What a YEAR. Going through 2019 has me questioning how did I manage… It was for sure the best year yet, but I can also admit that I don’t want to do it again. HAHA!
Planning a wedding in six months while running a full-time business, packing up a house, and trying to sell was hard. Moving to FL and running a business 1,000 miles away came with its own challenges too. I learned so much this past 12 months.
Over the years of growing a business and even before then, I thought that wearing “busy” all of the time meant that I was doing something right in my business. But it’s not! I loved listening to the Mary Marantz Show Podcast when she (or one of her interviewers) mentioned that no one should pride in being tired. We should pride in saying we spent time with family, friends, and the things that really matter most in our life.
I’m taking 2020 and really defining what the future has in store … It’s so scary different (like taking on fewer weddings), but I know it will benefit Alex and me more in the coming years, despite our incomes looking drastically different. It’s a new season and I’m happy it arrived! 🙂 Before we even talk about my dreams and goals for the new year (that’s for another post soon), I am taking today to share the highlights from 2019 as a way to say, “Goodbye, 2019!”
JANUARY
I said YES to the dress at the Bridal Room in McLean, VA (HIGHLY recommend!!!) with my family. <3
My super talented sister whipped up a cake tasting for the guest wedding cake! SO GOOD. I loved that she used my parent’s wedding cake flavor too. 🙂
I finished the entryway by installing trim, hooks, and a little paint. Check it out HERE!
FEBRUARY
My photo was featured on the cover of the 2019 Washingtonian Winter Issue!!! (Styled photo of the magazine from the Washingtonian)
I finished the sliding barn door in our bedroom! 🙂 DIY blog post HERE!
Traveled to Charleston, South Carolina to photograph my friends, Benny and Megan, for their engagement session on Rainbow Row. 🙂 And Ollie got to join!!
MARCH
The dreaded day came … When Ollie had to be neutered.
APRIL
Celebrated my Bachelorette party weekend with my besties in Richmond and Charlottesville, VA!
Celebrated my mother’s Birthday at Grass Roots in Culpeper, VA (definitely recommend) and Pearmund Cellars (so good!)!
MAY
Photographed a wedding at the Riviera de Maya in Mexico with Taylor and Ashley. <3
Alex and I found ways to enjoy the wedding planning together, thanks to FaceTime! 🙂
JUNE
I turned 31 … HOWWWWW?
Celebrated SEVEN years in business!!!! AH! 🙂 🙂 🙂
My family threw me the most beautiful bridal shower!!
Alex and I got together at Big Spring Farm in Lexington, VA with Annamarie Akins for our engagement session!! 🙂
Attended a Nats game (we lost but it was still a great time!), got our marriage license, enjoyed our rehearsal dinner with family and friends … and GOT MARRIED at the Market at Grelen that same week!!!
Drove down to Charleston, South Carolina and enjoyed a four-day mini-moon. 🙂
I moved down to Florida with Alex!!!! It was a tad overwhelming seeing the boxes everywhere but we got things settled in throughout the summer months.
JULY
I enjoyed some beach days with my boys in Pensacola and Destin, FL. <3
My family came down to visit and I showed them around the area, including Rosemary Beach on 30A! They really loved it!!
I flew back to VA for a quick trip to go see Hugh Jackman in concert, all thanks to my sister!!!
AUGUST
Alex celebrated his Birthday at the Henderson Resort and Crab Island in Destin, FL!
Liz’s friends and I threw her a Bachelorette party in a safari tent in Chincoteague, VA. So much fun!!!
We checked out a Florida spring at Morrison Springs — Gorgeous!!!
My sister also celebrated her Birthday — Of course, it was all about the wine. 😉 Haha!
SEPTEMBER
My best friend got married!!!!
I sold my house in Virginia!!! YES! (A big win!)
I photographed my brother/sister-in-law’s maternity portraits in Destin, Florida while they came to visit. 🙂
OCTOBER
Alex and I took a honeymoon to THAILAND and ventured Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Railay Beach, and the Phi Phi Islands!! HOLY MOLY GORGEOUS. (Blog post coming in the near future — It’s a big one!)
The Nationals won the WORLD SERIES!!!!
NOVEMBER
We escaped the beach and traveled to Chattanooga, TN to enjoy the mountain life. 🙂
My family and I got together in Orlando, FL for Thanksgiving!
DECEMBER
Celebrated Christmas with family and friends, despite traveling all over the country. 🙂 Participated in a gingerbread house making contest (for fun with Alex’s family), attended the downtown Warrenton Christmas parade with Alex’s family, and saw the US Army Band Christmas performance with my mom!
I completed my EIGHTH annual Christmas mini-session day. 🙂
Ollie turned TWO! WOW!
I got to meet our new niece, Amelia. <3 She’s as precious as can be!! Although I’m not a newborn photographer, I had the BEST time photographing Amelia and her family in California. 🙂
Celebrated my brother’s birthday (I cannot believe I was able to celebrate each family member’s birthday in 2019, despite the distance!)
I met my pup-nephew, Zuko!!
I completed the 2019 wedding season and enjoyed a much-needed staycation with Alex!!
Alex and I got to celebrate New Year’s Eve together. 🙂
FLORIDA LIFE
Eleven trips in six months were EXHAUSTING and I can guarantee that will not happen again, but I’m so grateful for the safe travels I had in 2019. I’m even more grateful to come back home to my husband and enjoy some of the prettiest scenery on the Florida Panhandle. <3
Thankful for every memory with family & friends.
Thank you all for another wonderful year filled with so many memories. So grateful for each and every one of you!!!!
CHEERS TO 2020!!!!
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