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For many interfaith and same-sex couples, finding the right officiant can be more challenging than meeting the parents. Fortunately, New York is full of reverends and rabbis willing to unite all couples. We�ve sought out those most willing to personalize the ceremony according to your wishes, however unorthodox. In these listings, individuals are alphabetized by last name.
The Reverend Dr. Robert Brashear
212-362-4890
[email protected]
Not only can Brashear officiate at interfaith weddings and gay �holy unions,� he can do them in Spanish too (his home base is a bilingual Presbyterian church off Amsterdam Avenue). Half of an interfaith couple himself, he mostly presides at Jewish-Christian unions but occasionally work with other faiths, including Islam. He requires two meetings with the couple, the first to get a sense of who they are, the second to strategize the ceremony. His fee is negotiable but usually starts at $350.
The Rreverend Laurie Sue Brockway
212-631-3520
[email protected]
weddinggoddess.com
This interfaith and nondenominational minister has incorporated rituals from all faiths�Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, and more�to create what she calls �wedding theater.� A former journalist, Brockway is dedicated to crafting a personalized ceremony. Prices upon request.
Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture
53 Prospect Park West, near 2nd St., Brooklyn
718-768-2972
besec.org
Although each local Ethical Culture Society provides officiants for ceremonies—interfaith, secular, or gay—the Brooklyn branch, with its historical mansion and garden off Prospect Park, also makes a wonderful venue. Clergy leader Lisel Burns requires at least two meetings to help plan a ceremony in accordance with the organization’s philosophy; the fee is usually $350 to $600 (plus a small donation to the society), but she also accepts barter.
The Reverend Pat Bumgardner
212-629-7440
The longtime pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of New York, Bumgardner presides over gay unions both small and large. She�ll unite couples with any religious background (even none), but she requires at least two meetings to discuss the sacramental meaning and practical details of the ceremony. Book at least six months in advance; her fee is a $350 donation to the church (negotiable) if the ceremony is held there, $500 minimum if she must travel.
Captain Arnold's Nautical Wedding Bells
18-05 215 St., nr. Bell Blvd., #2G, Bayside
516-413-4555
nauticalweddingbells.com
Touted as the only ordained captain on the East Coast, Captain Arnold, complete with captain’s uniform, can marry you on the high seas (though he’ll legally have to remarry you on dry land), at the Boathouse in Central Park, or on the ship or venue of your choice—even the top of the Empire State Building. The interfaith chaplain works with couples to create customized ceremonies. Prices start at $500.
The Reverend Alma Daniel
212-613-5885
[email protected]
The ordained interfaith minister (also a bestselling author, spritual teacher and founder of a counseling service) will marry couples of all faiths, including interfaith and non-denominational and will perform spiritual, intimate and dignified civil ceremonies as well. Prices start at $500.
Rabbi Joseph H. Gelberman
212-866-3795
allfaithseminary.org
At 93, Gelberman may be the oldest interfaith clergyman in the city. The neo-Hasidic rabbi is widely recognized for his teachings on the Kabbalah and has married all faiths for 65 years. His assistant, Cantor Judith Steel, sings at his ceremonies, but performs her own as well. Prices start at $300, but if you can�t afford it, he will always work with you and negotiate. Try to schedule his services at least a year in advance.
Rabbi Joel S. Goor
212-679-8580
Goor has been marrying all faiths since 1978, when he realized that mixed unions had become �the reality of life.� He�ll perform services at the Metropolitan Synagogue of New York (one of the few that allow interfaith ceremonies), or wherever you wish. He requires at least one consultation; appointments should be booked about nine months ahead. Prices determined on a case-by-case basis.
The Reverend Leslie Harry
212-949-9529
revles.com
Former clients herald Harry for the �extraordinary sensitivity and spirituality� he brought to their ceremonies. As both an interfaith minister and a practicing psychotherapist, Harry prioritizes the couple�s needs, personalizing the process as much as possible. He welcomes any and all faiths, bringing religious components into the ceremony as the couple sees fit.
Interfaith Spiritual Community
212-787-7272
interfaithhome.org
Principal ministers Susanna Weiss and Allan Lokos perform some 50 individually crafted ceremonies every year. Thanks to Lokos�s background as an opera singer and Weiss�s expertise in linguistics, ceremonies can be sung, performed in virtually any language (past weddings have incorporated Hebrew, German, Italian, and Chinese), and can be religious or nonreligious, spiritual or nondenominational. Prices vary.
Celebrant Kim Kirkley
718-753-1993
nyceremonies.com
A former lawyer, Kirkley has been performing personalized ceremonies for three years and was awarded a prize from Modern Bride for her innovative work in the bridal industry. Her career move came after seeing her friends have difficulty finding a celebrant who would marry them without passing judgement. Since she started, she�s married about 175 couples in interfaith, secular, spiritual, and same-sex unions, from the Waldorf-Astoria to the Brooklyn Bridge, and all over the tristate area (her farthest destination wedding was in the Catskills). She�ll incorporate rituals from any culture and religion, and comes with solid knowledge of celebration methods throughout history and from around the world. Prices from $400. Couples should approach her six months to a year before the wedding.
