Pink Pages: Officiant

Services Provided: A Wedding with Grace provides authentic, elegant and artistic ceremonies that speak to the very heart of the couple. A couple's wedding ceremony is one of the most important moments in their lives; they've planned every detail to be personal, unique and a reflection of their personalities. Choosing the right officiant, one that truly connects with them and with whom they feel a partnership throughout the planning process, is essential to starting their wedding celebration with the right tone – one that is joyous, inspirational, and full of love. I work closely with each of my couples to design and create an timeless ceremony that will, for the couple, forever remain a distinctive and cherished lifetime moment.

Areas You Service: Southwest Florida, but have, and will, travel out of State.

Describe your ideal client: My ideal client is that couple who truly believes that their ceremony is the most important part of their wedding day, and not simply a legal formality to get through before the party. Most couples who work with me desire a ceremony that they haven't seen or heard before, one that incorporates their ideals, beliefs and the people and things (and pets!) that are important to them. While I am happy to conduct a traditional ceremony if that is the couple's wish, my favorite ceremonies are those in which I work so closely with the couple that, at at the conclusion of their ceremony, the couple's guests come up to me to inquire as to which party I was a relative of, since the ceremony was so detailed and specific to the couple. I also love working with my interfaith and multicultural couples, as well, creating ceremonies that honor their unique heritages.

Favorite place to meet with other vendors: At wonderful events such as the Marry Me Tampa Bay gatherings!

Favorite gift to receive from another vendor: Referrals and endorsements are the greatest gift a fellow professional can give me! Also a big fan of English Tea!

Additional info: Each couple I work with is important to me, and I truly value the time we share together. My goal is to ensure that the first part of their wedding celebration (their ceremony) is warm, engaging, and full of love, so that their guests start the day feeling not like they sat through something, but that they smiled, laughed and cried, and came away knowing more about the couple, and their unique love story.

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Services Provided: All Things “Ceremony” – Wedding Ceremony; Commitment Ceremony; Vow Renewals; Celebration of Life Ceremonies

Areas You Service: Florida, Tennessee and I still serve weddings in Las Vegas upon request.

What inspired you to start your business? After attending a friend's wedding many years ago when I lived in Las Vegas, I witnessed the most rushed, emotionless, meaningless, 10 minutes (or less), ceremony performance I had ever experienced.

I made an off-the-cuff comment that “I could have done a better job than that!” Making that statement out loud, seemed to be what planted the seed.

Once I was ordained and rolled out my business, I swore an oath to myself, that I would NEVER subject any couple (working with me), to such an experience on one of the most important and beautiful days of their lives. I still stand by my word no matter how busy or booked my schedule may be – every couple will enjoy a very personal, meaningful and memorable ceremony, as unique as their love story.

What makes your business stand out from others in your category? I would say I likely stand out over my peers because I am a LOT more adventurous and creative in terms of accepting “unique & unusual” wedding requests.

Additionally, I provide a very professional – but genuine and personable experience for each couple that will put them at ease with regards to their experience at the altar. I also offer a price point that is very reasonable for the service and ceremony quality I write and perform.”

Describe your ideal client: That's an easy one. Any Couple that is in love…is my ideal client. No judgement EVER from me, no matter what their lifestyle, heritage, religion, culture or back story might is.

What is something vendors would be surprised to know about you? I'm terrified every visit to the altar (2 people or 2000 people – no difference); I have performed a handful of ceremonies completely in Spanish (I was too nervous – no mas!) And let me just say it now, if you have a problem with me bringing my chrome/clear plexiglass podium – we likely won't be working together. My eyesight (and vertigo) make it necessary for me to have that podium. Not to mention, I'm not talented enough to hold my book, flip pages, hold a microphone and look at the couple – without losing my place. I don't know how everyone else manages all that! With my podium, I am more relaxed, I can engage more with the couple and get into it – all in.

Favorite place to meet with other vendors: Panera…I like their coffee and muffins – the booths provide privacy. They have especially come in handy when I am conducting my pre-marital preparation program. When we talk about sex, substances, and such…the booths are very helpful!

Favorite gift to receive from another vendor: Feedback on how I served their clients. I will NEVER take money from a fellow vendor and I will never charge a fellow vendor for their wedding.

Fun facts: Well, as I said, I'm pretty adventurous! I have a more diverse portfolio of wedding styles and experiences than most. For example…I have served hundreds of very formal/high-end weddings; my largest audience was in Vegas – on a stage in front of 35,000 people, televised in 200 countries (and yes, I was crapping myself!). I have performed many theme weddings (in Vegas baby!), several authentic Viking weddings, a few weddings in jails/prisons, in hospice situations, for special needs couples, in bathrooms, limos, hot air balloons, airplanes over the Grand Canyon, on horseback in the ocean, yachts, back yards, country venues, to groups that don't speak one word of English…I'm sure I'm missing a few. I'm 62 years old and still say….bring it! Oh…and don't tell ANYONE…BUT, I also performed 2 “naturalist weddings” in Vegas. I had no idea at the time that “naturalist” meant “NAKED!” And no, I wasn't. I was full clothed while everyone else came in their boobs and butts, pearls and flip flops. And yes, it was a site I will never be able to un-see. Oh! And, I also performed 3 BDSM wedding ceremonies. I had no idea what that even meant the first time I was asked. As soon as they said…Fifty Shades of Grey…the light bulb came on! I'm curious – what can I say. Three was enough; I'm good! There have only been 3 ceremonies in 9 years that I have declined. One was Wicken and the other two…I'm not going to go there.

Additional info: I love what “I DO” and I am so incredibly blessed to have worked with over 1500 couples in 9 years, from around the globe. Many, I am still very good friends with. Although I love the couples that hire me – it is the vendors I have worked with along the SW Florida Gulf Coast (and in Las Vegas), that make every event exciting and fun. Everyone has been so inspiring and encouraging. I am always treated with such respect and warmth, that I look forward to working with “family” at every event. My industry partners in this area make every trip to the altar, exceptional.

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Areas You Service: Tampa Bay, but can and will travel within Florida.

What inspired you to start your business? One day, I discovered notaries in FL can officiate weddings. I decided to give it a try after looking into it more. After digging into it all the details of how to officiate a wedding I got my first wedding. After the ceremony, the mother of the bride & some guests told me I did a great job. I was honest & told them it was my first wedding, and they didn't believe me. That was my sign so to speak & I really enjoyed it. I've been pursuing the business ever since.

What makes your business stand out from others in your category? I think the reviews say it all. The feedback I get from my clients is: I make the ceremony memorable and how much everyone loved the ceremony, I listen to the client's needs and handled everything professionally, and “Kristen has such a calming presence during the wedding AND is a beautifully spoken officiant as well”.

Describe your ideal client: Honestly, all of them. There are couples who know exactly what they want and make it easy for me. Then there are couples who aren't sure or haven't thought much about the ceremony come to find out. In those situations, I spend time getting to know the couple better so we can plan a ceremony they are going to be happy with. It's their day, after all.

What is something vendors would be surprised to know about you?I previously was a zookeeper taking care of tigers and primates!

Favorite place to meet with other vendors: Anywhere with good food!

Favorite gift to receive from another vendor: scratch lottery tickets are fun! I'll even take you dinner if I win big or like I would tell my mom, I'll pay you the dollar back LOL!

Fun facts: People say I'm funny, but that can take time once I get to know you better. I love the water and a good day at the spa.