Weddings:

I have officiated at many weddings, and I strongly believe that you – the couple – know what you want by way of a ceremony. I want to meet with you to hear what you are considering. I usually begin by inviting you to talk about weddings you have attended and to name what you liked and what you didn’t like. This usually begins to help you move toward deciding what you want in your ceremony. My role is to assist you both in saying what you want and in creating the ceremony that fits with your hopes and desires. In my experiences, these meetings begin to crystallize what you want. I am open to the music, readings and rituals you want. I am also open to the place you choose, whether it be a church, outdoors, a home or a hall. I believe the wedding is your special day, and I am along to help you make this day be a very special one.

Funerals:

The death of a significant person in your life is often a very important moment for family members and friends. We look to create a ceremony which honors the person as well as gives people a chance to grieve and say farewell. I have found it very important to spend time with family and friends, listening to the stories of the person’s life. From there, I work with family and friends to create a memorial service which gives expression to the person’s life as well as the feelings of family and friends. I am willing to go the gravesite for the interment ritual.

Weddings: Your wedding is an experience that you will cherish, remember and treasure the rest of your life. I have had the privilege to learn and perform ceremonies from many different cultures. I have been a spiritual counselor and officiant for over 17 years and I love my job. The joining of couples and witnessing of a loving commitment is a blessing for them, their families and communities. It is my privilege to be a part of such a joyful time. Whether you wish a simple, meaningful ceremony or you wish to tailor a deep felt personal commitment ceremony, I will help and guide you in creating the perfect wedding for your needs.

This is a day of dreams for you and I would be honored to help and prepare a ceremony that captures the essence of your dream. Whether you want a church ceremony, a spiritual ceremony indoors or out or a simple wedding declaration, I would be happy to help guide and perform the your ceremony for you. Whether it is traditional or tailored to your design, I can help with designing just the right wedding for you. I have had the privilege to perform hundreds of weddings and have often then gone on to bless the couples new born children in their baby blessing ceremonies. Truly, I have the best job there is.

Baptism or Christenings & baby blessing ceremonies: There are many different christening ceremonies but they all honor the child as a powerful being of love. It is a time to affirm the things that you want for your child. This is a ceremony that we can create together to pass on from parents, family and community the hopes, dreams and commitments to your child. I have practiced many traditional and unique ceremonies to bless children and would help create a ceremony that fits with your traditions and beliefs.

Funerals or Memorials: In this tender time of one’s life I can create a ceremony that expresses respect, dignity and gratitude for your loved one. A final blessing, favorite memories, music or prayers can be included in this important ceremony. I also go to the grave site for an internment ceremony.

As an ordained, licensed, interfaith Minister I celebrate all walks of life and perform many types of ceremonies including traditional, non-traditional, civil wedding ceremonies, and more.

Once we’ve decided to work together, we’ll create a personalized ceremony. You may wish to write your own vows and design your own ceremony, or you may prefer my guidance, suggestions, and feedback. Either way, it is important that your ceremony reflects your personal preferences, your spiritual values, and your heart-felt sentiments, and is perfect for you.

My desire to become a wedding officiant was inspired by my own romanticism! One of the first films ever shown at my Jr. High School was Romeo and Juliet. In the auditorium theatre, of all the kids in my class, I ended up sitting next to the one boy I had the biggest crush on, ever. I could hardly breathe through the whole movie! The many tales of romance since, whether of family or friends, in books or movies, or of couples I’ve married, have touched me and delighted me. Each couple I meet has a unique tale of romance and I am continuously inspired by the love they have for one another!

I hope to meet you soon, and if you choose, I’d like to help you celebrate your lasting love story!

In 2000 I married my best friend, Jiten. We had a very eclectic Indian and American celebration. I really wanted to emphasize the beauty of both our cultures. We had a friend playing Sitar, readings from both the Bible and Hindu scriptures, Indian and American foods. Our wedding was truly a reflection of who we are and the beginning of our adventure together. I want to help you create a meaningful, reflective wedding that you will always remember and your guests will never forget. I can help you with…

• First time weddings both formal and informal
• Second and blended families (I have many ideas for incorporating children in ceremonies and rituals that help blended families start our their lives together)
• Intercultural/inter-religious ceremonies (lets think of some beautiful ways of blending both cultures and religions in the ceremony)

I am a nondenominational & interfaith minister who is licensed through the Univeral Life church. I graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in 1987 as a Speech/Communications major and then in 2001 from Bethel Seminary with a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. I currently have a private practice in Woodbury, MN where I specialize in premarital counseling. Premarital counseling classes are available (but not mandatory) if you desire a brief time of focusing on the marriage .

