Your Amazing Relationship Blogs

 Ask your friend whose wedding day has come and gone, “What do you remember from your special day?” According to Reverend Clint Huff of the Wedding Ceremony Podcast a majority of brides will answer, “I don’t know. It was all kind of a blur.” It’s true, many people will want both of you and your new spouse’s attention. Congratulations will continue all evening long. Glasses get clanged in order to encourage you to stop eating, drinking or talking. And kiss. Your guests will share stories of their own wedding day. Then there’s the shared memories of being in school or… Read More »

Creating a Spiritual Relationship When I first came across Paul Ferrini it was through a congregant who specialized in couple’s counseling and women’s issues. She assured me Ferrini’s reference to spiritual laws did NOT mean religious / theological expectations. There’s a distinction between the two. I’m pretty sure I went through the differences between spiritual and religious when we met to plan your ceremony. I can’t expect you to have hung on every word I said, so here it is again: There’s an unseen, non-judgmental, unconditionally loving energy that is the glue of the Universe. It is the essence of… Read More »

Rather Listen to this blog post?    I was stunned. Blinded by love Four months earlier I’d officiated for a really awesome, gentle and (here’s a somewhat old-fashioned word) lovely couple. They were all aglow on their wedding day, rosy-cheeked and grinning. They looked elegant and certain.  A few days ago an email from the groom laid out that after 2 months of marriage these two got into one hell of an argument. Nastiness ensued. Immediately she pulled away, and reportedly, didn’t want to go for counseling. I don’t know how the request for help was presented (I only know… Read More »

How many of us do you believe DON’T get nervous standing in front of people? Professional speakers? Teachers?  Can you repeat after me: “I shall not place anyone on a pedestal.” Being in the public eye Many couples tell me they’re really nervous about their wedding because they intensely dislike being in the public eye. So okay. I get that. I’m so used standing in front of people to make a presentation that I AM used to it. But the “IT” is being nervous. It’s not that it doesn’t happen, but I’ve learned to manage the nervousness.  I appreciate you… Read More »

Exploring Venues After “Yes, I’ll marry you,” is spoken, a list of to do’s begins to pile up in your head. One of the first is choosing a site to hold your ceremony, and often, hold your reception afterwards. You are on your way to exploring venues.  From vineyards to barns, beaches to forests, art galleries to VFW halls, the area I live in is abundant with beautiful venues and wedding sites. Being an Officiant in Northern Michigan means I’m always surrounded by great beauty.  A First Time Site Every year I get to go to another location I’ve never… Read More »

What’s the Difference Between Officiants? If you’re answering the question, “What’s the difference between officiants?” it starts with the range of beliefs and values that varies from officiant to officiant. Each of us do what we do for our own reasons. There’s those who were asked to lead a friend or family member’s wedding and said, however reluctantly or excitedly, “Yes!” (If that’s up your alley, see my program for new officiants). How Some of Us Came to the Profession Some of us came into marrying people because of church affiliation and it was part of our job. Others are… Read More »

Are you looking for a professional Officiant? Or do you have a Friendiant?  Here are some minuses — and pluses of the latter! First of all, let me cut to the chase. Don’t make this event — your wedding ceremony — TOO CASUAL. As a culture, a society, we’re definitely moving into a time of challenging norms and reinventing roles. But there are some norms that deserve preserving (wow a rhyme!) One of them is the brevity (and yes, of course, the joy) of the event. By the way, a Friendiant is a friend or family member who’s been asked… Read More »