Not gonna lie, 2016 was a doozy. There were struggles, but also victories. We’re recapping some of our big moments here:
Wedding Planners’ Gathering
Becoming and instructor for The Wedding Planners’ Gathering was an incredible honor. Being included on the distinguished panel of fellow event planners and designers to provide our expertise to aspiring wedding planners and couples planning their own weddings was a true highlight of the year. I’ve always wanted to teach and this experience has lit a fire within me. I’m planning to share more of my experience in the year to come. Let me know if there is anything you’re curious to learn about!
Goodbyes and New Beginnings
Saying farewell to GATHER Events, a company I co-owned and creative directed for 6 years in favor of following my heart to walk down an unknown path and start my new company was a difficult choice to say the least. This decision was surrounded by a myriad of feelings: fear, uncertainty, excitement, exhilaration, anxiety, joy, determination. This decision forced me to take a critical look at who I am and where I’m going and to be really honest with myself. What do I want? How do I get there? Who do I want to surround me? What’s holding me back? With my business so focused on making other people happy, I had sort of lost touch with what I needed to be happy. This people-pleaser doesn’t focus on herself all that often. It was a challenging exercise, but a necessary one.
Finding a Mentor
Linking up with my business coach Marla Diann helped me answer those questions. Working with my mentor illuminated my biggest challenge: my need to be perfect is holding me back. Marla showed me how to get out of my own way and write a new story for myself…one of dignity, confidence, action and expansion. I’m a work in progress, but I already feel like I’ve come so far. We need mentors, people. Go get yourself one. We don’t get anywhere alone.
Our Amazing Clients
We had the honor of planning and designing weddings for some of the most amazing couples this year. It is immensely gratifying to take a couple through the process of planning a wedding, alleviating their fears, guiding them along the path that’s right for them, getting to know them and their families, taking great care of them and their guests and fulfilling their dreams in their own authentic way. I am always amazed at how much better I get to know a couple by meeting the guests at their wedding. Like attracts like. I’m so grateful to know these characters!
On the Road Again
Oh, the places we went! Ray and I traveled through Mexico to visit his huge family, we visited Nashville to work with an incredible local team and produce a lovely styled shoot and we took many nearby trips to Santa Barbara, Ojai and of course my favorite Palm Springs! Lauren traveled throughout Italy and Katie spent time in Portland, Austin and Waco (hi Joanna!). Traveling is inspiring. It makes us happy. We plan to do a lot more of it in the new year. We’ve already got Washington DC, New Zealand and Mexico on the agenda!
Getting Creative
We produced two beautiful styled shoots this year. This editorial was such a joy and the result made me incredibly proud. And our time in Nashville putting together a pretty editorial (coming to Style Me Pretty really soon) at The Cordelle was pure magic. Can’t wait to share more, but for now, here’s a behind the scenes peek.
The Election
I’m not going to get super political in this post or on this blog. What I’ll say is that the election outcome was shocking to me on many levels. It was a wake up call. It ignited a fire within me. If we are not part of the solution, we are part of the problem. This #girlboss feels compelled to get involved. And I plan to. I am starting by attending the Women’s March on Washington on January 21. I will be there making my voice heard. Are you getting involved? You can do so by joining the march and/or by donating to the cause.
10 Times Bolder
I recently read an Instagram from Boss Ladies Magazine posing the question: “What would you do if you were ten times bolder?” It got me thinking. In fact, it blew my mind. What if we operated everyday as if we were ten times bolder? What if we were led by boldness rather than by fear? I’ve decided to give that a shot. So in 2017, you’re going to be seeing and hearing a lot more from Mrs. RO because this new year is going to be all about putting myself out there, using my voice, sharing my gifts and being a light in this world.
2016 came with many opportunities, many lessons, many victories. May we all enter this new year with more wisdom, perspective, grace and boldness. Happy New Year to you!