Why I Became a Wedding Officiant: The Heart Behind Rivere Ceremonies

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There are moments in life when you stumble into your purpose without even realizing it at first. Sometimes it begins as a whisper, a quiet nudge that grows louder with every experience, every person you meet, and every story you hear. That is exactly how my journey as a wedding officiant began. It wasn’t planned, it wasn’t something I had mapped out—but it became one of the greatest honors of my life.

When I founded Rivere Ceremonies, I made a promise to myself and to every couple I would ever serve:

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I will never treat your wedding ceremony as a template.

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Your ceremony should never sound like it was borrowed from someone else’s love story. It should sound like you. It should reflect your history, your laughter, your quirks, your values, your dreams—and the beautiful, unpredictable path that brought you to your wedding day.

From the very beginning, that has been my mission. And every time I step in front of a couple to pronounce them married, I am reminded of why I chose this path.

The Call to Something More Meaningful

Before I ever officiated my first wedding, I attended ceremonies that were beautiful in décor but empty in language—ceremonies where the script could have been handed to any couple, at any venue, on any day, and nothing would have changed except the names.

I remember sitting at one particular wedding thinking, This couple deserves more than this. They had a deep, real, vibrant love. They had spent years growing together, building a life together, understanding each other’s hearts. And yet the ceremony didn’t reflect any of that. It didn’t tell their story.

That moment stuck with me.

A thought formed in my mind—one that I couldn’t ignore:

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"Love stories deserve to be told."

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Not vaguely, not generically, not in a way that could apply to anyone.
But honestly. Intimately. Joyfully. Personally.

And I knew I wanted to be the person who could give couples that kind of ceremony.

I realized that what I had witnessed wasn’t uncommon—too many couples were experiencing ceremonies that didn’t reflect the essence of who they were. I knew I could change that. I knew I could offer something different, something heartfelt, something entirely their own.

The Decision to Become an Officiant

When I finally decided to take that leap, it felt like everything clicked. Being a wedding officiant combined so many things I already loved:

• Writing heartfelt, meaningful stories
• Listening deeply to people’s experiences
• Celebrating love in its purest form
• Creating emotional, memorable moments
• Honoring the sacredness of commitment

It allowed me to bring together creativity, compassion, spirituality, storytelling, and presence—all in service of one of the most important days of someone’s life.

I didn’t want to stand at the front and recite a list of standard lines.
I wanted to connect.
I wanted to make couples feel seen, valued, and understood.
And I wanted guests to leave the ceremony thinking,
"Wow… that was truly them."

That feeling—the desire to reflect someone’s heart back to them—became my compass.

As I began officiating weddings, I discovered something unexpected: each ceremony shaped me as much as I shaped it. Every couple taught me something different about love—its resilience, its gentleness, its humor, its timing, its stubborn refusal to give up, and its ability to heal. Those lessons changed me, deepened me, and reaffirmed my belief that love truly is the most powerful force on earth.

Personalization Isn’t a Trend—It’s My Core Value

From the first moment a couple reaches out, I begin learning about them in the most genuine, organic way possible. I hear about:

• The moment they met
• The qualities they love most in each other
• Their favorite memories
• Their dreams for the future
• Their challenges, triumphs, and turning points
• The little inside jokes that belong only to them

These stories become the foundation of their ceremony.

Every detail matters.
Every sentence is intentional.
Every moment is crafted to honor who they are.

So, when I say I don’t do cookie-cutter ceremonies, I truly mean it.
I do not pull a generic script from a folder and plug in names.
I write each ceremony from scratch, with a fresh heart, a fresh perspective, and deep respect for the couple’s journey.

Personalization isn't just about words—it's about presence. It's about showing up for a couple in a way that reminds them they matter. Even during the questionnaire process, couples often tell me, “I’ve never thought about that before,” or “Just talking about our story made me emotional.” Those moments are the beginning of the ceremony, long before anyone walks down the aisle.

The Review That Reminded Me Why I Do This Work

Recently, I woke up to a review that touched me so deeply, I had to stop for a moment, breathe it in, and let myself feel the gratitude. Because while I know why this work matters so much to me, hearing that it matters just as much to the couples I serve is something I never take for granted.

