Your Most Important Day.
Choosing the right officiant sets the tone for your special day and beyond. I know what it takes to successfully officiate your wedding or vow renewals and will help you have the most memorable ceremony possible. I'm excited to be part of your journey.
About Me (and Officiating).
Who is Officially Eric?
I'm an experienced and passionate officiant registered with the Universal Life Church and American Marriage Ministry. I'm based in NYC -- but also frequently travel to Naples, Florida -- and will travel for your ceremony. My specialty is nondenominational weddings and vow renewals but can incorporate religious traditions as requested. I'm particularly understanding of different spiritual beliefs as I grew up in a mixed-religion household. I'm always thoughtful, patient, and professional throughout the whole process. I'm also an enthusiastic and confident presenter who strives to strike the perfect balance between warmth, seriousness, and light humor. I have found that this formula resonates well with couples and their friends and families.
Where does the name "Officially Eric" come from?
Once I got certified as an officiant, a friend joked: "You're now Officially Eric!" Everyone loved the name, and it has stuck ever since.
What is an officiant?
This person will primarily write your script and run your ceremony. If you're getting married, the officiant will make sure the marriage process is legally completed based on local requirements (you don't want to get this part wrong!). You want to choose this person wisely. The best wedding and vow renewal ceremonies should be tailored to your liking.
Do I need a professional?
You don't need to hire a professional officiant. For example, you can ask a friend or relative who's already attending your wedding or vow renewal ceremony to officiate it. I got my start by officiating my friend's wedding, and if you have someone who is up to the task, that's great! But as a word of caution, based on my experience, I know that the officiating process is a LOT of work and it requires specialized skills to be successful. Not everyone is up to it...but even if you have someone in mind, you may not want to burden them with the responsibility and workload. Since you only have one shot at getting married, why leave the officiant - who plays such a critical role on your special day - to chance?
Testimonials.
Brittany, Naples FL
Not only did Eric save the day for our wedding, but he single-handedly delivered the best wedding ceremony I have ever experienced. Okay, I may be a little biased, but the 20+ people who came up to us after the ceremony and said that it was the best wedding ceremony they’ve ever been to certainly aren’t. In fact, still to this day, people mention to me how it’s their favorite ceremony they’ve attended because it was so personal, intimate, and engaging. That speaks a lot to how thoughtful and dedicated Eric was throughout the entire officiant process. We had originally had someone else as our officiant, but he had to decline due to a traveling issue. Eric stepped in a month before the wedding, taking on a massive task with just 4 weeks to prepare, and went above and beyond for us. From our zoom sessions where we spoke about how we envisioned the ceremony and he asked us more questions about our relationship, to going through multiple drafts of the ceremony (the first draft was AMAZING- Eric is just super meticulous and wants it to be absolutely perfect, so he just kept refining and refining it!!), and finally the actual day, everything was a dream. Ceremonies aren’t usually a very memorable part for guests especially, but for both my husband and I, and I can confirm, all of our guests, the ceremony with Eric as our officiant was a top 3 favorite moment of the entire wedding. If you’re looking for someone to officiate you and you want a ceremony that’s not like every other cookie cutter ceremony, just choose Eric. You won’t regret it!!
Sample Video.
Officiating Services.
Your officiant should not be a stranger. Instead, my philosophy is that your officiant should really get to know you, collaborate with you throughout the entire process, and be able to genuinely represent you and your story in front of your family and friends. Getting to this point requires a great working relationship and commitment on both sides.
I'm passionate about creating personalized ceremonies that are memorable and impactful by getting to know you as a couple. I do by asking thoughtful questions and providing resources such as sample readings and vows if requested that will help you achieve your dream ceremony. Please note that wedding planning and preparation is more extensive than vow renewals, so that is reflected in the rate.
Wedding Ceremonies
Moments before your wedding ceremony, the last thing you want to be wondering is if your officiant will be an engaging speaker and memorable for the right reasons. Rest assured...with Officially Eric, you will be hiring an experienced professional who will make your ceremony a highlight of your big day.
Vow Renewal Ceremonies
Are you a married couple celebrating an important anniversary? Have you recently overcome a major hurdle that has made your marriage stronger than ever? Do you want to celebrate your love with your spouse "just because"? These are all great reasons to renew your vows with Officially Eric.
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Frequently Asked Questions.
Which payment methods do you accept?
Check, Venmo, and Zelle.
How do I secure a date and time?
The date and time are secured with the 50% nonrefundable retainer fee.
How early do you arrive on the day of my event?
I commit to arrive one hour prior to the start of wedding ceremony and 30 minutes prior to the start of the vow renewal ceremony.
How far in advance should I book the officiant?
It's best to secure your officiant as early as possible, especially for weddings during peak times of the year. More than six months is ideal. With that said, I'm often available on shorter notice, please contact me to discuss your specific needs.
How customizable is the ceremony?
Every aspect of the ceremony is customizable - from the wording to the length to the specific elements (other than those required by law for weddings).
How long should the ceremony be?
I suggest keeping the ceremony between 20-30 minutes. This is the perfect length to have a complete ceremony where also we retain your attendees' attention.
Do you do LGBT weddings?
Yes! Love is love.
Can you provide sample vows and readings upon request?
Yes!
What is your cancellation policy?
The retainer fee is nonrefundable.
Do you bring your own microphone, speakers, etc.?
No.
How much do you charge?
See my pages for Wedding Officiating and Vow Renewals. You can also contact me directly to discuss your needs.