Illuminating Ceremonies


Pricing

Prices start at $800


About Illuminating Ceremonies

Chris Shelley

Chief Mood Booster

I am your guests' favorite thing about your wedding. Since 2011, I've been writing and performing personal, meaningful and refreshingly engaging ceremonies for couples just like you and couples who are nothing like you. Couples work with me with an easy, collaborative process during which I become your favorite part of wedding planning. I take guest experience and your wishes very seriously. Your families will thank you for getting somebody who makes the ceremony light while still making clear how beautiful it is that you found each other. I officiate all over the US.

I am the funniest wedding officiant in the country. I know! Such chutzpah! But my goal is to be the best, to find that perfect balance of humor and dignity that makes a wedding ceremony a wedding ceremony. My experience as an actor, a writer, a workaholic and a spouse to a very smart wife have led me to be someone whom couples can trust with their ceremony. I've lived a lot, I've actually been married since 2002, so I know a thing or two about having a happy marriage. I'm a professional who can get along with your parents and grandparents as well as your friends. I've done ceremonies all over the country and on TV. I love my work!

In three words: Collaborative, Confident, Fun


Services

Ceremony types

  • Civil Union
  • Commitment Ceremony
  • Elopement
  • Interfaith Ceremony
  • Legal License Signing
  • Multicultural Weddings
  • Non-religious Ceremony
  • Other
  • Vow Renewal Ceremony

Religious affiliations

  • Catholic
  • Christian
  • Interfaith
  • Jewish
  • Other
  • Secular
  • Spiritual

Reviews

Write a review

5.0 out of 5

34 reviews

Write a review
  • A Wedding Officiant!

    Verified review
    Jody Tropeano G.Jun 9

    Illuminating Ceremonies was the perfect choice for our wedding. From the very first interaction, we knew Chris was the person for us. He is a true professional and clearly an expert at his craft, skillfully capturing our love story through thoughtful, creative, and engaging storytelling. He took the time to get to know us and what makes us unique to build the perfect flow for our ceremony. It was my favorite part of the wedding! Even on a very hot day, he kept our guests entertained and upbeat, there was both continuous laughter and happy tears throughout the ceremony. The perfect balance and tone for us! Many guests commented to us that they typically don't enjoy wedding ceremonies, but ours was highly entertaining and heartfelt. We highly recommend Illuminating Ceremonies to any couple looking for a wedding officiant who will make your special day unforgettable.

    Response from vendorJun 10, 2025
    Thank you Jody! It was hot...but the cocktail hour was in that lovely, cool, former nightclub! I hope you are both doing well.
  • A Truly Unforgettable Ceremony!

    Verified review
    Sanna S.Jun 8

    We couldn’t have asked for a better officiant. From the moment we met Chris, he was funny, lively, and incredibly personable—exactly the kind of energy we wanted on our big day. He took the time to get to know our story and then wove it into a heartfelt (and hilarious!) ceremony that had all our guests laughing, tearing up, and fully engaged from start to finish. What impressed us most was his ability to capture the essence of our relationship in such a lighthearted and meaningful way. It felt deeply personal, yet universal. And true to his promise—he kept the vows around fifteen minutes without losing any of the magic! Chris brought joy, authenticity, and just the right touch of humor to our wedding. We highly recommend Illuminating Ceremonies!

    Response from vendorJun 9, 2025
    Thank you Sanna! It's pretty easy to bring joy when the couple is as over-the-moon joyous as you are. I appreciate these kind words and I'm glad that you appreciate word economy in a ceremony! It was a pleasure.
  • Best Officiant Ever

    Verified review
    Molly R.May 29, 2025

    We love Chris! He was so incredibly genuine, kind, hilarious, and he knows how to handle a crowd. He was certainly born to be doing what he does. He spent months in communication with my husband and I making sure he knew us as a couple. I recently attended a wedding where the officiant mispronounced the brides name throughout the whole ceremony. Chris is the opposite of that. He’s going to know you and your story by the time he’s up there marrying you. And to top it all off, he dropped a wisdom bomb piece of advice on my husband and I, on the day of our wedding, that I think of often. I absolutely cannot recommend him enough!

    Response from vendorMay 30, 2025
    Thank you Molly! Not only was your wedding in one of the coolest venues ever (gotta love an interesting art gallery) but it was a destination wedding for me and I love to travel. I'm so glad you're so happy. Keep in touch!
  • Stellar Celebrant

    Verified review
    Taj G.May 27, 2025

    Chris Shelley was a fantastic celebrant who made our special day feel unique, personal, entertaining and authentic. He guided us through the process so we never felt lost or confused as to what he would be saying and everyone at the ceremony felt that our personalities shone through. We'd whole heartedly recommend him and he's handled the weddings of another friend of ours as well who only had great things to say about him. Hire him - you will not be disappointed!!

    Response from vendorMay 28, 2025
    Thank you Taj! Your marriage ceremony was a joyous event. It was an honor to officiate for you and Laura.

Preferred vendors of Illuminating Ceremonies