We recently connected with Lori Prashker-Thomas and have shared our conversation below.
Lori, appreciate you joining us today. So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?
Thanks for having me! As a wedding officiant, I’ve observed a significant trend towards highly personalized ceremonies. Couples are increasingly infusing their ceremonies with unique elements that reflect their personalities, interests, and shared experiences.
One memorable example involved a couple who were avid travelers. They incorporated a “unity map” ritual, where they poured colored sand from locations they had visited together into a glass container, symbolizing their journey and unity. This trend allows couples to make their ceremonies more meaningful and reflect their love story.
Trend: Personalized ceremonies provide a deeper connection for the couple and their guests, making the event more memorable.
Concerns: Striking the right balance between meaningful personalization and maintaining the solemnity of the ceremony can be a challenge.
Advice: Encourage couples to infuse their personalities while ensuring that the essence of the ceremony remains respectful and inclusive.
Trend: Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Ceremonies
In one ceremony, the couple was passionate about environmental conservation. The couple exchanged vows in a natural setting and incorporated eco-friendly elements such as plantable seed paper as wedding favors and recycled materials in their décor. The intention was not only to celebrate their love but also to impact the environment positively.
Considerations:
Opportunities: Eco-friendly weddings align with growing environmental awareness and allow couples to express their values.
Concerns: Balancing sustainability with other wedding priorities, such as budget or venue restrictions, can be challenging.
Advice: Offer guidance on sustainable practices and work with couples to find eco-friendly alternatives that fit their vision and values.
Trend: Inclusive Ceremonies
One couple I worked with was from different cultural backgrounds. They combined elements from both traditions into their ceremony, creating a beautiful tapestry of customs that celebrated their diverse heritages. This trend towards inclusivity extends beyond cultural diversity to embrace different family structures, beliefs, and orientations.
Considerations:
Opportunities: Inclusive ceremonies promote diversity and strengthen unity among families and communities.
Concerns: Striking a balance that respects cultural traditions while ensuring all attendees feel included can be challenging.
Advice: Encourage open communication between couples and their families, fostering an environment where diverse backgrounds are celebrated.
As a wedding officiant, staying attuned to these trends can enhance your ability to create ceremonies that resonate with the couples you work with. Always prioritize open communication, understanding, and collaboration to ensure that the ceremony reflects the couple’s vision while maintaining the essence of this sacred and joyful occasion.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’ve always been a creative soul and a free spirit. Once I met my husband, Michael, I picked up a camera and was hooked. Since then, I’ve been a professional photographer and co-owner of ShadowCatcher Photography, LLC.
Photographing weddings has been a passion of mine, and I’ve always wanted to become more involved in the wedding ceremony itself. I tried to incorporate more of what I love—writing. That’s when I decided it was time to become a wedding officiant so I could write beautiful ceremonies for other couples.
People often ask me why I became a wedding officiant. Here’s the story, short and sweet. I had friends looking for a Rabbi to perform their marriage ceremony, but they couldn’t find one because they were a same-sex couple. They asked if I would become ordained because I knew the Jewish rituals and believe love is love. That was my first ceremony in 2011. I continued my education and became an ordained “Rabbi” in June 2013 with the American Marriage Ministries. I’m also a Certified Wedding Officiant through the Wedding Merchant Business Academy, a Paralegal at a law firm, author of “From Mistakes To Miracles,” and a motivational speaker. I always tell my couples, “I am a one-stop-shop…Officiant, Photographer, Hair & Makeup Squad & so much more!!!”
Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.
The Beginnings: I have been a secretary/paralegal for many, many years. I then went into business as a photographer with my husband, which was the 1st side hustle. Then, I started officiating weddings. I initially got involved through friends who admired my ability to bring warmth and personalization to the ceremonies. I found such joy in facilitating such important moments in people’s lives.
