I can not thank God enough for everything I have learned this year. I do not have a degree in business, nor have I done a formal internship with a big wedding company, therefore what I have accomplished my first year in business has all been teaching myself and learning from different mistakes and situations. I believe you have to constantly be learning in order to grow. If I didnt know how to do something, I taught myself or I searched in online and figured it out! I will never know everything there is to know about weddings and design; trends continually change, and every bride is different. One of my favorite quotes is “Accomplishment comes to those who say: I can make it happen.” Brian Cavanaugh. This encompasses everything I believe. If I want it, I will figure out a way to make it happen.

An interesting story, the other day my mom and I were in Hobby Lobby (she drove in from Tyler to bring me some family heirlooms I am using in some photos!) but were dicussing how to make something, I was at the fabric cutting station. I happened to buying a LOT of tulle, and a woman behind us looked shocked at how much tulle I was asking to be cut, so we told her what I was doing and then my mom proceeded to tell her I was a wedding decorator, and I had my own business,etc; well then the lady snickered and said “with moms help”. so my mom said well actually I live  hours away its her business completely!…I struggle with my image all the time, Ive been teased about how young am I, (I have even had trouble with businesses giving me a hard time) been told I cant do this or that…yes Im young, yes Im a new business, yes I have a lot to learn…but I still have a passion for what I do. I guess the healthiest thing to do with negativity is to let it drive you to accomplish and show those who doubt you and yourself (we all do it) you are capable and you will make it happen!

I have met some amazing people associated with the wedding world here in southeast Texas.  Ashley with southeasttexasweddings.com, Allen with Bellafotografica,Sara with Sara e. Evans Photograhy, Michelle with MeShells Wedding Bells, Emily with Emily Lockard Photography, Russ with REF video productions, Becky with B&B solutions, Holly and Christy with Beaumont Catering Company, hope to meet more and more! I have received some wonderful advice from them, and being a new business I need all the help I can get! I was able to be a vendor in my first two wedding shows this year with www.southeasttexasweddings.com at the Elegante in Beaumont! Ashley is the owner of southeasttexasweddings.com and works incredibly hard so that our businesses get the appropriate exposure and marketing in order for our names to get around town to potential brides!

 Spring Show

 Fall Preview

 I had three amazing and beautiful brides!

I was also blessed with a great friend who offered to do a photo shoot for me, to help build my portfolio, Allen with http://www.bellafotografica.com/ He is insanely gifted, and has a knack for capturing the beauty of love with all his clients.

2011 is starting off to look very, very promising! I can not wait to see what God has in store for us. Anyone who knows me, knows I have ginormous dreams, like off the chart dreams; but without them you have nothing to reach for, nothing to accomplish, nothing to push yourself for… I refuse to be ordinary!