Celebrant Foundations & Institute

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Getting to perform genuine, loving and memorable wedding ceremonies for my couples fills me with such joy! And I just love being the person who gets to say "By the authority vested in me, and by the Power of Love itself, I pronounce you married!

Before I came to this work as a Celebrant, I spent 15 years building, managing and selling 2 successful event planning companies in Redmond, WA. Prior to this, I was a television news anchor/reporter for five years in three markets and hold a B.A., in Journalism from Syracuse University, New York. In life, I have experienced great joy and great sorrow. I’ve had enough highs and lows in life to know better and a heart that is still optimistic and grateful. I am married to the love of my life and we live on Bainbridge Island with our “fur family” of four special needs dogs, all rescued from neglect/abuse. Greg and I are devoted to dog rescue and rehabilitation and this shared passion is a mission and purpose that fuels our love and commitment (in addition to each other, of course!) We work with several local rescue groups and have a special place in our heart for saving death row dogs. For us, there is no better feeling in life than knowing a living being is free of suffering and is safe.

I am on the Faculty of the Celebrant Foundation & Inst. and have earned two Diplomas of Celebrancy from this prestigious East Coast institution. I come to this work with a big and sensitive heart. I possess an open-minded, inclusive and curious nature and a life philosophy that is spiritual in nature with love and kindness at its center.

My devotion to each couple is the cornerstone of my work. I am best suited for a couple who recognizes their ceremony is the “heart” of their wedding day. This is also a couple who invests a little more for the comfort and assurance of knowing they are engaging an experienced, skilled and devoted Celebrant who is passionate about a sweetly designed ceremony. I often receive appreciation for the time and care I offer, no matter if the guest list is two people or 200 guests.

What I Know For Sure

Instead of a dry and predictable life bio, here is what I truly want you to know about me as a Graduate of the Celebrant Foundation & Institute. I love this work. It is such an honor for me as a Celebrant to share in a couple’s ceremony on a wedding day. For more than 9 years, I have worked with couples of all faiths and traditions (religious, spiritual, secular) as an ordained Non-Denominational Wedding Celebrant, traveling throughout the Seattle/Puget Sound area and Washington State. This work is all about cherishing a couple and celebrating a unique and loving relationship in the form of a gift – a personalized ceremony. For almost a decade, I have lovingly crafted, created and delivered on average, 160-180 wedding ceremonies annually.

Becoming a celebrant has been not only a meaningful experience, but a meaningful vocation. After graduation I began in 2005 and quickly developed my practice so that I am now working full-time as a celebrant. Being self-employed and utilizing my skills, along with the knowledge gained through study at the Celebrant Foundation and Institute, has been truly life-changing. What an amazing way to be a part of life's important milestones, in a way that really works for people, as well as earn a living. You just can't ask for more.

“It's hard for me to even begin to explain the impact that CF&I has had on my life. In 2007, when I began the courses, I was unhappy in my current career path and felt "stuck." Little did I know that by 2009, I would be able to quit my full-time job and be a full time Life-Cycle Celebrant. It's been nearly four years since my graduation from CF&I, and I still cannot believe how lucky I am to get to do something that I love. For so many of us, Celebrancy is not just a job or a title - it is truly a vocation that speaks to our hearts, a piece of us that we can share with others through our practices - and, at the same time, a viable business model that feels a much needed niche in our society and our culture.”

Much love

Jessie

Kim Kirkley, NY & NJ Celebrant



“I am delighted to write this letter sharing how the Celebrant Foundation and Institute has enriched my life.



Without the Celebrant Foundation and Institute (“CFI”), I don’t know who or where I would be. I do know that being a Celebrant has helped me to create a life full of joy, authenticity and service. I was in the first class of Celebrants trained through CFI and the first to become a full-time Celebrant. It is impossible for me to say how significantly the CFI has changed my life. Before becoming a Celebrant I was a very unhappy lawyer and at a loss as to how I could create a life that served me and my community. When I found out about this way to serve people through ceremony, I instantly knew that it was for me.



In this work over the last 9.5 years, I have honored more than 550 families through ceremony. I have had the experience of brides coming to me in tears because of what a clergy person has said to them. The training and support that CFI has given me let’s me be a safe place for everyone to experience the healing power of a personalized ceremony or ritual.



Additionally, the resources that CFI offers all Celebrants helps us to continue to enhance our offering and ourselves. I want you to know that the spirit of the CFI and its employees is part of what makes being a Celebrant so rewarding. The Sarma’s, Charlotte and Cindy exemplify a commitment to excellence, openness and service and, as Celebrants, we mirror their commitment.



It is my pleasure to speak on behalf of the Celebrant Foundation and Institute. For these reasons and more, I recommend CFI for any assistance with enthusiasm and without reservation. If I can be of further service, please do not hesitate to contact me. The Celebrant Foundation and Institute is an asset to any community and it is a privilege to speak on its behalf.”

The practice of Celebrancy requires what are, for me, a "perfect storm" of passions and skills -- community building and celebration, writing, an intense and valued reason to relate to people at a turning point in their lives and the opportunity to aid and support them in their transformations, a dash of theatrics and public speaking, and a way to make a decent living, at least as an avocation. The Celebrant Foundation and Institute has been my primary enabler on this path. From their training and advocacy work, to the resources the Foundation provides, and the active collegiality and teamwork the organization both offers and encourages, I will always be grateful to these pioneers.

This was my third course and I've learned, grown, made wonderful friends and have an exciting new aspect to my life. THANK YOU CINDY & CELEBRANT FOUNDATION & INSTITUTE

Thank you so much for your support and guidance throughout this journey. It has certainly given me a holistic picture of a way that I can pull on all my strengths from the past to create something new for the future. I'm looking forward to figuring out where to go from here.

Thank you for all your thoughtful guidance and feedback. Now as I come to a finish I find myself hungry for more. The course has brought me to a place where I have a new level of questions. I suppose this is where our own searching and fellowship with fellow celebrants comes in You have crafted a program that evolved me to this point, again thank you. Best, absolutely the best.

If I was attending the graduation with you all I would be hugging my teacher Lamira right now! This past year was a blessing in many ways and my celebrant classes were part of that blessing. Like others, celebrancy was new to me and just what I was looking for! Or maybe just what was looking for ME! I am grateful for the program; grateful for Cindy Reed, who kept saying yes to all my questions; grateful for my classmates because I learned so much from you all; grateful for Lamira as "instructor extraordinaire," who shared her knowledge and expertise and wisdom with generosity, humor and support. Congratulations to all of us!

My Celebrant graduation was THE MOST INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE that I have ever witnessed or participated in!!!!! I kept saying to my husband, "I can't believe that they're doing all of this for us!" It was a wonderful time throughout the entire 3 days. How amazing to be in such an atmosphere! Talking with classmates and colleagues the entire time!!!! To me, one of the most moving rituals was the living archway of teachers and alumni that we passed through at the end of the ceremony. The entire experience I cherish to this day! I passionately and proudly say, "I am a Celebrant!" I am grateful to have made and strengthened friendships that I feel will last throughout my life. Although we are states away, we communicate on a regular basis by email, cards and sometimes lengthy phone calls. We ask for and share with each other elements and rituals that we need or have performed. The education provided by the foundation is impeccable and should be followed explicitly!!!