Today’s lovely guest in the Bloggers {Unveiled} series is one of the most inspirational ladies I’ve ever come across, Ms. Lara Casey!! Lara is currently Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Southern Weddings magazine and launched Lara Casey Reps, a luxury market wedding consulting firm, in June 2009. Lara is also the founder of Making Things Happen which is an intensive designed to help release fear and harness your passion. I am without words to show my happiness that Lara made a stop by the blog today, although we’ve only “met” virtually through email a few times, she is just such a kind-hearted person and you can’t help but be inspired as soon as you talk to her. So friends, please join me in giving her a warm and lovely little welcome!

Blogger {Unveiled}:

How did you get started in the wedding world?
My mother is a French chef, so I caught the entertaining/wedding bug from her.  My grandmother was also a florist, so it runs in the family.  I started an event planning company about 8 years ago and, long story short, the magazine was born out of that.  I always wanted a place to showcase what fired me up. This all started when we launched the Southern Weddings daily blog in 2007. It was a place for me to share what I loved in weddings, what was inspiring me and to show Southern brides that there was more to telling their unique love story than tulle and stuffed chicken. The blog caught on like wildfire, and people got so excited about a modern look at weddings in the South. The print magazine was born out of the incredible feedback from the blog. I am so grateful for the work we do because our job is to tell these authentic love stories. I love my “work.”  We’re not corporate or owned by some big publishing house.  We do the layout, write the editorial, organize the advertising – and everything else – ourselves.  We have a few other great people who help us, but it’s really just the three of us in the office every day.  We are self-published, which is a rarity nowadays.  We’re really, really small.  We never want to grow to the point where we can’t give personal attention to what matters most.  We are really grateful for that.  Out of my work with Southern Weddings, I started Making Things Happen and Lara Casey Reps, which is where I spend the majority of my time now.  I love working with luxury wedding professionals to build authentic profitable businesses.

What is your makeup staple?
Most days, I wear no makeup.  I generally only put it on for events, photo shoots or big meetings.  I’ve been using the same products for a good 10 years because they never fail me.  Lancôme Tient Idole foundation, Almay concealor, Lancôme translucent powder, Almay mascara in an auburn tone that matches my hair color, Nars Orgasm blush, and Lancôme eye shadows.  But, my favorite makeup staple, if this counts, is false eyelashes.  I can’t live without them for events!

What’s one thing that others don’t know about you?
I have had TCBY four times this week!  Eeek!  I’m newly pregnant ( http://laracasey.com/blog/2011/04/05/my-favorite-blog-post-ever/ ) and it’s the only thing that settles my stomach!

What’s one piece of advice you would give to others trying to get started with their own business?
Be authentic, gracious, honest in communication and above all, put your real priorities first.  For me, that’s God, my family and my health.  Never feel like you have to go through the trenches in the early stages of business.  I did for a long time when I started and have since learned that there are ways to do things right the first time.  Balance is so key.  If you don’t have life balance, it will affect your work in big ways – especially early in business.  Take care of yourself. I’ve written a whole series dedicated to building a solid foundation and clearing the clutter in life and business:  http://laracasey.com/blog/2011/03/02/the-challenge/

What is your favorite part about weddings?
God.  The true meaning behind marriage.  When a wedding celebrates real love, it shows in all the details.  You can feel it.  It changes people.  There is nothing better than that!

What is your hobby outside of blogging {is there life outside blogging}?
Honestly, I’ve made my “hobbies” into my life’s work.  My life is my work in a beautiful way (I couldn’t always say that).  I wear so very many hats in business – with Southern Weddings, Lara Casey Reps, Making Things Happen, etc - and I truly love them all!   I feel so blessed to do the work I do and work with these inspiring women every day!

To learn more about Lara, go here.  To see the entire lineup of lovely contributors to the Bloggers {Unveiled} series, click here and make sure to pop back in every Friday to get to know the people behind your favorite blogs!!

Happy Friday everyone!
~jacin