Sydney Schildknecht has worked on the Schweitzer staff as our graphic designer for three years. During that time she has designed publications for many seasons (and Spark magazines). She moved from an apartment, purchased her first house, adopted a couple dogs, and along the way she met her best friend, Daniel Foust. On January 1, 2024, they got engaged and on October 20, 2024, this beautiful young couple will be married. So, what’s it like to plan a wedding in 2024? We figured Sydney would be the best person to share her experience.
Planning my wedding has been so much fun! I was that little girl who always dreamed of her perfect wedding day and now, thanks to so many people, I get to make that dream come true. I have always been a party planner, so my birthday parties were always DIY perfection!
Daniel and I were at our close friends’ house on New Year’s Eve surrounded by family and friends when, at the stroke of midnight, Daniel got down on one knee and proposed! Since then, it’s been an absolute whirlwind of shopping and DIY projects. I designed our Save the Dates, invitations, programs, menus, guest book, and all other things for the big day. I have a room in my house dedicated to wedding decorations and projects!
The first thing we did was book a venue. Gone are the days of simple church weddings, and in their place, we have grand event venues. We toured The Venue at Stockton Lake with my mom and sister just days aft er getting engaged. We instantly knew this was the one! Venues book up early, so we had to make a quick decision. I knew I wanted our wedding to be in October, as fall is my favorite season. When we were looking back in January, there were only two days available for the month of October, both being Sundays. We chose a date and booked it the next day.
From day one, I had a long checklist of things that needed to be done. My bridesmaids, mom, and I started dress shopping right away and found the dress of my dreams at the third store we visited. Daniel and I started planning what he would wear. I had a very specific idea of what suit I envisioned him wearing and we were able to custom order everything online. I can’t imagine planning a wedding before the internet! While I am a frequent fl yer at Hobby Lobby, Etsy.com has been where I’ve done a lot of my shopping. Wedding prep has been its own season in many ways.
At Schweitzer, we talk a lot about seasons of life. I think as children and young adults, we oft en consider the season of being married and starting a family as the one to strive towards and the most important one, but I’ve learned that every season is special in its own way. I have enjoyed the season of being a bride-to-be and am trying not to wish away time and beg for it to be October already. For now, I am enjoying this time of anticipation and preparation before the next season of becoming a wife arrives.