Feeling so inspired...

This past Saturday I attended the Wedding Fair at St. Eugene Golf Resort as an exhibitor, and although the fair was different than I expected, I came away full of inspiration, and with a renewed excitement about what I am doing, and why. 

The St. Eugene Wedding Fair was such a different experience for me than the Calgary Wedding Fair. The Calgary Fair was just go-go-go from the moment I got there to set up at 6:30am until I got my booth packed up and drove out of the parking lot. I didn't eat, or breathe or stop talking the entire time, and the adrenaline rush that gave me had me amped up for hours after the show was over, maybe days. Okay, maybe I am still amped up about it. I had a few regrets after leaving that show, the main one being that I didn't get to spend any of my time networking or speaking to other professionals in the industry. I was glued to my booth, and too exhausted to network once it was all over. 

As I expected, this weekend's wedding fair at the stunning St. Eugene Resort was a little more laid back. I decided Friday morning to head there right after my last appointment to be sure I felt as organized as possible before the show, which meant that I had enough time to set up my booth Friday night, and then to change everything when I got there again Saturday morning. The Wedding Fair space was really open and didn't feel crowded, which meant I was able to speak to some of the other exhibitors, and actually have conversations, rather than a quick hello. By the tie the lovely brides arrived, I was fortunate enough to have made a connection with at least three other exhibitors, all in completely different fields, and all of whom I hope to work with or hang out with (or both!) some time in the very near future. 

The brides and their entourages arrived in a trickle, and the room was busy enough to pretty much always have someone to talk to, but not so busy that the conversations couldn't be meaningful. I got to hear people's stories, challenges, and chat with their mom, or sister, or best friends. I was super lucky to be able to really connect with a few brides, and really get a sense of who they were and what they are hoping for when it comes to their wedding day. I was shocked at the number of brides who stuck around for the entire day, strategically choosing their seats for the fashion show, and sipping mimosas while speaking to exhibitors and (hopefully!) getting some inspiration for their weddings. 

Following the show, I was able to spend some time speaking to the exhibitor at the booth beside mine. An amazing woman, and photographer (although she does so much more than take stunning photos!), Alana Krushen. Do you ever just meet someone and instantly click? It feels as though that happened with us. I really enjoyed her energy and attitude during the show, and loved that she was just as genuine and fun when there wasn't a room full of people around. I didn't attend the show expecting to find industry professionals I would want to not only recommend, but also who I wanted to find ways to work closely with, but that is what happened with Alana. Since the show, I've done the standard social media creeping, and am so impressed with what she has to offer. I really think anyone looking for a photographer should check her out. I believe in her so much, that I'll even make it super easy for you to find her, just click the button to get to her website:

Alana Krushen Imagery and Design

I've been in this odd space lately, odd for me, maybe not for everyone. I think it all started when my dad died and I was suddenly forced to face the fact that life is truly too short. You never know what will happen, or when, and so I am trying to figure out a way to live my best life every single day, whether I feel like getting out of bed and putting on pants in the morning or not. I am trying super hard not to let my desire to stay in bed with the dogs and a bottle of wine take over and destroy what I have worked so hard to accomplish. I am trying to open myself up to accepting that there may be meaning behind every chance encounter and to allow the things going on around me to motivate me and inspire me. 

Meeting Alana and some of the other amazing women at St. Eugene this weekend has really been the final push I think I needed to start concentrating on a couple of vague ideas I have had for AM Event Coordination. I am feeling inspired, and am dedicated to taking a few things from just ideas and making them a reality. So stay tuned, because I am super pumped to make this stuff happen, but still want to keep it under wraps a little until I'm really sure where it is headed. I'm heading back to the market research phase for some of this stuff, and will definitely be calling on everyone I know to do a survey or two, to provide input and advice, and to support me as I look ahead. And believe me, I'll be reaching out to Alana to help me document some of what I'm doing in pics, because as she said to me, "when you click with somebody, it just makes sense!"