ULC - IN THE NEWS - 2023
When a Hurricane Approached, a World War II Bunker Saved The Day
Days before their wedding, Jackie Brew and Robert Hayes moved their wedding celebration to a nearly indestructible location to avoid the looming threat of Hurricane Lee. They were wed by Ms. Brew’s friend Ella Koeze, a reporter at The New York Times who was ordained by the Universal Life Church.
Source: The New York Times
After Three Weeks, Living Together and Writing Wedding Vows
Travis Cronin and Kevin Barlowski had connected on Facebook in 2005, but it took a pandemic and Tinder to bring them together. Kiera Doyle, a college friend of Mr. Cronin's who was ordained by the Universal Life Church for the occasion, officiated their wedding in front of 100 guests.
Source: The New York Times
She Sent Subtle Flirty DMs. He Proceeded With Caution
Domenico Montanaro, the senior political editor at NPR, and Courtney Norris, a senior producer for “PBS NewsHour,” first met during an online news quiz tournament in 2017. Eric Love, a family friend ordained by the Universal Life Church, officiated in front of 175 guests.
Source: The New York Times
How Two Game Lovers Conspired to See Each Other Again
Morgan Hoit and Dylan Pager, who met at work seven years ago, enlisted their roommates in organizing a game night. The hangout went so well that the two deleted their dating apps. Garrett Baer, Mr. Pager's best friend, who was previously ordained by the Universal Life Church, officiated a nonreligious ceremony.
Source: The New York Times
A Business Relationship That Grew Into Something More
Hannah Collins wasn’t James Tate’s first choice when it came to hiring an interior designer for one of his firm’s real estate projects. He happily admits he was wrong. Michael Barnes, a close friend who was ordained by the Universal Life Church for the occasion, officiated.
Source: The New York Times
Making It Official With a Song and a Scroll
Dr. Stephen Meeneghan, a naturopathic doctor, was hesitant when he received a message on a dating app from Ryan Cassata, a transgender advocate and musician. Yet they clicked right away. The two were married by Nan Cameron, a friend of Mr. Cassata previously ordained by the Universal Life Church.
Source: The New York Times
Finding a Lifetime Karaoke Partner Miles From Home
Vipin Chamakkala and Amanda Robson, who both work in venture capital, met two years ago while working temporarily in New York. The two were married in front of 181 guests by Sean O'Connor, a close friend and Universal Life Church minister.
Source: The New York Times
He Always Chose Career Over Love. But for Her, He Changed His Mind
Tina Liu and Michael Ghory spent years living on opposite coasts, waiting for the right moment to make their relationship happen. Then, a well-timed selfie brought them back together. The couple were married by Mr. Ghory’s brother Joseph, who was ordained by the Universal Life Church for the occasion.
Source: The New York Times
When the Matchmaker Made Herself the Perfect Match
Emily Dobies wanted to set up Sal Steiner, a co-worker, with a mutual friend seven years ago. But Ms. Dobies and Mr. Steiner were more interested in each other. The two were married by the bride’s brother, who was ordained by the Universal Life Church in 2011.
Source: The New York Times
While Navigating Life's Changes, a Teenage Romance Endures
Neither Olivia Amitrano nor Nicholas Vazquez are afraid to change their minds, whether it’s about living off the grid, work or a wedding dress. Sylva Dvorak, who was ordained by the Universal Life Church, married the couple at Foxfire Mountain House in Mount Tremper, N.Y.
Source: The New York Times
The Unlikely Run-In That Blossomed Into More
Dancers and musicians rarely cross paths at Juilliard, so a drag queen and a T-shirt brought Christopher Reynolds and John Hewitt together. The two were married by Mr. Reynolds’s uncle, who was ordained by the Universal Life Church for the wedding.
Source: The New York Times
Just About Anybody in America Can Officiate a Wedding
Who did the honors: clergy, a justice of the peace or just a friend? More and more weddings are performed by someone ordained online. The ULC has transformed not only how people get married, but also who can get married.
Source: The Conversation
Granite City Alderman Officiates Niece’s Wedding to Musician
Over the years, Granite City alderman Brad Eavenson has performed many duties, but officiating a wedding wasn’t one of them. When his niece asked him to officiate, Brad became ordained by the Universal Life Church for the occasion.
Source: Alton Telegraph
Crosswords and Dad Jokes Lead to a Deeper Connection
Sophia Wang and Marcus Fleming first bonded over crossword puzzles. On their second date, they knew they had stumbled on to something more. The two were married by their mutual friend Rigoberto Lara Guzmán, who was ordained by the Universal Life Church for the wedding.
Source: The New York Times
The Church of Ribby: Spokane Indians Mascot Ordained to Perform Wedding Ceremonies
Couples in Spokane have a new option for marriage. Spokane Indians mascot, Ribby the Redband Trout, is certified to officiate weddings, who was recently certified online through Universal Life Church.
Source: Yahoo!
She Drew the Line at Marriage, Then Happily Crossed It
When her first marriage ended badly, Brooke Rinehart swore never to marry again. Then she met Tom Sinnott. The two developed a special closeness and were married by a close friend, Kevin Kennedy, who is ordained by the Universal Life Church.
Source: The New York Times
The TikTok Algorithm That Brought Them Together
Kelly Winget fell asleep 20 minutes after knocking on Sarah Matteson’s front door for a first date. That instant comfort eventually led to an intimate ceremony, officiated by Ms. Winget’s sister, who became a Universal Life Church minister for the event.
Source: The New York Times
Vulfpeck Hosts Wedding Ceremony at Bonnaroo 2023 Set
Vulfpeck lead singer Theo Katzman officiated a wedding ceremony during the band's set at Bonnaroo 2023. Katzman was ordained by the Universal Life Church’s online ordination program to make it a legal wedding.
Source: JamBase
A 'Risky Text' Helped Jump-Start Their Relationship
Karina Rodriguez and Andrew Levin had crushes on each other early on in high school, but after an “awkward” first date, they avoided each other for two years. A decade later, the two were married by Mr. Levin’s cousin, who was ordained by the Universal Life Church for the occasion.
Source: The New York Times
A Big Family Just Got a Little Bigger
Just months after they began dating in 2018, Jonathan Gold introduced Diana Ming, an only child of Chinese immigrants, to his large extended family. She said she felt immediately embraced. Victor Hollenberg, Ms. Ming’s college roommate, was ordained through Universal Life Church for the occasion.
Source: The New York Times
