“Jill came recommended by our venue and from the start; we knew we made a great choice. By the end of the first call we were joking with each other like old friends. The planning process was easy and Jill was very accommodating even with a last minute meeting cancelation. The ceremony she wrote was heartfelt, personal and full of love. We could not be happier with the suggestions she made and how beautifully she incorporated our daughters. After the ceremony all of our guests raved about how it felt like she knew us our whole lives and how the day was full of love. We cannot thank Jill enough for her thoughtfulness in telling our love story and making our day incredibly special.“
–Tricia
About Jill
♫ Here comes the bride, here comes the bride…♫. As the two most plastic, stiff bride and groom jumped down the aisle I couldn’t have been more proud. Barbie and Ken’s wedding is still one of the first and strongest memories that I have. I had planned and officiated at my first major event; my precious dolls’ wedding. There have been many events since those days many years ago, but I am always aware of the importance of make-believe in shaping who we are and what we do.
When I talk to friends about becoming a Celebrant, everyone’s response is, “you’ve been doing that all your life” and in some ways that is really true. I didn’t have the title or the official training, but the passion and desire to turn everyday events into occasions and traditional life cycle events into personal, customized milestones has been a part of me my whole life. Family, ritual and tradition are all core values of mine.
I am on a life long journey. I have had a series of careers in my life. I believe that each one has been a stepping-stone to the next level, building on my experiences. I have a degree in Individual and Family Studies, and a master’s degree in Psycho-Educational Processes.
Always looking to grow personally and professionally, some years ago I learned about professional life coaching. I am now a certified professional coach. I have an active practice where I work with a variety of people journeying through life’s transitions. I firmly believe that each of us needs to be really present in our lives and for life’s events to be recognized, acknowledged and celebrated.
Celebrant work is very much the same as the work I do as a coach. How someone chooses to celebrate an occasion is such an individual choice and I respect this process immensely. I believe that combining my coaching with being a Celebrant is a beautiful blend of my passions and that their synchronicity will enhance the experiences of both types of clients.
Unique, personalized ceremonies are my specialty. I am certified as a Life Cycle Celebrant® from Celebrant Foundation & Institute to officiate at all life cycle events, specializing in wedding ceremonies as well as vow renewal, baby naming, house warming, divorce and coming of age. Each ceremony is completely customized and performed by an extensively trained Officiant. I bring my enthusiasm for you and my heartfelt desire to create a ceremony that you have dreamed of. As an ordained NON-denominational minister, all marriages are legal and recognized by most municipalities.
When creating weddings I first meet couples that are considering hiring me and we get to know each other. It’s all about the relationship that we form. From the very first that I talk to you, I am learning about you individually and as a couple. I pride myself on creating ceremonies that reflect who you are and what you want to convey. Once I get to know you, I write your love story and I weave it into your ceremony. You and your guests walk away feeling fully engaged in your service.
Working with interfaith couples is a passion for me. This includes all forms of interfaith. I can blend traditions and rituals from both cultures and/or religions so that each feels they are represented and included. I am sensitive to the challenges that this can present to the couple and their families. Having spent time with several interfaith couples, I know that working with me helps the couple to start their life together as a unified, compromising partnership.
While Ken and Barbie are long packed away, remembering how I felt as I created their ceremony is ever-present. I love working with others as we co-create Meaningful Milestone ceremonies.