5.0
Praised by couples for:
Officiant
Great Planner
Marriage License & Certificate
Professional, Personalized, Hilarious Ceremonies
NY
Travel area: No travel restrictions See details
If you are thinking about hiring Chris Shelly as your wedding officiant, please do! We loved Chris, and our guests did too!
During our initial call with Chris, my husband and I knew immediately that we wanted to hire him after hearing him explain his process and how he approaches each ceremony. We wanted a non-religious wedding ceremony that would wow our guests, and we wanted our guests to be just as engaged in the ceremony as we were. We did not want a ceremony that was simply reciting poetry or generic readings about marriage that did not have anything to do with us. Chris delivered all of that and more.
Chris was easy to work with and patient throughout the entire process. He listened to what we wanted and tailored the ceremony to make it uniquely ours, as if he was a friend who knew us well.
And the result? Our guests absolutely loved the ceremony. We received multiple compliments about how captivated everyone was during Chris’s speech, and they could not stop raving about him afterward. We went into the ceremony confident he could deliver on our high expectations, and he still blew us away.
Chris is amazing, and we are so glad we chose him to be our officiant. He made our ceremony so personal, meaningful, and memorable. We could not recommend him enough!
Isabella C.
5.0
When we first met with Chris, I told him I wanted a ceremony that made my guests cry, laugh, cry, and laugh all over again. That is exactly what he delivered. We couldn't have asked for a better officiant. Just like all the other reviews report, we had guests coming up to us after the ceremony and in the days after our wedding, raving about how amazing he was. My husband and I wanted a ceremony that was rooted in our story and our love, not in religious speak. Chris did a perfect job of telling our story and guiding our promises in a way that was special, humorous, and tear-jerking at the same time. I feel like we've gained a family member and a friend. I would recommend Chris to anyone looking for the best ceremony ever!
Kathrin P.
5.0
Deals
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Micro Elopement Improv Ceremony: $300
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Christopher Shelley
OWNER
Typically responds within 24h
AWARD WINNER (13X)
Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot
A good fit for emotionally intelligent realists. I am an experienced crowd-worker and mood-booster who turns ceremonies into live theatrical events. My clients are educated self-starters who take their relationships seriously but don't take themselves too seriously. A cup of coffee and a great conversation is all they need to be happy. Me too. My couples trust professionals after doing their due diligence. Would you like your guests to fall in love with your story? Would you like your ceremony to be the best one your guests have ever seen? My Book, 'Best. Ceremony. Ever.' (The Countryman Press, W.W. Norton) is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. The Rachael Ray Show producers asked me to create their Valentine's Day Weddings four years in a row. Joan Rivers (RIP) hired me to emcee a memorial for her dog on her TV show. I speak at industry conferences like Wedding MBA in Las Vegas and Midwest DJs Live in Milwaukee, training officiants and DJs to speak better and perform more effectively. I am a vendor's vendor, a vendor who works well with other vendors. As of this writing I am 56.
Whether you're planning a big wedding with hundreds of guests or a micro wedding for only a handful, an experienced professional with a tremendous stage presence can electrify your ceremony. Give your guests something to talk about. I am a Celebrant and Emcee rolled into one vendor. My passion is connecting the joy of the wedding ceremony to the pleasure of the wedding celebration.
My goal is to revolutionize how people view the Celebrant's role beyond the ceremony, to see us for the asset we are for the entire wedding celebration. Weddings are theater, and the ceremony is a play-within-the-play. A good celebrant can work with your planner and other vendors to unify the theme of the evening, find new and imaginative ways to connect guests, and most importantly, MAKE THE COUPLE LOOK GOOD. It's essential to hire a professional officiant. A trained Celebrant makes ceremonies that are so personal your guests will assume I'm a friend of yours. It's a magic trick. Your guests will love you for hiring someone who makes them smile, laugh, and not cry too much. They'll thank you for hiring someone who knew what he was doing and knew how to make the event electric and entertaining while still having the class to match the elegance of any venue.
Details
Ceremony Types
Civil Union
Commitment Ceremony
Elopement
Interfaith Ceremony
Non-Religious Ceremony
Religious Ceremony
Second Wedding
Vow Renewal Ceremony
Religious Affiliations
Interfaith
Spiritual
Wedding Activities
Wedding
Ceremony
Awards and Affiliations
13-Time 'Best of Weddings'
2026.2025.2024.+10 more.
Best of Weddings
The Knot independently assesses vendors for this award—it’s never self-reported. We base it on firsthand experiences from real couples and guests, and they must have a 4.5-star average across 7+ reviews in the qualifying year.
Hall of Fame
Earned by winning 'Best of Weddings' four or more times.
Join couples who chose award-winning vendors for their wedding
Meet the team
Christopher Shelley
Owner
Chris Shelley knocks wedding ceremonies out of the park and blows guests' minds. He mixes personalization with expert writing and perfect timing. Chris has performed weddings all over the country and on The Rachael Ray Show. He is the only person who has Emceed a memorial service for Joan Rivers' dog on television, or anywhere. Chris is a Certified Life-Cycle Celebrant, a member of the International Association of Professional Wedding Officiants (IAPWO) and a Certified Professional Wedding Officiant (CPWO).
