Mabe Design Co.

I’ve been dreading this post for months—years even…unsure of what I wanted to write but feeling the need to make some sort of announcement. I recently finished up day-of items for my last 2021 wedding, and besides my brother’s wedding June, I don’t have any other weddings in the books for 2022. It’s time to announce that I’ve decided to close the Mabe Design Co. chapter of our lives.

This side-hustle was exactly what I needed it to be when I started it almost 7 years ago. It allowed me to explore my own style of design, rather than designing according to another business’ standards—something that I was used to doing. But I’ve got three kids now, and instead of laying in bed at night thinking of all of the things I need to do for MDco, I’d rather be thinking of my family…or, on occasion, thinking about nothing while watching TV with an alcoholic beverage in hand. 😉

Working 50–60 hours a week just isn’t something that I desire to do anymore. Our kiddos are only young once and I want to soak up every bit of them in the season that they’re in. This means cutting back on work big time so I that I can stay home with them. I’ve already cut back a lot since the boys were born in 2019, but this is me, officially announcing that I won’t be taking on any 2022 weddings. I’m not sure if this chapter is closed forever, but for the time being, it’s the right move.

I’ll be forever grateful for the clients who trusted me with their wedding stationery, party invitations and branding work. It’s an honor to have been part of your lives. Your support in this business paid for an IVF retrieval and fresh transfer + a frozen transfer. My babies will forever be a reminder of the blessing that Mabe Design Co. and my clients have been in our life.

Thank you all for following along in my design journey all these years. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and lots of wonderful memories with your families this year!

Calling all 2021 brides 📢
2020 has put a halt on so many things, including my wedding stationery business. Partially because I’ve been so busy with the twins, but also because weddings are being postponed 😕 I’m so excited to get back in the swing of things and it starts on September 27 when I’ll be attending the I Do! Iowa’s Premier Wedding Show at the Iowa Events Center as a VENDOR!
I’ve worked behind the scenes for this venue for the past 8 years, so to be on the other side—attending as a vendor, is something I’m truly excited about. Not to mention seeing my old co-workers and meeting lots of brides. I’ve heard that they’re expecting about 600!
You do not want to miss this event, it’s FREE to attend, but you must register. It’s going to be jam packed with two floors of vendors, dueling pianos for live music, a complementary glass of champagne and even a live wedding ceremony in the afternoon. It’s going to be so much fun, I hope you’ll stop by and talk wedding paper with me. Visit www.iowaeventscenter.com to sign up.
👀 Now, on to this pretty wedding suite. I designed this for Alyssa and Michael last year, but am just now getting around to posting it. I first designed it in 2018, and loved it so much that I made it a semi-custom design last year. This is the Evelyn! 💕

This FREE event is going to be amazing! I’ll be there with a booth showcasing some stationery from my collection. It’s not too late to sign up—did I mention it’s free?!?

Get Ready to Say I Do! Iowa Registration is Free but Required

I’ve been really quiet on social media since the boys were born. There’s a few reasons, really.
My priorities in life have completely shifted. This business used to be my baby. Between acquiring and on-boarding clients, design work, revisions, printing/production, marketing and off-boarding, I was devoting 30–40 hours a week to Mabe Design Co. Now, I’m home with the boys full time. It is a dream come true to be able to be the #1 influencer in my boys’ life. I’m so thankful for that, but it also means that posting to social media is not a top priority.
Also, social media has just been overwhelming in 2020. There is so much sadness in the world today and the thought of posting during the past few months has just seemed so trivial.
Fortunately, there is hope. Kelsey and Alec got married over the weekend and I am so so happy for them. My heart has been heavy for so many couples who have had to postpone or rearrange their plans, but a client getting married is a light in all of this darkness. Wishing them all the best as they begin their married life together! 💕
@ Dubuque, Iowa