Hello, amazing BG readers! This is my first post as a Real Bride Blogger and the first formal announcement of my engagement to the world, so it's an exciting day for me.
First, to all of my fellow engaged ladies out there — CONGRATULATIONS! This is truly going to be one of the most special times in your life. Make sure you take a deep breath and enjoy every minute and aspect of planning. Don't settle and most importantly, don't freak out. Everything will come together and your big day will be more magical than you ever imagined possible.
So, who am I? I love weddings; it's what I'm good at and it's what I do for a living. I'm a professional wedding designer and planner for my own company, Davia Lee Events, which is based in Santa Ynez, CA. At work, I tell it like it is and I have a special knack for bringing a bride and groom's vision to life. I've planned stunning weddings that we all dream of having, and I've planned weddings that are sweetly simple and unique. I've dealt with screaming kids, hilarious drunk groomsmen, and unpredictable Mother Nature. I also pride myself on creating awesome pros-and-cons lists to help couples make decisions.
But beyond all of that, I'm a bride, too. I have dreams, hopes, and endless ideas for my wedding, but I also have a budget and challenges just like anyone else reading this. I am beyond excited for this opportunity to share everything wedding-related with all of you throughout my journey: the good and the bad, as well as the glamorous and not-so-glamorous. Yes, my POV may be slightly different because I have years of orchestrating nuptials under my belt, but this time, it's my turn to walk down the aisle, so emotions will run high!
My fiancé Jesse and I would like to get married in the Santa Barbara/Santa Ynez Valley area. (Stay tuned for our proposal story in an upcoming blog post!) We're polar opposites when it comes to hobbies, likes, style — you name it. He manages and sells government surplus at the local Air Force Base. However, we "get" each other and we connect on a deeper level. No matter how cliché it might sound, when you find the one your heart loves, nothing else matters and everything falls into place. We have a stronger attraction than I ever could have imagined and I truly can't go a day without seeing him.
Photo Credit: Kendall Ashley Photography
I'm confident that this will still hold true a year into planning our big day. We may bicker about invitations, napkins, or other silly things, but what matters is that we find ways to represent both of our tastes in our opposites-attract nuptials. He wants a taco truck; I want a sit-down formal dinner. He wants to wear flip-flops; I want men in a tux. It's a complete balancing act and I hope that other couples out there will be able to relate to our story.
Photo Credit: Kendall Ashley Photography
I'm here to be your bridal support team! I wholeheartedly invite each of you to comment with topics, questions, and even controversial issues that you would like to see me touch on. Happy planning, ladies!
— Davia Lee
P.S. Have an interesting wedding planning story to share? Apply to become a real bride blogger here ►
Davia Lee is a real bride, entrepreneur, lead designer and wedding planner for Davia Lee Events. She loves all things sparkly, fashionable and girly. In contrast, her fiancé, Jesse, is a "man's man" — beard and all! They are the poster couple for "opposites attract" and prove that true love knows no boundaries. Their greatest wedding-planning challenge will be finding a middle ground where all of their wants, needs and dreams will meet. We can tell you this, though — when everything aligns, their big day will be fabulous!