Reviews
5.0
out of 5.0310 reviews
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Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
Chris crafts deeply personal, well-prepared ceremonies that balance humor and heartfelt moments. Couples praise his responsiveness, communication, and ability to read a room, while guests consistently rave. Highly recommended for weddings and other ceremonies for a memorable, professional, joyful experience.Review photos
Showing slide number 1 out of 9
Kathrin P
Highlighted review.
5.0
When we first met with Chris, I told him I wanted a ceremony that made my guests cry, laugh, cry, and laugh all over again. That is exactly what he delivered. We couldn't have aske...
d for a better officiant. Just like all the other reviews report, we had guests coming up to us after the ceremony and in the days after our wedding, raving about how amazing he was. My husband and I wanted a ceremony that was rooted in our story and our love, not in religious speak. Chris did a perfect job of telling our story and guiding our promises in a way that was special, humorous, and tear-jerking at the same time. I feel like we've gained a family member and a friend. I would recommend Chris to anyone looking for the best ceremony ever!
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Thank you Kathrin! As you know, you were a joy to work for. I think this shows how importa...
nt it is to find the officiant that matches best with you. I loved being a part of your wedding. May you have many happy years together!!!
Isabella C
5.0
If you are thinking about hiring Chris Shelly as your wedding officiant, please do! We loved Chris, and our guests did too!
During our initial call with Chris, my husband and I kn...
ew immediately that we wanted to hire him after hearing him explain his process and how he approaches each ceremony. We wanted a non-religious wedding ceremony that would wow our guests, and we wanted our guests to be just as engaged in the ceremony as we were. We did not want a ceremony that was simply reciting poetry or generic readings about marriage that did not have anything to do with us. Chris delivered all of that and more.
Chris was easy to work with and patient throughout the entire process. He listened to what we wanted and tailored the ceremony to make it uniquely ours, as if he was a friend who knew us well.
And the result? Our guests absolutely loved the ceremony. We received multiple compliments about how captivated everyone was during Chris’s speech, and they could not stop raving about him afterward. We went into the ceremony confident he could deliver on our high expectations, and he still blew us away.
Chris is amazing, and we are so glad we chose him to be our officiant. He made our ceremony so personal, meaningful, and memorable. We could not recommend him enough!
Any questions?
Alan C
5.0
My guests really enjoyed Chris, they all commented on how great the ceremony was and how his energy started the wedding off on a lively note. I recommend him to anyone looking for ...
an officiant.
Courtney W
5.0
Chris officiated our wedding this past weekend and thank goodness he did! Chris managed the ceremony so it never felt awkward. He has a way with reading the room with humor yet sti...
ll being professional. The best part is that he took the time to get to know us and our dynamic, so the ceremony felt personal. Throughout the night everyone said they want to renew their vows so Chris can officiate. My only regret is that he wasn't a wedding guest, what a blast he is! 10/10 would recommend again and again
Paige B
5.0
Best wedding officiant ever!!! Everyone at our wedding raved about Chris! Chris has streamlined the process so well for writing a wedding ceremony! The process is easy and he was s...
o helpful from start to finish. Chris had nailed it on the first draft which speaks to his skill as a writer. We felt so supported through the whole process and he is very communicative. Our ceremony was perfection and Chris’ words at our ceremony were even highlighted in one of our wedding videos!! We are so thankful our videographer recommended Chris!!
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Thank you Paige! I appreciate you mentioning the writing because I work really hard on tha...
t aspect. You and Wil were a delight to work with and I also loved that Instagram video!!! Don't be strangers.
Dana S
5.0
Working with our Chris was honestly one of the best parts of planning our wedding. From the very beginning, he took the time to really get to know us as a couple. The process was t...
houghtful, meticulous, and so much more personal than we ever expected. It never felt like we were getting a generic ceremony, as he crafted something that truly reflected our relationship.
On the wedding day, he absolutely exceeded our expectations. He struck the perfect balance of funny, emotional, romantic, and lighthearted, keeping everyone engaged from beginning to end. He has an incredible presence and knows exactly how to work the room, making the ceremony feel intimate while also entertaining our guests.
One of the things that stood out most was how many people came up to us after the ceremony just to tell us how amazing he was. We heard over and over again how much they loved him and how memorable the ceremony was. My sister even told me she wished he had officiated her own wedding!
If you’re looking for someone who will genuinely invest in getting to know you, create a ceremony that feels authentic, and deliver it with warmth, humor, and heart, we couldn’t recommend him more highly. We are so grateful he was such an important part of our wedding day.
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Wow Dana, thank you so much!!! Tell your sister to start planning a vow renewal ceremony a...
nd I'll lead that for her! This is so nice of you. You and Brian were a joy to work with, and I appreciated that we were able to meet up for coffee too, that was very helpful. Have a long happy marriage!!!
Alexis E
5.0
From the first call I had with Chris I knew he was going to be the right fit and he truly was just that. Chris’ made the most beautiful ceremony. It was classy and elegant with the...
right amount of humor sprinkled in throughout. All of our guests loved him and didn’t stop raving about him and the ceremony all night. He truly is beyond amazing and I couldn’t have asked for a better ceremony.
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Thank you very much, Alexis!!!
Jake B
5.0
We set out to find the best officiant we could, and we found him. From the start, Chris put in real work to get to know us. His questionnaire pulled out details and history from ou...
r relationship that we never would have thought to include on our own, and it gave him real material to work with instead of generic filler.
