Today I am presenting another written interview with Rhonda Haiston. Rhonda is the Founder of Weddings of Coronado and Weddings of San Diego.
Checkout the interview:
1. What got you interested in coordinating and helping out with weddings? Share your story.
It was not my idea to be honest. Originally, in 1996, I created a company called Weddings ‘R’ Us. This was before I decided to pursue my degree in nursing. A few years after I graduated I relocated and saw the need for Officiants in my new community. I wanted to do a few weddings a month and thought it would be an ideal part time job, so planning and coordinating never even crossed my mind. I was enjoying (and still enjoy) working as an R.N.
My Mentor at that time said to me.. “Why would you do something you already know how to do? What’s the challenge in that? Why not push the envelope and create something new and amazing?” That was in January of 2011.
2. What allows you to stand out from other companies who offer similar services, what makes yours unique?
We specialize in outdoor weddings. More specifically- outdoor beach weddings. We do the setup, pre planning and produce more than 100 Wedding Ceremonies and Receptions annually.
Anyone should be able to have a beach wedding if that is what they’ve always dreamed of, and it shouldn’t have to cost them an arm and a leg to do it… Our San Diego Beach Wedding Package starts at $795.
My philosophy has always been that if you believe in what you do- no matter what it is, and you work hard, you’ll be able to be your genuine self to others. And people will naturally want to do business with you. To do this job well, I am reminded daily that I need to be a good listener. So far, so good.
3. How have you gone about finding new customers? What’s working for you?
Online marketing has been pretty responsive lately. I’ve always considered myself a technology enthusiast and I’m fascinated by all things programmable! When I decided to go back to school full time, it was at the infancy of social media.. Facebook was just a baby.. My focus was on healthcare, not what SEO and ROI meant.. So, realizing I’d arrived onto the scene a bit late, I bought a book called Social Media for Dummies.. And learned a whole lot fast!
I guess bottom line is to practice diversification. I think it’s important to put yourself in many positions simultaneously. Inevitably, some of your eggs will fall out of the proverbial basket, but the others remain intact.
4. What are some of the most interesting things you have seen during the various weddings you have attended?
Oh the stories! I think more importantly, it is the messages that are conveyed.
Blending families is a big challenge that many couples are faced with… The percentage of 2nd and 3rd marriages, with children from previous relationships that end in divorce is high. Really high. Like 67% or something crazy like that. When you involve the children in the ceremony, I think it really means a lot to them. You can see it in their faces and read it in their body language when they feel like they’ve been heard. And when the opposing step parent verbalizes his or her commitment during the ceremony to them as well as to their mother or father, it builds trust and ultimately love. When I see that a strong bond is already established in the future step parent and a child , I feel like they have the greatest chance to beat the odds– it gives me a lot of hope for the future.
I mean, if you think about it… Most everybody wants our lives to have had purpose and meaning right?.. I think that what people want most is to be able to trust. Because when we can trust- we love… And when we are trusted we get to be loved. That’s my theory anyway…
Did I answer the question completely? Oh… ok an instance. Well recently I witnessed all 75 guests walk down the aisle with the bridal party- hey it takes a village right?!
5. What are your future plans for 2014 and beyond?
Spending more time with my friends and family, creating great memories together would be my dream come true.
Check out her site here.
