We are still feeling the excitement of the wedding. So many of our family members and friends said it was one of the best ceremonies they had ever been to--that it was a such a joyful event. We feel so fortunate, Melissa, that YOU married us.
Ken and Aliya Mack, Cambridge, MA


MAZEL TOV! Congratulations. You have found the love of your life and have decided to get married. Perhaps you've already chosen the date and even started your invitation list. But wait, what about the ceremony and who will marry you?

Finding a rabbi can sometimes be more difficult than finding a caterer. And in someways it should be. You want to find that person who will listen to your needs and desires and help you create a ceremony that that is uniquely your own. And, like the rest of the wedding, it takes planning. Unlike the rest of the wedding planning, this is the no-stress, fun part.

As your wedding officiant and guide, I will take you through the process of creating a wedding ceremony that is joyful and meaningful. It may be very creative or very traditional. Most of all it will be about You.

Before your wedding, I will spend three to four hours with you, learning about your relationship, your values, and your dreams. I will have come to know you both and will be able to share with you guests what marriage and commitment mean to you. Your wedding day will be a unique reflection of your relationship and commitment to each other.

You can reach me at melisjoel@mac.com

More Wedding Photos and Comments.

Rabbi Melissa
One of our favorite parts of the planning process was the support that you gave us as a couple. Along with all the excitement that accompanied the wedding planning process, ours, of course, had plenty of drama. During our meetings last spring, you took time to let us vent about tricky family logistics and pointed out how lucky we were to have each other to lean on.

Throughout our planning process with you, during perhaps the busiest and distracting time in our lives so far, you built in ample opportunities to remember why we had been so excited to get our friends and family together and tell them how much we love each other.
 
We appreciated your flexibility in interpretting some of the traditions to fit our hopes for the day- people really felt a part of the celebration, even if this was their first Jewish wedding..
 
The wedding ceremony, too, felt so inclusive. Your tone was instructive and spiritually grounded, and your remarks memorable. Lots of our guests commented that the thoughts you offered gave the sense that you understood us as individuals and as a couple We got countless comments at the reception about what a beautiful ceremony it was—the best Jewish wedding they had ever been to.
 
*You're a mensch, Melissa! We were so glad to have gotten to know you and to have you lead us through such an exciting time in our lives.
Leslie & Zach
New York City

Rabbi Melissa, you performed an enchanting, wonderful ceremony for a very untraditional wedding. You set the tone for a very joyous and intimate afternoon.  Everyone commented on how lovely the ceremony was. It was very, very special. If we had to do it over again, there isn't anything we would have changed
Thank you.
Maggie and Jon Shafmaster,
Woodstock, Vermont 

Melissa,
We were most appreciative that you were so respectful of our needs, particularly being an interfaith couple. You really helped us craft a ceremony that was both spiritual but also inclusive and open to all input.
One of our guests expressed how personal it felt, and how the focus was on us as a couple and seemed to emphasize all the right aspects of what a wedding should be.
Melissa Wacks and Len Small
Lenox, MA

Melissa, thank you for the wonderful job you did working on our wedding.  It was such a beautiful and unforgettable event, mostly because of your warmth and good spirit.  We greatly appreciate it!
Larry and Kathleen, Salem, MA