The ceremony itself was exactly what we asked for. Not too long, genuinely funny, sincere where it counted, and it kept all our guests fully engaged the entire time. My father-in-law told us it was the first wedding ceremony he's ever stayed awake for. Another family member said she had heard bits and pieces of our story over the years, but hearing it all at once, told the way Chris told it, made her understand for the first time how special it actually was.
Every single person who complimented us on the wedding also complimented Chris. Not most. Every one. Multiple guests said it was the best wedding ceremony they had ever seen.
We were anxious about this part of the day. We wanted someone who could represent us well and not lose the room, and that's a hard thing to trust a stranger with. Chris delivered completely. If storytelling matters to you, book him.
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Thank you Jake! You are, as far as I know, the first couple who found me by using AI. You ...
were specific in your search, and I am thrilled that your search produced me. We were indeed a good match.
Ryan K
5.0
Chris was a joy to work with. From the moment I contacted him for our wedding up until the end of the wedding day, he was easy to communicate with, accommodating, assuring and sup...
portive. The ceremony went incredibly well with Chris as the officiant, all of the guests loved him.
Judy M
5.0
We cannot recommend Chris highly enough! He was an absolute delight to work with from start to finish and played such an important role in making our wedding ceremony so special. C...
hris did a phenomenal job personalizing our ceremony, taking the time to truly get to know us and craft a speech that felt authentic, meaningful, and uniquely ours.
We especially appreciated meeting with him in person beforehand. Not only did he help us think through the ceremony details, but he also shared thoughtful advice about marriage and life that we will carry with us long after the wedding day.
His warmth, professionalism, humor, and genuine care made us feel completely at ease. We received countless compliments from our guests about how wonderful the ceremony was and how much they loved Chris. If you're looking for an officiant who will create a memorable, funny, heartfelt, and personalized ceremony, Chris is the perfect choice!
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Thank you so much for these kind words, Judy! You were a pleasure to work with and I'm gla...
d you found me. Congratulations again!
Jillian G
5.0
I truly can’t say enough good things about Christopher Shelley! Wedding officiant of our dreams!!! My husband and I were looking for someone who could help turn our Engagement Part...
y into a surprise Wedding… and we really couldn’t have done it without Chris (literally and figuratively)!! He was so helpful in giving us ideas for our transition & was always so quick in responding to us and giving us his honest and helpful feedback on the ceremony! His process of getting to know us as a couple helped build the most beautiful ceremony I’ve ever heard, even our guests were raving about how great Chris was! You would think he knew us for years, the way he was able to speak about how our teenage love story turned into forever, with funny moments that had our guests laughing and sweet moments that pulled on our guest’s heartstrings… the ceremony was PERFECT. We will forever be indebted to Chris for giving us a night we will remember forever. If you’re thinking about him as your wedding officiant, trust me and look no further, he will go above and beyond to give you the ceremony of your dreams! You won’t regret it!!!
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Thank you so much, Jillian! What a fun night that was! It was my honor and great fun to fo...
ol all those people. Congrats again!!!
Jenny R
5.0
Chris was absolutely incredible. It is honestly hard to put into words how important he was to our wedding.
From the very beginning, it mattered so much to us that our guests felt...
at ease, had fun, and genuinely enjoyed the ceremony. Chris came recommended by our photographer with the note, “great at making your guests laugh,” and that is exactly what we got, and more.
He was amazing in the lead-up and even better on the day. When I asked guests what their favourite part of the wedding was, every single one mentioned Chris. He was hilarious, warm, and truly the person who brought the whole event together.
Weddings are meaningful and emotional by nature, but we really wanted to bring lightness and laughter into the ceremony too. Chris struck that balance perfectly. It felt heartfelt without ever being heavy, and funny without taking away from the moment. He's got a special magic about this.
We had a small ceremony in an apartment, and some people questioned whether we even needed an MC. If anything, that made Chris even more essential. He created structure, energy, and connection in a way that made the whole experience feel seamless and special.
Truly, 11 out of 10. No notes.
Thank you, Chris, for making our wedding so memorable. If you want your guests laughing, relaxed, and still talking about your ceremony long after it is over, book Chris.
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Thank you Jenny!!! You know what a blast I had at your wedding. One for my personal Smoths...
onian, that's for sure! Thank you for being so responsive and trusting.
Eileen S
5.0
Chris is FABULOUS. We literally had people come up to us going "where did you find your officiant, he's the best we've ever heard" and tbh we completely agree. We've found that off...
iciants are either completely forgettable or bring a weird energy. Chris is the literal opposite - he took the time to get to know us and our story and crafted a ceremony that was a magical balance of romantic, professional, hilarious, and emotional. We and our guests were laughing and crying. He just exudes this great infectious positive energy that set the perfect tone for the rest of the night.
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Thank you Eileen!!! It was an honor to be part of such a beautiful event. Your WHOLE TEAM ...
was incredible.
Sara H
5.0
We truly cannot say enough wonderful things about Christopher. From start to finish, He were absolutely incredible and played such an important role in making our wedding day so sp...
ecial.
Professionalism & Preparation:
He was one of the few vendors who truly went above and beyond in every aspect of their job. His level of preparation, organization, and attention to detail was outstanding. He guided us through the entire process and made everything feel seamless and stress-free.
