#WeddingPlanning #WeddingInspiration #WeddingPlanner #LosAngelesWeddings #SantaClarita
Since my last blog post about graduating high school at 30 with honors, earning a 3.5 GPA, and completing my veterinary assistant coursework, life has been moving fast.
There has been a lot of growth, a few genuinely scary moments, important changes in relationships, exciting opportunities for my businesses, and so much preparation for the next chapter Beau and I are about to begin together.
Keeping Our Wedding Under $10,000
One of the biggest updates is that Beau and I are getting married on October 24th.
As someone who works in wedding and event planning, I know firsthand how quickly wedding costs can add up. We have worked hard to keep our wedding budget under $10,000 while still creating a day that feels meaningful, beautiful, personal, and true to us.
Our wedding will be our own version of a Victorian tea party gothic garden celebration: romantic, elegant, slightly dark, and full of details that represent us. We have been intentional with every choice, prioritized what actually matters, used creativity and resourcefulness, and focused on the people and moments that will make the day special.
A wedding does not have to cost an outrageous amount of money to be beautiful. What matters most is the love behind it, the effort put into it, and sharing it with the people who truly care about you.
Choosing Peace During Wedding Planning
Wedding planning has also made some things very clear.
I made the difficult decision to cut off certain people because their actions showed me they did not genuinely care about being part of this chapter of my life. It is painful when someone says they will be there, lets you believe they are coming, and then decides they are too busy after everything.
There have also been presumptuous people who assumed they would automatically receive an invitation—even though they never received a save-the-date or wedding invitation. A wedding is not an open invitation, and attendance is not something anyone is entitled to.
Beau and I are choosing to surround ourselves with people who support us, respect us, and genuinely want to celebrate with us. This wedding has been a reminder that protecting your peace and setting boundaries does not make you cruel. It means you are finally choosing yourself.
The Animals Are Doing Well—After Two Very Scary Close Calls
The animals are doing well overall, and we are incredibly grateful for that. Some of the cats who were dumped at our doorstep have also been adopted into loving homes, which is always one of the best outcomes we can hope for.
We did have two extremely scary close calls recently.
One day, I came outside and found Diamond, one of our horses, down and barely moving. I immediately got my mom, and we worked to get her standing again. Seeing a horse in that condition is terrifying, especially because you know how quickly something serious can happen. Thankfully, Diamond is okay now, but it was a reminder that caring for animals means always being alert and ready to act.
Then one of the cats developed a dangerously high fever and was close to dying. We got her to the vet as quickly as possible, and thankfully she received the care she needed. She is okay now, and I am beyond grateful. Those kinds of situations are emotionally exhausting, but when you love animals, you do whatever it takes to help them.
A Successful Gothic and Alternative Styled Shoot
On the creative side, my gothic and alternative styled shoot was a huge success.
It was so exciting to create something that felt authentic to my own style and to the kind of photography I love. The shoot was bold, artistic, alternative, and full of personality—and it helped show the type of creative work I want to keep growing through Metamorphosis Addiction Photography.
It also led to an amazing collaboration with Daria, my new business partner and a talented set designer who was part of bringing the shoot to life. Her creativity and eye for detail helped make the set feel elevated and intentional. I am excited to continue building with her and creating more memorable styled shoots, portrait experiences, and unique visual concepts together.
I also have more photography shoots and clients coming up, which I am incredibly excited about. Every session gives me the chance to create something personal for my clients—whether that is professional portraits, creative styled work, couples, families, artists, brands, or meaningful moments they want to remember.
You can view my photography portfolio and book a session through Metamorphosis Addiction Photography.
Coordinating an October Wedding Reception
October will be busy in the best way. Before my own wedding, I will be coordinating a wedding reception on October 3rd.
Being trusted with such an important day for another couple is something I never take lightly. My goal through AMA Luxury Events is always to create a calm, organized, and enjoyable experience where couples can actually be present and celebrate instead of feeling overwhelmed by the details.
Coordinating another wedding reception while preparing for my own will definitely keep me busy, but it also reminds me why I love this work. I get to help create meaningful celebrations while learning even more through my own wedding-planning experience.
Starting a Serious Mind and Body Reset
Starting tomorrow, I am committing to a serious personal growth reset for my mind, body, confidence, and overall health.
This is not about trying to become someone else. It is about getting back in touch with the strongest, healthiest, most confident version of myself—and staying consistent with the habits that make me feel good.
My new routine involves an intense workout schedule, more movement throughout the day, cardio, strength training, core work, HIIT, yoga, and being more intentional about caring for myself physically and mentally.
The animals are an important part of this reset too. I will be taking the dogs on more walks, spending more time with my own horses, and getting back into a consistent routine as a working student at Opava Eventing through riding lessons and barn work.
Animals and horses have always been grounding for me. They require consistency, patience, discipline, and being fully present. I want to bring more of those things into my own life as I head into marriage, new career goals, and a new season of personal growth.
Bachelorette Celebrations and What Comes Next
Before the wedding, I will be celebrating my bachelorette soon with a celebration planned by my matron of honor. I am excited to enjoy this special time, have fun, and celebrate with the people who have genuinely been there for me.
After the wedding, I will be looking into medical billing courses and working toward finding a remote job in that field. I want to build more financial stability and flexibility while continuing to grow AMA Luxury Events, Metamorphosis Addiction Photography, and the other creative projects that mean so much to me.
Life has been a mixture of beautiful, difficult, emotional, scary, exciting, and deeply meaningful moments lately. But through all of it, I am grateful: for the animals who are safe, the cats who found homes, the creative opportunities opening up, the clients trusting me with their memories and celebrations, the people who have shown real love and support, and the future Beau and I are building together.
October 24th is getting closer, and I am ready for this next chapter.
Sammy XO