Dr. Katherine Kurs
212-769-1102
[email protected]
With a master's from Harvard Divinity (and a Ph.D. from the Royal College of Art), Kurs can incorporate almost any religious tradition into ceremonies for either straight or gay couples. (One wedding included Episcopalian, Anglican, Greek Orthodox, Wiccan, gnostic, and Jewish mystical elements.) She likes to work closely with couples, which usually means three in-person meetings and lots of e-mails; $900 plus travel expenses.
The Reverend Allan Lokos
212-877-4655
[email protected]
Once a Broadway performer (he sang in the original Broadway production of Oliver!) Lokos is now an ordained interfaith minister affiliated with the Buddhist Order of Interbeing. He'll marry all faiths and is the co-founder and co-minister of the Interfaith Spiritual Community here in the city. Prices vary.
Rabbi Burt Aaron Siegel
212-570-9047
theshulofnewyork.org
[email protected]
Practicing for 36 years, Siegel welcomes all faiths and requires at
least one conversation with the couple before marrying them at the
Shul of New York (or a venue of their choice). He'll sing or chant
a traditional Hebrew wedding prayer and happily include readings selected
by the couple ($100 to $500).
New York Society for Ethical Culture in Manhattan
2 W. 64th St., nr. Central Park W.
212-874-5210
nysec.org
The Ethical Culture "Leaders" at this forward-thinking organization officiate "humanist ceremonies" that reflect gender equality, with an emphasis on ethics and no talk of God. Rather than asking for a blessing from above, Leaders ask for one from friends and family focusing on their personal commitment to the couple�s relationship. Based on a nonsectarian philosophy, ceremonies are appropriate for couples without a traditional religious affiliation or for those of different faiths, and are also available to same-sex couples. The cost is $500 plus $50 application fee.
Rabbi Marcia Rappaport
212-741-7378
800-314-8224
Known for her bluesy voice (she used to sing in a gospel choir), Rappaport is an equal-opportunity officiant: She leads Jewish, interfaith, civil, and gay and lesbian weddings. She likes to host an "appreciation meeting" to remind the couple that the focal point of the day is the love they have for each other. She prefers as much advance notice as possible.
Rabbi Roger Ross & the Reverend Deborah Steen Ross
212-222-1475
lovingheartsceremonies.com
An ordained rabbi and an ordained interfaith minister, this married couple is happy to preside over (and co-officiate) traditional as well as interfaith and same-sex ceremonies, and they�re happy to travel: Rabbi Ross once married a couple in Spain. He also recently co-officiated a Jewish-Christian-Hindu ceremony with a Christian minister and a Hindu Pundit in New Jersey. They like to meet with couples at least two times before proceeding. Prices vary.
Cantor Dan Rous
212-877-9717
212-877-9718
[email protected]
A former opera singer, Rous now performs at the 92nd Street Y on high holy days and officiates at weddings for couples (including same-sex) in which at least one partner is Jewish. Though he�ll incorporate the other partner�s religious preferences, he always sings the traditional Hebrew blessings (with the translation of your choice); $1,200 plus travel expenses.
Rabbi Burt Aaron Siegel
212-570-9047
theshulofnewyork.org
[email protected]
Practicing for 37 years, Siegel welcomes all faiths and requires at least one conversation with the couple before marrying them at the Shul of New York (or a venue of their choice). He�ll sing or chant a traditional Hebrew wedding prayer and happily include readings selected by the couple ($100 to $500).
Cantor Judith Steel
718-544-9772
917-371-4499
[email protected]
cantorjudithsteel.com
As a child, Cantor Judith Steel evaded Nazi persecution in Germany when a French Catholic family took her into their home�an experience that informed her view that love does not always fit within the neat confines of religion. She is the cantor at the
New Synagogue in Manhattan and an ordained interfaith minister. Highlights of Cantor Steel�s highly personalized services include a candle-lighting ceremony to join the two families, and a wine ceremony consisting of seven blessings chosen specifically by the bride and groom. Prices are determined on an individual basis.
A Wedding Your Way
917-620-3014
[email protected]
nycido.com
Pamela Mudzingwa is a newcomer to the network of officiants. She was ordained last year and has since married about 100 couples. She works very closely with them to script a highly customized wedding ceremony, one that is not affiliated with any single religion or cultural heritage. She�ll do interfaith, spiritual, and secular ceremonies and can accommodate a couple on a strict budget. For Hispanic weddings, she brings in a Spanish translator. And if you want to marry on a ship, you�re in luck: Mudzingwa is affiliated with the Norwegian Dawn and Royal Caribbean. Free consultation; fees vary.
Reverend Dr. Celeste Wiseblood
44 E. 32nd St., nr. Madison Ave., eleventh fl.
917-833-8885
212-505-1569
Rev. Dr. Wiseblood is the founder and senior minister of the Spirit of Life All Faiths Congregation. She officiates at interfaith ceremonies (same-sex couples are welcome) and specializes in English-Spanish bilingual ceremonies. Ceremonies may be held in one of the center�s spaces, economically priced at $14 an hour for smaller rooms, or
up to $40 per hour for a space holding up to 75 people (you can hold your reception there, too, as long as the food is vegetarian). Prices range from $250 to $600.
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