We had the good fortune of connecting with Jill Byrd and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jill, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Back up thirty-three years ago when I married a minister who was already having to coordinate the many weddings he was officiating. He asked me to help him so I began working for Second Baptist Baytown as the wedding coordinator. I didn’t really have to think about it much. I just jumped in where there was a need and I was having such a wonderful time getting to work with these amazing couples and their families. After moving to FBC McKinney and stepping in to the same role of coordinator, I was asked to plan weddings at other churches and event venues.  My husband continued to officiate and sing, and our daughter assisted me. Because of our last name, Byrd, it made perfect sense to name the business Lovebyrd’s Weddings. Our son plays piano, guitar and sings while his wife has worked at two wedding venues so I often tease about expanding the family business even further!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I believe the wedding industry today is inundated with planners and coordinators. They are a dime a dozen! Many people get into the business after just planning their own wedding and realizing how much they enjoyed the process. It IS a very happy industry because your clients are celebrating the biggest day of their lives most likely. I believe my 30+ years of experience sets me apart. I meet a lot of people that “used” to be wedding planners and have moved on to something else. I used to be a teacher AND a wedding planner but retired from the full time classroom. I now tutor students at a Title 1 school twice weekly. I can’t imagine giving up weddings ever! They, like my students, are a challenge that I truly thrive on.

I am proud that I have grown in my experiences with weddings and have worked with all kinds of family dynamics, cultures and ages. While some elements are similar, every wedding is so different! I get excited at the prospect of meeting each new couple, learning their love story and envisioning their wedding dreams for this monumental day.

Because my husband is a Youth Pastor, I have built relationships with many young people. When those young people meet their future spouse, they need a wedding coordinator. I have been blessed and fortunate that many of them have come to Lovebyrd’s Weddings for their planning needs.

The most difficult part of growing my business is that there are so many wedding planners to choose from that it is overwhelming for brides. If they don’t know me from their past or have been referred to me from a mutual friend or client, they are choosing from an enormous pool of planners. It is very hard to stand out in the industry these days. My years of experience SHOULD speak for themselves but it is easy to get lost in the multitude of options. It is always a rewarding and incredibly fun experience when I am able to plan a wedding for several members of the same family. I am invested in the family’s milestone and the memories they will hold on to forever.

Along the way, I have learned that word of mouth is no longer enough to keep my business growing. My biggest challenge to date is utilizing social media to keep my brand in the public eye. It is very time consuming and I have never been one to spend a great deal of time showcasing my work. I have learned that posting my weddings is a vital part of my job every week. I don’t want to flood anyone’s feed so I am always trying to find that perfect balance.

I would hope that by seeing my work or meeting me for our initial appointment, my future or current clients would know how much I want their wedding day to meet and exceed all of their expectations. My job is to take what they are dreaming about and to make it a reality. I always tell my engaged couples that, depending on their relationships, their wedding day can be as much for their parents as it is for themselves. It is a family reunion, of sorts, with a larger purpose than just a party. It is the joining AND expanding of two families and the only time in their lives they will have all of their closest friends and family members in the same room. So I am going to treat it as such and make sure that every detail is taken care of so they may savor every moment of the day as they deserve. 

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to my husband, Dr. Grant T. Byrd, for entrusting me with those first weddings he asked me to take on for him. I was bitten by the wedding planning bug and I have never looked back! He spent many weekends as the solo parent, when our children were young, while I was busy with final details, rehearsals, ceremonies and receptions till late into the night.

I am thankful my children, Keegan and Darby, never complained and enjoyed the revolving door of amazing babysitters when both their dad and mom were involved in weddings.

I’m grateful for the former coordinators at our church, Mary Ann Dowell, Carla Fisher and Sharla Brockway for sharing the plethora of weddings and welcoming me to the team at First McKinney.

Instagram: Lovebyrd’s Weddings

Facebook: Facebook.com/lovebyrdsweddings

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