throughout the week, creating “face-to-face” time for creative brainstorming. I work regular business hours, just from a different place (and without biscuits breaks!). Most importantly, we make it a priority to keep a strong connection with the team in the office to ensure we all stay focused on the same mission and goals.
Something you might not know about how we work: We LOVE Google Docs! It’s true, as a team we must have over 50 docs! It’s such a great way for us to connect on big projects and keep everything organized and in one place.

From Kristin:
How long I’ve been at SW: 1 year, 3 months, 26 days (or, sixteen sweet months)
How I got my job: It started with a bold proclamation to Lara, upon a happenstance meeting at an SW event in December of 2011, that I thought we should work together some day. I had previously applied for an open SW position in the spring of 2011. Another position opened up in 2012, and after applying, I followed up with a promise to make the office my world-famous chocolate chip cookies or Tar Heel pie. I guess I won everyone over with the promise of sweet treats and my savvy Excel skills.
What I do: I get the joy of overseeing the Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory — helping to cultivate and maintain a list of the best and brightest vendors below the the Mason Dixon. This means I get the chance to interact with and fall in love with some of the sweetest people in the South. I also tab a stab at blogging on the occasion along with helping Marissa out with the overall SW advertising goals and objectives.
What I love most about working at Southern Weddings: Is the food an acceptable answer? :) The food is definitely a highlight, but the thing I love most is the fact that I get to work with ladies that share a similar heart for marriage, a passion for what matters most and a drive to help brides cultivate a life (and wedding celebration) of love and joy.
What it’s like to work remotely with SW: I am very grateful for technology and the ability to virtually ‘hangout’ with the SW gals whenever needed. I am also lucky enough to get into the office every couple of months to re-charge my SW batteries. While I can get envious of Friday Tea Service — I have learned that it is best to join in the fun so I pull put my tea (sweet or hot) on Friday afternoons and play along from the comfort of my home office!!
How we work together as a team: Three cheers for DropBox, Google Docs and Google Hangout. We work really hard to use technology to our advantage to keep us connected, to stay on the same page and to produce the highest-quality work. Our mission statement is the foundation of everything that we do, which produces an incredibly cohesive working environment.

You’ve heard of our shipping department? If not, see here, here, and here. Our little golden chicken mascot (Henrietta) and the shipping sign were 2012 Christmas gifts to Lara!

And that’s a wrap, folks! BIG thanks to our friend Faith Teasley, a Blue Ribbon Vendor, for taking these photos! Any questions about the SW office? Leave them in the comments! And be sure to check out Lara’s post on our office today for a different perspective!

emily Written with love by Emily
27 Comments
  1. avatar Emily reply

    Love this peak into the office!!! Such a beautiful and inspiring place to work!

  2. avatar Emily reply

    PS Nicole! I’m obsessed with that penguins piece on your board! Where is that from?!

  3. avatar Kat reply

    Oh I just love seeing where the magic happens :) Emily, I love that little monogram canvas!! And, I just love how fresh, clean and BRIGHT the entire office is!

  4. avatar Laura reply

    I have so been looking forward to this post! I love getting a behind-the-scenes look at your office, it seems like a wonderful and inspiring place to work.

  5. avatar Sara Velordi reply

    Oh my goodness, how I miss this pretty little office (and all of y’all’s pretty faces!). Love this so much!

  6. avatar Madi Reid Sanders reply

    Love it, ladies! It has been so much fun to watch this office grow over the past few years and read about what each of y’all love about your careers.
    Always cheering you on from afar,
    Madi

  7. avatar Stacy reply

    What a beautiful office! Seems like a wonderful place to work :)

  8. avatar Shelby reply

    Probably my favorite post yet! I love the behind the scenes. :)

  9. avatar Haley Dotson reply

    I just love this! It is so inspiring to see the behind the scenes of successful businesses! Thank you for sharing:)

  10. avatar Lauren reply

    Love this post! Where did you get those monogrammed chairs!? <3

  11. avatar Melissa reply

    Thank you for sharing the inside of your office. Love seeing your individual personalities shine and your passion for bringing Southern Weddings goodness to your readers!!

  12. avatar this week | SOMETHING SOUTHERN reply

    […] I loved seeing the behind the scenes of the SW gal’s offices […]

  13. avatar Southern Weddings V6: Deep in the Heart of Texas | Southern Weddings reply

    […] this dress! I can hardly wait to print the picture below for my bulletin board. There were audible cheers from the office when Marissa told us we had secured this sparkly Monique […]

  14. avatar Launch Party Surprise: I'm Engaged!! – Southern Weddings Magazine reply

    […] sweats every time an email from him would pop into my inbox. As many of y’all know from our office tour, Lisa and I sit next to each other, and I was so worried she’d see the email subject on my […]

  15. avatar An Exciting Announcement from Southern Weddings! – Southern Weddings Magazine reply

    […] what we already do with more people! We are still just six ladies (see our recent office tour here!) making a magazine and running a small shop and shipping orders from Lara’s garage. For […]

  16. avatar Michelle reply

    Where are your double desks from? Those would be so perfect for our new office space!

  17. avatar Laura Fry reply

    Great article . Can you please share with us the Great Wall color please ?

    Thank you
    Laura
    Alacartcreatons / Etsy

  18. avatar Beth reply

    Just found this blog today, and can’t believe it took me so long! This sounds like the most amazing place to work :)

  19. avatar Kate reply

    Loved loved loved this feature! Y’all are all so sweet and talented, and your office space is gorgeous!

  20. avatar kathy reply

    Love all of it, so cheery and fun! Where did you find the ‘in celebration of the mason’ sign?

    • avatar Emily reply

      Hi Kathy! That sign was custom made for one of our shoots with calligraphy by Little Miss Press!

  21. avatar Elizabeth reply

    I agree with Laura–would love to know the paint color of those serene blue walls!

  22. avatar Jennifer reply

    I ADORE the monogrammed chairs – where are they from? I need one for my home office please and thank you!

  23. avatar January Goals reply

    […] on to something I think will work well! I’m thinking about purchasing this one. The girls at Southern Weddings seem to love it, and I will most definitely be monogramming mine […]

Southern Weddings reserves the right to delete comments which contain profanity or personal attacks or seek to promote a business unrelated to the post.  And remember: a good attitude is like kudzu – it spreads.  We love hearing your kind thoughts!

Reply to:
close
Top