As I officiated more weddings, the positive word of mouth began to spread. Happy couples/marriers shared their experiences, and soon, friends of friends were reaching out to her for their ceremonies. My ability to tailor each ceremony to the marriers’s unique story became my signature, setting me apart in the industry.
Building an Online Presence: Recognizing the potential, I decided to build an online presence. I created a website showcasing my services, sharing testimonials, and featuring highlights from ceremonies I had officiated. Social media platforms became my stage to display my passion and connect with engaged marriers looking for a special touch to their weddings.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
I started my social media journey by sharing my passion for creating unique and memorable wedding ceremonies. Early on, I recognized the power of platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest to visually showcase my work and connect with engaged couples.
Visual Storytelling: I focused on visual storytelling because weddings are visual and emotional experiences. I curated a portfolio of stunning ceremony moments, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and heartwarming testimonials. High-quality images and captivating captions became the cornerstones of our social media strategy.
Consistent Branding: Ceremonies by Lori established a consistent and recognizable brand across all social media channels. From the logo to the color scheme, every element reflected the warmth, professionalism, and personal touch I brought to the ceremonies.
Strategic Posting Schedule: I developed a posting schedule that aligned with our audience’s online activity. I identified peak engagement times and ensured regular updates, balancing promotional content, client features, and industry insights.
Engaging with the Community: Ceremonies by Lori actively engage with the online wedding community. I respond to comments, participate in relevant discussions, and collaborate with photographers, wedding planners, and other vendors. This two-way engagement fostered a sense of community and trust.
Utilizing Stories and Reels: I embrace features like Instagram Stories and Reels to stay current with social media trends. I use these tools to share behind-the-scenes moments, quick tips for couples, and lighthearted glimpses into my life.
Analytics and Adaptation: I regularly monitor social media analytics to understand what content resonates most with my audience. My strategy is based on these insights, refining my approach to cater to the evolving preferences of engaged couples.
Client Features and Testimonials: Ceremonies by Lori highlight real love stories by featuring clients. Testimonials, coupled with images and videos from actual ceremonies, create a powerful narrative that potential clients could relate to. Authenticity became a driving force in building trust.
Scaling Up: As the audience grew, Ceremonies by Lori leveraged paid promotions strategically. Targeted advertising helped reach a broader audience interested in wedding ceremonies and love stories, expanding CBL’s presence beyond organic reach.
Community Building Beyond Weddings: Recognizing that weddings are not just events but part of a broader life journey, Ceremonies by Lori extended its social media presence to celebrate anniversaries, vow renewals, and other life milestones. This created a loyal community that stayed connected long after the wedding day.
Advice for Those Starting Out: Define Your Brand: Establish a cohesive brand identity that reflects your style, values, and the unique offerings of your services.
Quality Visuals: Invest in high-quality visuals that showcase your work and evoke emotions. Visual storytelling is a powerful tool in the wedding industry.
Consistent Engagement: Regularly engage with your audience through comments, likes, and shares. Build a community around your passion for wedding ceremonies.
Strategic Content: Plan your content strategically, balancing promotional posts with authentic behind-the-scenes glimpses and valuable information for couples.
Adapt and Evolve: Stay informed about social media trends and adapt your strategy based on analytics. What worked yesterday may not work tomorrow, so be ready to evolve.
Collaborate and Network: Collaborate with other wedding vendors, photographers, and planners. Networking within the industry can open doors to new opportunities.
Celebrate Your Clients: Showcase your actual clients and their love stories. Genuine testimonials and visuals from actual ceremonies build credibility.
Utilize Emerging Features: Explore and leverage emerging features on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, such as Stories, Reels, and other interactive elements.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ceremoniesbylori.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceremoniesbylori/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ceremoniesbylori
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ceremonies-by-lori
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/cbl_corp
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXejgv15rarAHZ1GLB19QNg
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ceremonies-by-lori-wilkes-barre
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ceremoniesbylori
Image Credits
ShadowCatcher Photography Rosalie Reyes Photography TMEye Photography Jen Bonin