My sincere goal is to be an advocate of love and an active participant in a joy filled ceremony that reflects the values and demonstrates the love and commitment a couple has for each other; without any bias or judgment regarding the circumstances that brought them together.

I approach weddings with a sense of fun and excitement with the emphasis on love being something truly worth celebrating!
I feel so fortunate to have found the love of my life, in my wife Nancy, and I wish this, same, joy could be experienced by everyone.

My other passions include photography, scuba diving, meditation and travel. It would be an honor to join you in your wedding celebration!

I see each ceremony as a beautiful reflection of the couple’s wishes and desires and of their own special connection. I feel privileged to participate in bringing people together in ways that highlight not only the legal, but also the spiritual commitment they are making to each other.

Contributing positive energy and warmth, a sense of humor and laughter, excitement and enthusiasm to such a special day is always my intention and goal. Inspirational and creative ceremonies will affect not only the couple, but the extended family, and the guests as well.

I officiate at all types of ceremonies – traditional or contemporary, spiritual or secular, legal or symbolic – for couples desiring to make an initial commitment or renewal of vows to each other.

As a non-denominational interfaith minister, I honor all religions and beliefs with an open and welcoming spirituality. Your ceremony can be exactly as you envision it. I will assist you in creating a ceremony that’s simple or sublime, lighthearted and casual, or traditional and reverent.

I understand some couples want help with suggested readings and vows, while other couples wish to write their own vows. Either way, I can offer as much or as little assistance as you desire, resulting in a ceremony that’s personal, beautiful and memorable. What’s important is that your ceremony reflects the unique spirit of your relationship, and the declaration of your Love.

Please feel free to contact me if you’d like more information, or to see if I am the right person to officiate your ceremony. I look forward to hearing from you and would be honored to be a part of your special day.

Wedding Videos with Jill

Wedding Videos with Allan

It is an honor to be present with the love that two people have for each other, and to be asked to hold that love, protect it, and to witness, welcome and celebrate it. It is a joy to work with two people who love each other to help design and participate in a day together, based on their wishes, that can be a deeply meaningful peak life experience.

I’ve pursued lifetime interests in sociology, psychology, spirituality and emotional health. I’m a writer, poet, musician and national award-winning documentary filmmaker, with background in theater and personal growth work. I’ve worked with individuals and groups of all ages and with diverse backgrounds. I admit I’m a softie. I’m deeply in love with my wife, and two lovely and fierce adult daughters.

I hope you will experience a day you will remember with fondness and warmth for the rest of your lives. I want you to have a wedding or commitment ceremony, based on your wishes, that is beautiful and meaningful. And, that happens with ease, grace, tenderness of heart, enthusiasm and joy.

In addition, I want the young to be welcomed into the world with tender feeling and anticipation of their gifts, and with their major life milestones celebrated. And, I want the lives and legacies of those who have transitioned from this life to be acknowledged and celebrated. It’s an honor to serve people with open hearts at moments of major life transition. I’m licensed as a wedding officiant in Minnesota, registered as a Universal Life Minister, and I’m involving myself in this work because of my own enthusiasm and the urging of family and friends

I have the best job in the world. I am a wedding officiant and am honored and humbled to be able to work with brides and grooms ushering them over the threshold to become husband and wife.

Your wedding can be small or large, indoors or outdoors, religious or non-religious; the important thing is that it is your wedding and should reflect the love you have for each other.

As your wedding officiant, my job is to listen to your hearts and help you design a ceremony that really fits your personalities, your values, your dreams and your expectations.

I have authored a book, “Your Complete Wedding Ceremony e-book,” which you will receive and will help us create a ceremony unique to you. The love and friendship you both share is and will be the heart of your relationship and marriage. My goal is to celebrate this love and friendship and make your wedding a wedding celebration.

At your wedding you may be nervous, you may be emotional or you may be totally relaxed. Know, I will be there with you, with years of experience to guide and support you.

I am a licensed, ordained, non-denominational /inter-faith minister in the State of Minnesota. In addition to officiating weddings in Minnesota, I have participated in ceremonies in Wisconsin and Colorado.

The types of weddings I facilitate are:

• First weddings
• Second marriages ceremonies
• Multi-cultural ceremonies
• Same sex weddings
• Inter-denominational weddings
• Secular ceremonies
• Symbolic rituals
• Small or large gatherings
• Formal to informal weddings
• Renewal ceremonies/anniversaries
• Same day weddings or last minute weddings
• Surprise weddings

Member: National Campus Ministry Association
Notes:

• Finalist (one of three) for MN Bride’s Officiant of the Year
• Winner Wedding Wire’s Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2012
• Member National Campus Ministry Association

Wedding Videos with Jim