11.3.23 āØ and I got to wear my grandmaās vintage dress
This newsletter is a week later than usual because I got married last week! It was such a joyful whirlwind of activity, and Iām still trying to process it all.
We knew when we got engaged last November that we didnāt want to do a ātraditionalā wedding, but we also wanted to be able to throw a party for our friends and family. As a single, childless person, you donāt have many occasions when you can ask people to travel in to celebrate you on a specific day (which is absurd!), and I knew this was my chance to get all of my people together.
We started off with a budget of 4K, which we quickly realized wouldnāt get us very far unless we cut like half the guest list š„²
Things snowballed from thereābeyond the venue and the food, we also needed a DJ for the Saturday night party. If family was coming in town, shouldnāt we also have something for them to do on Friday night? Where should people stay? We should get a suite there too, right? Oh, now we need decor! And a photo booth is obviously a must-have! And I guess we should splurge on a photographer since this will only happen onceā¦
Iām a notorious introvert and very much like being behind-the-scenes most of the time, but I am so glad I pushed myself through the discomfort of hosting the events we did. Some old friends came in Thursday evening and we did a bachelorette night for me, Davey and I got married just the two of us on Friday morning, we had an intimate dinner with family Friday night, and then we threw the big party Saturday night, after which we partied until the time changed (daylight savings) and everyone crashed at the hotel.
It was so amazing to see people Iāve known for so long connecting with each other and establishing their own relationships. I heard more than once that people were impressed by the community Davey and I have built on our respective sides, and I really took that to heart. Longtime readers know Iāve put a lot of emphasis on how to set boundaries and invest in people who show up for me in return, and the wedding, in some ways, felt like the ultimate validation of that work.
There isnāt one thing I would change about any of what we did (except maybe going over my contract more closely with my coordinator, who told me she believed āopen barā meant one drink for each person, but thatās another story!). Iām so happy weāll have these memories forever. ā¤ļø
Check out my latest published work:
How to Get Your Career Back on Track After the āPandemic Skipā (Indeed)
Devin Bramhall Really Wants You to Stop Saying āContentā (Managing Editor)
5 Inspiring Product Launch Ideas and Examples for Your Next Event (Goldcast)
How Tidester Jakeya Johnson Transformed Access to Reproductive Health Services in Maryland (Tides)
And here's what else is on my radar this monthā¦
Listening:
Usher radio on Spotify because I just saw his live show in Vegas and it was amazingggggggg!
āLeaving the cult of never enoughā with Manisha Thakor
Watching:
Please watch Desperately Seeking Soulmate: Escaping Twin Flames Universe on Amazon! WILD.
I also watched Savior Complex on MAX, which was heavy and disturbing.
We watched Telemarketers (also on MAX), which made me realize Iāve come to look for some kind of neat resolution at the end of a documentary, which is not the point and now Iām working to reframe that expectation.
And somehow I saw the entire last season of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills while in Vegas, which means I might keep watching this seasonā¦
Reading:
I read The Sweet Spot by Amy Poeppel for a book club, and it was a lighthearted comedy of errors.
The group chat is out of control: His general advice is this: Let go of āzombieā groupsā[group texts] that are carrying on but that donāt really interest you. Turn your attention to the ones you most value. When you can, see people in person or give them a call instead.
āWhatās most remarkable is that anyone in 2023 should be still surprised that conditions of absolute violence, domination, suffocation, and control produce appalling violence in turn.ā
Publishing blurbs are a mess. This explains why some of the books Iāve read that are highly endorsed are ā¦. not good.
Are you feeling lonely? Start a club! I can confirm that much of my social life happens in clubs these daysābook clubs (two of them), workout groups, game nights, spirituality discussion groups, neighborhood meetups, etc.
Weāve hit peak beverage. Iām always game to try the newest concoctions.
The new True Detective season will have Jodie Foster!
Opportunities:
Before 11/9, secure early bird pricing for Femilyās Thought Leader program. (Note from Femily: there are hella discounts on top of that for those with $ issues and even more for those who are trans and/or BIPOC with financial issues).Ā
Thanks for reading!
Nikki
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Congratulations, Nikki!! š„³