Wedding Celebrant

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. Since every wedding ceremony I create is personalized and customized for each couple, the only common factor is that 2 people in love can publicy affirm their love and commit ther lives to each other witnessed by their families and friends.

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Try to have an idea of what you want for your ceremony, or, at least, what you do not want. Ask a lot of questions to determine how well the celebrant listens to your ideas and does not impose his or her ideas on you.

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. Begin thinking about being able to answer these questions:
What emotion would you like guests to take away from the ceremony?
What vision would you like to resonate with them?
What tone would you like for the ceremony - intimate, ceremonial, sacred, warm, solemn, funny, spiritual, lighthearted, etc.?

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. The first wedding ceremony I ever created was my own wedding, combining traditional and contemporary elements!
My previous jobs, all of which have offered my the opportunity to impact people's lives in various ways (often as a pioneer in the field), allowed me to develop and hone the skills I now use as a Wedding Celebrant. Among others, these jobs included Vegetarian Cooking Instructor, Personal Computer Instructor, Corporate Systems Trainer, Technical Writer, Human Resources Specialist.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. I collaborate with a couple to create a ceremony affirming your love, while acknowledging, honoring, and respecting different religions, cultures, and customs. No two ceremonies are alike!

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. What if we don't want anything religious or any sermons about marriage?
I have done no religious ceremonies; most of my couples want a non-religious ceremony; a few wanted some interfaith elements without being religious. Giving a sermon about marriage is not my style at all.
In the process of creating your personalized ceremony, I get to know you and create a customized ceremony that reflects your personal values and beliefs, whether spiritual or secular, formal or informal, traditional or non-traditional. It's all about you!

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. LifeCycle Celebrants create connections between the past and the future by acknowledging and honoring lifecycle milestones. We are ceremony specialists who are trained in creating and performing rituals and ceremonies, and are experienced in the art of ceremonial public speaking.
We take the time to understand your beliefs, your values, and your unique relationship. We guide you in choosing rituals, readings, symbols, and music to fulfill your vision for your wedding; no two Celebrant ceremonies are the same.

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. 23 years ago, I created my own wedding ceremony, with a combination of traditional prayers and readings and contemporary readings, not knowing there was such a person as a Celebrant. Many years later, when attending several weddings that I call "put your face in this picture" weddings, I thought there must be a better way to celebrate this very special personal occasion in a couple's life. Then, in 2009, my corporate job allowed me the opportunity to explore other options in my life. Fortunately, I found the Celebrant Foundation & Institute and graduated from their Wedding Celebrant course, and here I am - following my passion!

Q. Tell us about a recent job you did that you are particularly proud of.

A. I was honored to be a Celebrant at a vow renewal ceremony for a wonderful couple thru Wish Upon a Wedding (http://wishuponawedding.org/), a nonprofit organization that provides weddings and vow renewals to couples facing terminal illness or other serious life-altering circumstances, regardless of sexual orientation.

Q. What are the latest developments in your field? Are there any exciting things coming in the next few years or decade that will change your line of business?

A. The most exciting change in the wedding business recently is that, in the state of Illinois, Gov. Quinn signed a law legalizing civil unions between 2 persons of the same sex, effective June 1, 2011. I have already performed many civil unions ceremonies, honored to be making history!
I offer special pricing for all couples who want a civil union ceremony. Be among the first - call me!