I have had the opportunity to work with some of the most talented and personable vendors and wedding consultants in the wedding industry. I love to refer my clients to professionals I have worked with who I truly believe will do an amazing job for them. I have a blog post dedicated to my favorite vendors, but I wanted to also occasionally spotlight each of them more in depth.
Today meet my favorite officiant, Scott Swanson. I've worked with a lot of really great officiants. And if some of you are reading this--I love you too! But I have a special place in my heart for Scott. I'm COMPLETELY biased on this one. Scott and I have been friends for over 10 years, we've worked together and he's currently my pastor. But if you think he's on my FVL (favorite vendor list) just because of these things you would be wrong. I've seen Scott officiate a number of weddings and he really stands out in an awesome way. He's SO genuine and shows true care for the couples he marries--customizing each ceremony with personal touches that highlight the couple's personalities and love for one another. And he is completely free-of-cheese. He is in a no-cheese-zone. His ceremonies are non-cheesy. He's also got the gift of projection. You can almost do without the microphones with this guy - -his voice carries. But I digress. Ok -- I interviewed Scott so we could all get to know him better. His answers are listed under the questions below:
How long have you been officiating weddings?
I think I officiated my first wedding in 2003.
What first got you interested in officiating weddings?
Already being a pastor, it was a natural fit for me. My initial interest was born out of my love for people, desire to serve/help them and interest in trying something new!
Besides officiating weddings, what else do you do with your time?
As I mentioned I'm a pastor. So I spend time reading, writing, leading, teaching and caring for people. I try to make it to the gym 3 times a week and often am successful at it! The rest of my time is spent with my beautiful wife and 4 boys (3 of my own and our current foster boy). So … my days are full of working, putting a fake tattoo on an arm, corralling, playing, putting someone in time-out while saying, "you can't say those words, hurt people, or be disrespectful like that" and giving lots of baths! After all that, it's time to watch LOST.
What type of clients/weddings do you most find yourself working with?
Well I hope I'm not shooting myself in the foot by saying this. I mostly work with younger couples getting married -those in their 20's & 30's. The reason for this is obvious -I'm in my thirties and have a very relational, personal approach that connects well with them.
What do you enjoy most about being a part of other people's big days?
I really enjoy meeting people, getting to know them and helping them plan their wedding. But my favorite part is performing their ceremony. I love speaking meaningful words about the depth of their love. I love leading them in bringing their lives together as one. I love watching them try to pour sand so carefully, only to have it dump all over the table.
What do you feel like sets you apart from other officiants?
As I mentioned before, being a younger officiant sets me apart as well as my laid-back personality. I talk with passion and conviction because I believe in what I'm saying. I don't just stand and read off the page. I keep my personality while I'm performing the ceremony. I've been told all these things make me unique.
If you could give one piece of advice to couples on their wedding day, what would it be?
It is said couples spend countless hours preparing for their wedding day but very little time preparing for their marriage. My advice is to do both.
Are there any other fun-facts that we should really know about you that would contribute even more to your coolness?
Yes, though I have never shared this publicly. I'm only saying this to make this blog post yet another "Melissa Special"… I'm a ninja.
Thanks, Scott -- very enlightening :). To see Scott's website--click here!
-----------> If you are caught up in the whirlwind of selecting your wedding vendors, click here to download a FREE form to help you through the decision-making process! We've created a convenient form to help you track and compare your top 3 vendors in each category. Download your FREE copy today!
Today meet my favorite officiant, Scott Swanson. I've worked with a lot of really great officiants. And if some of you are reading this--I love you too! But I have a special place in my heart for Scott. I'm COMPLETELY biased on this one. Scott and I have been friends for over 10 years, we've worked together and he's currently my pastor. But if you think he's on my FVL (favorite vendor list) just because of these things you would be wrong. I've seen Scott officiate a number of weddings and he really stands out in an awesome way. He's SO genuine and shows true care for the couples he marries--customizing each ceremony with personal touches that highlight the couple's personalities and love for one another. And he is completely free-of-cheese. He is in a no-cheese-zone. His ceremonies are non-cheesy. He's also got the gift of projection. You can almost do without the microphones with this guy - -his voice carries. But I digress. Ok -- I interviewed Scott so we could all get to know him better. His answers are listed under the questions below:
How long have you been officiating weddings?
I think I officiated my first wedding in 2003.
What first got you interested in officiating weddings?
Already being a pastor, it was a natural fit for me. My initial interest was born out of my love for people, desire to serve/help them and interest in trying something new!
Besides officiating weddings, what else do you do with your time?
As I mentioned I'm a pastor. So I spend time reading, writing, leading, teaching and caring for people. I try to make it to the gym 3 times a week and often am successful at it! The rest of my time is spent with my beautiful wife and 4 boys (3 of my own and our current foster boy). So … my days are full of working, putting a fake tattoo on an arm, corralling, playing, putting someone in time-out while saying, "you can't say those words, hurt people, or be disrespectful like that" and giving lots of baths! After all that, it's time to watch LOST.
What type of clients/weddings do you most find yourself working with?
Well I hope I'm not shooting myself in the foot by saying this. I mostly work with younger couples getting married -those in their 20's & 30's. The reason for this is obvious -I'm in my thirties and have a very relational, personal approach that connects well with them.
What do you enjoy most about being a part of other people's big days?
I really enjoy meeting people, getting to know them and helping them plan their wedding. But my favorite part is performing their ceremony. I love speaking meaningful words about the depth of their love. I love leading them in bringing their lives together as one. I love watching them try to pour sand so carefully, only to have it dump all over the table.
What do you feel like sets you apart from other officiants?
As I mentioned before, being a younger officiant sets me apart as well as my laid-back personality. I talk with passion and conviction because I believe in what I'm saying. I don't just stand and read off the page. I keep my personality while I'm performing the ceremony. I've been told all these things make me unique.
If you could give one piece of advice to couples on their wedding day, what would it be?
It is said couples spend countless hours preparing for their wedding day but very little time preparing for their marriage. My advice is to do both.
Are there any other fun-facts that we should really know about you that would contribute even more to your coolness?
Yes, though I have never shared this publicly. I'm only saying this to make this blog post yet another "Melissa Special"… I'm a ninja.
Thanks, Scott -- very enlightening :). To see Scott's website--click here!
-----------> If you are caught up in the whirlwind of selecting your wedding vendors, click here to download a FREE form to help you through the decision-making process! We've created a convenient form to help you track and compare your top 3 vendors in each category. Download your FREE copy today!
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