Hello! Hello!! So happi
you're here! ;)
This is my first blog post in a very long time and I am super excited to welcome new readers and followers in this new year! A few months back, we reached 5000 followers on Instagram and since then, I have been brainstorming ideas of how I can give back to all of you and share a bit about myself to people who have recently begun following along for pretty imagery and inspiration. Our company is so much more than just that, and it has truly become my own little passion project, and I hope that I can convey some of that in this post. I apologize in advance for the length! If you are just here for the giveaway - feel free to scroll all the way down to everything in bold and skip my story! ;) For everyone else who wants to know a little more about me and the story behind my business - here we go!
To start this business, I left behind a PhD in cultural studies and a career in teaching, research and social activism. I know it sounds like such a jump, but at the end of the day the two career paths are really not that different. I truly loved what I was doing when I was an Instructor at universities ranging from UCLA, to Cal State Fullerton, to the Claremont Colleges. I had so much fun designing and teaching in departments ranging from Ethnic Studies, Women's Studies, Media Studies and American Studies - with courses like Race in Media, The Politics of Food, Asian American Women, American Popular Culture, Asian American Media, Art as a Social Movement... the list goes on and on. I made my own schedule (I loved teaching evening classes!) and cherished the fact that I was able to meet and inspire a new batch of students every semester! Creating new syllabi and curriculum, taking my students to hands on learning experiences like urban farming, spoken word nights, slam poetry sessions, volunteering with after school programs, etc. kept me on my toes and was so gratifying. I was never bored and always inspired. On warm days, you would find my classes (ranging from 10 to 200 students) outside on the university lawn, journaling and sketching; constructively debating important issues of politics, love and race; or partaking in exercises that encouraged them to find one's voice and be brave enough to use it. Several students credited my classes for changing their career choice from marketing/advertising to law or working in the non-profit sector. I felt blessed to be a part of such a pivotal point in my student's individual lives and found so much joy in making a difference in this way.
After 3 years of teaching and event planning for several non-profits, I became engaged to my high school best friend in 2007 and started this blog as a way to journal my own engagement journey and share any tips for wedding planning that I came across. I was all about building community (I still am!) and I wanted to share all I knew about event planning on a budget and designing an event/wedding with purpose and heart. I wanted to give back to others for all the help I was receiving with my own wedding planning, from family and friends.
The blog community back then was amazingly fresh and unassuming. Not many blogs had flashy or professionally designed logos. People were not trying to quit their day-jobs or appearing to come off as insta-perfect or insta-famous. People were just sharing what they could and building a community with others when they felt a connection with a story or a post.
Suddenly, I was "meeting" other bloggers who were also planning their weddings and some of them starting to ask me for advice, outside of the blog. Some even requested help in planning their actual wedding day! At first, it was just a fun and creative outlet and I thought, "Hey! I can totally help out this gal from NYC in planning her Cali wedding!" When people offered to pay me for my services, I never thought of it as a business. It was simply a reimbursement for the time and money I was spending in helping them and paying for my day-of assistant (who still works with our weddings today!). By the time I was married in 2009, I was working with 4 other brides in planning their weddings!
In 2010, our first official year in business, we had 18 weddings in our calendar. It quickly became clear that I needed to choose between teaching and wedding planning. Obviously, I chose the latter and here we are today. On a side note: California was experiencing some major budget cuts in education at that time and the academic landscape was heading in a direction that I was not comfortable with. Plus, I figured I could always go back to teaching if this whole wedding planning thing didn't work out. ;)
So Happi Together grew (between 2011-2013, we were booking an average of 25-30 weddings per year) and I became busier with marriage, the birth of two children and running an actual business with several employees. Over time, I sadly lost touch with this blog. Admittedly, I lost touch with a lot of things that personally brought me so much joy before. Not that my family and business don't bring me joy... but I felt like I didn't have time for things that were JUST for me. This blog used to be the heart of my business. Many of my early brides told me that they booked me based on the Nancy they "met" on my blog, through my personal posts. Rather than keeping this in mind, as my business matured, I strangely felt compelled to censor myself here. To come off more professional - not as personal. To share pretty weddings and inspiration, not so much the non-pretty that is usually the reality of life. For this reason, I think the passion was removed from my blogging and it became more of a chore or duty, rather than an outlet. When I say that this blog used to be the heart of this business, it's not to say that I lost my heart when I stopped blogging on the regular. It's more that I felt hesitant to just wear that heart on my sleeve, and in the process, maybe I lost my voice? Along with other personal passion projects in my life, I felt like I could no longer make time for blogging, because there were "more important" things to tend to.
