Lara Casey

Editor-in-Chief

How did you find yourself at SW?

Ask me over coffee sometime. My story keeps evolving.

Awards, most interesting honor, important accomplishments/milestones?

Lara Casey was born in Washington DC. She spent most of her youth growing up in the small beach community of Pensacola, Florida. Ms. Casey 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 (Top Tips for Working In as well as 7 other features). Lara is currently Publisher of Southern Weddings magazine, CEO of event design firm Bliss Event Group and just launched Lara Casey Reps, a luxury market wedding consulting firm. Lara frequently speaks on the use of social media for business and is a self-confessed Wired magazine and Luna Bar addict. Ms. Casey lives in Chapel Hill, NC, and loves to travel.

What are your favorite flowers?

Lily of the valley, freesia, crocus and any fragrant garden rose.

What is your day like?

Every day is different and exciting. Follow me on Twitter for a peek into my daily life.

You would be surprised to know I love my job.

I am committed to bringing out the best in the people around me.

What do you enjoy about working at SW?

Loaded question. This is my dream job, my dream team, the whole nine yards! It's hard work and long hours, but the payoff is the connections we make with our readers and industry friends and the growth I see in our team every day. Baby steps don't exist here... we like to just dive in!

What I love about ____ that they may not know:

Whitney: Oh, where do I even begin? We are sort of like soulmates... of the redhead variety.  She brightens my day, makes me feel at peace, and surprises me with her depth and beauty in everything she puts her heart into.  She's rad.

Katharine: Her spark... I think we've just seen a very tiny glimmer from her so far.  This girl is going to take over.  Watch out, Katharine is going to take the wedding world by storm!

Emily: Emily has an unmistakable confidence and wit.  I love her sense of style and ability to dive right into things.  I think we are a lot alike in the way we approach weddings and I can't wait to see what she brings to our readers!

Oh and did I mention how much I LOVE all of us TOGETHER!?  The energy around here is brilliant these days.  I feel so blessed to know these incredible women.  I love learning from them.

Favorite non-wedding blogs/sites:

If you know me, you know I love good food and great photography. Those two are perfectly married in these favorite blogs of mine: Canelle et Vanille and La Tartine Gourmande.

Favorite magazines/books/publications:

Wired, The NY Times, The Bible and currently reading Seth Godin's Tribes.

Favorite restaurants?

My mother is a trained French chef, so I love Daniel Boulud's Daniel and the Boulud Brasserie at The Wynn in Las Vegas and I recently had an amazing experience at Blue in Grand Cayman. Another favorite: Larkspur in Vail.

Favorite foods?

If we are what we eat, I will turn into a Luna Bar one day. I am a foodie, so I have a lot of favorites. Anything spicy, Moroccan food, Indian, sushi.... I'm pretty adventurous.

God changed my life. ...and continues to open my eyes every day.

What is your dream vacation spot?

Anywhere I can ski a long run. I love Breckenridge, Vail, and Beaver Creek. Just give me a few black diamonds and I am in Heaven. And I've developed a deep love for Watercolor, FL. I would love to live there one day.

Random facts about me:

-Ever since I lived in Manhattan, I've slept with earplugs in every night.  Yes, I can still hear my alarm.

-I love to rock climb, camp, hike, mountain bike, and get my hands dirty.

-I can cook like nobody's business.  No recipes required.  Thanks, mom : )

-I've lived in Sweeden, Washington DC, Maryland, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Ventura, Oxnard, Laguna Beach, Pensacola Beach, Gulf Breeze, West Virginia, and nor North Carolina. 

Hidden talents?

I'm a trained singer, dancer, and actress. I wish I had more time to do all three... they are my secret loves. I also paint. I went to the Corcorran School of Art when I was very very young and then studied painting and graphic design at Yale. My dad always wanted me to be an artist, so I was always doing something creative.

In the words of Oprah... "Here's what I know for sure..."

That I am on the right path.