The Rev. Nathan C. Walker is  an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister currently serving the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia .

Like snowflakes, no two love stories are alike.  That is why i believe that your wedding should represent the unique love that you and your partner share.  I hope to spend time with you to craft a ceremony that specifically represents your love story, your beliefs, and your values.  As a Unitarian Universalist, who pulls from many religious traditions, i hope to help you choose text, readings, and music that authentically symbolize your union.

Marriage Journal

 For each wedding that i officiate, i ask that the couple purchase a journal where i can hand write the vows. I would like to then use the journal during the ceremony and return it to the couple after the ceremony. My hope is that it may become a useful memento for you to use in the future as you archive your relationship together: photographs of your future children, love-poems, song lyrics, and silly drawings.

Counseling

Celebrating marriage is a major life transition.  The service and the symbolism of the ceremony should be crafted with great care.  As a result, i recommend that couples consider meeting with me three times before the ceremony.

1. Love Stories:  During this first meeting, i want to hear your story. I would love to hear how you met and fell in love and why you want to get married.  This is an excellent way for me to get to know you and learn more about your individual and shared values and beliefs. This will set the tone for our next encounter.

2. Crafting Vows: This session will give us the opportunity to customize your vows.  We'll be able to integrate special readings, symbols that authentically represent the love you share for one another.

3. Reviewing Vows and Choreographing the Ceremony: Next we'll finalize the vows and discuss the staging of the ceremony.

4. Rehearsal Dinner: During the dinner i will invite your family and friends to celebrate your union by sharing stories of you.  It will be a time of celebration and remembrance.  If you would like, i would be happy to lead everyone in a blessing or grace that is appropriate to your faith tradition.       

5. Ceremony:  Before the ceremony, i would like to check-in with each of you before the ceremony.  This is simply one last brief pastoral call to express my celebration of your union.

Honoraria