Sneak Peek: Montmartre Shoot

After 6 weeks of making new friends in the wedding industry, hours and hours of scouting for antiques and fresh ideas, crafting to the point of blistered fingers, an array of restless nights, and a house that continually looks like a bomb of craft supplies exploded inside it, the time is almost here! 4 days to go!

Yep, this Sunday I’m putting my heart and soul into a bridal inspiration shoot. The intention of a “styled shoot” is to showcase the work of the various businesses that contribute their talents and services to the shoot itself. I’ve coordinated an amazing team of women (9 to be exact) and I’m so excited to be jumping feet first into the industry!

I feel incredibly honored to be given the opportunity to design a shoot that is wholeheartedly inspired by my time in Europe and my love for Montmartre. I’m excited to share something that is quirky, colorful, eclectic, whimsical and a spin on the traditional “Parisian” look. Montmartre is hands down one of my favorite places in the world and is the place where I built the confidence to start Bow Tie & Bustle. It only seemed fitting that my first inspiration shoot was all about the land of Montmartre.

Here’s a “sneak peek” of what’s to come (I’m squealing inside!) and of course a pic of my dedicated assistant and sidekick B-Bug Blake.

*JB

My inspiration wall…

Bow Tie & Bustle

It’s official! Bow Tie & Bustle is here! Yep! After months and months, and weeks and weeks of working on this new business, my website is officially launched! Check it out at: www.bowtieandbustle.com. Bow Tie & Bustle is an event design and coordination business in Seattle, WA with a focus on the unique details that make us who we are. My time in Europe reminded me of how much I love the little details in life and this business is a clear reflection of that love. My hope is to continue incorporating my love for paper as well, so if you know anyone who is in need of a unique design or decor styling for a wedding, photo shoot, party or paper product, keep me in mind : )

There is still much more to be done: a new blog (coming soon!), a networking and inspiration blog for brides/grooms and vendors alike with a focus on the Pacific Northwest, an upcoming Parisian inspired (who could forget about Paris!) photo shoot with my dear friend and photographer Monica Hines and much, much more! I can’t wait to share all the details of the new biz, and am so excited and thrilled to be following my heart AND my gut! I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Bow Tie & Bustle!

Thanks to all who have supported me in getting here. I couldn’t have done this without the love, hugs, listening ears, and word of mouth that so many of you have kindly offered! Thank you! Thank you!

For now, a sneak peak at the “Bun in the Oven” photo shoot I was involved in a couple weeks ago…thanks to MoHinesPhotography for the amazing photographs!

Me setting up the shoot at one of the most adorable couple’s home. Thanks to Jenn and Ryan Strom for allowing me to be involved in their baby bump shoot!

The entire design for the shoot came from an idea that literally made me jump out of bed one morning…bun in the oven…a vintage timer…baby bump…oooooh! Look for an upcoming blog post on this adorable photo shoot!

What’s Next?

For the past 3 weeks I have been sitting in my pajamas in front of my iMac, snacking endlessly, avoiding exercise like the plague, tossing Bailie’s “toy of the hour” to her when she asks for it, wrapping presents with the largest ribbons I can find, creating Christmas cards from scratch, having meet-ups with friends I haven’t seen for a while, decorating my house for the holiday, interviewing here and there for various nursing positions, but mostly I’ve been contemplating the future. No matter what I do to fill the time in my day, I can’t stop focusing on the nagging feeling inside me to start something new…to go into that “oh so scary” uncharted territory.

I went on my trip to Europe with the hopes of having some life altering, mind-blowing, soul-searching, “pick you up by your boot straps” kind of experience. I had an expectation that the universe would hand me my next steps on a silver platter…yes, I know, not the most realistic expectation ever expressed, right? BUT, in many ways my trip did just that. It pointed me in the direction of my next steps, by reminding me of that gut response. MY gut response.

I have never been a person that whole heartedly follows their gut. Anytime I made a decision following my gut response I always hid behind it, fearful that this response might, “gasp!” be the wrong one. I always had this aching feeling that although my gut was telling me something, there had to be another, far better, more correct response to whatever I was facing. But fortunately enough for me, over the past several years my gut response has continued to prove itself, time and time again. My gut response was the one that told me to pick up everything and move to Seattle; my gut response was the one that told me to take Adam’s hand on our wedding day; my gut response was the one that told me to leave a job that was making me feel miserable and worthless, for a job that I knew nothing about, but was hopeful would inspire and fulfill me; my gut response was the one that told me that if I took my Europe trip I would find myself; my gut response is the one telling me to write these words into this blog right now; my gut response is the one telling me to leave the past behind, and start fresh.

And so, a fresh start it is. I am following my gut. And as much as my “rational” mind is trying to override my gut, I’m not listening. Nope, no more.

So, where does my gut lead me? What’s next? Well that’s actually seemingly simple. Weddings. Yep, good old-fashioned weddings. BUT, anything but old. I want to create a wedding business that focuses on the modern couple. And when I say modern, I mean many things: I mean a couple that doesn’t necessarily follow traditional roles but creates a relationship that best suits THEIR needs; I mean a couple that isn’t afraid to break free from traditional norms and create a wedding day that is as unique and special as they are; I mean a couple that steers clear of anything but “cookie cutter” in their life and in their wedding details; I mean a couple that isn’t afraid to openly face the emotional, physical and mental challenges of not only planning a wedding, but of sharing their lives with one another.

I’m currently working on immersing myself in the wide world of weddings and in doing so I am attempting to incorporate all of the things that inspire and create passion within me: travel, blogging, writing (who knew?!), photography, antiques, flowers, paper, working 1:1 with couples, creating something new from scratch and by hand, re-using used and bruised items, eclectic colors and designs, nature, shabby chic things, Seattle and the PNW…the list goes on and on. By scrolling and reading as many books, blogs, and inspirational stories of both wedding vendors and local brides and grooms alike, I am trying to expand my knowledge of the industry itself. I am meeting with small business counselors and coaches; I am reaching out to friends and family members for support, advice and guidance; I am attending wedding events and expos in the Seattle area; I am traveling along with a photographer friend of mine (Mo you rock!) to support her in her shoot styling and design; I am taking a mental and emotional break from nursing to focus all of my energy, time, and creative juices into this new business; I am traveling home; I am looking to the great outdoors for inspiration; I am exploring areas of Seattle that I’ve never seen before, but mostly I am doing whatever I can to inspire, motivate, and encourage me to continue on this new and exciting journey.

So long story short, I am launching my own full-fledged wedding & event design and consultation business (name coming soon!). I am hopeful that along with this new business, I can also launch a new wedding blog (title currently in the works!) that will hopefully inspire many brides and grooms in the PNW and beyond! I am seeking out any advice, direction, support and friendship from any and all who are interested. If you know anyone who is about to be married, tell them about me. If you know anyone who is a kick-ass entrepreneur, tell them about me. If you know anyone in graphic or web design who may be able to lend their knowledge, tell them about me. If you know anyone who loves weddings as much as I do or is a vendor in the business, PLEASE tell them about me. I need all the love and support I can get my little hands on, during this exciting and challenging transition in my life. I look forward to keeping everyone updated on my progress, and thanks in advance for all of your love! Toodles for now!

A picture of my own wedding in the background for continued inspiration to do this!