Year End Review and Preview!

2016 has been quite the year.

2016's Floral Design blew me away - including this beauty captured by Danielle Coons Photography

 Being pregnant for the entire wedding season is no easy task. I've been stretched to my limits (pun intended), yet have grown in knowledge with every step.

Before I lose you, reader, because I type too many words - there are some things I want you to keep an eye out for 2017.

1.  Getting back to a regular blog schedule. Now that "regular schedule" might be once or twice a month - but it will still be a lot better than I've been this Fall/Winter. Keep an eye out on our Facebook for links to our upcoming blogs.
    
2.  An Internship. This year the ladies I had work with me were incredible. They learned so much, and it even made me become a better planner. This seasons internship will be a little different, yet a lot of the same. E-mail me for more information if you're interested.
    
3. Our website, packages, and galleries will be changing. I'm not going to tell you when (in case I don't get to it till the Fall of 2017, ha!) Our prices are now estimated on a per wedding basis (despite having a pretty average starting price). We customize so many parts of your special day, we want to customize pricing for you as well. We're also going to be changing the language of our Day of Coordination Package to Final Planning Management. This is to extend the attitude that our "Day Of Services" is much, much more than just one day.
    
4. My priorities have, and will change. If you have just stumbled upon this, I am 39 weeks pregnant. Already my business structure has shifted, and once our little one arrives I know it will continue to shift even more. I will continue to be active on all social media fronts, as well as attend to our emails. Our 2017 is filled with the exception of one or two weddings I might choose to pick up towards the end of the season. We are currently booking 2018 and will be planning for a full season.

An elopement at Rickett's Glen was one of the most relaxed days of the year - Kelley Spurlock Photography

The Review

We had 18 weddings this year. I think that translates to 6 free weekends from the end of May till beginning of November. It was a lot. As mentioned before, growing a human is no easy task. Especially when 90% of our weddings were outside in above average temperatures. There were a lot of great experiences - vows, toasts, etc. The decor keeps getting better and better (especially when you use Forget Me Not Vintage Rentals) and the floral design continues to blow me away with beauty. There were a few more difficult weddings - like a venue not being completed or a someone caring more about the appearance of their special day, than experiencing the wonder of it. In growth, we've added a questionnaire when you email us an inquiry, and added some more items into our contract. I'm so thankful to be surrounded by incredible business people who have continued to guide me in establishing the ins and outs of Patchwork Planning.

The Preview

Although I can't tell you exactly what Patchwork Planning will look like in 2017 - I do know that becoming a mom and navigating new waters is inevitable. My priority for January and throughout the winter months will be my family. Our 2017 couples are well aware of us scaling back, and we are so thankful for their shared excitement and understanding.

We have 8 weddings scheduled for 2017 - yes, that's 10 less than this year. There's a few reasons for taking so many less. First, I missed my husband. Evan works hard during the week, and besides a few weddings he was able to join me, we didn't get much time to enjoy the summer together. Second, we will have a little one! One of the great things about being my own boss, is being able to schedule things, around my made-up schedule. This year my made-up schedule has a lot to do with family. And last, out of the 8 weddings, I've been working with four of these couples from the very beginning. Planning four weddings, in all their glory takes much more time than our day of coordination clients. In the midst of family time, I wanted to devote as much time as possible to these four (incredible) couples to make sure their day is above and beyond what they've dreamed.

So there you have it. A little review and preview of what's to come. I want to extend the largest thanks possible via a blog to our 2016 couples. Your beautiful wedding days were such an honor to be a part of - something that I will never take for granted. To the increasing amount of incredible vendors I am able to work with - thank you for doing your job to the best of your ability. Here's to an exciting new year. - Candice

Evan and Candice excited for their little boy - by Photography by Seneca.