Who do you want to assist you with your wedding vows? Your childhood priest? A public official? A special family member? Some couples know exactly who their officiant will be before any other choices are made, while others do not. If finding that perfect third party for your ceremonial moment of joining is on your wedding planning to-do list, be ready to enjoy the process and meet some very special people.
THE FINE ART OF PRESIDING
OVER A WEDDING CEREMONY
HAS COME A LONG WAY.
A great officiant will help craft a ceremony that speaks deep heartfelt volumes about your individual union. Celebrating your rite of marriage is a unique honor, and the Hudson Valley has a variety of spiritually and socially adept souls who understand that and will devote their talents to making that crucial few minutes a memory that will thrill your souls for a lifetime..
AMONG THE MANY OPTIONS: Elopement packages for the perfect compromise between a massive wedding and skipping town at 3am. Chinese menus of ceremonial options:butterflies, unity candles, flowers, wine, knotted cords, handfastings, and more. Custom ceremonies with roles for parents or children. Writing your own vows or ceremony. Having an officiant write your vows or ceremony especially for you after one or more personal interviews. Ceremonies incorporating elements of more than one spiritual or cultural tradition.
BEGIN INTERVIEWING EARLY Great officiants are joyfully busy in wedding season. Don’t be shy about making sure the three of you click; a great officiant wouldn’t have it any other way. Dream and plan together for the perfect, blissful blend of symbols, ceremony, and spoken words. If there was ever a day worth seizing, it’s this one.
PETER SONNENBERG
Hudson Valley/NYC, 914-522-9118 Peter is a non-denominational/interfaith officiant providing customized wedding ceremonies that reflect the couple’s personalities, beliefs, and passions. His specialty is combining cultural and/or faith traditions, as well as incorporating unique and distinctive ritual elements to create a personalized and meaningful ceremony. As a spiritual director of a Westchester Holistic Healing Center, Peter has been in the field of the healing arts for over 25 years.
ROOTS & WINGS/Puja Thomson
New Paltz, 845-255-2278, rootsnwings.comIn the spirit of your tradition or beliefs, Reverend Puja Thomson will help you create a heartfelt ceremony that uniquely reflects a special commitment or marks an important occasion in your life. Puja welcomes inquiries from couples blending different spiritual, religious, or ethnic, as well as those with a common heritage. Declare your love and make vows in the presence of the Divine, your family, and friends. Ask for blessings on your marriage and celebrate your joy.
REVEREND DIANE EPSTEIN
Kingston, 914-466-0090,
hudsonvalleyinterfaithminister.com As an interfaith minister, Reverend Diana Epstein welcomes, respects, and embraces all paths—from the traditional to the unconventional, the secular to the spiritual. It’s her great pleasure to help you customize a ceremony to fit your unique needs, creating a personal, heartfelt wedding..
REVEREND JUDE SMITH
Rhinebeck, 845-337-6996,
hudsonvalleyweddings.org Reverend Jude is a contemporary non-denominational wedding officiant who enjoys working with people of all faiths, preferences, and spiritual paths, especially those who consider themselves spiritual but not religious. She believes that our hearts choose our partners and celebrates marriage equality for all. Reverend Jude offers warm and distinctive handcrafted ceremonies ranging from secular to spiritual. She brings friendliness, joy, and a sense of calm to her work, as she skillfully leads you and your guests into an experience of love
