Oh goodness, I don’t even know where to start or how to put any of this into words. First and foremost, I want to say a giant THANK YOU with cherries and sprinkles on top. Thank you for reading this blog, thank you for being a part of my journey, thank you for rallying around me, and thank you for believing in the beauty of my dreams. Wednesday night was one of the best nights of my life for so many reasons but somehow all of your beautiful faces keep popping into my mind and my only wish is that I could hug (or fist bump) you in real life, so thank you. Now that my spanx are off, my high heels are back in the closet (thank god, those are torturous) and the sequined dress is returned to Rent the Runway, it’s all starting to sink it: we did it, we really did it.
Let me set the stage for you: My four grandparents (yes four, yes all of them, yes, they are beautiful and wonderful and healthy) carpooled seven hours to get to the event, (with a stop for pancakes along the way) my parents drove the convertible down and arrived windblown and happy, my in-laws got here with giant smiles and the warmest hugs, and my husband looked handsome as ever (duh) as we set off to Milwaukee to begin a night of celebrations. The Wisconsin Bride Awards were being held in the Third Ward of Milwaukee so we took advantage of a nearby happy hour and headed to the event. Let me preface this by saying that I was the only nominee with family there and I was sure as heck the only human with a ten person cheering section of family. Looking at my little posse at the table made me so proud, so grateful, and a little weepy (seriously, when did I get old and sappy?)
I was surrounded be the best of the best in the industry, by my friends, my peers, and people who’s work I admire. The wine was flowing, the conversation was happening, and the sequined dress was itchy. The moment of truth came down for Best Photographer and my name was called, I’m pretty sure I did an awkward dance with tears in my eyes and returned to my table to see that tears are a universal sign of “I love you” in my family because everyone was suddenly struggling with a case of misty eyes. In that moment, nothing else mattered, no award would make me feel any happier or any more proud than I was right then and there. Winning the Top of the Tiara aka The Best Wedding Vendor in the state of Wisconsin was nothing shy of the cherry on top and when my cheering section erupted and the tears spilled out of all of our eyes, I was quite possibly the happiest I have ever been in my 27 years of life. That feeling of pride, of gratitude, of achievement is something that will leave marks in my heart forever more.
The after party fit me to a tee. We headed home, all ten of us, and I sat on the counter top in sweatpants, a tank top (no bra), and we drank wine, told jokes, and spent time with my family. Family first, I’ve said it since I started and last night was proof that beyond a career, beyond the photography, my family is behind me (win or lose) and their unconditional love and support (and dedication to sitting in a car for hours to celebrate something they might not fully understand) meant more than any plaque. You guys, chase your bliss, chase happiness, find what makes you come alive and do that. The rest will follow, the rest doesn’t matter, but someday you will find yourself excited to wake up in the morning, blessed to be alive and doing what you love, and you will never, ever look back with regret. I am so beyond thankful to call this my life, I am so fortunate to surround myself with other dreamers and doers, and I can’t even express how much my clients mean to me. This “job”of mine is an extension of who I am, this career of mine is proof of passion, and this feeling that I am feeling right now is entirely indescribable. Thank you, thank you for being a piece of this journey, thank you for reminding me that there is true beauty in our dreams, and thank you for making this all happen. You da best, babes.
To see the full list of winners, please visit: Wisconsin Bride 2015 Best of Awards
Top Photo by: Studio 29 // Dress by: Rent the Runway // Photo Booth image by: Sound by Design
Jenna I am S O excited for you! It is totally deserved but more importantly your hard work has paid off 100%. Proud of you love! 🙂
And I forgot to say thank you for letting us tag along with you 🙂
Such an amazing photo set! Congrats!