Honest? This year has been an uphill climb for me. Blog posts have taken a backseat, and I’m determined to change that. Even more honest? I am welcoming the ‘summer break’ with open, even eager, arms.

Total honesty?
I’ve truly never enjoyed my job more. 

I was able to work with absolutely phenomenal clients this spring- and what a privilege it was! Ask any of my assistants- each time a first dance started, my eyes welled with tears and I had to duck away.  Watching a groom draw in his bride, and the happy couple twirl ’round the dance floor- my heart bursts every time.  There’s this moment of release for me at a reception: the vows are exchanged, the new couple has been introduced, and the only item left on the agenda is to watch the nearest and dearest of the new Mr. & Mrs. celebrate. The emotion in that moment, for me, is simply unexplainable.

^photo compliments of Sunglow Photography.

There is always so much anticipation leading up to the big day, and with every wedding there is a slew of problem solving moments.  Decisions need to be made, some being just a slight tweak, other times on a larger scale. As challenging as the process can be- I love it. It is exciting to me- evaluating a situation and finding the best solution, weighing as many possibilities as I can.

Recently, I’ve had a few conversations about the difference between a wedding planner and a venue coordinator.  Many venues offer event managers/coordinators on-site to assist the client in the planning process.  There are several relatively quick differences I could explain (I love this summary on Every Last Detail), but I think it’s most important to me to highlight my role in how decisions are made.

One of my goals is to know my client so well that I can make an educated decision on his/her behalf on the spot.  I can often be heard referring to my client’s “decision-making-mechanism.” Cheesy? Absolutely… but still effective. :)  Normally, about half-way through their engagement, that mechanism starts to wane.  Every decision has to be filtered through so many layers: family, budget, emotion, tradition, and of course- their own style/preference.  I’m aware of the intense, overwhelming struggle. By providing an outside perspective, I’m able to assist in making swift and necessary changes.

In effect, I do my best work when I am wholeheartedly invested in my clients.  I know them personally, understand their priorities, and feel confident speaking on their behalf.  The foundation of trust I establish with my clients is one that I consider a privilege and an honor. And then, on their wedding day, I am able to watch them twirl round and round- content in knowing the day has gone as seamlessly as possible.

See why I love my job?

So many of my posts have been heavy-hearted recently, or at least personal.  This one may top them all.  I hesitate even publishing it- but I strive to be both authentic and transparent with Ashton Events, and I don’t want my fears to get in the way of that. I know not everyone will care or agree with what I am sharing- and I completely respect that. But I also know how much I have gained from walking through life alongside others- and perhaps part of my journey will reach one of you.

We all go through seasons of life- bends in the road, unexpected turns, roadblocks even.  To be perfectly frank, the past few months have been tough.  There are lots of layers that pile into that- and I don’t think that the internet is the best place to splash them.  But if you’d like to have a cup of coffee, I’m happy to share more.  The basic rundown? Scary medical appointments, hard business decisions, steep learning curves, and also a large dose of brokenness.

I don’t spout that list for pity, but rather to put a mark on the journey I am on.  I am a large believer in the way the Lord uses mountain peaks and valleys alike to draw us closer to Him. 2012 was practically a year-long mountain peak- and I am ever so grateful for all it entailed.   I never thought I would be where I am at today- never dreamt this would be the journey He would have me on. So far, 2013 has been more of a valley for me personally.  I know He is drawing me closer to Himself, pushing me further than I would ever choose to go, and that tug-of-war can be exhaustive.

I read this quote the other day in my She Reads Truth devotion- “In other words, the mystery is the surprising and glorious unfolding of the gospel in redemptive history.” This year has been a mystery to me. There are so many things I don’t understand and so many parts of life that I would far rather control than choose to hand over their reigns. And yet- I see the potential of the gospel story in the here and now.  Time and history are reminders of the way He works. I see that there has to be a surrender. I can’t do this on my own- and that’s the admittance I need to readily give.

