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Monterey Ceremonies by Zia Reviews

Monterey Ceremonies by Zia

Monterey Ceremonies by Zia

Carmel Valley, CA
5.0 out of 5 rating, 232 Reviews
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Reviews

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WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2024 Winner
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232 Reviews
100% recommend it
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    Sasha S. Sent on 11/20/2023
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    Exceptional.

    When my now Wife and I were looking for an officiant we had a couple things that were important to us. 1 - being inclusive. 2 - understanding we are not traditional.

    And then we met Zia.

    We knew immediately we were safe in her hands and our ceremony was important. Zia worked with us in all capacities to ensure our ceremony was exactly how we wanted. Add more, take out sections, whichever.

    The day of our ceremony you could feel the radiant energy that Zia is. She brought so much joy and love.

    I could not recommend anyone better. You will forever love your choice having Zia officiate your ceremony.

    Monterey Ceremonies by Zia's reply:

    Wow Sasha & Christina, your review gave me the chills! Saying that you felt safe, supported and seen in our work means the world to me. Thank you for trusting me to ‘hold the space’ for you in gorgeous Garrapata. I treasured Christina expressing that I’d always be a part of your marriage story. I hope you’ll reach back out for your future lifetime celebrations!
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    Ellen C. Sent on 02/11/2024
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    Memorable and Unique

    Zia officiated our wedding a few months ago and we had a great experience with her. Zia's dedication to her role was immediately apparent, bringing a warmth and thoughtfulness that resonated with us from the beginning. She has a lot of experience and has her own structured program for creating the wedding ceremony and vows, which was great since we didn't really know where to start. We met with her twice via zoom to go over the ceremony and our vows. She also offered advice on obtaining a marriage license. She was always very easy to communicate with and organized. Her ceremonies have a very distinct and memorable style and we were happy that our ceremony was unique. Throughout the entire process we felt like we were in good hands and would highly recommend Zia as a wedding officiant!
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    Laura Sent on 11/06/2023
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    Excellent Wedding Officiant

    Zia was our wedding officiant last month. She did a wonderful job marrying my husband and I. She personalized our ceremony just as we planned. She was professional, organized, and very detailed in her work. She met with us online for multiple sessions and took the time to get to know us. She gives you homework, but every homework question was worth the end result. Our ceremony felt special and I will cherish the memories she helped us create. I would recommend her to any couple getting married in the Carmel area.

    Monterey Ceremonies by Zia's reply:

    Hi Laura & Satoshi, Thanks for your awesome review! It was a privilege to be part of your wedding at beautiful Bernardus, surrounded by the Santa Lucia hills, along with your loved ones-as Kirin stole the show:) Candice from Milk Events and Donna Lam Photography are rock stars. I wish you the best of the best on your path forward!
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    Kristen A. Sent on 01/09/2024
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    Collaborative & meaningful experience

    Zia was amazing to work with! She took her time getting to know my and my partner's wants and needs and tailored the planning experience around them. She was accepting of all our ideas, both traditional and untraditional, and the entire ceremony planning was very collaborative and meaningful. Zia was very attentive, caring, and fun. Our ceremony was absolutely magical. I highly recommend Zia's services!!

    Monterey Ceremonies by Zia's reply:

    Thanks Jenna & Kristen for your reviews, choosing me to be on your team, and sharing with me your unique, DIY, color coded ‘post its’ line organizational system!

    I’ll always hold the image of you standing in that Redwood grove at Glen Oaks, surrounded by sparkling beams of light. Melissa Ergo’s beautiful, photographic heart captured the essence of your connection. I’m honored to have been present in the sacred celebration of your journey, intentions and love.
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    Jocelyn L. Sent on 10/19/2023
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    Best of the Best

    Zia was incredible to work with, from our first zoom session all the way till our wedding day. Zia made it clear that she was on our side and would be available for us as a resource when we needed her. She really made us feel so special by getting to know us as individuals and our love story, perfectly crafting it for our ceremony. Zia is very professional and brings such a calming presence to our meetings. Even though my partner and I don't follow a specific religion, Zia took our lead and made us feel so comfortable in our decisions for our ceremony. After our ceremony, my guests came up to me and said that was one of the best ceremonies they've ever witnessed and loved Zia as an officiant. I would absolutely recommend Zia to any couple looking for a traditional religious ceremony or non- religious ceremony.