Being a mom and entrepreneur is truly a difficult juggling act. Some of my readers know what I am talking about. It's easy to "lose yourself" and the things that once made you happy before the happiness of the business and the kids... Remember?! There were other things that gave you a different kind of happiness. Things that were just for YOU - with no ulterior motive of how it would or could benefit your business or even your children's future. Not that those things are bad endeavors! But I am realizing that they shouldn't completely trump the personal happiness you pursue just for yourself. You know, the things you did before... simply because you wanted to do it and it made you happy.
My husband always encourages and challenges me to make the time for these things that used to bring me so much personal joy. For me, it was dance/ballet, writing/journaling (i.e. blogging), reading and scrapbooking. My husband reminds me about them all the time and asks why I don't do them anymore.
"Who has the time?!" I ask him.
"People
who make the time..." he answers back.
I
sure do love the guy.
This brings us to 2015. It was a rough year for me, personally. As a business, I could not have asked for more. We booked out our calendar with great weddings for amazing couples and worked with some stellar vendors that I am proud to call friends. However, I was stretched in ways that I could have never imagined.
I have always envisioned Eddie and myself having a large family with at least 3 children to cherish and call our own. This past year, we lost 2 sweet babies in miscarriages that were unexpected, complicated, and have left me despondent and even a bit scared to try for another. I may be able to share more specifics, as time creates more distance between myself and pain of these moments... but suffice it to say, I have realized that as a planner, I don't have the control to plan every aspect of my life. I am giving it to God and trusting that His plan is so much better than my own. And in the meantime, I plan to make the time that my husband keeps talking about...
In 2016, I want to spend more time in prayer, more time with my family, more time with myself, and more time on this blog. I plan to blog more, not for the good of my business, but for the good of my soul. I want to spend more time on each of my individual weddings by cutting down the overall number that we take on. We are going to max out our calendar at 12 weddings for 2016. We are 2 weddings away from this goal, with 3 inquiries in my inbox as I write this post. Even if we don't book any more weddings for this year, I am SO happy with the ones that we already have in store. My couples really are the best people on this planet and I am honored to share in such a special time in their lives together. Really. I have the best job in the world.
As I was soul searching and coming to these decisions, my husband asked me if I am still happy doing what I do. Without hesitation, I answered, YES! Cutting back on the number of weddings we produce doesn't mean that I don't value each one that I work on. It actually exemplifies how much I cherish each wedding and the work that I am allowed to do. Every wedding I design and plan is unique and different and keeps me inspired and on my toes. I have seen a lot of sadness and experienced heartache, knowing that we don't always have a choice in what life brings our way. But in the midst of all that, I get to work with couples who make a conscious decision, every day, to make a commitment to a person that they have chosen to love and honor and spend their life with. How beautiful is that? In a world that can seem pretty yucky at times, I get to work with people who celebrate life, love and a union of families. Pretty darn incredible, right? If you envy my job - you have every right! And with that... I finally get to how I want to give back for all that this industry and my couples have given me.
This GIVEAWAY is 2-part. As I look through my followers and commenters on Instagram, I find that they are largely in 2 camps (aside from fellow wedding industry friends). I am grateful to those of you who don't personally know me or work with me, but still follow our journey! Since most of you are brides-to-be or young/aspiring planners-to-be, I have something for each of you!
1. Bride-to-be Giveaway
If
you are getting married in 2016 and follow us on Instagram, I assume you feel a
connection with our aesthetic. With that in mind, if your wedding venue is in
the SoCal area (from San Diego to Paso Robles), I will meet with you at your
venue to do a walk-through of the site and give you my take on the layout and
flow of your celebration. We will meet over coffee/lunch afterwards for a
Design and Details Session where we can discuss everything from your budget,
timeline, vendor referrals, wedding etiquette, design, colors, etc. This is
obviously most beneficial for brides who do not already have a wedding planner
and are possibly considering someone just for day-of coordination. But it is
really open to any bride who just wants our take on how to make your wedding
celebration feel intimate, timeless, effortlessly beautiful, memorable to your
guests and so happi together!
