The Year That Was {and Wasn't}

Ah, where to begin? First off, I am terrible at this blogging business. It honestly doesn’t come naturally to me, so I send it to the back of my to do lists. But I feel 2020 deserves some recognition for what it was, and what it wasn’t.

When the shut down first hit there were a lot of things up in the air about in person events, and very quickly all those plans came to a screeching halt. We postponed 10 weddings to either later in the year, or into 2021, and unfortunately lost a few of our other booked couples due to date conflicts or other unfortunate circumstances. We worked hard to reroute these weddings, and thankfully many were able to just pick their wedding up and move it to a new date. We all were having to tread this new water of unknown together, and I think Lexington area vendors did their absolute best to work together to accommodate our clients while minimizing financial impact, which was inevitable.

However, we were able to create magical days for 8 couples who were able to pivot (one snuck her wedding in just weeks before the shut down) and we are so happy we were able to safely celebrate with these wonderful couples. We got to experience a few new venues, and revisit some old favorites. We worked closely with all our vendor friend to assure safe and seamless wedding days, and I think each of our couples will tell you they will not remember their wedding for what it wasn’t and what they missed, but for how perfect it truly was amidst a pandemic.

Personally, 2020 afforded me some more time with my boys and my family than I had ever dreamed of. We spent our days on walks, at the pool, and spent our weekends adventuring and hiking. In all my adult years I have never had that many free weekends, and it was truly a breath of fresh air.

On top of cancelled and postponed weddings, we saw trips and vacations canceled, and my husband saw his dream of completing an Ironman triathlon put on hold as well. He was devastated as he had worked so hard this year to get in top shape, and now we just have to wait a few more months for all his hard work to pay off.

Business wise as well, 2020 caused us to pivot a bit with our business. I started a side gig teaching fitness classes at the amazing The Barre: A Fitness Boutique in Winchester. When the pandemic hit I had just hit my stride with working out after having Nate. I swore to keep on track and really began to educate myself on fitness and change my lifestyle - limit processed foods, lots of walks and work outs, and get good sleep. When gyms could reopen I stole that little time for myself 2-3 times a week since I was home with the boys all the time. It has really become my outlet and my stress reliever. I started teaching my favorite class in November and I am really enjoying seeing how sore I can make everyone!

And finally, our last business pivot is one that I am super excited about! If 2020 taught me one thing, its that I don’t have to work myself silly for a beautiful life. Financially I worked way less than I ever had, and because of my husband’s job we were still more than ok. Because of this I started to explore ways to do less but at the same time do more. Enter Rosie and Broussard out at The Polo Barn as Saxony Farm. They were my closest ally and confidant while we were trying to figure out how the heck to have events again. During that time we began the conversation of - “what if Bit by Bit was the preferred planner/coordinator out at their venue ever weekend?” This question has been evolving and very much discussed over the last year, and I am so excited to say that in 2022 my team will be the exclusive planners/coordinators for couples out at The Polo Barn at Saxony Farms. In the past 5 years I have done 10 weddings there, more than any other single planner, so I know exactly what it takes to have a successful and stress free event on their beautiful property. We have created an all inclusive feel to our packages, that includes services for your entire time that you are on the property. We will be exclusively there from April to October, so in other non peak season months we are available to take on additional weddings outside of the venue. I am also working to assemble a team that will be available to service more than one event a weekend, or offer me a weekend or two off, so if you are interested in that position please let me know! Its a part time position, and I have found it works great with people who have seasonal professions ( two of my current assistants are teachers so its great side work for them in the summer, one is pregnant so trying to fill my team).

So since I will be a bit busier in 2022 I am taking 2021 easy. We moved quite a few weddings from 2020 to 2021 and I want to be able to give those couples the time and dedication they deserve. Plus spend some time with my family, especially as Logan continues his training. Whatever 2020 was for you, I hope that you can still see the good in it, and take it for what it was, and not what it wasn’t.

-XOXO

Angela

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