    Monterey Ceremonies by Zia's reply:

    Hi Jocelyn & Patrick, Thank you for choosing me as your officiant! The Land Acknowledgement that started your ceremony at Lover’s Point was so sincere and thoughtful, and you knocked your personal vows out of the park! Tatiana Scher your photographer extraordinaire rocked. It was a privilege to be on your team!
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    Michelle W. Sent on 10/05/2023
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    Fantastic Ceremony

    Zia was very thorough in the process of creating our ceremony. She asked us detailed questions to help personalize our ceremony and showcase our story as a couple. She even asked my husband's family questions regarding his culture and used special touches throughout the ceremony.

    Monterey Ceremonies by Zia's reply:

    Hi Michelle & Adeyinka, Thank you for your feedback! Your wedding at the lovely Perry House was such a special celebration and integration of the Nigerian culture, which Jipeng Han Photography captured in her beautiful way. Michelle, I often think of the heart shaped locket you gave Adeyinka as a wedding gift: with a picture of his mom-resting on his heart. Thanks again for choosing me to be your officiant!
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    Julia G. Sent on 05/30/2023
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    Zia - Supportive, Kind, 10/10 Would Recommend

    We are working with Zia for pre-marital counseling and also for our ceremony. Zia is super supportive, a great listener, and is helping us navigate the stress of wedding planning. We are excited for her to officiate our wedding this summer and are so glad we found her. We would recommend Zia to any couple looking for an experienced officiant and doesn't know where to start.
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    Anna Sent on 08/04/2022
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    Zia is the best!

    I really wanted to find someone who could perform pre-marital counseling for me and my fiancé and who would also officiate our wedding - Zia is wonderful because she is experienced, professional and holds space beautifully for the journey! We have completed our premarital counseling and Zia always treated us with respect and offered a gentle and supportive hand in guiding us along the process. Looking forward to having her officiate for us - I'm certain she is going to facilitate a beautiful ceremony as we embark on this new pilgrimage! Many things during wedding planning seem expensive but in my opinion the process with Zia was well worth it for the sake of improving communication with my partner and helping clarify our goals for the future not just for the wedding but for our marriage!
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    Denice A. Sent on 05/21/2023
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    Zia is an excellent wedding offiant!

    Zia was the officiant at my son’s wedding this past March in Monterey. It was an interfaith ceremony and we all felt respected and included. Zia took the time to get to know my son and daughter-in-law so she could personalize their wedding which made it so special! We loved hearing about their story and so many of our family and friends commenters that it was the best wedding they had attended.
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    Monique R. Sent on 05/05/2023
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    We had the perfect ceremony and officiant!

    Zia officiated our wedding in March 2023 and we could have not asked for a more perfect ceremony and officiant! Zia worked tirelessly with us to craft the most personal, intimate, and memorable ceremony. We incorporated elements from our Jewish/Catholic heritages and Zia helped us every step of the way, making sure we had the perfect mixture of both cultures. Zia was kind, personable, and so much fun throughout the entire process and made us feel so comfortable! We received so many amazing compliments on our ceremony from our friends and family. Thank you Zia!
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    Elizabeth S. Sent on 11/21/2022
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    Zia was wonderful!

    Zia was more than we could have imagined for an officiant for our wedding. She carefully helped craft a wonderful ceremony and helped us even more with our vows. We highly recommend Zia! Thank you.
  • Nick
    Nick Z. Sent on 10/31/2022
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    Zia is an AMAZING officiant

    Zia was fantastic and went above and beyond in making our ceremony incredibly special!!!

    From the moment we started working together she was very thoughtful and comfortable to work with. Zia is very clear and thoughtful with how she communicates, plans and conducts a ceremony. We felt that she was personally invested in making our ceremony a success in the planning stages all the way through our wedding day. Our family and guests also loved some of the special and unique suggestions she suggested adding to make our ceremony memorable. It was truly special working with Zia on our ceremony!

    We would highly recommend her to anyone looking for an officiant!
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    Angie R. Sent on 10/25/2022
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    Memorable moment led so beautifully by Zia!

    Zia did such an outstanding job leading our wedding ceremony. She wanted to ensure our day was how we were envisioning it so she went above and beyond. From the warm tone she used to the words and readings she shared - we just felt so appreciative of how much she portrayed what the meaning of marriage was to us. She also made our guest feel like they were a part of our special moment in such a fun way. We couldn't be happier!
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    Teddi B. Sent on 11/06/2022
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    Fantastic Ceremony by Zia!