This giveaway is limited to California brides only because I honestly feel like I can be of most help to these brides. Although I provide destination wedding planning packages, when limited to just 1 meeting, I feel that my expertise will be of most use to Southern California brides. If you feel differently, please feel free to comment about it and perhaps I can reconsider for a future giveaway!
2. Planner Giveaway
If
you are a planner (of any level, really) you know how important it is to find a
good support group of other planners and industry vendors. People who will keep
it real and keep you grounded. People who will cheer you on when you are
wondering if you are going to book enough weddings in the coming year, give
their honest opinion on if your pricing is right, be your sounding board when
you need advice on how to deal with a particular client or vendor... you
know. Just be a good friend who understands the unique struggles on this
industry. Let's be friends! :) I am in NO way saying that I am an expert
planner and have all my sh*t together. But I strongly believe in the power of
community and the power of story. Let's get together and share our stories.
I'll buy you lunch or dinner at one of my favorite restaurants in the LA or OC area and chat with you about how I handle inquiries, consultations, bookings, couples, employees, wedding day scenarios, etc. I will share with you my packages, my contracts, my budget spreadsheet, wedding planning checklist and wedding day timeline . I will answer any and all questions you may have about me, my business and anything else that I may have an opinion about. :) I really am an open book and just hope that I don't scare you with my hugs and loud laughter. (I really have no volume control)
This giveaway is open to just about anyone. If you aren't local to Southern California, we can always meet via Skype or Facetime! Sadly, I won't be able to buy you lunch or dinner, but I will send you a care package instead! :)
WHEW!
If you have managed to stick it out and read through all of this... Thank you!
If you feel like something from my own story resonates with you, I'd love to hear from you! The hope of giving back is how I started this blog and I realized that is how I want to continue. Not to gain followers, or see how many comments I can get, or even be a marketing tool. But simply because it makes me happy. This is my passion project.
SO! In order to enter, please leave a comment here or on my Instagram post telling me what is YOUR passion. Meaning - what would you do if you had all the time in the world to split between your family, your work and yourself? If you didn't have to worry about income? What brings you happiness? And how will you try to pursue it this year?
*** IMPORTANT: Please begin your comment with the word "BRIDE" or "PLANNER" so that I know which giveaway you are entering.***
You don't have to follow me to win - but if you DO win, you can be sure that I will be following you and hoping to continue our friendship beyond this one giveaway. :)
Entries for both giveaways will be accepted until 12pm PST on Wednesday 1/20/16. Winners will be announced on Thursday 1/21/16.
Have a happi Monday! Thanks for stopping by! And because every post is better with some pictures!
our family holiday photo by Amelia Lyon Photography
(our wedding photography, now friend and family photographer!)
(our wedding photography, now friend and family photographer!)
This was meant to be a part of the announcement that we were expecting a baby in 2016.
I cherish it will all my heart and elle still talks about how she will meet her baby sister one day.
Thank you, Amelia Lyon, for capturing this special moment in our lives.
Posts
24 comments:
I LOVE LOVE you~ haha
that last photo makes me cry.
