ULC - IN THE NEWS
The Unlikely Run-In That Blossomed Into More
Dancers and musicians rarely cross paths at Juilliard, so a drag queen and a T-shirt brought Christopher Reynolds and John Hewitt together. The two were married by Mr. Reynolds’s uncle, who was ordained by the Universal Life Church for the wedding.
Source: The New York Times
Just About Anybody in America Can Officiate a Wedding
Who did the honors: clergy, a justice of the peace or just a friend? More and more weddings are performed by someone ordained online. The ULC has transformed not only how people get married, but also who can get married.
Source: The Conversation
Granite City Alderman Officiates Niece’s Wedding to Musician
Over the years, Granite City alderman Brad Eavenson has performed many duties, but officiating a wedding wasn’t one of them. When his niece asked him to officiate, Brad became ordained by the Universal Life Church for the occasion.
Source: Alton Telegraph
Crosswords and Dad Jokes Lead to a Deeper Connection
Sophia Wang and Marcus Fleming first bonded over crossword puzzles. On their second date, they knew they had stumbled on to something more. The two were married by their mutual friend Rigoberto Lara Guzmán, who was ordained by the Universal Life Church for the wedding.
Source: The New York Times
The Church of Ribby: Spokane Indians Mascot Ordained to Perform Wedding Ceremonies
Couples in Spokane have a new option for marriage. Spokane Indians mascot, Ribby the Redband Trout, is certified to officiate weddings, who was recently certified online through Universal Life Church.
Source: Yahoo!
She Drew the Line at Marriage, Then Happily Crossed It
When her first marriage ended badly, Brooke Rinehart swore never to marry again. Then she met Tom Sinnott. The two developed a special closeness and were married by a close friend, Kevin Kennedy, who is ordained by the Universal Life Church.
Source: The New York Times
The TikTok Algorithm That Brought Them Together
Kelly Winget fell asleep 20 minutes after knocking on Sarah Matteson’s front door for a first date. That instant comfort eventually led to an intimate ceremony, officiated by Ms. Winget’s sister, who became a Universal Life Church minister for the event.
Source: The New York Times
Vulfpeck Hosts Wedding Ceremony at Bonnaroo 2023 Set
Vulfpeck lead singer Theo Katzman officiated a wedding ceremony during the band's set at Bonnaroo 2023. Katzman was ordained by the Universal Life Church’s online ordination program to make it a legal wedding.
Source: JamBase
A 'Risky Text' Helped Jump-Start Their Relationship
Karina Rodriguez and Andrew Levin had crushes on each other early on in high school, but after an “awkward” first date, they avoided each other for two years. A decade later, the two were married by Mr. Levin’s cousin, who was ordained by the Universal Life Church for the occasion.
Source: The New York Times
A Big Family Just Got a Little Bigger
Just months after they began dating in 2018, Jonathan Gold introduced Diana Ming, an only child of Chinese immigrants, to his large extended family. She said she felt immediately embraced. Victor Hollenberg, Ms. Ming’s college roommate, was ordained through Universal Life Church for the occasion.
Source: The New York Times
For Two Circus Performers, Love Takes Flight on and Off the Ground
A shared passion for acrobatics, costumes and bicycles led Ryan Murray and Juanita Cardenas to a wedding ceremony held in midair. Their friend James Habacker, a Universal Life Church minister, led the ceremony at the Slipper Room, a performing arts theater in Manhattan.
Source: The New York Times
When Everything Was Up for Debate — Except Their Chemistry
Stephanie Spies and Andrew Markoff were both star debaters in high school and college. Now? There’s a lot to agree upon — including marriage. Daniel Fitzmier, Ms. Spies’s debate coach, and Jonathan Paul, who coached Mr. Markoff", were ordained as Universal Life ministers to officiate for the occasion.
Source: The New York Times
He Acted Out a Charades Clue Three Years Later
Katie Schad jokingly jotted down “Marry Me Katie” as a game clue for Adam Purdy at a Thanksgiving gathering. He saved it for his proposal. Lauren M. Kurtz, a cousin of the groom who became a Universal Life Church minister for the event, officiated their wedding in front of 175 guests three years later.
Source: The New York Times
Chelsea Flower Show Hosts Its First Wedding
In the history of the 110-year event, Manoj Malde and Clive Gillmor were the first-ever couple to exchange vows at the Chelsea Flower Show in London. The two were married by Royal Horticultural Society ambassador James Alexander-Sinclair, who is a pastor in the Universal Life Church.
Source: Yahoo!
She Warmed Up to Him After Burning Man
Andrew MacRae fell for Kaitlin Green at the annual desert arts festival, but Ms. Green kept her distance until members of their camp met virtually when Covid-19 hit. Mary Ellen Deckelmann, a Universal Life minister, officiated the couple's wedding before 115 guests by the lake at Black Butte Ranch in Oregon.
Source: The New York Times
A New York-Style Elopement Supporting an Important Cause
Rohit Kalkur proposed to Stephanie Korbely with a 28-page scrapbook consisting of photo memories and love notes. Their wedding took place at an event focused on ending child marriages. Liz Norment, Universal Life Church minister and founder of 'Have Lover, Will Travel,' officiated in front of 10 guests.
Source: The New York Times
Exclusive After the First Date. Living Together Three Days Later.
Kim France and Paul Green agreed to Google each other before meeting. By the end of their first date, the creators of Lucky magazine and the School of Rock knew enough to make it official. Shirim Nothenberg, Ms. Franceâ's sister-in-law, was ordained by the Universal Life Church to marry them.
Source: The New York Times
The ‘Hot Vax Summer’ That Lived Up to Its Hype
In 2021, Megan O’Connor and her friends organized a singles outing in Brooklyn. Omar Elsayed showed up, and the two hit it off immediately. But it was a “serendipitous encounter” in Greece that sealed the deal. Amalia Culp, one of the groom's best friends from college, was ordained by the Universal Life Church for the occasion.
Source: The New York Times
They Started Their Union on a High … at Over 11,000 Feet
It was in Aspen that Jessica Schoenfeld and Zach Sperling found their happy place — and planned a wedding at a mountaintop beach club. Jillian Salant, who is the groom’s best friend, was ordained by the Universal Life Church to officiate the wedding.
Source: The New York Times
When Broadway Shuttered, Her Next Act Was an Improv Proposal
While cooking a meal during the pandemic, Miki Abraham asked Alex Grayson, a fellow actor, if he wanted to get married. He quickly agreed — once he was certain she meant it. The two were married by friend and fellow actor, Richard E. Waits, who became a Universal Life Church minister for the occasion.
Source: The New York Times
