Wedding Officiant

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. The officiant will set the tone for your wedding. If your officiant does not seem really interested in you or your marriage, then this may show up during your ceremony, leaving you and your guests unengaged. It is important that you find a wedding officiant who is really good with people and who can present well and who is genuinely interested in you and your marriage.

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

A. My goal is not to simply perform a wedding, but to create a ceremony that reflects who you are. I really want it to be beautiful. I also am a marriage coach because I actually care about your relationship, your wedding, and your marriage for years to come. I bring, for lack of a better word, love into the process. I want it to be fun, joyful and light. The brides and grooms who are now husbands and wives seem to appreciate it.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. I enjoy the relationship that I develop with my brides and grooms. To see the love that exists between a man and a woman who are ready to fully dedicate themselves to each other is an awesome thing. I get to witness people who normally do not cry, break down and not be able to hold back the tears. Then they apologize to me and I say, "a wedding is a great place to cry". The tears are amazing. I love being able to participate in a man and woman becoming husband and wife, and dedicating themselves to each other for the rest of their lives. It is a rare gift.

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

A. The question I most often get is, "How do we do this?" Brides and grooms come to me looking for answers on how to get married and I guide them through the entire process, from the wedding ceremony to the marriage license. I find out about their relationship, then we look at ceremony options that reflect their beliefs and values. I walk them through step-by-step and make it easy and fun. It's great and very enjoyable.

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. I performed a ceremony in Centerville, Ohio, where the couple was so tenderhearted toward each other. Every moment of that wedding was just really special. While I was standing between this bride and groom I could feel the love that they had for each other. Two daughters were becoming part of this family. There was so much love present. The grooms parents were deceased and he wanted to do a candle lighting memorial for them. It was outdoors which can present problems with candles blowing out. There was not even a slight breeze. It was amazing. A sand ceremony was part of the wedding and it went so well. It was just really beautiful. When the couple was pronounced husband and wife they both became alive with joy. Very special.

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

A. I began working with couples in 1982. I really believe in marriage. I had been in the role of a pastor and had done some public speaking. I met a beautiful lady and we ended up getting married. We both believed in marriage and found that there were some principles that helped us in our marriage. We started helping others with their marriages wherever we could. It was a natural progression to become both a wedding officiant and a marriage coach. I want to see brides and grooms not only get married, but stay happily married. Often couples have little or no religious affiliation or have found other help for their relationship ineffective. I decided to offer my experience in marriage and family life that couples could rely upon for getting married and keeping their love alive for all their days together.