ULC - IN THE NEWS

Mar 22

Once in a Blue Supermoon, a Lifelong Commitment Is Made

ULC in the News

Just a few weeks after meeting, Tiffany Langlinais and Michael Graves evacuated New Orleans ahead of Hurricane Ida. A tumultuous two weeks on the road solidified their relationship. In August 2023, Mr. Graves proposed on a beach in Door County, Wis., while watching the blue supermoon gleam above the water. The two were married by a friend who was previously ordained by the Universal Life Church.

Source: The NY Times

Mar 15

The Proposal Expert Gets Her Own Surprise Ring

ULC in the News

Ben Cohen wanted to make sure Lexi Tobin, a wedding influencer and proposal planner, got the proposal of a lifetime. After solving a series of clues that led her to a romantic destination, Ms. Tobin was met with an unforgettable proposal. The two were married by Ms. Tobin’s uncle, Erik Powers, who was previously ordained by the Universal Life Church.

Source: The NY Times

Mar 08

A Wedding Do-Over After a Broken Heart (Not the Kind You’re Thinking)

ULC in the News

Just minutes after Eli Newell and Dr. Erika Amundson exchanged vows last spring, he was rushed to the hospital. Their second go-round was far less traumatic. At the first wedding, they read handwritten vows before their guests and Matthew Donnelly, the Universal Life Church minister and friend who married them.

Source: The NY Times

Mar 05

I Now Pronounce You, Whatever the Hell You Want

ULC in the News

Singer Cassadee Pope shared her distress at Tennessee’s new marriage law, which states that public officials are no longer obligated “to solemnize a marriage.” Pope voiced her support for same-sex couples, 'if you run into any issues, I’d love to help you out,' revealing that she received a Certificate of Ministry from the Universal Life Church in 2020.

Source: Billboard

Mar 01

A Secret Crush and a Not-So-Obvious First Date Leads to Romance

ULC in the News

Talia Bernstein and Kristen Zublin became friends after meeting at an improv class in Los Angeles, but their relationship shifted after Ms. Bernstein invited Ms. Zublin over for homemade pizza. The two were married 8 years later by actor Blake Lee, one of their close friends who was ordained by the Universal Life Church for the event.

Source: The NY Times

Feb 23

From ‘Letters Across the Sea’ to Marriage in Under a Year

ULC in the News

Alison Eggert and Raylynne Perez met through a dating app last June, and just two months later they were engaged. Ms. Eggert’s cousin, Daniel Streit, who was ordained by the Universal Life Church, officiated their wedding in front of a close group of family and friends.

Source: The NY Times

Feb 16

Two Writers Craft Their Own Love Story

ULC in the News

After a trip to promote her best seller “Mostly Dead Things,” Kristen Arnett detoured to meet Kayla Upadhyaya in person for the first time. Basking in the light of their vibrant relationship, the two authors were married in Florida by a Universal Life Church minister.

Source: The NY Times

Feb 02

After a Breakup, Their Reunion Played Out Like a 'Rom-Com'

ULC in the News

Kavi Packiam and Stephanie Rodriguez met at a Manhattan nightclub and became official less than three months later. However, the pandemic and distance got in the way. The couple finally married on Jan. 27 at Bethesda Terrace in Central Park, the same place Mr. Packiam proposed. Mr. Packiam’s childhood friend, Arjun Krishnamoorthy, who was ordained by the Universal Life Church, officiated.

Source: The New York Times

Jan 19

A Psychedelic Trip Leads to a ‘Cosmic and Divine’ Celebration of Love

ULC in the News

Josh Radnor, the star of “How I Met Your Mother,” and Jordana Jacobs, a psychologist in Brooklyn, met while exploring the far reaches of consciousness and later said “I do” in a winter storm. The ceremony included Jewish wedding traditions and was led by Jacob Azia, a friend of the couple who is a Universal Life Church minister.

