SecondLife: An Interview with Kande Knox, The Wedding Planner

A lot of people join SecondLife not to go to some corporate event, but to try to build something for themselves - perhaps a small success. With all the press releases rolling out, it can be disquieting for those who have come to build some success for themselves instead of feeding the success of others. Some join for relationships, perhaps to have relationships that they could not have otherwise or that they simply crave.

And a few people combine the two. Kande Knox is one of these people; one of the leading wedding organizers within SecondLife. Her work is well known within the virtual world; she has decided to build her small success on celebrating the success of relationships. She was gracious enough to spare some time for an interview:

KnowProSE: Thanks for sparing some time, Kande! I understand that organizing weddings and making things related to them is a fairly big business within SecondLife; as one of the leaders in the Wedding industry - how's business?

Kande Knox: Business is brisk but I seldom book more then one wedding a day. Limiting myself to one ceremony per day allows me to give my undivided attention to the bride and groom and provide the best service. My customers usually become repeat clients, booking renewals, custom events or asking me to build special items. As a single employee business I prefer to work on custom events or builds. I advertise very little, relying primarily on word of mouth to advertise my services. I believe in business you are only as good as your name and I strive to provide high quality professional services with a personal touch. I also refrain from limiting site usage on event day.

KnowProSE: As someone who doesn't understanding weddings very well (to my mother's dismay), could you comment on weddings within SecondLife and how one goes about doing so?

Kande Knox: Weddings in SL are very similar to those in RL in that they are a detailed team event. I meet with my potential clients personally and discuss their dream wedding ideas. Working from the client requests and our personal discussions I try to visualize the ceremony they envision. Then I devise a strategy to pull together all of the elements the couple wants in their perfect wedding in order to achieve their magical day. So far I seem to be successful at this.

KnowProSE: I understand that you started off simply making things for wedding organizers. Now you're a wedding organizer yourself - why did you make the leap?

Kande Knox: When I started most planners were really more like managers or brokers. They farmed weddings out to many locations and hired out most of the ceremony and build tasks to various people. These folks provided services such as preaching and photography as well as the multiple other services that were needed. Unfortunately, despite the best intentions of the planners, individuals who were hired to provide the ceremony services often did not come through as promised. Since I was reliable, I was asked to provide additional services as time went on. It became common to receive IMs that said "Kande please Help!!"

So then I decided to study the problem aspects of weddings. The two biggest issues were land and lag. I decided to purchase enough land to provide several wedding builds to suit a variety of style choices in order to be a one stop wedding provider. Lag was also improved by controlling what occurred on the land I had available.

I also provide custom wedding builds on individual client land as well.
I have been in business almost two years.

KnowProSE: Have you done gay weddings as well? We won't tell George W. Bush, and I doubt he reads KnowProSE.com...

Kande Knox: I do condone and honor gay marriage. I do unions across all cultures and all diversities. It is the unique blending of peoples of all creeds and walks of life that make my SL experience exciting. I respect all of my clients unions.

KnowProSE: What would you suggest to people who are thinking of becoming married?

Kande Knox: Well in regards to wedding services my best advice is to do your research. Find someone established, or in other words just message me. LOL

KnowProSE: Do you have any funny stories you would like to share?

Kande Knox: I tend to take weddings quite seriously and work hard to make everything just right. Most weddings are not funny. But one time there was a guy at a reception who was afk and the bride asked me to change his environment. I stuck a tractor under him and plopped a hat on his head.

KnowProSE: What's the most memorable wedding you did?

Kande Knox: Once there was a mother who was an obnoxious drunk. She stood on the altar and wanted to change everything at the last minute as she ranted I need another drink." That experience led me to create the policy, "if you can't control your guests I CAN." LOL

KnowProSE: Any advice for couples on getting married?

Kande Knox: Yes beneath the show of the wedding ceremony the root of the wedding is the couple and their mutual love. Be sure your future spouse is someone who will work with you. If you are united your dream wedding will be an event to remember.

I treat and respect each and every wedding as a union made of real love. Finding a way to honor and interject the couple's beliefs and values into the ceremony is my goal.

KnowProSE: As a business, do you think that what you do is worthwhile? And if so, is it worthwhile enough to pay for a steak dinner now and then?

Kande Knox: It is very demanding work. I walk my clients through any and all steps, and in the process I am blessed to meet some wonderful people. Making their dreams come true is a challenging but rewarding experience.

KnowProSE: Any recommendations on wedding clothing?

Kande Knox: Pinkdiamond Peel does great dresses.

KnowProSE: Is there anything you would like to add?

Kande Knox: I would like to thank all those who trusted me to provide them with their dream day. I delight in the ones who go on and prove that love can continue in this world. I am a romantic at heart.

KnowProSE: Thank you for your time, Kande, and I hope business continues to go well.

SLurl to Kande's wedding area:
kande Land 2, Naedam (231, 46, 49) or Naedam (231, 46, 49).

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