My First Wedding Ever.

It was the summer after I graduated from high school.  Two of my friends announced they were getting married - they had just graduated from college, and they were excited to plan a little wedding.  They had $1,000 in their budget.  When they approached me and asked if I would make their special day come to life, I was so excited!  I had always loved hosting parties, being creative, and doing flowers.  This was an amazing opportunity!

Photos by Naomi Ruth Duncan

It was a hot summer day in LA.  Taylor (my wife, who at the time was my girlfriend) came to help me bring the wedding to life.  We used a tetherball pole to suspend bistro lights and create a “tent” of lights.  We covered old youth group couches with white sheets from Ross to have soft seating for guests.  Daisies and Baby’s breath were arranged in jam jars and placed around.  Guests brought dessert potluck items.  A friend took pictures, a friend played music.  It was a reception full of warmth, personality, joy, and love.  

At that wedding, two of the guests asked me to plan their weddings.  I said yes.

By word of mouth, my freshman year of college, I ended up planning 14 weddings.  No joke.
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It was just a side-job so I could support myself through school.  I had no idea it would become my career one day.  I am so thankful that I said yes to the opportunity when it came up. We all start somewhere, and reflecting on how far I’ve come is pretty amazing.  From a $1,000 wedding to a $1,000,000 wedding, it has been quite the adventure! ​