Yvonne Saldivar shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Yvonne, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
One of the biggest misconceptions about my business is that an officiant is just there to sign the license and say a few words.
In reality, what we do goes far beyond that moment. We are storytellers, cultural guides, and emotional anchors on one of the most important days of a couple’s life. A truly meaningful ceremony takes time, intention, and deep listening—understanding family dynamics, honoring traditions, blending cultures, and creating words that feel like them.
At Blissful & Blessed Unions, the ceremony isn’t a filler between photos and cocktail hour—it’s the heart of the wedding day. When couples recognize that, they also understand why experience, preparation, and personalization matter as much as the vows themselves.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Yvonne Saldivar, the founder and lead officiant of Blissful & Blessed Unions, a bilingual wedding-officiant company based in Texas and serving couples wherever their love takes them anywhere in the world. My work is deeply personal. It was shaped by the unexpected loss of my sister, Patty—a loss that forever changed how I understand love, time, and the importance of showing up fully for the people we care about.
In many ways, my couples have become part of my healing. Standing with them in moments of joy, commitment, and hope has been a profound reminder that love continues—even after loss. Each ceremony I create is more than words spoken aloud; it’s an act of presence, gratitude, and intention. I don’t take lightly the trust couples place in me, and I carry their stories with me long after the day is over.
That depth of care is the foundation of Blissful & Blessed Unions. The love and dedication behind our work is not performative—it’s lived, felt, and deeply sincere. I’ve intentionally built a team that mirrors that same heart, integrity, and reverence for this work, so every couple receives the same level of care, no matter who is standing at the altar. This isn’t just what we do—it’s why we do it.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
My mom taught me the most about work.
I watched her hustle and grind my entire life to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table. While I grew up with both parents, much of that responsibility fell on her—and she never had the option of a day off. Even when she was sick, hurting, or carrying emotional and physical pain, she showed up. Not because it was easy, but because it was necessary.
My parents eventually divorced, and my father struggled with alcoholism for many years. Those realities shaped my understanding of responsibility early on. My mom made sure we always had what we needed, and watching her do that taught me the true value of hard work, accountability, and perseverance. I carry those same values into my work today. I show up for my couples fully and consistently, no matter what—because when someone trusts you with one of the most important moments of their life, showing up isn’t optional.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me empathy, patience, and presence—things success could never demand of me in the same way.
Success can validate your effort, but suffering strips you down. It teaches you how to sit with discomfort, how to listen without trying to fix, and how to show up even when you don’t have all the answers. It taught me that strength isn’t loud and healing isn’t linear.
Most importantly, suffering taught me how sacred it is to be trusted with other people’s moments. When you’ve walked through loss, instability, and heartbreak, you learn to hold joy more gently. That perspective shapes how I serve my couples—with care, humility, and a deep respect for the weight and beauty of their “yes.”
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes—the public version of me is real, but it’s not the whole story.
I am genuinely loud, joyful, and full of laughter. I love silver linings, I believe deeply in positivity, and I find joy easily—even in hard seasons. That part of me isn’t curated; it’s who I’ve always been. I laugh loudly, feel deeply, and bring a lot of energy into every room I walk into.
At the same time, I’ve learned when to be grounded, when to be calm, and when to hold space quietly for others. The public version of me is the balance of both—the joy and the depth. It’s not a performance; it’s a woman who has learned how to carry light and weight at the same time.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace in the moments when everything slows down and I’m fully present with the people I love.
That peace often shows up at night—holding my babies’ hands as they lay beside me, hearing their giggles drift through the house, listening to my husband sing to our daughters, or hearing my older child proudly tell me a dad joke that makes her laugh before anyone else does. Those small, ordinary moments carry the most weight.
My kids. My little family. That’s where my nervous system settles. That’s where the noise quiets. It’s in those moments that I’m reminded that no matter how full life gets, this is the center of it all—and I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.blissfulandblessedunions.com
- Instagram: @blissful.and.blessed_unions
- Linkedin: Yvonne Saldivar
- Facebook: Blissful & Blessed Unions
Image Credits
Amanda Vega Photography
Rafael Serrano Photography
Davis & Co. Photography
Brenna Boucher Photography
Your Moments Photography
