Carolyn Burke of Carolyn Burke - Wedding Liaison

Coffee Talk with Carolyn Burke of Carolyn Burke - Wedding Liaison

WC: What motivated you to start this business?

CB: I began my career as the wedding coordinator of my church. After researching the market, I noticed that St. Louis lacked the resources for couples looking for information on event resources. I am an expert on location, officiant, music, and design. I developed a Resource Guide on event locations and other ceremony resources with details on price, amenities, restrictions, etc. I approach the wedding with an unbiased approach. I help couples pick what elements of the wedding are important to them. They can count on me to give them professional advice without feeling like it is the only choice that they have -- that's why I call myself a Wedding Liaison.

WC: What are some of your favorite aspects about planning weddings?

CB: I enjoy helping couples find resources and watching them plan their own weddings. My clients receive newsletters with tips and advice with emphasis on ceremony planning. The timeline talk session is my favorite time with the client. I get to see all the hard work they have put together themselves and fix any glitches they may not have thought of. We put together a complete itinerary for the wedding day including extensive detail for everything that needs to occur, and the time it will take place for the couple, vendors, wedding party, and parents. All necessary follow-ups with vendors will be made to confirm all information relevant to the service they are providing.

WC: What seems to be the new trend for St. Louis brides who are planning their wedding day?

CB: With the economy the way it is, couples are looking for ways to stretch their budget further so they can afford everything they need to make their day magical. My Time-Line Talk package is day-of coordination (DOC) with a twist. While most DOCs step in the planning process one to two months before the event. I can be there with advice from the moment I am hired. Brides receive a weekly newsletter, resources of wedding vendors, and more than one answer to details that need to be addressed. I am a Wedding Liaison, which means I am a connection, between the client, their family, and their wedding vendors. Whatever the budget, I can make it simple or elegant.

WC: What are some of the challenges couples face when planning a ceremony?

CB: Many couples are not active members of a congregation. They want to choose a location that will honor their religious heritage, which may be more than one type of denomination. Wedding Ceremony Services knows which places of worship allow non-members to use their facilities. Couples need to plan carefully what type of ceremony they want. The style may be formal or semiformal; religious, ecumenical, or nondenominational. We match your wishes based on your religious background and geographic location.

I even have resources for couples who choose a civil or secular ceremony and specialize in intimate weddings.

WC: Do you think brides have any common misconcpetions about wedding coordinators? How do you get past them?

CB: Resources on the internet have helped somewhat in helping brides get past any common misconceptions with wedding coordinators. Most know that there are more choices in the type of coordination. I recommend interviewing more than one coordinator to see how much coordination is needed and to see if we are compatible and will work well together. We offer a complimentary introductory meeting and offer a lot of "free advice".

WC: Do you currently plan events outside of St. Louis?

CB: My resources cover the entire St. Louis metropolitan area which includes a 50-mile radius, including Jefferson and St. Charles Counties as well as St. Clair and Madison Counties in Illinois.

WC: Based on your years of experience consulting, what advice would you give to a planning St. Louis bride?

CB: Be unique. Don't compare your wedding event to what your friends did or what you see on television, magazines, or the internet. Be open to new ideas and brainstorm all of the possibilities. Many times my clients come to me with just one idea on the type of location they are looking for. After careful consideration, sometimes they change their minds entirely once they find out about other possibilities. Lay out the pros and cons of a location and let Wedding Ceremony Services find you the best options that fit your budget and style.

Read other interviews at the Club Cafe.