Ceremony Delivery:
The ceremony itself was absolutely perfect. It felt personal, meaningful, and beautifully delivered. His speaking style was warm, engaging, and heartfelt, which made the entire moment even more special for us and our families.
Guest Experience:
One thing that really stood out to us after the wedding was how many guests came up to us to talk about the ceremony. So many people asked where we found our officiant or how long we had known him. Multiple guests even said it was the best ceremony they had ever seen. That meant the world to us.
Overall Experience:
Working with him was such a pleasure. He was kind, supportive, and truly cared about making our ceremony perfect. Looking back at our wedding day, they stand out as someone who absolutely delivered their role flawlessly.
We are so grateful and cannot thank him enough for helping create such a meaningful and unforgettable moment for us. We would recommend him to any couple without hesitation! 💍✨
Ana O
5.0
If 10 stars were a thing here, I'd give Chris all the stars. I read his book Best Ceremony Ever and felt that he was the perfect fit to be our wedding celebrant. I emailed him, and...
our relationship began. He is smart, charming, funny, and really puts his heart into his work. He worked with us to make sure all our special requests came to life. He lead the way during our rehearsal the day before the wedding. He came to the welcome party and got to mingle with our family and friends. On wedding day, he was a rock star! Our guests raved about him and still mention how amazing he was. I can't recommend him enough! He is the very best!
James B
5.0
Chris served as the celebrant at my brother-in-laws funeral service and celebration of life event that followed, in January of this year.
The family were struck by how thorough Ch...
ris was in his preparation and understanding the back-story of my late brother in law, and his significant achievements.
On the day of the event Chris provided a key role in helping us through the really tough processes.
Chris is a great speaker. He is warm and engaging and brings in an appropriate tone, including humour, where needed.
We are so grateful to have found Chris and for the amazing work that he put in before the events, and at the events themselves, in NYC and New Jersey. He could not have done more.
James
MICKEY M
5.0
We hired Chris as our offiant for our wedding. He was nothing short of phenomenal. The guests were engaged the whole ceremony. His questionnaire made the ceremony as if he had know...
us for years. He was accommodating for any traditions that we wanted. Our guests even mentioned how great he was. I would suggest Chris to anyone that needs an officiant.
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Thank you, Mike and Sam! What a beautiful event.
Sara N
5.0
We had an NYC garden ceremony in Greenwich Village, and Chris was absolutely incredible! From the very beginning, he was so seamless to work with and responded so quickly. He broug...
ht such fun, energy, and warmth to the day. His personality lit up the space and made the ceremony feel so personal and joyful — exactly what we envisioned for a relaxed, intimate city celebration.
He struck the perfect balance between heartfelt and lighthearted, keeping everyone smiling (and even tearing up a little!). Beyond being an amazing officiant, he’s just a genuinely wonderful person who clearly loves what he does! We can’t imagine our day without him and would recommend him a thousand times over.
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Thank you, Sara! Your family is delightful, and I was honored to be a part of your happy o...
ccasion. Good luck with the big one in Italy!
Katryel W
5.0
We couldn’t have asked for a better wedding officiant! He delivered the perfect ceremony. Short, sweet, and full of heartfelt meaning. We are so grateful he was a part of our day a...
nd highly recommend him to anyone looking for a ceremony that is personal, memorable, and filled with joy!
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Thank you, Katryel!!!
Gracie D
5.0
Chris is the best officiant! My husband and I highly recommend him if you are planning a New York wedding! He balances the seriousness of the commitment of marriage with humor to m...
ake it a lighthearted experience! He is awesome!
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Thank you, Gracie!
Tad B
5.0
We cannot recommend Chris enough! He set the tone for our wedding in the most amazing way and truly set us up to have the best day of our lives.
Chris was thoughtful, detailed an...
d funny beyond belief. Even a month after our wedding we still have people telling us that it was the funniest and most beautiful ceremony that they have even been to.
If you want your wedding to be perfect, you NEED to hire Chris.
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Thank you so much, Tad! It was a pleasure to work with you and Hannah.
Robyn and Marc B
5.0
Chris was exceptional! The ceremony he wrote for us was above and beyond anything we’ve ever experienced. It was so personal and perfect and funny—in the best possible way! More th...
an 3 months later, our friends and family are still talking about how awesome our officiant was. He’s so funny and kind and charismatic. He really made the vow-writing process seamless and fun. Our guests thought he was our close friend for many years! Highly recommend hiring Chris to marry you!
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Thank you, Robyn and Marc! Your ceremony was a pleasure to create and perform. Best wishes...
for a long happy marriage!
Colleen B
5.0
Chris deserves more than 5 stars! He took our ceremony to a level I didn’t even know was possible. Having worked in the wedding industry and witnessed Chris in action before, I kne...
w he had to be the very first vendor I booked. From the start, he made the experience so personal. He had my husband and me fill out a thoughtful questionnaire ahead of time, and because of that, it felt like a family member was officiating. Guests were stunned at how seamlessly he wove our story and personalities into the ceremony.
I’ll never forget standing with my dad right before walking down the aisle and hearing the roar of cheers coming from our guests. Chris had everyone energized, engaged, and fully present from the very beginning. Once he began the ceremony, you could feel the shift in the room—every single person was locked in, smiling ear to ear, laughing at the perfectly placed jokes, and genuinely soaking in the moment.
