A little about me.
Who are you?
I’ve spent almost all my precious time on Earth based in the Seattle, WA area. Early in life, I found affinity for playing the trumpet, writing, and live performance. Thanks to parents and a school district that found value and virtue in the Arts, my proclivities were well-fed, two pillars of my upbringing for which I am eternally thankful.
Nowadays, I enjoy many pursuits both artistic and academic, but most of all I am blessed to officiate weddings and to bring people together to play music. And word has it I'll be able to pull something entirely different off just for you. Do get in touch.
I won’t plan to show up to your ceremony like this, but I certainly can.
What are your weddings like?
In two words (since I can’t be limited to one): Tender and Fun.
I officiate with my heart on my sleeve regardless of the ceremony. My years both officiating and in live performance make me a delightful choice to guide you and your betrothed up to your moment in the spotlight. I am truly blessed to be able to offer my gifts as a wordsmith and public speaker to all scopes and strokes. For people resolute in their faith, faiths, or lack thereof. For parties of two or of hundreds. There are many ways to celebrate with me.
Though I’ve performed all manner and size of ceremonies, elopements and smaller weddings hold a special place in my heart. I eloped myself - well, with my fiancée - on Halloween in a graveyard, under a blue moon. While there’s nothing like a big production, something about stealing away, either within the chaos and bustle of a city, perched at a classic viewpoint, or stolen away deep in nature. As a result, most of my ceremonies are concise and impactful.
But make no mistake, I am always happy to elaborate and expound, and together we can craft a ceremony to your spec and beyond.
I’ve had so many wonderful experiences helping couples share their feelings with their community. Some memories of note include:
Hiking a dense forest trail with the dearly beloved and performing the ceremony by their favorite waterfall. They hiked back out in their wedding finery, mud and all!
Flash-mobbing the clock-tower square in Ballard, Seattle for a darn quick ceremony as passers by gawked in the most heartfelt manner.
Being hoisted up by the couple and congregation behind a very well-kept VW Van (another passion of mine; thanks, Dad!) for a rather glorious keg-stand. And I’d nearly went my entire 30’s without doing one.
At the couple’s request, Rick-rolling the congregation to open the reception (if you’re unfamiliar with the concept of Rick-rolling, feel free to ask - it makes a lovely duet).
Map not to scale.
How did this all start?
Many years ago, I was pranked into giving a “stirring” speech for a dear friend at her wedding. And speak I did. After the ovation receded and the tears were all mopped, we all realized that I had a natural talent for this sort of thing. I even started officiating friend and family weddings in 2012.
After many years playing trumpet across this great continent in all manner of troupes, from Vaudeville to Power-Funk to Sci-fi Rock’n’roll Circuses, I started playing with top-fuel wedding band The Highsteppers Classic Soul Revue. It quickly became apparent that my exuberance and grandiloquent vocabulary (thanks, Mom!) really came into their own when MC-ing the receptions. I still dance on the tables with them to this day, and now I also enjoy creating the ceremonies themselves, a la carte.
My own tiny wedding. Blue moon not pictured, courtesy of the very golden sun.
What else do you do?
When not officiating weddings, I’m a freelance trumpet player and teacher, and dabble in music composition, visual art, and gardening. I’ve also crossed the line from “Weird Al” Yankovic fan to part-time impersonator. The man himself signed my accordion, which I can play, at least well enough to win a karaoke contest.