one year later

After a full year of being full time with HG Events, I celebrating with an updated branding shoot (can’t wait to share more!) and a lot of words about doing this work and what it all means to me. Check it out below!

Photo: Indie Blake Photography

Venue: Third Daughter Studio

Rentals: Red Roof Farm Vintage Rentals

Florals + Design: HG Events

I’m often asked how long I’ve been wedding planning, and it’s a complicated answer for a few reasons. The first is that it depends on the capacity–I’ve been planning events professionally for almost seven years,  in the wedding industry for five, and on my own for a bit more than two–but the second and more honest answer is that it feels a bit like my whole life has led to this role. Let me explain: 

I grew up in a house where events were taken seriously. My mom LOVES to host (and she’s really, really good at it) Any opportunity to have people over or to throw a party, she took. When I was younger, I just thought it was cool to have family and friends over often, but looking back I recognize the role she played in strengthening our family and community. So many memories and stories that we all now reminisce on took place in my family kitchen or in our backyard pool, and I saw firsthand that that didn’t just magically happen. She would spend days cleaning and cooking and thinking through logistics to make sure everyone was taken care of, which then enabled them to relax, enjoy themselves and create memories. It was a labor of love in the truest sense. 

While in college and in spurts after, I began working in restaurants. Through all my roles in the front and back of house, I really learned what it meant to serve. Literally, of course, but actually what it meant to intentionally take care of someone. To engage with them, learn about their wants, to go above and beyond and help them create memories. The weight of the reality that my typical Saturday night shift was their anniversary, their proposal, their reunion, their memory–was never lost on me, and it always motivated me to give the best service possible. I was also learning tons about food and wine and the importance of ambiance, but most importantly about people. How to adapt to situations and dynamics and how to read the guest and to serve them how they want to be served rather than providing service at large (a fine art, honestly!)

After college during my few years of 9-5 work, I worked in nonprofit fundraising and as an executive assistant. In the former role, I fell in love with actual event planning–putting pieces together until you get to event day and see it all take shape–but also the power of getting people into the same space. Giving people a reason to come together, whether it’s for a fundraising gala or for a wedding, is also giving them a chance to experience new things, meet new people, and create memories of their own. It’s a really beautiful thing. As an executive assistant, I learned a ton about problem solving and minding the details. In life and in wedding planning, something’s always going to come up—the art is in how to handle it. Remaining calm, moving with authority and purpose, and constantly managing expectations. 

And finally, my time as a venue manager gave me exposure to dozens of weddings of all sizes and priorities. I’ve seen many versions of wedding timelines and layouts and methods of managing the flow of all guest counts. I know what works well and what can cause problems, and I know what’s actually necessary and what’s just marketing. I also got insight into just how magical and important weddings are. I know that it’s so easy to get wrapped up in our everyday lives that we neglect the importance of being together, but seeing couples reunite with family members and old coworkers and college roommates, and just feel so very loved and supported as they commit their lives to each other made me certain to my bones that this was the work that I was meant to be doing. 

And so two years ago I came up with HG Events, and one year ago, I made it my full time job. That combination of appreciating opportunities to gather and recognizing the importance that role plays in our communities, plus years of experience in the nitty gritty of planning and problem solving, and a deep, deep love for people and service led me here, to a wedding and event company I got to put my name on. I am at my core a super emotional person, but there’s truly nothing quite like knowing that you helped a couple experience the joy and magic that comes with gathering all of their loved ones for a celebration. It’s why I still cry at almost every wedding. I love taking what is often a very stressful experience and making it straightforward, all the while helping center themselves and their values in the process.

Of course, I didn’t get here alone. I am so grateful for the couples who have put their faith in me so far, the vendors who I met who have become friends, and my friends and family who have constantly gone above and beyond to help me directly, or by helping in other facets of my life so I could focus on my couples. Thank you to my fiance who always listens to me work out scheduling puzzles and takes care of me when I’m too busy taking care of other people. The biggest thanks of all goes to my Mother, who instilled in me a passion for hosting and  for celebration, and who constantly lends a helping hand. She was my on site assistant for this shoot, she assists in almost all my weddings, and she’s never once doubted me. I am so grateful to them all. 

Cheers to many more years of making memories, 

HG