MOUN TA IN W EDDINGS have a list ready of the food you love and what’s most important for you - to communicate with your caterer! Remember, this is YOUR special day! CHOOSING THE RIGHT WEDDING OFFICIANT: 5 TIPS TO FIND THE PERFECT FIT by Leslie Ross Universal Life Church Minister
You’ve set the date, picked out a venue and reserved the band. Now for the most important decision, choosing who will preside over your ceremony. Although this box on your “To Do List” often gets pushed to the bottom, it’s one of the most import parts of the planning process. A Wedding Officiant has a significant role to guide you through probably one of the most important days of your life. So why not find someone that resonates with you and your vision. Before shopping around for the “Right Fit”, getting clear on a couple of details will help ease the process and allow for a more seamless search. #1 Have a Vision: Know Your Flavor? To begin, it’s more important to “Get Clear” on what style of ceremony you envision rather than the words that will be spoken. The role of a seasoned Officiant is to create a ceremony that reflects your personalities and vision. To orient your compass in the direction to look, first, decide if your ceremony will be religious or non-religious. Getting clear on the flavor of your ceremony - Religious, Non- denominational, Spiritual, Nature or Civil will help you narrow down the search to someone who can confidently deliver a ceremony in the style you are seeking. #2 Credentials: Finding an Officiant that is not only professional but experienced and recommended can go a long way. “A good officiant is a good orator,” says Larissa Banting of Weddings Costa Rica on WeddingWire. “They have confidence, speak clearly and understand how to create dramatic tension when necessary as well as levity, taking everyone on a journey with their words and voice.” Remember most often you get what you pay for. Know your budget range but be realistic. If you are requiring a larger degree of customization and 68
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meetings, expect to invest more for those services than an Officiant with a prewritten script. #3 Know the Facts: Have the following information available When interviewing Officiants, be prepared to provide the date, time and ceremony location. If you haven’t settled on the specifics, then share a range of what you are considering. For outdoor ceremony locations off the beaten trail, choose an Officiant capable of accessing the venue. Other important details to share include wedding party size (which would determine the necessity of a rehearsal), involving any guests with readings, songs or unity ceremony. This information will help you find an Officiant not only willing but capable of artfully weaving these in components into your ceremony and offering suggestions and support for your vision. #4 Location, Location, Location: If you are planning a mountain town or remote wedding, hiring a local officiant can help avoid any unnecessary day of stress related to inclement weather or travel complications. Local Officiants are also familiar with the area and work closely with other local vendors enabling them to assist in any last minute emergencies as well as provide other local suggestions and tips. #5 Have a Connection: Find a person you resonate with who shares a similar style and personality that is complementary to the two of you. The last thing you want is an Officiant you are not comfortable being around or talking to. Look for a perfect blend of someone who can be professional while adding inappropriate humor, someone who is calm and level headed but can be appropriately direct in their tone, pitch, and demeanor. And most importantly, someone who is compassionate and has your best interest in mind. To ensure that you get to choose the person that is the right fit rather settling for who is available on your date, it’s recommended not to wait until the last minute. Getting clear on your vision will not only help you narrow down your search but will also inform your potential hire about your needs and wishes. These details will allow them to check their availability, provide a quote
and share how their unique skill set can support your vision….all valuable pieces for making an informed decision when choosing the right person for the job. Happy Hunting. Ordained by the Universal Life Church since 2012, Leslie brings her connection to the outdoors and spirituality into creating a custom ceremony and personalized vows for your wedding. Non-denominational wedding ceremonies performed anywhere from the ski slopes to the beach. As a yoga instructor and mountain guide, Leslie also offers guided excursions and yoga sessions for your wedding party. Serving Summit, Eagle and Park Counties, Roaring Fork Valley, Greater Estes Park, the Front Range and Destination Weddings.
www.summitcelebrant.com
FINDING THE PERFECT STYLIST: THINGS TO INVESTIGATE BEFORE YOUR SPECIAL DAY
by Hunter A. Gansmann Cosmetologist Lash Artist, The Beauty Hunter LLC at Monets Salon
Everyone has a different style & everything goes these days!! So, searching for the perfect stylist/artist to either transform or enhance your true inner and outer beauty is crucial! When looking for an artist for your wedding day, I always recommend my brides to take into account a few things: What look are you going for? (I like Pinterest and any other inspirations from each person so I can get visuals) What colors are you incorporating? What styles best suits my dress and my bridesmaid’s dresses? What will look the most aesthetically pleasing for photos? (Cause that’s what we’ll be showing in memories with years down the line!) How much makeup are you used to wearing and how often do you style your hair? ( I never want to overwhelm someone who wears a very natural day to day look to a full-on glam look- and visa versa) For me personally, as a Coloradobased Cosmetologist, the most popular trends I have seen are, stunning neutral yet striking natural looks with golds,
