Sarah Ritchie Unions

Lesbian & Gay Wedding Ceremonies NYC

NYC Celebrant & Ordained Wedding Officiant

Let Me Tell Your Love Story

Your Perfect New York Marriage Ceremony

As an ordained officiant in New York, certified by the Celebrant Foundation & Institute, I want to serve the Gay and Lesbian community, by creating and performing your ceremony, your way.

Your perfect marriage ceremony reflects your history, philosophy, and creativity – as individuals and as a couple. Let’s craft a wonderful, meaning filled LGBT ceremony that expresses the most significant aspect of your lives…one that recognizes the profound commitment you are making, as well as the sheer joy of the occasion.

Sarah Ritchie - More than 20 Years Professional Wedding & Event Planning Experience

As an ordained non-denominational Minister, Certified Celebrant, and Civil Union and Wedding Officiant, I come to your ceremony with more than 20 years professional experience in education, nonprofit management, and event planning.

Having spent decades studying history, religion, art, and music, I am able to offer you a comprehensive and creative approach to developing and delivering the wedding ceremony that you have always imagined.

The Creative Process - Our Partnership

process I would be pleased to schedule a complimentary meeting to discuss your vision of the day. Our initial conversation helps me get to know you and vice versa, focusing on the big picture of your love story and preferences for the civil union.

The heart of a celebrant led LGBT marriage ceremony is the narrative of your story. Our first project is to create that anchor for the ceremony. Based on questions and conversations, I will create an essay for your review.

As we move through this important process, we will discuss other elements of the ceremony and your desires and hopes—readings, music, and rituals or customs you wish to include (from your own tradition or others). The ceremony composition will be guided by compelling questions, like:

What do you want to evoke with this ceremony?
What makes you and your partner special?
How did you find one another and fall in love?
What are the religious, spiritual, and intellectual touchstones in your lives?
How can we honor your story, your family, your history?

Once we form a partnership to work together, I am available to you for questions and consultation and will have your special day in the forefront of my mind. I will write and re-write your ceremony until each word shines. Your complete satisfaction is paramount. Your wish is my command!

Full Service LGBT Wedding Ceremony Packages

Your ceremony deserves all the time and attention devoted to every other major part of the wedding day. With my full-service package, I will develop, with your consultation and approval, a complete ceremony including the narrative of your love story, vows, and any other ceremonial elements you wish to add.

I will happily provide you with readings and resource materials, including music selections, drawing from my broad ceremony repertoire. I will offer a full draft for your comments, edits, and feedback, and I will continue to polish the ceremony until it meets with your complete satisfaction. I am prepared to meet and work with your event planners, caterers, musicians, and others to discuss all aspects of the event.

I will conduct a wedding rehearsal at your convenience, and I will arrive early to your ceremony and stay late, if need be. After the event, you will receive a “keepsake” version of your ceremony.