VENDOR HIGHLIGHT – WEDDING OFFICIANT JAKE SCHUCHARDT
When you’re planning your wedding, it’s important to think about all of the details that will go into making your day special. One of the most important aspects of your wedding is who will officiate your ceremony. While you may be tempted to have a friend or family member officiate your wedding, there are several reasons why you should hire a professional wedding officiant instead.
First, a professional wedding officiant will be able to help you personalize your ceremony to make it unique for you and your partner. They’ll be able to work with you to create a ceremony that reflects your values and beliefs, and they’ll also be able to help you choose readings, vows, and music that will make your ceremony truly special.
Second, a professional wedding officiant is trained in the art of performing weddings. They know how to conduct a smooth ceremony that flows well and leaves your guests with an impression of love and affection. Finally, a professional wedding officiant will be able to ensure that your ceremony goes off without a hitch.
We recently had the pleasure of interviewing such a professional wedding officiant in the St. Louis area. In this interview, Jake Schuchardt shares his insights on what makes a successful wedding ceremony, how to choose the right officiant for your big day, and what couples should keep in mind as they plan their nuptials. Here’s what he had to say:
1. What common mistakes do you see couples making?
The most common mistakes I see couples making are not hiring a professional and trying to do it themselves. I realize that some people are trying to save on costs. However, wedding professionals are paid to be EXCELLENT! Especially for officiants, do not ask a friend or family member to officiate as they are not familiar with what should go in a ceremony and even the best public speakers can get nervous in a new situation like a wedding ceremony!
2. What’s the best tip you have for a couple planning a wedding?
The best tip I have for a couple is to make it unique to your relationship. It does not need to be fancy or a certain way because “that is the way weddings are supposed to be.” Make the wedding fun and with your own unique flare! That will make it memorable and enjoyable for you and your guests!
3. What don’t couples know about your business that they need to know?
Couples do not realize that my officiant services often go beyond just a ceremony. Helping write your vows, premarital counseling, and even renewal services are just a few of the additional pieces that Four Corners Weddings brings to your special day. And if you do not have a vendor for flowers, invitation design, and even DJs (wink wink), we have connections with those vendors who we know are great at what they do!
4. What questions should couples be asking that they don’t know to ask?
Couples should really ask two simple questions of any vendor. 1) How much input can we give to make our ceremony personalized to us? 2) What happens if you cannot deliver what you promise to us? The response that any vendor gives you to these questions will tell you whether or not you should hire them!
5. What is your best piece of advice for couples planning a wedding?
Start early! If you want a great vendor, they are often booked 1 year or more in advance. While a vendor does not make or break a wedding, there is a clear difference between those who are in demand and those who are available. There is a reason they are free 6 months or less out from your wedding day!
6. What’s the most unusual wedding you’ve ever had?
The most unusual wedding was out in the middle of nowhere Missouri. Both families had Scandinavian family backgrounds so they were dressed in animal skins, had the ceremony out in the middle of the woods, said a Viking prayer to a Norse goddess, and started over an hour late. It was truly a one of a kind experience!
7. What was the most memorable wedding you ever worked, and why?
The most memorable wedding was a dual language wedding at a winery in southern Missouri. She was from Brazil and he was from St. Louis. The wedding was spoken by me in English. As I spoke, there was a translator speaking in Portuguese to those who did not understand English. The translator was fantastic and it was a beautiful ceremony. But it was definitely a new experience for me!
Wrap Up!
Officiating a wedding is a huge responsibility. It is a day that the couple will remember forever, and it is important to make sure that everything goes smoothly. Wedding officiants must be organized and prepared in order to make the ceremony perfect.
If you’re looking for an officiant that can provide a unique and personal touch to your wedding ceremony, be sure to check out Four Corners Weddings. With a wide range of officiating services and commitment to excellence, owner Jake will work closely with you to ensure your ceremony is everything you’ve ever wanted it to be.
We hope our interview has given you some insight into what goes into being a professional wedding officiant and that you will consider hiring one for your big day!
