Today we’d like to introduce you to Catherine T. Pick.
Hi Catherine, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
After officiating a friend’s ceremony in 2013, I was bit by the wedding bug, starting ceremonies soon after. Jumping headfirst into the wedding industry as an Officiant in March of 2015 and began coordinating events in September that same year, I’ve been on a roll ever since. In April 2020, I announced my new business name: The Ginger Officiant.
As of today (!!!) I have officiated 800 ceremonies (including many ceremonies in front of Hogwart’s Castle at Islands of Adventure, a vow renewal on the canals of Jordaan, Amsterdam, The Netherlands and a vow renewal on the shores of Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park, South Dakota). I even have a wedding coming up on a glacier in Alaska that is only accessible by helicopter!
From guacamole blending & lightsaber building unity ceremonies and quotes from The Office to zombie actors “mingling with the guests” during cocktail hour, I have been so lucky to be a part of many magical days.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being self-taught, I have made some mistakes along the way. Basic rookie mistakes like forgetting to tell the guests to sit down at the beginning if the ceremony or not having the Bride’s father or the Groom lift the Bride’s veil. It was a learning experience and I am so lucky to be the type to learn from my mistakes and become stronger because of them.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As an Officiant, I write the ceremony script, then officiate the ceremony on the day of the wedding. My couples and I work together to create the perfect personalized, custom script for their ceremony. I always tell my couples that they may not know what they are looking for now in a ceremony script, but once the script is written, they will have an idea of their likes and dislikes.
I specialize in writing and performing non-religious, non-traditional, upbeat, custom ceremonies and am known for providing a memorable experience. I once had a wedding guest describe my ceremony as “woke.” I once saw a quote that said, “You can replicate the recipe but the sauce won’t taste the same.” When I apply that to my wedding business, it makes me think that Officiants can read the same ceremony but the way it is delivered will be different between each one.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
I’ve never really wanted to go full-time in my wedding business because I feel like I would not love weddings as much if I relied on weddings for income. And when Covid-19 hit, I was eternally grateful to have and keep, my job of almost nine years. I had no deposits or final payments coming in, and I was issuing refunds to those who needed to cancel, so it was a stressful time.
Pricing:
- Elopement Ceremonies (less than 15 guests) starting at $170
- Wedding Ceremonies (more than 15 guests) starting at $260
- Rehearsal Management starting at $125
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@thegingerofficiant.com
- Website: https://www.thegingerofficiant.com,
- Instagram: instagram.com/thegingerofficiant
- Facebook: Facebook.com/thegingerofficiant
- Youtube: youtube.com/thegingerofficiant
Image Credits
Simply K Studios Florencia Jadia Photography Embrace by Kara Steven Miller The First Moment Photography by Greg Press Play Entertainment Dynamite Studio Inc.
