When trying to find an officiant for the wedding, Jim and I ran into a bit of a snag.  Our venue is not a church, neither of us attend church regularly right now nor have a priest with whom we are particularly close, so we were definitely looking for a more secular ceremony for our wedding.  However, the idea of having a random Justice of the Peace marry us was not appealing either.  We wanted our officiant to be someone who knows both of us, someone who is well-spoken, someone who would really add a special element to our wedding rather than just a means to an end.  It just so happens that we know someone who fulfills each of those requirements:  Brian.

Brian

From the time he was little, my brother Brian has had a way with words.  Sometimes a frustrating gift for a child to possess (just ask mom), Brian has made good use of it as he’s grown up.  Now with a Masters in Communication theory, working toward his MBA while he teaches communication, speech and English composition, Brian still speaks eloquently and with great flair when he wants to (and when does he not?!).  There is no doubt that he knows me (my whole life in fact) and he has had the opportunity to get to know Jim over the last two years so we are confident that he will not only speak beautifully, but that he will have something meaningful to say as well.  One thing  Brian is not, however, is a minister nor a Justice of the Peace, so how is it that we can have him do the honors?  The Universal Church of Life has provided the answer: free online ordination!  20 minutes online and you too can have the authority to conduct marriages!  Lest you think that we intend any disrespect to The Universal Life Church or its ministers, here is what they have to say on the subject of online ordination:

Universal Church of Life

“The Universal Life Church | ULC is the only denomination in the world that opens its doors to all, and welcomes all who ask to Become an Ordained Minister. We are non-denominational. We support a full spectrum interfaith ministry. Over 20 million ministers have been ordained online throughout the world. We make no religious hurdles, no hoops to jump through, no tests of loyalty, no rings to kiss and no fees to pay. The Universal Life Church represents freedom, and to have freedom you can not make demands upon individuals. In the Universal Life Church Monastery everyone is equal – the same level of greatness is enjoyed by all. We will be your personal minister/consulate and advisor, with your consent at no charge to you. We ordain all who ask and welcome you to the Universal Life Church Monastery Ministries. The freedom of being a Universal Life Church Minister includes the legal status to officiate marriages. Ordained ministers can officiate marriages for friends, family, and others. Some ministers get ordained to do it once, and some find love in being an ordained minister. They open up wedding businesses, as there is a certain level of sanctity and fellowship in having family & friends included in a wedding of your procession.”- quote from the Universal Church of Life website.

Who knows, maybe this will be a new career for Brian.  Either way, I get to have my big brother in front, my big sister to my left, my parents at my back and my Jim to the right- completely surrounded by my favorite people- how can that not be a good thing (at a wedding anyway-could get closterphobic if it were all the time )?

Wish me luck!