If you are looking for a Pagan wedding officiant near you, you may be interested in finding someone who aligns with your beliefs and can help create a ceremony that reflects your spirituality. Paganism is a broad term that encompasses a range of spiritual practices, so it's important to find an officiant who resonates with your specific path. One way to find a Pagan wedding officiant near you is to search online. There are websites and directories that specialize in connecting couples with wedding officiants of various faiths and belief systems. These platforms often allow you to filter your search by location and specific requirements, making it easier to find an officiant in your area. You can also reach out to local Pagan or metaphysical communities for recommendations.
You can also reach out to local Pagan or metaphysical communities for recommendations. Attend local events, workshops, or gatherings where you can meet like-minded individuals. These communities often have members who are ordained or trained to officiate Pagan ceremonies and can provide guidance or connections to help you find the right officiant.
Pagan wedding officiant neae me
Here are some random things about me, and how I got to being a wedding officiant, in case you’re interested in knowing a little more.
I enjoy time with friends and family, organic gardening, my dog, travel, genealogy, nature, photography, reading, science, artsy craftsy stuff, kayaking, estate sales, and tons of random projects. I’m a huge fan of laughter, comedy, satire, and sarcasm. I love deep conversations, philosophizing and fun debate.
I’m a parent of two teens. When I first wrote this section I talked about creating a career for myself that allowed me to be flexible while my kids were babies. Now they are both taller than me. Time does fly.
Chelsea has been my home for the past dozen years, though I was born in Detroit, grew up in Saline, and have lived near Ann Arbor most of my life. I have an Associates Degree from Washtenaw Community College where I focused on Humanities. In 2022 I went back to college online to complete a Bachelor’s in Communications.
Through most of my twenties I worked for an eco-travel company in Ann Arbor. That was, at the time, my dream job, and my opportunity to travel the world. I planned trips, traveled to and photographed Australia, Ecuador, Galapagos, Peru, the Amazon, Machu Picchu, Argentina, Chile and Antarctica.
As far as beliefs are concerned, I am an atheist and Humanist. I do not believe in any supreme beings. I do believe in the good of people, and that being kind and seeking to understand others is a key to being happy. I am in awe of the vastness of the universe, I marvel at evolution and life on this planet, and I think we still have a lot to discover. My philosophy behind A Simple Ceremony is that I am honest with myself and am genuine in all that I do. From that comes everything else.
I was raised Catholic, decided not to (refused to) go through confirmation, and left the church at about age 12. In my teenage years I experienced a bit of Evangelical Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, and Zen Buddhism, before realizing that while I enjoy learning about religion from an academic viewpoint, I was just not able to actually believe in God or anything supernatural (even though I really tried). I do love mythology, philosophy, psychology and anthropology. Science and nature provide me with enough awe, wonder and unanswered questions balanced with evidence-based reasoning that I don’t feel the need to complicate things any more. I understand the struggle of those who have parted ways with the religion of their parents. Mine still undoubtedly pray for me and think I’m going to hell when I die, though I tell them that I don’t believe in hell, so it’s ok. We can agree to disagree on that particular issue.
Therefore, I don’t perform religious ceremonies simply because it would be insincere for me to do so. I respect the freedom of religion as well as the freedom from religion.
I was ordained as “Reverend” by the Universal Life Church in 2004, on the internet. I am not a practicing minister in any church.* My first wedding was performed in 2004 for a friend and coworker who wanted a quick ceremony on the beach near her house. She convinced me to see if the online ordination was legal (it is) and to sign up (I did.) I hung up my ordination certificate at my desk at work and asked my other coworkers to call me Reverend (jokingly of course. Please don’t call me Reverend, my first name is fine!) Some things at that first ceremony I didn’t anticipate. That the sound of the water would drown out me talking, and without a microphone no one heard anything. Also, I had previously been deathly afraid of speaking in public, and to my pleasant surprise I made it through the whole thing without choking or passing out. It was actually quite fun.
