Finding a wedding officiant was one of the last items I checked off our wedding to-do list, even though I knew I should have focused on it a lot sooner. I think I procrastinated in part because I myself wasn't really sure what I (we) wanted during our ceremony. My family and I are religious, but my fiance (now husband) and his family are not. I grew up attending weddings mostly in churches, officiated by pastors, some of whom *almost* seemed to preach sermons rather than present a program for a wedding. We definitely wanted a ceremony that we both would be comfortable with, and that both our families would appreciate. Fortunately, we found exactly that in Brian Lyke! Brian was recommended to us by our venue coordinator, and after looking through his website and reading the amazing reviews, we knew we had to contact him. I was a little nervous not knowing what to expect, but our email correspondence and first conversation over the phone were a wonderful experience. Brian was warm and friendly, listened carefully to our stories and ideas. He asked pertinent questions that would help frame our ceremony, and provided examples for us to look over and a collection of readings we could select from. He responded quickly and graciously to the numerous messages I sent him afterward as more questions arose. The ceremony Brian performed on our wedding day was brilliant-- he really listened and creatively incorporated elements of our stories (how we met, how we got engaged, etc) into his thoughts on marriage. He skillfully and thoughtfully highlighted what it means to be partners for life, in ways that pertained not only to us as newlyweds, but applicable also to already-married couples no matter how long or short they've been together. Brian's words were deep, but also lighthearted; serious, but also with wholesome humor that made us all laugh. My mother and several of my friends and family came up to us after the ceremony (even days afterward) just to comment on how much they truly enjoyed and appreciated Brian's words. To be honest, I don't think it's very often that friends/family comment on something like that--usually the compliments center more around the wedding dress, decorations, food, etc.--so that is even more testimony to how special, heartfelt, and memorable of an event Brian helped to create. In my & my husband's opinion, Brian gave us the perfect ceremony. We are so thankful and blessed.

We can’t say enough wonderful things about our wedding officiant, Brian, who conducted our ceremony at the Highlands Inn in Carmel on September 15, 2024. From the very first interaction, Brian was incredibly responsive and made the planning process feel effortless. He was genuinely easy to talk to, accommodating all our adjustments with grace and understanding.

On the day of the rehearsal and our wedding, Brian arrived promptly, setting a reassuring tone that helped everything run smoothly. His professionalism was evident, but what truly stood out was his heartfelt approach. He provided us with a thoughtful list of readings and customizable vow options, allowing us to craft a ceremony that felt uniquely ours.

The highlight was his profound blessing during the service, which left our guests in awe. Many approached us afterward, raving about how his words resonated deeply with them. Brian’s personal touch truly elevated our ceremony, making it a memorable experience for everyone involved. We wholeheartedly recommend Brian to any couple looking for a warm, engaging officiant who genuinely cares about making their special day unforgettable! Thank you, Brian, for being such an integral part of our celebration!

Brian managed to capture everything we had talked on the phone about and wrote the most amazing vows for our vow renewal ceremony. He picked a gorgeous spot to make it that much more special.