OK, so I guess it’s my turn to be exposed – the woman behind the curtain. My name is Amy, and I’m the publisher and ringleader of I Do Y’all. I rarely make an appearance online as I have a team of amazingly talented ladies whose faces are much more viewer friendly than mine. I also hate to have my photo taken – always have, even as a child. However, I am more than proud to share how much I love working in the wedding industry and connecting with all of you newly engaged couples. I’ve been in publishing in some fashion most of my career, and this is by far, the most enjoyable job I’ve ever had. A friend once told me if I “chased my passions, not my pension” I would never feel like I worked a day in my life. I still can’t believe I get to do this incredible job where I surround myself with some of the most talented and creative people I have ever known. I take such joy in connecting with our readers and being able to help guide and influence you in elevating your weddings and events. Our entire team loves what we do, and we truly want your wedding day to be your best day ever!
Yes, I’m wearing sunglasses and sitting in my car. This is seriously the most recent photo I could find. The last pic before this one was almost 2 years ago. I SERIOUSLY have a problem with photographs. I may need to get some help. lol
Name: Amy Wallace
Job Title: Publisher, CEO, Professional Cat Herder
Career path: I have been in publishing most of my life. I started in marketing and PR before moving into my first media job at a small, family owned weekly newspaper where I got ink in my veins by learning to do everything. I sold advertising, developed marketing programs, reported on community meetings, wrote business articles, shot photos, edited articles, wrote headlines, and even delivered stacks of printed papers to my customer outlets! It was a master class in publishing and I was hooked. I soon moved on and spent a lot of time (years and years) in magazine publishing developing my skills in audience engagement, editing and management. After serving as the managing editor with this company and developing our new media products, I purchased the company, so it looks like everyone here is stuck with me.
School: Ohio University for undergrad. LSU for post-grad work where I developed my unwavering love for SEC football, especially Saturday nights in Death Valley.
Hometown: I grew up in southern Ohio, but I’ve recently returned to south Louisiana where I spent most of my adult life. We now call Slidell, LA home.
Share a bit about your family. My husband Gregg and I work together in this company when he’s not running around on film sets working with interesting, celebrity type people. (I’m only marginally jealous.) We have two boys – Evan (mine) and Nick (his), a beautiful and smart daughter-in-law, Paige, and quite possibly, the most incredible and perfect grandchildren in existence, Evey and Wyatt. Our household is run by a large, furry overlord named Puddin, a nine year old chocolate lab who manages us full-time when we are at home.
What is your favorite part of your job and what memories stand out about your experience here? I love seeing the magazine come together. Picking up that notebook full of pages for my final edit still gives me a thrill. All those months of planning and work becoming a fully realized product is still exciting even after more than two decades in this industry. I love to see my staff members growing and developing too. I have a company full of badass babes, and everyone has a voice and is constantly expanding their skill set.
What wedding pros do you love – blogs, magazines, vendors, etc.? I love Grace Ormonde Wedding Style. It’s edgy and unique. I love anything that pushes boundaries. I have to admit, I am a big fan of Garden & Gun too. I do live in the south, you know. Some of my favorite bloggers are some of my co-members in Aisle Society – B. Loved, Artfully Wed, Love Inc, Southbound Bride, Pretty Pear Bride, and Tidewater & Tulle. Outside of AS, I’m a fan of Green Wedding Shoes and Offbeat Bride.
Sum up your own wedding for us (or your dream wedding). Gregg and I were married more than a decade ago in his parents’ backyard. Honestly, I wanted to head to a cliff in Puerto Rico and have a private ceremony, but we compromised as our boys, family, and local friends wanted to be a part of our event. Since I couldn’t go away or back to Louisiana for the wedding, we turned his folks’ gorgeous back yard into the French Quarter with tons of market lights, wrought iron candelabra with trailing greenery, mounds of shrimp, catfish and Cajun food, and a full-strength Hurricane bar. It was quite the party, and there were more than a few hangovers.
What are your hobbies and or things you are passionate about? We are huge football fans, so August – February is covered. We’re in a mixed marriage – he’s an Ole Miss fan, and I pull for LSU. We both love the Saints though, so whatever animosity we build on Saturday goes away on Sunday. We usually spend our evenings grilling on the deck overlooking the water before curling up on the couch Netflixing (Is that a word?) or streaming something from Amazon. We occasionally hop the bridge into New Orleans for the day, and I’m a huge fan of the beach too which is only 30 minutes away. Any chance we get to see clients or produce a photo shoot at the coast, I’m down.
Who are your personal heroes, professional or personal? Professionally, I stick with the classics – Helen Gurley Brown, Gloria Steinem, Nora Ephron, Helen Thomas. Professionally and personally, I’d have to say my maternal grandmother. She was a career woman long before women had careers, and she was the strongest, smartest, and funniest human I have ever known. Even in her final years, her mind was still just as sharp, and I often called her for career advice or to talk through a professional problem. I keep her photo in my office to remind me to keep going even on those days I feel like giving up. She has always been such an inspiration, and I know on whose shoulders I stand.
