When she got engaged, my best friend asked me to perform her wedding ceremony. She and her fiance came from different cultures and traditions, and wanted an original ceremony that reflected not only their background, but their personalities and relationship.
I was honored that she had asked me to undertake this, and I immediately began researching the ceremonies and rituals they had asked for. I was astonished with everything that was out there! There was so much wonderful material, so many traditions and rituals and ceremonies that could be included! Why wasn’t everyone exploring this, finding unique ways to express themselves through their wedding ceremony? I discovered a true passion for creating, writing, and officiating original weddings.
In addition, I LOVE weddings! I feel so lucky that I get to be part of each couple’s special day, creating these beautiful moments for them that I know they will remember and treasure always. Weddings are such beautiful, wonderful moments in your life, and I aim to really capture that deep feeling of love and commitment in your ceremony.
I have a BA in Theatre Arts from Drew University, and a background in creative writing and performance. Though I do not follow a specific spiritual path, I have a deep respect and understanding of the tradition, ceremony, and ritual associated with many religions.
I am a certified Life-Cycle Celebrant® through the Celebrant Institute and Foundation and am currently on their faculty, teaching their Weddings course. I am also an ordained minister through the Universal Brotherhood Movement.
I’m based in Rutherford, New Jersey, but am willing to travel! I’ve performed weddings all over New Jersey, as well as New York City, Westchester and Rockland County in New York, Philadelphia, and Massachusetts!
What is a Celebrant?
What is the Celebrant Institute and Foundation?
The Celebrant Institute and Foundation is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to training professional Celebrants to officiate at personalized ceremonies marking the milestones and transitions in the lives of individuals, couples, families and organizations such as weddings, renewal of vows, commitments, coming of age, baby welcomings and adoptions, survivor tributes, graduations, retirements, birthdays, anniversaries, memorials, end of life celebrations, new dwellings, civic and corporate events and special occasions – or any moment in life that carries significant meaning for you.
The Celebrant’s mission is to create a ceremony that reflects your genuine needs, beliefs, philosophy of life, culture, and ethnic background and values.
What is a Celebrant?
Celebrants are people in your community who are professionally trained to perform a variety of ceremonies to mark milestones in your loved ones life, including: weddings, renewal of vows, commitments, baby welcomings and adoptions, survivor tributes, coming of age, divorce, retirements, graduations, birthdays, anniversaries, memorials, end of life celebrations, civic and corporate ceremonies. The Celebrant’s mission is to create a ceremony that reflects your needs, beliefs, cultural background, values and tastes.
How do Celebrants differ from other officiants, such as clergy or judges or registrars?
In a Celebrant Ceremony, you are empowered. Nothing is imposed on you. Instead, in a collaborative process, the Celebrant will guide you in choosing rituals, readings, symbols and music to fulfill your ideals.
What do Celebrants believe?
The beliefs of the Celebrant are immaterial in this process. Celebrants believe that appropriate ceremonies are an important way of bringing happiness and mental balance to individuals, and connection and beauty within society. They believe in people. They believe in adding to the sum total of human happiness wherever they can assist in doing so. Celebrants are trained to focus on the values and priorities of the. The client ceremony is a total reflection and an extension of the honorees at the ceremony.
Who would use the services of a Celebrant?
The answer is anyone and everyone! Whether you are secular, religious, spiritual, nondenominational, part of an interfaith or multicultural family, or if you simply wish to express yourself in a manner of your own choosing, a Celebrant can help you create a ceremony that respects all that is meaningful to you.