Even the morning after, at brunch, guests were still raving about the officiant. Multiple people came up to me and said, “That is the best ceremony I have ever been to.” People weren’t just complimenting the décor or the food—they were talking about how unforgettable the ceremony itself was, which is all thanks to Chris.
If you’re on the fence, let this be your sign: BOOK CHRIS. He’s not just an officiant, he’s the magic that makes your ceremony an experience no one will ever forget.
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Colleen!!! Wow! Thank you so much for this review. You know that I and your whole team wer...
e making sure we made your wedding amazing, since you are one of us! What a special night. Thank you so much for these words. I was thrilled when you hired me and had extra circles around your date for the entire year and a half we were planning it out. Congratulations again.
Eda P
5.0
Chris was an absolute pleasure to work with for our special day. He was recommended to us by our wedding planner who has worked with him many times in the past before. From the ver...
y first call, he was incredibly open, responsive, and thoughtful in his communication. He took the time to really understand our story and made sure every detail was accounted for. On the day of, the ceremony was fun and personalized, and we received so many compliments from our guests on how special it felt. Despite both of us being nervous, Chris made us feel calm and helped us stay in the moment. His attention to detail and honest, transparent approach gave us complete confidence that he would deliver a memorable experience - and he exceeded our expectations. We couldn't have asked for a better partner to help make our wedding day so meaningful and joyful. We will be forever thinking back on this day with our happy memories thanks to Chris.
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Thank you so much Eda! It was an absolute honor to officiate for you.
Lauren V
5.0
Christopher made ALL of the difference for our ceremony. He set the tone for the entire day and our guests couldn't stop raving about it! He took the groom & I's unique views of ou...
r story and shared such a beautiful version during the ceremony that we were falling all over again. We laughed, cried, and truly were able to feel the magic of the moment. We can't thank Christopher enough for sharing our story (more eloquently than we ever could) and for making every single guests feel the happiness and love on our wedding day.
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Thank you Lauren! Honestly that was one of the most enjoyable weddings I've ever been a pa...
rt of. Thank you so much for choosing me and may you find so much joy in your lives together!
Marisa E
5.0
The wedding ceremony turned out perfectly! Chris was engaging, light-hearted, and serious when needed. Everyone at the wedding loved it! Thank you so much Chris!
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Thank you Marisa!!!
monique u
5.0
Chris truly has a talent for story telling in the most quirky and engaging way. He was my officiant as recommended by someone I met on Facebook market, and I feel like it was meant...
to be. He made my fairytale wedding even more magical with his delivery while still being very factual about our story. I would recommend him to anyone who’s concerned about an awkward ceremony and needing someone to break the ice. My guests could not stop talking about him at the cocktail hour and many asked for his information after. Like I said, Meant to be!
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Thank you Monique! It was a pleasure.
Taylor C
5.0
I am so glad we had Chris officiate our ceremony. Beyond his questionnaire, he took the time to meet us in Manhattan to get to know us a bit better as a couple. He was able to unde...
rstand what we wanted and didn’t in a ceremony. Chris’ script was personal, lighthearted, and really captured our story the way we wanted it conveyed. Chris collaborated with us to make sure we were on board with the script and that it covered everything we wanted. He even worked with us and our band to coordinate the Jeopardy song to give guests 30 seconds of photos before the unplugged ceremony kicked in. He also included some personal advice about married life for us in the ceremony (while planned in the script, the advice itself was kept as a nice surprise for us to hear at the altar). Our guests loved him too – we got a good number of compliments about Chris’ ceremony during cocktail hour and a few questions about how we know him. Guests assumed he was a long-time friend based on how personalized he made our ceremony. Chris truly did a great job of making our ceremony unique to us, fun, and heartfelt!
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Thank you Taylor! You really had the full experience with me, and I'm happy to hear that y...
ou enjoyed how it all paid off. It was a pleasure working with you and I wish you years of happiness!!!
Brittany P
5.0
We found Chris on YouTube while searching for an officiant who could make our DC wedding in November 2024 truly special—and he exceeded all our expectations! From the start, Chris ...
was an expert partner in helping us bring our ceremony vision to life.
He guided us through a fun and insightful couples questionnaire, including some secret questions that added a personal and unexpected touch. His insights, humor, and charisma shone through in every interaction, making the planning process smooth and enjoyable.
On the big day, Chris delivered a ceremony that was everything we dreamed of: intimate, special, and light-hearted. It was the perfect blend of tears, laughter, and joy—a true reflection of our relationship and the love we share.
We couldn’t have asked for a better officiant and would wholeheartedly recommend Chris to any couple looking for someone who can beautifully balance professionalism, warmth, and creativity. Thank you, Chris, for making our wedding day unforgettable!
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Thank you Brittnay! I'm so glad that all of the work paid off. It was lovely to work with ...
both of you and such a treat to do a DC wedding. Best of luck to both of you!
Alexis C
5.0
We are so lucky to have had Chris officiate our wedding in July! Throughout the wedding process Chris took the time to get to know us and our story, and he incorporated special bit...
s about our relationship into his story telling. It felt like we were being married by a family friend—so special and authentic. We would recommend Chris to anyone who is looking for a special officiant who really cares about his couples. Thank you, Chris, for making our day so special!
