So I’ve always said that I would someday write a book titled ‘Confessions of a Wedding Planner’. This hypothetical book would contain stories of my events and all the craziness that is involved in the event planning world. Obviously to write a book you would naturally need to be a good writer- which I am not! I decided that the start of 2016 would be as good a time as any to start journaling some of my experiences as a wedding planner. Over the years I have collected some emotional, beautiful and hysterically funny stories from events. Some of these stories involve clients, some guests of events and some consist of our crazy staff. These stories are part of me, my growth as a wedding planner and the reason I keep doing this job. I don’t want to ever forget where I started or where I dream to go so I think writing these memories in a journal will help keep me both grounded and reaching for the stars.

Since today is the first day in the new year and follows a beautiful New Years Eve wedding, I thought this would be the perfect entry to reflect on my relationship with my clients. Honestly, this is one of the most important parts of my job. I am privileged to get to spend quality time with families through a very intimate moment in their lives. These moments are very special to me. The relationships that we cultivate are beyond amazing. It’s hard to put into words, but I am personally and emotionally invested in my weddings. I lose sleep, get stress zits, shed tears, ingest entirely too much coffee (or wine)- whatever it takes so that my client doesn’t have to worry about anything. I want their special day to be perfect more than anyone else!

I cannot tell you how many times I’ve been asked “Oh, you’re a wedding planner? You must have tons of bridezillas”. The honest answer to that is NO! I truly don’t have crazy brides. In fact, it’s the total opposite. Sometimes I feel like the brides, grooms and their families are more concerned about me. They “don’t want to disturb you” “hate to bother you” “don’t worry about calling me back because I know you’re with your family”. I am beyond BLESSED! They treat me like family and I love every one of them so much. When their big day finally arrives, I might be more excited than anyone else.

And then it ends….it’s like a break up. We talk almost daily and then when the wedding is over, that’s it. Of course I keep in touch with them and social media is a great outlet to see photos and what’s going on in their lives, but it’s not the same. I call it the post wedding blues! I wish I could relive the wedding highlights with each one of them on their anniversary every year. Wish we could go back to that precious moment when the bride and her dad are waiting at the back of the church and I’m telling her to take a deep breath and make sure to take it all in. Wish we could relive their introduction as husband and wife and those few emotional seconds after the ceremony when they are first married. Go back to their first dance as husband and wife, me walking them through how to cut their cake and the funny way they always look at me because they need help getting that piece of cake on the plate. I also love those last few minutes at the bitter end when we are lining up the last of the guests for the exit and I get to sneak a peak of their private last dance. You see, it’s all beautiful! It reminds me how precious love is and how I remember feeling on my wedding day. I get to live those moments over and over again through every one of my events. Each one is different and beautiful in its own way.

I look forward to writing down more stories this year. This is going to be such a fun way to remember some of our highlights over the last 13 years in business and I can’t wait to share them with you! Happy 2016 Y’all!