Let’s Talk About Community for a Minute

Social Media Has Its Own Vibe

I’ll own it… I let my anxiety get the best of me after a little social media debacle earlier this month. Do I want to relive it? Not really. It’s irrelevant now, and honestly, we don’t have time for hater energy over here.

BUT at the time, I was a little upset, overthinking, + I’ll admit, it just didn’t feel great. The short version for those dying to get a little context: a fellow artist came across my work, and instead of celebrating the shared creativity within the wedding space, it turned into a “you copied me” situation. Which, hey, wasn’t very cool or true. 

For a little more context: The social post (her design) that she was referencing, I had never seen it. We literally don’t follow each other. (Shoutout to my SMM who clearly has gotten my page some epic reach) But by no means was my work a copy or replication in any way. In fact, the bride came to me with a full-blown Pinterest board of her vision, which I had a blast re-creating with her and even adding in more elements to make it more unique to her. My response was simple: I listened to the vision of the brides who trust me with their wedding days. And a lot of them come in with incredibly detailed inspiration, research, and direction for the style they want. And when I say research, I’m talking about Pinterest boards, sketches, celebrity inspo, you name it, I’ve seen it. But what I love most is getting to collaborate on the ideas and make them unique to the bride.

Long story short, we took the high road, gave a light nod to the work created, but 100% took credit for my own blood, sweat + tears that went into my work. And PS. I still have notes from that initial intake and all the details the bride provided that brought me to the end result. 

The Lesson We Learned Minus whatever the hell this was, the whole thing reminded me of how grateful I am for the incredible community I’m surrounded by 99.5% of the time. 

The vendors, the wedding planners, the brides, who have trusted me with handling their invitations and paper goods for such meaningful days– I don’t take it for granted.

To those who recommend me, collaborate with me, support me, celebrate me, and if I’m being honest, show up for me– I’m SO grateful for you.

The industry is filled and has SO many talented artists, creative minds, and innovative professionals. I’m constantly inspired by the work around me, and I’ve also been lucky enough to hear that my own work has inspired others, too. And for real, that never stops feeling surreal. I am always so humbled. And After Reflecting Some More…

After eight years in this space, it’s made me really clear on the kind of person I want to be in it.

I want to celebrate people. I want to say when someone inspires me. I want to keep showing up in a way that lifts the industry instead of competing with it. And I want to continue building a business and a life rooted in that kind of energy. For myself, for my family, and for my peers. 

Because women should be supporting women. Always. And men, too. (Maybe 85% of the time)

So, whether you’re cheering from the sidelines or hey, even if you want to be a hater, remember this: you always get to choose how you show up in your community.

Be the kind of person who builds the village and not the noise around it. Peace, friends.