Illuminating Ceremonies

Illuminating Ceremonies I specialize in creating wedding ceremonies that blow people's minds. Wedding Officiant, Life-Cycle Celebrant

Yesterday my worlds overlapped in a beautiful way: Michela, one of my walkers on a tour, mentioned that she also officia...
04/17/2025

Yesterday my worlds overlapped in a beautiful way: Michela, one of my walkers on a tour, mentioned that she also officiates weddings, just like me, only she does destination weddings in Italy. Then she had me look up her Instagram to see photos of her Italian weddings...when I did that, I realized that I already followed her. And she realized that she already followed me. Then she asked, 'did you write a book?' I said yes, Best Ceremony Ever. She said, 'I bought your book.' And I joked, 'So you're the one!'

Such a small world. Two officiants meet on a walking tour. Love it.

Ciao, Michela!!!!

Yes, and...this year Wedding MBA got at least 30 minutes funnier. I'll be leading pros through some life-saving comedy t...
04/15/2025

Yes, and...this year Wedding MBA got at least 30 minutes funnier. I'll be leading pros through some life-saving comedy tips that will make profits soar, 100% guaranteed, and no exaggeration!

Does your company want to increase its money intake 10x?

Wouldn't you rather work with funnier people?

Do you agree that life is too short not to laugh more?

Bring me in to funny-up your teams.

Chris '3 Cups of Coffee' Shelley


I don't work for Liberty House, but I sometimes work at Liberty House, which boasts some of the most stunning Manhattan ...
04/05/2025

I don't work for Liberty House, but I sometimes work at Liberty House, which boasts some of the most stunning Manhattan views of any wedding venue.

Remembering a brilliant night at the Bronx Zoo. The seal show at cocktail hour is priceless!
01/25/2025

Remembering a brilliant night at the Bronx Zoo. The seal show at cocktail hour is priceless!

Holy cow: I just realized that it was 13 years ago today when I officiated my 1st wedding, by Channel Gardens at Rockefe...
12/03/2024

Holy cow: I just realized that it was 13 years ago today when I officiated my 1st wedding, by Channel Gardens at Rockefeller Plaza.

Many thanks to my couples and fellow wedding vendors, far too many to tag here.



Most people know me as a wedding officiant, but my new other passion job is NYC Walking Tour Guide. Coming soon, my soci...
11/22/2024

Most people know me as a wedding officiant, but my new other passion job is NYC Walking Tour Guide. Coming soon, my social media output for walking tours will be on a new Instagram page (WalkwithChris).

I love my wedding colleagues and the hundreds of couples I've married over the last 12+ years. I will keep doing weddings as long as couples want hilarious & heart-achingly genuine ceremonies. But during weekdays, you can join me in fun, roaming crowdwork strolls through NYC.

Coming soon for individuals, couples, and groups up to 8 people!

WalkwithChris.com

For now, DM me for info

Chris

Wedding in Mt. Adams at the elegant Monastery Event Center. Kris & her staff are masters of the room flip. The venue is ...
11/16/2024

Wedding in Mt. Adams at the elegant Monastery Event Center. Kris & her staff are masters of the room flip. The venue is always the biggest star of the evening. The acoustics feel grand. Congrats to Stacey & Matthew.






Wedding MBA is a great place to meet new people. Within minutes of arriving, the talented JB Sax sat down next to me and...
11/13/2024

Wedding MBA is a great place to meet new people. Within minutes of arriving, the talented JB Sax sat down next to me and bam - we talked for the next half hour. What a guy! He plays sax for many people including San Diego Padres fans, meaning, he will play the national anthem before games. Yeah. He's been doing that for decades. And now the wedding industry gets to enjoy his skills. Are we lucky or what?



Time to learn and be learned. Looking forward to seeing and many others...
11/12/2024

Time to learn and be learned. Looking forward to seeing and many others...

To all the wedding planners and venue hosts with whom I've worked. On behalf of all professional wedding officiants, I a...
11/08/2024

To all the wedding planners and venue hosts with whom I've worked. On behalf of all professional wedding officiants, I am asking that you help us educate couples on the value of having a professional officiate the ceremony. Maybe explain that the ceremony is like the classic car pictured in this photo: classic, gorgeous, iconic. Ask if they would entrust someone who has no driver's license and no experience driving a car to drive this car. On a highway. At top speed. Please let them know that creating a personal touch is part of what we do. Please let them know that there are other ways to save money. Please help us. We are so downstream in the hiring process, we have little to no chance to educate couples before they have made this decision. We love our work, but for us to make this argument is tough because we are obviously biased. We need the other trusted vendors to defend and help us.

And if any of you will attend Wedding MBA next week, please come hear my talk Thursday at 3:50pm. I will make a pitch for how pro officiants can improve the emotional impact and guest experience for the entire wedding, not just the ceremony. Thank you.




DC did not disappoint for Brittany & Brian's wedding at the Dockmaster Building. Brilliant skies, lively marina, pro ven...
11/06/2024

DC did not disappoint for Brittany & Brian's wedding at the Dockmaster Building. Brilliant skies, lively marina, pro vendors.

Planner:
Dress:
Tuxedo:
Florist:
Desserts:
Cake:
Caterer:
Hair & Makeup:
Photo:
DJ:
Decor:
Lion Dancers:
Crane Wall:
Hotel:

On Thursday Nov 14, at 3:50pm, I'll be talking about ways that officiants can make more money.
10/31/2024

On Thursday Nov 14, at 3:50pm, I'll be talking about ways that officiants can make more money.

Saw Todd Barry perform tonight. Great stuff.
10/26/2024

Saw Todd Barry perform tonight. Great stuff.


New trend: the Vendor Shot! A must at every wedding.Gathered here: Amy Duvic of Glass and Grace Events, Dan from Cincy ...
10/22/2024

New trend: the Vendor Shot! A must at every wedding.

Gathered here: Amy Duvic of Glass and Grace Events, Dan from Cincy Wedding Services and Brit from Brit Jaye Photography.



My double life has been very much in effect for the past two months, with weddings at their peak and walking tours picki...
10/18/2024

My double life has been very much in effect for the past two months, with weddings at their peak and walking tours picking up speed. I really love both jobs; I love the dressed-up excitement and pressure of a wedding crowd and I love the roaming shows through NYC streets with a dozen international tourists in tow.



Private tours available, for 1-12 interesting people

Address

New York, NY
10022

Telephone

+17182220110

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Illuminating Ceremonies posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Illuminating Ceremonies:

Shortcuts

Share

Category