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There are many reasons that I love being a wedding photographer and one of them is that I get to meet so many amazing people. Not only do I meet people in love who are planning one of the most important days of their lives, but their families and friends as well. But not all of those I meet are my clients. Vendor connections play a big part in my business. I enjoy getting to know the various vendors who also play such an important role in the same clients that I grow to know over a period of time. Danielle Baker is one of them and I am thrilled to be able to share a bit about what she is passionate about.

Tell me a little about your business:

I am one of the most experienced Wedding Officiants in the area as well as An Ordained Non- Denominational Minister and a Notary Public for South Carolina. I absolutely LOVE what I do. Intelligent, professional, poised, funny and appropriately reverent, My mission is to help couples marry in a very easy, genuine and approachable atmosphere. I have had the honor of marrying couples at numerous venues in the Upstate, Charleston, Columbia, Rock Hill, Asheville, Hartwell, GA and Lake Lure, NC. In that time I have written and officiated well over 400 wedding ceremonies beginning in 2009. I am proud to say that with over 400 couples married, all but 12 couples that I have married since 2009 are still together! Every wedding performed is custom written and always unique!

Award Winning Officiant- The Knot Best of Wedding Winner for 2014, WeddingWire’s Couples Choice Winner for 2014, Bride’s Choice Winner for 2013, WeddingWire Rated 2012, 2011, 2010!

How did you come about being a wedding officiant?

I began officiating weddings as a notary public in 2009. I would perform nuptials by request and primarily worked by references of friends. In 2009, I made the choice to make it a go full time. I decided that if I was going to be praying with couples, giving advice and blessing the marriages that I was officiating, I would need to study marriage and get ordained. In 2010, I became an Ordained Non- Denominational Christian Minister. In 2012, I became a trained facilitator for Prepare- Enrich Relationship Building (Pre- Marriage Counseling).

Are there benefits to having custom vows?

Every couple has a unique love story to tell. In writing custom ceremonies for each couple I marry, it allows me to craft a ceremony that will only fit their relationship! They can be as traditional or non-traditional as they want it to be. I perform religious and non-religious ceremonies for all faiths and work with you to create a wedding ceremony that will incorporate their beliefs, hopes, and dreams and bring what is in their hearts to the forefront. Most importantly, I do not judge any of my couples. I do respect their need for privacy and I am still able to establish a personal relationship with many couples that will last a lifetime. It is my job to connect and get to know my couples, so I can help create their dream day!

How do you get to know your clients?

I meet with my couples in person, via phone, Skype and also converse with them via text and facebook. By the time I go to write, I have bonded and become friends with most of my couples. I then send them a questionnaire and write their ceremony from all of the information I have compiled. My couples approve the ceremonies before their wedding day.

Do you feel that guests attending wedding ceremonies can connect better to the bride & groom on their wedding day by hearing personalized vows?

100% I hear often from guests and my couples that the ceremony is the best wedding that they have ever been to. I see a lot of laughter and tears during the ceremonies. It warms my heart!

What makes you laugh?

Practical jokes, positive humor, funny pet videos, people acting goofy, funny people. I love to laugh!

Do you have a funny story to share?

I recently had a couple that really loved the movie “The Princess Bride”. They asked me to write into their ceremony these lines from the movie “Good afternoon. Marriage is what brings us together today. Marriage that is a blessed arrangement, that dreams within a dream.

If you have ever see the movie, the Priest talks with a lisp/ accent. I told them there was NO WAY I could do the whole thing the way he did in front of 200 guests, but I would do the something with the beginning. They were so happy. During the ceremony, I began with “Mawwage” and the cleared my throat and said “I am sorry” and then began in my normal voice and continues the ceremony. Everyone giggled and laughed and loved it, but most of all my couple was over the moon!  Here is the link so you can understand:  Click here.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I am a military wife, married to an amazing mad in the (USAF) SC Air National Guard.  A mother to our wonderful son Gunnar (age 16) and a mom to 4 of the sweetest rescue dogs ever.  I am a friend to many, a daughter, a sister and a proud Hospice Volunteer.  I love life, I love God and I feel blessed on a daily basis!

Thank you Danielle!  I really enjoyed getting to know you even more.  Please be sure to check out Danielle’s website and contact her with any questions 🙂

~lisa