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Some Considerations…
Posted on May 19, 2010 by Merdi in Just For FunI like summer, I always have. Even when I was little, and was too afraid of skinning my knees to ride a bike too fast, I liked summer because the sun was up later and so I could read later into the night. But summer has always been a time of change. Maybe that’s a product of being in school for so long, but summer is a very transitional time period, and I’m sure that other people feel that way as well. This summer in particular seems pretty transitional to me: my older sister is pregnant (WOO-HOO btw, more on that later), we’re moving to a new apartment, I’m taking my first real job as a lawyer (even though it’s an internship), we’ve decided to move back to Ohio next year, we’ll be celebrating our one year anniversary in just a few short weeks, and the list goes on.
But the thing that I think is the most transitional for me is that this summer (or spring, really, but it’s summer now so I’ll label this decision as a summer decision) I’ve officially decided that I’m going to be a part-time wedding planner. I’ve given it a lot of thought and have prayed about it for a long time, and I think it’ll be the right decision for me.
I’m still committed to working with adoptions and children in foster care through the law, but I’m increasingly concerned that I’ll burn out long before I have the opportunity to make a change for many children. So I’ll be finishing law school and being a lawyer at least 3/4 of the time, probably a little more, but I have decided that I would also like to be a wedding planner in order to bring some balance in my life. It seems to me that the lawyers who manage to stay in the juvenile field the longest are those that have good balances in their life. For some it means practicing two types of law, for others it means having mentors and friends in other fields, for others, like me, it means having a hobby to turn to when it’s not time to work any more.
So, with all those things in mind, here are some other things I am considering in the meantime (until I become a lawyer/wedding planner): creating realistic mood boards for weddings (perhaps for money), revamping the “Weddings” page on the blog, and/or getting materials together for my own wedding planning/styling business.
I know that I often ask open-ended questions on this blog, but this time in particular I’d really like your input. Should the blog stay like it is, a mix of home, weddings, and my own randomness, or should it focus more on weddings, or should it be bifurcated? Would you, or do you know anybody, who would pay to have a board styled for them (down to the color of bridesmaids dresses with actual swatches, the types of flowers in season, and potential budget break-downs)?
Thanks in advance for your support and patience, I really appreciate it!
I’ve noticed that I enjoy your blog so very much because of your energy and passion! I admire so much that you’re committed to making a difference and just as committed to exploring your passions in life. With that being said, I’ll get to answering your questions…
RE: Should the blog stay like it is, a mix of home, weddings, and my own randomness, or should it focus more on weddings, or should it be bifurcated?
Bifurcated. (Btw, thanks for teaching me a new word!) This is where I get a little bit analytical… You have excellent taste and a great eye for what makes things pretty, and that will easily support both weddings and home goodies. I particularly loved when you did the source list for the modern farmhouse kitchen and I think it would be beneficial to continue that on both the weddings and home goodies. Keep on adding in your own “randomness” because it gives you a personality! As long as it’s not “I woke up. I had an orange. I sat down,” which I haven’t seen you do anyway
then you’ll be fine. Keep the personal notes related to weddings/home goodies and you’ll do great. My only suggestion would be to structure it a little bit – i.e. weddings three days a week, a home display once, a home sourcing once. They don’t have to be set subjects like “Wedding Wednesdays” (so cute!) unless you want, but having that schedule in your head or on your “to do” list will help you to organize both parts.
Also, and this is Lauren-the-businesswoman talking here, the two topics feed into each other well in a business sense. If you style a wedding, why not a house or a wardrobe? It can only do good to display your talents because you never know when those opportunities will knock!
RE: Would you, or do you know anybody, who would pay to have a board styled for them (down to the color of bridesmaids dresses with actual swatches, the types of flowers in season, and potential budget break-downs)?
OH MY GOODNESS YES! If I were actually planning my wedding right now (vs. daydreaming it, which boyfriend and I do every day) I would be bothering you all the time for advice. I would recommend you to anyone I know in a heartbeat. Building up your weddings page, putting together some preliminary business material, and creating some more mood boards would help that recommendation process a lot. That could lead into features on websites and partnerships with vendors. Whoa, sorry, that was Lauren-the-businesswoman again!
Anyway I think I’m done writing a novel on your comments page
I hope some of this helped, and I’m wishing you the best of luck!
PS I meant to write that I absolutely would pay you for styling and/or as a wedding coordinator, too… the rest of my novel distracted me
Oh, thank you so much! I really appreciate your feedback, it’s helped me a lot! I’ll be working on updating the wedding page and trying to create some kind of workable schedule for maintaining a balance between all things pretty!
Hey Meredith, I think it\’s GREAT that you decided to do this! I wanted to be a wedding planner when I was younger and I\’m still a litttle bit obsessed with them haha-I can\’t wait to plan mine! Hope you and Marty are doing well, let us know if you come to Ohio this summer!
I can see how you would need a creative balance to keep you from burning out. You are not only talented and very creative with an amazing sense of style, you’re very smart to have already considered the need for balance.
I like Lauren M’s suggestions and can’t think of a thing to add to that.
I also like that you and Marty are moving back to Ohio.