Members and visitors of the Central Minnesota Wedding Association gathered at Geyer Rental in St. Cloud to mingle and discuss their wedding-related experiences.

One of the questions we discussed was, 'What is your greatest challenge'? Here are some of the responses.

A photographer said that his greatest challenge was not having enough time to take all of the photos that the wedding couple requested. Even though the photographer has explained ahead of time how much time is needed to take all the photos requested. The problem occurs when people aren't ready and things run late.

A venue event planner said a challenge she encounters is when family members try to overtake the wishes of the wedding couple. In such cases the event planner calls into play her expertise in diplomacy.

A venue owner said on rare occasions there can be a disrespect of the property even when the rules have been explained by word and in the contract.

A DJ said that he wishes to communicate with wedding couples by phone so he can get a good feel of their needs and personality and they of him. He said it is sometimes difficult to have couples respond to him by phone. It is important for wedding couples to find a DJ whose personality really clicks with theirs. Speaking by phone is a good way to experience the DJ's personality before investing time in actually meeting with the DJ.

As a wedding pianist I like to reach out to the officiant, wedding venue, and wedding coordinator ahead of time to make sure I understand their rules as they apply to me and I want them to understand my music needs as it involves them. Most wedding professionals are excellent in responding to my communication, but occasionally I receive a lack of response. When I do not receive a response, I gently persist and try a different avenue of communication. 

At the end of our discussions I came away with a greater respect for the other wedding professionals that I met with.

Each wedding professional has their own challenges. We are all striving to make our part of a couple's Wedding Day the best that it can be. It is helpful to realize that the other wedding professionals are striving to do the same!

Are you a wedding professional that would like to add your voice to this conversation? I would love to hear your comment!

Thank you to Geyer Rental for hosting the meeting. It was a beautiful Minnesota spring evening and the tent was perfect! Thank you to Megan Czycalla at Blue Sage Insights for sharing her updates on social media strategies. The appetizers, hors d'oeuvres and beverages provided by the St. Cloud Country Club were delicious! Thank you to Rollie Carlson our charismatic president at the Central Minnesota Wedding Association and to Nichole Winter at Destination Vacation for organizing and presenting this event. 

The Central Minnesota Wedding Association is a valuable asset to me as a wedding professional.

One of the highlights of my job as a solo musician is getting to meet with my engaged couples to plan their music. It puts me directly in touch with their wedding needs and wishes. I absolutely love getting to know them! On the day of their wedding I feel a wonderful connection to them and the special moments that their wedding day represents.

Even though I have this wonderful connection with my wedding couples, as a solo musician I miss the comradeship that those in traditional professional roles enjoy. This has led me to reach out to other professionals in the wedding business.

Being a member at Central MN Wedding Association has been fun, insightful and educational. Members of CMWA are accepted based on their business integrity, professionalism and commitment to excellence. At our meetings I have had the opportunity to get to know some of the best in the wedding profession! 

My favorite meeting of the year is the Wedding Panel where newlywed couples share their insights with members of the CMWA. The couples share what went wrong and what went right with their weddings and how their wedding professionals contributed to their wedding experiences. I always come away from this meeting with inspirational ideas on how to improve my services!

I am very proud of our Code of Ethics that each member pledges to follow.

Watch the video below to view first hand how CMWA has helped myself and others in our professional lives.

I am happy to have found a wonderful balance between my solo piano performances, interaction with my wedding couples, and networking with other wedding professionals!

Photo credit to Makeen Osman

We can't recommend Sharon highly enough! We planned our wedding on relatively short notice and were so lucky that she was available. Not only was it a great experience to work with Sharon on the front end, but her performance at our wedding was amazing. We wanted a vocalist and she suggested her colleague Mary Pat Nydahl, she was a perfect choice! And just a note to all prospective brides and grooms, while Sharon and Mary Pat were definitely the consummate professionals, we also have to say, they were just a pleasure to work with because your wedding really is supposed to be special and fun and they definitely fit the bill!  

Review posted by Kimberly G., Oct, 2016

Beautiful wedding ceremony music performed by Vocalist Mary Pat Nydahl & Pianist Sharon Planer.

Photo credit to Makeen Osman