The following article was published in the Bridal section of the
Harrisburg Patriot-News on Sunday September 23, 2007

Title: You can find an officiant for just the right rites

Author: PAT CARROLL Of the Patriot-News

Neither Kellie deChamplain nor her fiance, Charles Brabec, wanted a big church wedding when they got married in February. "We're just not very churchy people," she said. "We didn't want to have a church service for our wedding." So they went online, did a Google search and found the solution: a nondenominational minister, the Rev. Theresa Gilberti of Lewisberry. "We e-mailed her and asked her some questions. She told us what she did and what she could offer us, and we decided to go with her. She had a set of ceremonies for us to choose from. We made some minor changes, we customized it a little bit, but we didn't write everything ourselves."

Gilberti offers three options:
  1) Standard civil ceremony (no changes, please).
  2) Basic Ceremony Package, with a 30-minute initial consultation, unlimited e-mail and telephone consultations and a personalized commemorative copy of the wedding ceremony.
  3) Customized Ceremony Package, with a customized ceremony created and individualized for the specific wishes of the couple, and an additional consultation before the wedding.

The Rev. Julie A. Vance of Unity Church in Palmyra, who also offers a nondenominational service, says it is meant "for people who aren't involved in a particular church, but still want a spiritual basis for their wedding. Rather than a set religious-type ceremony, I do more of a spiritual ceremony." For couples seeking out a nondenominational service, Vance said the initial contact is the time to ask how flexible a wedding officiant is. "When you're calling, ask if there's that flexibility in the service for couples who want to write their own vows," she said. "I have a basic outline, but I'm open to people creating vows and adding touches that work for them. "Then I think it's really important to meet the person, connect with them and see if you have similar ideas and values. See if it's someone you feel comfortable with, someone who is in harmony with your beliefs and values."

Gilberti says an officiant will expect questions about skills, experience and philosophy and should provide you with references. Considerations in choosing someone should include your preference for a female or a male officiant and the personality type -- someone warm and friendly or someone more restrained and formal. Every wedding takes a different path, Gilberti said. "The amount of interaction varies from couple to couple. Some want a great deal of interaction and some less. I make myself available for any questions or concerns they may have in creating their ceremony, explaining the ceremony itself or being a resource for other wedding providers. "I do my very best to guide them through the creation of a ceremony that truly reflects their spiritual or religious values and beliefs, so this aspect of their wedding planning is passed to me and they can focus on their remaining wedding plans."

PAT CARROLL: 255-8149 or pcarroll@patriot-news.com