Here is the review that truly made my morning:

“Gina did a wonderful job with our ceremony. It's obvious how much work she put into making something truly personal to our relationship and wasn't just reading from a standard list of talking points. Our families all commented on how beautiful her ceremony was and I absolutely agree. It sounded like she had known us for years. I absolutely recommend Gina to anyone looking for something that isn't just a standard ‘do you take this man…’ceremony, but truly want to celebrate what makes your relationship special. Thank you, Gina!”

When I read these words, something inside me stirred—the same feeling I had the very first time I stood before a couple ready to say I do.
A sense of purpose.
A sense of calling.
A sense of honor.

Reviews like this remind me that people can feel the heart behind the work. They notice the intention, the time, the care, and the love poured into every ceremony. And knowing that makes every late-night writing session and every thoughtful rewrite worth it.

What Personalization Really Means on a Wedding Day

People often assume “personalized ceremony” means adding a favorite quote or adjusting a few lines. While those things matter, personalization goes much deeper.

Here is what a truly personalized ceremony looks like:

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1. It feels like the couple.

Guests should listen and think,
"This is exactly who they are."
The tone, the stories, the pacing, the emotions—all should reflect the couple’s unique energy and connection.

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2. Their story is at the center.

Not an outline.
Not a tradition for tradition’s sake.
Not filler words.
But their actual journey—told with respect, sincerity, and sometimes even humor.

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3. It speaks to their values.

Whether spiritual, romantic, modern, simple, or symbolic, the ceremony should honor what matters most to them.

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4. It creates meaningful moments.

Laughter. Tears. Silence. Connection.
A ceremony should make time slow down—just for a little while.

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5. It leaves a lasting impression.

Guests often tell me afterward,
"That was the most beautiful ceremony I’ve ever heard.”
And it’s not because of me—it’s because of the couple.
I simply shine a light on their love.

When the ceremony is crafted with sincerity, it becomes more than a formality. It becomes a memory that anchors the entire wedding day.

The Work No One Sees (But Every Couple Feels)

Being a wedding officiant is not just showing up on the wedding day. What couples receive is the final polished moment—but behind that moment is hours and hours of unseen labor.

Here's a glimpse into what goes into each ceremony:

• Reading every detail the couple shares
• Crafting a narrative that feels organic and true
• Weaving in humor, sentiment, spirituality, or softness based on their preferences
• Writing, reviewing, rewriting, and refining
• Preparing vows, readings, or unity rituals
• Coordinating with photographers, planners, and DJs
• Arriving early to walk the space and ensure flow
• Grounding myself so I can be fully present for them

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Some people think officiating is simply speaking.
But the truth is… officiating is storytelling, honoring, celebrating, holding space, and guiding.

It is both an art and a responsibility.

And that responsibility is one I do not take lightly.

Why Cookie-Cutter Ceremonies Don’t Belong Here

There is absolutely nothing wrong with simple ceremonies, but there is something lacking when a script is so generic that it could apply to anyone. For a moment as sacred as joining your life with another person, your ceremony should capture your essence—not a template.

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Here’s why I refuse to use cookie-cutter scripts:

Because your love story earned its place.

You worked for this love.
You overcame challenges.
You grew individually and together.
Your ceremony should reflect the depth of that journey.

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Because you deserve to be seen.

A personalized ceremony says,
"We see you. We honor you. We celebrate you."

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Because generic words can’t express personal meaning.

The right words create tears, laughter, nostalgia—moments that stay with you forever.

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Because your wedding day is once in a lifetime.

There is no redo.
Your ceremony should feel unforgettable.

A cookie-cutter script could never do justice to the years, moments, and emotions that led to your “yes,” your “I do,” and your forever.

The Moments That Stay With Me

Over the years, I’ve been privileged to witness moments that stay with me long after the wedding day ends:

• A groom tearing up before he even saw his bride.
• A couple laughing through their vows because the joy was too big to contain.
• Parents grabbing my hand afterward and saying,
      “Thank you for giving them this memory.”
• Guests whispering,
      “I didn’t expect to cry, but here we are.”
• Couples hugging me as though we had known each other for decades.

