Services:
Established:	2000
Employees:	1
Accepts:

I am a ordained minister and wedding Officiant located in Norristown, PA.

I create and perform both non-denominational and interfaith wedding ceremonies,
serving southeastern Pennsylvania, northern Delaware, southern New Jersey and northern Maryland.

I work with couples who are not affiliated with a religious institution, or do not share the same one,
to provide them a wedding ceremony both warmer and more personal than what
a Justice of the Peace might offer.

 Would you like a custom-designed ceremony that will joyously
celebrate your union,
touch your hearts,
and invigorate your loved ones?

 Your ceremony can be spiritual, light-hearted, romantic, contemporary...
it’s YOUR ceremony, and I want to make sure that you love it.

Contact me for a free consultation!

 

Brandywine Valley Weddings

I highly endorse Paul as a wedding officiate. He has an extraordinary writing talent and can help a couple craft a moving ceremony that is uniquely their own. His friendly, professional manner will set the perfect tone for your wedding. Paul will help you create the perfect ceremony resulting in memories that you will cherish for a lifetime.

Moore Music

I have never met a more accomodating officiant! Paul brings it all when he marries any couple whatever religious background or domination they are from. His website is very helpful to any Bride & Groom who is not sure of how much they want to add to their Ceremony. Paul will meet with a client at a location that is suitable for the Bride & Groom & always makes them feel comfortable & that all their needs are met with their Ceremony. I have had the pleasure to work with Paul on several occasions & all of my clients are very happy with his services.

What is the difference between a marriage ceremony, a renewal of vows ceremony, and a commitment ceremony?
These ceremonies are similar in that they all involve an affirmation of love and commitment.

A marriage ceremony is a legal proceeding, recognized by every state in the Union. To proceed with a marriage ceremony, you must
first obtain a marriage license, which gives the legal component to the ceremony. For some people there is also a religious, or spiritual,
component to a marriage ceremony, but this is completely in the control of the couple.

Vow renewal ceremonies voluntary ceremonies, with no legal component. Typically ceremonies of this type are held to commemorate a
special occasion or anniversary, as they are performed for a couple already married. They provide a wonderful vehicle for re-affirming faith,
love and fidelity between the spouses, and offer the family a chance to honor and celebrate the couple.

A commitment ceremony is the term most often used when same-gender couples wish to express their love and devotion in a public way.

Do you do non-spiritual ceremonies?
I firmly believe that you, the couple, are the bosses. If you decide to retain my services, I consider myself in your employ.
That said, if what you require is a secular - or, as I prefer to call it, a romantic - ceremony,
then I will gladly create and perform such a ceremony for you.

I am an ordained minister and completely comfortable performing a spiritual ceremony, as well.
Some couples come to me because they are from different faiths, and we can address this as needed.
Likewise, some couples express their lack of religious belief, and we can address that, too.

What I want you to remember is this: it’s YOUR ceremony, and we will together build the ceremony YOU want.

We were married in such a way that our families could not be included. Can you marry us "again"?
Of course I can, and it would be my pleasure. Some couples get married abroad, or while at sea, and would like to hold a ceremony so that
they can share their joy with their family and friends. It would be an honor to perform your ceremony!

Can we write our own vows?
Of course you can! Just be careful not to bite off more than you can chew... in my experience, reading or even memorizing your own vows can
be quite an undertaking, and you have an entire wedding to plan. Fear not -- even if you do decide to write your own vows, you may change
your mind at any time, and I will be glad to assist in any way I can. You might find it easier to sit with me to construct your vows.

Will you marry us on short notice?
So long as I have the time free, and you have obtained a valid marriage license, I can likely accommodate you.
Please write or call to confirm the date and time.

What do you wear for the ceremony?
I always dress in a very professional manner, to be respectful of both you and your guests. I will be clad in a dark suit and tie, conservatively;
I can don a minister’s stole (essentially this is a white silk scarf) if you would like, as well.
I prefer not to ’dress down’ any further, but if you have specific requirements I will, of course, be glad to discuss them with you.

Describe the day of the ceremony.
I arrive between 30-60 minutes prior to the agreed-upon start of the ceremony.
I bring with me, as needed, several items which we can discuss in greater detail later:

• a black music stand
• a white minister’s stole
• your completed Marriage License (you will receive the ’official’ state-supplied Marriage License, and the next business day I will mail
  the County Clerk their copy, which they file with the state) if I received it from you prior to your wedding day - this is not a requirement!
  Oftentimes I receive the marriage license on the day of the ceremony, and I will complete it before taking my leave after the completion
  of the ceremony.

After the ceremony, I take my leave. I do not remain for the reception. Please make sure that your caterer or venue does not include
me in your head count! I do not believe in staying for the reception, as I am an employee - not a guest. Once my work is completed, I do not believe
that you should pay for me to eat and drink (unlike other wedding professionals you have hired, such as your photographer and your DJ, who
are working throughout the reception).

Here are some creative ways to make your ceremony unique.

 

1.       Add to the Bouquet

The bride walks down the aisle with a small bouquet. During the walk, she stops sporadically as guests hand her single flowers, which she carries to the altar. The bride places all of the flowers and the bouquet in a place near the altar, which the florist takes away… during the ceremony, the florist combines all of the flowers into a larger bouquet which the bride carries back down the aisle during the recessional. This would work extremely well in conjunction with a hand-fasting ceremony, where the guests' eyes are trained on the couple during the hand-fasting, and not on the florist; in addition, the bride does not hold the bouquet during a hand-fasting ceremony.

 

 

2.       Pop-up Blessings

The couple prints out 10 short quotes and passages about love and relationships (preferably passages which are pertinent and meaningful to the couple), and passes these around to various guests before the ceremony. During the ceremony itself, at different times, guests will stand up and read the pieces aloud. One easy way to incorporate this idea is to write or print a number on each reading; the Officiant could simply call out a number at pre-determined times during the ceremony, and the guest whose reading corresponds to the number called would stand and read their passage. This works best with a large ceremony.

 

 

3.       Blessings Tree

Using the printed passages from the Pop-up Blessings, have each guest who is reading also write something on the passage they have been given. After the ceremony, have them place these passages on a tree, using hooks or hangers to secure the passages to the tree. Have many open spaces on the tree for other guests to add their own blessings and passages, via the paper and pens which you will also place next to the tree.

 

 

4.       Love Circle

Guests form a circle around the couple and express their love and support by uttering a single word -- of their choosing -- which is both personal and meaningful to the couple. This works best with a small ceremony.