Austin Wedding Officiant: It's Your Wedding: Chill Out!

Yes, this is before the wedding. Super Chill Bride, dressed and ready to go, enjoying a pre-game margarita.

I really think I must be the luckiest officiant on the face. Because of who I am and how I advertise and the way I reveal myself at my wedding website, well over 99.99% of the clients that find me are super chill. Sure, it's true that there have been a few high maintenance types, but those number fewer than the fingers on one hand, and scatter that count over nearly seven years, and you see what I mean about being so lucky.

Even the super chill can get a little edgy the day of. I'm not talking fear of commitment, I'm talking about the high anxiety that can attend putting on a big event. Your brain is going in eighty million directions as you hope that all the vendors show up on time with whatever they promised and that it doesn't rain and the ring bearer doesn't hurl the ring pillow off of a balcony. That sort of thing.

Here's what's important to remember-- you'll be married by the end of the day. All the rest of it? If something goes a little differently than planned, we'll call it an element of design and or M-cubed ("more memorable moment"). I was attending (not performing) a wedding recently when it came to light that the rings had gone missing. There was a bit of a frantic search, then the couple said screw it, borrowed some rings from the audience, and it was on with the show. That was absolutely the right choice, and beat the heck out of having a meltdown.

Herewith, some tips on how to make sure you have a super calm and fun wedding day.

Consider eloping (and, as this lovely bride did, wearing Birkenstocks). Absolutely no worries about drunken guests getting into political arguments and very small food bill.

Include your dog, and dress him/her up. Unless your dog is the picture of anxiety, in which case leave him/her home. Or bring some Benadryl.

If you happen to get a massive shiner four days before your wedding-- that happened to this bride-- don't freak out. Buy purple masks for everyone to wear so that you blend right in.

Hire Doug Anthony to be your guitarist. I actually know a number of great guitarists and of them, Doug ranks way up there. Doug and I have worked several weddings, including two in the past two weeks. Here's what you get with Doug-- a laid back professional with an astonishing repertoire. He can eyeball the situation and know just when to switch from, say, the wedding party's processional to the bride's song. He does take requests or he can make suggestions.

Rent a venue where you can stay overnight with your wedding party. This is The Plant at Kyle. It's really amazing, totally off the beaten path, and absolutely gorgeous. Staying overnight means not having to rush around the morning of your wedding making sure everything is packed for the reception. There's great potential to be well-rested on your wedding if you go with this option. (Unless everyone stays up until 5 am jumping into the pool.)