“After working with Bob and his officiation of our ceremony, I realize that a marriage ceremony does not have to be stressful, but can be whatever we want it to be!“ ~ Mike (Groom, 8/29/13)
Special Moments call for Special Recognition
Weddings | Birth Celebrations | Memorials
Relationship Release Rituals
- I’ll guide you step by step.
- We’ll let the creation process offer as much intimacy growth as the actual ceremony.
Times of union, birth, death, and even moving can be incredibly poignant moments in life. My purpose is to help you experience these moments of great change as much as possible, so that their meaning can be explored and expressed. Rituals and ceremonies are helpful ways to express to the world the meaning in this moment and your feelings about it, and also to give and receive support from family, friends and community.
Whether you are creating a wedding, a memorial service, a birth celebration, a new-home blessing, or marking a significant change in your life or the life of a loved one (for example: coming-of-age ceremonies for teen-agers; ritual to let go of a relationship that has ended), I am here to companion you through the process. And at the time of the ceremony, my hope is that you can be free of worries about logistics or other concerns you had before the ceremony, and instead be able to focus on the experience, this ritualistic passage – resting assured that I’m there to hold the space for you to let go and fully be present.
Our work together will produce a ceremony that is truly meaningful to you and loved-ones. And I hope we’ll develop a relationship that you can feel comfortable calling upon again and again, beyond the ceremony.
I know that in your process of creating a ceremony you may interact with many service providers. I invite you to consider working with me to create your ceremony not just a service. I care deeply about YOU, your family and that you truly EXPERIENCE one of the most significant moments of your life. That is what is fulfilling to me, and hopefully you as well.
I also create and produce, or coach groups in custom-creating Interfaith celebration/workshop services.
Reviews
Couples have posted reviews on weddingchannel.com. See this page of reviews on weddingwire.com and search the page for “Bob” (PC use “control-F” and Mac use “command-F”).
Ceremony Coaching
I believe that you already know what will make for a meaningful ceremony. I’m here to help you discover it, or to sift through the many possibilities, to co-create a ceremony that you will remember.
Through the process I describe below, ceremonies that I perform are often described as incredibly meaningful, personal, enjoyable, and touching. As appropriate (for weddings, particularly), they often include small elements of surprise to help keep the couple “in-the-moment” (such as keeping personally-written vows to each other a secret until the ceremony).
How We Work Together / The Co-Creative Process
Working together is a vital part of this co-creative process. Depending on the ceremony’s purpose, I generally meet with the appropriate individuals 2-3 times before the actual ceremony. This could be over the phone or in person. For a wedding, this is a typical timeline.
1. Talk to get to know each other, and I gather general information about your relationship and what the step of marriage means to you. We also talk about general ideas you may have for the ceremony. I’ll often make suggestions and we’ll agree on additional things to consider for the next time we meet (music, readings, rituals, etc.)
2. We’ll continue the process of deepening knowledge about you as a couple – what are your goals? What are your challenges? We’ll review any concerns you may have about your family and their support for your relationship – at the wedding and in general. We’ll discuss elements for the ceremony and the process of choosing or creating your own vows.
3. We’ll discuss the draft of your ceremony and make any necessary changes. I’ll continue coaching you through creating your vows, and any issues around this life-changing process of commitment.
4. Rehearsal: I can coach the wedding party through the rehearsal, or I can make suggestions for the couple to do so.
5. Ceremony: I’ll arrive early to help make sure things are set up appropriately for the ceremony. I also like to meet with the couple – as a couple or individually – to remind you of my full support of you and to lead you through any relaxation or meditative techniques that will be helpful.
I WORK WITH JOURNEYS OF THE HEART, a group of officiants for non-denominational, secular, spiritual and religious ceremonies. This has the benefit of a back-up system (should something happen to me before the ceremony, there are other highly experienced and loving individuals who have access to the draft of your ceremony and can perform it if necessary).
LGBT Couples
Please see more information at my other site dedicated to same-sex couples: PhillyGayWeddings.com.
Before the Ceremony
Consider these both loving and logistical ways to prepare mind, body and heart for the special day: Ceremony-Day Preparations.