Letter from the Editor
Soul Food Wedding Planning
I
’ m listening to a lovely soft , quiet , jazzy piano version of “ Silent Night ” as I write this , waiting for inspiration to strike me . I know what I want to say , just not sure how to begin . It seems to encapsulate this world that we ’ re living in so well . Did you find yourself pausing a little more this past year , waiting for inspiration to strike ? I sure did . I ran more , I spent lots of quality time with my husband , teenage kiddos and pups ( all my soul food ), I read many books , I learned a lot about gardening . All good things . Now that business is starting to pick up again , I ’ m excited to try some new ideas and grow as an entrepreneur – but I really have found how much I value my soul food . I ’ ve gotten better at unplugging my electronics , letting the phone go to voicemail when my daughter is relaying her day at the University of Wyoming to me or listening to my son talk on the car ride between wrestling practice and taekwondo class . My husband and I have scripted regular workouts and date lunches together , we discuss our books and cook together . These things were here before , but I ’ m reminded again how important they are . It feels good .
I ’ ve heard many couples whose weddings were affected by Covid say a similar thing : through the disappointment , the stress ( and it has been considerable stress ), the idea of “ what ’ s important ” is frequently mentioned . My observation is that definition is intensely personal – and judged by others . Some couples feel marriage itself is what ’ s important – and have scripted new , intimate ceremonies with later celebrations planned . Some couples want that big celebration – and figuring that out is a priority . You know what ? That ’ s okay ! It ’ s ALL okay . We need to stop judging each other based on our unique set of priorities . My daughter taught me the saying , “ You do you , Boo ,” and I can ’ t think of a better place to apply it than wedding planning in the age of Covid . The trick is HOW . That ’ s where I think “ soul food wedding planning ” should become a real term . What will be your happiest memory for years to come ? Wearing the dress of your dreams ? Having your large group of friends and family there for your day ? Those beautiful heirloom portraits that captured it all ? That perfect ceremony location that you always dreamed of ? Simply marrying the love of your life ? It ’ s okay to define that – and to roll with it . Prioritize your soul food and let the rest of the details play a supportive role in feeding you . If your dress was the soul food , share your wedding colors with your florist and let them help you find the perfect flowers to fit . Maybe you can ’ t easily get Pinterest-inspired flowers for your September wedding . Is it the end of the world ? Can you have something gorgeous in your colors , and smile because your dress is exactly what you dreamed ? That ’ s okay ! Or might you have less people to invite , but you ’ re celebrating your marriage to your true love , a day you ’ ve dreamed of ? Celebrate that ! We don ’ t know what 2022 holds , and that can feel scary ; but if we approach this life with an attitude of gratitude for what we can accomplish , we can learn how to greater appreciate those things that are right in front of us .
I wish you all the best as you journey into this exciting yet uncertain time . Our daughter graduated high school in 2021 , so I feel you . It was not the senior year we wanted for her , but we took each celebration and amplified it 100-fold because we got to celebrate her . And happy tears for what you DO have will always be remembered fondly over bitter tears of disappointment . Embrace the happy – there ’ s so much to be happy about . You go do you , Boo – and know you ’ ve got a cheerleader in us here ! Much Love ,
Levi & Kati Hime
p . s . Did you know that you contact us at any time with wedding planning and vendor questions ? You can , and it ’ s absolutely free ! When you ’ re searching for a vendor or an idea , shoot us an email or message our Wyoming Weddings Facebook page . We ’ re happy to help !
Levi and Kati Hime , Owners of Wyoming Weddings , LLC Photo : Ardent Photography
Owner / Editor : Kati Hime , editor @ wyolifestyle . com Owner / Publisher : Levi Hime Cover : Ardent Photography
Design : Hugh West Advertising : Kati Hime , advertising @ wyomingweddingsonline . com
Wyoming Weddings , LLC , PO Box 2083 , Laramie , WY , 82073 • 307.755.6896 • www . wyomingweddingsonline . com © 2021 Wyoming Weddings , LLC . All rights reserved . No portion of this magazine may be duplicated without the written consent of the editor .
Opinions expressed in this magazine are not the opinions of Wyoming Weddings , LLC . Content and advertising subject to approval by editor .
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