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Thank you, Alexis! I'm so glad that the process I had with you worked out so well. For me,...
by the time the wedding arrives, I feel like I'm a family friend, not just a hired person. It was wonderful to work with you both and I wish you a long, happy marriage.
Anthony D
5.0
Chris was absolutely sensational!! We are so happy we found Chris! His attention to detail was incredible. Perfect balance of story telling, humor and professionalism. He connected...
with crowd extremely well! Our guests even requested him to renew their vows! Which he did. Chris made our day so special and so luckily he was available. 10/10 and 6 Stars!!!! Highly recommend!
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Thank you Anthony! Yes, I did end up doing a vow renewal ceremony for two of your guests, ...
at their home, which was an incredible honor. Thank you for these kind words, and best of luck to you both!
Allison M
5.0
we are SO lucky to have found chris and to have used him for our wedding on october 11, 2024! my husband and i had so much fun filling out his questionnaire which really helps him ...
to understand the couple and their love story on a deeper level. he then takes the questionnaire to create a cohesive, beautiful script which you can edit to your liking, and then you can offer feedback and he will execute any adjustments you'd like. we also met chris for coffee one morning which helped him to get to know us even better! our love story is incredibly special to us and chris absolutely NAILED it on our wedding day. we had multiple people approach us throughout the night saying it was the best ceremony they had ever been to, and let me tell you, it really WAS!! hiring a professional officiant truly makes such a difference. he helps with rehearsal and the flow of the ceremony, and handles everything with your marriage license too! the ceremony was such a highlight of our wedding day. THANK YOU CHRIS :)
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Thank you Allison! The process really works! Essentially, we could define the process as '...
Couples Make a New Friend Who Happens to be a Wedding Professional'. By the time the wedding day arrives, I am 100% psyched and committed to making the ceremony great for you because you feel like friends to me. Anyway - thank you so much for your kind words!
Lindsay K
5.0
We highly recommend hiring Chris as your officiant. All of our guests raved about his ceremony being one of the best they have ever heard. Chris blends humor with heartfelt, pers...
onal messaging that truly spoke to us a couple. He got to know our love story and beautifully shared it with our guests. If you are looking for an officiant, look no further!
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Thank you so much, Lindsay! Your wedding was beautiful. I love remembering that fine Octob...
er night. Your family and friends were so welcoming to me and I will always appreciate being a part of your wedding. Good luck to both of you always!
Maddie C
5.0
Chris was incredible to work with! He put together the most beautiful, personal ceremony for my husband and I, and really helped us both to feel at ease on the day of our wedding. ...
Strongly recommend hiring him to officiate your ceremony!
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Thank you very much, Maddie!
Lily L
5.0
I cannot say enough amazing things about Chris!! He came super highly recommended by our planner so we felt lucky to be able to book him for our date. From the first meeting, Chris...
was engaging and fun, yet professional and had a clear process that he explained to us. That process, included questions that dove deep into our relationship and love story and was extremely fun for us to complete. As I look back, his process feels like a super special part of the planning process. The came wedding day…. Chris was phenomenal!!! The ceremony was so fun and exactly our vibe. He involved our guests the perfect amount and the ceremony felt so special and exactly what we wanted. Multiple guests raved about him, but beyond that, told me they got a chance to talk with him afterwards which I thought was so special that he stayed and engaged with guests. I would rate him more than five stars if I could, book Chris Shelley!!!
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Wow, thank you Lily! Your wedding team was extraordinary, the venue was gorgeous and the v...
iew was incredible. What a great night. I loved engaging with your guests at cocktail hour! That's so fun for me. It's like doing roving crowd work and it's so fun. And I got to eat sushi at the same time. Thank you so much and best wishes to you both!
Shelby M
5.0
If Chris is available on your big day, look no further and just book him. We were so unsure of where to turn as we are not religious so we didn't have a preacher but also didn't h...
ave any family or friends we could visualize to do our ceremony, which so many people do now (Hire the pro!). I'm so so glad we found him! Chris is great because he does a great non-religious ceremony, under 30 minutes (what we wanted), and is so engaging, funny and easy to work with. Our guests loved our ceremony so much and wondered how we knew him (spoiler alert: we didn't know each other before we booked him for our wedding) because he made our ceremony so personal and told our beautiful love story so masterfully. After speaking with Chris my now husband and I both immediately wanted to move forward with him. After booking we got a somewhat long questionnaire, parts were for both of us to fill out together and we each had other parts that we filled out individually telling our version of our love story in our own words which made for a quite fun ceremony. While the questionnaire was long it was necessary to have the personalized ceremony we both wanted. We were able to meet with him in person when he was in Cincinnati, he also works in NYC, for another wedding and he is such a joy to be around. Once he was done with our ceremony he sent us a draft and we made a few small adjustments but it was PERFECT. Chris also ran our rehearsal and he did amazing organizing everyone and making sure that people knew what they needed to do. The ceremony couldn't have been more perfect on our wedding day, he has great timing, he is funny, engaging and had about 75% of our guests crying by the end. The video of our ceremony gets me misty every time. Thank you again Chris!
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Thank you, Shelby! I love this review. I laughed at 'somewhat long questionnaire' - believ...
e me, I need to know most of what I ask! I am always trying to trim that questionnaire down, but it's much better for me to have more information than less. I'm so happy that you enjoyed working with me because I certainly enjoyed working with you. Your wedding was great fun. Your venue was lovely. I can't wait to go back to the Lytle Park Hotel again. Just a great experience all around. Good luck to both of you ad infinitum!!!