Nearly five years later in early 2009 I was asked to officiate another two ceremonies. One was for a friend of a friend in a local park with a few family members and a very easy-going vibe. Then, my sister-in-law Karen said she was getting married, and I offered to help. We looked at different readings, traditions, and vows, and also had a rehearsal where I first learned how difficult it can be to get a bunch of adults to pay attention. Her wedding was one of the most beautiful I’d ever seen, and I was honored for them to have me officiate and coordinate their ceremony. That’s really when this all began. I saw the pieces coming together of how being a wedding officiant would actually work with my life and fit with so many of the things I’m good at and really enjoy. It just clicked.
I’ve met so many great people at the variety of weddings I have been a part of, learned much about life and love, and even discovered new things about myself. Every couple and every wedding is unique, and it is so special for me to be welcomed into such a personal moment in people’s lives. By the end of a wedding ceremony and after all is said and done, I almost always feel like part of the family. I really love my job.
-Stacey Swickerath (Rev.)
*Note, I should say I am an atheist minister, and an ordained reverend of the Universal Life Church, and in that capacity my church is my home and my congregation is my family and friends who gather on a regular basis to share in the gospel of reason and science. Perhaps one day I’ll start a non-religious church to get tax-free status that is so unfairly reserved for churches. Or we’ll just get rid of the whole religious exemption entirely, but I’m not holding my breath.
Wedding Minister performing weddings in the Kansas and Missouri areas. I am a licensed and ordained minister with 22+ years of experience. I perform civil, traditional, romantic, religious, and non-denominational weddings. I have different wedding packages available $100, $200 and $350. I customize the wedding ceremony so, the wedding is special and unique.
Another option is to contact Pagan organizations or associations in your area. These organizations may have lists of certified or recognized officiants who can perform weddings and other ceremonies. They may also be able to offer resources or guidance on finding an officiant that aligns with your beliefs. When searching for a Pagan wedding officiant, it's important to have open and honest conversations with potential candidates. Discuss your beliefs, values, and the specific elements you would like to include in your ceremony. This will help ensure that the officiant is a good fit and can create a ceremony that is meaningful and aligned with your spiritual path. Ultimately, finding a Pagan wedding officiant near you may require some research and reaching out to the community. By exploring online platforms, connecting with local Pagan communities, and contacting Pagan organizations, you can increase your chances of finding an officiant who can create a beautiful and authentic ceremony for your special day..
Reviews for "How to Incorporate Pagan Rituals and Traditions into a Non-Religious Wedding Ceremony"
1. Alice - 1 star
As someone who was in search of a wedding officiant, I was extremely disappointed with the service provided by the Pagan wedding officiant near me. First of all, the communication was terrible. It took multiple follow-ups to get a response, and even then, the answers were vague and unhelpful. Second, on the day of the wedding, the officiant was extremely unprofessional. They arrived late and seemed disheveled and unprepared. The ceremony itself was lacking in structure and coherence, and it felt like the officiant was making things up as they went along. Overall, I would not recommend this Pagan wedding officiant for anyone looking for a reliable and professional service.
2. Mark - 2 stars
While I appreciate that the Pagan wedding officiant near me is offering a unique and inclusive service, I cannot say that I was satisfied with my experience. The officiant seemed more interested in promoting their own beliefs and values rather than honoring the couple getting married. The ceremony felt more like a lecture on Paganism rather than a celebration of love. Furthermore, there were numerous technical issues, such as microphones not working and the officiant forgetting important parts of the ceremony. It was overall a disappointing and unprofessional experience.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I had high hopes for the Pagan wedding officiant near me, but unfortunately, they did not meet my expectations. The officiant seemed inexperienced and unsure of themselves, which made the whole ceremony feel awkward and uncomfortable. The lack of organization and clarity in their communication beforehand also added to the frustration. Additionally, there were cultural misappropriations during the ceremony that made me question the officiant's knowledge and respect for different pagan traditions. I would caution anyone considering using their services to thoroughly research and ask for references before making a decision.