Ordained by the Academy for Jewish Religion in 2003, I officiate Shabbat services and Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremonies as well as weddings.

The weddings ceremonies vary from Jewish and traditional to interfaith, and from formal/splashy to small and intimate. One was a Jewish/Hindu ceremony in which the groom arrived on a horse. One took place in a Catholic church and was co-led by a wonderful priest. Two brides recently married by a lake in Central Park, and a couple from Canada eloped to be wed in High Line Park. The weddings are tailored to the needs of those involved. I encourage family and friends to participate, whether through planned readings or musical contributions, artistic offerings (a handsome, quilted chuppah, a specially designed and painted ketubah) or though invitations during the ceremony- for joining in an "Amen" chorus for a final song, or, in one case, for spontaneous remarks of reminiscence and blessing in the midst of an otherwise silent prayer. This last took place in a Quaker meeting house in downtown Manhattan. Many couples write their own vows, which I often find is the most delightful aspect of the ceremony.

What is the process? Generally we will email and/or speak on the phone and then set up a meeting. I will explain my way of working, provide an outline of a typical ceremony, and gather information about you- who you are, how you met, and your hopes and wishes for your ceremony. Many couples have clear and sometimes fixed ideas along these lines. They want spiritual but not religious, religious but not exclusive of others' beliefs, lots of reference to God, no reference to God, short and sweet, long and inclusive of certain rituals, lots of music, no music, etc. Occasionally, there will be differences between partners, or concerns about how the family of one side will react to the ceremony. We will find the path of maximum peace and enjoyment for you and your guests. I am entirely dedicated to making your wedding ceremony as wonderful as you and your future spouse can imagine. After the initial meeting, I will draft a ceremony based on our discussion, which I will email to you. Typically we will email back and forth a number of times until the ceremony is exactly what you want.

Please contact me at cathylawrence@verizon.net

Or call 212 932-9404