ULC - IN THE NEWS - 2025
Castmates Become Co-Stars in Their Own Romantic Comedy
A video project and mutual friends helped bring Maya Bradford, a book publicist, and Lily Marotta, a comedian and podcaster, together. They connected over their love of books, gossip and more. On vacation in Barcelona, Mr. Marotta proposed to Ms. Bradford while they were getting ready to go to an Olivia Rodrigo concert. They were married in Provincetown, Mass., by Luke Studebaker, a friend of the couple and a Universal Life Church minister.
Source: The NY Times
A Promise She Was Happy to Break
Adrienne Tarver had told herself she would never date a fellow artist. Seeing the fallout from breakups between artist couples she knew, inspired her personal ban. Then she met Jason Karolak, an abstract painter, on an art gallery crawl. After a couple glasses of wine, both Ms. Tarver and Mr. Karolak were sensing their dinner conversation had veered beyond friendly. The couple took things slow over the next three years, building steadily to a proposal in 2024. They were married in Livingston Manor, N.Y. by Adam Green, a cousin of Mr. Karolak who was ordained by the Universal Life Church for the occasion.
Source: The NY Times
Lucy Dacus Officiated 9 Weddings During Music Festival
Lucy Dacus officiated weddings for nine couples onstage at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, N.Y., during her set at All Things Go festival. In January, the Grammy winner posted a call to action on her Instagram Stories asking LGBTQ+ couples if they'd like to be legally married on stage during her tour stops. Ms. Dacus was ordained by the Universal Life Church to officiate the weddings,” and plans to continue marrying concert-goers at upcoming shows.
Source: People
Breaking News Interrupted Their Date, but Not Their Connection
As the senior political correspondent for ABC News, Rachel Scott has to be ready at a moment’s notice to cover a big story. Elliott Smith proved early on that he wouldn’t hesitate to do whatever it took to help her. Despite finding success independently, the two married in the hopes of celebrating it together, forever. One of Ms. Scott’s best friends, Hayley Gallian, who was ordained for the occasion by the Universal Life Church, officiated.
Source: The NY Times
Two Friendly Gamers Became Forever Teammates
Elyse Freeman and Jeff Carpenter met five years ago while competing on the same team in Killer Queen Black, an online game. As their relationship grew, so did their love for Killer Queen Arcade. They run tournaments in Utah and travel often to play elsewhere. The couple married at the Sundance Mountain Resort in Sundance, Utah, by a frequent teammate, Mark Howell, who is ordained by the Universal Life Church.
Source: The NY Times
When a Walk Turns Into a 12-Hour Date
Sparks didn’t fly when Melissa Lee and Skylar Gibson met while moving into the same building. But after a trip to Guitar Center and an impromptu dinner, they ended the evening on the rooftop, where everything started to click. 'It was one of those 12-hour dates,' Ms. Lee said. The couple said 'I do' four years later, in front of a college friend of the groom who was ordained by the Universal Life Church for the occasion.
Source: The NY Times
After He Proposed, 19 Friends Lost Their Bet
When they met on a dating app three years ago, Stefanie Manisero and John Avanzino had been single for a while. Both were uncertain whether they would ever marry. Friends bet they would be single into their 40s. Many of those friends were in attendance when they were wed by Pat Kiernan, a longtime friend and mentor to Ms. Manisero, who was ordained by the Universal Life Church for the occasion.
Source: The NY Times
She Asked for a Marriage Plan. His ‘Board of Directors’ Approved.
When Jenelle Hamilton first met Bart Williams, she made her intentions clear: she was dating for marriage. He consulted his “board of directors” — close friends and family — and heard a consensus: she's special, and right for you. Two years later, he proposed his own plan for their future. Christopher Robinson, a Universal Life Church minister, officiated their wedding.
Source: The NY Times
His ‘First and Only Date’ with a Man Led to Forever
Michael Kaye wasn’t yet out when he matched with Parker Simoni on Tinder. He backed out of their first date, but Mr. Simoni was patient. Their second date went so well, Mr. Kaye felt ready to come out. One happy decade later, the two tied the knot. Dakota James Kirschner-Rooney, a mutual friend of the couple who was ordained by the Universal Life Church for the occasion, officiated.
Source: The NY Times
Their First Date Was Delayed. Their Future Wasn’t
Corey Lockett and Vanessa Berentsen had a bright future. But first, he had to find a parking spot. Thankfully, a late-start first date turned into a years-long romance, culminating in a proposal that took place halfway around the world. The two were wed in Washington State by Cassie Stark, Ms. Berentsen’s best friend, who was ordained by the Universal Life Church for the occasion.
