I do.

23/01/2025

Hey everyone, this year I'm approaching this award a little differently. As you may know, just over a year ago I do. joined forces with Koru Ceremony: Officiants Celebrating New Beginnings. This partnership has been amazing in that, from the start, we've had a couples first approach and really came together in an effort to help a broader set of clients.

This year I would love if you could please cast your vote for Koru Ceremony: Officiants Celebrating New Beginnings for Best Officiant in the Wisconsin Bride Best of 2025 Awards knowing that your vote isn't just a vote for them but it's a vote for I do. too.

With that being said...

Voting for Wisconsin Bride Best Of has begun, and we would be honored to receive your vote for BEST OFFICIANT!

Thanks to your incredible support for the past eight years, Koru Ceremony has been recognized as a finalist or winner. This recognition celebrates the work we love and helps future couples find the meaningful and personalized ceremonies we’re proud to create.

Every vote truly matters, and casting yours is quick and easy:

1. Visit the Wisconsin Bride Voting Page.
https://wibride.com
2. Click Cast Your Vote.
3. Write in Koru Ceremony under Best Officiant.

Voting ends Sunday, January 26, so why not take a moment right now to help us continue making love stories unforgettable?

We are deeply grateful to have been part of your journey and for your trust in us. Your support means the world to us, and it inspires us every day to create ceremonies filled with love and joy.

With heartfelt thanks,

Pat Werk, Sarah Harrison, Peter Leidy, Una Lucey-Lee, Brad Schnell, and Rachel Tatge
Koru Ceremony Officiants

16/01/2025

Well will you look at that!

I do. has earned both the WeddingWire's Couples Choice Award and The Knot's Best of Weddings for 2025!

This is a huge accomplishment and I have the amazing I do. family to thank for getting out there and posting their experiences and voting for me.

I add these awards to the 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023 WeddingWire's Couples Choice wins!

I've said it before and I'll say it again, the I do. family of couples is the whole secret to I do's continued success. I do. would be nothing without your love stories and your trust that you place in me as your officiant on one of the biggest days of your life.

I'm forever grateful, humble and dilegent in my continued mission to bring the very best to the weddings that I have the honor of officiating.

To check out I do's page on WeddingWire go here: https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/i-do-jackson/c29ca206bb67871c.html

09/01/2025

First of all, how amazing do Samantha and Jacob look together?

Sam and Jacob's fall wedding was for sure a highlight of the season. Their love story is all about triumph over adversity and how important true friendship and shared vision are in marriage.

But second, look through the photos. Do you notice something? Good officiants know and own the ceremony space. Great officiants do the best they can to use the space (and their ceremony) to bring their couples forward.

What does that mean? Well, you should have an officiant that:

- Stands out of the way as the bride or groom is coming down so the photographer can get their fiance's full reaction (in multiple angles and aspect ratios).
- Stands to the side for vows.
- Doesn't speak the vows into the microphone and have the bride or groom repeat after you.
- And for the love of everything, gets out of the first kiss photo!
..and that's just a few things that mastery in officiating requires.

Having an officiant that's focused on YOU and not themselves will help ensure that your ceremony stays about the you and your unique love story together.

Photo credit: Manor Studios 1848 (Erin Morii Studios)

31/12/2024

2024 was quite the year wasn't it?

42 brides and grooms, new and exciting venues, all the travel and not to mention all of the AMAZING love stories we shared!

2025 is set to be another spectacular year and I can not wait to see where the road takes us.

To all the I do. family of couples past, present and future - HAPPY NEW YEAR! Let today be another reminder to enjoy the journey and celebrate the milestones along the way.

24/12/2024

From my family to yours we wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! May the peace of the Holiday season grace you and yours.

09/12/2024

In my last post I talked about reviews and how you should read them with any vendor you're considering for your wedding team.

I just noticed that implimented an AI "Review Summary." So, if seeing that I've been reviewed by 51 different couples, have a 5 star rating from all of them and reading some of those reviews isn't enough, don't worry modern AI technology can wrap it all in a nice little bow for you.

After reading it I think AI did, well, pretty ok. Don't you?

05/12/2024

One of the most important things you can do when considering your wedding vendor team is to go through their reviews. How did other couples experience their service? What can you expect when working with this person or team? How do you know if you're going with someone reputable that has a history of performance?

I'm so excited that so many couples that I've worked with have left so many reviews of their time working with I do! Here's just one of the more recent ones.

