Several times a year I get a phone call from stressed-out couples who had asked a friend or family member to marry them, only to have the person back out at the last minute, sometimes with only a few days' notice. Why? Oftentimes it's because the friend was honored to be asked, so they quickly said yes. At that time, they had no clue what the responsibilities of a wedding officiant were, and got scared as they started to learn all the expectations placed on them.
I finally created an answer for couples who want to avoid this from happening to them.
I finally created an answer for couples who want to avoid this from happening to them.
Hi Ronnie,
Got the ceremony, thank you so much! It is clear that you do this for a living...very well written. I appreciate the help! Also, the picture of the colored ropes really helps. Weird how seeing the different colors can make a difference...especially for the learner.
Thank you again for your participation, contributions, guidance and blessings to my brother and new sister in law. We are truly grateful for your help making the day official and heartfelt from your words. Honestly. I'm sure you hear it all of the time, but it doesn't make it any less genuine. THANK YOU. God bless.
Meagan
Got the ceremony, thank you so much! It is clear that you do this for a living...very well written. I appreciate the help! Also, the picture of the colored ropes really helps. Weird how seeing the different colors can make a difference...especially for the learner.
Thank you again for your participation, contributions, guidance and blessings to my brother and new sister in law. We are truly grateful for your help making the day official and heartfelt from your words. Honestly. I'm sure you hear it all of the time, but it doesn't make it any less genuine. THANK YOU. God bless.
Meagan
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My brother/SIL used Ronnie to write their love story for me to officiate their wedding and she made it so easy to do! She talked me through all the steps and how to run the rehearsal and make sure everything was legally recognized. Highly recommend!! - Kari Jo G.
My brother/SIL used Ronnie to write their love story for me to officiate their wedding and she made it so easy to do! She talked me through all the steps and how to run the rehearsal and make sure everything was legally recognized. Highly recommend!! - Kari Jo G.
Custom-Written Ceremonies
My education in multiple religious traditions has taken years to obtain, and culminated in attending a seminary where I studied many spiritual paths from many forms of Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Native American, Judaism, Earth-based religions, Old World traditions, agnosticism and atheism to name just a few. My formal ordination ceremony included the laying on of hands and blessings from not only a Catholic priest and Jewish rabbi, but Aborigines medicine men and more as I was ordained with many others from around the globe and representing different beliefs.
In addition, I'm certified in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, have worked in international marketing and grew up in a home that valued diversity. Drawing upon both cultural and spiritual traditions gives me the ability to bring together couples and their families, often from diametrically opposed beliefs and traditions by creating a truly unique and heartfelt ceremony that helps everyone find their shared common beliefs.
A sampling of ceremonies I routinely create:
-A ceremony that doesn't reflect any one particular faith but still appears spiritual;
-A ceremony that looks very traditional but isn't being held inside a church, temple or synagogue;
-A ceremony that brings in cultural elements from one family while not alienating the other family by doing so, or combines elements from both families seamlessly;
-A celebration for two partners who are not religious at all but want to have a ceremony that celebrates their love;
-and virtually everything in between.
Officiant Coaching
In some jurisdictions, it's perfectly acceptable for a family member or friend to perform a ceremony and it's considered legally valid. In these instances, I can create your custom-written ceremony and work with a person of your choosing to coach them on the finer details of how to fill the role of wedding officiant/celebrant from start to finish.
I will:
My education in multiple religious traditions has taken years to obtain, and culminated in attending a seminary where I studied many spiritual paths from many forms of Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Native American, Judaism, Earth-based religions, Old World traditions, agnosticism and atheism to name just a few. My formal ordination ceremony included the laying on of hands and blessings from not only a Catholic priest and Jewish rabbi, but Aborigines medicine men and more as I was ordained with many others from around the globe and representing different beliefs.
In addition, I'm certified in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, have worked in international marketing and grew up in a home that valued diversity. Drawing upon both cultural and spiritual traditions gives me the ability to bring together couples and their families, often from diametrically opposed beliefs and traditions by creating a truly unique and heartfelt ceremony that helps everyone find their shared common beliefs.
A sampling of ceremonies I routinely create:
-A ceremony that doesn't reflect any one particular faith but still appears spiritual;
-A ceremony that looks very traditional but isn't being held inside a church, temple or synagogue;
-A ceremony that brings in cultural elements from one family while not alienating the other family by doing so, or combines elements from both families seamlessly;
-A celebration for two partners who are not religious at all but want to have a ceremony that celebrates their love;
-and virtually everything in between.
Officiant Coaching
In some jurisdictions, it's perfectly acceptable for a family member or friend to perform a ceremony and it's considered legally valid. In these instances, I can create your custom-written ceremony and work with a person of your choosing to coach them on the finer details of how to fill the role of wedding officiant/celebrant from start to finish.