your kids are the best <3
miss you guys
BRIDE. Hello! My name is Joann Song. My passion is photography :) When I was in elementary school, I would buy disposal cameras and just take pictures wherever I went because I looked forward to the feeling I got when I printed out those pictures. Nowadays, with digital camera, the excitement is not the same but I still print out pictures because I enjoy looking over them with my now-fiance, friends, and family every now and then. I love photography because it not only captures happiness but it also can remind us the happiness we once felt. If I did not have to worry about income, I wish I could take photography classes and learn enough to become a photographer that could capture other people's happiness on film well and beautifully. I still try right now but it'd be great to learn and practice more :)
PLANNER/ Hi Nancy ! In today's wedding industry we are saturated with many different levels of wedding designers & planners. It can be a little intimidating to even start something that is a dream job. To leave a career that helps support the family is to have a leap of faith that at times as a mother one can not fathom to take with little ones who depend on me. I am trying to find the strength to find myself in this industry that has a multitude of different facets that I have barely starched off myself. To see the many talents such as yourself can give us the sparkle of hope that .. Yes, I can do this! Reading your blog allows us to see the true selflessness that as mothers and wives we have and how much you also give yourselves to our clients. I am a wife of a photographer and want to find my own path in the industry that I am enthralled with. The beauty that you can create for someone else, the creativity that you have to unleash to make the vision come to life and most importantly to have the relationship with strangers who becomes someone we care about - these are what you bring to the table to help someone like me to take that leap of faith, that maybe… just maybe … I too can do this! FYI - I love to laugh out loud … and I too have no volume control XO
I forgot to mention how I will pursue it this year! After all this wedding craziness is over, I want to buy my own camera and try to take some more photography classes :)
PLANNER | Hi Nancy! You are definitely an inspiration to me and I bet to a lot of other planners out there as well!I went to college aspiring to become an event planner and even graduated with a degree in event planning. Even still, I wasn’t confident in myself and I always doubted whether I could survive in this field where it seemed so intimidating that I gave up from the start. I ended up wandering for a few years in different jobs, trying different careers. They were all great jobs with potential and I worked hard but I always had weddings in the back of my mind, questioning what it would have been or could have been like if I had just pursued it. The past few years, I kept weddings on the side because I could never really let go of it fully. During those years, I saw other planners share their stories and struggles like you and it was so encouraging! I came to realize that I had to stop comparing myself to others because I am who God created me to be. I have my own personality and style! ;) Last year, I finally made the decision to quit my full time job and officially started my first year in business. As I read your blog post, I was sorry to hear about your loss and I have never experienced such loss that I can’t even say that I knew how you felt. However, at the same time I was glad to read that you are trusting in the Lord and in His good and perfect plan. You are so right when you say that we don’t have control over anything. When I was thinking of my company’s name, I decided to name it Providence and Planning Events. Providence because God is our provider, the creator, and the one in control of all things. My passion is to live for God so this year, in 2016, I want to spend my time in weddings with a goal of praying for my bride and grooms. Marriage is such a wonderful celebration and also one of the biggest decisions a couple will ever make. I want to go beyond just having an ideal wedding for them but loving them by taking the time to pray for each of my couples! Thanks for sharing and allowing me the opportunity to share mine!
BRIDE- Hi Nancy! You actually planned my friend's wedding back in 2012. Thank you so much for sharing your story, I appreciate your willingness to talk about how difficult it can be to stay true to yourself in the pursuit of happiness and passion. As a therapist, I am passionate about helping others simply by being a person who cares about them and their story. My passion is working with couples because relationships can dictate so much of one's individual happiness. When I see or hear about unhappy relationships, it tugs at me because a lot of relationship conflict can truly be helped with greater insight, understanding, and education. I love seeing how life changing a positive and supportive relationship can be. Since I work in private practice, it's a little discouraging to see how many people can benefit from relationship education and counseling, but how inaccessible it is for many. It is my goal this year to try to reach more people than just the ones who end up in counseling sessions with me. I plan to devote more time to relationship education and advice through blog entries and videos. Thank you for providing us with a space to write our passions out and for reminding me that taking the time to stop and reflect on if where I am today is in line with the path that I set out on.
Planner (who is a bride to be and MOH) - Hi Nancy! Just wanted to say THANK YOU for sharing with us your journey and current personal struggles, your post was not only inspiring but I could feel so much heart and passion, it gave me tremendous hope just reading it. I'm sure writing this post alone wasn't easy for you, but I sincerely thank you for your vulnerability and openness. I was so humbled and wowed by not only your story, but also your kind will to help out your community. In this day and age, it is really hard to find someone who will help out like this and I wanted to also thank you for this awesome opportunity to learn from you.
This past year (2015) was quite a ride for me.. through the grace of God, my younger sister and I became engaged to the love of our lives and we are having a double wedding (our poor parents!) this year. Unfortunately, I have also fell into a slump professionally as well. I've been in education for most of my career and while it was rewarding.. something was lacking. I've always wanted to help people (still do!) and so I thought of varies ways to turn that into a career and naturally picked events planning. I'm an organized extrovert who loves to plan so the choice came easily, but the path towards it hasn't been quite easy. I've unfortunately met planners along the way who say they want to teach interns, but just wanted "free help" and refused to teach us at all and I've also been struggling with getting my feet wet as well.. so I was happy to read that you were simply willing to teach us what you know. What a gift!
