Looking back and ahead
As summer draws to a close and autumn is waiting just around the corner, I find myself thinking about this season and the seasons ahead. As usual, summer seems to fly by way too quickly for anyone’s liking: students don’t want to return to school, seasonal workers aren’t ready for life to slow down significantly, and folks who prefer heat to chill have zero desire to get their sweaters out of storage. I personally feel conflicted. This summer has been lovely, full of celebrations and tough days aplenty, but I’m ready to move on. Frankly, I love fall. I love a scarf, a warm beverage, and the foliage turning! But before I get ahead of myself, I’d like to brag for a moment.
This site is dedicated to the business of weddings, but it recently occurred to me that half the weddings I’ve performed so far have been for friends. And nothing makes me feel so seen and loved as my friends asking me to officiate their weddings. These wonderful people know what I’m capable of and want me to craft their wedding ceremony and perform it in front of all their loved ones! I continue to find it baffling and humbling, and I’m so grateful. At my tenth wedding this past June, I married Sophie, my childhood best friend, to Sheranda, her sweetheart. Sophie’s mom and my mom went to high school together and have stayed close ever since. So for the first time, my immediate family were all in attendance to see me officiate a wedding! It was already the honor of a lifetime to officiate this wedding, but having my family there meant the world to me.
Looking ahead, I’ve already got three weddings on my calendar for 2025 - all of them Button Weddings at the Boylston Rooms in Easthampton, Massachusetts. I’m positively elated that my work as a personal and professional officiant has led to me to this partnership with the Boylston Rooms! I’ve also had some inquiries via my Contact page, which is unbelievably flattering. Soon, I’ll have done more weddings as a professional officiant than as a friend officiant, and that’s mind boggling. However, I hope to maintain a solid balance and marry some more friends soon!
Something else I’ve been thinking about lately is what other milestones might I help people celebrate. A few months ago, I had an illuminating conversation with a wonderful rabbi. When I told her how much I love officiating weddings, she responded, “Weddings are nice, but I actually prefer funerals.” I was immediately intrigued and asked her why. Her simple explanation was there is usually less drama involved in a funeral (fair!), but she also finds funerals to be more spiritually interesting. And I thought, “I’d officiate a funeral if someone asked me.” What about a baby naming? And while vow renewals are obviously related to weddings, I’ve never done one! So, if you’re reading this post and not getting married anytime soon, maybe there’s another event I could be a part of in your life! I hope you’ll be in touch and let me know.
I have high hopes and many fears for the next few months (if you’re a U.S. citizen, have you checked your voter registration??), and I’m thrilled to have ceremonies to write in the meantime. Perhaps I’ll write yours someday!