Because then that’s when He steps in. And his glory & grace are revealed through my shortcomings.  The more I see my own need and weakness, the more I see of Him.  The more I admit that, the more others see of Him.  I’ve been listening to “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” a lot these days. These verses have been balm to my soul.  My focus cannot be on the valley, the troubles or the pain. Instead, when I look to Him, I’m reminded of His promise, His love, and His grace.

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conqu’rors we are!

His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

Happy Friday, everyone. There is so much to be grateful for! Enjoy your weekend and be refreshed!

A little back story:
Jordan and I met for coffee after she sent me a text about doing a “Tangled” bridal portrait shoot with a parachute one of her friend’s had thrifted. Heavens knows Laura Helm can’t just take a simple concept and follow orders. Over the course of the next hour, we dreamed up an entire elopement shoot. We had a pasture, a parachute, and a whole lot of ideas. My kind of inspiration. :)

I really wanted to push myself creatively, and Jordan was on board with every crazy idea and detail. I loved, no- I absolutely adored the end result. Be sure to check out the full post for all of the amazing detail shots! Here are some glimpses at the inspiration board I put together for the shoot:

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Are you familiar with the phrase “it takes a village?” I have always been a believer in it- but man, this shoot took my understanding to a whole new level. Would you believe that the day of the shoot we were avoiding bulls (who were protecting calves and their mamas!), dealing with wiley horses, not-so-successfully avoiding rainstorms, and stamping out small fires (those dang wish lanterns). Every single person (vendor, helper, innocent bystander) lent a hand to pull this off both safely and beautifully.

I am so grateful for this industry- and this shoot played a large role in giving me confidence to go after my dreams and do what I absolutely love. I was just starting my branding process when this shoot took place, and I am overjoyed with where that journey has brought me. It’s so worth it. Especially for moments like this:

Many thanks to:
Photography: Jordan Weiland | Flowers/Furniture Rental: FH Weddings | Cake: Sweetcakes Bakery | Hair Stylist: Mary Galletta | MUA: Sarah Phillips Makeup Artistry | Models: Taylor Montague + Corey Brinckerhoff | Linen: Nuage Design | Second Shooter: Leah Langley | Belt: Hattie’s Branches | Custom Decor/Print Materials/Styling: Ashton Events

I hope you all have a splendid weekend!

Feel free to stay as long, or as little, as you’d like. But I’d love to share what’s been on my heart the past few weeks, and the intent behind a few changes I made over here at Ashton Events.

Last week, I boarded a plane to Chicago with an almost-dead cell phone, and even more dead computer.  I had a lot on my mind but wanted to do anything else but think. I had Ann Voskamp’s One Thousand Gifts in my bag, and opted to grab that first. I read through her words- amazed at the way they gripped my heart.  She spoke of rest and slowing down time.  She spoke of the difference between wanting more time and just wanting enough time.

There. I felt the nudge there.

In my previous post about inspiration, I mentioned that rest is a huge part of my ability to be creative.  As much as I might want to run full-steam ahead, 100% of the time, I can’t.  As Ann says, “I have to slow the torrent with the weight of me being all here.” I have to pause, sink into the moment, and breathe.  I have to recognize the gift of that time instead of rushing through it. That is where I find the most inspiration. The most delight.  The most joy.

Have you ever stumbled across someone who is so good at slowing down? I’ve been blessed to be surrounded by them this year.  Lara and Emily talk about it all the time: stopping the glorification of busy.  My best friend was forced to slow down when she and her hubby sold their second car.  She described her newly curbed speed- and I simply couldn’t fathom the change and pondered for days how doing that would alter my life. The kicker? She was learning to be grateful to be able to commit to less.

And my current favorite: watching my nephew slow down time for my brother and sister-in-law.  They are eager to love and raise him well.  They study him to know his needs.  My sister can tune out any environment and zero in on his cry.  On the other hand, hearing his laughter bubble over can equally stop her in her tracks and erase the commotion.  Not every moment is perfect- but there is a fullness of life. “Life is not an emergency,” Ann writes, “but life is too brief to hurry. Don’t wolf it down.”

