Tips to Having a Freakin Awesome Wedding

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I have been in the wedding business now for over 20 years and can tell you with absolute certainty what things are MOST important in creating a wonderful memorable wedding! And there are ways to guarantee your special day to be awesome! 

1) Plan way ahead so you get what you want when you want it.

Plus this helps alleviate the frustrating last minute cramming stuff.

2) Hire a Wedding Planner. (And make sure it's a good one!)

Most people baulk because of the cost, but truly what you save in heartache, frustration and dealing with details it's worth it! And you can also hire a Wedding Planner at a reduced rate for "Day Of Planning" ... this may fit the budget better. Another good thing about Wedding Planners, especially a good one, is that they know the business and will think of all the things you would have had to read about to think of ... again they are worth the investment! 

3) Make sure to hire and pay for a great photographer & videographer!

I am 100% against having a "family member who likes to take pictures" do it! Don't! Trust me on this! Now, if you want to have them be an additional shooter, great! But not the main one. The only exception would be if they are truly an awesome photographer. But even then, let them be family and enjoy the wedding like the rest of the family. 

4) Relax and have fun, It's your special day, enjoy it!

Chill. For real! Refuse to let anyone or anything mess up the good vibes. Just don't.

5) Don't let family ruin anything ... do what you want HOW you want!

This goes along with #4, but I am telling you (listen close) This is YOUR wedding, not his parents or your parent's wedding, it's YOURS! Do whatever the hell you want, HOW you want to do it. So many couples fight over this stuff. It's easy, no fight necessary ... do what you want, it's your wedding, period! End of story. No discussion needed. I will add, I don't care who is writing the check. They can either give the money freely with no strings or conditions or they can keep their money and regret not blessing you. 

6) Don't leave for Honeymoon the very next morning.

I have heard many people regret the 5:00 am flight on the next day! I am also someone who regrets this decision along with my wife, Jana. We wished we had given ourselves a day to just recoup before flying off to Hawaii. Live and learn.

7) Hire the right *Officiant!

Obviously I am going to be passionate about this one. I mean let's be honest here, the Officiant is the most important person in the room (outside the Bride and Groom) without them you can't get married. You can get married without a cake, a dress, flowers, music, etc. but you can't get married without an Officiant. But seriously I have heard horror stories of when people have had their "cousin" or "friend" who acquired his/her license online for $19.99. This is one of the biggest days and moments of your life HIRE a professional. And not only a "professional" but someone who is legit and fits your personality. Like a real Pastor or a real Judge!

*Always INTERVIEW him/her before you hire them! Unless you have already seen them in action and know they are good or if they come highly recommended by someone you trust, then go for it. 

Bottom line: If you want the best, hire the best!

Kansas City Wedding Officiant

Did you get engaged over the holidays? Are you looking for someone to officiate your wedding ceremony? If so, give me (Pastor Timmy Gibson) a call! I have over 15 years’ experience, and do approximately 50 weddings a year. I would love to help you make your wedding day perfect!

CONTACT INFO:

Phone: (913) 390-1200
Mobile: (913) 449-2283
Twitter: @TimmyKC

REVIEWS:

*****
Pastor Timmy and his wife Jana were a pleasure to work with. Not only were they very responsive, but they made us feel at ease with them. We currently do not belong to a church here in KC but we were looking for our ceremony to be a traditional Christian event. That's exactly what we got with Pastor Timmy, although I feel that he would've worked with us on however we felt the ceremony should go. He was so non-judgemental and I plan to look into his church as soon as all of the post-wedding stuff dies down. I have a feeling we would feel right at home there. - Erica 

*****

Timmy was perfect for our wedding. He was very friendly, very articulate and easy to talk to. My husband and I confided in him with some family issues that have been going on and he was more than willing to talk to us and give us advice. He was a huge hit with our family, he did a great job during our ceremony and everyone in our audience really enjoyed listening to him speak. My husband and I aren't religious but he was very understanding and treated us with the utmost respect. He is a great choice for any couple that hasn't yet found a church or if you just wanted a great speaker! - Michelle

REFERENCES:


Venues

Intercontinental Hotel on the Plaza
Contact: Caterer
(816) 756-1500

Berg Event Space
Contact: Jillian Murphy
(816) 842-4488

Longview Mansion
Contact: Jenny Gale
(816) 761-666

Loch Lloyd
Contact: Michelle Adolphsen
(816) 322-1022


DJ Services

Encore DJ Services
Contact: Danny Goyer
(913) 269-3028


#1 Wedding Officiant




I have been recently voted the #1 Wedding Officiant in the Kansas City Area. I guess that’s pretty cool!? I would assume that is why this year I have 50 weddings in my books! That’s almost one a weekend. And 75% are from referral. So, thank you Kansas City!

What I really love about weddings are the couples I get to spend time with in preparation for not only their wedding, but their marriage. I try to help with both, but my main concern is helping couples create a healthy marriage.

If you or someone you know is looking for a pastor to officiate their wedding, please make sure to send them my way!

Website: mercychurchkc.com/weddings

CONTACT INFO
913.390.1200

4 Healthy Way to Respond to Complaints

When we are in a relationship there will be times we'll do things that hurt each other's feelings and we must communicate those things to our partner in a way they will truly hear you, as well as when they are communicating to us ... how we listen! HOW we communicate those things matters, as well as how we LISTEN to those complaints matters! This is an area most all of us struggle with getting right, but when we do, it can make these kinds of encounters go a lot better than they normally do.

 


So when your partner brings a complaint to you … here is what to do …


 


1)          Ask QUESTIONS for better understanding.


 


DON’T: Belittle or criticize your partner for complaining.


 


 


2)          Acknowledge the FEELINGS behind your partner’s complaint.


 


DON’T: Defend yourself.


 


This is very difficult to do, because we all want to defend ourselves, and “set the record straight!”


 


 


3)          Take RESPONSIBILITY for the problem.


 


DON’T: Deny responsibility or flip it or spin it back on your partner.


 


 


4)          Don’t RUN away.


 


DON’T: Run away, give up, withdraw and quit… fight through the fight … no pain no gain.

 
 
*Material Taken from Dr. John Gottman's book , 7 Principles for a Healthy Relationship!