This Is Why I Love What I Do
This week I had the marvelous pleasure of coordinating Lydia and Nathan’s wedding. It was absolutely beautiful, and my goodness what a wonderful family! With over 30 people in the bridal party alone (yes, that is accurate), this was the biggest bridal party I have ever seen. (Mine was 18ppl, and I thought that was a lot!) Honestly, though, it was truly a testament to this couple. They really truly love everyone… and let me tell you… everyone feels it! Including me, my team, the DJ, and the photographers… we all just loved them right back!
The family was incredible. There were so many of them, and many of them were also in the bridal party, and the bridal party was so big… I knew this was a family to be reckoned with. They are close to each other, and they care about each other. There were parents, and “Bonus” parents, and people who couldn’t sit next to other people… but that didn’t stop any of them from loving this couple and having a genuinely amazing time.
This is why I do what I do. After working in the industry for over 10 years, I am now (finally!) working on my official certification. The certification course I have been using is just beyond incredible. The first step in the process of building your business is for you to find your “Why”. Why do you want to be a wedding planner? Why do you want to do what you think you want to do? Why?
As I sat down and worked through the worksheets, it was incredible to me to really sit down and figure out my “Why”. It became even clearer when I was coordinating last week. My “Why” is clear. I love to help people; but more than that, I believe in my heart that everyone deserves a wedding day that is stress-free. I believe that you should have everything in place so you can whole-heartedly enjoy your day. That is my “Why”. I have found that I am really good at working with a lot of people in high-stress situations, and I really truly enjoy it.
I come from a big family. I am the baby of 4, everyone is married, and everyone has children. The children have grown up and now have their own significant others. When we get together, my “immediate” family has 24 people (and counting!). I am “Aunt Sarah” to 14 nieces and nephews, and at least 10 other children whom I love and adore. Family is family. They have opinions because they truly want the best for you… especially when you’re the baby of the family!
I get it. I understand completely. I work very hard; I put my heart and soul into everything I do; and I dive deep into any project I have. I love my family more than anything else. I know what it’s like to work hard, play harder, and love hardest.
When you work a lot, and you love so many people, they want to help you. They believe they are being helpful. To the stressed out bride, though, it can be overwhelming. Simple opinions and suggestions from people who “know” you can be just one more thing to add to your pot of chaos. They do believe they are helpful, and they truly want to help, but to you, it is just a bit much and can be overwhelming.
Seeing Lydia’s family reminded me of my own. Everyone wanted to love her. Everyone wanted to help. Everyone truly wanted what’s best for this amazing couple because they deserve it.
This is where I come in. I am a neutral third party. I only care about the bride and groom. I get to come in, read the bride and groom, and see exactly how they are feeling. I get to read their smiles… and their fake smiles… their “Yes, please do it that way”... and the “ummm… yes… that could work”. I understand when they are overwhelmed, and when they just need the help of someone who isn’t a family member or friend.
I’m really good at it. I love creating relationships with each family member. I love watching the stress come off their own shoulders when they realize they don’t have to do it, but I will do it. I love watching them realize they can also just enjoy it all!
The wedding day is all about the bride and groom - that is most definitely true - but it is a celebration! This is a day for all of the family to celebrate! They want to enjoy it, too. If they are bogged down with so many responsibilities that are overwhelming themselves, then they are only going to relay that anxiety to the bride and groom. I do what I do because I want to relieve that anxiety, not just for the bride and groom, but also for the family.
I loved working with Lydia’s family. They truly love her and Nathan. They allowed me to be a big part of their day, which really allowed them to just enjoy it all. They laughed, and cried tears of joy, and truly had an amazing day.
On my wedding day, I was lucky! I had an amazing family who just took care of everyone and everything all day. At my venue, my coordinator was incredible. That is what I want for everyone. Not everyone comes from a Pastor’s family who has done hundreds of weddings so it is second nature to them. I want that same peace and calmness for my couples. I think that kind of peace and joy in the world is what we need. (Not to sound cheesy, but it’s true.)
This is my “Why”. I just simply want you - and those who love you - to be happy. I am the Fire Fighting Fairy Godmother. I put out the fires before you even know they are happening - and I love what I do!