S6E15: Immediate Family Only, An Intimate Wedding in Ohio
Accommodating everyone on your wedding day can be a challenge.
That’s why this couple decided to talk with each of their guests at the beginning of the planning process to hear what was important to them.
When your family is a priority, making time to talk with them about what is important to them surrounding your wedding celebration early on is critical.
It was important to us that everyone felt seen and heard during the wedding planning process. We made time to have conversations with each of our family members to make sure that we knew their expectations and what was important to them early on.
Guest: Becca Wood, Probably Bothered
This week, we’re dishing about things like…
The importance of staying true to your vision as a couple
Communicating with loved ones
Managing expectations
Firsts!
… and more!
Wedding Details
What, if anything, would you change about your wedding?
I wouldn't change much!
How did you choose your wedding vendors?
Always ask venues for preferred vendor lists and see who is on a lot of them. Hint: they're going to be great and easy to work with. After you pick a vendor or two don't be afraid to ask them for referrals too. The industry thrives on referrals. Once we met with vendors we just made sure they were as chill as we were. I didn't want my family to feel uncomfortable (like if they wanted a family portrait I wanted the photographer to be totally welcoming to that idea). So we made sure they knew their stuff, but also that we would want to hang out with these people all day because that will definitely be the case.
What advice could you offer to engaged couples planning their wedding - as both a wedding professional and a married human?
Make your expectations clear upfront and make sure to give your family a chance to share their expectations as well. We basically told everyone that we were having one conversation early on where they could share the things that were important to them (family traditions, etc) and that we wouldn't be adding anything after that point. So if they forgot to make a request it wasn't a guaranteed yes, there wasn't a guilt trip "oh but this is so important to me". Because the add-ons aren't fair to the bride and groom. So we all had a chance to share early on and there were no surprises.
What was the most important decision you made about your wedding?
Making it immediate family only. It was controversial but we loved it and don't regret a thing. Of course, there were special people in our lives that we missed, but it was what was best for our family and for us as a couple.
Have a funny story?
My father-in-law stole the mic and started serenading us. And then he called up his sons and my nana to help!
Business Info
How long have you been in business? 3 years
Why did you decide to start your own business?
I always knew I'd start a business, I grew up brainstorming inventions with my dad and looking at the world in a different way, wondering how I could make it better. It was a natural next step for me, especially when working for someone else never really felt quite right.
What's the coolest thing about owning your own business?
Taking back my time. I no longer work to work, I no longer have to hold back my ideas and my thoughts. I'm not burdened by other people's opinions of what I should and shouldn't say. I trust myself fully and my clients respond to that.
What challenges have you had to overcome?
Figuring out how to balance my business as a side hustle with a full-time job. Creating a process that I didn't have a model for. Creating an offer that was unique and thought out, not just the norm that I had as an example.
What advice could you offer to someone starting a business like yours?
Everything goes back to why, not what. We get so caught up in what we are doing, but the why is what matters. Your logo doesn't matter, your next IG post probably doesn't even matter that much.
But why you posted it?
Why you created your offer the way you did.
Why you want to have this business
…that is what sets you apart and what guides you.
What's the most memorable thing you've seen happen at a wedding or celebration?
All the groomsmen take off their shirts while the crowd threw money at them! Or a MOH speech where she basically said she didn't know the groom and wasn't sold on him 😬
Vision Setting, Redefining Success, and Setting Boundaries
Vision setting: We often think about the vision far too late in the game. But if we step back and answer specific questions 1) it is often surprising what our vision for ourselves is. and 2) we ge a lot more clear on where we're going.
Redefining success: I really hate the idea of using your bank account as marketing for your course or basing any decisions in my business on the idea that someone would be good to work with because they made 6 figures. Why is this the goal? Why do we all seem to want to aspire to it?
Setting boundaries: boundaries are something you can control for yourself but not something you can force onto anyone else.
Daily Life
What is daily life like in your household?
Slow mornings - get coffee, make breakfast, settle in, and see what I need to accomplish that day. Make lunch. Wrap up work, make dinner and hang out with the hubs.
Are there any challenges or obstacles that you've had to overcome?
Early on the balance thing was a big challenge. Danny had to sit me down and basically point out that I wasn't making time for him! But I got creative and figured it out!
What advice would you offer to other business owners in a similar situation?
Think outside of the box. How do you like to work? How can you serve your clients best? How can you serve yourself so that you can show up when and how you need to.
Want to know more about Becca?
Becca is a vision coach who, together with her clients, crushes entrepreneurial loneliness and doubt. She's here to help you encourage + grow your unique ideas, and share alternate perspectives that help shape your next steps. Together we focus on redefining what success means to you. And just you, not your mother-in-law or the Instagram influencer version of success. It’s time to stop drowning in other people’s strategies and start looking inside to what you know is true. Her vision is to steward a new generation of online business owners step out of the shadows and into their flow by releasing the hype around 6 figures and 10k months and honing in on your vision for your dream life. Only then can you select individualized goals and take steps to create your business and that life. If you’re ready to build success on your terms, she'd love to work with you.
Vendors
Photographer – Jonathan Gibson - @jonathangibsonphotography
Videographer: Light Parade Films - @lightparadecincinnati
Hair & Makeup - Bride Face - @bridefaceotr
Flowers - Marti Heard -@martiyaheard
Jewelry - Borrowed from the bride's grandmother
Venue - The Lytle Park Hotel, Cincinnati, OH @lytleparkhotel
Wedding Shop - A&Bé Bridal Shop, Dallas, TX, @aandbe_dallas
Groom's Suit - The Black Tux - @theblacktux
Cake - Oliver's - @oliversdesserts
Alterations - Altered for the Altar - @alteredforthealtar
Want more? Check out Becca’s blog post about her dress!
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