January is usually where people start listing everything they want to “fix” about themselves. New year, new goals, new pressure. Meanwhile, I’ve always treated January a little differently. It’s my birthday month, which means celebration comes first. It’s also the birthday month of Kat on our team and a few other people close to me. Basically a month-long celebration! But this year, there’s a new layer: a little bit of grief mixed in with the joy.

On New Year’s Day, I lost my best friend, my dog Kodie, who was my buddy for 13 years. So January now holds this bittersweet mix of celebrating life and honoring the memories of those I’ve lost. There are moments where the grief sneaks in quietly, even during celebrations. But instead of letting that overshadow the month, I’m choosing to hold space for both. Honoring his life, remembering him with love, and still allowing myself to celebrate.

January also happens to be a big month in my world professionally. Once the holidays wrap up, this is when couples really start diving into wedding planning. The questions start coming in. The Pinterest boards come alive. And with that, I always feel the need to say this: your wedding does not need to follow anyone else’s rules.

We’re long past the days of “this is how it’s always been done.” You don’t need a huge bridal party if you don’t want one. You don’t need 150 guests to make your day meaningful. Some couples skip cocktail hour. Some do it before the ceremony. First looks used to be considered bad luck; now they’re one of the most emotional parts of the day. Traditions change, and that’s not a bad thing. Your wedding should feel like you. It should reflect your relationship, your priorities, and what actually matters to you. Not what social media, family expectations, or outdated traditions say you should do.

So this January, instead of resolutions, I’m leaning into intention. Celebrating life. Honoring loss. And reminding couples that there’s no one “right” way to begin a new chapter. Whether it’s a new year, a wedding, or just showing up as yourself, do it in a way that feels honest.

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Photographer: KB Visualz

Blog Editor: Kat D