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Best Wedding Officiants in Boston

2023

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Website
Quincy, MA 02170

Why choose this provider?

Justified Love is a wedding officiant service in Quincy. Brides and grooms get to design their very own unique wedding ceremony and can choose from various packages such as the "I Do" Quincy Package, the "I Do" Out of Quincy, the "I Do" Chapel Package at Lydon Chapel, a Sweet & Simple Elopement Package, and the "I Do" Drive-Thru Package in Lydon Chapel's parking lot. Clients can also request a pre-ceremony meeting if not in their package, limo rentals, photographers/videographers, and other options and can find information on marriage license laws as well as a list of other wedding vendors on Justified Love's website. Services are available for civil ceremonies and vow renewals as well, and Roberta Black is a Justice of the Peace and Certified Life Coach.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (22)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
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Website
Malden, MA 02148

Why choose this provider?

Wedding of Your Desire officiates weddings in Malden. The group has overseen the union of over 960 couples who came from a diverse range of religions and backgrounds and prides itself on enabling couples to have a wedding ceremony perfect just for them. Carol J. Merletti is a Massachusetts Justice of the Peace and Ordained Minister who caters to all faiths and religions, same-sex couples, and whatever personalized touch brides and grooms would like included in the ceremony. Wedding of Your Desire has won a WeddingWire Bride's/Couples' Choice Award seven times, was a 2013 Pick for The Knot Best of Weddings, and has officiated weddings at a long list long list of unique venues including Fenway Park. Ms. Merletti has also been a notary public for over 30 years.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (1)

Website
Littleton, MA 01460

Why choose this provider?

Massachusetts Justice of the Peace Stoddard H. Melhado provides wedding officiating services in Littleton. The officiant seeks to create personalized ceremonies and hopes guests are left with a meaningful and beautiful memory. Justice Melhado previously worked as a high school English teacher and School Counselor for almost 40 years and brings a wealth of knowledge to each ceremony. The group has won a WeddingWire Couples' Choice Award three times, is GLBT Friendly, was a 2016 Pick for The Knot Best of Weddings, and was named a Top Wedding Officiant in Boston by Top 10 Wedding Vendors. Justice Melhado is a member of The Massachusetts Justices of the Peace Association and The American Council of Wedding Officiants and also rescues and adopts racing greyhounds.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (30)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (11)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
Beverly, MA 01915

Why choose this provider?

Maureen Cotton Ceremonies caters to couples located in the state of Massachusetts It would be her honor to be your guide. Her process leads you and your partner inward so that you can articulate the magic of your shared life, values, and vision for the future. We’ll develop a radically present wedding ceremony that no one will ever forget. . Maureen is known for creating a calm environment for intimate ceremonies and authentic documentaries of wedding days. Maureen wants couples will reflect on moments when they have felt an unnamable divine presence, and seek to tap into that on their wedding day.

Website
Harvard, MA 01451

Why choose this provider?

Meaningful Weddings handles officiating services in the Harvard area. The group believes that a union between two people must be guided by someone who can incorporate and reflect their true identity and values. Brides and grooms from all backgrounds and faiths can find a comprehensive guide on the company's website to selecting the perfect person to oversee their union following the motto of "Your Choice, Your Voice, Your Ceremony." Wedding Celebrant and Interfaith Minister Cindy Matchett is not presently officiating weddings herself but refers couples to the Celebrant Institute for bios and contact information to numerous officiants as well as to her own mentor and colleague, Dr. Dennis Geller, who deals with secular, interfaith, same-sex, and Jewish ceremonies. Meaningful Weddings also offers a free e-book on creating a meaningful wedding ceremony.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0

Website
Rockport, MA 01966

Why choose this provider?

Rev. Sue has been officiating weddings in Rockport for over 20 years. Couples have a fun time creating a personalized ceremony according to their input with guidance and support and are encouraged to receive premarital counseling with the officiant as well. Rev. Sue was a member of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, obtained her Master of Divinity degree with distinction from the Weston Jesuit School of Theology, and was ordained by One Spirit Interfaith Seminary in 2011. Rev. Sue has worked with other religions and the LGBT community on an interfaith program while a Roman Catholic Campus Minister at Wellesley College as well and won a WeddingWire Couples' Choice Award from 2013 through 2016. Brides and grooms can also listen to the reverend's podcast via her website on how to find that perfect officiant.

