ULC - IN THE NEWS
Falling for ‘the Same Kind of Weird‘
When Jessica Papilla’s sister managed Michael Burnett at Starbucks, she had a hunch he and her sibling would hit it off—they were the "same kind of weird." They consider their first official date to be July 3, 2011, when they went to a parking structure to watch Fourth of July fireworks. The couple were married in January of 2025 by World Famous BOB, a “draglesque star” who was ordained through Universal Life Church.
Source: The NY Times
Wedding Guests Play Kahoot! to Decide Who Gets to Sign Marriage Certificate
Ahead of their upcoming elopement in Ireland, John and Cara Ellman-Yuan legally tied the knot at their home in Kansas City, Missouri. The groom, 31, and bride, 28, had a "very casual" ceremony, with only six other people in attendance — all of whom competed in a Kahoot! game to narrow down the two people who would have the honor of being the marriage certificate witnesses.
Source: Yahoo! Life
A Proposal — and a Wedding Date — That Were Suddenly Moved Up
The current political climate caused Josey Nett and Grace Duncan, who met as freshmen in college, to change their long-term plans. They were married at San Francisco City Hall, ahead of the second Trump Administration, by Ms. Duncan’s cousin, Hayley Duncan, who was previously ordained by the Universal Life Church
Source: The NY Times
They Might Have Bumped Into Each Other Years Ago
Kaley Lockwood and Michael Friedman, who met on Hinge, had once lived a few blocks from each other and had the same commute to work. They began dating in August 2021 and continued to find overlapping coincidences. The two were wed in January 2025. Scott Zenker, Mr. Friedman's best friend, was ordained by the Universal Life Church for the occasion.
Source: The NY Times
A Workplace Crush Heats Up Thanks to Burned Cauliflower Pizza
When Taylor Maki first met Jorge Melgoza at an organization that provides social services to Native Americans, she was immediately smitten. It took him a while to notice. It wasn't until a dinner gone awry that their feelings became apparent. They were wed five years later. Christopher Aguirre, Ms. Maki’s uncle who was ordained by the Universal Life Church, officiated.
Source: The NY Times
At the End of a Road Trip, a Romantic Detour
Elizabeth Solomon traveled the country during the pandemic. She met Gero Geilenbruegge during a stopover in Naples, Fla. — and decided to stay. The couple wed on the Naples beach where they had their first date. The city’s mayor, Teresa Heitmann, a friend of the couple who was ordained by the Universal Life Church for the event, officiated.
Source: The NY Times
It All Started With a Brief Touch on the Shoulder
Justin Baiardi and Kiera Rommel began chatting while he was working as a nightclub bouncer. “It was so magnetic,” she said of their interaction. Six blissful years later, the two were wed at Jane’s Carousel at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Fifteen people attended. Sage Sovereign, ordained by Universal Life Church, officiated.
Source: The NY Times
A Summer Beach Encounter Leads to a Seaside Proposal
Kim Mannino and Glenn Alterman met in the Hamptons in July 2020, and by Labor Day knew their connection was more than a passing flirtation. Years of courting culminated in a seaside wedding in Miami Beach. A close friend of the couple, who was ordained by Universal Life Church for the occasion, officiated. Their ceremony included Jewish traditions such as exchanging vows under a huppah and taking seven circles.
Source: The NY Times
Meet Jenn Brook Wilde
The founder of Wilde Heart Weddings, Jenn Brook Wilde helps couples plan their dream weddings with special emphasis on the details that make each couple's love unique. Ordained through Universal Life Church, her ceremonies focus on the couple and their love story. Each wedding Jenn officiates is truly one of a kind, rooted in the unique personalities of the people joining their lives together.
Source: Canvas Rebel
From the Beginning, Speaking the Same Language
Laura Guerrero and Temoc Gonzalez, both from Guadalajara, Mexico, met through Instagram and felt an instant connection. “We spoke in Spanglish and just clicked,” Mr. Gonzalez said. They wed at the Santa Barbara Courthouse by Adriana Guerrero, Ms. Guerrero’s older sister, who was previously ordained through Universal Life Church.
