Allowing joy without guilt
May 01, 2026 9:56 am
For those of you who have already experienced my styling services,
I would love for you to share your experience and...
Let's build a supportive and like-minded community.
And now back to Elena's story, it's almost up to date...
About six months after settling into the new home, Elena reached out again.
She was engaged.
It had happened quietly. Just the two of them. No big public moment. No elaborate setup.
When she told me, there was excitement. But also hesitation.
Not about him. About everything else.
Because second marriages carry complicated emotions.
There was joy, of course.
But also guilt.
Guilt about how her child might feel.
Guilt about spending money on another wedding.
Guilt about allowing herself to celebrate again after what had already happened.
That’s something I see more often than people realise.
Women questioning whether they’re allowed to fully enjoy the next chapter.
Even when they’ve worked incredibly hard to rebuild their lives.
Anyway, Elena was calling to book her Bridal Style session.
She wasn't seeking extravagant, nor was she making rushed decisions under pressure.
But I've notived there seems to be an extra pressure that comes with bridal styling as opposed to everyday styling. I think it's because there are more finances involved, family expectations, opinions, venue considerations and of course the photography to turn memories into something to last decades.
Our session started with the same foundation as always, aligning the colouring, body's architecture structure, style psychology. Importantly we spent time defining how she wanted to feel on a day, given it would carry enormous meaning.
During the session, it was particularly lovely to observe Elena allowing herself to feel excited. To talk about possibilities. To consider what this wedding might look like, without immediately defaulting to practicality or guilt.
That moment really mattered. Because weddings are about major identity announcements, marking the memorable shift to move forward to a new one.
Then we started looking at options...
xxoo
Maree
Style harmony. Life symphony.
