Today we’d like to introduce you to Carol Ann Ross
Hi Carol ann, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I moved to Miami 3 years before Covid. It’s interesting how we often measure time using that extraordinary event.
I had left New York City where I lived for many years and where I had a thriving business in Event Planning and catering.
I was volunteering at the Miami Rescue Mission and studying to become a Guardian Ad Litem.
So I was working in protecting and representing those unable to help themselves.
Friends came to live with me for a few months, one of whom was a wedding officiant in New York. She suggested that I look into this field as my next career. We chatted for a few weeks about what I would need to do to get started. The first step was to set up a website, get an Instagram account, and find clients. I sent emails to every vendor in the wedding space, from venues to planners, photographers, musicians, etc. I put a listing in the wedding magazine and within minutes I had a client,
My first ceremony was literally for free. I felt that I could not ask for too much money as I was just beginning.
Luckily it was a huge success with many accolades. After that first one, I felt that I was so well suited to this job. I love meeting new people, love public speaking, and love writing. I was so grateful to find this at this stage of my life.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been a smooth road. I have been very fortunate to have had some very high-profile and extravagant ceremonies all over the world. I feel so blessed that I have the opportunity to get to work with something that comes easily to me and that I enjoy so much.
If there is one struggle that I can think of, it is only that sometimes it seems all my enquiries are for the same dates and I have to turn down people whom I would love to work with.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I write bespoke ceremonies. Not one is the same as the other because there is no script.
I spend a great deal of time interviewing the couple with a set of questions that I have compiled. From the answers, I begin to compose a unique story.
I believe that I am very different from other officiants because of this unusual approach.
I have some tricks that I use during the ceremony to engage the guests, but I cant divulge them in this article, as I dont want others copying them.
What matters most to you? Why?
I want my couples to come away from their special day remembering that the ceremony was tender, loving, funny, heartfelt, and exactly what they wanted to hear.
I make sure that all the details they want to hear are included and allow them to edit the script with ample time to add, subtract, or alter details.
I always tell couples” The wedding starts with the ceremony. If it’s boring or slow, it’s hard to get people’s energy up. But if you engage everyone and create a buzz from the get-go, the party to follow will definitely be a success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://amaniofficiant.com
- Instagram: amaniofficiant
- Facebook: amani officiant