Every ceremony leaves a mark on my heart. I remember faces, moments, stories, laughter, tears. I remember the way the air feels right before the bride walks in. I remember the look on the groom’s face, the softness in the bride’s eyes, and the magic that settles over the space when two people realize they’re about to become one.

These moments are why I continue.

The Morning I Was Reminded of My Purpose

When the review I shared earlier came in, I felt something shift. Not because I needed validation, but because it reminded me that love—when honored properly—touches people. It moves them. It creates connection.

This couple saw the heart I put into their ceremony. They noticed the intention. They felt the personalization. And that is everything I strive for.

It also reminded me of something important:

‍People may forget the flowers, the food, the décor—but they will never forget how the ceremony made them feel.

And that is why I pour my whole heart into this part of the wedding day.

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Why I Still Choose This Path Every Single Day

There are many professions that involve creativity, compassion, and connection. But being a wedding officiant is different. It’s deeply human. Deeply relational. Deeply sacred.

I choose this work because:

• I believe in love—real, imperfect, beautiful love.
• I believe every couple deserves to feel cherished on their wedding day.
• I believe words have the power to shape memories.
• I believe your ceremony should reflect your truth.
• I believe storytelling is one of the greatest gifts we can offer.

And I believe that when I stand with you on your wedding day, I am not just performing a role.

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I am honoring your life, your journey, your commitment, your future.

That is why I became a wedding officiant.
That is why I write every ceremony with intention.
That is why I pour my heart into each couple’s story.

And that is why I will continue doing this work for as long as couples trust me with it.

The Beauty of Witnessing Love Up Close

One thing I never expected when I entered this work was how deeply I would be moved by the quiet, intimate moments that unfold before and after a ceremony. While the guests see the polished, beautiful exchange at the altar, I often witness the moments just outside the spotlight—the bride taking one last deep breath before walking in, the groom whispering “I’m ready” to steady his nerves, the parents trying not to cry as they adjust a veil or straighten a tie.

These moments are sacred. They are honest. And they remind me that a wedding ceremony isn’t just a performance—it’s a transition. It is the moment two people step across a threshold and into a future they’ve chosen together.

I often think about how powerful it is that I get to stand right at the center of that transition. Not as the star of the show, but as the storyteller, the guide, the voice that helps shape the space where two people make the most meaningful promise of their lives. Every time I speak the words, “By the power vested in me…,” I feel the weight of it—and the joy of it. That moment never becomes ordinary. It never loses its magic.

A Ceremony Is More Than Words—It’s an Experience

A personalized ceremony isn’t just about the script itself. It’s about the energy created in the space, the emotional tone, the pacing, the warmth, the intentionality. My goal is always to craft a ceremony where the couple feels safe enough to be vulnerable and where guests feel invited into the heart of the story. When the mood is right, you can almost feel the entire room breathe together.

It should be the moment that sets the tone for everything that follows—the celebration, the photos, the reception, the joy.

When a couple tells me their ceremony exceeded expectations, that is the greatest compliment I can receive. It means the experience wasn’t just heard—it was felt.

Why I’ll Never Stop Doing This Work

There are countless beautiful moments in life, but few areas powerful as witnessing two people choose each other wholeheartedly. That is a privilege I will never take for granted.

Every ceremony deepens my passion for this work. Every love story reminds me that the world is still filled with goodness and hope. And every review, every hug, every tearful parent, every joyful couple reminds me that I am exactly where I am meant to be.

If You’re Looking for a Ceremony That Feels Like Home

Your wedding ceremony should feel like a moment suspended in time—a moment when everything else fades and only the two of you remain.

If you’re dreaming of a ceremony that is:

Personalized
Emotional
True to your story
Heartfelt and memorable
Crafted with care and intention

Then I would be honored to stand beside you on your special day.

Whether your love story is silly, poetic, quiet, adventurous, spiritual, or something beautifully in-between… I want to help you tell it in a way that feels authentically yours.

Rivere Ceremonies

Where your story becomes the heart of your wedding.
If you’re ready for a ceremony that reflects who you truly are, I would love to be part of your journey.

Let’s create something unforgettable together.

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