2014, you were incredible. You were more than incredible; you were magnificent, wonderful, challenging, scary, exciting and every thing I ever dreamed of … and then some.
You were my first full year as the owner of Dear Sweetheart Events.You were full of adventure and challenges… lots of tears, tons of laughter & so much of my heart fills up your days. In the past 15 months, I launched DSE, styled my first shoot (and proceeded to style 14 more!), executed 14 wedding days (5 of which were also floral design), had features on over 10 blogs and 1 print publication (with another coming out in just a few weeks!). I tried my hand at floral design & found I really, really, really love it. I re-branded (really, I just branding for the first time!); I visited NC, PA, MD and drove all over the state of VA for amazing brides and fun vendors; I attended workshops, an intensive and was mentored by industry leaders. And I co-founded a conference that sold out in 13 days (which I still pinch myself over). 2014 was full of movement… Even I look back and think “how in the world?!”!! But you know what the most important thing was about the entire year? I fell madly in love with why I do what I do.
So far, we’ve looked back at favorite blog posts (here & here) and recapped my 14 in 2014. But today’s post is a bit more than that.. it’s a full year in review… a month to month look back & I can’t WAIT to jump right in!!! (and if you make it the end, you’re really, really awesome.) Friends, let’s go…
OCTOBER 1, 2013 … humble beginnings, y’all! Big dreams began right here…
NOVEMBER 2013 … I styled my very first styled shoot. I cry when I see these images because I remember the nervous flutter in my stomach when I emailed Annamarie Akins Photography asking her to take a chance on such a newbie. 4 weeks after the shoot took place, I saw it grace the pages of Style Me Pretty & I really couldn’t breathe. (I also became wonderful friends with our gorgeous model, Regan!)
JANUARY … My goal for the year was to book 7 DSE brides. Praise the Lord that throughout the year He saw fit to almost double that amount!!
I also started working with Ashlee Proffitt Design on my rebrand. She began working her magic & I just adore her:)
AND I styled my second shoot with Katie Nesbitt Photography!!! I’m SO happy that Alexandra of Heart Love Always featured both the shoot and the DIY portion of it. (And my gorgeous friends were the models – they’re fabulous!)
FEBRUARY … A blizzard couldn’t stop Kimmie and I from putting this beautiful shoot together! I loved working with this sweet girl & am so happy we preserved through all the obstacles we had thrown our way! Glamour & Grace featured it a few months later, and one of my sweet May couples acted as our models!
MARCH … I styled this shoot with Amanda Truth Photography and Aleen Floral Design. I loved meeting these two & seeing our shoot on Tidewater & Tulle.
I did a mentor session with Natalie Franke Photography, and found a lifelong friend!! She is SO WISE and FULL of passion and heart!! I ADORE her and am SO blessed she took all the pretty headshots you see on my site, AND challenged me in ways I never thought possible!!
March is both my birthday month & Matt’s birthday month; it only seemed fitting to have Ashley take fun photographs take at our town home with Knox, funfetti cupcakes & lots of laughter!:)
To close out the month, I attended Making Things Happen and it blew my mind. I cultivating amazing friendships with three women who challenge me & rock my world – Taylor, Bonnie & Laura. Taylor has become my counterpart & I couldn’t survive without her; I need her bravery, honesty & texts in my life daily. Bonnie is someone I look up to dearly & pinch myself because I call her “friend”; and Laura is our breath of fresh air & just downright hysterical (and I get to see them all SO MUCH in 2015!)! I left MTH fired up for what I really cared about: My Husband. And I vowed to spend the remainder of 2014 showing him just that.
APRIL … I attended Amanda’s Wedding Floral Workshop where I really cultivated a love for floral design. It was my first time truly learning the art of flowers & it has since become a passion so deep in my soul it’s like it’s always been there. Rachel May Photography was there to capture all the gorgeousness.
Later in the month, I met up with Rachel again to style this romantic lavender shoot. I had so much fun working with Taylor and Amanda, and I about fell out of my chair when it not only graced the pages of Style Me Pretty, but became my first print feature in the UK magazine Wedding Flowers & Accessories!!! (Did you know my husband modeled as a groomsmen in this one? And our “bride & groom” are real life newlyweds I’ve know practically my whole life!!)
MAY … My first wedding month begins!!! 3 amazing DSE brides said “I Do” and I was honored to be apart of it all!!!
Joy & Brian: my very first DSE couple & I will never, ever forget them!! Joy was truly a JOY to work with & their day was BRIGHT and absolutely amazing!!! Matt & I loved working with Michael & Carina Photography, too!! Bayside Bride featured this beautiful day!
Eve & Kyle: these two had such a classic Richmond wedding!! I met Eve through Amanda and was glad I could be there for both of them that day!! And Stephanie Yonce Photography was WONDERFUL to work with!!
Ali & Michael: oh these two!! Matt and I LOVED being apart of their day!! We worked with Kimberly Florence Photography & it’s one of my favorite wedding days of the year!! Heart Love Always shared their beautiful love story, too!
