I originally wrote this back in October and posted on Instagram, but decided to also post it here so it could be more available!! I truly feel like these are words I will come back to often. I originally wrote this for my vendor friends wrapping up the end of my season, but I think these words also allow my potential clients or current clients to see our heart, and to have a better understanding of our “why!”
A HEART-TO-HEART
I’ve been in the wedding industry for 7-8 years now, and I’ve watched it evolve in so many incredible ways. The creativity, the beauty, the community — it’s all amazing.
But for months/years, I’ve been feeling something pulling at my heart. Something I think we all need to hear as we wrap up another season.
We’re in the business of hospitality.
And somewhere between the hustle, the beautiful Instagram feeds, and the pressure to be the best…I think some of us (myself included at times) have forgotten what that actually means.
What Hospitality Looks Like
- Serving your couple first — not your social media strategy, not your portfolio, not your ego.
- Caring for your guests’ experience — because their comfort and joy are at the forefront, yes, even before the pretty details
- Honoring your vendor team — responding to messages, showing up with teamwork in mind, lifting each other up instead of tearing each other down, community mindset vs. competition
- Caring deeply about people, period — even when it’s inconvenient, even when you’re tired, even when it’s hard, even when your feet hurt!
- Going above and beyond — not because you have to, but because bringing joy and delight into someone’s day is literally why we do this.
Weddings Aren’t About Us
I know it gets so hard – I will never, ever lie to anyone and say otherwise. This is a tough industry in many ways, with expectations, demands, the hours, and the pace. Burnout is real. Difficult clients exist. Wedding season toward the end can be so draining. The pressure to keep up with trends and expectations and to get ahead can make you lose sight of why you started.
I’ve been there. I’ve messed this up. I’ve had to learn these lessons the hard way. But here’s what I keep coming back to…
Weddings should be about:
- Love
- Connection
- People
- Memories
- Celebration
We get to be part of someone’s once-in-a-lifetime moment. That’s the privilege. That’s the good work we get to participate and lead in.
We do it because we love celebrating marriages
We’re committed to giving our couples the best day possible
We genuinely care about people
It’s so much more than money for us. It’s personal.
The rush of adrenaline we experience on a wedding day, knowing we played a huge role in its success is one of the best feelings in the world.
We literally can’t imagine doing anything else.
Let’s keep our heads down, hands busy, and do the work with joy and purpose.
Let’s be the kind of vendors who make other vendors better. Who make couples feel seen and cared for. Who make guests feel welcomed. Who elevate this entire industry just by showing up with excellence and heart. This is simple, but rare.
And to the incredible vendors doing this already — thank you.
Thank you for being brilliant. Thank you for raising the bar. Thank you for helping me find joy in the work I do. You are the real deal, honest-to-goodness, freaking phenomenal unsung heroes, and I’m so grateful to work alongside you.
Let’s keep leading the way!!! Because at the end of the day, hospitality isn’t just what we do — it’s the heartbeat of everything. It’s in our veins. It’s who we are.
