It is because of notes like the one I'll share at the end, that working every weekend, meeting with brides several nights out of the week, putting in anywhere from 10-30 hours/week on wedding stuff is all worth it.
Some people don't understand why I have my wedding planning business. I mean, I have a fabulous "real" career that I worked my ass off to get to, I make decent money, I'd have my weekends free...why do I do this? Because I love it. Even on those Saturday mornings when I roll out of bed and think "Another wedding ((Sigh))," I still love it when I get there and am thrown into the thick of it. And I love that I can be an affordable option for a couple. If I didn't do this on the side, I'd have to raise my prices. I like that almost everyone's budget can squeeze in a Coordinator with my pricing. That's why I started this....I knew how badly everyone should at least have a Day of Coordinator, but I didn't like the prices I saw out there for it. The light bulb went off and I thought "I can do this for people!"
Of course loving it is also the reason I refuse to make this company bigger than what it is. Well, that and the fact that I have no desire to walk in my parents footsteps of self-employment for the rest of my life. Having a great year and then a not so great year, always high-priced crappy insurance, paying and dealing with multiple employees...yeah, not so much fun to me. So I will keep it small in order to love it big.
I'll keep the note anonymous, but this is the portion I'm going to brag on a little. She is the most awesome, amazing, coolest damn girl ever. She's the kind of gal you KNOW you could just be friends with after a beer together. It's notes like these that make it all worthwhile and that make it even more fun. It's also women like this, the ones that take the extra time to actually write a thank you, that make it special.
I couldn't do this without the brides (and grooms!) that I have. I always wonder if someone is watching over me and only letting the "good" brides through.
And the letter.........that brought tears on way too early this morning:
I just want you to know that I appreciate you so much, and that I THANK YOU for everything that you did for (Name Withheld) and I on our wedding day- For the rest of my life, you will be in my memory as letting me swear in church and keeping me calm before I had to take on those stairs!! I am so glad that you were there with me at such a happy time, and good lord, helping me find some lip gloss!! what the heck was I thinking not having julie come to the church I will never know, I didn't want to inconvenience her! Knowing that I could count on you meant a lot to me, and I never would have been able to have the day that I did without you! It was a calm stress free day, and I know I owe a lot of that to you.. I have stood up in a couple weddings, and been the one to set things up and all the while knowing I have to get ready too, so having you there and having the time to hang out and enjoy everyone and everything meant a lot to me~
Sorry this took so long to get to you- I am so excited that you are going to be working with (Name Withheld) for her wedding next August- I can't wait to see you in action again! I told (Name Withheld) she would regret NOT having you, and I am glad that you were available- some things are just meant to be I think...
Well take care Danica, I am going to keep up with you via your blog.. I hope you enjoy your much deserved time off, and THANK YOU again. I love that you will be one of my most favortist memories from our day!