M K
5.0
Chris was fantastic--all of our guests were effusive about him after the ceremony and we were still getting rave reviews from our guests about him weeks later. He is incredibly tho...
ughtful and diligent in preparing the speech for the ceremony and everyone felt like he really knew us and captured our relationship.
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Thank you so much! Your wedding was one of the best ones I ever did. And your families and...
friends are so nice!
Karli C
5.0
We recently had the pleasure of having Chris as our wedding officiant, and we couldn’t be happier with our choice. From start to finish, he was exactly what we needed. Chris was in...
credibly easy to work with, making the entire process simple and stress-free for us.
Chris is not only a consummate professional but also a genuinely great person. His warmth and charisma shone through during our ceremony, which was perfect in every way. We couldn't have asked for more or less; it was just right.
Our guests have been raving about Chris ever since the wedding, and we completely understand why. His ability to connect with everyone and make the ceremony so special was truly remarkable.
If you are looking for an officiant who will make your wedding day unforgettable, look no further than Chris. We highly recommend him!
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Thank you, Karli! What a fun night that was. I'm so glad that all of the hard work paid o...
ff!
Robert D
5.0
Christopher Shelley was the best. Every wedding should have an officiant like Christopher Shelley.
He asks you a bunch of questions and incorporates this into your wedding vows. T...
his so key for him to weave this great story about you and your partner.
He will make people Laugh and Cry as he weaves your love story.
There just is not enough praise I can give to Chris.
He made something that some people might consider stressful though wonderful, fun and wonderful.
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Thank you so much Robert! It was a wonderful evening and I'm so glad that I got to be a pa...
rt of it. Best of luck to both of you!
Dean C
5.0
Choosing Chris as our officiant was one of the most extraordinary decisions we made for our wedding. From the outset, his comprehensive questionnaire made it clear that he was dedi...
cated to understanding each of us and our love story in depth. Chris crafted a ceremony that was not only deeply personal but also incredibly engaging, striking the perfect balance between humor and heartfelt emotion. He honored our cultural traditions with such grace and respect, making the ceremony uniquely ours. Our guests were enchanted, with many remarking on how Chris seemed to know us intimately, capturing the essence of our relationship flawlessly. His ceremony script was exquisite, and his delivery was nothing short of captivating. If you are seeking an officiant who will create a ceremony that is profoundly moving, unforgettable, and tailored to your unique love story, look no further than Chris. He is the gold standard in officiating and will undoubtedly bring your wedding vision to life and then some, your ceremony will feel like something out of a movie. Highly recommended for couples who want nothing but the best for their special day!
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Dean, I'm almost crying reading this review. Thank you. I put so much work into these cere...
monies and I'm so glad the work is paying off. You were both wonderful to work with, true gems of collaborators, and this is an exceptionally collaborative process. Thank you so much for choosing me and letting me be a part of your big day. You both have a wonderful life ahead of you.
Ameena K
5.0
Chris was our officiant for our March 2024 wedding, and we were very impressed with him! From the start, he was prompt and professional in his email responses. The couples question...
naire he sends you to get to know the couple was very thorough and the script is very detailed. On the day-of, he arrived promptly and coordinated with the other vendors. During our ceremony, he rolled with unexpected wind and red fireworks, making the ceremony seamless. Several of our guests told us they were impressed with Chris. Could not have asked for a better officiant.
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Thank you so much, Ameena!!! It was an honor to be your officiant and I hope the rest of t...
he wedding went well. Best of luck to you and Nick!
Tiff H
5.0
Chris was amazing! He officiated our wedding in January 2024. He was very well spoken and easy to work with. He made the whole process smooth and easy. We appreciated how flexible ...
he was with us regarding our busy work schedules and really tried to get to know us. He made sure we were all on the same page with regards to what will be said. Our friends and family gave many compliments for Chris. We highly recommend Chris!
Elina B
5.0
Chris officiated our 1/20/24 wedding. He did a fantastic job, people laughed, people cried, and everyone asked about him afterwards. He came highly recommended on just about every ...
website I found him on, and for good reason! His process is great, he's asks the right questions and wants feedback about what he will say. He wanted to make sure our ceremony had the vibe we wanted. He arrived early, was flexible with the plan making sure everyone knew what they were doing. Would highly recommend his services.
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Thank you so much, Elina! Your wedding was a gem, a bright spot in a cold cold winter. Con...
gratulations and thank you again for letting me be a part of your day.
Kory S
5.0
Chris was absolutely amazing! We didn't have anyone specific in mind to officiate our wedding and we were a bit worried about going with someone "random." Chris put our minds at ea...
se when we first met with him. His process makes it feel like he has known you for a long time and that was reflected in our ceremony. He did a great job of balancing humor while still maintaining the importance of the moment we were in. So many of our guests came up to us asking who he was and how we knew him saying he did a great job. He is absolutely worth hiring and we are so glad we did!
Brandon B
5.0
Fan Favorite!
