2013 can only be described a whirlwind year. From tons of gorgeous brides to beautiful details to magazine inspiration shoots, this year was one for the books! I am so incredibly humbled and in awe over 2013. In 2012, I took a leap. A big leap. Prior to owning TGH, I was actually an employee of TGH. I met the amazingly talented Heather Gear in 2010, who hired me part time to help with the execution of weddings. Meanwhile, I was working in corporate communications for a healthcare company in Charlotte, and I was planning for my own wedding in New Orleans! Juggling two jobs and working 7 days a week isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I was so in love with producing weddings with Heather that it didn’t feel like a job – it was so much fun! Eventually, we started to collaborate on design concepts, and I was began to get a better picture for the Charlotte wedding industry through various networking events. But, in 2012, Heather had something big to tell me – a total game changer that I would’ve never seen coming – she told me that she was no longer accepting brides for 2013 because she was planning to “retire”, and that she’d like to give TGH to me. If I remember correctly, I think it took a few minutes for me to pick up my jaw and process what she had just said. And, as they say, the rest is history. On December 31, 2012, the day of our last wedding together– a fabulous New Years Eve wedding at the Ballantyne Hotel – I officially took over ownership of The Graceful Host. Which I now realize was the dream job I never even imagined.
You know the saying “If you want to see God laugh, tell him your plans”? Well, I bet he had a giant laugh over my life plans. If you would’ve asked me 10 years ago where I’d be at this point in my life, I would’ve said something insane like living in New York City and singing professionally, touring all around the world. Let’s just say I’ve never lived in NYC for longer than two months, I’ve only been involved with two opera productions professionally within Charlotte, I’m happily married to my college sweetheart, and I live in the suburbs with two insane cats. Just a little different than touring the world, right? Never in a million years did I think I’d be so lucky as to own this business, and experience pure love and joy every weekend of the year. And, I could not be happier! I know now that this is the life I’ve always wanted, and it does make me laugh thinking about my former plans.
In 2013, I took that leap I mentioned earlier and quit my real job in communications to go full-time with weddings and run The Graceful Host to its fullest potential. It was scary - but a good scary. I am excited to wake up every day and do something that I’m so incredibly passionate about. But, enough about all of that - let's get to the pretty stuff!
Would you take a look at all the beautiful brides and handsome grooms we've worked with over the past year. I love them all so dearly! It's been such an honor to be a part of your wedding planning!