If you're looking for your officiant for the 2025 and, yes the 2026 season (booking now), please check out the following for more insight on what you can expect when working with me!

https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/i-do-jackson/c29ca206bb67871c.html
https://idoofficiant.com/testimonials/
https://www.facebook.com/schnellofficiantservices/reviews

Don't wait if you're looking to hire a pro for your ceremony!

28/11/2024

Here at I do. we're all about bringing families together whether it's in ceremony or to enjoy your 3rd peice of pie on Thanksgiving. Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

11/11/2024

Freedom isn't free and there's no better day to remember the sacrifices of those who make all the freedoms we enjoy possible. Wishing all Veterans a very Happy Veterans Day. Today we honor you and thank you for your enduring service that makes our country and the world a safer place.

03/11/2024

Congratulations are in order for Caryssa and Darrin on their beautiful fall wedding day.

The scene was set with the downtown Milwaukee skyline as Darrin and Caryssa said their “I do’s” on the rooftop of at ! Caryssa and Darrin met as when they were in architectural school at UWM. Through the challenges of early adulthood, college, grad school and the beginnings of their working career they stayed dedicated and kept their relationship at the center of their lives. Darrin in his vows said “home is not a place, it’s a person.” and these two couldn’t be more of an example of how that is so true.

I am so honored to have told their story and welcome Darrin and Caryssa to the I do. family!

Photo and DJ: Wedding Planner and Day of Coordination:
Catering:

23/10/2024

It's hard to believe that the 2024 wedding season is almost at a close. This season was INCREDIBLE and had so many amazing couples, travel to new states and new venues. I made a lot of new partners and learned a lot (as we always do).

This all to say that the 2025 season is coming up fast and dates are booking quickly! If I do. is on your list of dreamteam vendors - lets make sure we're talking about it!

I can't wait to hear from you!

Photo credit: Uttke Photography & Design

08/10/2024

Over the weekend I do. turned 12! It's unbelievable to think that just over 12 years ago I officiated my very first wedding ceremony but here we are.

12 years and hundreds of couples later I'm so grateful and humbled that I've had the opportunity to share so many love stories over the years and be a part of so many of your lives.

I can't wait to see what the next 12 years brings!

💍

05/10/2024

We did it again! Can’t lose wearing the gold jacket.

04/10/2024

I'm so honored to be emceeing this gala for the 5th year running! Can't wait to see you all there as we raise money, awareness and provide support for this terrible disease.

If you haven't gotten your tickets yet there's still time. Won't you join us?

Chasing Chad is looking forward to seeing you for our 11th annual Chasing Chad Gala - raising funds, awareness and support for those impacted by brain cancer...

01/10/2024

Don't forget this Friday I'll be your emcee for the Chasing Chad Annual Fundraising Gala! We still have tickets available so join us for a night of casino games, prizes and so much more as we take over the beautiful Jan Serr Studio.

Please join us and make a difference in someone's life this fall!

I'll see you there!

10.4.24 We are less than one month away from our Casino Night Gala!

Buy your tickets here: https://e.givesmart.com/events/Cbw/

26/09/2024

As I was traveling to Indiana to officate a wedding a few weeks ago I decided to record a little video to share some of my favorite wedding trends that I've seen in 2024. Hope you enjoy this video and stay tuned until the end for a few extra tips to ensure that your 2025 wedding day is the best it can be!

Enjoy the ride!

In this video I discuss some of my favorite wedding trends that I've seen in the 2024 wedding season as I fly down to Indiana for a wedding ceremony.Book you...

22/09/2024

Another amazing day at with a star studded cast of vendors to cap off a double header weekend!

What an awesome day for Heather and Wes! Heather and Wes had such a beautiful ceremony and I’m so grateful the rain held off just long enough to tell their story which was all about a love that started in high school!

As an officiant I rarely see high school sweethearts but when I do you know you have found something truly special and this ceremony was perfect! I wish all the best to these two and their growing number of pets 😉 cheers to “more dogs!” Welcome to the I do. family!

Vendors
Day of Coordination: Forever & Ever Events
Venue: The Cupola Barn
Photo: Arianne Elizabeth Photography
Video: Panorama Photography & Videography
Caterer: All Occasions Catering / Bubb's BBQ
Bartender: Over The Moon Bartending
DJ/Live Music: Phil Norby Music