Life is meant to be enjoyed and celebrated! I take the responsibility of creating your wedding ceremony seriously, and I also want it to be fun and meaningful for you.

Whether it's just the two of you eloping, or a big wedding with all the family, I will customize your ceremony with the words, readings, vows and rituals that mean the most to you and support you in this important moment.

As an Interfaith Minister, I honor all faiths, and respect your personal beliefs. Whether your ceremony is civil, spiritual, traditional, non-denominational, modern, romantic, serious, silly, it's your ceremony and your day, I will listen closely and honor your requests.

As your wedding officiant, I am here to answer your questions, provide creative as well as traditional ceremony ideas, and support you on your wedding day. I will customize your wedding script exactly to your liking. I assure you that the most important part of the day, your ceremony, will be wonderful!

Your love has brought you to this day—I am honored to be in your presence and share this journey with you.

When you contact me by phone or email, I’ll respond to you ASAP. I’ll ask you your wedding date, a few questions about the two of you, and what kind of ceremony you are dreaming of.

I suggest we meet face to face if possible after our initial phone call so you can decide in person if I am a good wedding match for you. I don’t expect you to make any decisions on the spot. Let’s just get to know each other, and then you can take some time to decide if I am the minister for you.

Wedding fees vary for each ceremony. Some couples want a light and breezy elopement in Central Park, others have big bridal parties and require more ritual, direction and management. I offer a sliding scale to couples based on size of wedding, location and travel, and the kind of ceremony they want. I keep this within the average rate for New York City so that I may be accessible to all budgets and all brides and grooms.

If you choose to hire me, I’ll ask you for a deposit of half the wedding fee and begin the 1st draft of your wedding ceremony. I’ll provide you with suggestions and options, and craft the ceremony so that it’s exactly what you want to say on your big day.

On your wedding day, I’ll arrive in advance and can dress in a ministerial robe or a suit—whatever makes you more comfortable. I will coordinate with your wedding planner or maitre d’ to see that everything takes place in a smooth and timely manner. In the absence of a wedding planner, I am happy to function as your guide and coach, and I will support you and your wedding party at every moment.

I am with you every step of the way through the ceremony, and I will guide the process so that you can really relax, experience it, and enjoy it! I am there for you to make this special moment everything you imagined and dreamed of.

Are you able to perform ceremonies outside of New York?

Yes! My registration with New York City allows me to perform weddings virtually anywhere. I have officiated weddings in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Massachusetts, Texas. I'm delighted to be asked to travel out of state or to your destination wedding.

Why interfaith? Why not commit to a denomination?

Interfaith is the practice of acknowledging the truth in every religion–that God is love. In our global community we have the opportunity now more than ever to learn and grow from each other’s spiritual and cultural contributions. Interfaith respects every faith, looking for commonalities, not differences. Interfaith speaks to my soul. I honor every person of every denomination, and minister to them in the spiritual language they find most comfortable.

How do you reconcile religious differences between a couple?

This usually happens before the wedding ceremony plans! Acknowledging each other’s spiritual lives is part of the intimacy that builds trust and respect in a relationship. If couples would like to do some pre-marital counseling to discuss their religious values before planning their ceremony, I am happy to meet with them.

How “scripted” are your ceremonies? How much creative freedom does a couple have with you?

I always explain to couples that the only thing we have to hear in a ceremony is their consent (“I do”) and the pronouncement. Everything else is...tradition! There is a standard order of ceremony that we can honor and use as an outline. The ceremony can be as creative as the couple’s imagination. It’s always fun to weave traditional elements with original ideas. I love to hear what couples have in mind! We work on the ceremony together until we finalize the ceremony script. I will not add anything they have not already approved–no surprise sermons, dogma, or advice! I know my ceremonies well enough that it does not sound like I am reading, but speaking from the heart–because I truly am.

Are there things that you will NOT do, mention, etc.?

Nobody really says, “Speak now or forever hold your peace” at a wedding ceremony anymore. It works well on soap operas and in the movies, though! Many brides ask me about old-fashioned elements of a wedding ceremony like “honor and obey” in the vows, using the words “man and wife” (as opposed to “husband and wife”) and asking the father’s permission for the bride’s hand. I have some brides who’s mother or brother walks them down the aisle, other couples come in together, holding hands.

If you perform a same-sex commitment ceremony while same-sex marriage is not legal, what happens once it become legal? Is what you performed binding after the fact?

Right now same-sex marriage laws vary state by state. In New York, a same-sex ceremony is a ritual of love, and it is every bit a wedding, albeit without the license and legalities that provide the rights and privileges of marriage. I am an activist and ally for Marriage Equality in New York and everywhere else, and I am happy to marry couples now, and “sign the papers” when they become legally available. I encourage we “do” the wedding all over again with your friends and families present to celebrate!

Why do you reach out to same-sex couples so demonstratively?

I am a proud supporter of Marriage Equality. I’ve been fortunate to grow up surrounded by wonderful gay friends and family, and I believe that gay relationships deserve the same respect, attention, and rights and privileges as straight relationships. Some people have asked me, “Are you afraid your stand on Marriage Equality will turn off conservative couples?” No. I am honored to take a stand for Gay Rights, and if my activism and stand on Civil Rights turns someone off, I am probably not the right wedding minister for them.

If a couple just wants a civil ceremony (a la City Hall), would you perform it?

Sure. If you want a five minute ceremony, a fifteen minute ceremony, or a grand theatrical event, I am happy to accommodate. I offer a sliding scale of ceremony rates to accommodate all requests.

If a couple comes to you completely unprepared as far as location, flowers, food, music, etc., can you make quality referrals?

Absolutely. I’ve done hundreds of weddings and have met some fine wedding vendors over the years (see “Links”). In addition to wedding magazines, thousands of brides now blog their weddings on the net...I am happy to steer you in the right direction to find the information you are looking for!

What about Wiccan ceremonies?

Most Wiccans and Pagans choose someone from their spiritual community to officiate their ceremony. I am happy to provide consultation, to witness and sign the papers, co-officiate, or lead the service, as they wish. Many couples I meet with wish to honor the Earth and Mother Nature, and ask me to include traditions in their ceremony such as the hand-fasting. I love this ritual, and enjoy including it in ceremonies by request.

What is the one piece of advice you would (or do) give to a couple you are marrying?

Pre-plan your wedding, and rely on your wedding planner, maitre d’, best man and maid of honor to coordinate the details on your wedding day! Let your wedding party support you, put them in charge of seeing that everyone is in place and on schedule, so that YOU can really focus on the meaning of the day–your love for each other!