When my fiancé and I were trying to find the perfect nondenominational/interfaith officiant for our Autumnal Bacchanal wedding ceremony in New Hope, PA at Holly Hedge Estate, at first we were at a loss. I found Reverend Brian on The Knot and lo...ved his enthusiasm for and vast knowledge of global spirituality of all kinds that seemed to encompass so many faiths and traditions, old and new.
We wanted to make sure that our ceremony tied in earth elements, nature themes and subtle pre-Christian themes while highlighting personal elements about our relationship and making sure that all of the major religions were acknowledged in a way that felt inclusive and full of love.
Reverend Brian walked us through his process and ways of working and we set up several Skype calls as we lived in Manhattan at the time before the wedding with grueling schedules and weren’t able to make It to PA. He gave us online surveys to conduct individually to help us prepare for marriage, enrich our connection and understanding of ourselves and our relationship and to provide some premarital counseling. We found this process to be insightful and helpful to opening up lines of communication and reflection. It reinforced our strengths and it was a fun and positive experience that I would recommend for any couple!
He then held several meetings with us both over Skype and in person to make sure that all of the wording was to our liking, go over readings and offer ideas and, rituals and content when we were unsure of what should be included. We decided to do a handfasting ritual and he did a great job of explaining the reason and history behind It. About a week prior to the wedding he sent us both individual questionnaires to help him to weave ‘our story’ for the ceremony which was meant to be a surprise for each of us on the day of the wedding. We sent them back and tweaked our vows with him while he helped us to keep them a surprise to the other person but made sure they followed a similar personal, affectionate tone without one seeming too different from the other.
On the day of the wedding he arrived early to meet with everyone, go over the plan and explain a few things. His ceremony was so perfectly on point for what we were hoping for. He was a storyteller, a source of knowledge, a leader, a consecrator of the space and so much more... the whole ceremony was quite entertaining with a lot of personality! The nature theme was woven throughout the whole ceremony without crossing any lines to seem odd to people of various faiths. The personal stories had the whole room laughing at how perfectly we were characterized and we giggled to hear our own first impressions of each other told in this light. He kept a copy of our vows so that we could read them unaided and handled every element of the ceremony as a true and delightful professional.
I must have been told a hundred times afterwards that It was the best, most personal and beautiful ceremony that anyone had ever witnessed! We were over the moon ecstatic by how It all came together under the knowledgeable and charismatic leadership of Reverend Brian! Thank you thank you thank you Reverend Brian!!!! We will forever be grateful to you for how special you made our wedding day!