Non-denominational Ministers

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Our Personal Ceremonies: Weddings, Baptisms & Memorials
Weddings: Every couple is different and has their own vision of how they would like their ceremony.  In the over 2,000 weddings we have officiated, every one of them has been unique in some way and has had its own individual flair.  Why?  Because we’re all different!  Over the years we have come to understand that couples want certain styles of ceremonies.  The ceremonies described briefly below reflect those different styles.  You may blend portions together if you choose, add your own ideas, remove anything that does not fit for you, customize, personalize, and then there are the chosen few who are brave enough to write their own vows, or even write their entire ceremony.  No matter what, we are here to help and guide you through this process. In other words, we are here to make your special occasion uniquely yours. Again, our approach is that it is an honor and a privilege to be a part of your Special Day, and we want to make sure your ceremony is exactly the way you two would like it.
Descriptions of our Wedding Ceremonies:
	Contemporary: This is a non-religious ceremony that incorporates the qualities and attributes of marriage:  friendship, commitment, loyalty, and creativity. It emphasizes the importance of your decision and encourages you to make your marriage all that it can be.  This is a great ceremony for couples that want an upbeat and “neutral” ceremony.  (15 minutes) Modern: Another non-religious ceremony that emphasizes the individuality of each person and also maintains equality through your union as husband and wife. Includes a Chinese proverb. (20 minutes) Friendship & Love: A non-denominational ceremony (neutral) for couples who have begun their relationship as friends and then it blossomed into love. Being best friends and understanding that it takes more than love, including trust, honesty and commitment to make a marriage work are emphasized. (20 minutes) Spiritual:  This ceremony incorporates words such as holy and sacred and is somewhere midpoint between Contemporary and Traditional.  This is for the couple that wishes to have a basically non-religious ceremony yet a feeling of spirituality, incorporating God into the vows.  The couple is encouraged to be the best they can be.  A brief prayer is offered. (20 minutes) Traditional: A religious ceremony using Scripture verses, many references to God and what He has to say about the marriage union.  The traditional vows are included (for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, etc., ‘till death do us part...). The Lord’s Prayer is offered, along with blessings directed to the bride & groom.  (30 minutes) Interfaith ~ Intercultural: This is perfect for couples who come from different faith or cultural backgrounds and wish to bring the families together with wording such as “new beginnings,” “keeping traditions of the past, but starting your own traditions,” “creativity.”    Whether you come from a Christian, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or other religious faith background, and are marrying someone from a different faith or culture, this ceremony is designed especially for you.  (20 minutes) Bilingual: There are many ways I can accommodate your bilingual concerns. I will work with you to see that any language barrier is tastefully addressed. Traditions from faith backgrounds: Any wedding ceremony tradition that you would like to incorporate from your own religion or culture is encouraged; such as, drinking of the cup of wine & breaking the glass from the Jewish faith: the coins, cord & veil from the Catholic faith, jumping the broom, etc. Use your own ideas to  personalize, customize or write your own vows
Rose Exchange:
	A Red Rose is exchanged between the bride & groom as their first gift to each other as a husband and wife.  It is also a reminder on each anniversary of the vows of commitment they made to each other. It is a lovely conclusion that can be added to any of the above ceremonies, if you so desire.  Roses to the bride & groom’s mothers can also be added. (Add 2 minutes to ceremony)
Unity Candle Lighting:
	A lovely symbol of your individual lives now merging together as one is the meaning behind the Unity Candle.  Mothers of the bride & groom are given the opportunity to participate in the ceremony as they light the two outer candles representing the bride & groom as individuals.  Then the couple takes the lit candles and together light the center candle as a symbol of their unity as husband and wife.  This is the perfect time for a soloist or special music to be played.  (Add 3-5 minutes to ceremony)
Sand Unity Blending:
	This is a lovely alternative to the traditional Unity Candle lighting, and can be used when weather conditions are too breezy, at the beach, or you just want something different. Different colors of sand are blended between the bride & groom representing their individual lives now merging together as one. You can incorporate your mothers/parents representing the support and blessings from each family. If children are involved they can be included with their own individual colors of sand. Background music can be added during this section. (Add 3 minutes to ceremony)
Tea Ceremony:
	A Chinese wedding tea ceremony is the quintessential Chinese wedding tradition. This time-honored exchange was created to show honor and respect for the Bride & Groom's families.
Other Fun Options:
	You can also incorporate other fun options such as the Wine Box Ceremony, Love Letters, Well Wish Stones, Hands of Love, Dove or Butterfly Release, Tree Planting.
Remembrances:
	You may want to remember a loved one who has passed. Though they are not with you physically, they are with you in spirit on this Special Day in your lives. There are different options and wording selections to choose from to honor them.
Renewal of Vows:
	This celebrates the years of marriage between a husband and wife.  It matters not what yearly anniversary you are celebrating.  This is for the couple who are still so in love with each other as when they first married, and now through the years have maintained and honored that love and wish to express it anew to each other through a renewal of their vows of commitment.  The Rose Exchange is included in a modified form to fit the couple’s lifelong commitment.  A lovely Victorian Renewal of Vows Certificate is provided.  (10 minutes)
Special recognition of merging families with children:
	Often there are already children who will share in this marriage, whether they are from the bride & groom together, or from a previous marriage.  This inclusion of the children is inserted at a particular point in the ceremony to recognize them and the important role they play in the marriage.  There are vows for the children and for the bride & groom.  There are three different versions of this Inclusion of Children:  one for smaller children under age 5, one for older children, and one for children who are the bride & groom’s offspring.  A presentation to the children of a special gift is encouraged to form the bonds of a new family.  (Add 5 minutes to ceremony)
Baptisms & Baby Dedications:
	My mother-in-law once told me that the extension of a man and woman’s love is children.  My response was “Beautiful!”  Many times couples would like to have their baby baptized or dedicated now that they have started their family life together.  It is a great and wonderful time for family and close friends to celebrate a new life as the little one is baptized or dedicated.  This service is nondenominational, has vows for the parents and godparents (if applicable), gives the meaning of the child’s name, and offers a Scripture verse for the child.  This service is particularly enjoyable for me since I am able to see couples I have previously married and their families once again to share another wonderful event in their lives. A beautiful cherub Baptism or Baby Dedication Certificate is provided.  (10 minutes)
Memorials:
	There are several times in a person’s life when you need a minister, and this is another one.  This service is nondenominational, but can be customized to reflect the faith of the one who has passed on.  An uplifting, comforting and flexible service that allows the family to incorporate music, readings or statements of reflection from others, or any other option they choose.  (30 minutes)

It is a privilege to serve you.