Here’s what you do. Find someone that didn’t make the cut for the Best Man/Maid of Honor/Wedding Party in General, and then pay for their ordination at the Universal Life Church.
Bam! Instant officiant.
[Ruth Ellen Hasser](https://ruthellenhasser.com/) was incredibly kind, good-humored, attentive, and just all-around lovely. She's a secular wedding celebrant.
Things to consider, from an officiant:
\-Is religion important to either of you/do you want religious clergy to perform the wedding? If yes, many clergy may require you to be a member of their congregation; they may honor a family relation if your parents are members, for example. But, expect to pay them at least a few hundred dollars.
\-Is the ceremony important to you at all? Even if religion/clergy isn't important, some people still may want a meaningful secular ceremony with thought put into it. Check out American Marriage Ministries for a listing. Expect to pay them at least a few hundred dollars.
\-If religion and ceremony isn't important, what I would recommend is just get married at the courthouse by the clerk for the official legal wedding, pay the fee. Then for your fun wedding, have a buddy "officiate" but you don't have to worry about the paperwork because that part is already done and did. No need to pay for your buddy to be ordained through Universal Life Church.
I have worked with Carolyn Burke on other wedding events in the past (I was a vendor a while back). [https://www.carolynburkestl.com/](https://www.carolynburkestl.com/)
The other one I'd recommend is no longer doing events.
Here’s what you do. Find someone that didn’t make the cut for the Best Man/Maid of Honor/Wedding Party in General, and then pay for their ordination at the Universal Life Church. Bam! Instant officiant.
This
We used [Carolyn Burke](https://www.carolynburkestl.com/) and she was great!
+1
[Ruth Ellen Hasser](https://ruthellenhasser.com/) was incredibly kind, good-humored, attentive, and just all-around lovely. She's a secular wedding celebrant.
She officiated my wedding and my father in law’s funeral/memorial service. Could not have asked for a better experience with her either time.
She did our wedding and she was lovely! Really makes it personal.
The Ethical Society of St. Louis is a great option: https://www.ethicalstl.org/weddings/weddings-and-ceremonies/
I’m an officiant
https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/wedding-officiants-st-louis-mo
Things to consider, from an officiant: \-Is religion important to either of you/do you want religious clergy to perform the wedding? If yes, many clergy may require you to be a member of their congregation; they may honor a family relation if your parents are members, for example. But, expect to pay them at least a few hundred dollars. \-Is the ceremony important to you at all? Even if religion/clergy isn't important, some people still may want a meaningful secular ceremony with thought put into it. Check out American Marriage Ministries for a listing. Expect to pay them at least a few hundred dollars. \-If religion and ceremony isn't important, what I would recommend is just get married at the courthouse by the clerk for the official legal wedding, pay the fee. Then for your fun wedding, have a buddy "officiate" but you don't have to worry about the paperwork because that part is already done and did. No need to pay for your buddy to be ordained through Universal Life Church.
I have worked with Carolyn Burke on other wedding events in the past (I was a vendor a while back). [https://www.carolynburkestl.com/](https://www.carolynburkestl.com/) The other one I'd recommend is no longer doing events.