I had the pleasure of attending a wedding as a guest recently, and although it is certainly not my first wedding I’ve attended as such, it was an interesting experience. My son, who is six, made me promise not to work – not to fix things – because he wasn’t feeling well and wanted me to be with him the whole time. Now, I am not very good at doing this, because when I see something that I can fix easily… well… enough said.

As a wedding planner, it is as easy for me to fix something I see about to happen quietly and discreetly, just as a computer or tech-savvy person would quickly flip a switch to make things work or a cleaner would wipe up a spill. But, true to my word, I Ieft it to unfold on its own.

It was a beautiful wedding – simple and elegant. The bride was nervous and stunning, and the wedding took place with grace. They had beautiful ideas they implemented, such as a calendar for 2012 which was their guest book for each person to sign their name on their own birthdates. They had created a time capsule in which they had placed the very first letter they wrote and added into it letters to each other to be opened, along with the included bottle of wine, on their first anniversary.

The thing that struck me, as I sat there, was that there were so many little things I do as a wedding planner that even I take for granted at this point. The small details that get missed if there is not that extra set of eyes and hands to fix them. The items that are not placed quite right or precariously. The lighting that is not set for the best capturing of photos. The strap of her undergarments that was showing because nobody was there to fix it before she walked through the door. The glimmer of reflection off of the ipad the officiant was using that glinted off the walls throughout the ceremony. The passing of the bouquet that never happened because nobody told them to do it, which left the bride fumbling with her vows.

Even with a church coordinator on site, so many little details were never seen to. I had forgotten just how much of that we take care of. It is so second-nature to me to be able to see these things before they happen and prevent them that it was interesting to see the event without those touches.

There were definite hiccups in the day, such as a bridesmaid who’s son ran up to her as she walked down the aisle and clunk to her leg and wouldn’t let go, or the fact that as the rear doors of the church closed, the crowd quieted, only to hear the blaring of … “there’s gonna be a heartache tonight, a heartache tonight, I know….” It was simply the song that happened to be playing on the iPod at that moment, but… Priceless.

Was it anything that completely shattered the day – no!  It was beautiful.  But, what do you think was talked about at the reception – the bride? Unfortunately not.

At the end of the day, what struck me was how amazing it is to be able to give a couple that gift. The gift of being able to have the experience to see to the details, prevent the hiccups, and give them an event that will be raved about for years to come. That is why I do what I do. Because, that is truly priceless.