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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!

Written with love by Whitney
8 Comments
  1. avatar Meredith Perdue reply

    What a wonderful post! I wish you the best of luck, Whitney! I’m so excited for you, and know you’ll do so well in New York. I hope you & Scott have fun planning adventures throughout the Northeast together- you must venture on up to Maine sometime!

  2. avatar Carly Totten reply

    Best of luck to you in NYC, Witney! We really do need more true Southern charm up North and not just from Northerns who love to slip y’all into sentences causing people to pause for a moment (that would be me). NYC is one big adventure waiting for you, and I’m sure you’re going to rock it!

  3. avatar Marissa reply

    Oh my sweet sweet Whitney! I am going to miss you so much! You are and will always be my PIC as well! I adore you to the moon and back!! xx p.s. I feel like a proud big sister! I know you’re going to be amazing!

  4. avatar Jules Thomas reply

    Gosh how exciting, a bit of an emotional rollercoaster but focus on the positive!

    Wishing you the best of luck

    Jules x

  5. avatar Stephanie Hunter Photography reply

    Whitney! Congratulations on this new & exciting adventure! I know it can’t be easy to leave, but I know you will have no problems Southernizing NYC! You are sweet as pie. Good luck, best wishes and it has been an absolute pleasure working with you. :)

  6. avatar lindsay gibson reply

    Best of luck in your new adventures Whitney!

  7. avatar Hailey reply

    Congratulations and good luck to you, Whitney! As a dedicated follower of SW, I feel as though I know you and the rest of the girls personally. You and SW helped me make my wedding the most memorable and special day possible. Thank you for sharing so much with us and I wish you the best, sweetest life possible. A BIG thanks to you all, SW girls!

  8. avatar Kristen Abigail Photography reply

    Whitney, I wish I could have met you in person because over emails you have been wonderful!!! Have fun in the big apple! And don’t forget to come back to good ol’ NC when you need a Bojangles fix :)

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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!

Written with love by Whitney
3 Comments
  1. avatar Emily reply

    So fun, Whitney! I love that cake and the bouquet you chose!

  2. avatar MacKenzie reply

    Love, love, love a barn wedding, Whitney!

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Winner :: IceMilk Aprons

by in Main on

It’s almost here, it’s almost here! Thanksgiving is only two short days away! Soon, kitchens across America will be filled with the aroma of turkey roasting and pie cooling. Two of our readers will also be awaiting packages from IceMilk Aprons for their future cooking endeavors!

We asked readers to tell us their favorite recipes for their chance to win an apron from IceMilk Aprons. Congratulations to Jennifer H and Laura!

I am a newlywed (March 2010) and my mother-in-law is the most AMAZING Southern cook there ever was. I am no expert, but I am trying! Although I’ll never cook with the charm, ease, and secret ingredient arsenal as her, I have learned from my MIL that cooking is so much more than putting together ingredients and throwing something in the oven or a pot. It is fun to play around and make what those you love, love to eat!

After we made it together once, I was so honored when she shared one of her special recipes with me and it has quickly become a favorite for my husband and me. I’ve only recently convinced him to love tomatoes, which is a good thing, because if he were comparing my pie to his mom’s, he may be disappointed! Here is her version of Southern Tomato Pie::

1 baked pie crust
sliced tomatoes…enough to fill the crust
2 or 3 green onions chopped on top of the tomatoes
salt and pepper
mixed herbs…yes there is a bottle of these!


topping:
grated sharp cheddar cheese – around 1-1 1/2 cups
mix the cheese with enough mayonnaise to hold the cheese together…then “place” the mixture on top of the pie with your hands
Bake @ 350 until the cheese bubbles


YUM!
~Jennifer H

Oh how cute! I totally need one of these, since the apron I currently use is from when I was a kid (the pocket is a barn). Not to mention that the flour tends to fly when I bake, since I happily learned not to worry about the portions too much.

My favorite thing to bake is a cake that I only make at Christmas, just to keep it special. Plus, I’m telling you, this cake tastes like Christmas.
White Chocolate Cranberry Cake


6 squares white chocolate for baking
2 sticks of butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
4 eggs
3 T orange zest (CONFESSION: I skip this and add just a dash more orange juice with pulp, since zesting has never really worked for me)
3 T orange juice
2 c flour

2 t baking powder
1-1/2 c fresh or frozen cranberries

Chop the chocolate. Beat together butter, brown sugar, and sugar until fluffy. Add the eggs, orange juice and zest, and mix well. Add the flour and baking powder, then stir in the chocolate and cranberries. Bake in a bundt pan at 350 for 1 hour.


Glaze:
Melt together 3 squares of white chocolate and 2T of orange juice over low heat. stir, drizzle over cake, and enjoy. It’s best if you wait until the cake is COMPLETELY cool.

~Laura


Make sure to leave a comment below if you decide to try one of these scrumptious recipes for Turkey Day!

Written with love by Whitney
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