Barbara Ann Michaels

Jester of the Peace

New York City Licensed Officiant for Gay and Lesbian Weddings

Specializing in Creative Personalized Ceremonies, and Costume and Adventure Weddings

 

 

New York Interfaith Justice of the Peace

Supports Interfaith, Intercultural Unions, & Marriage Equality in New York City & Beyond

 

 

Barbara's Views on Same-Sex Marriage

I honor and celebrate your love. The day Massachusetts passed Marriage Equality in 2004, I was up most of the night on May 16th at Cambridge City Hall, cheering friends who got their wedding licenses at the dawn of May 17th. I have walked (and biked, danced, and clowned!) in numerous Pride Marches in New York, Maine and Massachusetts since 1993. In NYC Pride 2010, I participated as the Jester of the Peace, "marrying" enthusiastic same-sex couples from the crowd all along the route in sweet and fun little ceremonies. I stand with you for Marriage Equality in surety and joy.

 

Unique Ceremonies that Honor the Truth & Treasure of Your Unique Union

Your wedding is an artful expression of who you are, both as a couple and as individuals in love. The promises you make in your ceremony are the foundation of your marriage ~ your home.

 

Experience the truth and treasure of your love in an inspired custom ceremony you help design ~ from elegant to sweet to playful! Choose a Personalized, Costume, or Adventure style for your wedding, commitment ceremony, or vow renewal -- there's nothing more sincere than having a really good time together. I'm Barbara Ann Michaels, a Registered NYC Wedding Officiant, and your Jester of the Peace. I welcome intercultural unions, and interfaith and civil ceremonies in New York City and beyond, including destination weddings. I marry couples from all over the world.

 

I'm your Officiant and your friend in this process. I delight in your special love story and value your visions for your future. With warmth, attention, and professionalism, I bring my love to your love. Together, we create a ceremony that honors the truth and treasure of your unique union. We use a process that is uplifting and relaxing. You'll incorporate elements as they feel true to you: traditions you hold dear, contemporary elements, including possibly inventing your own, roles for family and friends, music, and more.

 

Your Wedding is Yours. What is Important to You?

Traditions? Trends? Fashion? Nature? Spirituality? Simplicity? Novelty? Humor? We'll collaborate on your ceremony ~ to make it as truthful a picture of your love as we can.

 

First, I'll interview you and your fiancé. My journalism background gives me a knack for culling sweet and special details from our conversation. Second, you'll look at various traditions that you value, whether they are from your heritage or spiritual path or from a far land that happens to be near in your heart. Third, you'll explore your unique details, the ones that will help everyone in both families know you better as a couple, and delight in your love in a truly memorable way.

 

From there, you'll explore including family and friends in your ceremony, as you like. Fourth, we will write your ceremony, including your writing your own vows if you choose. You can edit the ceremony as much or as little as you wish. Our goal is to create a wedding celebration that feels just like your special love.

 

If you have a theme for your wedding ~ whether elegant, sweet, or playful! ~ we can draw your theme through your ceremony elements. Expressing your love with your creativity can take the form of personalized words, songs, costumes, an adventure setting, or reinterpreting a tradition.

 

Your Love is Your Work of Art

I both deeply value your love story and celebrate your creativity. What's your wedding wish? I've performed marriages on The Learning Channel's Four Weddings reality show, in a flying helicopter, in lovely Central Park, a grand church, a living room, numerous chic restaurants, and cross-dressed as Elvis for a disco wedding featured by the NY Daily News. You'll feel uplifted, relaxed, and in love together.

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