When I’m not nerding out, I’ve been known to perform the occasional wedding as a minister of the Universal Life Church. The picture above is from two weeks ago when I performed the ceremony for my friends Mike and Natalie at the Ritz in Half Moon Bay.

It’s ironic that the easiest way to be recognized as someone who can perform weddings is to get ordained at a church (even if it’s a pretty fake-feeling online ordainment form), ironic because the people who ask me to perform weddings are usually looking for a non-religious wedding. The requirement in California is pretty simple. I just need to sign my name to the marriage license. In Hawaii, I actually had to get a license from the department of health and get a letter from the ULC saying I was a minister in good standing. The ULC came through with the letter, so I feel pretty good recommending them as a stand-up organization that’s going to do more than collect $12 from you and tell you you’re a minister.

This was my third ceremony. I got started when my sister and brother-in-law asked me to perform their ceremony. I think my sister thought I would make the ceremony fun and light-hearted. Boy was she wrong. Everyone was crying, especially me. Still, if you’re getting married, I’d recommend finding a friend who knows you well rather than a “professional” minister who needs to refer to his notes in order to remember your names.

I’ve been involved in six weddings total, three as minister, two as best man, and one as a speaker. They’re all still together. That’s a 100% success rate totaling over 31 years of combined marriage.