Lots of fun to be had by all…..

The season has finally begun for me after somewhat of a slow start. I’ve already had quite a few changes to my schedule for various reasons. The weather has affected a lot of people and of course the other important climate; the economic one.

Brides are being choosier as to where they want to spend their money and more emphasis is being put on the ceremony and the emotive value of the actual marriage celebration. I think this is a good thing. Of course, I would. It’s very stressful for people who are putting together their own wedding. And I think the major issue is that it all seems so easy until you have to do it. The small things get you.

It’s one thing to book a caterer, but then you need to decide who goes where, what shape of table, what colour linens, what are we drinking, when are we drinking it etc, etc, etc. This is even true for a small home wedding. Just where is the best place for the food to go, and who is looking after it during the day?

Often the best wedding gift you can give is help. If you know the couple are planning a wedding themselves at home, just see if you can help in any way. Simple things that ease the pressure. It could be as easy as, I’ll make sure the plates on the buffet stay replenished, or I’ll stack bottles of water for those trying to stay hydrated in the hot sun. I’ve officiated at weddings where the bride is running around madly in her gown, and it’s almost a welcome breather when she gets to take time out for the ceremony.

If your budget allows for a wedding planner, I do recommend that you use one. If not, then why not ask a good friend or family member to be your planner and bounce ideas off each other. Remember to choose someone that you can argue with, preferably someone that is NOT contributing financially to the event. That way you avoid them feeling that they have the right to override your decisions. On the other hand, don’t treat them as a ‘wedding employee’. No bridezilla tactics allowed!

2009 Brides Choice Awards

I am so happy to have received a 2009 brides Choice award through Wedding Wire. I love the fact that brides took the time to give their opinion of their ceremony and that they were happy with it. It means a lot to me to have them remember their day in such a positive fashion. So, this is a big thank you to the brides who made this all possible. I hope that all my brides this year feel as good about their ceremony as you do.

Sleep…the final frontier…

One of the things I have been told most often by my brides is that stress robs them of their rest time. It’s a bit of a catch 22, because the less they sleep, the more they worry and the more they worry, the less they sleep.

One bride to be can no longer wear her hair down as most of it is falling out! There’s so much to organize and then you are supposed to look your best ever, for the pictures. Tough call.

There are ways to cut down on the stress. Even for those who cannot hire professionals to do it for them.

Delegate -  it’s hard to do, but ask another person to take responsibility for one of the tasks, like the limo hire or the flowers. Then trust them completely. No second guessing. If you chose them to do it, there was a trust there already and you have to stay true to that. Ask them to have it all done by a certain date, tell them your budget and requirements and have them make a file. When it’s all done, they simply hand you the file. Task completed. Moms, dads, sisters, brothers, best friends…rope them in.

Eat Well -  Fruit and veggies are your best friends. Take a vitamin supplement. Your B vitamins control your nervous system and can calm your nerves. The ACE antioxidants will help you look better and your skin will thank you. C will also keep you well. Take a fish oil capsule before you go to bed at night for clear thinking processes.

Drink Water -  Not only will skin and hair shine, but you will lose weight too. Lots and lots of water. Not the 300 calories a bottle kind, but good old fashioned plain H2O.

Give it up – If you can’t have it, let it go. No shade of peach just right, get the other one. No sky blue limo? Get the white one. No fuschia victorian lace gowns? Get the other ones. Too much moula for the room you wanted? Find somewhere else. Do NOT create problems where there are none.

Relax -  meditation, massages, bubble baths, drinking chamomile tea. Whatever it takes, do it once a week. No excuses.

Ideas for readings…short poems

Short Poems

These Poems could be used as is……or quoted from
Love’s Trinity
by Alfred Austin

Soul, heart, and body, we thus singly name,
Are not in love divisible and distinct,
But each with each inseparably link’d.
One is not honour, and the other shame,
But burn as closely fused as fuel, heat, and flame.

They do not love who give the body and keep
The heart ungiven; nor they who yield the soul,
And guard the body. Love doth give the whole;
Its range being high as heaven, as ocean deep,
Wide as the realms of air or planet’s curving sweep

Love
by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

And in Life’s noisiest hour,
There whispers still the ceaseless Love of Thee,
The heart’s Self-solace and soliloquy.
You mould my Hopes, you fashion me within ;
And to the leading Love-throb in the Heart
Thro’ all my Being, thro’ my pulse’s beat ;
You lie in all my many Thoughts, like Light,
Like the fair light of Dawn, or summer Eve
On rippling Stream, or cloud-reflecting Lake.
And looking to the Heaven, that bends above you,
How oft! I bless the Lot that made me love you.

Booking a wedding..

I’m not sure what makes a couple choose one officiant over another. Cost is certainly a factor. Personality is another. I have heard many officiants remark that they have contact with large amounts of couples who are seeking the perfect person to help with their wedding, but they don’t seem to get the bookings.

Word of mouth is the out and out best way to get bookings. Brides in particular are open to suggestions from friends who got married and were happy with their officiant. The grooms tend to be not so worried about the person conducting the ceremony.  I had more inquiries to date last year than this year, but this year they are 99% booking. Whereas last year it was only 25%, which by the way, is an excellent turnaround rate for booking.

Active marketing is essential and there’s a great blog out there called ‘Rev it up’ for those who need marketing tips and pointers to increase their businesses. [revitup.typepad.com] the have many strategies for getting you noticed and also for providing  a better service to your couples. Taking the stress out of their day is what it’s all about. let’s make it easy for them!