Welcome to Ceremonies by Shael - Where Your Love Story Takes Center Stage

Who I Am & Why I Do This

I’ve spent most of my life standing in front of people — as an actor, a musician, a leadership coach, and now, as a Humanist officiant. No matter the role, it’s always been about the same thing: connection. I became an officiant because I believe that the biggest moments in our lives — whether they’re joyful, painful, or somewhere in between — deserve to be marked with honesty, warmth, and humanity. These ceremonies aren’t about following a script; they’re about creating moments that actually mean something.

What I Bring to Your Ceremony

Humanist ceremonies put people, stories, and real emotions at the center. I don’t traffic in platitudes, and I definitely don’t do “one size fits all.” Instead, I take the time to get to know the people at the heart of the moment — their quirks, their humour, their values, and the relationships that shape them. Then I craft a ceremony that reflects all of that. It’s part storytelling, part holding space, and part making sure Aunt Linda doesn’t nod off in the back row.

Why People Choose Me

Whether I’m helping a couple celebrate their love, honouring someone’s life, or marking a milestone that deserves a moment in the spotlight, my goal is always the same: to make the ceremony feel real. I want people to laugh, cry, and walk away feeling connected to something bigger than just the occasion. No stiff formalities. No lectures. Just authentic, human moments that people remember long after the chairs are folded up.

What Our Couples Say...

