ULC - IN THE NEWS - 2023

Married in the Spotlight on a Broadway Stage

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

For Two Longhorns, a Breakup Became a Blessing

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

Winning Her Vote, and Her Heart

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

It All Started With a Bottle of Shalimar

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

Game, Set and a Match for a Former Tennis Pro

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

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

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

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

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

When a Psychic Meets a Naval Officer

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

A New York City Socialite Returns to Her Southern Roots

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

Nothing Could Stop Their Relationship From Heating Up

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

After a Rough Start, a Strong Connection

After a first date, Bruce Patrick made a bold move that alarmed Travis London, who blocked him. They soon fell in love anyway. When they decided to tie the knot, Blake Lopez, a friend of the couple who is a Universal Life Church minister, officiated.

Source: The New York Times

How to Officiate a Wedding When You’ve Never Done It Before

Congratulations, someone has asked you—yes, you—to officiate their big day. Now, the question at hand is how to officiate a wedding. If this is your first wedding as a marriage officiant, you'll need to get ordained. It starts with Universal Life Church.

Source: Vogue

Finding the Right Match After Reconsidering a Swipe Left

Katherine Corrado was hesitant about dating someone in broadcast journalism. But after seeing Paul Gerke’s dating profile three years ago, she changed her mind. They were married by a friend of the couple who had been previously ordained by the Universal Life Church.

Source: The New York Times

Magic in the First Five Minutes. Love Within 15

After their first date, Banks Clark slipped a note into Jackie Patmore’s purse. “You have changed everything,” it read. Two years later, the two were married by Victoria Clark, a Tony Award-winning actress the groom’s paternal aunt, who was ordained by Universal Life Church for the occasion.

Source: The New York Times

An Accidental First Date Leads to Lifelong Partnership

Lily Ramirez and Michael Fasano were not looking for love … until they missed a few flights and attended a Denver Broncos game. They married in October 2023, at a ceremony officiated by Karen Steinhauser, a lawyer Ms. Ramirez used to clerk for, who was ordained by Universal Life Church for the occasion.

Source: The New York Times

They Needed 'Boundary Days' to Not Become Too Attached

Once Mary MacGill and Terrence Breschi were engaged, Tuesdays and Thursdays spent apart became part of a lifetime of togetherness. They were wed at Clermont State Historic Site by a friend, who was previously ordained by the Universal Life Church.

Source: The New York Times

Two 'Extreme Extroverts' Find Love in a Pandemic Bubble

Larry Handerhan and Donnelly McDowell had no plans to marry until the fourth of eight weddings they attended in 2022. They have Maggie Rogers to thank. Mr. Handerhan’s sister, Kristen Atwood, who was ordained through the Universal Life Church for the occasion, officiated the wedding.

Source: The New York Times

It All Started With a Press Pass

When Nancy Chen and Patrick McFawn started dating, she warned him that her broadcast journalism career could take her anywhere in the country. They fell in love anyway. Ariel Wesler, a friend of the couple who was ordained by the Universal Life Church for this event, officiated.

Source: The New York Times

They Saw Each Other at a Jazz Club and Never Looked Away

Robyn Green was drawn to Jeb Roberts during his guitar solo of a favorite song. The moment Mr. Roberts introduced himself, he knew he liked Ms. Green. Caleb Small, a friend of the couple who became a Universal Life Church minister for the event, officiated.

Source: The New York Times

The Elevator Pitch That Led to Love

Alexa Nicolette and Mladen Vasic’s brief encounter on an elevator nine years ago is proof that you can fall in love in a New York minute. Nicolette’s best friend, Audrey Shaffer, who was ordained by the Universal Life Church for the event, officiated in front of 75 guests.

Source: The New York Times