Southern Weddings Magazine is the South's hottest wedding magazine for the modern southern bride. The Daily SW Blog highlights the best in Southern weddings. The SW Blog is an exciting new extension of the SW Print Edition that is set to launch on news stands January 2009. SW is a publication handled by Curtis Circulation, the nation's leading magazine distributor. (Needless to say, we are thrilled and honored to be on the Curtis roster!) The staff at SW hand-picks content and showcases the top real weddings, professionals, products and wedding news daily. We are always looking for the best of the best. View our FAQ for information on submitting your real wedding or product for review. SW does not accept payment for submissions. All featured weddings and professionals are chosen for their high quality of service, superior work and fresh take on today's southern weddings.

If a product, wedding, or image of yours has been featured on the SW Blog and you see a missing credit, or would like it removed, please email us. We would love to hear from you.

In Celebration,

The SW Staff

Meet us...

Lara Casey
Editor-in-Chief

Lara is originally from Pensacola, Florida where she owns Bliss Event Group, a wedding and event firm handling all aspects of event production. Lara graduated with honors from Carnegie Mellon University and studied art and design at Yale University. Lara is a member of Mensa, a National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts Scholar, and an avid fitness buff. Mrs. Casey has a wide array of successes including having been a celebrity personal trainer in Manhattan, a contributor to Shape Magazine. Lara is currently Publisher of Southern Weddings Magazine, and has been featured in numerous wedding and event publications including The Knot Weddings. She is a Certified Bridal Consultant through the Association of Bridal Consultants. Lara is thrilled to have been an integral part of celebrity event firm Corridan and Company in Santa Barbara and florist to the stars Mark's Garden. Lara's husband, Navy Flight Surgeon Lt. Ari Isaacson MD, just returned from serving our country in Iraq. The couple now lives in Chapel Hill, NC and spends lots of time gardening, working out, and doing charity work through the Navy. "I also get to watch him jump out of helicopters and off of buildings- not your typical doctor work. My life here is never dull!"

Photo by {Cook Images}

Danielle Flowers
Executive Editor

*on maternity leave

Danielle Flowers Atkinson earned a Bachelor's Degree in Fashion from Auburn University. She is currently the lead event producer for Bliss Event Group and Executive Editor of Southern Weddings Magazine, the South's hottest new industry publication. Danielle is expecting TWINS in early 2009!

Photo by {Rae Leytham Photography}

Leah Harrison
Features Editor

Leah has worked with Southern Living, The Today Show, BRIDES and Fit, to name a few. She is an alumnae of University of West Florida where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and a minor in Pre-Law. Favorite designers include Oscar de la Renta, Romona Keveza, Jim Hjelm, Tara Guerard and Mindy Weiss.
"I am truly inspired by positive people, the little things, southern style, all flowers, and crumb-catcher dresses ."

Photo by {Rae Leytham Photography}

Laura Eastes
Managing Editor
[laura_e at swsmag dot com]

Originally from the Midwest, Laura came down to North Carolina in her red Volkswagen “Love Bug” and fell in love with the area! She is a graduate of Elon University, earning her Bachelors of Arts in Journalism. While in school, Laura interned with The Community Press of Cincinnati and Alamance Magazine. Now living in Chapel Hill, Laura declares she is Midwestern born and raised but “a Southerner by choice!” Although she hasn’t been won over (yet) by sweet tea or fried chicken, she has been wowed by the friendly folk (men holding open the door), warm weather (sunbathing in November) and being closer to the beach (only three hours away). Being a Tar Heel resident and a hometown Ohio girl, the problem arises: where would she get married? Although, this “wouldn’t be for many years,” she says, Laura is leaning towards an outdoor ceremony followed by a reception at the Carolina Inn. Looks like North Carolina wins!

Rachel Smith

Creative Director/Photography Submissions

[rachel at swsmag dot com]

Rachel is a born and raised Southerner from a gorgeous little mountain town in Western North Carolina. After completing school at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, she set out on her merry way to educate herself on all things wedding. Her most recent adventure was moving to sunny San Diego to study floral design and create dream wedding florals for those SoCal brides. Although she is experiencing sporadic California withdrawals, she is super glad to be back in her homeland and close to her darling twin sister. Some of her hopes and dreams include: perfecting her grandmothers banana bread recipe, living on a farm, competing on SuperMarket Sweep (does that still air??), traveling to South America with her closest of friends, and mastering photography. She is completely smitten with old Ester Williams movies, the phrase "I do declare," her bright green floral galoshes (which she wears in even the slightest of drizzles), the smell of encyclopedias, vintage luggage, toe cleavage, and most currently typography and letterpressing. Her dream wedding would consist of: an antique lace dress, her grandmother's handkerchiefs, a blooming apple orchard, spring blossoms mixed with jack-in-the pulpits, and an old oak tree. Obviously, she still has some details to work out!

Kirstin Hawley

Art Director
[kirstin at swsmag dot com]

Kirstin really needs to write her bio before we make one up for her!

Madelyn Kimbrough

Fashion Director
[madelyn at swsmag dot com]

Madelyn is a graduate of Auburn University with a degree in Apparel Merchandising. “I love all things fashion and wedding related!” says Miss Kimbrough. Some of her favorite inspirations: anything vintage, classic, and of course southern. Favorite designers: Augusta Jones, Monique Lhuiller, Oscar de la Renta and Ramona Keveza. “Some of my favorite places that I am inspired by are Jekyll Island, Atlanta, Portland, OR, and St. Louis. I love pulling any look together with a pair of fabulous shoes and accessories. My favorite non-wedding dress designer is Lilly Pulitzer. I love the south because of the warm weather, the friendly people, and the amazing food!” Madelyn is engaged and will be getting married May 30, 2009, in Auburn, Alabama. Congratulations, Madelyn!

Interns

Ashley [ashley at swsmag dot com]

Joyce [joyce at swsmag dot com]

Nicole [nicole at swsmag dot com]

No part of the SW publication may be reproduced in any form without express written permission from the publisher. We wish to thank the wedding professionals who contributed to Southern Weddings Magazine. The opinions expressed by our contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent our opinions or those of the publisher. We have sought to ensure accuracy and completeness of the content herein, but neither Southern Weddings Magazine nor the publisher assumes responsibility for any errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or other inconsistencies, including those related to quotations. We reserve the right to refuse advertising. All advertisements appearing herein are accepted and published on the representation that the advertiser is properly authorized to publish the entire contents and subject matter thereof. Niether Southern Weddings Magazine nor the publisher is responsible for any statements, claims or representations made by contributing wedding professionals, advertisers or others, nor is Southern Weddings Magazine or the publisher responsible for anyone's reliance on the content herein. All projects described in this publication are for private, noncommercial use only. No right for commercial use or exploitation are given or implied.