Source: The NY Times
From FaceTime to Face Time, In Person
Maya Vargas and Justin Mejia talked a lot for a couple of years before they went on their first date. From then on, the two were inseparable. A pair of rolling stones, they began to travel, racking up new experiences together. They were married four years to the day after they became exclusive. Shetina England, a family friend who was previously ordained through the Universal Life Church, officiated their wedding.
Source: The NY Times
She Read His Journal Entry, and Said Yes
ucker Higgins knew he wanted to marry Emma Newburger six months into dating — so they started documenting their love story. The pair became engaged in December 2023 when Mr. Higgins wrote out a proposal in their shared journal. George Parker Higgins, the groom’s brother, who was ordained by Universal Life Church for the occasion, officiated their wedding.
Source: The NY Times
For Two Octogenarians, First Came Romance, Then a Dream Home
Kathryn Scott, 82, an author and former “Dark Shadows” actress, met the author Patrick Oster, 80, when a mutual friend who likes to play matchmaker suggested they trade manuscripts. After a manuscript-critique-turned-date, they both agreed: it felt right. The couple tied the knot at a shared home in Ireland. Orlyn Kringstad, Ms. Scott’s brother, who was ordained by the Universal Life Church, officiated.
Source: The NY Times
Couple Married in Midair On a United Airlines Flight
Jake Meli and Abigail Power were married in midair while flying to their honeymoon destination in Orlando, Florida, aboard an United Airlines flight. The couple was served champagne and cake during the flight, while the Boeing 737‘s cabin was adorned with twinkling lights. Mr. Meli's brother who was ordained by the Universal Life Church for the occasion, officiated in front of a cabin full of passengers, later proclaimed to be 'honorary guests.
Source: Aviation A2Z
Remembering Malcolm-Jamal Warner
The Universal Life Church mourns Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who passed away July 21, 2025, at age 54. Malcolm became ordained in 2016 to officiate his friend and manager's wedding, embodying our mission of bringing people together through love. His generous spirit and commitment to supporting those he cared about during meaningful moments exemplified the heart of our ministry.
Source: Universal Life Church Ministers
Seeking a Friend, Finding Much More
Ernie Apreza and Kyle Labarry were looking for community in a new city when they first met 10 years ago. Along the way, they found love. After arduous career demands and travel, they decided to never be apart again. They were married at Lord Hill Farms, an event space in Snohomish, Wash., by Donald Sims, a family friend who was ordained by the Universal Life Church for the occasion.
Source: The NY Times
A Big, Adorable Reveal on the Second Date
Dayton Munson and Emily Orozco hit it off over Bumble, then over a series of restaurant dates. After Mr. Munson revealed he was a single father, they quickly became entwined in each others' lives, and a proposal soon followed. The couple were wed at the Ashford Estate in Allentown, N.J., by the bride’s aunt Tracy Forsyth, who was ordained by Universal Life Church Ministries for the occasion.
Source: The NY Times
It Took Years, Some Electrical Help, Then Came the Spark
Nancy Marshall, a professor of art history, had endured the sudden loss of two partners. As she healed, she kept running into Chris Murphy, an electrician and local artist she admired. As they began seeing each other regularly at events and with friends over the next three years, their relationship blossomed. The couple became engaged in April 2024 and were married in June 2025 by Page Buchanan, a friend of the couple who was ordained by Universal Life Church for the occasion.
Source: The NY Times
He Met Her Parents Hours After Their First Date
Andie Cox lived in California, and Ryan Gibson in Missouri. Yet the two still managed to form a love connection after setting up a meeting in Tennessee. Their first date was such a success that Ms. Cox invited Mr. Gibson to a gathering at her Airbnb later that night, where he met her immediate family. Four months later, they were engaged. They were married in Nashville by Peter Sloterdyk, Ms. Cox’s friend who was previously ordained by the Universal Life Church.
Source: The NY Times
Five Seconds Into Their First Conversation, He Was Hooked
"I was serious about her immediately,” said the restaurateur Daniel Humm of the “Succession” actress Annabelle Dexter-Jones, whom he met at a wedding last July. Over the course of the next year, the two grew closer, falling in love with each new experience together. They tied the knot at Eleven Madison Park, Mr. Humm's 3-star Michelin restaurant. Francesco Clemente, an artist friend of the groom who was previously ordained through the Universal Life Church, officiated the ceremony.
Source: The NY Times
