In the past twelve years, I've performed over 300 ceremonies as a professional wedding officiant. I specialize in unique non-religious ceremonies and elopements, specifically serving the atheist, agnostic, humanist and LGBTQ communities in the Ann Arbor area. To help make the ceremony planning process as easy as possible, I've created this comprehensive ceremony website, providing out-of-the-ordinary, completely non-religious, fully customizable ceremonies.
You'll find sample ceremonies, collections of readings and optional elements to consider. My ceremonies are couple-focused, and it is always important to me that every word be meaningful and relevant to you. Even short elopements can be a profound and personal alternative to the courthouse. When you find a reading, vows or poem that speaks to you and your individual relationship, and you get that "Yes!" feeling you'll know you're on the right track.
You can also help me get to know you and personalize your ceremony by answering the "Telling Your Story" questions.
You'll find sample ceremonies, collections of readings and optional elements to consider. My ceremonies are couple-focused, and it is always important to me that every word be meaningful and relevant to you. Even short elopements can be a profound and personal alternative to the courthouse. When you find a reading, vows or poem that speaks to you and your individual relationship, and you get that "Yes!" feeling you'll know you're on the right track.
You can also help me get to know you and personalize your ceremony by answering the "Telling Your Story" questions.
Services
A ceremony that is personalized and as unique as your relationship.
We'll work together to find the readings and elements to make your wedding ceremony reflect your own vision and personalities.
Choose from any of my sample ceremonies or we can create something completely different, whether it is short and sweet, romantic or eclectic and quirky.
This package includes as much customization as desired, unlimited phone consultations and email correspondence, and a copy of the ceremony for you to keep.
We'll work together to find the readings and elements to make your wedding ceremony reflect your own vision and personalities.
Choose from any of my sample ceremonies or we can create something completely different, whether it is short and sweet, romantic or eclectic and quirky.
This package includes as much customization as desired, unlimited phone consultations and email correspondence, and a copy of the ceremony for you to keep.
A Simple Ceremony, LLC, is the wedding officiant business started in 2009 by me, Stacey Swickerath.
I am the only officiant, currently.
My goal is to provide a meaningful rite of passage for couples who want to celebrate their marriage without religion.
I was ordained as a reverend by the Universal Life Church in 2004.
As an atheist, this was the ideal solution for me to be legally authorized to officiate weddings in the United States, and Michigan in particular.
Think about your expectations, and talk about what each of you imagine your ceremony to be like.
I am the only officiant, currently.
My goal is to provide a meaningful rite of passage for couples who want to celebrate their marriage without religion.
I was ordained as a reverend by the Universal Life Church in 2004.
As an atheist, this was the ideal solution for me to be legally authorized to officiate weddings in the United States, and Michigan in particular.
Think about your expectations, and talk about what each of you imagine your ceremony to be like.
These small wedding events are increasingly popular as an alternative to the courthouse or justice of the peace.
The couple brings their marriage license, has an officiant and a short ceremony, plus a photographer, flowers and maybe even cake, but all on a smaller scale and in a shorter amount of time.
For some, it's having their 300 closest friends and family to eat, drink and dance.
For some, their wedding is about the two of them privately sharing vows.
Most have a budget, limited time to plan, school, work, family, and all sorts of ideas, dreams, pressures and expectations.
The couple brings their marriage license, has an officiant and a short ceremony, plus a photographer, flowers and maybe even cake, but all on a smaller scale and in a shorter amount of time.
For some, it's having their 300 closest friends and family to eat, drink and dance.
For some, their wedding is about the two of them privately sharing vows.
Most have a budget, limited time to plan, school, work, family, and all sorts of ideas, dreams, pressures and expectations.
These are three short mini-ceremonies that are just long enough to be personal and meaningful, yet brief enough to qualify for a "quick" in and out if necessary.
Choose a ceremony as-is, or mix and match readings and words to fit your own relationship.
Take a look at the full-size ceremonies and other readings on this site, too, which can be shortened in length to fit your needs.
You might also choose this shorter length text: when it's going to be 100 degrees and your wedding is in full sun, or when most of your guests are standing, or when you'll be walking into a mosquito-filled forest.
Choose a ceremony as-is, or mix and match readings and words to fit your own relationship.
Take a look at the full-size ceremonies and other readings on this site, too, which can be shortened in length to fit your needs.
You might also choose this shorter length text: when it's going to be 100 degrees and your wedding is in full sun, or when most of your guests are standing, or when you'll be walking into a mosquito-filled forest.
An author once wrote: Being in love is a temporary madness; it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides.
And when it subsides you have to make a decision.
You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part.
Because this is what love is.
Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of eternal passion.
That is just "being in love", which any fool can do.
Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident.
And when it subsides you have to make a decision.
You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part.
Because this is what love is.
Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of eternal passion.
That is just "being in love", which any fool can do.
Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident.
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