Chris was absolutely the best! My wife and I got married in September and had no idea who we were going to have officiate our wedding. After doing some research I fo...
und Chris with glowing reviews, and he delivered. After not having time to connect with my wife and I prior to the wedding (our schedule was impossible) he had everyone in attendance thinking we've known him for years. His process was perfection and delivered a speech that brought tears, laughter and love to the room. He has been a topic of conversation since our wedding and was truly a hit!
We can't recommend him enough for making our day perfect!
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Thank you Brandon! I'll never forget when everyone in the wedding party jammed into your h...
otel suite with us to watch the pre-ceremony license-signing. Your family and friends were so cool, so kind and 200% committed to making the day awesome for you.. but they made it incredible for me too and I will always remember that. What a great night.
Natalie H
5.0
Five stars doesn't begin to reflect how wonderful Chris was to work with. We are not a conventional couple; mature in years and young at heart, so we wanted an officiate that woul...
d help us plan a ceremony that reflects our personalities. From the very beginning we knew we had found the perfect match with Chris.
The communication from our first meeting to our last was amazing. The detailed questionnaire helped Chris to get to know us on a deeper level and was key to the ceremony that Chris wrote. It was OUR story, full of laughter, poignant moments, and pure joy. Chris listens to the bride and groom's ideas and gently guides them to create the perfect ceremony. We were able to review the script and tweak it until it was perfect. His idea to engage the guests and make them part of the ceremony was incredible and so memorable, from our flower "dude" to the one minute of selfies at the beginning of the ceremony, our guest knew this wasn’t going to be a traditional wedding.
We heard over and over from our guests, how did you find him? He was amazing. Even other vendors said that this was the best wedding they had ever been to. What a wonderful compliment. I know it is a day WE will always remember and thanks to Chris our guests will too.
Thank you, Chris, from the bottom of our hearts!
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Natalie! What a way to end the year - with a sublime review from my couple of the year. I'...
ve told so many people about your wedding, using it as an example of how to use personal touches, how to re-imagine the ceremony space, how to create clean visual lines and balance those poignant moments with humorous ones. Your wedding was a clinic in personalization, and the two of you were the perfect example of gracious hosts, not just for your guests but for your vendors. YOUR communication was tremendous from the beginning and all of us knew we were a part of something really special that day. Wedding of the year, 2023, hands down. I love you both. Thank you again and let's please stay in touch.
Chris Z
5.0
Chris Shelley impressed everybody (my wife and me included) at the wedding. It was an amazing performance by him - with his voice, humor, and thoughtfulness - without taking the sp...
otlight away from my wife and me. Chris has an excellent handle on every minutia of the ceremony, both the expected and the potentially unexpected. Apart from being very familiar with our venue (shown in a lot of his pictures), he did an excellent job coordinating with our harpest on the day of which was another highlight of his performance.
Chris crafted a detailed plan to ensure the ceremony would go smoothly which also made my wife and me at ease and enjoying the event. He sent us a detailed list of questions to understand our story and details of the event (to be filled out ~2 months prior to our wedding), and then worked with us over a number of iterations until we found the script perfect. Throughout the entire preparation process, Chris was generous with his time and met us in person a month ahead of our wedding to get to know us better, talk through any concerns/questions we had, and offered his encouragement as well as additional suggestions. Further, he was extremely reliable throughout our interaction and always early to our appointments.
Chris surely set the bar very high for officiants. A lot of our guests came to us asking how/where we could find such an exceptional officiant that made the event so touching and memorable right from the start. We were lucky to have had Chris referred to us by our friends who worked with him at their wedding, and we 1000% recommend him without any reservation.
Victoria C
5.0
Chris was exceptional! The ceremony was absolutely perfect and our guests loved every minute of it. It was light-hearted, funny, and heart-warming. He took our journey together ...
and transformed it into a beautiful (and comical) love story- good, bad, and awkward moments included. We are so grateful to him for sharing our love story with those nearest and dearest to us in a way we never could have. He made our day truly memorable.
Marissa C
5.0
Chris was an amazing officiant for the best night of our lives. We can't thank him enough for making our ceremony such a memorable - and fun :D - experience for us and all of our g...
uests. We would highly recommend his services to any couple who wants a personalized and well thought out ceremony with plenty of laughs included
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Thank you Marissa! It seemed like the build-up to your wedding was so long - and it was, o...
ver a year -- so to see it through to its beautiful realization was a sublime experience. I'm so happy that I got to officiate for you. Thank you so much for letting me be a part of your wedding.
Rebecca S
5.0
We are so incredibly lucky that we came across Chris in our search for an officiant. Our ceremony was the highlight of our wedding and so special due to Chris’s creativity and inve...
ntive way of approaching ceremonies! He’s a beautiful writer that both wrote and narrated our love story for our guests. The ceremony was a perfect balance of laughter and more sentimental moments. So many of our guests remarked that our ceremony was one of the best ones they have ever been to and my husband and I can attest to that because it was hands down our favorite part of our wedding! We also had the opportunity to speak with Chris and meet him in person before the wedding. He was very open to the ideas we had and vision we had for the ceremony that were important to us. Chris has changed the game for how wedding ceremonies can be imagined and we couldn’t speak more highly of our experience working with him!
Response from Illuminating Ceremonies Christopher Shelley
Thank you so much, Rebecca! Your wedding was so interesting, culturally and by location - ...
not often you get to play with a wedding ceremony on a boat during a rainstorm! I loved being part of your wedding and I wish you much happiness.
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