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
Brighton, MA 02135

Why choose this provider?

Boston Ceremonies has been officiating weddings in Brighton for 10 years. The group has performed over 300 weddings and other ceremonies, and the officiant is known for her spirituality as well as humor and vibrant delivery. Couples can choose from various themes for their nuptials including a Love Story Wedding and elegant smaller weddings at public spaces such as The Boston Public Garden or Rowe's Wharf. The Jewel Box Wedding features a romantic ceremony at the officiant's own home and includes selected music, gourmet appetizers, wedding cake, champagne and other beverages, professional photography, and flowers. Elly Jackson is a certified Life-Cycle Celebrant and Ordained Officiant, is a former New York actress, and also currently works as a Lecturer on Writing at Northeastern University.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (2)

Website
Newton, MA 02467

Why choose this provider?

Leslie A Zises Justice of the Peace officiates weddings in Newton. Clients use the service for marriage and commitment ceremonies as well as wedding vow renewals, and Justice Leslie Zises has won a WeddingWire Couples' Choice Award from 2014 through 2016. The group is also listed on GayWeddings.com as well. Justice Zises officiates small and large ceremonies, casual and elegant weddings, and traditional, same-sex, and interfaith ceremonies at a number of locations. Brides and grooms can choose more intimate and less well-known spots for their nuptials or places like the Freedom Trail, the Esplanade, Fenway Park, the Boston Waterfront, or the Swan Boats. Ms. Zises is a member of the Massachusetts Justice of the Peace Association and also specializes in lunchtime weddings. Notary services and services for baby welcomings are also available.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Introduction

    Planning a wedding is a lot of work. You have numerous tasks and responsibilities. Even if you opt to hire a wedding planner, your input is required for everything. One of the decisions you need to make is who will marry you. Choosing your wedding officiant can be a challenging undertaking.

    If you have a religious background and are a regular member of a church, synagogue or other house of worship, the choice is probably easy. But if not, you may want something less traditional. You can choose a professional or ask a close friend or family member if they would be willing to officiate the ceremony. These FAQs can help you make a decision about your wedding officiant.

  • What is a wedding officiant?

    A wedding officiant, also called marriage officiant, is an individual with the legal authority to perform wedding ceremonies. Local judges and clergy members commonly act as wedding officiants. But, nearly anyone can obtain the necessary certification to become an officiant, although requirements vary from state to state.

  • What does a wedding officiant do?

    The main role of a wedding officiant is to lead and perform the marriage ceremony. They must follow state law to ensure the union becomes official. Wedding officiants draft what they’ll say at the ceremony, often with input from the engaged couple. Some of their associated duties are signing and filing the marriage license.

  • Can you officiate your own wedding?

    Officiating your own wedding is referred to as self-solemnizing. This practice is only legal in a few states, including Colorado, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Kansas, Maine, Illinois, California, and Washington, D.C. The rules governing self-solemnizing in these jurisdictions differ. All states legally recognize self-uniting marriages that are properly performed in a state where they're permitted.

  • What do you call a person who officiates a wedding?

    A marriage officiant’s title depends on who they are and what they do. For example, clergy members are called reverend, father, minister, rabbi, pastor. Common titles of civil marriage officiants are judge, your honor, magistrate, or mayor. Friends and family members who get temporary officiant status usually have no title.

  • Who can officiate a wedding?

    The individuals who are allowed to officiate a wedding depends on the laws of the state where the ceremony is performed. Typically, most clergy members and certain civil officers can perform marriage ceremonies. Many states also permit other individuals to obtain temporary officiant authorization or to become ordained to perform a marriage.

  • Can a notary officiate a wedding?

    Public notaries may perform marriage ceremonies in only a few states. They include Florida, Maine, South Carolina, Montana, and Nevada. Of course, a notary may officiate a wedding in other states if the state they’re in allows individuals to become wedding officiants, and the notary follows those guidelines.