Wedding Ceremony Officiating
When you chose me as your Wedding Officiant, I deliver your ceremony with the poise of a professional and the warmth of a loved one. With decades of public speaking experience and an ordained minister, my goals as a professional wedding officiant are to bring both you and your partner as well as your community of loved ones closer on your wedding day & set the tone for your wedding celebration and marriage.
The full Swoon experience
A ceremony as unique as your love
Your wedding ceremony is a once-in-a-lifetime emotional opportunity, and I’m here to help you feel relaxed, confident, and comfortable during your wedding ceremony.
You want a custom ceremony that that honors and celebrates the essence of who you are as individuals and as a couple.
You don’t want to choose a loved one to do the honors. Or perhaps, you don’t have anyone who’s able or willing to perform a wedding ceremony. (I get it: public speaking isn’t for the faint of heart.)
Your wedding ceremony is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share your love with the people who matter most to you in a “that’s SO THEM” kind-of-way.
You want a custom ceremony that honors and celebrates the essence of who you are as individuals and as a couple. And want a professional wedding officiant to lead your marriage ceremony.
Is this you?
You like hiring professionals and want a seasoned pro.
You’re navigating various religious, cultural or faith backgrounds and want someone who’s neutral and experienced.
I’ll never forget when a notoriously difficult to please mother-of-the-groom placed her oversized sunglasses on top of her head, took my hands in hers and said, “I’m used to church ceremonies. But, YOU! You got to the essence of who they are.”
Or another time a guest said, “I wish I’d known about you sooner.. My son was married by a Supreme Court Justice, but it wasn’t like this.”
Or when my clients gushed about their ceremony over Maine lobster rolls and straight up said, “You cracked the code on wedding ceremonies.”
As a professional wedding officiant, I work tirelessly to ensure that your wedding ceremony is as thoughtful and unique as every other wedding detail. When you chose me to officiate your wedding, your ceremony will be a genuine reflection of your values and beliefs while honoring your shared and individual histories. And I do so in a way that helps you feel as good as you look.
A Genuine Reflection of You
Filing of marriage license to the appropriate City Clerk’s Office or Town Hall in accordance with state laws
Personalized ceremony professionally delivered by Michelle LaBuwi (approximately 20-30 minutes in length)
Professional wedding rehearsal* led by Michelle in collaboration with planner and/or site coordinator
Guidance on selection of rituals, readings, and blessings
Personalized support to create heartfelt vows
90-minute Swoon Session with Michelle to discuss and explore responses to questions and design the flow of your ceremony
Signature Swoon Questions for Connection
What's included?
Assistance securing a marriage license
Completed ceremony script and 60-minute prep session two weeks prior to wedding date to finalize ceremony details
60-minute post-ceremony recap to swoon over your new union!
Unlimited email communication
*A note about rehearsals: I believe that a smooth wedding day is the result of a clear, concise, and well-run rehearsal. I collaborate with your wedding planner
and/or site coordinator so that the rehearsal is seamless and straightforward. I ensure that ALL questions are addressed so that everyone is on the same page leading up to the big day.
Together, we explore your love and make your ceremony meaningful and memorable. With your involvement, I write, design, and deliver a custom wedding ceremony that’s as unique and real as your love story.
When it comes to your wedding ceremony, words matter, delivery matters, and how you feel matters. I’m open, accessible, honest, and real. My style is warm, genuine, and inclusive.
Because of the additional time required and my commitment to providing a highly personalized service, I officiate a limited number of weddings each year. While I do my best to accommodate clients on a tighter schedule, my clients tend to book Wedding Ceremony Officiating services at least nine to twelve months in advance.
Meaningful & Memorable Ceremonies
When it comes to your wedding ceremony, words matter, delivery matters, and how you feel matters.
FAQs
Yes, I’m an ordained minister through the Universal Life Church and able to perform weddings most anywhere in the United States.
I like to tell folks that ministries like Universal Life Church leveled the playing field for couples who didn’t want to get married in the Church (for various reasons) or the Courthouse. Think of it as an equalizer.
