Rabbi Steve Nathan is a wedding officiant based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and performs weddings in the Lehigh Valley, the Poconos, Northeastern PA, the Philadelphia area, and surrounding states. Rabbi Nathan believes weddings are a joyous, celebratory, and meaningful time for every couple he unites in marriage, and he cherishes the ability he has to make weddings a holy occasion. He works with Jewish, interfaith, humanistic, and spiritual/nonreligious couples. People in love from all walks of life and all backgrounds are welcome.

As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, he performs ceremonies for couples of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Rabbi Nathan takes the time to get to know both the individuals, as well as the couple, that are entering into a lifelong partnership. He caters and tailors each ceremony to the specific needs, wants, and personalities of the people he is working with to ensure every ceremony truly reflects their special bond and love story.

Premarital counseling allows Rabbi Nathan to get to know you and your future spouse in a way that will also help guide you down the pathway to your wedding day and a successful marriage. He infuses every ceremony with characteristic spirituality, music, joy, and even some humor - after all, your wedding is a celebration, not a somber occasion.

Preparation Time Needed to create a wedding ceremony (PLEASE READ before contacting Rabbi Nathan)

Rabbi Nathan generally needs 6-9 months to plan a wedding so he requires starting no later than 6 months ahead of time. However, he will make exceptions to this if there are extenuating circumstances (i.e., another officiant canceled unexpectedly or there was a specific reason the couple needs to have a wedding in the near future).

Services Offered

Rabbi Steve Nathan works with couples to choose the format of their service, including music, English readings, blessings and prayers, the ketubah/Jewish wedding contract, and/or adaptation of it for interfaith or less traditional ceremonies. He performs Jewish, interfaith, and non-denominational ceremonies, along with civil unions and vow renewals for couples looking to reaffirm their commitment to one another.

Wedding Locations

Though Rabbi Nathan is located in Bethlehem, PA, he is able to travel to perform weddings. There would be travel reimbursement based on travel time and mileage. If the location is more than 3 hours away overnight lodging might also be required. This would all be determined and agreed upon at the beginning of the planning process.

In terms of ceremony rehearsals, if efficiency is necessary for these, generally, they would be held earlier on the day of the ceremony. However, in most cases, the person who is best equipped to rehearse the logistics of the ceremony is the wedding planner. But if the officiant is also needed, this can be arranged in advance.

Rabbi Nathan even makes his own challah for weddings and other occasions for a small additional fee.

What You'll Love About Rabbi Steve Nathan

This officiant will go above and beyond to create a personalized experience for you and your loved ones. Read over his reviews to see how couples have enjoyed working with them.