ULC - IN THE NEWS
How a One-Month Fitness Pass Turned Into a Lifetime Commitment
Andrew Matt met Kayla Dye six years ago at an indoor cycling studio in Dallas after signing up for a class she was teaching. Both instructor and student were immediately smitten. After dating for four years, the two tied the knot on April 20, 2024. Ms. Dye’s friend Elizabeth Furlong, who was ordained by the Universal Life Church for the event, officiated their wedding.
Source: The NY Times
The Two-Week Sublet That Led to Love
Wiktor Freifeld lived in Tusia Dabrowska’s apartment when she left Warsaw for New York. The two maintained a long-distance relationship for years—first as friends; later as more. They moved back to the U.S. and decided to get married, and were wed by Elissa Jiji, a mutual friend who was previously ordained by the Universal Life Church.
Source: The NY Times
A Steady Stream of Road Trips Made Falling in Love Easy
As Deborah Yarchun and Benjamin Parr traveled across the country during the pandemic, their bond became stronger at each stop. They were married in Austin, TX in front of 91 guests by Christina Beleck, a Universal Life Church minister and the mother-in-law of Ms. Yarchun's younger brother, Daniel.
Source: The NY Times
A High School Reunion Reignites a 50-Year Crush
Elaine Hall and Roland Passaro, both 88, met in junior high school in 1950 but lost touch before acting on their connection. They finally did, five decades later. James Passaro, Mr. Passaro's son who was previously ordained through the Universal Life Church, officiated their wedding in front of an intimate audience of loved ones.
Source: The NY Times
He Offered Her a Seat at His Table, and Later, a Place in His Heart
Arnim Kaiser and Pamela Grace were both out-of-towners dining alone in Arles, France. Mr. Kaiser offered Ms. Grace a seat at his table, sparking a romance. Both were previously married and, despite neither believing they would ever remarry, the couple was wed a year later by Jane Croft, a Universal Life Church minister found through an internet search.
Source: The NY Times
Once in a Blue Supermoon, a Lifelong Commitment Is Made
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
The Proposal Expert Gets Her Own Surprise Ring
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
A Wedding Do-Over After a Broken Heart (Not the Kind You’re Thinking)
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
I Now Pronounce You, Whatever the Hell You Want
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
A Secret Crush and a Not-So-Obvious First Date Leads to Romance
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
From ‘Letters Across the Sea’ to Marriage in Under a Year
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
Two Writers Craft Their Own Love Story
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
After a Breakup, Their Reunion Played Out Like a 'Rom-Com'
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
A Psychedelic Trip Leads to a ‘Cosmic and Divine’ Celebration of Love
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
A 'Golden Bachelor' Wedding With an 'Honest-to-Gosh' Love Story
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
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