My passion for 2016 is to plan my own wedding, my sister's wedding (MOH duties as well!) beautifully and efficiently. I also want to focus on myself throughout this year and take the first real steps into events planning properly. It'll be a busy year ahead, but I also want it to be a good year as I start my new journey as a wife (because we all know the wedding is just the beginning!) but to do what I love doing the most.. helping people with planning because seeing their happiness warms my heart and gives me the drive to push forward in this field too. Thank you again for this opportunity!!
PLANNER- thank you for sharing so openly about your life. God has your life and your family's life in His hands. He has a perfect plan for you. I'm so blessed to read how bold you are for our Father through even the darkest seasons of your life. Openness is the key to healing and I will continue to pray for you and your family to be restored.
My name is Kimmie and I live in So Cal in Diamond Bar! My passion is to show the love of Christ through event planning. If I had all the time in the world and not have to worry about income, I would do full on ministry and wedding planning. These two things make me the happiest. I recently quit my very comfortable and stable job to purse my passion, event/wedding planning. My dad passed away almost 4 years ago and I couldn't bring myself to attend weddings for the longest time. I would cry every time I saw someone walk down the aisle with their father or when they shared their father and daughter dance. My heart broke each time and I put my passion of wedding planning on hold. I thank God that He rescued me and I accepted Christ through that year my dad was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. God showed me that many brides and grooms out there are also going through the same hurt I have. He showed me that He can bring us together and be restored through the process of planning a couple's wedding. God is slowly restoring me and showing me the importance of marriage. Everything is in God's plan and that's why I obeyed to quit to purse my passion this year, and not allow the obstacles in my life hinder me from reaching my full potential in the wedding planning industry. This has come at such a perfect time, and I pray that you'll pick me! If not, I hope that we can connect still. You're such an inspiration and I truly thank God for such a gracious heart. God bless you and your family!
With blessings,
Kimmie Lu
PLANNER / Wow, those photos are seriously so moving. Thank you for sharing those pictures, your story, and your heart with everyone. What a precious, bittersweet keepsake of the memory of your little one. Thank you for sharing.
I am not a planner currently, but I thought I would enter this giveaway as I am contemplating becoming one, in part because I am so inspired by you and had such an amazing time working with you on Jameson's birthday! And what an amazing opportunity it would be to learn from the best in the business, to see if this is something I could really do! So here goes...
If I had all the time in the world and income didn't matter, well, my passion is and always has been to make people feel known and loved through using my gifts, energy, and creativity. It is the theme that threads and fuels everything I do today across all aspects of my life, in both the personal and professional. On the personal side, my love languages are gifts and quality time, but to me, those are interwoven, because it isn't just about giving "things" to people - it is about knowing someone deeply, who they are, what motivates them, what inspires them, or what their needs are, and putting the thought, time, and energy behind the perfect gift that will make them feel deeply known. That is the reason why I love crafting and designing cards and gifts, planning birthday parties for my friends, helping with weddings, showers, etc. because to me, it is all about knowing someone uniquely and deeply, and coming up with that unique way that will serve them or be an expression of them, and the way they are blessed by feeling like someone else knows and loves them. No party I have planned, invitation I have designed, or gift I have given have ever been the same for this reason. It is my passion and I love it!
This is also what led me to my current profession in Marketing. Though I don't get to express it as directly, my current role in Product Development and Innovation is in some ways very similar. It is all about getting to know my consumer, what she deeply needs, and designing a product - everything from what the product does, looks like, smells like, feels like - perfectly for her. Despite all the politics in working in corporate America, when I think about the big picture of what I get to do, I love my job because I get to do that same thing: pouring my energy and creativity in to develop the perfect product that when she sees it on shelf, she goes, "wow, they really know me and they made this for me!"
This last year, though, has been the most incredible year of my life. I had no idea what it would feel like to become a mom, and there is nothing that I love more. And as I contemplate how to better balance my time to prioritize what is most important to me, I am starting to look for an opportunity that could offer more flexibility, some income, but most of all, that would allow me to still do what I love to do. So if I win, I would cherish this opportunity as a way to help me jumpstart a new career and to go into something that I have always dreamed of doing, but never had the guts to go for! Spending time with you has been so eye-opening, and it has really given me vision and inspiration as to what is possible. :)
Thank you Nancy!
Christina Peng
PLANNER!
I loved reading your story and hearing your honesty about your life and the work amazing work that you do.
