Reflections on a busy summer
We are a solid week into autumn, and so I finally feel like I can properly sit down and think about this past summer. It was a record for me, with four weddings between June and September! I am exceedingly proud of each one for very different reasons, particularly since this summer was a tumultuous one for me personally and professionally.
First and foremost, I must thank Sara & Drew, Haley & Zach, Dorrie & Rob, and Maggie & Sam - my summer ‘23 couples! I learned so much from each of you and your celebrations, and I will treasure the memories of our planning sessions as well as your ceremonies themselves forever.
Second, here’s what I mean by that tumultuous summer: in late June 2023, I was laid off. Like many millennials, I had a day job in addition to attempting to turn the thing I’m actually passionate about into a professional gig. I had only been working at that job for just over a year, but it had been a challenging time, to say the least. Without going into too much detail, I constantly felt overwhelmed and under prepared, and felt more intense imposter syndrome than ever before. Ironically, I had been recruited for this job; clearly, someone thought I was qualified for the position! Other than my own strange intuition - I often joke I’m a little bit psychic - I had no inkling that a layoff was in the works, and I happen to know I was the only person in the office to be let go.
Within a few weeks of unemployment, it was apparent to me that I had been deluding myself over the course of that year. That office environment had been draining me of precious energy and making me question my own self worth. Once out of that toxic cloud of nonsense, I could breathe easier and focus on what I was genuinely excited about: my bespoke wedding creations! It was a gift to be given time in addition to evenings and weekends to focus on this sweet and special work. I think the two weddings I performed at the end of the summer were of particular significance, since it was tangible proof that I had moved past that frustrating experience and into something brighter and better for me.
The highlights:
In early June, I officiated the wedding of Sara & Drew, who I first met in the fall of 2008 in my college dorm. And the wedding took place in the chapel on our college campus! A dream venue come true for me.
In mid-June, I flew to Colorado to officiate the elopement of Haley, one of my high school besties, and Zach, her beloved beau. Due to wild schedules and missed calls and other life wackiness, I wrote their ceremony the day before the actual wedding! If I may say so, I think it turned out perfectly.
Some back story: I’ve been tap dancing on and off since I was three years old. In the spring of 2021, a local to me dance studio offered tap class via Zoom, and I leapt at the opportunity. When the class moved back to in-person, I followed. This past winter, Dorrie, our fabulous instructor was describing the stresses of wedding planning. I jokingly offered my services as an officiant, and I’ll never forget the wide-eyed glance she gave me which clearly translated to: “Umm, actually…” She and Rob, her future husband, hired me shortly thereafter, and it was a privilege to help them prepare for their glorious wedding day.
And finally, late September featured my smallest wedding yet: the couple was Sam and Maggie, and their guests were two their dearest friends. Including me and Sage, their photographer, there were only six people in attendance! They say big things come in small packages: I say tiny weddings can be full of giant love!
This summer showed me that I can provide all sorts of experiences to all types of folks. Whether it’s a family-only elopement or a massive celebration for all your loved ones, I’m certain I can help couples find that balance between intimacy and performance that can make a wedding ceremony positively memorable.
I am endlessly grateful to these four couples, as well as my first four couples - shoutout to Dani & Sal, Julia & George, Torey & LB, and Allison & Gerald - for giving me these opportunities to shine and shine lights on each of you and your love stories.
As of today, I’ve already got one wedding on the docket for 2024. But that means my calendar is in need of more! Who will I marry next? I look forward to finding out!
