When we started planning our wedding and making our wedding priorities list, we knew that the number one thing that mattered was our ceremony. We didn't really care about having a huge cake, oversized and flowing bouquets, or all of the other t...hings that sometimes overshadow the main reason for the day - THE ACTUAL MARRIAGE!! We knew we wanted a ceremony and officiant that would make sure that our families and guests were all able to feel included and able to share in our joy (which meant a bilingual ceremony) as well as be able to balance the tone of our love (which is spiritual, but not religious, and heartfelt, but also filled with laughter and silliness) AND make us feel comfortable as a same gendered couple. We looked around in our local area, and just could not find someone who would be a good fit.
We took to the internet, and having just recently found Justine at Together Events for our Month Of Coordination, we browsed through her Instagram and found Once Upon A Vow.
Karla felt like a long lost friend from the first time she connected with us. Even though we had to connect solely through phone, video chat and email due to being on opposite ends of the country, we felt that she was able to ask the right questions to get to know us and was able to connect with many of the things we had dealt with in our personal lives as well as a couple. We immediately knew that our ceremony was in the right hands. We were able to make suggestions, give feedback along the way, and create a ceremony that was truly expressive of us as a couple. She was also accommodating by providing a helpful written guide and video for our us and our families, since she couldn't be at our rehearsal to review the handfasting ceremony that included participation from our family members.
Karla was a huge help in so many ways leading up to the wedding as well as on the big day. Her attention to detail, reminder emails, and availability for anything we needed was stellar (we honestly almost forgot to get our marriage license, but thanks to her helpful email that included links to our local county marriage license and what to do, we were saved!)
We had more compliments on the ceremony (especially from our bilingual guests who couldn't stop raving about how beautifully free flowing the ceremony was and that it wasn't just the same paragraph said in Spanish and then in English) than on any other part of our wedding. Karla felt like a part of our family, and was able to make us laugh, cry, and feel the true magic of our day.
I can't finish this review without making a point to thank you Karla for being such an amazing, supportive person for us throughout this process. You were so understanding, encouraging, and made sure we felt comfortable and safe. Without you, my stepfather and Silvia's father would not have been able to make that meaningful connection that you helped them make, and we are forever grateful for you!