Chicago wedding officiant
A ceremony that sounds like the two of you.
Personal, written-from-scratch ceremonies for any kind of wedding: traditional, religious, funny, short and sweet, or a little of everything. One all-inclusive price, and you get the final say on every word.
Preferred vendor
505 Media Co.
Your story, out loud
Not a template with your names dropped in.
Your wedding day is one of the biggest days of your life, and the ceremony is the part everyone is there for. I've been a writer and a poet for as long as I can remember, and getting to tell a couple's love story is my favourite part of this job.
We'll meet, talk, laugh a little, and I'll write a ceremony around who you actually are. Traditional or modern, faith-filled or civil, quiet and moving or full of jokes. Whatever you picture, I'll help you get there.
- Traditional
- Religious
- Modern
- Humorous
- Short and sweet
- Civil
- Elopement
All-inclusive
Everything you need, nothing to add on.
Meetings, as many as you need
Usually three to five. We start with a questionnaire, then story prompts, then vows. Past that, they're yours to use however helps.
A ceremony written for you
I have a script that has served plenty of couples well, but every word can be rewritten around the two of you.
Vows, handled
Write your own, pick from traditional vows, or have me write them. If writing them is stressing you out, we'll sit down and finish them together.
You get the final say
You approve the finished ceremony. Want to be surprised? I'll send it to someone you trust and they sign off instead.
Rehearsal and day-of help
I'm not your coordinator, but I'm a useful extra pair of hands: announcements, cueing the processional, directing guests, keeping the timeline calm.
The paperwork
I complete the officiant's part of your marriage license after the ceremony and make sure it gets back to the county clerk.
How it works
From first hello to I do.
Simple on purpose. It's your day, so my job is to take the stress out of the ceremony.
Say hello
Send your date and venue. If I'm free, we'll set up a first meeting, in person or on a call.
Your story
We go through my wedding questionnaire together: how you met, the proposal, the little things only the two of you know.
The details
I send a few prompts to dig deeper, and we talk through the tone you want: reverent, funny, quick, or a mix.
Vows
We write, choose, or polish your vows until they sound like you.
Read-through
You (or a trusted friend, for a surprise) review the full ceremony. We adjust anything that doesn't feel right.
Rehearsal
I walk everyone through the order, cues and positions so nobody has to think about it on the day.
The day
About thirty minutes from processional to recessional, and then you're married.
Pricing
$500
One flat price. All-inclusive.
- Every planning meeting
- A fully custom ceremony
- Vow writing and help
- Rehearsal attendance
- Day-of help and announcements
- Signing and returning your license
Covers venues within about two hours of Chicago. Farther out, or anywhere that needs a flight or hotel, travel is added to your quote.
Check your date
For the reception
Give your guests a story of their own.
Before I was officiating weddings, I was on stage as The Reed Tate, a comedy hypnotist who has performed in more than 20 states. Add a short, clean, hilarious hypnosis show to your reception and your friends will be talking about it long after the cake is gone.
Ask about a reception show
Meet your officiant
Hi, I'm Reed.
I got my minister's license back in 2018 and didn't use it for years. Then, in the summer of 2022, some friends asked me to officiate their wedding. How could I say no? Shortly after, more friends asked. Then a total stranger who'd been a guest at one of those weddings asked me to marry them, and Weddings by Reed was born.
I live in the Chicago area with my wife, Jen. When I'm not standing at the front of an aisle, I'm on stage as a comedy hypnotist or behind a camera. All three come down to the same thing: helping people feel something real.
Let's talk about your day
Questions
Good things to know.
How long is the ceremony?
Most of mine run about 30 minutes from the moment the processional starts until you walk back down the aisle as newlyweds. We can make it longer or shorter.
Does it have to be religious?
Not at all. Ceremonies can be religious, civil, or somewhere in between. Some couples want scripture and prayer, some want a love story with jokes, plenty want a bit of both.
Can we write our own vows?
Yes, and I'm happy to help. You can also choose from traditional vows, or have me write them for you.
Will we see the ceremony before the day?
Yes. You get the final say on every word. If you'd rather be surprised, a trusted friend or family member can approve it for you.
Do you come to the rehearsal?
Yes, it's included. I'll run through the order, the cues and where everyone stands.
Is the marriage legal?
Yes. I've been an ordained minister since 2018. You get your marriage license from the county clerk before the wedding (in Illinois it takes effect the day after it's issued and is good for 60 days). I sign it after the ceremony and make sure it's returned.
Do you travel?
Yes. The $500 price covers anywhere within about two hours of Chicago. Farther than that, or anywhere that needs a flight or hotel, we'll add travel costs to the quote.
Can you do anything at the reception?
I can help with announcements and keeping things moving, and I also perform comedy hypnosis. A short show at the reception is something guests talk about for years. Ask about it when you reach out.
How far ahead should we book?
As soon as you have a date and a venue. Weekends in wedding season go first, and I only take one ceremony a day.
Check your date
Let's write your ceremony.
Tell me a little about your wedding and I'll get back to you soon, usually within a day or two.
Rather email? info@thereedtate.com