Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Holman.
Hi Rachel, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Knot So Traditional started in 2020, when I got ordained to officiate my best friend’s Halloween wedding. I considered it an honor to be asked, not the beginning of some grand business plan. I continued officiating ceremonies here and there over the next few years, and somewhere along the way, I realized how much I enjoyed helping people create an experience that was genuinely theirs.
I’ve spent much of my career building programs, helping people learn, and figuring out how to make things better while keeping them simple. Last year, after being laid off from my job of nearly eight years, I decided it was time to put that same energy into building something of my own. That’s when I officially launched Knot So Traditional.
Inclusivity is the heart of KST. My business follows one simple belief: every love story deserves to be celebrated. Whether that means incorporating meaningful traditions, telling the couple’s story, making people laugh, embracing an unconventional theme, keeping things simple, or all, or none, of the above. There is no “right way” to get married. There is only what’s right for the couple.
KST is a one woman business, so I get to bring my personality, creativity, and unconventional approach to every ceremony. I’m still growing, learning, and figuring things out as I go, but I love building something that helps people feel comfortable, confident, and free to make their ceremony truly their own. What started as a way to show up for someone I love has turned into an opportunity to do the same for others. It’s a pretty cool origin story, and an honor I don’t take for granted.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would say it has been about as smooth as the roads in Houston. Starting a business is a learning experience in ways I don’t think you can fully appreciate until you’re in the middle of it. I’m used to solving problems and managing projects, but running a business means doing all of that while also being the marketing department, the accountant, the salesperson, the website designer, and approximately 47 other roles I didn’t necessarily expect to take on.
One of the biggest challenges has been getting the word out. Being good at what you do and getting your business in front of your target audience are two very different things. I’m working in an industry where relationships and visibility matter, so figuring out how to market myself and reach the right people has been its own adventure.
There’s also the uncertainty that comes with starting a business, especially when it’s prompted by an unexpected career change. Going from a steady paycheck to having to generate your own opportunities is a big adjustment. You can put a lot of time and effort into something without knowing when, or even if, it will pay off. It’s taking some getting used to as someone who loves plans and consistency.
At the same time, I think there’s tremendous value in the difficult parts. They push you to grow in ways you might not otherwise. They teach you things you can’t learn by sticking with what you already know. Whenever I work with a couple and see how much it means to them to have a ceremony that reflects their unique relationship, I’m reminded why I started doing this in the first place. Getting to play such an important role in such a meaningful moment in someone’s life is an incredible, nearly indescribable experience.
I’m focused on appreciating the process, not just where I want to end up. The challenges aren’t always fun, but I’m proud of myself for taking the leap. And honestly, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m an inclusive wedding officiant, but what I really do is help couples figure out what getting married looks and feels like for them. Society has a lot of thoughts and opinions about what a wedding is supposed to be. I love helping couples let go of those expectations and create a ceremony that reflects their love story, not someone else’s version of it.
My business may be called Knot So Traditional, but that doesn’t mean I’m anti tradition. If a couple wants to incorporate cultural traditions, meaningful rituals, or something they’ve always dreamed of, I’m down. I also work with couples who want something completely unconventional, from themed ceremonies to surprise elopements. Regardless of the ceremony, the goal is always the same: it should feel like it belongs to the couple at the center of it.
I think what sets me apart is that I’m not interested in putting people into a box or making them feel like they need to justify their love or what they want. I’m happy to embrace the weird, the sentimental, the unconventional, and all the details that make a relationship unique. A ceremony can be funny and heartfelt. It can be simple without being insignificant. It can include traditions without following every expectation that comes with them. It can even be unrecognizable as a wedding. That’s the beauty of it: the only limitation is your imagination.
What I’m most proud of is helping people feel comfortable being themselves during a moment that can come with a lot of expectations and nerves. I want couples to walk away feeling like their ceremony was an authentic reflection of their relationship, not something they did because they thought they were supposed to. If they can look back on their ceremony and think, “that was so us”, then I know I’ve succeeded.
How do you think about happiness?
I’m a horror fan year round, and October is absolutely my time to shine. I love dogs, hiking, reading, and volunteering, but if there’s one thing I could never get tired of, it’s travel. A long road trip to a national park I’ve never visited is my happy place. I love the freedom of getting in the car, heading somewhere new, and making memories I’ll be talking about for years.
I’m also an adrenaline junkie, which is probably why I’m still waiting for someone to ask me to officiate their wedding while skydiving. I mean, how many people can say they got married at 10,000 feet? If you’re reading this and thinking about it, hit me up. Seriously.
I’m Knot So Traditional in my personal life, too. I’m happiest when I’m out experiencing something new, whether that’s somewhere I’ve never been or something most people wouldn’t put on their to do list. I want to see as much of the world as I can, and I’m not particularly interested in playing it safe. I’ve been stressing out my mom since I was a child and have no intention of stopping now.
Pricing:
- License Signing: $150
- Simple Elopement: $250 – $350
- Customized Ceremonies: $450 – $650
- Vow Renewals & Commitment Ceremonies: $250 – $550
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kstweddings.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knot_so_traditional/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/knotsotraditional/
