A Wedding Officiant in Los Angeles Learns Wisdom From Her Wedding Couples

As a Los Angeles Wedding Officiant, one of the big questions I get asked is this. “Who is your ‘ideal couple’”? 

Who’s my ‘ideal couple’, you ask. Here’s my reply. 

We all have people we love being around. Most folks love people who are considerate and thoughtful. We love being with fun, good-natured people. Who doesn’t love to laugh, and just feel good about life when with family and friends? 

Wedding Officiants are people too, and we have our favorite couples. The couple who might be “ideal” for me may be different for another officiant. Different strokes for different folks, as they say.  

I have a favorite type of couple, and here’s who they are. For me, it’s the couple that teaches me what a “good enough” loving relationship really is. I just celebrated my 25th wedding anniversary. Believe me, my spouse and I have had our ups and downs! But, we’ve stayed the course, and as a result, we’ve learned healthy habits for strong marriages. 

I’m the kind of person who’s unafraid to take wisdom from all sources, including religious sources. One of my favorite Biblical passages comes from 1 Corinthians 13: 4 – 8: “Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy; isn’t boastful; not proud, and, love  does not dishonor others. It is not self-seeking, and it is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs. Love doesn’t delight in evil, and it rejoices with the truth. It always protects, trusts, and hopes. Love always perseveres. 

Now, I’m not sitting down with couples and saying, “ok, tell me all you know about what it means to have a good relationship”. 

No, it’s not that at all. 

It’s about the pearls of wisdom that naturally flow out of them in our conversations. Those conversations we have as I get to know them well enough to be able to confidently pronounce them married, by the power vested in me by the State of California. 

Here are some gems. I hear these jewels, and I literally get goosebumps. (I’ve changed all names here for the sake of privacy.)

“James makes me feel safe and secure and pushes me to be the best version of myself”. 

“I knew I had fallen for Sammy because I wanted to invite him into my sanctuary—the most special place with the most special people. Home, both in the literal sense and in the deeper sense of belonging”.

“Georgie was my biggest cheerleader and my strongest supporter. They’re the person who helped me find the strength to keep moving forward, even when I felt overwhelmed. They were a beacon of strength for me. My vulnerability didn’t frighten them.” 

“I went through a horrific divorce. I’m 71 years old now, and I never thought that I’d put myself out there again. I couldn’t see myself trusting anybody again, ever. After fourteen years being single, I met Harry. He’s so gentle with me, and he never pushes me to do anything I don’t want to do. I’ve never felt so safe with anybody in my life. I want to spend the rest of my life with him, no matter how much time we have together. It might be a few years, it might be a lot. Honestly, it doesn’t matter, because I finally know what love feels like”. 

I love hearing stories like these, because when I do, I know that I’ve found my ‘ideal couple’. These are, hands down, the people I feel most called to serve. 

Do any of these stories resonate with you? If they do, then please, reach out to me! Together, we’ll create the wedding ceremony of your dreams.