AND as if May wasn’t busy enough… My new brand launched!!! Taylor did an amazing job with my logo & even lettered a few other things specific for DSE. Ashlee brought my entire brand to life through beautiful collateral and the website you see today!!:) My brand launch was more than just a website & pretty colors; it was a visual representation of the heart behind DSE. I finally felt “at home” with my web presence & understood what I wanted my sweet brides to see & feel when meeting me for the first time.
JUNE … I attended Katelyn James’ first Small Business Social; this lady is full of SO MUCH knowledge!!! She was my wedding photographer, and I have always admired her; I was so excited to spend 6 hours soaking it all in & seeing new & old friends!!
Later in the month, Alex Meyer Events and I tagged-teamed a Kate Spade Bridesmaids Brunch shoot! Alex and I started around the same time & it’s been so great to walk through this journey with her! I LOVED working with Shannon Joy Paperie, Bulloss Photography & Jeana M Photography! Bayside Bride showed off all the pink & gold a few weeks later!
JULY … Matt and I took a week off to vacation with his family on Hatteras Island. Unfortunately, a hurricane decided to hit and it wasn’t the week we thought it’d be! The time off did my soul good, though, and I came back feeling more refreshed and ready to tackle the rest of the season!
On July 20, we celebrated one year of marriage. One year, friends. I can hardly believe it! We spent it at home, relaxing & just being together. We dined at The Melting Pot and tried pieces of year old frozen wedding cake:)
Erika & Kevin: These two were married in the City of Brotherly Love! Matt and I traveled up to Philly for the weekend and ate way 4 (yes, 4) Philly Cheesesteaks & had our first taste of Duck Donuts (Thanks, Ashley & Tyler!)!!! We LOVED working with The Herrintons & Katelyn & Michael!!
AUGUST … Oh what month this was!!! A big launch, 2 weddings & 2 shoots… let’s go!
The DSE Bride Binder launched!!!! This beauty is a HUGE piece of my heart & I am SO grateful Ashlee pushed me to make it a reality now & not wait!! I began to understand the saying “done is better than perfect” & am so happy this came to life in my first year. I can’t wait to update it for my 2016 brides!!:)
Mary & David: Mary was my first “full service floral bride” – meaning I designed all of her centerpieces, bouquets & did all the design elements of her wedding day. Her wedding is another favorite of mine & I LOVED working with Katie Nesbitt Photography!! (I can’t WAIT to see it in print next month!!)
I styled this industrial romance shoot for Katie Nesbitt Photography’s workshop & we were THRILLED to see it on Ruffled!! Her workshop made me realize how much I LOVE styling for photography workshops & can’t wait to do more of it in 2015!
The V.A. Photography workshop shoot was BRIGHT and BOLD and SO MUCH FUN to design!!!! I LOVE working with Ashley and was so excited to see this on Every Last Detail, too!:)
Kelly & David: I closed out my month with their Labor Day Weekend wedding! These two had a hot pink & navy tented reception with the perfect mix of Virginia Tech details!! I loved working alongside Bulloss Photography, and while the rain pounded on us under that tent, it did NOT stop the party from continuing on into the night!!:)
And, at the very end of this jam-packed month, Creative At Heart was born. We didn’t launch until October, but my sweet friend and I began our joy-filled journey of putting this beautiful thing together. I can’t thank Taylor enough for being the best side-kick & bestie a girl could ask for!!
SEPTEMBER … To be frank, September-October I fought exhaustion and that “burnt out” feeling a lot of industry professionals get. While I LOVE everything I was doing, I also learned what NOT to do in 2015.
At the very beginning of the month, Caitlin & I set out to put together a Couture Travel Shoot and Amy made the most perfect paper goods!! This shoot is one of my favorites – full of texture, details & sophistication… I was honored to see it on 100 Layer Cake!!
Kaitlyn & Jimmy: These love birds said I Do on a BEAUTIFUL September day!!! Kate was SO MUCH FUN to work with… she was my first pergola design & one of my FAVORITE bouquets of the year!! She has such a big heart & is still blessing me with her sweet spirit & thoughtful gifts!!! Her wedding was FULL of details & I can’t wait to blog it in the new year:)
Evelyn & Dakota: Working with Annamarie was a highlight in my year!! She is so talented and has been a DSE supporter since day 1 (literally!)! While Evelyn’s day had a few hiccups, she was truly a calm & collected bride & I’m so happy I could be by her side to assist with it all!!
I also began offering DSE One On Ones!! Friends, these have brought so much joy to my heart & I’m so excited to expand on this in 2015!!
OCTOBER … Michael & Carina humbled my heart when they asked me to style & design flowers for their anniversary session with Laura Gordon. I lovelovelove these two; they have blessed my heart so much this year.
Kathryn & Nick: Abby Grace is by far the most FUN to work with!!! She is confident in who she is & I admire her gumption SO much!! I LOVE these portraits and Kathryn was truly my most organized bride of the year (you know I loved it!)!!