And so, where does that leave me? I’ve always been a busybody.  I love challenges, new adventures, next steps, and grand ideas.  There isn’t much you can ask me to try that I won’t at least consider.  But that earnestness can get me into trouble.  I can work at such a high speed, tackling many projects, and not truly live through any of them. The more I think about this, the more times exhaustion washes over my body- the more I am hungry for enough time.

For Ashton Events, this means a few things:

1. My office hours are from 8-5pm, Tuesday through Friday.  Since I often am working on Saturdays, I save Mondays for either a day off or for a design day, depending on what my weekend looks like.  I do my best design work when I’m uninterrupted, and starting my week off with design items is such a treat!
2. I work hard to respond to emails, and my goal is to return them within 24 hours, during my office hours.  By working hard, and working ahead, I’m better able to avoid the panicked, last minute emails that would require an after-hours response.  I’ve found that by setting better boundaries, and gradually working ahead, I’m gaining time back for my clients.
3. Pairing down my commitments.  That launch party I spoke of last week? I hit the pause button.  I want to be able to enjoy the celebration, and the rush to get it done wasn’t allowing me to do it justice.  It can wait. The more Ashton Events grows, the more opportunities there will be- and I need to be selective.
4. I value being present with my family, my friends, and my clients.  By setting adequate time aside for everyone, I can fully enjoy the time that I spend with them.  This often means being more selective with my schedule.  I save a late night every two weeks for evening appointments.

It’s hard to write this post, and know that there will be some people that simply don’t understand.  But I am committed to resting more, being more present, and allowing what matters to count.  I want to set a groundwork of intentionality, effective communication, and consistency.

Anyone else?

Let’s all just take a breath, shall we? No really, let’s take one. Or perhaps five. 2013 has been an absolute whirlwind for me, and I simply cannot even begin to fathom how time has flown this quickly. It’s March 18th, and I feel like I was just writing the last blog post.

There is so much to update you guys on! The past two months have been positively jam packed. Here are just a few things that have transpired:

1) Amazing new clients- seriously, I cannot wait for you guys to meet these brides! Their stories, personalities, and styles are all so different. I love that!
2) Planned and designed a surprise engagement proposal for an adorable couple.. in less than a week. A sailboat, a central Florida ranch, and a ton of secrets- all combined into a fantastic evening! She said yes, by the way. :) I hope to get to spill those pictures soon!
3) Designed & implemented the VIP area of the Brewz Crewz.. in a week. Are you sensing the theme? I got called a week before to lend a hand- and thanks to Wish Vintage Rentals- was able to pull it off!
4) Worked alongside my favorite handy man (thanks, Dad!) for an entire week constructing some incredible custom decor for my spring weddings. There isn’t much that will fire me up more than family time and spectacular details.
5) Featured in two magazines- Weddings by Design (pg. 47) & Weddings Illustrated (pg. 16)!

It’s been a busy few months- and I am so looking forward to all that is in store for 2013, including a (belated) launch party next month. More details on that coming soon! I’ll be back this week talking about my work/life balance- and what a refining process it is. For those of you looking for more consistent updates, follow me on Instagram!

Oh, and here’s a sneak peek of the styled shoot turned surprise proposal.
I’m telling you, it’s a good one.

photo compliments of Penny & Finn

^photo by Dave Lapham

1. My Clients

More often than not, I find inspiration in my clients. The design process that I’ve created for Ashton Events focuses on them, their story, their preferences, and their future.  Some of my favorite quirky touches and subtle details at the wedding come straight from the pages of the design process.

^ compliments of Pinterest.

2. Flowers

Flowers are one of my favorite places to find a great color palette.  The myriad of combinations and textures continue to challenge the ‘expected’.  The bouquet above inspired Jillian and Marcus’ color palette.

3. Garage Sale (or Flea Market) Finds/Repurposed Materials

I love history, artifacts, unusual objects, etc.  Garage sales are an ideal breeding ground of inspiration and thought.  The design of one of my upcoming weddings this year was based on this enormous old vintage embroidery hoop stand. Yes, you read that correctly.

