Assuredly, the most heartfelt unique and meaningful Ceremony you have ever experienced.  Be it a theatrical performance, a medieval wedding,  or a science fiction theme;  whatever  you have always dreamed about, I will help you create it.

As a Certified Celebrant, I get to know my couples needs and desires, through a process of reflective listening and feedback.  The result is a planned process, that evolves into your perfect service.

What themes and feelings do you want to experience on your Wedding Day?  What feelings do you want your guests to have?  I will design your service to meet your desires.

You can be as involved in the planning of your Service, as you wish.  Where you do not have a preference, I can offer suggestions.

You will have approval of every word, ritual, and reading.

Both of you get to choose the level of religious depth for your service, from not at all, to a full array of sacred readings, and blessings.

I have performed Hindu, Baptist, Moslem, Christian, Catholic and Jewish traditions and services, with almost every combination therein.  I truly enjoy finding commonalities to suit any couple!  All rituals and readings are performed professionally, with dignity and respect.

An interview without  obligation or cost  will let us know if we would like to work together.  Meetings can be in a quiet hotel lobby, or when necessary by phone or Skype.

After performing Weddings, I am often approached by several friends and family members of the Wedding party. After the customary “that was amazing”, “ I’ve never been to a Wedding like that”, the next question is usually how I came to my practice as a Celebrant. I smile and usually say something, like, “through another Minister”.

     It certainly is the truth, but not the whole story. In the fall of 2007, I was dating a Minister, and had gone on several interviews with her, to talk to engaged couples. She and the couples were very excited by the energy and reflective listening skills that I displayed, as we all talked about their wedding day. I was always asked whether I was a Minister.

     My friend was insistent, that this was a degree I should pursue, and my answer was always the same, “I’m already working two jobs, and dating you, which should I give up?

      Shortly thereafter, fate decided that I should give up my day job for six months, certainly not by my design. I had been doing roofing for ten hours on my day off, and taking tools down a ladder at the end of the day. My Timberland boot slipped on a ladder rung, sliding through and sending me first upward, and then down. I shattered my leg and decimated my ankle, something called a Pilan fracture. Loosely translated from the French, it means, “You sir, are in a heap of trouble”.

     My Minister friend contacted the Celebrant Institute, on my behalf, and arranged for an accelerated course in Weddings, that could mostly be completed through distance learning. She also sweetly reminded me that now, I really had no other choice.
     And so, I read coursework, participated in classes, researched and wrote, wrote, wrote, and learned more about different traditions and cultures,  than I had ever imagined.

     This has made me the multi-cultural Minister that I am today. As a Universalist, I am uniquely qualified to bring couples of different beliefs and faiths together.  I can create a mosaic of different readings and rituals, performed with dignity and respect. This has filled me with an appreciation and understanding of other  cultures, which in turn has brought me much joy and serenity.

      Also, by being with my couples on their wedding days, I came to understand that a wedding is an extraordinary event in our lives. It is one of the few occasions where we have the chance to stand in the power of ceremony and notice that each of our lives has meaning.

I bring a lifetime of writing and public speaking to my practice.  I specialize in identifying potential stressors ahead of time, so that their Ceremony is smooth and joyful.  It makes all the difference to my couples.

As Celebrants it is our mission to work closely with you in creating a ceremony that reflects your tastes and values. We are also happy to assist you in planning aspects of your ceremony such as location, music and rituals. We encourage you to draw on any traditions, non-religious or religious, which are meaningful to you.

Capital Region Ceremonies has been in business for over 13 years and has performed hundreds of weddings for couples in the region and beyond!

As your wedding officiants, we specialize in meaningful, personalized wedding ceremonies. We use a free, no-commitment interview session and can also incorporate written questionnaires to get to know you better. We want the perfect ceremony to represent your personalities, beliefs, and relationship. After the draft is complete, we will email you a copy for you for your approval and you can edit if you wish. We want your wedding ceremony to be fantastic, and are happy to edit with you on the draft (three drafts) until it’s perfect.

Call, email, or come in for a free interview. We can do that on Google Hangouts if you prefer. We offer printed contracts or will send you a digital contract if you will only be town for a destination wedding in New York. We’ll hold your wedding date for 7 days while you have a chance to speak with the officiant and make a decision. To book your officiant, simply sign the contract and make a 50% deposit and you’re all set! (Even though we are an affordable wedding venue and officiant, in special circumstances we can do monthly payments to ensure that money doesn’t prevent you from marrying the person you love.)

For some couples the excitement of the casino reminds us of how exciting life can be. Upon further consideration, they decide that this would be the perfect time to get married. A great way to do this is to take the trolley to Liberty and Clinton, come by my office to pre fill out your application, and walk across the street to get your license, at city hall. 24 hours later, I can marry you at my lovely chapel, Blessings, or come to your room at the Casino, or Mohawk Park and have a lovely service on the waterfront.
If you need me to get dressed as Elvis, that can be arranged, with advance notice. Let’s celebrate your Hunka-hunka burning love.

I have three dogs, and if you are reading this, you have at least one as well. Animals ground us, and give and receive unconditional love in return. These are excellent qualities to have, for your upcoming marriage to another human!
Whether you would like Fido to be your ring bearer, or simply mentioned in your personalized service, this will be handled with dignity and humor.

While NY State considers me a non-denominational Minister, (Ordained May 2003, in Montclair, NJ), It would be more accurate to describe myself as a multi-denominational Minister. Through attending and preaching services of all faiths, including no faith, I truly believe that many cultures have commonalities, which can be combined into a beautiful mosaic. It is also an opportunity for me to describe specific rituals in such a way; that your friends and new relatives, gain an appreciation and respect for your faith.

When you find the right person, if you are truly honest with yourself, it makes little difference what their exterior trappings are. I have always felt that when you have that connection, nothing else matters. Over the past fourteen years, I have married whites, browns, blacks and olives, in all possible combinations. That the majority of them are still married, is a testament to their ability to have seen beyond color.

As a Life Cycle Celebrant, I was on the front lines of helping the cause of Marriage Equality in NY State, and one of the first Ministers to perform same sex marriages. Couples flew in from Florida and Texas, just to get married in NY. This is a basic human right, which had been denied for far too long.
Those first services often included words of celebration for all those who had been in committed relationships, their entire lives, without the rights to Social Security, and Health care information, when their partner was hospitalized.
It gives me great joy to celebrate all couples in love, and I am happy to do so!

I will help fill out your license application, and then after the service file your license for you. What the heck is a sur-name anyway. Don’t worry, I know.
I’ll make sure all your boxes are properly filled out, and make a checklist of your needed paperwork, so that you are ready to go when you apply. Both of you must be present at the clerk’s office.
NY State allows anyone over the age of 17 to marry. (New age 2017.) After you receive your license, a 24-hour waiting period applies, so if you want to get married at 3 on Wednesday, you need to get your license by 2:59 on Tuesday. In the case of “good cause”, a judge can waive the 24-hour waiting period, for example if you are in the Military and shipping out the next day.