Being Thankful

I've been a little quiet the past month or so. With good reason though. To say the least, October through January are our busiest months both business wise and personally. If you follow us on Instagram, you may have noticed that we had some low key birthdays celebrations, bridal shows, and are beginning to enjoy the holiday season. I even shopped for Black Friday from our living room couch. Needless to say, We still exist. LoL. 

Anywho, I'll be posting more about some of the fun stuff we've been up to. But today, I wanted to take the time to say Thank You. Thank you to the wonderful couples we've designed for in the past and the couples who are entrusting us with their invitations, menus and so much more in the coming months. You guys are the best.

Thank you to those who have been encouraging our little business since the beginning when it was just an idea. For always being understanding of our schedule and offering to help in any way you can. You have no idea how much it shows that you care enough to offer to tie bows, help organize our space, or find your own way to say, "Hang with us (You need a break and maybe a margarita or two)." ;)

Thank you to our new little family in the Miami Chapter of The Rising Tide Society/Tuesdays Together (and some of the FT. Lauderdale members too). Our meetings and hang outs are so awesome. It's great having friends in the biz. Honestly, you guys totally get hyped up for our great moments, identify with most of the lows, and just plain make us laugh at the ridiculousness that comes out of a simple game of Head's Up. The same goes for the Facebook Rising Tide Communities both National and the Stationers. I have never felt so much inspiration and encouragement from people we haven't even met in person. Seriously, you guys rock. 

Photo Credit: Kristy & Vic Photography

 Last but not least, I need to say thanks to the Big Man upstairs. I truly believe that we make plans and God laughs. But not in the way you think. It's more like a chuckle from a parent when their toddler is trying to fit a square peg in a circular hole. I am definitely in a season of change and I'm ready for Him to really guide me where I'm supposed to go. Lately a verse that's been on my heart is Joshua 1:9.

Don't be discouraged when something you planned on doesn't work out...well, like you can be sad, but don't let it go on for longer than it has to. We live in a broken world, but your light is what keeps part of it bright.

So that's it for today. I hope you have an awesome week.

Real Wedding: Jaclyn and Kyle

Jaclyn contacted me after seeing our shop on Etsy and falling in love with one of our invitations. As we discussed the theme further, I knew we would work great together. It always helps when great minds think alike. ;) 

Jaclyn and Kyle were having an Aladdin Themed wedding with Mint and Lavender as their wedding colors. The invitation suite design they chose was simple and showcased Genie's lamp as the only imagery from the film. 

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We used a basic, white card stock to capture the pastel wedding colors chosen by the couple. 

Curious to see how their big day turned out? Check out some of the images taken by Hollie Marie Photography of Jaclyn and Kyle's special day.

Photography by: Hollie Marie Photography

Venue For Ceremony: St. Robert Bellarmine Mass

Venue For Reception: Sacred Heart Banquet Center

Aladdin and Jasmine Figurine: Jim Shore Disney Traditions

Until Next Time!!

Finding Community

About a month or so ago, I was talking to a vendor friend about a local group that met once a month with the goal to help one another with their businesses. As usual, I was skeptical. Right now in the wedding industry, there are vendors who will actually go through high lengths to bring their competition down. For example, some vendors type terrible reviews on their competitor's review page on event review sites to ruin their chances at booking couples. Sounds like it's straight out of a movie right?! But this is happening every where and unfortunately small, flourishing businesses end up taking major hits because of these shenanigans. Small businesses also take a hit because "big box or big name" companies within the industry have a monopoly on certain venues and locations throughout the USA.

Needless to say, I was interested to see what it was all about. The group's name is called Tuesday's Together and it is part of a national group called The Rising Tide Society. Their belief is that instead of competing against one another, we should all help each other and grow as a community. 

After our first Tuesday's Together meeting and interacting with the community online through Facebook, I couldn't be any more positive that this was one of the best decisions we have ever made as a business and as people. As Stationary vendors, we don't really get to interact with other event or wedding vendors for a specific client. We may reach out to the photographer of a client's event to hopefully get some shots of our product or even a wedding planner to make connections. Otherwise, we are all by ourselves. 

(Come on...tell me you didn't sing the lyric!! You forced me to do this.)

Now that you get the picture, let's get back to the point of my post. We all desperately need community. Whether it is with people from work, home, school, you name it. We are not meant to live alone. Like it says in Proverbs 27:17, "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." We are meant to live in community and I'm glad we found one that we can turn to when we have happy, sad or challenging moments in our business. Even if it means using Periscope to include us at a meeting because we can't make it.

Tuesday's Together Group for August! 

Until next time!

As September Rolls In...

As September rolls in, I'm really looking forward to getting out some awesome new designs. We are also excited to be participating in the Thalatta Estate Bridal Expo on Sunday, September 27th. Some of you may remember that our first Bridal show was at Thalatta Estate, where we met some of the best clients we could have ever asked for. :D We can't wait to go again and meet some more fabulous couples and vendors. Come stop by and say "Hi". We promise not to hug you, unless requested. Being outside in Miami weather for a few hours will leave us feeling a little sweaty, but its worth it. LoL

I also started reading a book by Lara Casey called Make It Happen. There has been (and still will be) so much change in the next few months for Only One Mark, Inc. and Gus and I personally. Good and sad (if that makes sense). I have reached the point where you just need an encouraging push to take a step into the unknown. I feel like we are right on the dotted line before some great changes and I can taste it. With that being said, I'm freaking out a little over it. I am definitely someone that has anxiety over change and the unknown. It might be as bad as my fear of the Halloween section at most stores...but we don't have to talk about that at the moment. For right now, just keep us in your thoughts and prayers. I hope to have some great news to share soon. :) Back to the book, I will definitely let you know what I think of it once I finish. So far, I'm liking it.

Make It Happen by Lara Casey

I'm also jumping onto a Calligraphy Bootcamp with Boxwood Avenue! I'm really excited because although I can "sketch" pretty calligraphy on chalkboards and such, I definitely don't consider myself to be a calligraphist. And did I forget to mention that it is completely FREE? Wish me luck as I make time to sit and learn this art method!

Keep up with us on Social Media to keep up to date with all of our day to day moments and sneak peaks of our gorgeous, custom designs. 

Until Next Time!