My name is Sopheap (Pip) Diggs, a mother of three with RoseBubbs Event Design and Details and I live in Long Beach. You've been an inspiration to me for quite some time now. I've followed you on IG and have always loved, loved, your work and everything you produce. I even wanted to ask you, if I can help you or be one of your assistance. lol I've been a stay at home mom for the past 7 years and always had a passion for designing parties, art, and an eye for detail. Growing up, I never had birthday parties so now that I have children I kinda go all out and give them what I never had. That's to say, I love entertaining and seeing how all the planning unfolds. My friends and family would ask me to if I can help plan their kids parties, and then I had a bride to be ask me to help plan her wedding. In my mind, I was asking myself, (wait, would people really pay for this?!) So that's how I got started with event planning.
I've been doing it for about 3 years now and I'm struggling with everything you listed above. Are my prices right? How do I attract the right clients? How do I charge family and friends? Am I in the right field? I wanted to attend your workshop but I couldn't afford it. I've been in a weird funk and having self doubt and would love some advice and hearing your real stories about getting through this. Thank you Nancy! I hope to meet you sooner than later!
Best Regards,
Pip
I forgot to add how I would pursue my passion this year! One is making sure to be present for those I love even when I am exhausted and feel like I don't have the time...remembering the big picture and what really matters in the long run. Second, my sister is getting married so that's an easy way to make sure I am putting everything I can into it to make her day super special! And finally, spending more time in prayer and reflection because I'm relearning that we can only give as much as we are getting from God. Thanks for this opportunity to reflect on our passions - I needed this :)
PLANNER: Hi Nancy!! Thanks so much for hosting this giveaway and for the opportunity for a lucky bride and planner to work with you. I admire your heart to love on and serve this industry with breathtaking gorgeous events, beautiful friendships, and an uplifting community. I was tempted to send you a separate email to submit to your giveaway, but that's probably cheating and I'd be eliminated; it's actually really nerve wreaking for me to write here because as a planner who books 20+ weddings a year, I may look like one who's got it all together and figured things out but really really, I'm not. I struggle with valuing myself, constantly doubting what I have to offer and if my prices are right, trying to be a good leader for my assistants, juggling being a new mom and the demands of trying to answer emails within a certain time period while trying to get enough sleep, and all the while fantasizing about stunning weddings that inspiring planners, like yourself, plan and wondering if I will ever get there. I have so many questions that I have tried to figure out myself and it would be so nice to get some real talk from you about how you started, some lessons you've learned, and how you have come to be where you are today. :)
I'm also so sorry for your loss. I can't imagine the heartbreak your family must have endured but God is so good and faithful and I hope His promises give you strength and perseverance. He wanted his two little angels back with him but I pray your family will be blessed in ways beyond our understanding.
If I had all the time in the world to split between my family, work, and myself and really pursue happiness, I would dedicate more time to intentionally spend time with my family and church. When I had my daughter, I couldn't physically be involved in church as I used to be and now it's almost like I've gotten used to it but I don't want to. Serving the Lord has always been a priority and brought me happiness and I guess I lost it. And with family, I'm battling the guilt of feeling like my family is suffering if my business is on track, and vice versa that my business is suffering and my clients are unhappy when I feel happy spending time, unplugged, with my family. I would like to carve out time and create life-lasting wonderful memories with my husband, daughter, parents, in-laws, and friends.
Oy, I'm cutting it close to the deadline! It took me a while to reflect and write, not to mention chase after my girl. :) I hope you enjoy reading my response as much as I have always enjoyed reading your blog. I stumbled upon your post about making the engagement banner for your friends, and the MAC waterproof eyeliner and have fell in love with your voice since then and have read every single one of your post. Stalker status, I admit. :)
Thanks Nancy!!!
Love you more! Thank you for being with me from the beginning!! Happi tears! 😘😘
Thank you so much for sharing, Joann! I love photography and am so jealous of people who are able to beautifully capture the emotions I feel in that moment! Such a great talent to pursue and nurture! I wish you all the best with it and your marriage!! Good luck!!!
Hi Lyn! Thank you so much for sharing! It truly takes courage to venture off and start your own business as a mom! I admire you and am blessed by your kind comments! Wishing you all the luck with it and hope we can meet soon!
Thank you so much for sharing and for your encouraging comments about our work! I envy you for knowing so early on what you wanted to pursue and going for it! That's amazing! Your company name is beautiful and I am sure I will be seeing a lot of it! ;) hoping we can meet! xo!