^photo by Jordan Weiland

4. Fellow Wedding Professionals

This most often happens when an inspiration shoot is on the table and the boundaries are stretched.  Collaborating with other vendors has expanded my horizon and pushed my creativity far further than I would have ever imagined possible.  The “Tangled” inspiration shoot I did last year will always be one that stands out in my mind. I can’t wait to show you the rest of these pictures!

^compliments of Jose Villa, via Pinterest.

5. Creation

The great outdoors is a daily, ever changing, canvas of inspiration.  The newness of seasons, the breaking of dawn or setting of the sun, new terrains, well traveled roads- the list is endless.  Creation is one of the greatest gifts we’ve been given- and I’m continually amazed by the beauty of His masterpiece.

^ compliments of Pinterest.

6. Rest

Since my line of work is project based, it can be difficult to disconnect from work.  There is always something on the horizon, another design problem to solve.  Creativity and a spark of an idea can begin anywhere- which is both a blessing and a curse.  I have found that for me, inspiration comes most naturally when I am able to sit in the moment and rest on all of the possibilities, instead of jump to assumptions.

I’d love to know- where do you find your inspiration?

]]> http://ashtonevents.com/where-my-inspiration-begins/feed/ 2 http://ashtonevents.com/swimming/ http://ashtonevents.com/swimming/#comments Wed, 23 Jan 2013 08:00:35 +0000 Laura http://ashtonevents.com/?p=2808 As part of my rebranding- I’ve decided to add a few more blog posts to my rotation.  I want to give you all a chance to know who I am, what makes me tick, and what my life looks like.  I’ll be sharing little snippets (like today’s) to let you delve a little bit further into my world.  It may be something that inspires me, something that has challenged or changed me, or just something quirky. I hope you’ll enjoy these posts as much as I do!

My Momma Sue

I grew up with a mom who swam wherever we went.  Staying at a hotel with a pool was a necessity on vacation.  Their hours of operation were regularly fudged for the extra swim.  Even now, she’s almost always the first person you see swimming the lake in March, and the last in October.  Our family has a plethora of hilarious stories about her love for swimming.  She’s climbed over a few fences to swim, both figuratively and literally.

I never understood swimming, growing up.  The idea was just so boring- you can’t talk, you can’t listen to music, you can’t travel- you just swim.  It’s just you and the water. The end. Every now and then, I would swim laps with her in the pool or sometimes even the lake.  She swam circles around me- still does, actually.  I never got hooked, and I always preferred a raft to goggles.

Then, last summer, I grew frustrated with the inconsistency of my running and workouts.  The Floridian temperatures were unrelenting.  I would wake up too late to run in the morning, and evening plans habitually botched the idea of a night run. I was in search of an outdoor summer workout unaffected by the scorching heat.

So I swam.

And I thought I would hate it. I thought I would get bored instantaneously.  I thought I wouldn’t be able to swim very far.

I was wrong, very wrong. I didn’t swim fast, but I could swim. And it was wonderful. I discovered the magic of the water—the escape from the hustle and bustle.  Unlike other workouts that involve other people, music and conversation, I found myself getting lost in the rhythm of the laps.  I got to process my thoughts without distraction.  To pray through requests I had been putting off.  To refocus my day.  Unlike the naivety of childhood, when the cares of the world and responsibility were far too distant to contemplate—my heart now not only can appreciate the break, but welcomes it.

The water is soothing.  Each touch of the wall and turn brings a new, rippling wash over my body and mind.

I remember watching my mom getting out of the pool as a child, looking so uplifted and rejuvenated.  Even now, when she comes to visit, I still see her smile grow and her face light up as she eases out of the water. I understand that smile now, or at least a part of it. And that delights my heart.

Thank you to all who participated in the Ashton Events Launch giveaway! I loved all of the inspirational quotes. If you haven’t gotten the chance to read through them, I would encourage you to do so!