Kaitlyn & Russ: You GUYS. I am DYING to share the full wedding with you, but Rachel & I are holding off a little bit longer!! It was a SHOWSTOPPER!!! Kaitlyn was the first full planning bride to book me (a mere 2 months after I launched DSE!)! I’m so thankful for her trust in me & for putting together some of my FAVORITE wedding details!!!
I also styled Amanda’s Floral Workshop shoot and LOVED every minute!! I look up to Amanda so much and was HONORED when she asked me to style this shoot!! As always, Rachel, Taylor and Shannon were incredible to work with and the flowers were INSANE!! The full post is coming in January, along with a big feature!:)
Last up in the full month of October was the launch of Creative At Heart!!!! YAY!!! I still pinch myself whenever I think of this conference & the beautiful women who have signed up for Round 1. Their trust in us makes my heart soar & I’m dying to meet them all so soon!
NOVEMBER … Emily & Mark… I don’t have enough words to describe how much I LOVE their wedding day!! Working with her dream team of vendors made me feel (a) out of my league and (b) humbled to have the opportunity!! Like Kaitlyn, she booked me very early on in my business & I LOVED building a friendship with her while we planned her big day!!! Her bouquet by Amanda Veronee is a favorite & Katelyn blew ALL these images out of the water #waytoomanyfavorites !!!
After just 13 days, Creative At Heart sold out… while Taylor and I didn’t get to see each other to celebrate, you better believe we were texting like crazy and celebrating from afar!!! We were in awe of the amazing response we received… I cried, laughed & cried again. All for His Glory, friends.
Later in the month, I styled a shoot that challenged me & inspired me… I met Jess and Annmarie at Ashley’s Workshop in August, and I immediately LOVED them!! They have such a VIBRANT spirit and I feel like I never stop laughing with them!!! They asked me to style a Boudoir Shoot at the Paisley & Jade studio and, friends, it was one for the books!! I can’t wait to share all the details, but for now this pretty picture will have to do!
At the very end of the month, I styled Christmas Mini’s for my 2014 Clients! It was so.much.fun!!! It’s a client experience that is definitely here to stay!! Ashley did an incredible job with the images & Heart Love Always featured their favorites!
DECEMBER … Ashly & Jason: Ashly booked me a mere 19 days before her wedding!!! She was a last minute DSE bride I was not expecting to get to know this year, but I am SO glad I did!! She truly is so kind & genuine; and I loved her love of sparkle & pink!! Their Williamsburg wedding may have been rainy but it was intimate & beautiful! Matt and I loved being apart of it!!
Amanda invited Taylor and I to be apart of her workshop shoot and we had SO MUCH fun!! I loved being in the OBX during off season; and finally meeting Amanda in person was a joy!! I can’t WAIT to share the full shoot with you!!!
Now, If you’ve made it this far, you deserve a prize!! WHAT A YEAR!!! What an INCREDIBLE and BUSY year!!! And, it’s not quite over yet!!! I still have 1 more event in 2014… a beautiful NYE wedding with Jen Jar taking place TONIGHT!!
2014, you were really remarkable. I started off the year have absolutely no idea what would come of DSE… I didn’t have a concrete business plan or tons of funds in the bank… but I was hopeful… really, really hopeful. I wanted to build a brand that was a true reflection of my heart; that was built on the values and principles I hold dear. I wanted to create a business that would, one day, help financially support my family while also allowing me to live my dream & bring my passion to life.
In the last 12 months, I have found community & self-worth & really began to believe in myself. I allowed myself to dream bigger & higher & see them become reality.
It was kind of like an explosion year…. things happened so fast. And so many things happened. I felt like I walked around all year with full hands, a full heart & an overwhelming amount of things on my to-do list. See, I’m not superwoman. Working full-time while doing all of this was EXHAUSTING and OVERWHELMING and I cried just as much as I laughed. It was truly unforgettable and I don’t regret a thing… but I’m making some big changes in 2015.
“I’m ravenous, and life looks to me so sparkly and beautiful, waiting to be devoured like a perfect apple. So I say yes, yes to everything, to that meal and that event and that trip and that person. It’s so delicious, and I don’t want to miss out on even one moment of it. And that’s the point: I miss all sorts of sacred and significant moments, because of my frantic insistence that I can do it all.” –Shauna Niequist
One of my mentors shared that quote yesterday & it put into words everything my heart was feeling. I say “yes” to everyone & everything… but sometimes I forget to say “yes” to myself. I say “yes” because it looks fun & exciting… and although it was & it is, I want to say “yes” to what MATTERS. I want to say yes to ordinary moments with my husband on the couch on a Wednesday night. I want to say yes to grocery shopping, to walking Knox around the neighborhood, to a Tuesday night spent reading in my favorite PJ’s. 2015 is going to be a year of intentionality. I’m ready to date my husband & cherish our time together. I’m ready to breath deeply & admire every moment. I’m challenging myself to focus on the simple things & make every business decision intentional and meaningful and a true reflection of my core.
2014 was really amazing, and I have a feeling 2015 will be, too:) I’m off to end this year & start another doing what I love, with my husband by my side!! Happy New Years Eve, friends!!
xo!! kat
