Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebekah Francis.
Rebekah, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started my officiant journey in May 2018. I believe that in life we will meet “our person” who is meant for us and it is my joy to bring them together in love on their special day. There was a gap in the market of black female officiants and I was looking for a recession proof profession that I could relate to and have an impact in.
My grandparents celebrated over 50 years of marriage and my parents over 40 years, from which I have seen the ups and downs of marriage; performing unions and counseling is not something I take lightly. This pushes myself and my team to stay organized, provide vows with a personal touch, that makes each ceremony unique. We enjoy meeting couples from all backgrounds and ensure that they enjoy the moment; each ceremony is memorable yet meaningful.
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?
This journey over the last 3+ years has not been easy. There are many days that I want throw in the towel. We, myself and the team are relatively young, with that we are often thought of as novices. We are not, with over 300 ceremonies and elopements under our belts, we pride ourselves in our attention to detail and efficiency, ensuring that each ceremony is not like the last and unique to all our couples. We strive for exceptional experiences at Francis Wedding Officiants, as we all truly love “love”.
We have encountered many challenges, one where the bride had an anxiety attack on the day of. We were on the other side of the phone line and bathroom door with her the entire time before the ceremony. Sadly, this was one of my early lessons on ensuring that the other partner is an active participant in getting the ceremony planned and organized, if not planner is involved to ensure that we can officiate with ease. Also, a great reminder for always sending extra confirmations and checks to ensure that the couple is all set. With COVID, we have encountered different yet an additional set of challenges, we had a few last-minute day of calls where the previous booked officiant was in the hospital and I had less than 2 hours to prep their ceremony and jump in and officiate. Things always happen, however, I am so thankful for the team of ladies that I work with. We always have a backup for our couples and have never missed a ceremony to date.
It’s a process and we have cultivated a culture of “communication is key”, and we do our best to ensure that the couple needs are met for their big day.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We are Francis Wedding Officiants and Notary Publics, LLC, a small female owned and operated business. Founded in Savannah, GA in May 2018, we started, as a solo member to now a team of 4 persons, serving Savannah and Atlanta GA, Orlando, Amelia Island and Jacksonville, FL, Beaufort and Hilton Head Island, SC and surrounding areas. For our business client satisfaction is key.
Not only do we ensure that all our clients are left with a memorable experience over the years they have become family. There is one family where we have married both the mother, the daughter and are eagerly awaiting on their other family members to propose. To us, it is our mission to ensure that everyone has a memorable experience. No one love is the same and why should your ceremony be? Is one of the statements that we go by.
We provide custom ceremonies to couples and vow writing services for our couples that are suited to their beliefs and backgrounds. This service makes us proud, especially after a ceremony when our customers leave us feedback for a job well done. To us their day is meaningful and special one, we strive to ensure that it lives up the couples’ dreams.
What were you like growing up?
I am always “helping” people. Growing up my parents taught us to always be of service to others and from that we will receive our greatest reward and blessing. This was taught to us not only by words, but by action. Annually they work with their foundation and a local organization in Jamaica called, “Food for the Poor” to donate a family in need and annually collect or gently used toys to give to the SOS children’s village. Growing up with that mindset and family culture, I have the mindset of how to be of service to people that’s how I knew that I would be involved in a service based industry.
I grew up in Jamaica and migrated to the United States for college. After which I had interned in Atlanta and moved to Memphis, TN after the recession to continue in architecture. I believe that by being in architecture, where the details always mattered, that the wedding industry is a great fit. I have been an easy-going person and it helps, as it put people at ease.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.francisweddingofficiants.com
- Instagram: @francisweddingofficiants | @francisweddingofficiant
Image Credits
Hulls Photo and Videography
Rebekah Francis
