Hi, I'm Kate O'Connor founder of The Course for Brides.

I have photographed over 200 weddings in the last ten years, working with hundreds of brides and their families… And I have Seen. It. All.

 

I've traveled the world photographing, thinking and writing about humans, love, and the soul's journey.

I am a feeler.

I move through life observing, wondering about how people feel, and how I feel. Feeling is my orientation and vulnerability is my territory, for better or for worse.

 

My path has taught me that embracing the good, the bad, and the ugly all leads to the beautiful. Even when it hurts... Or especially when it hurts!

I am a seeker, a romantic and an optimist.
A nerd and a bit of a hippie.
Sometimes I say the f-word, but always in good taste. 

I'm also a total self-help junkie.

For the past 8 years I’ve spent all my extra time, money and passion learning how to have an excellent, intentional, turned-on life. It all started when I was suffering through a bad depression. Over years of emotional healing, I recognized the major benefits of knowing, accepting and loving myself.

BUT THIS PATH HAD A PRETTY ROCKY START

For one, people kept telling me "you have to love yourself."
"You have to accept yourself, unconditionally."


And I truly wanted that, but I didn't know HOW.


I would find myself thinking
“Yes, I want that!"
 

But if I knew how to do it I wouldn't be asking the question in the first place....


One day I sat down with a friend and said, "HOW do I learn to love myself??" "Well," she paused for a moment, thinking of the answer, "how do you love other people?"
 

So we made a list:

 

  • Spending time with them

  • Giving them my undivided attention

  • Listening and empathizing

  • Loving touch

  • Having fun together

  • Taking care of them when they're sick. Soup.

...The list grew long.


And there I had my first set of instructions. The first new set of skills to get good at.

HOW DOES THIS ALL RELATE TO BRIDES?

 

Over the years I've heard a lot of well-intentioned but meaningless advice for brides, like

"Be confident!"
"Make your own rules!“
"You have to just let go and enjoy the day...“
"You should love your body!“


...And I've felt myself cringing again, thinking,

"Sure, but HOW??"

 

If you've had body image issues or anxiety all your life, you can't just snap your fingers and have it disappear for one day of your life. If you've been arguing with your mom, or avoiding confrontation for the ENTIRE time you're planning your wedding, your memory isn't going to magically erase on the wedding day. Humans just don't work like that.

Over the years, I’ve heard a lot of brides describing their struggles, and have thought, “Ooh there is actually a great way to deal with that.” The only problem was... I was their photographer, not their therapist... I mean, there’s nothing more annoying than unsolicited advice...

 

So I didn't say anything. I didn't share any off the amazing resources I had... 
Until now.

I contacted all the amazing teachers I've worked with, followed, and fan-girled over for the past several years, and brought them all together to create this growing collection of work.

 

I am SO excited about it. 

I truly believe the world can be a better place – and WILL be – when we are all given the chance to shine as our best selves, with skills for understanding and respecting the wants and needs of ourselves and the people around us. 

 

 

THE COURSE IS MY GIFT TO YOU – 

TO ALL THE BRIDES OUT THERE THAT KNOW YOU WANT TO DO BETTER, HAVE BETTER, BE BETTER IN THE SMALL THINGS AND THE BIG.

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