Awesome 2020 I’m so glad to see that wedding ceremony trends are taking on a more original nature AND meaning — that the setting, sentiments and elements are not just an ordeal to get through in order to get to the party. I attribute that in large part to the flexibility officiants and wedding professionals encourage these days. And the way free thinking is encouraged these days. A trend we hope will last! Stepping out of the stuffy nature of a wedding sermon is high on my list of preferences. Being unstuffy and unboring is freeing. To not be restricted… Read More »

First off, officiants don’t bite. When you look for one of us to lead your ceremony you may feel intimidated. There’s no need for this however. None of us wish you any harm. Ever. Even though you can never truly tell what someone is like if you don’t know them, on the whole we are kind and caring people. Kudos to you for biting the bullet to find the right officiant for your ceremony!  Our mutual attraction If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t get to be creative or ever enjoy being around someone like you. And you wouldn’t be… Read More »

Too many years ago, the way I wanted to own my moment on my wedding day, was to wear jeans and no veil. And my bridesmaids would be dressed in the colors of a political movement I supported. But that was again, way back when. FYI- My folks would have nothing of that plan (they’d have paid the bill) so not only did that design fail, but my boyfriend and I decided NOT to get married period. We’d keep living together. Which, BTW was a much bigger deal back then, than “cohabitating” is today.  Own Your Moment — What excites… Read More »

Powerful, Self-Image Changes to Make This Winter For me, one of the best times of the year is early spring, when plants and animals shake off the cold winter and bring back life to our environment. What a great metaphor for all of us. It’s the time I get to start putting words together to form a ceremony as weddings begin to take place after a winter of meeting, planning, and interviewing morphs into the day of… But I’m also fond of the fall, when the leaves are changing. When all life is prepared to tuck in and wait out… Read More »

The Things I’m Thankful for as a Wedding Officiant Life has an interesting way of reminding us to appreciate those things that we sometimes take for granted. Many years ago, when I first started on this career, I didn’t have money to make my new mortgage payment. I barely had food for myself or my two dogs in my refrigerator. I was too proud to ask my friends or family for help. I’d just left my church in Atlanta, GA. I foolishly  athought everyone was going to follow me into my new endeavors. They did not. Here it comes, the… Read More »

Be Grateful for decisions  Even the ones that challenge your sanity! It’s November. Which is National Gratitude Month in the United States. And a perfect time to share a few thoughts about the power of gratitude. Specifically, how a grateful heart can help you continue to effectively plan your wedding day, despite the holiday pressures and keep moving forward towards your amazing special day. Let’s talk about why gratitude is such a life-changing emotion. An article from Psychology Today said:  For starters, gratitude improves your physical health. When you’re grateful that you’ve got so many awesome options to choose from, instead… Read More »

Break from perfection  I’ve seen it happen too many times:  Brides and Grooms want everything to be perfect. Then —  they get picky with each other. Demanding or even withdrawn from friends and family.  They may suffer from DIOMO (Do It on My Own) Loose sleep and precious time together that they’ll never get back.  Truthfully, the only thing I know of to avoid wedding planning tension and the stressful disconnect from loving each other is to elope and have a little wedding. But even an elopement must be thought through. Wedding blues Oh man, I love weddings, big, small… Read More »

Hear the power of a compliment I love to hear this:  “After our ceremony was over, multiple people commented on what a wonderful job [Rev Crystal] did. ” Or “Reverend Crystal was incredible! Everyone in our wedding party commented on how she did an amazing job.” And dare I toot my horn just a bit more: “I had so many people come up to me and my husband complimenting us on how beautiful our ceremony was, and how it spoke to who we are. From the devote Catholic guests to the not so religious, everyone enjoyed our ceremony.”   Happy as… Read More »