I don't blog too much about my part time sorta now full time job unless its just insightful little timbits on Tumblr or brief and noteworthy sharings, but lately I've come to reflect on how much I love my position as a bridal consultant and more.
Since September of 2012, it has been my longest running part time and retail job. Initially just applying out of an interest for weddings and something more applicable to my studies, I've grown a passion and excitement to being submersed into the wedding industry. It has satisfied a lot of daydreams I had when I was younger upon reflection, such as being able to get dolled up and model for a day, styling models for photo shoots, and of course being able to display my creative side in visual displays I get to assist with. My boss is someone that dreams big and is such a fantastic support and encouragement for me to fulfill my own dreams as well. Other then the pay factor, I can say on behalf of my co workers and I that we thoroughly enjoy collaborating with one another, working with glowing brides and graduates, and being able to manage the boutique as if it was our own (which covers up the rather low pay we complain about, but ironically maintain a content stance on).
Lately, I feel a lot of my hesitations in regards to staying in this industry and making it a career a "reality" being answered. I feel I'm not just working for the sake of just doing my job, but I'm actually doing my job as if this was something personal, as if I was helping a friend find her dress, giving her mutual support, and even tearing with the bride when she got emotional, such as today.
Saturdays are our busiest days of the week and its an understatement to say that we are steadily and maybe even constantly occupied to the point where we don't even get a break (though this doesn't bother me too much-that's how much I enjoy my job!). I've been making a mental note of the brides I work with, pieces of personal information conveyed, and their needs. It's not just a means to getting a brownie point in the customer service department, but I like to feel it closes the distance between just doing a job and displaying enthusiasm and a desire to excel and make each day at work meaningful. Despite the gong-show Saturdays can bring, I feel I've made a 'mark' on these brides in some way or another just being able to assist them in finding that special look for their big day.
Today I had a bride scenario that blew me away. It reminded me why I'm still here and made me realize that though retail can stem from sales, profit, excessive consumption, and further on the stereotype that the wedding industry sells the idea of- large, grand, expensive, glamorous, DREAM parties and people, that its all rooted in love and love stems from God in its whole absolute. When I first saw this bride, her personality just shined as she was very outgoing and bubbly. Throughout our consultation, she and her entourage were so into it-I loved it! Taking photos, being engaged (haha get it?!), telling me what they liked and disliked, and so on. She eventually found the dress and I could tell it on her face too, but since it was her first time trying gowns on, she like many other brides felt she would regret if she didn't look elsewhere. Long story short she went to her other appointment(s), but came back knowing that the dress she was getting had her name written all over it.
As she twirled and beamed in her wedding dress, she was telling us how the 'stars' aligned as her mom wasn't suppose to be in town this weekend, how they weren't able to find one of their appointments before returning (as we weren't expecting her to return the same day), and so on and so forth. To them, it may seemed like 'stars' aligned, but for me, I realize it was so perfect because God had made it that way. I can't describe it as well as I felt it, but I knew so strongly in my heart how good God was to that bride and each and everyone of us-Christian or not. She was so blessed in a divine way that she wasn't able to acknowledge it except by fate, but I just knew by faith that God's presence and His love was all over the boutique today. They were an emotional party, thus I couldn't help but tear up, but definitely tears of joy as I was gladly and sincerely happy to be a part of.
When the bride left, she gave me the sweetest hug over the counter and told me a genuine thank you that I will forever remember. It delivered an upspoken answer that I wanted to continue exploring a potential career in this field and reminded me that God always provides. I don't need to worry about money, what other people think or occupied with doubts and fears of taking risks. There is no need to when the creator of Heaven and Earth is on your side.
The wrong door will always close on you, but the right one will remain open.
God is Good. All the Time.
Since September of 2012, it has been my longest running part time and retail job. Initially just applying out of an interest for weddings and something more applicable to my studies, I've grown a passion and excitement to being submersed into the wedding industry. It has satisfied a lot of daydreams I had when I was younger upon reflection, such as being able to get dolled up and model for a day, styling models for photo shoots, and of course being able to display my creative side in visual displays I get to assist with. My boss is someone that dreams big and is such a fantastic support and encouragement for me to fulfill my own dreams as well. Other then the pay factor, I can say on behalf of my co workers and I that we thoroughly enjoy collaborating with one another, working with glowing brides and graduates, and being able to manage the boutique as if it was our own (which covers up the rather low pay we complain about, but ironically maintain a content stance on).
Lately, I feel a lot of my hesitations in regards to staying in this industry and making it a career a "reality" being answered. I feel I'm not just working for the sake of just doing my job, but I'm actually doing my job as if this was something personal, as if I was helping a friend find her dress, giving her mutual support, and even tearing with the bride when she got emotional, such as today.
Saturdays are our busiest days of the week and its an understatement to say that we are steadily and maybe even constantly occupied to the point where we don't even get a break (though this doesn't bother me too much-that's how much I enjoy my job!). I've been making a mental note of the brides I work with, pieces of personal information conveyed, and their needs. It's not just a means to getting a brownie point in the customer service department, but I like to feel it closes the distance between just doing a job and displaying enthusiasm and a desire to excel and make each day at work meaningful. Despite the gong-show Saturdays can bring, I feel I've made a 'mark' on these brides in some way or another just being able to assist them in finding that special look for their big day.
Today I had a bride scenario that blew me away. It reminded me why I'm still here and made me realize that though retail can stem from sales, profit, excessive consumption, and further on the stereotype that the wedding industry sells the idea of- large, grand, expensive, glamorous, DREAM parties and people, that its all rooted in love and love stems from God in its whole absolute. When I first saw this bride, her personality just shined as she was very outgoing and bubbly. Throughout our consultation, she and her entourage were so into it-I loved it! Taking photos, being engaged (haha get it?!), telling me what they liked and disliked, and so on. She eventually found the dress and I could tell it on her face too, but since it was her first time trying gowns on, she like many other brides felt she would regret if she didn't look elsewhere. Long story short she went to her other appointment(s), but came back knowing that the dress she was getting had her name written all over it.
As she twirled and beamed in her wedding dress, she was telling us how the 'stars' aligned as her mom wasn't suppose to be in town this weekend, how they weren't able to find one of their appointments before returning (as we weren't expecting her to return the same day), and so on and so forth. To them, it may seemed like 'stars' aligned, but for me, I realize it was so perfect because God had made it that way. I can't describe it as well as I felt it, but I knew so strongly in my heart how good God was to that bride and each and everyone of us-Christian or not. She was so blessed in a divine way that she wasn't able to acknowledge it except by fate, but I just knew by faith that God's presence and His love was all over the boutique today. They were an emotional party, thus I couldn't help but tear up, but definitely tears of joy as I was gladly and sincerely happy to be a part of.
When the bride left, she gave me the sweetest hug over the counter and told me a genuine thank you that I will forever remember. It delivered an upspoken answer that I wanted to continue exploring a potential career in this field and reminded me that God always provides. I don't need to worry about money, what other people think or occupied with doubts and fears of taking risks. There is no need to when the creator of Heaven and Earth is on your side.
The wrong door will always close on you, but the right one will remain open.
God is Good. All the Time.
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