The Wedding That Started It All
I always knew I could do it. What I didn't realize was how proud of myself I would be when I finally did.
When the Sayers reached out to me while I was still completing my wedding planning certification, I was thrilled. It was a new challenge, a new creative outlet, and a new opportunity to prove to myself that I was capable of building something I'd dreamed about for a long time.
Of course, there were challenges along the way. But the excitement, the creativity, and the joy always outweighed the difficult moments.
One of our biggest priorities was creating a beautiful wedding while staying within a realistic budget. As a young couple just beginning their lives together, the Sayers worked incredibly hard and managed to pay for nearly 75% of their wedding in just seven months. We got creative wherever we could—sourcing décor through Facebook Marketplace and Amazon, finding an incredible caterer who offered us a fantastic deal while catering his very first wedding, and designing floral arrangements using Costco flowers. They took a lot of time and effort to assemble, but seeing everything come together made it completely worth it.
One of the most meaningful parts of my role wasn't the décor or logistics—it was helping navigate the pressures that can come with family expectations. Weddings have a way of bringing out both the best and the most challenging sides of people. Throughout the planning process, my priority was always the couple, especially the bride's wellbeing and peace of mind.
Sometimes that meant helping her find the confidence to say no. Sometimes it meant stepping in as the "bad cop" when others wanted changes that didn't align with the couple's vision. One lesson I learned quickly is that at the end of the day, the only people who need to be happy with a wedding are the two people getting married. It's their day, not anyone else's.
When the wedding day finally arrived, everything flowed beautifully. Were there things that didn't go exactly as planned? Absolutely. There always are. Something gets forgotten, something runs late, something unexpected pops up. But that's the beauty of wedding planning—you pivot, adapt, and keep moving forward.
One of the biggest lessons I learned was that I didn't have to do everything myself.
I'm incredibly grateful for everyone who stepped in to help throughout the weekend. My longtime friend and talented makeup artist, Lynsie, was an absolute lifesaver, helping me when I needed it most and assisting throughout the wedding day. Cleanup was seamlessly handled by family members who genuinely wanted to support the couple, and by the end of the night everyone left with smiles on their faces.
As I stood back and looked around, watching guests laugh, dance, and celebrate, I felt something I hadn't expected.
Pride.
Not because everything was perfect, but because I had done it. The dream I'd been working toward was no longer an idea. It was real.
My first wedding will always hold a special place in my heart—not just because it marked the beginning of a marriage, but because it marked the beginning of Wild Prairie Weddings.
And what a beautiful beginning it was.
THE. BEST. DAY. EVER.