Source: The New York Times

Jan 05

A 'Golden Bachelor' Wedding With an 'Honest-to-Gosh' Love Story

ULC in the News

Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist married before 150 guests (and even more TV viewers), then enjoyed a more intimate, off-air reception with family and friends. The wedding’s officiant, Susan Noles, was ordained through the Universal Life Church and owns Nuptials by Noles.

Source: The New York Times

Dec 29

Married in the Spotlight on a Broadway Stage

ULC in the News

When Corey Mach and Marco D'Angelo first met, Mr. D'Angelo had only ever seen three musicals. Then he fell in love with a Broadway actor. The couple took the stage together at the Hudson Theater and were married by a castmate, ordained by the Universal Life Church. .

Source: The New York Times

Dec 22

For Two Longhorns, a Breakup Became a Blessing

ULC in the News

Britton Wehmeyer and Lexi Smith met at a University of Texas “nerd” party. Six years into their relationship, a yearlong break and couples therapy helped them heal and reflect. The two tied the knot with certainty after a decade together and were married by one of Ms. Smith’s closest high school friends, who was ordained by the Universal Life Church for the occasion.

Source: The New York Times

Dec 15

Winning Her Vote, and Her Heart

ULC in the News

Suraj Patel’s congressional campaign drew supporters, including Emily Bina. When Mr. Patel proposed he said, “Hi, I live on your block and I’m voting for you. Will you marry me?” After electing to say 'yes,' Ms. Bina and Mr. Patel were married by Isaac Beerman, a friend who was ordained by the Universal Life Church.

Source: The New York Times

Dec 01

It All Started With a Bottle of Shalimar

ULC in the News

Rahul Chatterjee had a special surprise for Christie Houlihan on their first date in June 2022, one that left her in tears: a bottle of Shalimar perfume. The two were married by a Universal Life Church officiant in front of 165 guests.

Source: The New York Times

Dec 01

Game, Set and a Match for a Former Tennis Pro

ULC in the News

Shortly after meeting online, Julia Elbaba traveled from New York to Virginia to see Matthew Nevulis. When the Covid lockdown began, seven days extended into three months of living together. The couple's friend, Anthony Foggia, who is a Universal Life Church minister, officiated their wedding in 2023.

Source: The New York Times

Nov 26

My Weird, Secret Hobby is Officiating Weddings. Here’s Why I Do It

ULC in the News

Soleil Ho has married six couples since they became a Universal Life Church minister. Their hobby is borne of a personal experience with a ULC-officiated wedding that allowed them to host a personal, meaningfully ceremony. Now, they endeavor to help others do the same.

Source: SF Chronicle

Nov 24

After an Instant Connection, Traveling the World With a Water Polo Star

ULC in the News

After meeting at a party seven years ago, Robert Conner was determined to see Maggie Steffens, an Olympic gold medalist, again — even if it meant traveling hundreds of miles to do so. Ms. Steffens’s brother, Charles Thomas Steffens, was ordained by the Universal Life Church to officiate.

Source: The New York Times

Nov 24

When a Psychic Meets a Naval Officer

ULC in the News

Janine James and Nasaria Valadez planned their wedding to fall on 11/11, six months before either of them proposed. Their officiant was Montana Hooks, a friend who was ordained for this event through the Universal Life Church.

Source: The New York Times

Nov 23

A New York City Socialite Returns to Her Southern Roots

ULC in the News

When Tinsley Mortimer met Robert Bovard two years ago, it didn’t take her long to embrace the serenity of Georgia, thanks to Mr. Bovard’s Southern charm. The two were married by Mercer Ferguson, the bride’s cousin who was previously ordained by the Universal Life Church.

Source: The New York Times

Nov 17

Nothing Could Stop Their Relationship From Heating Up

ULC in the News

Jamie Kalman needed a fire performer for an event she was producing and was about to hire Aubrey DePew, but then the pandemic happened. After developing a friendship that turned romantic, the two were married Ms. DePew’s father, who was previously ordained by the Universal Life Church.

Source: The New York Times