Life is too short for Clichés
Ceremonies mark important life changes and rites of passage. As a life cycle celebrant, my mission is to support you in honoring these milestones authentically and in ways that reflect your values, personality and cultural context. I specialize in working with clients with interfaith and intercultural backgrounds and in connecting people through the art of storytelling, writing and ritual.
There are no rules. Let’s get wildly imaginative.
ABOUT GINA
Dig deeply. Reveal the Essence.
Ceremony is an opportunity to honor and connect through storytelling. It brings me joy to engage in the artful process of choosing the perfect words and developing the rituals that express the poetry of the moment. Language/vernacular, history, and cultural context matter and are integral to creating a ceremony that reflects your particular story. Each ceremony is completely tailored and distinct.I am a Universal Life Church ordained minister who has been o ciating ceremonies for over 20 years. I began designing and conducting ceremonies when several close friends asked me to o ciate their weddings, funerals and baby births.
As a professor of storytelling, filmmaker, artist, public speaker and community engagement professional with over 20 years of experience in oral histories and ethnographic interviewing in public health and social justice, I dig deeply to reveal the essence of any occasion.
Services include:
Creative marriage proposal “happenings”
Ceremony consultations
Ceremony writing
Design of ceremony structure and elements-ritual, music, guest participation
Ceremony officiant
Signing of wedding documents
Commemorative and legacy projects including original music, video, art, and poetry
Celebrate Memorialize Welcome Honor
The Creative Process
Step 1.
We start with a consultation by zoom, phone call or in person, to discuss your vision and possible elements -- the tone, rituals, poetry, and the music that reflect your story and values within your cultural context.
If you are interested in a commemorative or legacy project, such as an original song, art work poetry or video, I will begin to gather the the information and materials at this point.
If you are interested in a commemorative or legacy project, such as an original song, art work poetry or video, I will begin to gather the the information and materials at this point.
Step 2.
Research and writing-I’ll conduct interviews to reveal your story so that the ceremony resonates personally and culturally.
Step 3.
I’ll provide a series of drafts to craft the final ceremony. and finalize the additional elements such as participation of
friends and family, music-based on your preferences, rituals, video, poetry, etc.
Step 4.
I will officiate the ceremony or prepare it for another to conduct If your ceremony if for a marriage I will sign and submit
Ceremony Pricing
Ceremony pricing varies depending on the specific services, location, and customization options chosen for the event.
Ghostwriter
Writing and designing a ceremony for another to officiate
$300
Short initial interview and questionnaire, writing and designing, and giving it to you
- Phone consultations regarding ceremony components and protocol surrounding your ceremony.
- Original poetry/ritual design
- Three drafts of your ceremony created and shared for feedback.
- Preliminary meetings with your ceremony vendors, as needed.
- Signing of marriage documents
- Music and ritual queues and queue sheets provided for guests and necessary vendors. Coordination of any props or mementos needed in wedding.
- Officiating ceremony at venue on day of the event.
- Keepsake copy of ceremony
Simple Ceremonies
Ceremony Weddings and Elopements
$400
Short initial interview and questionnaire, officiating the wedding, signing the marriage certificate, keepsake copy of ceremony
- Phone consultations regarding ceremony components and protocol surrounding your ceremony.
- Preliminary meetings with your ceremony vendors, as needed.
- Original poetry/ritual design
- Three drafts of your ceremony created and shared for feedback.
- Music and ritual queues and queue sheets provided for guests and necessary vendors. Coordination of any props or mementos needed in wedding.
- Officiating ceremony at venue on day of the event.
- Signing of marriage documents
- Keepsake copy of ceremony
Customized Ceremonies
Weddings and other Life Cycle Events
$800-1000
Interviews, research and suggestions about family/cultural ceremonial elements, readings, vows, and music.
- Phone consultations regarding ceremony components and protocol surrounding your ceremony.
- Preliminary meetings with your ceremony vendors, as needed.
- Three drafts of your ceremony created and shared for feedback.
- Original poetry/ritual design
- Music and ritual queues and queue sheets provided for guests and necessary vendors. Coordination of any props or mementos needed in wedding.
- Officiating ceremony at venue on day of the event.
- Signing of marriage documents
- Keepsake copy of ceremony
TESTIMONIALS
Thank you so much for sharing our wedding day with us! Thanks for being so kind, supportive, and sweet (especially when I started crying). We felt like you really got to know who we are and your words made us feel so special. I couldn't have found a better officiant and friend.
We were blessed to have Gina officiate our wedding. Searching for an officiant was stressful. We knew we wanted a non-religious, very personal ceremony, but we didn't know where to start. When I found Gina's website, and then spoke to her on the phone, a complete sense of relief and calm came over me. I knew she would be able to create a unique, emotional experience we were hoping to express and share with our guests. Gina met with us several months in advance of the wedding to get a sense of us as a couple, and then sent a list of questions to draw out the special details and nuances of our relationship and history together. The entire wedding was beautiful, but we got a flood of compliments about the ceremony. Everyone was touched and told us things like, " You've restored our faith in love." That must be the ultimate compliment for any newlywed couple, and for any ceremony officiant. It was truly the ceremony of our dreams and Gina made it happen.
The ceremony was flawless. It was unique, it was warm, and it incorporating storytelling that was very different from other ceremonies we've attended. Gina was genuine and full of joy and our guests loved her as much as we did. Both friends and family said they felt drawn into the ceremony rather than feeling they were merely watching. Gina approached the vows and ceremony with thoughtful consideration of our different cultural backgrounds (a man from New Orleans and a woman from Argentina). She posed some great questions to each of us and then shaped our answers into a tailor made ritual. Thanks Gina for such a wonderful day. Besos!
We wanted a non-traditional wedding but we also wanted to honor our parents traditional sensibilities and our South Asian, African American, and Jewish heritage. Gina interviewed us then had us fill out a tailored questionnaire--from which she created a profound and sentimental ceremony. The passion and sincerity with which she spoke underpinned the meaning of her perfectly selected words. She picked lively music for the ceremony and added palpable positive energy. Our friends and family were so moved by her effervescence. Our wedding was perfect and personal. We got exactly what we wanted and our parents were impressed.
Thank you again for such a touching ceremony. There weren't many dry eyes. Mission accomplished!!! Also we really enjoyed chatting with you throughout all this.
Tell me about your event
Give me as much information as you so I could be better prepared for our meet.