Without any further adieu- I am delighted to announce the winner of the giveaway:

Hooray! Congrats, Anna! I’ll be contacting you shortly! Thanks again to everyone else that entered.

Happy Monday!!

I am SO thrilled to announce this giveaway- partly because I am desperate to have the chance to give back even one iota of the kindness I have be shown, but also because this giveaway is chock-full of some of my absolute FAVORITE things! One lucky winner will receive ALL of the items below!

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

1. Two gorgeous magazines that Ashton Events is proudly featured in: Southern Weddings & Weddings by Design. You may recall this post, and why I feel so blessed to be part of the Blue Ribbon Vendor list of Southern Weddings. As for Weddings by Design- it’s actually not even on the shelves yet (holla!), but Design Bureau Magazine contacted me about wanting to feature some of my work. More on that soon, but the lucky winner will get their hands on an exclusive copy!

2. An Emily Ley Simplified Planner (and starter kit!): which has been an absolute God-send for my own personal organization. You can read all about the details of the planner here- but the starter kit includes: signature binder, a journal set, monthly calendar set (18 undated months), and a set of 6 dividers. Did I mention that ELP sold out of these in December? Just another reason you should enter below!

3. This print from Inspired By Lovely. Little back story: I bought this same print- right when Juliet opened her shop. This also happened to be within that 2.5 weeks I mentioned on the launch day post. The timing was impeccable. :) I am a firm believer in this quote- and would LOVE for it to be a daily encouragement for one of you!

4. Accessory time! 4 rolls of washi tape (I love color coding my ELP planner with it!), 3 awesome metallic pencils (am I the only one who needs to still erase things in my calendar?), and “Mojito Madness” Etsy nail polish. It’s actually the exact pantone color of my new brand, so I just had to throw that in!

ENTRY RULES:

So, what are you waiting for? Here’s how to enter: Leave a comment below with your name and email address, along with your favorite inspirational quote. For additional entries, leave a separate comment below for each of the following items that you complete. Each comment represents another entry!

• ‘Like’ Ashton Events on Facebook.
• Share the giveaway on your facebook page!
• Follow @ashtonevents on Twitter, and tweet about the giveaway (please include the #AElaunch hashtag, along with a mention of one of the contributers: @designbureaumag, @iloveswmag, @emilyley, or @julietjonesy).
• Instagram a picture of why you need an ELP Simplified Planner to organize your life (please include #AElaunch).
• Pin the “Ashton Events Launch Giveaway” image above.

The giveaway will end January 18th, 2013 at 12:00pmEST. A winner will be drawn at random, and I will announce the winner on January 21st!

Happy Friday, everyone!

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve started writing this post, clicked ‘delete’, and closed the screen.  I simply didn’t know where to begin or how to express all of the emotions that are bundled into the journey of rebranding.  I am overjoyed that today has FINALLY arrived, and am delighted that you all are here to watch the next chapter unfold. Please bear with me in my post today, it’s a hop-scotch game of emotion. It also turned into a novel (who’s surprised?). :)

A little back story into the rebranding process- at the beginning of 2012 I knew that I wanted to refocus Ashton Events and to take this company to the next level.  I prayed for clear direction, and within about 2.5 weeks several major pieces fell into place.  Without going into too much detail, it couldn’t have been more evident that the Lord was leading me, and Ashton Events, into a new season.  I was blown away by the way the doors clanged open- and leapt at the opportunity.  The spring of 2012 was the busiest business had ever been, and I was in awe of the clients I got to work with!

In May, I attended Making Things Happen. I found immense comfort and inspiration in being surrounded by a room full of women who were all reaching for their dreams.  Undeniably, I left that room more aware of my own timidity than I had ever been before- and I was determined to change.  About a month later, I spoke with Lara about my vision for Ashton Events and she challenged me to take the leap into rebranding.  The investment, and I’m not talking about the financial side, was a huge one.  I knew the time, energy, and envitable overhaul of my heart would be quite the undertaking.  Still, I had peace that it was the right decision.

