Weddings in 2012

I can't believe it has been three years since I last posted. I have a lot of plans though for 2012. But first let me fill you in on what's been happening in my life and with OKE.

In 2009, I worked with some amazing couples and thoroughly enjoyed the weddings that I helped to create. It was such a blessing to see OKE bloom and grow. We had beautiful weddings, most of them outside, either under a beautiful tent by the lake, at wineries, or historical inns with lots of character.

In 2010, OKE saw a huge decline in referrals and interest in wedding planning assistance. However, I continued to assist a friend of mine with her floral deliveries, went to some beautiful locations, met great vendors, and dreamed of weddings to come. I believe that everything happens for a reason. At the end of 2010, some personal issues emerged for me that needed to be dealt with.

2011, I spent much of this year dealing with these issues and focusing more on my own marriage and our future. The down time from planning weddings was a gift. And I was further rewarded for my hard work by getting repeat business with a fabulous family from 2009. My soul searching has led to some great possibilities and goals for 2012. I do greatly enjoy the wedding planning business and working with families to get through the daunting but most exciting times in their lives. Life is a celebration!

I have also discovered that changes in my "day job" have left me feeling unfulfilled and wanting to return to a passion that has been a part of me since I was a child. I love being in nature and I love animals. I am most myself when I am interacting with one or both. I was also born a caring helper with the desire to make a difference. This naturally led me to the decision to pursue a career change working with animals and the environment. 2012 will be the year of my journey toward this new career. And building OKE back to where it was in 2009, hopefully even better.

To blend these two goals together, OKE will also be donating 10% of it's profits from each wedding to the animal or environmental charity of the couple's choice. It's my way of giving back more consistently and encouraging couples to think about the future of the world in which they may be raising their children. Also, I am pursuing becoming a "green certified" wedding planner. There are very few wedding planners in the area, and even fewer focusing on the impact of weddings on the environment.


Now having a "Green wedding" does not mean sacrificing your "Dream wedding". One thing I took to heart this past year was that "every purchase we make is a vote." So whatever we purchase something we can expect to see more of that product produced and on the shelves. So, every choice we make matters and is a vote in favor of the world around us. So, even if a couple only chooses one or two "green" items to be a part of their wedding, it makes a difference. Just imagine if every bridal couple did the same thing. And what a lovely sentiment to share at a celebration with all the people you love most. That being said, OKE would never pressure any bridal couple to make a choice they don't want to make, the choice for green wedding elements is completely up to the couple. OKE is just trying to be educated enough to offer it as an option.

Finally, in 2012 OKE will spotlight a winery wedding location in the Finger Lakes area each month in it's blog. When I first decided to go into the wedding planning business in this area, it was inspired by my own wedding, but also my love for the area's wineries and natural beauty. I would love to someday be the area "expert" in winery events and develop a relationship with local wineries with the capacity to host events. Wine has been used since the very beginning as a celebratory drink, sparkling juices are an equally fun option.

Best wishes for the coming year!!!!