Amen! I hear you. I felt the same way as a bride. When I officiate your wedding ceremony, you can relax knowing that you’re in capable, caring hands. Regardless of whether it’s for two or two hundred, the energy is between you, me, and your soon-to-be-spouse. I help you feel calm, connected, and celebrated.
YES, absolutely. A smooth, stress-free wedding day is the result of a well executed rehearsal and open communication with your vendor team. I collaborate with your wedding planner and/or site coordinator to ensure the rehearsal is seamless and straightforward. I ensure ALL questions are addressed so that everyone is on the same page leading up to your big day.
Swoon Union ceremonies are typically 20-30 minutes. AKA short, but not too short-and-sweet-and-long enough to be substantial and memorable.
I’m not a gambling woman, but if I had to guess, your wedding is the single most expensive thing you’ve ever done. Besides maybe college. From your dress to your bouquet, you’re spending big bucks for your wedding to LOOK amazing. Swoon Union helps you FEEL as good—or even better—than everything looks.
Think of it this way: Swoon Union is to feelings as a wedding planner is to the logistics, a floral designer is to the flowers, and a photographer is to the photos.
I’m open, accessible, honest, and real. My style is warm, genuine, and inclusive. Your Swoon Union ceremony will be more like a story (the kind you want more of!) than a stuffy ceremony. It’ll reflect your values and feel like “you.”
In other words, if you want a spiritual and non-religious ceremony, an interfaith ceremony that balances and honors your shared and individual histories and beliefs, or one that’s totally unconventional then that’s what you’ll get.
My process is collaborative. You and your partner are the foundation of the ceremony.
Investment: Available upon request
I officiate a limited number of wedding ceremonies per year. Quotes are custom and based on the location of your wedding ceremony. For more information on pricing, please contact me to get started with a complimentary consultation. Once we’ve spoken, I'll create a customized proposal for your wedding ceremony.
– Melissa & Lucky
“Michelle’s style was perfect for us. Modern, relaxed, fun. We had a 100% custom ceremony that was beyond PERFECT. It’s all anyone could talk about at the reception. There was no other ceremony that guests felt so engaged in. EVER! You get what you pay for, and Michelle is worth it and more!”
– HANNAH & AJ
“For some couples, the ceremony is a means to the reception. For us, we wanted it to be the most significant and memorable part of our day, which it should be...shouldn't it? Michelle seamlessly made it just that. Our ceremony was hands down the best part of the day, not only for us...but for all our guests (they still continue to tell us), and Michelle gets all the credit!
– LOREE & KENNY
“We can't say enough about how special it was working with Michelle to design our ceremony. She took the time to get to know us and our story and she wrote the most absolutely beautiful, personal and unique ceremony for us. It was a true highlight of our entire wedding, and not just for us as the couple, but for the guests as well. We highly recommend making the investment in a special and personal ceremony with Michelle — you won't regret it!”
– JENNA & BRYAN
“Michelle was SUCH a joy to work with and we had guests coming up to us after the ceremony asking us if she was a family friend or family member, because she knew us and our story so well! the process of collaborative writing with Michelle allowed my husband and I to really put a focus on what our intentions and dreams were for our life together. I can't sing Michelle's praises enough...and her amazing, comforting hugs were the cherry on top!”
– ALEX & AARON
“Michelle worked with us over the past year to craft a ceremony that felt completely "us". We could tell right away that she was a warm and caring person who we could trust. She delivered the ceremony perfectly and was a calming presence during the rehearsal and the day of the wedding. What stood out to me most was how much Michelle GENUINELY cared about me and my husband and our ceremony. We are very lucky to have found her!”
– KARA & CHRIS
“There just aren't words to explain how absolutely wonderful Michelle is, and the light she brings to your special day. She gives sound advice, but lets you run the show. She writes some very meaningful and personal ceremonies and to top it off she gives some killer hugs! Our favorite part is that Michele will work to give you the ceremony that fulfills your desired feeling for that special day. What more could you ask for?”
