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Weddings

About

Unique Weddings for Unique People

Marriage is about the people getting married: the couple, and the commitment they are making in front of their friends and family.

Nothing Matters More than the Couple

My role is to serve you, and ensure you have the most magical day. That's why I speak with all the couples I work with before the wedding, to learn about them, their relationship, and what they want from their wedding ceremony. That's why I create bespoke, personal ceremonies which honor the lives and experiences of the unique individuals I have the privilege of marrying. And that's why I work outside any traditional religion - so I can focus on you and what you want.

Bespoke Ceremonies - Just For You

I have performed wedding ceremonies which are intimate, funny, even goofy, and ceremonies which are grand, formal, and impressive. I've conducted traditional ceremonies, and ones which break the mold. I have worked with large weddings and tiny ones - even a secret wedding with only the two grooms, a photographer, and me! I'm here to work with you, so you experience the ceremony you desire and deserve.

Life-Cycle Ceremonies

I also provide other life-cycle services, such as baby naming ceremonies, vow renewals, and memorials. In each, my philosophy is the same: focus on the people involved, who they are, and what they need to create a unique, unforgettable experience.

Ethical Society of St. Louis

I serve the Ethical Society of St. Louis, a Humanist congregation: you can inquire about the use of our magnificent architectural landmark building for your ceremony.

LGBTQ Couples Warmly Welcomed!

As a Humanist (and gay man myself) I am proud to offer services to the LGBTQ community. Given the recent Supreme Court decision, I'm celebrating marriage equality with every wedding I perform! Love wins!

Call Now!

Call me on 617.543.8769 and we can discuss creating your perfect ceremony. I can't wait to hear from you!

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Frequently asked questions

Does starting price include the ceremony rehearsal?

No

What is the starting price for ceremony rehearsals?

$100

What is the starting price for pre-marital counseling (per session)?

$50

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
No Denomination
Unitarian

On average, how long are wedding ceremonies you officiate?

Less than 30 mins.
30-60 mins.

In which states are you licensed?

MA
MO

What languages do you speak?

English

Reviews of James Croft - Humanist Officiant

R
Reena Sent on 06/12/2017
5 out of 5 rating
James was an absolute delight to work with during our wedding planning. His experience, flexibility, understanding, and professionalism allowed us to create a ceremony that was uniquely our own. In the hustle and bustle of everything that goes into planning a wedding, it's reassuring to have someone as qualified as James on your team.
J
John Sent on 06/03/2017
5 out of 5 rating
Thank you for the beautiful ceremony. Several of our guests commented on it. Words we heard were "funny," "poignant," "sweet," "touching," and "respectful." The one word everyone said was "personal," and how you captured and expressed our relationship. Kevin Adams-Bohnenstiehl and I agree. It was a simple, elegant, and moving ceremony. Thank you for all your effort creating it for us. Thank you for celebrating with us (guests also commented on your mad dance moves). And thank you for flying over just to do our ceremony (that's what my family thinks, go with it). Love you and appreciate you, friend.
K
Ken (. Sent on 07/21/2015
5 out of 5 rating
We know when you see ratings of all 5’s, you think that just can't be. Wouldn't it have been wiser just to rate one of the categories 4.5, that way it looks more legit. But we’re here to tell you James Croft earned every bit of the 5”s he received from us.

When James asked if we would be willing to write a review for WeddingWire, we were delighted to do so. We found him to be engaging, interesting (and interested in us, and attended to our specific wishes/desires) and, a thoughtful companion with whom to work out our wedding vows and our wedding ceremony. He was easy for us to work with, and quick to understand the laughter and love we wanted our ceremony to reflect.

After our initial meeting by telephone, we went to the Ethical Society of St. Louis website to listen to several of his podcast—we were philosophically matched! In our meetings leading up to and planning our event, all the while becoming more acquainted, we found his humor and kindness a comfort to us—especially since we had waited 23 years for this event to happen we were not content to have just any officiant, and a cookie-cutter ceremony; he embedded our stories into a ceremony that was a reflection of the intersection of love, liberation, and life for us. We couldn’t have asked for a more present and mindful officiant. Thank you, dear James.


Ken and Jerry



M
M&C Sent on 04/18/2015
5 out of 5 rating
James was a fabulous officiant at our wedding. Well before the date, he sat down with us and interviewed us together and then each of us separately. He wove the information we provided into his remarks and made them very personal and special. He worked together with us to create the content of the ceremony, and he had a variety of sample options for both the ceremony overall and for specific elements like vows (although he was also totally cool with the fact that we wanted to write our own vows). He was organized and thorough, but beyond that, incredibly warm and fun. He was a genuine delight to be around (and not just because of his charming British accent). If you're looking for someone to liven up your dance floor later, invite him to the reception!
A
Anna Sent on 12/19/2019
4.8 out of 5 rating

Absolutely the perfect fit

James made our wedding ceremony so personalized and touching. We both got teary-eyed just reading his draft he sent over. Our main request was that we wanted the ceremony to feel like us. We wanted a secular ceremony with no mention of religion or those weird common wedding quips along the lines of "one you get married and you start fighting and everything sucks, remember that marriage is important, etc." James listened closely to our requests and our relationship, and crafted the most beautiful ceremony. Countless guests gave us compliments on how very "us" the ceremony was, and how it reflected our love and passion. I am delighted to have worked with James and would recommend him to anyone looking for a personalized, detailed, and loving ceremony!
Deaven
Deaven Sent on 06/09/2017
4.8 out of 5 rating
James was unbelievably fantastic! We had a Doctor Who themed wedding and he wrote the most powerful ceremony to go along with it. Not only did it capture us as a couple, but it showed the guests a great balance of humor (which we love) and heartfelt moments.
I would 100% suggest James Croft to everyone.
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