CEREMONIES & CELEBRATIONS
Custom-Created to be Meaningful for You
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Choose: Custom Ceremonies  ·  Cermony Coaching
How We Work Together   ·  Testimonials  · Rates

Whether you are creating a wedding, a memorial service, a birth celebration, a new-home blessing, or marking a significant change in your life or the life of a loved one (for example: coming-of-age ceremonies for teen-agers; ritual to let go of a relationship that has ended), I am here to companion you through the process. And at the time of the ceremony, my hope is that you can be free of worries about logistics or other concerns you had before the ceremony, and instead be able to focus on the experience, this ritualistic passage - resting assured that I'm there to hold the space for you to let go and fully be present.

Our work together will produce a ceremony that is truly meaningful to you and loved-ones. And I hope we'll develop a relationship that you can feel comfortable calling upon again and again, beyond the ceremony.

I also create and produce, or coach groups in custom-creating Interfaith celebration/worshop services.

Ceremony Coaching
I believe that you already know what will make for a meaningful ceremony. I'm here to help you discover it, or to sift through the many possibilities, to co-create a ceremony that you will remember.

Through the process I describe below, ceremonies that I perform are often described as incredibly meaningful, personal, enjoyable, and touching. As appropriate (for weddings, particularly), they often include small elements of surprise to help keep the couple "in-the-moment" (such as keeping personally-written vows to each other a secret until the ceremony).

How We Work Together / The Co-Creative Process
Working together is a vital part of this co-creative process. Depending on the ceremony's purpose, I generally meet with the appropriate individuals 2-3 times before the actual ceremony. This could be over the phone or in person. For a wedding, this is a typical timeline.

1. Talk to get to know each other, and I gather general information about your relationship and what the step of marriage means to you. We also talk about general ideas you may have for the ceremony. I'll often make suggestions and we'll agree on additional things to consider for the next time we meet (music, readings, rituals, etc.)

2. We'll continue the process of deepening knowledge about you as a couple - what are your goals? What are your challenges? We'll review any concerns you may have about your family and their support for your relationship - at the wedding and in general. We'll discuss elements for the ceremony and the process of choosing or creating your own vows.

3. We'll discuss the draft of your ceremony and make any necessary changes. I'll continue coachng you through creating your vows, and any issues around this life-changing process of commitment.

4. Rehearsal: I can coach the wedding party through the rehearsal, or I can make suggestions for the couple to do so.

5. Ceremony: I'll arrive early to help make sure things are set up appropriately for the ceremony. I also like to meet with the couple - as a couple or individually - to remind you of my full support of you and to lead you through any relaxation or meditative techniques that will be helpful.

TESTIMONIAL

Rima & Alain January 21, 2006

"Thank you so much for being with us and for us. It was a very special, wonderful ceremony. All of us, not only we, but all the family and friends were deeply touched. During such a short time you managed to get know a lot about us, our dreams and desires, our strength and craziness, our fears and limitations...you created a really meaningful and moving celebration! Not only that, we feel also grateful for the chance to have met you as a person, with your warmth and kindness, delicacy and sense of humor."

About this Wedding: An intimate, inter-cultural wedding that focused on their shared Jewish heritage, as well as their individual Russian and French nationalities, and their hopes for continued growth as individuals and as a couple. The groom's family joined us from Paris via a webcam! References also available.