Do you want a different type of wedding outside the conventional chapels? Do you want to have a wedding that will reflect your love? There is a lot to think about when planning your wedding, especially in the midst of the Corona Virus crisis. You might be wondering what to do. Keep reading to learn more from our interview with Dawn Angela Mickens, from Timeless Connection, where we got details that can benefit you.
Background
Tell us more about your business and how you got into it.
My name is Dawn Angela Mickens, the founder of Timeless Connection alongside my husband, Darryl. I’m also an officiant and pre-marital counselor. We are a black-owned business, a veteran-owned business. We are now award winning mobile wedding officiants in Las Vegas, Nevada. We are storytellers of love who would love to work for you. We take extensive time to become familiar with every couple and their personal love story, and from this insight, we create ceremonies that reflect their love and dedication for each other. We work to ensure that every wedding ceremony is unique, personal, and unforgettable.
Timeless Connection was launched in 2015, to “bridge the gap” for couples to, as we say, “marry, their way”. Couples were looking for a different type of ceremony, something outside the chapels, at the park, in their home, less traditional and off-the-strip. What was understood is that they wanted to take ownership of their “Big Wedding Day!” We took the leap of faith to create a space for couples of all lifestyles, all faiths, all traditions. This way, they will be excited to be married in the “Wedding Capital of the World!”
I soon realized that even though same-sex marriages were legal; a majority of officiants & ministers were not open to the idea of gay marriages. I then saw it as a necessity that “love & marriage” should be recognized in the LGBTQ+ community and we would be a safe and welcoming place for engaged couples to partner with, be their authentic selves, and celebrate their love.
Love is the driving force behind Timeless Connection.
Information on Services
What is the current state of affairs where you work? (Yes, this is general, but this is a place for you to set the stage for our understanding of who you are to your industry or workplace.)
The current State of the Wedding Industry and with Timeless Connection over the course of the pandemic is that we have been adapting to change. We’ve had to make changes to our business to adapt to the current climate, keep generating cash flow and continue booking new businesses. Cash flow is more important than ever before, due to continued postponements of weddings; which has forced a change in our pricing structure. With guidance from WeddingWire, we’ve followed their suggestion to restructure how we receive payments and deposits.
The Changes we made:
● Taking larger deposits
● Spreading out payments of that deposit over time to keep cash flow coming in
● Billing as tasks or services are completed
● Charge an additional fee or deposit when it comes to securing a new date
In addition, we’ve created new wedding packages to adjust to the pandemic. There is currently a rise in Micro Weddings and Minimony’s during the pandemic.
Minimony is considered a wedding or commitment ceremony between you and your partner. It can include up to 10 people as long as you adhere to social distancing measures.
Micro Wedding, this is an intimate affair, typically with no more than 50 guests. The wedding features time-honored traditions that make a wedding but on a much smaller scale.
What do you see happening in your industry or workplace in the next 30/60/90 days? What about in the long-term: one year, five years, 10 years?
A positive – there’s been an influx of engaged couples from neighboring states where the government offices and event venues have curtailed their services. We’ve also seen a rise with local engaged couples booking our services which has kept us busy. I don’t know what the future may hold, but for the “right now” and the foreseeable future of the wedding industry, I can only hope that engaged couples have the desire to plan their wedding in Las Vegas. My hope is that our City is flooded with couples eager to tie-the-knot in the “Wedding Capital of the World.”
What is a “best practice” that you have developed in response to the challenges presented by COVID-19? This should ideally be in relation to work in general or your work in specific. It can be grand or minute—both are great.
The first “best practice” for us as a business, is to be informed and keep our couples informed, as regards local regulations and safety protocols (Mask up!). The second is to be flexible and willing to make changes. The third is to make sure all forms of online presence are in tip-top shape as couples are really “peeling the layers” to find the best-of-the best of vendors. I found out that being empathetic with couples during the planning process is a plus as well.
What is something that the general public perhaps does not understand about operating in your industry at this moment?
The general public may not understand that diversity in the wedding industry is imperative for business growth. In marketing, we need to consider how every person, no matter what segment of the community they come from, might feel when they look at our social media feed, our website, or our marketing materials. When couples see themselves in your marketing contents, they will be more likely to consider hiring you.
Why did you join the chamber?
I met Tricia Costello, of Fresh Wata, who by the way is so “dope”, at an event space where I was hosting a networking event. She invited me to tour her studio and meet her staff for a possible event space for my business. She told me about The Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Nevada (GLCCNV) and I was all in. I have a passion for people and networking is my jam. My husband and I have attended a couple of events and enjoyed ourselves immensely. I look forward to meeting more members and to learn more about the chamber.
Would you like to offer your contact information for follow-up questions about your industry, new contacts, and potential collaborations? If so, what’s your message/invitation and preferred contact method?
If you are a creative, a vendor, or a media source, I’d love to connect for a potential collaboration.
If you are an engaged couple, looking to be married in Las Vegas, Nevada, the “Wedding Capital of the World”, and in search of a wedding officiant, I welcome the opportunity to showcase our wedding collections with you which you would love.
We promise to make your ceremony a “Timeless Connection, Sealed with a Kiss”
You can find out more about Timeless Connection via the following links.
Contact:
Dawn Angela Mickens
Timeless Connection- Wedding Officiants