Oh whose wedding?! I would love to know! Thank you for following our work afterwards! ;) your work is absolutely crucial and I encourage my couples to partake in pre-marital counseling because it really is the best way to invest in your relationship! It would be great to see more of this on social media because I think counseling sometimes has a negative connotation... But it's SO not a sign of a problem, but rather a proactive step to NOT having problems. Please share when you do this as I would love to follow along and point my couples in your direction as well. :) thank you for sharing!
Oh my goodness! You wear many hats! And what a blessing your parents must feel to have you and your sister commit to the love of your lives this year! We launched our business with my own wedding planning and I'm sure your business will be off to a great start with you ANd your sister's wedding this year! Congrats and I wish you luck!!
Kimmie! Thank you so much for sharing! My heart goes out to you... My father passed away from cancer over 14 years ago and it still impacts me today... But I know the 3-4 year mark was the hardest for me, personally... So my prayers and hugs to you. Plus! We are neighbors! (I'm live in DB as well!) hoping we can meet and inspire each other, or at least run into each other at It's a Grind or wht neighborhood parks or markets? ;) good luck!
Christina!!! Oh I love you so much and am grateful that your beautiful son brought us together! He is only 1 and has already blessed my life so much! ;) thank you so much for sharing your passions and pursuits here! You are such a beautiful soul and anyone would be blessed to work with you! Congrats to your sister!! What a lovely opportunity to spend time with and help someone you love while trying out a new passion for planning and design (you're already so amazing at it!). Let's meet soon!! 😘😘
Soheap!! How can I thank you for your constant support and encouragement?? I see your IG likes and comments and it is so uplifting to know that although we have never met, we can inspire each other from afar! :) your at a VERY common stage that I think all planners go through (even those really BIG ones who seem to have it all together!). The industry is such a great community but at the same time disconnected since we don't work in one office together like most other careers. ;) I feel you and am so thankful that you shared here. I hope we can meet and your comment about the workshop is invaluable. I'm considering offering another that isn't as "fluffy" and just a bare bones lesson for people who need a pick me up! Either way, I hope our paths cross soon! Good luck!!
Oh my goodness, Sera!! I'm so honored you have entered the giveaway and thank you for your honesty and transparency! I'm humbled by your comments and know where you are coming from. These questions you have are still questions and struggles I deal with on a daily! My husband has to talk me down from my quarterly nervous breakdowns of feeling inadequate in all I do... Feeling guilty... To love others and myself without clark son or judgement. The struggle is REAL! Thank you so much for following along on my journey. I am thrilled to see you here and hope we can get together soon! 💘💘
Hi Nancy,
I know I missed the deadline for the Planner giveaway but still wanted to leave a comment. I've been obsessed with your work from your early years. I've gotten my feet wet in the wedding industry assisting another fellow Planner and have even taking on Day of Coordination clients of my own but stepped away from it for the sake of paying bills and needing a more stable income. Every since then I've been lost. :) Its funny how you talk about passion here because that is something that I have been praying through. I'm a single gal but feel that I have lost a part of myself and the passion that I once had in my early twenties. I can't imagine how the working moms and wives juggle everything! As I slow down life a little bit to spend more time on myself and re-discovering my passion I'm realizing more that its really all about the community and how we are all giving back to the world with the gifts, talents, and skill sets that God has given us. Still trying to figure out my platform of giving back but definitely want to start a blog to find my voice and possible a place in the blogging community. Having built a career in Marketing people are saying that blogging is a thing of the past and I do agree, however; there is a particular uniqueness to the community that we create here. What I've re-discovered so far is that I'm obsessed with creating memories and having good times with good people. Which i guess takes me back to community. I think that is why I love all things wedding related. Although the wedding planning process can be stressful for so many different reasons, it really is all about that story you create. I love how weddings are all about bringing together to celebrate love and a new chapter in life for some pretty special people.
Nancy, thank you for being so raw and returning to your roots and passion! You are definitely an inspiration to us all. Excited to see what exciting things God will reveal to you and your growing family in 2016!
- Christine (@withclee)
Yes! It's so true! When couples come in early in their relationship or for premarital counseling, it's amazing how much deeper their connections become. It was Sunah Lee's wedding!
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