It's only fitting that at this time of year between the seasons and the holidays, that we embrace change. That I embrace change.
When I started this journey nine years ago, before my affiliation with The Association of Bridal Consultants, before I could dream of a studio, or clients which would become friends and colleauges who would become family...I always wanted to have the type of business which reflected the authentic me.
With anything, when there's evolution, there's fear. A year ago I recognized that the fear had taken me to a level outside of my comfort zone. I was no longer celebrating the type of boutique firm that we are, I was trying to keep up with the perception of who I needed to be.
It made me miserable...and I had alot of company.
Two weeks ago that all changed.
Two weeks ago I jumped on an A-1 motorcoach, for what I believe would be an typical networking event...and my life changed. As I sat surrounded by 25 of my peers, laughing, sharing an embracing each other, I was reminded of why I joined in this industry and what I wanted my contribution to be. In that moment, I was so grateful for my affiliation with The Association of Bridal Consultants, being on the Board of Wish Upon a Wedding Philadelphia, for meeting twitter peeps and facebook friends. In that moment, I remembered that I am apart of a phenominal industry filled with phenominal people...
And it's OK to be comfortable in your own "business skin".
With that I made some drastic decisions. I contacted a ridiculously cool marketing firm and developed a team that will help with the re-brand of POSH, I terminated the lease of our existing studio for one which is more intimate (same great location)and hired a glam squad for a new photoshoot (woot woot).
Most importantly, I decided that I was going to celebrate that we are a true boutique studio and not in pursuit of taking over the event world in numbers. We are going back to our original strategy of accepting no more than 15 weddings a year because we love having that time getting to know our clients and their families, trading in boring handshakes for lots of hugs, and as of today I am officially re-implementing my "jeans rule!" dresscode.
I've been so blessed over the years with a great network of industry friends (way too many to name) and the best staff a girl could ask for, I just want to say thank you all for reminding me of what this business is all about.
We have so much to share from events and happenings over the last year, just please be patient because between the re-brand, the move and business as usual, it make take a while. And for those of you who thought this was a baby announcement, sorry, maybe next time....
xoxoxo
Tuesday
Wednesday
Beauty is her name...
My favorite part of wedding day is the sound of the gasp in the room when the Bride realizes she is a "Bride". In this one moment, the day is at peace, emotions collide and the beauty of the day, the individual and the loved shared by two people is revealed. In that tiny second, for THAT Bride, for EVERY bride, beauty is her name.
(Image courtesy of Imagine Photography)
(Image courtesy of Entwined Studio)
(Image courtesy of Clair Pruett Studios)
(Image courtesy of Cindy Guessford Photography)
(Image courtesy of Entwined Studio)
(Image Courtesy of Mary Quinn Photography)
(Image courtesy of Imagine Photography)
(Image courtesy of Entwined Studio)
(Image courtesy of Clair Pruett Studios)
(Image courtesy of Cindy Guessford Photography)
(Image courtesy of Entwined Studio)
(Image Courtesy of Mary Quinn Photography)
Tuesday
Happy Anniversary Mr & Mrs. Jung
Two years ago today, we witnessed the marriage of a very special couple as they exchanged vows at Cescaphe Ballroom during a heartfelt, emotional and intimate ceremony.
(Photo courtesy of Entwined Studio)
Happy Anniversary Mr. & Mrs. Jung. We wish you a lifetime of happiness and many, many more!
(Photo courtesy of Entwined Studio)
Happy Anniversary Mr. & Mrs. Jung. We wish you a lifetime of happiness and many, many more!
Monday
Happy Birthday Dr. King
Today we honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I recognize that I, like many, am Living "The Dream" daily as I watch my bi-racial son grow in a world where he will be afforded opportunities that were not granted to those that came before him. My 93 year old grandmother relives those moments through the images on tv and I stand proud that so many have sacrificed so that we can have. We must do better as a people to move closer to the dream that Dr. King gave his life in support of. How do you live "The Dream"?
Thursday
Transparency: The gray side of marriage
If you follow me (@poshevents)on twitter late last night I tweeted that today would be the day I did a transparency post. My assistant Jenelle (@jenellethemodel) does transparency tweets all the time and I've always admired her courage to be totally exposed in her testimony. I've had an issue lying on my heart for quite sometime now and figured the blog is my ultimate medium, and I really miss blogging, so what better place and what better time?
