One of the most exciting aspects of being in the wedding industry is the incredible people we meet. Each wedding day is successful, in part, because of the creative teams that are assembled to support that couple. We’re all about the team experience at Gold Grid Studios, and that extends to industry professionals in other fields. These are the vendors we admire, respect, and always recommend!
The first in our series of Gold Grid Recommends is Anita Vaughan, officiant and life celebrant.
What’s one thing that makes you different than other professionals in your field? Effectively, why should I work with you?
I think that the one thing that makes me different is my approach to ceremonies. As a certified Life-Cycle Celebrant, my ceremonies are custom made for each couple. So, it’s not about me or what I believe or what I like. It’s all about YOU.
I invest a great deal of time and energy into each ceremony. My couples complete very detailed questionnaires, and share personal details about themselves and their relationships. When I’m reading the responses, I often think, “Of course you love each other! You are amazing!!” I guess I fall a little bit in love with each of my couples when I’m working on their ceremonies.
When couples respond to my questions with such honesty and openness, I feel a sense of obligation to create the perfect ceremony for them. I want them to read the 1st draft and say, “Yes! This is us!”
After officiating a ceremony, I often have guests ask me if I’m a friend of the family, or how long I’ve know the couple. That’s when I know I’ve done my job.
What’s your favorite part of a wedding day?
Of course, my favorite part of the wedding day is the ceremony! But, I have favorite parts of the ceremony. I think the one I like the most is the community vow, which most of my couples opt to include in their ceremonies.
After the couple exchanges their vows and rings, I have them turn and face their guests. I ask them to look at everyone and take a moment to “feel the love” of their family and friends. I then ask the guests whether they affirm the marriage and give the couple their blessing, to which they all exclaim, “We do!”
It allows the couple an opportunity to be truly present and “in the moment.” It also allows the guests to feel included, rather than just being spectators. It’s such a happy way to end the ceremony!
What’s one thing you wish you could tell every couple?
I wish I could tell every couple to take a step back and remember what the wedding day is all about. The day is about the love you share and celebrating an important life event. It’s also about all the people who surround you on your wedding day and who are celebrating with you because they love you. Everything else is just icing on the cake!
I would also like to remind them that there will most likely be a glitch on their wedding day. You can plan everything down to the tiniest detail, but something might still go wrong. And it’s okay. No one will care. The most important thing is that, when it’s all over – you’re married!
So, take time to soak it all in on your wedding day. Mingle with your guests. Eat the delicious food you picked out. Kick off your heels and dance! It’s time to celebrate.
What your best memory to date from a wedding/event you were a part of?
Without a doubt, the best memory I have is when I co-created the Under a New Moon wedding giveaway in 2011. The ceremony, which happened at 12:01 AM on June 2, 2011, was the first legal same-sex wedding ceremony in Chicago!
As a long-time supporter of same-sex marriage, I wanted to do something to celebrate when civil unions became legal in Illinois. So, I contacted the wonderful folks at Catalyst Ranch and worked closely with then-manager, Lauren Smith.
We brainstormed and came up with the idea for a wedding giveaway for six couples. Everything was donated by wonderful and generous local wedding professionals, some of whom contacted us to ask if they could help. It was amazing! Lauren and I poured so much time and energy (and a few tears) into running the contest and organizing the event… and it was worth every second!
The six couples we selected got to know each other through the process and became friends, and still keep in touch. Since then, I have officiated a larger wedding ceremony for one of the couples, and the others were there as guests. I also performed a baby blessing ceremony for one of the couples, who are the proud moms of an adorable little boy.
It’s been almost five years, and every time I see photos or watch a video of the event, I get choked up. I am so proud to have been a part of it and I’m still overwhelmed by the generosity of the wedding community. I still can’t believe that, from a tiny idea, something so amazing was able to happen. It shows what a little love and a lot of great people can do!
Anything you’d rather say?
I have the best job in the world!!
Learn more about Anita: www.anitaweds.com