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Marriage License & Certificate
Officiant
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About this vendor

Gerald Fierst
Gerald Fierst
Owner

No business details yet

23 years in business

We speak English

1 team member

The Heart of the Wedding is a wedding officiant service run by Gerald Fierst, an acclaimed officiant based in Montclair, New Jersey. With a background in theater and storytelling, Gerald infuses the ceremony with the couple's personalities, making the exchange of vows a truly unforgettable experience. His book, "The Heart of the Wedding," is celebrated for its insight into creating meaningful, modern wedding ceremonies.

Services Offered

Offering personalized wedding ceremonies across cultures and traditions, Gerald has officiated Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, South Asian, Chinese, LGBTQ+, and civil ceremonies. He is a Civil Celebrant and Interfaith Minister who prides himself on honoring each couple's vision, crafting ceremonies that reflect their love, traditions, and dreams for the future. He also specializes in elopements and destination weddings, creating unforgettable celebrations backdropped by everything from the Statue of Liberty to the Empire State Building.

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Pricing

$350 starting price
$850
Average price

Availability

No availability details yet

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FAQ

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?

$151

What types of weddings and events do you provide services for?

Non-religious
Interfaith
Ceremony Rehearsal
Vow Renewal
Civil Union

What religious affiliations do you serve?

Agnostic
Buddhist
Hindu
Islam
Jewish
No Denomination
Taoist

On average, how long are wedding ceremonies you officiate?

Less than 30 mins.

In which states are you licensed?

CT
DC
MA
NJ
NY
PA
WA

What languages do you speak?

English

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Wedding couple

Reviews of The Heart of the Wedding

This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

Review summary

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Gerald, highly recommended by numerous reviewers, is praised for his attentive, warm, and personalized approach as an officiant for weddings. Guests and couples highlight his ability to create unique, engaging, and heartwarming ceremonies that reflect the couple's personalities and wishes. Gerald's professionalism, storytelling skills, and dedication to making each ceremony memorable and special have left lasting impressions, with attendees describing his ceremonies as the best they have experienced. His ability to blend traditions, humor, and love stories into a cohesive and engaging ceremony receives high praise, making him a top choice for creating unforgettable wedding experiences.

Review summary

Powered by AI
This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

Gerald, highly recommended by numerous reviewers, is praised for his attentive, warm, and personalized approach as an officiant for weddings. Guests and couples highlight his ability to create unique, engaging, and heartwarming ceremonies that reflect the couple's personalities and wishes. Gerald's professionalism, storytelling skills, and dedication to making each ceremony memorable and special have left lasting impressions, with attendees describing his ceremonies as the best they have experienced. His ability to blend traditions, humor, and love stories into a cohesive and engaging ceremony receives high praise, making him a top choice for creating unforgettable wedding experiences.

K
Kristina Sent on 03/17/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Our ceremony was so magical and special

Gerald was recommended to us by some close friends as a storyteller and officient for our wedding. We really wanted a personalized, meaningful ceremony, and Gerald took the time to get to know us and put together such a wonderful ceremony. Somehow he was able to artfully orchestrate a ceremony that included my husband's love of Yoda and my love of ee cummings while still including the traditional ceremony components. My husband and I were a little nervous at the ceremony and were worried about flubbing our words, and Gerald was just so warm and kind and kept us on track. So many of our wedding guests said that it was the best ceremony they had ever been to, and my husband and I agree. We would highly recommend Gerald.
Namma
Namma Sent on 01/19/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Wonderful experience with Gerry!

We are so grateful that Gerry officiated our wedding in Montclair, NJ. He wrote a beautiful speech and braved 30 degree weather in a suit to deliver an incredible experience for us. He was kind, warm, incredibly responsive, and helpful for us. We couldn't recommend him more!
Cecily
Cecily Sent on 10/29/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Gerald is the Best !


We couldn’t have asked for a better officiant than Gerald. From the very start, he was responsive, organized, and ensured every detail was handled with care. On our wedding day, he arrived on time and brought such warmth and charisma that our guests were completely charmed. Gerald is a natural storyteller, weaving our love story together in a way that was both moving and memorable. Our ceremony felt incredibly personal and special, thanks to his dedication and thoughtfulness. We highly recommend Gerald for any couple looking for an officiant who genuinely cares and creates an unforgettable experience.
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Awards

147
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2025 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2022 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2021 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2020 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2019 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2018 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2017 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2016 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2015 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2014 Winner
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Team

Gerald Fierst
Gerald Fierst
Owner

Professional Network & Endorsements

Bridal Music Bridal Music Wedding Musicians

Dear Brides to Be, Our Flute and Violin Wedding Duo had the honor of working with Gerald of "The Heart of the Wedding" at a stunning Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, taking place at The Molly Pitcher Inn, Red Bank, NJ. Gerald's presentation is elegantly polished and outstandingly professional. He expertly, and magically, kept a very nervous Bride and Groom, calm and collected, throughout their Ceremony! Bravo, Gerald! Sincerely, Flutist/Artistic Director Michele, Bridal Music

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