One of my favourite posts to write is these Year in Reviews. Not only are they a fun look down memory lane, but they always put things in perspective and make me realize how much good can happen in a year. While 2017 was a year of immense change, 2018 was a year of incredible growth for me personally and all about finding balance. It was an incredible year, and one that gives me all the warm fuzzy feelings. Nick & I were talking over the holidays about the past year, and realizing that it was going to go down for us as one of the best. We settled into our role as parents, loving Maddie more than we knew possible, travelled a TON (hello California, France & Hawaii!) and I managed to knock out 8 incredible weddings with a baby by my side. Of course, there were a lot (and I mean a lot) of tears along the way, some frustrating moments and a lot of trial and error when it came to figuring out how to run 2 businesses with a child, but I like to focus on the positive ;) Like I said, it was an amazing year, and one that I will be grateful of for the rest of my life.

As most of you know, January started off cozy at home, with a week old baby. We spent a few blissful weeks getting to know one another, having lots of visits from friends & family, and soaking up as much baby as possible. Our friends Rob & Julia of AMERIS treated us to the most special newborn session, and Chelsea of Paper Heart Films put together the loveliest little film. In the middle of the month, I returned to work with our first event post baby: the Cosmedica 20 Year celebration! At the end of January, we took off with friends to Salt Spring Island for our annual weekend of cozy fires, board games and wine & cheese. It was the perfect first getaway with Maddie.

February and March were spent in full planning mode for the season of weddings quickly approaching. The amazing Paula helped to keep French Kiss & Heyday running smoothly, and I loved getting to meet with clients, finish design plans and you know…cuddle the baby (what a shock lol!). At the end of March, another Gulf Island getaway took place, this time to Mayne Island. It was my first time on Mayne, and oh man, does that spot ever have some gorgeous hikes!

In April, Maddie & I followed Nick down on a work trip to Del Mar, California. This is a little beach town, just north of San Diego, and we all fell in LOVE! We are already trying to figure out how we can escape there again! Once back, it was full on planning mode for a gorgeous styled shoot we helped to organize, with the insanely talented Lushana Bale. We were treated to the most perfect Spring day, and loved seeing the shoot published on Wedding Sparrow in July! Also in April was our first wedding of 2018! Woohoo!! It was an amazing day, and one that I honestly wish could be repeated every year ;) A brunch wedding followed by epic house party at night? Sign me up!

In May, we headed down to California again, but this time for a Napa wedding! This was our first wedding in California, and oh man….working in the wine capital of the US was a dream come true! I have so much love for this very special couple that trusted me with their vision and it was so wonderful getting to work with so many awesome vendors down there! If anyone wants to bring me back to Napa, I’m available! Just saying ;)

In June, we took some family time (which NEVER happens in the summer, so this was a big win!) and headed to France for 2 weeks. I had always dreamed of doing a big trip with Maddie before she got too mobile, and this was the most magical 2 weeks. France stole my heart, and I honestly can’t even begin to say what my favourite part was. We went up the Eiffel Tower at night, ate baguettes and cheese in the park, toured castles, and drank a lot of rosé. We also snuck in a family session with the talented Gaëtan in Nice, and I will treasure these photos forever.

Once back in town, it was full blown wedding season! We got to frolic with animals at Birds Eye Cove, experienced the hottest day of the summer up at Shawnigan Lake, and set a modern seaside lunch for just the sweetest couple. I was also floored (and so honoured!) to have been included again on Vogue’s list of the Top Wedding Planners. Talk about a pinch me moment!

Over the August long weekend, we had the privilege of being a part of an epic 3 day celebration, for 300+ guests! This wedding was all my colour dreams come to life, the most insane florals, and music like no other (yup! Colin James played at this wedding! #superfanmoment) .

The last big wedding of the year took place mid-August, for just about the loveliest couple you will ever meet, and had some of my favourite people coming together to create some serious magic. Following the craziness of the last 7 weeks, Nick & I escaped with the fam to check out the new Bodega Cove Retreat on Galiano Island and returned feeling refreshed and ready for the 2nd half of the year!

Photography: Christine Pienaar Photography

September brought some stormy weather, a beautiful and intimate wedding, and a whole lot of catching up on life. After Thanksgiving, we did what we always do in October, and hopped on a plane and flew to Maui, our favourite spot on earth. This was our first time taking Maddie there, and seeing how much she loved the beach and water made my heart swell big time! We ate a lot of incredible food, hung out with our Island friends and my parents, and just truly relaxed.

Back in Victoria for the rest of the year, we finally settled into a bit more of a work/baby routine, caught up with friends, and got ourselves ready for a busy December. Let’s just say that between the holidays and Maddie’s 1st birthday (cue the tears!), it was a busy end to an incredible year. On Christmas Eve, I was thrilled to have a summer 2017 wedding featured on Wedding Chicks, and by the time 2019 arrived, full blown planning mode has taken over life. Just the way I like it ;) Phew! What a year, right?!! I am so grateful for everything that took place over the last 12 months, and also to all of you for continuing to follow along! Here’s to another incredible year!

Year in Review: 2018

location

BASED IN VICTORIA, BC

AND AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE

EST. 2010

CONNECT

barb@frenchkissevents.ca

778-678-2902

Journal