I will:
- Work with you to create and write a personalized ceremony that reflects you, your love story, your beliefs and what you want your ceremony to say about the two of you and to your guests;
- Provide your chosen person with information regarding how to perform specific traditions included in your ceremony such as unity candles, sand ceremonies, hand fasting, lasso traditions, etc.;
- Walk your person through the process to obtain the appropriate designation to perform your ceremony;
- Teach your chosen person how to lead your wedding rehearsal;
- Provide insider information on how to make your ceremony look professional;
- Provide guidance on how to complete and file the legal paperwork properly following the ceremony within the specified time constraints and location;
- Review the paperwork before it's filed;
- Follow-up with the bride and groom on how to obtain certified copies of your marriage certificate afterward; and
- How to go about any legal name/status changes and updating your marital status with the myriad of agencies, companies and others who require notice once a couple is married.
Brides and Grooms: This is the PERFECT gift to give your friend or family member who's going to marry you! It's a wonderful way to ask them to be your officiant and assures they'll say "Yes!"
More Testimonials
"We reached out to Ronnie wanting to create a ceremony that was personal to us as a couple. We decided to have one of our close friends officiate our wedding, and Ronnie did such a wonderful job preparing him for the day! The ceremony Ronnie put together was so special and truly felt unique to us, especially with our blending of cultures. We received so many compliments on our wedding day, and for months following, about how personal and beautiful our ceremony was. We are so thankful to have had Ronnie’s involvement in our day!" - M&R, bride & groom
"The ceremony is PERFECT!! There is nothing we would change. You captured everything we wanted! Thank you so much! - S & B, bride & groom
"That is an absolutely beautiful ceremony!!! We love it, and are so grateful to you!!" - T & J, bride & groom
"You made the process easy." - Preston G., bride's brother and officiant
"We hired Ronnie to help us write a custom wedding ceremony & to help our friend learn how to be an officiant at our wedding. After two Zoom calls with Ronnie, she was able to create the perfect personalized wedding ceremony. Our officiant also had a call with Ronnie and felt super confident and prepared to marry us. Ronnie even took the time to hear our personal vows and provide feedback. Thank you Ronnie for all your help! Our ceremony received many compliments from our guests and was flawless." - Kallie Sersch-Bolano, Bride
"Thank you for the thorough preparation!" - Lauren B., friend of the bride and groom and officiant
"When my Niece asked if I would officiate her wedding, I considered it a great honor, but I was nervous and worried about how I would become “ordained”. I was also very concerned about how the ceremony would be conducted as I had never done anything like this previously. I was SO relieved after meeting with Rev. Ronnie Roll. She helped me through the process of becoming “ordained”, gave me direction on what, when, where, and how to perform the ceremony, answered all my questions, and gave me several best practices to follow in conducting the ceremony. When the big day arrived, I was still nervous, but I was also confident in my abilities after receiving direction from Rev. Ronnie. The ceremony went wonderfully in the presence of so many family members, relatives, and friends. It was truly an amazing occasion. I am very grateful for the assistance and guidance provided by Rev. Ronnie, and the memories will last a lifetime. " - Bill B., uncle of the bride and officiant
Please note that although a family member or friend may be legally able to perform a ceremony in a particular state or municipality, that does not guarantee that the couple's union is going to be accepted as legally valid within all 50 states or within a particular spiritual community now or in the future. Laws are continually changing, and it's recommended that you check with legal counsel to answer any questions you may have.
Please keep in mind that many websites offering 'quickie' ordinations are in the business of selling follow-up products such as books, robes, ID badges, etc. once they receive your email address. They are usually quick to make claims about their credentials that are not necessarily true, such as the types of ceremonies that can legally/spiritually be performed and where. If you have any questions, always check with local governmental and spiritual authorities as to the truth of any claim being made by a website.
Lastly please also note that only a physically ordained minister/rabbi/imam/priest can perform a ceremony that spiritually blesses the marriage and is held as both legally and spiritually valid in all 50 states. For more information about the different types of wedding officiants and the pros/cons of each, please see my webpage Choosing a Wedding Officiant.
Please keep in mind that many websites offering 'quickie' ordinations are in the business of selling follow-up products such as books, robes, ID badges, etc. once they receive your email address. They are usually quick to make claims about their credentials that are not necessarily true, such as the types of ceremonies that can legally/spiritually be performed and where. If you have any questions, always check with local governmental and spiritual authorities as to the truth of any claim being made by a website.
Lastly please also note that only a physically ordained minister/rabbi/imam/priest can perform a ceremony that spiritually blesses the marriage and is held as both legally and spiritually valid in all 50 states. For more information about the different types of wedding officiants and the pros/cons of each, please see my webpage Choosing a Wedding Officiant.