"Our wedding party gushed about how incredible Erika was. My mother said, "Erika had so much joy in her eyes while she conducted your ceremony." It felt as if we were married by one of our oldest, dearest friends. Our guests continue to sing praises about how wonderful Erika was." ~Rachel + Jibran
You're looking for a wedding officiant...
photo by Brendan Bullock
Maybe you thought about asking a friend or family member to get their "online ordination" so they could officiate. Maybe you're still thinking about that, and don't know how to decide. Maybe you're checking out lots of officiants online and trying to sort through the overwhelm.
I want you to feel great about your officiant choice. I also want you to know how I'm different. These reminders might help your search:
Please click the connect with Erika button if you're ready to meet me, or if you have more questions.
I want you to feel great about your officiant choice. I also want you to know how I'm different. These reminders might help your search:
- Look beyond the "Rev." Many wedding officiants who refer to themselves as a "minister" or "Reverend" graduated from a 2-year interfaith program, and are disconnected from ongoing systems of support & accountability. I earned an M.Div. and completed two internships before being credentialed and then ordained within a respected religious denomination. If that difference strikes you as important, ask questions when you talk to prospective officiants.
- Weddings are complicated Let's celebrate your love, because love is amazing! Let's also be real: weddings are also about family—at least two families--and that can get complicated even before the Big Day arrives. Consider whether you value an officiant who's been extensively trained in family dynamics, pastoral counseling, and professional ethics.
- It's all about a great match If you contact me, I'll request a video meeting so that we can get to know one another. I'm not going to "sell" myself or push my contract at you; I want you to figure out whether we're a great match, because the best officiant for you is one you click with, and one you trust fully. (If that's not me, I'll be happy that you found a better match.)
- It's not just about officiating I'm your minister, all the way through: the planning, the choices, the (maybe?) pressure from parents. I arrive at the ceremony early, offering calm presence where it's needed. I check in with your other vendors to plan smooth transitions. I handle last-minute surprises with grace and ease, and help you to do the same. By the time the ceremony begins, you and your family will feel more relaxed, at ease, and ready to be present to the wedding and its celebration.
Please click the connect with Erika button if you're ready to meet me, or if you have more questions.
A step further: premarital counseling
As a trained PREPARE/ENRICH Facilitator, I can guide you through one, two, or three sessions of premarital counseling, ensuring that you're entering into your marriage having unpacked and explored the areas that often arise as stumbling blocks in the early years of a couple's life together.
PREPARE/ENRICH is a customized couple inventory, completed online with full privacy, that identifies your strength and growth areas. It's one of the most widely used programs for premarital counseling and premarital education. Based on your inventory results, I provide feedback sessions to help you discuss and understand your results.
