Five years ago today I nervously hit ok on the form to submit Simply & Forever as an official LLC company in the state of Missouri.  Little did I know how much that submission would change my life over the next five years.  Because five years ago I was still working a full time job in Advertising, but spending every other waking moment of the day dreaming up fun details for our couples and working on elaborate timelines for their wedding days.  I didn’t know at that point where this business would take me, but five years later I can look back at our growth and our accomplishments and I am so proud of where we are today.

Not only did I start a business five years ago, but I married my amazing husband three and a half years ago, and we became a family of three this past January.  He has been there for this business since day one and is one of our biggest cheerleaders behind everything I do for this business.  Mike, you are my rock and I don’t think you realize just how much you have done to support this business over the years.  From helping to flip venues, to staining flower boxes or building support systems for my crazy ideas; you are truly my other half in this business.  Our little girl is lucky to have such a talented and amazing father to look up to.   

Image Credit: Todd Studios Photography

And two and a half years ago I made a leap.  A crazy, don’t look down type leap that makes you quake in your boots.   I quit my day job to focus on something that really set my heart on fire not knowing if it would work out.  That was to focus on Wedding Planning and Design full time.  Design is my passion, and I love working with each of our couples to bring their wedding day vision to life.   Being able to do this full time is a dream come true for me and is one I didn’t always plan on when I hit submit on our LLC forms.  But I am extremely thankful to my husband and my family and friends for their support over the years, and to each of our couples for recommending us to their own family and friends.  And that leap two and a half years ago wouldn’t have come to fruition without some additional support from some truly amazing people in this industry who have mentored and advised me along the way.  Thank you to Lara, Gina, Emily, Stef, Lauren and Brit for being a part of this journey with me over the years.  Each Making Things Happen intensive I have attended has come at different turning points in my life both personally and professionally.  I have made some life long friends from these trips, and their support and advice is something that I treasure each and every day.

Image Credit: Gina Zeidler Photography

So today is definitely a celebration day.  I am popping open the bubbly tonight to celebrate five years in business, and toasting to my fabulous team that we have grown into over these past five years.  Not only that, I am toasting some of those business goals that you put down on the bucket wish list.  We’ve had quite a few of those moments this past year (Martha Stewart Weddings and Style Me Pretty to name a few!), and each and every one of them has made me jump up and down with joy.  Seeing your work in print or online is such an honor, and I don’t take that lightly.  I thank our fabulous couples and their families for allowing us to be a part of their wedding days, and also to the fabulous vendors who have asked us to design and style shoots that show our inspiration to others these past five years.  We have been a part of some pretty amazing shoots over the years (our very first, bringing our new brand to life, and a fabulous one from last year to name a few) and we absolutely love each and every vendor that we work with.  Our goal is to show new inspiration to brides, and I am so thankful to have the opportunity to do so and to show off what great vendors St. Louis has.

So grab a glass of bubbly (or a yummy cupcake) and join us in celebrating our 5 year anniversary.  We can’t wait to see what the next five years will hold for us!

Image Credit: Heather Roth Photography

xoxo,

Katie