In this industry we are often flooded with the ideal picture of love. What it is and what it should be. Society will tell you that if you are not married by xxx age, you are flawed, and when you do get married you live the perfect life, swept away by a prince and go off together into happily ever after land.
The reality is that this may not be the case.
As a newlywed I can honestly say the first year of marriage was quite the challenge. I love my husband and undeniably he loves me, however, I don't know if we were ever prepared for the road that would follow shortly after the "I dos". During the first year I must have answered to "how's married life" a million times, but never knowing exactly what to say. Do you say "challenging at times" or is perfect with a smile the only acceptable answer to give?
I do this for a living. How could I, Wedding planner, educated with three degrees, met my Mr. charming, married in my fantasy wedding, not say perfect? After all, I love my husband and he loves me.
The period of engagement is quite the fantasy. Everyone is so supportive of your love and your upcoming celebration that often times it is easy to lose sight of the purpose. The relationship. The bond. The legally binding, split everything in half, through thick and thin, bond...and all of a sudden the lights have faded on your ceremony and you wake up in your reality.
It's not always easy.
It's been laying so heavily on my heart to say the things that society is afraid to say. You may NOT live in a honeymoon phase for the first 5 years, or maybe not even the first 5 months. Your marriage will face challenges. You will hit speed bumps and road blocks just like any other relationship. You may even potentially face a problem that appears to be bigger than you, that will test your faith and your commitment. You may NOT want to be bothered sometimes. You may NOT be able to perform as the perfect husband or perfect wife and may not always know all of the answers. You WILL be disappointed in your spouse at times. It's reality and it's a reality that unfortunately no one ever speaks of so when you find yourself in the situation you feel abandoned, alone and dare I say it regretting your decision.
I've been there so I know it happens.
And it's perfectly OK.
What I've learned about "marriage", the institution, is that it withstands challenges, it is forgiving and it does overcome.
I married my better half a little over a year ago and what we've learned as a couple is that the formula for a great marriage is communication, dedication and faith, not perfection. Everything in life is not always as it seems nor is it always black and white. Somethings in life just stay in the gray.
In this industry we are often flooded with the ideal picture of love. What it is and what it should be. Society will tell you that if you are not married by xxx age, you are flawed, and when you do get married you live the perfect life, swept away by a prince and go off together into happily ever after land.
The reality is that this may not be the case.
As a newlywed I can honestly say the first year of marriage was quite the challenge. I love my husband and undeniably he loves me, however, I don't know if we were ever prepared for the road that would follow shortly after the "I dos". During the first year I must have answered to "how's married life" a million times, but never knowing exactly what to say. Do you say "challenging at times" or is perfect with a smile the only acceptable answer to give?
I do this for a living. How could I, Wedding planner, educated with three degrees, met my Mr. charming, married in my fantasy wedding, not say perfect? After all, I love my husband and he loves me.
The period of engagement is quite the fantasy. Everyone is so supportive of your love and your upcoming celebration that often times it is easy to lose sight of the purpose. The relationship. The bond. The legally binding, split everything in half, through thick and thin, bond...and all of a sudden the lights have faded on your ceremony and you wake up in your reality.
It's not always easy.
It's been laying so heavily on my heart to say the things that society is afraid to say. You may NOT live in a honeymoon phase for the first 5 years, or maybe not even the first 5 months. Your marriage will face challenges. You will hit speed bumps and road blocks just like any other relationship. You may even potentially face a problem that appears to be bigger than you, that will test your faith and your commitment. You may NOT want to be bothered sometimes. You may NOT be able to perform as the perfect husband or perfect wife and may not always know all of the answers. You WILL be disappointed in your spouse at times. It's reality and it's a reality that unfortunately no one ever speaks of so when you find yourself in the situation you feel abandoned, alone and dare I say it regretting your decision.
I've been there so I know it happens.
And it's perfectly OK.
What I've learned about "marriage", the institution, is that it withstands challenges, it is forgiving and it does overcome.
I married my better half a little over a year ago and what we've learned as a couple is that the formula for a great marriage is communication, dedication and faith, not perfection. Everything in life is not always as it seems nor is it always black and white. Somethings in life just stay in the gray.
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