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About this vendor
Christopher Shelley
Owner
14 years in business
We speak English
1 team member
Illuminating Ceremonies is a wedding officiant based in New York City. I'd like to be the most accessible vendor for you to work with. For every wedding I'm lucky enough to officiate, I try to create more personal, enjoyable, funny, meaningful, and celebratory ceremonies than most guests have ever seen. It's a high bar, but I aim for it every time.
I'm a Certified Life-Cycle Celebrant. I can legalize marriages all around the country. I'm the author of Best. Ceremony. Ever (The Countryman Press/WW Norton). I'm a member of the NY chapter of the National Speakers Association. I have spoken at industry conferences, including Wedding MBA in Las Vegas, WedProCon in Cincinnati, and Midwest DJs Live in Milwaukee.
For four years in a row, I appeared on 'The Rachael Ray Show' on Valentine's Day, officiating ceremonies in front of a massive national audience. In April 2014, I appeared on Joan Rivers' reality show, Joan Knows Best, attending a memorial service for her dog Max. Not many people can say that and have it be true.
Please note: if you contact me (and I am asking this on behalf of ALL wedding vendors), please let me know where and at what time your wedding will take place. Thank you.
Pricing
$800 starting price
$1,100 average price
Availability
No availability details yet
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Continue browsing vendorsFAQ
Which of the following are included in the price of your wedding officiant services?
Ceremony Rehearsal
Does starting price include the ceremony rehearsal?
No
What is the starting price for ceremony rehearsals?
$200
What is the starting price for pre-marital counseling (per session)?
$200
What types of weddings and events do you provide services for?
Non-religious
Interfaith
Ceremony Rehearsal
Vow Renewal
Civil Union
What services do you provide?
Premarital Counseling
What religious affiliations do you serve?
Agnostic
Anglican
Baptist
Buddhist
Catholic
Hindu
Islam
Jewish
Lutheran
Methodist
Mormon
No Denomination
Pagan
Presbyterian
Quaker
Taoist
On average, how long are wedding ceremonies you officiate?
Less than 30 mins.
In which states are you licensed?
AZ
CO
DC
KY
NJ
NY
OH
What languages do you speak?
French
Still have questions?
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Reviews of Illuminating Ceremonies/Christopher Shelley
This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.
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Chris is highly praised by multiple couples for his exceptional officiating services that create personalized and heartwarming ceremonies. His detailed questionnaire and ability to weave couples' love stories into ceremonies have received high acclaim, resulting in ceremonies that are engaging, sentimental, and joyful. Guests and vendors alike have commended Chris for his professionalism, humor, and ability to make each ceremony unique and special, making him a popular choice for couples seeking a memorable and unforgettable wedding day experience.
Elina Sent on 02/21/2024
5 out of 5 rating
Amazing officiant and speaker
Chris officiated our 1/20/24 wedding. He did a fantastic job, people laughed, people cried, and everyone asked about him afterwards. He came highly recommended on just about every website we found him on, and for good reason! His process is great, he's asks the right questions and wants feedback along the way. He wanted to make sure our ceremony had the vibe we wanted. He was punctual and was flexible with the plan, making sure everyone knew what they were doing. Would highly recommend his services.
Jack Sent on 01/02/2025
5 out of 5 rating
Incredibly Personal Ceremony
We were overjoyed to have Chris as our officiant! He did a phenomenal job at creating a personalized ceremony that centered around our story while still ensuring that . We loved the result and received multiple compliments about the ceremony from our friends and family.
My wife and I enjoyed the process of working with Chris almost as much as the result. If you are looking for a ceremony that tells your love story, has the right amount of levity, but also has the professionalism and structure behind the scenes to make it seem "effortless" then he's perfect. We are among the last of our friends to get married, but would recommend him to anyone looking for an officiant!
Thanks Chris!
Jack
My wife and I enjoyed the process of working with Chris almost as much as the result. If you are looking for a ceremony that tells your love story, has the right amount of levity, but also has the professionalism and structure behind the scenes to make it seem "effortless" then he's perfect. We are among the last of our friends to get married, but would recommend him to anyone looking for an officiant!
Thanks Chris!
Jack
Jc Calingo Sent on 11/27/2024
5 out of 5 rating
Unforgettable Officiant: Chris Made Our Wedding Perfect!
We had the absolute pleasure of having Chris as our wedding officiant, and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience. From the moment we started preparing, he was professional, thoughtful, and incredibly easy to work with. On the big day, Chris truly stole the show with his humor and storytelling—our guests, including my family, couldn’t stop raving about how engaging and heartfelt he was. He made our ceremony feel unique and special, and his delivery was flawless. Chris absolutely crushed it, and we’re so grateful for the role he played in making our day unforgettable!
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Awards
Are you interested?
Real Weddings
Betsy & Mike
88 photos · 09/15/2017
Team
Christopher Shelley
Owner
Professional Network & Endorsements
Christopher is an excellent officiant! He brings his charming, joyful personality to his work and it's evident he gives 100% to every client. There is no such thing as a boring or dry wedding when Christopher is the Officiant!
Christopher is a suburb choice as an officiant for your wedding. I guarantee that you will have a unique and fun wedding ceremony with his creative and lively touch.
Christopher really is illuminating! He is by far the funniest person I know and there won't be a face in the crowd without a smile on their face when Chris performs a ceremony. He is charming, polite and the best listener I know. He will deliver a ceremony that would surely put a smile on even "Aunty Betty that disapproves of this union" face.... Highly recommend.
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