*image via thinksplendid.com

I teamed up with Lara and Emily (Making Brands Happen) and Ross Tanner (and the amazing Flosites team)- and the journey began.  I’m not going to lie- the road hasn’t been a perfectly smooth one.  My rebranding process began at the core of who I am, what makes me tick, and why I love what I do.  At points, the vulnerability I felt was almost crippling as I made decision after decision for Ashton Events to become even more personal.  That apprehension was then matched by the struggle of not making it about me.  I am passionate about my career and the gifts I have been given- but I seek to glorify Him first and foremost. Finding that balance was hard.  I’ve been giddy, confused, overjoyed, overwhelmed, inspired, drained, and then: speechless. The final package, and end result, couldn’t fit me any better or tell a truer version of who I am and where my heart lies.

Originally, I had slated my launch date to be the week before Thanksgiving.  I had flawlessly timed it for engagement season and had it all wrapped up in a neat little bow.  Funny how life gets in the way sometimes. The extra time, all of the details and nuances of the editing process (bless your hearts for being patient- L, E, and R!), ended up being a perfect example of the intentionality and thoughtfulness that my new brand emulates.  It has also proven to be exactly what my heart needed.  Unlike I had envisioned, I didn’t throw a huge launch party or have the ideal build up- but I did have an amazing holiday season celebrating and rejoicing in His faithfulness and provision with those I love most. What a gift! In 2012, I was taught that He is the master planner. Which is probably the most humbling and comforting thing I could learn, given the situation. :) I am delighted to be on the other side of this chapter- and cannot wait to start the next one!

Before I let you go, I must thank all of the incredible people who have poured into me, and thus into Ashton Events.  My heart could burst knowing the community that surrounds me. Cue the waterworks!

THANK YOU

First and foremost- thank you, Jesus, for being my Rock, my Savior, my precious Redeemer, and my ultimate Friend. I would be no where and I would be nothing without you. Secondly, to my family. Mom & Dad- I am so blessed to be your daughter. Thank you for your continued support, constant love, and an authentic example of what marriage should be. I believe in marriage because of you. Joel & Mel (and sweet baby J)- my past four years have been shaped by your open door. Your willingness to love, challenge, and support me has meant the world to me. Luke & Kristi- thank you for being my editing eyes and ears, for knowing me and pushing me to be true to myself.  I am so excited for your next chapter! G&G- thank you for the incredible heritage you have passed onto our family, the prayers you have consistently lifted up on my behalf, and the unconditional love you have shown me.

To the community of amazing vendors I get to work with- thank you.  Thank you for inspiring me, stretching my creativity, and creating unforgettable events for my clients! A HUGE thank you to Indie Atlantic for the new promotional video and to Dave Lapham for the new head shots. Another big thank you to Jordan Weiland, SunglowPhotography, and Studio 222 for the amazing images that dance across these pages.  Lauren Grove- thank you for your encouragement, honest feedback, and advocating for AE.  Emily & Lara- thank you for your willingness to pursue your dreams- it’s enabled & inspired me to go after mine.  To my clients- past, present, and future: thank you for your belief and investment in Ashton Events. You all are the best clients a girl could ever ask for!

To my extended family and friends, from Hoosierland to the Sunshine State- thank you for supporting me and for all the sweet texts and prayers you’ve sent. I live such a blessed life because of each of you.  To Jill- thank you for being my cheerleader, best friend, and iron that continually sharpens my heart.  If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have had the guts to take the many 2012 leaps.  I can’t wait to watch you to take yours!! And to Michael- Thank you for accepting my wink. For carrying heavy things. For learning how to fold napkins. For celebrating each step of courage. For holding my hand through the tough moments. For getting excited about the little things. And for loving me so well. You make my heart sing.

As for you, dear reader- it has been quite the adventure, watching my wildest dreams come true. Thank you for reading this novel, and for walking this journey with me!

Without further adieu, welcome to the brand new Ashton Events! Champagne, anyone?
(Stay tuned for tomorrow’s amazing giveaway!!!)

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