ULC - IN THE NEWS
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
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