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Wedding Wire
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ExcellentTrustindex star 1Trustindex star 2Trustindex star 3Trustindex star 4Trustindex star 55.09 reviews
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Excellent9 reviews
ExcellentGoogle star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 55.01 reviews
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ExcellentFacebook star 1Facebook star 2Facebook star 3Facebook star 4Facebook star 55.06 reviews
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Excellent6 reviews
ExcellentWeddingWire star 1WeddingWire star 2WeddingWire star 3WeddingWire star 4WeddingWire star 55.02 reviews
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Excellent2 reviews
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Melissa Lerner profile picture
Melissa Lerner
27 days ago
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We were incredibly fortunate to have Shael as our officiant. From the very first meeting, he made us feel comfortable and took the time to really get to know us. Throughout the process, he was patient, thoughtful, and a truly calming presence. The ceremony he created was so personal and meaningful, and so many of our guests commented on how special it felt. We can’t thank him enough for the role he played in making our day unforgettable. Thank you, Shael, for helping us start our marriage with such a beautiful ceremony. We will always be grateful. ❤️ John & Melissa
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Alicia Stiliadis profile picture
Alicia Stiliadis
400 days ago
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My wedding was on August 23, 2025 and I ran to write this review! Shael was such a pleasure to work with. So kind, funny and calm right from the beginning, all the way until the end! He answered emails right away - when you're planning a wedding, having customer service like that is such a relief! The ceremony was exactly what we wanted. Short and sweet and customized perfectly for the amount of time that we wanted. Not to mention, he showed to the ceremony up in a super snazzy jacket!! THANK YOU SHAEL! Alicia + Cole
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Montana Illman
403 days ago
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Shael was the officiant for my wedding on July 26th, 2025. He listened to all of our requests & kept the ceremony short and simple. Shael interviewed us before the wedding so that he was able to include some important details about our relationship in his script. He also included some sweet personal "advice" about the "key to a happy marriage" as he & his wife have experienced. I would highly recommend Shael to anyone getting married as both myself, my husband & our guests were extremely impressed with his service.
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Rebecca Moshé-Steinberg profile picture
Rebecca Moshé-Steinberg
407 days ago
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Michael and I are so extremely lucky and grateful that we had you officiate our wedding. From the moment we got engaged, we instantly knew we wanted you as our officiant. You’ve known me my entire life, and we knew your words would bring warmth, meaning, and a deeply personal touch to our wedding day. We wanted a ceremony that reflected our relationship, honoured our Jewish background and traditions, and felt inclusive and heartfelt, and you absolutely delivered. You took the time to understand what was most important to us and thoughtfully incorporated every element we hoped for. Your words were moving, sincere, and full of love. You made the entire experience feel meaningful, not just for us, but for everyone there. After the ceremony, so many of our guests came up to tell us how much they loved it. People said it was one of the most engaging and heartfelt ceremonies they’ve witnessed. They appreciated how smoothly everything flowed and how present they felt throughout it. Many told us it was the first time they were truly moved by a wedding ceremony and that’s entirely thanks to you! If you are looking for a wedding officiant, we highly recommend Shael. He is warm, thoughtful, and intentional in everything he does. Whether or not you have a personal connection with him, he will take the time to get to know you, understand your relationship, and craft a ceremony that feels authentic, personal, and memorable. He brings heart, humour, and meaning to every word and will make your wedding ceremony truly unforgettable.
Posted on Wedding Wire Wedding Wire
Laura profile picture
Laura
764 days ago
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Shael is Lovely & Personable Shael was wonderful as our officiant for our Aug 2024 wedding. We asked for a non-religious service with very little need for tradition, just short and sweet. We felt warmly welcomed by Shael’s words during our ceremony and that it checked all our requests. Shael was easy to talk to ahead of our wedding and responded quickly by email. We had a zoom meet & greet call in the beginning that was easy to schedule. A few emails to discuss details and narrow things down. I had a lovely phone call with Shael a few days before the wedding and he was so encouraging -a bride always has a to-do list. It was just that little boost of encouragement that I needed to help get through a very busy day. Even the simple reminder that everyone is usually very busy with last minute details the week before their wedding. Something so simple but it was caring and helpful, just like Shael. My now husband and I would highly recommend Shael for any wedding. Especially if you want someone who will make you feel at ease. Thank you Shael -L & S, August 2024
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Taylor Avery-Kenny profile picture
Taylor Avery-Kenny
770 days ago
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where do I begin! Shael! Shael! Shael! all Hail Shael! I got Married to the love of my life on August 3rd 2024 and he knocked it out of the Park! He was so happy, polite , kind and unbelievably calm as Weddings can get a little stressful. He is very easy to work with and willing and able to customize anything you want with his own personal style to it. Highly recommend Shael If you are looking for a rock star to get you Married! from the Groom: Taylor
Posted on Wedding Wire Wedding Wire
Jody profile picture
Jody
1055 days ago
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Shael brings the magic! Shael made our secular ceremony feel sacred by celebrating our unique values as a couple blending families. His huge heart and endless creativity made him the perfect choice for our wedding in the round! Throughout the planning process, Shael helped us feel heard and supported by encouraging open communication and collaboration. He married tradition with innovation, as well as us! As an officiant, Shael conducts a room with his magnetic presence while also making everyone feel comfortable and included. He is a humanist because he helps people feel seen and valued, regardless of their religion. Thank you, Shael, for crafting a ceremony that created a community of love and a core memory for our friends and family. They were deeply moved by your service and said it was the most intimate and authentic wedding ceremony they have ever attended. With love & gratitude, Jody Geddes & Brian Hargan
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Maria P Costabile profile picture
Maria P Costabile
1061 days ago
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Thank you Shael for performing our wedding ceremony. You were amazing from start to finish. You were so easy to talk to and found out information about us to prepare for the ceremony easily. The ceremony was beautiful , you made us and everyone feel very comfortable with your friendly personality. I was so happy to have found you and you were very accommodating and offered many services . You did a great job and I would highly recommend your services . Thank you, Maria and Mario
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Jody Geddes profile picture
Jody Geddes
1067 days ago
positiverecommendsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Facebook.
Shael made our secular ceremony feel sacred by celebrating our unique values as a couple blending families. His huge heart and endless creativity made him the perfect choice for our wedding in the round. Throughout the planning process, Shael helped us feel heard and supported by encouraging open communication and collaboration. He married tradition with innovation as well as us! As an officiant, Shael conducts a room with his magnetic presence while also making everyone feel comfortable and included. He is a humanist because he helps people feel seen. Thank you, Shael, for crafting a ceremony that created a community of love and a core memory for our friends and family. With love & gratitude, Jody Geddes & Brian Hargan October 21st, 2023
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Let's Create Your Perfect Ceremony

Let’s ditch the cookie-cutter scripts and create something that actually sounds like you. Whether you’ve got a million questions or you’re ready to dive right in, I’m here to make it easy, personal, and a little bit fun. Let’s connect and bring your story to life.