Weddings
Getting married at an outdoors, historic, or other unique location? Or perhaps you're looking to have a memorable, personalized ceremony that is written & performed by a non-religious officiant? Or it could be that you just want an intimate wedding at home with close family & few friends... or simply just wish to elope.
Allow me to help plan the wedding you envision...
I provide a variety of services to meet your needs, whether humanist, inter-religious, or secular in nature, even themed weddings or ceremonies that include unique touches. In addition to my role as officiant, I am also able to assist couples with writing vows, as well as assist with exploring options when it comes to deciding upon a location or venue. Check out my recent literary piece on how a Humanist Celebrant can best serve your needs.
The Lodge at Welch Allyn
Central New York
Green Lakes
It all starts at
City Hall
Couples can inquire with the city of Syracuse clerk linked here regarding how to obtain a marriage license. If looking to learn more about the process of getting married in New York State, click here. If you live rurally or in the suburbs, check with your town clerk to see if they issue licenses, too. Once the marriage license is in-hand and it has been at least 24 hours since issued (but no more than 60 days has passed), then allow me to assist you in bringing your vision to reality. Whether you wish to elope by the lake, get married in a city park, which may require a permit to reserve (click here), an Onondaga County park, or you have a venue booked, having a wedding officiant that is patient, caring, and understanding is key. Look no further...
Allow me to be the one to assist you & yours!
I conduct secular, humanist, nonreligious & interreligious weddings. Wondering what a humanist is? Click here. For those who are looking to marry, but interested in a less traditional route, there are many different avenues. Some couples would rather not have their ceremonies officiated by priests, ministers, or reverends or may be planning a small backyard wedding where an officiant performs the ceremony. More and more modern weddings often feature unique and contemporary touches. Many wedding ceremonies today take place in locations other than churches, such as outdoors, at home, in rustic barn lofts or historic landmarks, and even on mountaintops. These are all places where I have officiated weddings and look forward to broadening my experience.
Summer 2021
E.M. Mills Rose Garden
at Thornden Park in Syracuse
Mountain Top Ceremonies
I do travel a few times annually up into the Adirondacks to hike peaks with couples so that they may have that mountain top wedding that they have always envisioned. Having an officiant who can also take photographs is a great option for moments like this. For 2023, I have decided to suspend my photography add-on for couples booking ceremonies with me, however will make an exception, continuing to book mountain top ceremonies including photography.
I take pride in my work and truly enjoy working with couples in planning their most special day. I have officiated many secular and humanist ceremonies, as well as incorporated a variety of unique elements such as an oathing stone ceremony, a unity tree ceremony, and a wine box ceremony. A simple description of how a humanist ceremony works--according to the director of ceremonies of The Humanist Association of Ireland--is that it is very personal and meaningful...essentially two people celebrating their love for one another and making their commitment to each other. If you were to choose a humanist ceremony, you'd be present in the company of family members and friends closest to you, with appropriate well-chosen words, hand-crafted readings and vows (designed with my help, if needed), and music of your choice.
A secular wedding ceremony is exclusively tailored to include non religious wording, vows, and readings. This type of ceremony could be a bit simpler and perhaps even shorter, yet poignant. Some couples desire to include some religious components, such as those who are planning an interfaith wedding. As a former teacher of world religions, you can rest assured that my efforts to create a tasteful, meaningful ceremony are genuine.
