Beyond the Veil: Welcome

Nov 11

Ah, I am so excited! If you’re here, it means that for one reason or another, you’re interested in diving a little deeper into what it takes to get your wedding planning journey going — or maybe you’re simply curious about what a day in the life of Debra looks like. Either way, welcome.

If you’ve only met me through a photo or a 30-second reel on Instagram, there’s so much to catch up on. Through this blog, you’ll learn a lot about me — my love for family, my deep-rooted relationship with Jesus, how much I enjoy a good nap, and why year after year I have the joy of planning weddings for 15–20 incredible couples. However, in the meantime, I wanted you to get to know me through the words of my siblings, my best friends, and the man I love.

When I asked my high school best friend to describe me in two words, she immediately said, “Eye thinkkk you’re persistent and goal-driven.” The “Eye” part is an inside joke we’ll probably still laugh about when we’re old and gray, sitting on rocking chairs at a retirement resort.

My siblings had a few thoughts, too. My older sister said, “Funny, mindful, and a good listener.” My younger brother, three years my junior, replied, “Fishing for compliments — I shall not entertain this buffoonery.” When I told him that I would be sharing his response as part of a project I am working on, his response was simply, “You should.” My baby brother, fifteen years younger than me, said, “Kind-hearted.” His response made me tear up even as I write this, because he’s a big part of the reason I’ve become that way.

My boyfriend of fifteen months offered something more descriptive and heartfelt: “Elegant and loving.” That one made me smile — he’s given me a reason to fully embrace my soft-girl era, so it didn’t surprise me at all. Finally, I turned to my girlfriends, the ones who’ve known me through every season of life. The words that stood out came from Michelle: “Dynamic and steadfast.”

I don’t share these to paint myself in any particular light, but because I think it’s important for you, the inquiring lovers or the curious reader, to get to know me from the perspective of those who love me most. They see beyond the photos and the reels, and that’s where the truest version of me lives.

Beyond the Veil is going to give you an inside look into exactly what it takes to plan a wedding from start to finish.

You’ll get the chance to hear from me, the planner, on all things weddings; past, present, and future — and to dive deep into what goes on behind the scenes here at Unveiled Headquarters. I hope you’ll find my blog more like a journal entry than a thesis, and along the way, learn how to love the couples whose weddings I get to bring to life month after month. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll have the gall to ask some of the couples to write a blog from their perspective, because after all, wedding planning from my perspective is fun, but getting tips from couples who have already gone through the journey? That’s priceless insight.

So, welcome to Beyond the Veil — a space where I’ll share my heart, my lessons, and the stories that shape both my life and my work.

Each month, I’ll take you behind the scenes of wedding planning, into the moments of laughter, chaos, grace, and gratitude that make this journey so meaningful. My hope is that what you find here encourages you to slow down, reflect, and see the beauty beyond the surface — because the most extraordinary parts of life and love often live just beyond the veil.