    Zia was such a pleasure to work with from beginning to end. She took time to get to know us, and really captured our vision for our ceremony. Zia is personable, professional and fantastic at what she does. During our small beach wedding ceremony in Carmel, she made all of us laugh and tear up multiple times. We couldn’t have asked for a more special ceremony and Zia was a big part of that.
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    Hailey S. Sent on 08/27/2022
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    Forever grateful

    It was wonderful working with Zia as our wedding officiant. My (now) husband and I had no idea how to prep for our wedding ceremony or even what we wanted it to be like! But Zia helped us plan our ceremony in a way that was deeply meaningful for us. Zia was professional, prepared, and I felt secure in her hands leading up to the wedding, and on the big day. As expected, the wedding day was a whirlwind, but Zia had a way of making sure we were 'present' for each moment of our ceremony. I am so grateful that we found Zia, and could not have asked for a better experience.
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    Raymond Sent on 11/14/2022
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    Zia is amazing and so glad that she was on our "wedding team"

    Zia was amazing! She was really part of our team throughout the whole process and all the way through our special day. We can't thank Zia enough for being there for us and guiding us along every step of the way. The whole time she made us feel at ease, gave us advice, and took special care. She was very patient and caring. She also customized and made our ceremony unique to how we wanted it. We would highly recommend Zia!
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    Lauren Sent on 12/31/2022
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    Thank you, Zia!

    Zia was our officiant for our elopement at Pebble Beach. Zia was absolutely wonderful to work with leading up to our wedding, and it was a great pleasure to have her as part of our special day. Zia brought warmth and peace to our ceremony and we would highly recommend her to anyone looking for an officiant.
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    Natalia E. Sent on 06/07/2022
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    Pick Zia as your Wedding Officiant

    Zia is amazing! She really took the time to get to know us and get us ready! I love her personality and overall energy. Super attentive and made things even more special. I couldn’t wait to see what she had put together and it was perfect. She had our guests telling us how much they loved her. If you’re looking for someone who will give you a personal reading and loving atmosphere, Zia’s your gal!
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    Riley C. Sent on 08/01/2022
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    A truly personalized ceremony

    We are so thankful to have had Zia lead us through our wedding ceremony! I appreciate how open she was to what fit our needs and desires for our wedding, and she was extremely accommodating with preferences around religion, spirituality, and "modernizing" a wedding ceremony. Zia was a calming force on our wedding day and did a truly great job sharing our story with our guests. We met only a few times to plan, but by the time the big day came around I felt truly prepared and on the same page about what to expect. It can be scary to hire someone you do not know for such a big task, but Zia absolutely nailed it! Thank you Zia!
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    Sarah M. Sent on 06/10/2022
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    Zia is The Best

    Kind, helpful, personable, professional, and just the best. She will help you make your day extra special! Highly recommend her to anyone looking for an officiant in Monterey area!
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    Jacqueline M. Sent on 09/08/2022
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    An amazing alternative

    Zia was a wonderful choice of officiant for our elopement. She really went above and beyond to help us craft a ceremony and personalized vows that made our commitment and day feel all the more special. I would recommend Zia to any couple looking for a personalized and intimate ceremony that is honoring of all backgrounds and customs surrounding marriage.
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    Erik S. Sent on 05/02/2022
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    2/26/22 Wedding

    Zia was very thorough in meeting with us multiple times on Zoom in the early stages and as we got closer to the big day. She does an amazing job of being flexible and modern yet helping couples and the wedding guests understand the importance of the ceremony.
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    Jamie G. Sent on 05/02/2022
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    Modern Custom Ceremony

    Zia made our wedding day very special! We chose to customize our entire ceremony, and it was the best decision we made. We had multiple guests come up to us after the wedding to comment on how beautiful the ceremony was. Zia guided us every step of the way, and we’re grateful for her patience and expertise.
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    Frank T. Sent on 12/31/2021
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    Zia Shapiro

    Zia Shapiro brought joy, intelligence and compassion to our ritual. Her wisdom and incredible ability to be present, humble and to listen, helped us create and hold a sacred space for our hearts to freely speak truth and witness divinity. Fantastic story telling, transcendent musical talents and a grounded sense of humor enriched our experience even farther by providing context to some of our most complicated feelings. If your intention is to have a heart centered, thoughtful, meaningful ceremony to consciously make a life transition, I can highly recommend Zia Shapiro to be present at your circle.
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