Source: The NY Times
Mixing Faith With Fun
Darlene Machtan is the founder of Alpha Omega Ceremonies, a nondenominational ceremony-planning service. Ordained by the Universal Life Church, she caters to anyone looking to create personalized, meaningful ceremonies, whether affiliated with a church or not. Her vision is to offer a caring, spiritual perspective on life’s special events.
Source: Northwoods Star Journal
Want a 'Star Trek' Wedding? This Colorado Springs-Area Man Can Officiate
Long-haul truck driver Anthony Perdue loves a good wedding. A couple of years ago, he decided to marry his two passions: podcasting and cosplay. Already ordained by Universal Life Church, it was easy to hang a shingle——Fantasy Weddings——and give it a catchy tagline: 'Because everyone deserves a fantasy wedding.
Source: The Gazette
A Tale of Two Kelseys
Kelsey Castañon and Kelsey Whitaker had a lot in common — and a lot of differences. Despite their similarities, their differences became their most important qualities. The couple were married at the Brooklyn municipal courthouse by their best friend, Alana Peden, who was ordained for the occasion by the Universal Life Church.
Source: The NY Times
In One Magical Moment, He Fell Under Her Spell
Matthew Majchrzak and Emily McCormick might have met while role-playing fantasy characters, but the feelings they developed were real. They were married before about 130 guests at the Merion Tribute House, a historic mansion in Merion Station, Pa. The venue perfectly matched the medieval aesthetics they wanted for their celebration. Aaron Feingold, a friend of the couple who was ordained through the Universal Life Church, officiated.
Source: The NY Times
At First They Hid Their Love, Then a Reality Show Gave Them Courage
Gregory Mathis and Richard Cooper bonded over faith and family. But both feared the judgment of being openly gay. In June 2022, they came out to the world on “Mathis Family Matters,” a reality show on E! network about Mr. Mathis’s family. They were married on the balcony of their apartment in Los Angeles by Alix Itkis, who was ordained by the Universal Life Church.
Source: The NY Times
'Til Death (and Maybe Not Even Then) Do They Part
Brandon Hupp and Lyle Shearer found kindred spirits in each other. What could be more fitting than a wedding on Halloween? On Oct. 31, the couple were married by Kate Faoro Wright, their wedding planner who was previously ordained by the Universal Life Church.
Source: The NY Times
Two Bar Patrons Step Into a Twitter Feed
Tina Survilla Lindell and Cesar Kuriyama, who met at the start of the pandemic, connected over the temporary closing of their favorite bar. The couple gave their wedding a title, “Adventures in Spacetime,” and went by special handles: Space Girl Tina and Timehacker Cesar. They were married by a friend, ordained by the Universal Life Church, who wore a NASA replica spacesuit, complete with a helmet.
Source: The NY Times
Online Clergy Can Perform Baptisms, Funerals
While many get married in their home churches by a priest or pastor they know well, wedding officiants come in all denominations, or no religious affiliation at all. According to Universal Life Church, only two items are required in a marriage ceremony: the declaration of intent, or the “I do” section, and the pronouncement, wherein the officiant declares the couple are married.
Source: Enid News & Eagle
Group Sues Texas to Change Law That Only Allows Religious Leaders to Officiate Weddings
The Center for Inquiry (CFI), a nonprofit that fights religious influence on public policy, has filed a federal lawsuit to overturn a Texas law prohibiting anyone but religious leaders and judges from conducting wedding ceremonies. Some who officiate secular wedding ceremonies in Texas do so by joining the Universal Life Church.
Source: SA Current
Dateline’ Correspondent Josh Mankiewicz Officiated The Wedding Of A True Crime Fan He’d Never Met
Josh Mankiewicz, “Dateline” correspondent, joked with writer Sara Runnels on Twitter. The two became friends over time, and after she became engaged to Adam Zack, she made a proposal of her own, asking Mankiewicz if he would officiate her wedding. He said yes, becoming ordained through the Universal Life Church for the occasion.
Source: MSN
