ThankFULLness

ps
Nov 23, 2021
5 min read

Updated: Aug 5

PHOTO CREDIT: SUSAN STRIPLING PHOTOGRAPHY

We had quite the road rally this year, and it feels so rewarding to look

in the rear-view mirror to see the tremendous amount of positivity

and merry making that we created for our clients in 2021.

It’s also so good to feel the rumble of my engine start to slow. We kept an intense pace.

I am so eager to share the moments and the reviews with our followers and future prospects as this year comes to an end and a new year awaits.

As with any race, we were not the only ones in high gear at the starting line. But unique in this race of getting back on track and making up for 2020, we were amongst MANY other winners.

I dedicate this month’s blog issue of “A Planner’s View”

to the vendors we raced with and alongside,

through what I felt was the most challenging, intense

and rewarding career stretch I have ever experienced.

My hope is that this post will reach those I most want to thank for this gallant year as well as those that we did not have the honor of working with

but hope to in the future.

My deepest appreciation and gratitude goes out to...

the venue owners and managers, vendors, artisans and laborers that supported the vision that my clients and I held for their day, showed up wholeheartedly to get to the finish line united and with a smile.

Where do I begin? How loud can I roar my gratitude to all of you?

In order to truly appreciate what it took this year to succeed and shine, I’d like to touch on the many extras that each of you stepped up to face that went above and beyond the norm of getting the job done:

1. The demands of Covid protocols...vaccinations, tracing, testing, vac cards, waivers, documentation submissions, and simply taking responsibility to do the right thing.

2. The many last minute adjustment of guest counts that impacted catering, rentals,floor plans, signage, personalized guest cards, gifts and so much more.

3. Adjusting and modifying to endless supply shortages and delivery delays.

4. Labor shortages that impacted every owner and became not only a scheduling nightmare but impacted the already very long workdays to even longer ones.

5. The ongoing uncertainty of Covid variants added so much more to the communication focus, client management and your own health risks.

6. The #*! weather!!! Sideways rain, mud, inside out umbrellas, need I say more?

7. etc….I could go on and on, but you lived it and know it as well as I.

All of this took so much grit, blood, sweat and tears

(maybe you didn’t cry, but I did once!) and it took so much more.

Beyond looking back, when I “feel” back to each event, my heart swells again and again because of the compassion, the patience, the generosity, the extra effort that was in each conversation and interaction with all of you. Even though you were exhausted, stretched to your limits and working so very hard to juggle the immense and complex schedules and demands, I always felt that each of you put your struggles aside to be there for me, my team and our clients . In many moments it felt like survival, but in reflection,

it is truly a most heartening way to look back to the challenge and see

the greatest parts of humanity show up with sincerity and grace.

I do believe that when life feels most challenging, the gifts are the greatest.

You have been that for me. I will always cherish these memories, the highs and lows, the “oh-my-God’s”, the “holy sh_ts”, the “really’s?” and

many other expressive and spontaneous utterings that erupted in my moments of stretching to new limits.

Despite it all, look what we did!

21 in 21

Mostly, I will cherish you, the many friendships that blossomed, the trust that was built and the endless proud moments we created by taking the time to work together and be together with heart and soul.

A heartfelt thanks to my pros!

I hope for many more opportunities with you

and with far fewer obstacles on our racetrack.

Bless you and wishing you and your loved ones a truly warm and wonderful holiday season!

XOXO

Paula

For blog followers and onlookers seeking talented party makers…

SO VERY HONORED TO HIGHLIGHT OUR 2021 PROS

...listed below categorically and alphabetically

[ WEBSITE LINKS + INSTAGRAM HANDLES ]

Please take a moment to explore the offerings and talents of these incredible venues, vendors and artisans. If I had the time, I would write a sidebar shouting kudos to each and every one of them.

Trust me, support them, spread the word!

BABYSITTING

Hudson Valley Ceremonies @hvceremonies

BARAAT HORSE

Loon Meadow Farms

BARTENDING | LIQUOR

Domaney's Liquor @domaneysliquors

CAKES

Nine Cakes @ninecakes

CALLIGRAPHY

Marjorie’s Letters @marjoriesletters

CATERING