It has been a whirlwind…

Oh what a whirlwind few weeks it has been!

Over the last four weekends, Paradise Planning has experienced four incredible weddings.  Close to 300 people have been to St. John to celebrate with some pretty amazing couples that I have had the honor to work with since early last year.  These people have enjoyed Love City, some returning to a place they love and some seeing it for the first time. 

Photo by yours truly, Michelle Cawthron

Now it is time for me to be honest and blunt.  The level of anxiety that I had leading up to the last month was HIGH.  I mean off the charts high.  A wedding is a BIG deal in people’s lives, right?   Many locations for my clients’ weddings were battered and bruised by Mother Nature last year.  Some locations were repaired, some replaced with new venues. 

Photo by Lindsay Vann Photography

After returning from my own honeymoon last October, I avoided having calls with my clients.  Sometimes it was because I was still trying to process what I, along with many that I loved, had gone through and was afraid I would break down crying and hey, that’s not really professional.  I was fearful that my business that had flourished for many years was about to end.  I also did not have any answers that my clients were looking for:

“When is {insert restaurant, beach name, bar, etc} going to reopen?” 

“Are my guests going to be ok staying on St. John or should we cancel our wedding?”

“What would YOU do if you were in our position?”

I usually have the answers and as many of you know, I am a talker.  But for the first time in my life, many times I had NO IDEA what to say and yes, I was quiet..sometimes even silent.

So you know what I did?  I winged it.  That’s right.  I answered questions with what my gut was telling me. 

“Will St. John be ready for us in a few months?”  Of course…sure!  Everything is going to be great!

I worked with my clients and was honest with them.  I told them what I would do and what we could do to still make their wedding celebration amazing.

And you know what…the weddings from the last several weeks were some of the best I have had the honor to be a part of.  

Maybe I felt that way because I knew all the hiccups that happened along the way. 

Photo by Savanah Loftus Photography

A few times I caught myself choking back happy tears because I was just so happy standing there witnessing my clients’ visions come to life.

At the end of each wedding, two people were married in front of their friends and family on this beautiful island that I am still able to call my home.  My heart is filled with so much love.  And so much gratitude that I have been able to do what it is I love to do, despite the stress and anxiety that comes with my career choice.  🙂

What I have learned in the past several months is that when you put your faith in something, it usually is the best thing for you to do.  Heck, sometimes it is the only thing you can do!

To all the amazing vendors that were a part of these past few weeks…THANK YOU!  

And to my friends and family that have helped me through…I owe you!

To all my clients, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your patience and understanding during what has been a very trying time for me personally as well as professionally.  Thank you for letting me and my team be a part of your love story.  And thank you for showing your love to the people of St. John. 

To my remaining clients of 2018 and to those getting married in 2019—get ready.  St. John is really shining and I know that your wedding celebration is going to be amazing!

Photo by Savanah Loftus Photography