Weddings
Dear Friends,
Your wedding is an incredibly precious event! Unitarian Universalist ministers, with our extensive seminary training in world religions and our tradition of embracing a wide variety of spiritualities, are uniquely equipped to help you create a wedding that is both meaningful and delightful.
While every one of my weddings follows a similar basic pattern, each one is carefully tailored to the personalities, desires, and needs of the particular couple. (Please see "My Philosophy of Weddings," below.)
I'm a Unitarian Universalist minister, with a Master of Divinity degree (M.Div.) awarded in 1993 by Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley, CA, and have served as a parish and community minister in Western Washington since my ordination in 1995.
If you would like to learn more about the Unitarian Universalist church, please take a look at our web page.
We are a liberal and inclusive church that does not require anyone to believe a certain way; rather, we are open and nonjudgmental. We promote tolerance and understanding by supporting all people on their spiritual journeys.
I have performed many beautiful weddings for couples of mixed faiths, as well as for couples who feel that they are spiritual but not "religious" in any sense, and for folks who didn't want any spiritual language used at all. I honor every individual's and couple's choices and concerns.
I'm a Unitarian Universalist minister, with a Master of Divinity degree (M.Div.) awarded in 1993 by Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley, CA, and have served as a parish and community minister in Western Washington since my ordination in 1995.
If you would like to learn more about the Unitarian Universalist church, please take a look at our web page.
We are a liberal and inclusive church that does not require anyone to believe a certain way; rather, we are open and nonjudgmental. We promote tolerance and understanding by supporting all people on their spiritual journeys.
I have performed many beautiful weddings for couples of mixed faiths, as well as for couples who feel that they are spiritual but not "religious" in any sense, and for folks who didn't want any spiritual language used at all. I honor every individual's and couple's choices and concerns.
My Philosophy of Weddings:
All weddings should be beautiful, and should reflect the values, dreams, and spiritualities of the couple.
Planning a wedding should be fun and joyful -- and so should the ceremony. When you engage me to officiate at your wedding, I take on the responsibility for the service, so that you can be fully present in the magic and power of this unique and precious moment.
My ceremonies always include several moments of quietness in which we remember to be fully and completely aware of the transformative events that are occurring. When the ceremony is prepared very carefully and with love, then whatever happens during the wedding itself -- a dropped ring, a crying baby, or lots of airplanes flying overhead -- becomes part of the magic and joy of the moment.
All weddings should be beautiful, and should reflect the values, dreams, and spiritualities of the couple.
Planning a wedding should be fun and joyful -- and so should the ceremony. When you engage me to officiate at your wedding, I take on the responsibility for the service, so that you can be fully present in the magic and power of this unique and precious moment.
My ceremonies always include several moments of quietness in which we remember to be fully and completely aware of the transformative events that are occurring. When the ceremony is prepared very carefully and with love, then whatever happens during the wedding itself -- a dropped ring, a crying baby, or lots of airplanes flying overhead -- becomes part of the magic and joy of the moment.
How We Prepare Your Wedding:
There are a few simple steps to follow in preparing your ceremony.
1. The very first step is to find out whether I am available on the date you have chosen for your wedding! Please check my online calendar. Even if it may look as if I'm already booked for your date, please contact me anyway -- I would be glad to refer you to one of my wonderful colleagues.
2. If I am available on your wedding date, please contact me to see if we can set up an informal conversation over coffee. This is a no-stress, no-obligation conversation - a chance for you to ask me anything you like, so you can decide if you'd like to work with me.
3. If you decide you'd like me to perform your ceremony - congratulations! Great choice!! By sending me a deposit of $50, you "claim" me for that date. At this point, we also schedule a planning meeting.
4. As soon as I receive your deposit, I'll mail you a wedding booklet. This contains choices for the various parts of the ceremony. The two of you can complete this at your own pace. This gives you a great opportunity to discuss with each other exactly how you want your wedding to be. But again -- no pressure -- you can still have lots of question marks when you come to our planning meeting. And you are not limited to the materials in the packet -- it is just a starting point.
5. For the planning meeting, I come to your home, if feasible, or we arrange to meet somewhere else -- I have even planned some wonderful weddings over the phone with folks who live out of state. The meeting should take about an hour and a half. I spend most of the time getting to know you, hearing your story, learning your values, hopes and dreams. Then we plan the ceremony together. This is the fun part! Sometimes, a truly unique ritual is born from that conversation. (Remind me to tell you about the tomato communion at the gardener's wedding!) Also at this meeting, the balance of my honorarium is due -- usually $350, unless there is a little extra for travel outside the King/Snohomish area. I'm always available by phone or email for your questions or updates.
6. I'd like to have your marriage license in hand by at least one week prior to your wedding so that I can carefully prepare this important legal paperwork.
7. On the day of the wedding, I will arrive at the wedding location at least 30-45 minutes ahead of time so that I can get the necessary signatures on your paperwork, answer any last-minute questions, and, if need be, calm down the mother of the bride. Then -- the big moment arrives! And you can relax and experience the magic of your wedding with no worries.