Today we’d like to introduce you to Staci Barker.
Staci, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
How it began…a couple at our church were in premarital counseling and going to elope at the local courthouse. The pastor started asking questions and suggested my name to throw them a wedding. Which I had never done before. In two weeks, we turned their courthouse date into a church wedding! With a dress, guests, food, a cake, a first dance, and a photographer.
Around this same time, a dear friend, Aletha Golden, started a side business working weddings and events. She asked if I would be interested in working. My fast response was no, but if you are short-handed call. Six years later, here we are. I’m a part-time wedding coordinator with Golden Wedding and Events.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As a wife and mother I’ve always just wanted to live out the dream of raising my kids. I had no idea what I was capable of and the ability I had in weddings or outside my home. As this journey has unfolded, it’s brought so much joy.
Over the years I’ve learned so much about myself and who God created me and what talents I was given, how to use those for others outside my family.
Struggles and gut punches 100%. Working part-time and keeping my family first is a struggle of its own because I truly love being a mom and wedding coordinator.
Struggle number two is a bit more odd and never part of the plan. Without sharing many details, the last four years I have been presented with some incredible opportunities that would stretch my part-time into a career managing my own venue and much more!! Incredible, yes!! These opportunities were everything I talked about over the years without realizing I was saying. With much prayer, many conversations with my husband, and joy, we jumped into these opportunities. What we didn’t expect on the other end was complete devastation. Pouring all I had into the business for it only to be pulled away for one reason or another. Those gut punches get you! Each one got harder to get back up from. Still not sure why those opportunities landed in my lap, but i know they taught me a lot about people, myself, my family, and God. I think sometimes that’s all we can hope for is being reminded of who God created us and who he’s placed in our lives to help lift us up.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a wedding coordinator! I work for Golden Wedding and events out of Spring Hill, TN.
As a coordinator, I’m blessed with the gift of loving our clients well four weeks from their wedding and the day of!! To quickly sum up the role, I take a year of information and nitpick it down to the hours and minutes to get our details and timeline flowing. I work closely with vendors and venues to ensure we are all on the same page for the wedding day!
Goodness most proud of or known for, that’s a hard one. What I hope my clients feel and Golden Weddings and Events see is the love I pour into the people. I truly love my job, but more than that, I love the ability to love our people! To become not just their coordinator for the day but to become their best friend for the day. To truly jump in and love them what they need without being told, through watching and understanding how they tick and how those around them engage.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Boundaries would probably cover a full spectrum of lessons. Boundaries of time, dedication, and friendships.
Learning it’s okay to say no to work. If I’m in constant full steam ahead, my family suffers, and I’m only running on fumes.
Time, it’s 100% okay to set your phone down and have true working hours and time to reply to clients.
Friendships, it’s okay to love fiercely for a season or day but not include everyone you meet in your circle. Loving fierce doesn’t mean they need my story and friendship, they just need it for this moment and that is okay!
Pricing:
- $950+
Contact Info:
