Eclectic Unions was created in 2008, when Jessie was certified as a Life-Cycle Celebrant®, with a specialty in Weddings, from the Celebrant Foundation and Institute. She began by officiating at her best friend’s wedding, an interfaith ceremony that combined elements of Judaism, Lutheran, and Pagan traditions, along with the couple’s own personal story, to create a truly unique and memorable wedding. Jessie had discovered a true passion for researching, creating, and officiating personal ceremonies.
Jessie specializes in creating new, original rituals, as well as updating and modernizing traditional elements, so that every piece of the ceremony truly speaks to the couple and their relationship. Most of all, Jessie is passionate about making your wedding ceremony the best that it can be – and as beautiful and original as the love that her couples share!
Since early 2010, Jessie has taught Fundamentals of Celebrancy and Weddings and Other Ceremonies for Couples at the Celebrant Foundation and Institute. She was chosen as The Knot Best of Weddings in 2011, and has received the Bride’s Choice Award from WeddingWire.com for three years in a row.
Jessie graduated from Drew University, with a degree in Theatre Arts and Women’s Studies. Prior to Eclectic Unions, she worked in the world of ticketing, managing and working for a variety of organizations, from Broadway to regional theatre.
She is based in Rutherford, New Jersey, and is willing to travel! Jessie has performed weddings all over New Jersey, New York City, and New York State (with a little bit of Philadelphia and Massachusetts, too!).
Jessie is an ordained minister, which is what legally allows her to solemnize marriages, and though she does not follow a specific spiritual path, she has a deep respect and understanding of the tradition, ceremony, and ritual associated with many religions.
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.